Ive always loved the story of the phoenix! I want to be able to rise from the ashes of whatever life throws my way. It's a symbol of strength and endurance that inspires and challenges me! Every family has their strengths and weaknesses but something that my parents did so completely right was teach us that life isn't easy, worth it, but not easy!
I was mowing lawns at 11, babysitting at 13, earning ANYTHING I wanted that wasn't a need. I learned to work hard, I learned to fail, I learned to get back up and try again. At 15, they dual enrolled me at the local community college and I had to level up! I was now trying to keep up in school with adults and my focus shifted along with that. I've experienced more than my share of failures and I am so very grateful for that! I think one of the most important lessons a person can learn is that failure is a tool. It's a necessary stepping stone to move you forward! Too many people fear it and avoid it, never seeing its the path to their success! In fact, it's the only way we grow. Growth is what makes life exciting! Nothing feels better than a promotion you EARNED or the deep commitment and love of a relationship that is RESTORED, or a goal that you CRUSHED. Those things don't happen without growth. Growth doesn't come without struggle. It doesn't come without the refining fire of life burning away what needs to change. Some look at the fire and, out of fear, decide it's not worth it, never truly understand what's waiting on the other side. Others catch the vision and step into the flames, willing to go through the pain of self discovery to gain it. Those are the ones that understand the pain of staying the same is in the end is GREATER than the pain of transforming. SO, today if you are standing at the crossroads, don't be afraid! The flames are there only to burn away the things that are holding you back. Step into growth and rise from the ashes!
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" Everyone has a talent. What's rare is the courage to follow it into dark places. " Erica Jong
I was looking through old photographs that a dear friend took of me and I was surprised to notice how much of myself was revealed. I can see my insecurity looking back at me and my self doubt in my posture. I was so lost. It wasn't that long ago that I struggled to name a talent that I possessed. I looked around at everyone else and it felt like I was the only one without some remarkable skill. Not seeing myself and my abilities clearly made me feel less than others. It made me shirk back from initiating and in silence I hid. When I first felt that spark of interest, I was terrified. I was longing for something but when it finally appeared I was terrified to move into the unknown. Stepping out into the light and being seen was both something I wanted and something I feared. More than anything I wanted to see myself. I wanted to know what I was capable of. I wanted to feel excited about my life and future as an individual. Stepping into a leadership roll has been good for me. Ive been willing to do things for others that I probably wouldn't have done for myself. Ive had to grow so that I could be the person I needed to be. Ive had to push myself out of my comfort zone, and though it was intimidating at times, finding the courage to follow my talents into dark places has been the great adventure that I was longing for. I seriously felt that if i could help even one person that it would be worth all the work that I put in. Today, one of my challengers posted this in our group, "I remember the day we talked on the phone about this lifestyle. I was discouraged. Felt disgusting and really grasping for any hope I could see some change by summer. You encouraged me to take it a day at a time. To be myself. To let this be about me and about change not perfection. Really to be 1% better every day. I had days where I wanted to binge but you were there to encourage me to be present and not walk in shame. I have cried through workouts, confronted insecurities and faced emotions without a soothie in food. All the while, you are there pulling us with you, keeping us engaged and feeling worthy. Today, I feel like a champion! I am learning to love my body. I am not able to fully express what this all means to me... but I am so thankful for you! " With tears in my eyes, I am telling you, follow your talents to the dark places. Be willing to shine and be the light! Being willing to face my own fears, breaking my own chains, being willing to reach out and share vulnerably with others has changed ME into the person I always wanted to be! Though i do love helping other with their health journey's, the most important thing I want them to gain from an interaction with me is a sense of their own worthiness and their own beauty. We are working on self care but the true transformation we are looking for is all internal! When I first started coaching, I didn't know why I felt so drawn to it, or what I hoped to accomplish through it, but I knew I had to pursue it, afraid or not! As I followed the spark into the dark places, my talents revealed themselves along the way. Never let the fear of the unknown hinder your growth! Before I was silent among others, afraid to speak up, worried that someone would say, "Who do you think you are?" and now, without shame, I have complete freedom to stand up and say, "THIS is who I am." This week I started a coach training where I get the privilege of teaching other women see their talents and develop them to serve others. I love each training because it's filled with different women that are called to affect the world in different ways!( It's the real world version of the sorting hat in Harry Potter!) If you are struggling to see your talents and longing to be part of something that changes lives, come join us! https://angelsofvalor.wufoo.com/forms/angels-of-valor-coach-application/ It's so easy to feel defeated. I started this January group so excited about my goals and then...my kids caught a cold. The nights have been rough. I'm tired. It's easy to say, " I'll start again tomorrow." Or the next day, week or month! It's easy to eat convenience food instead of cooking healthy meals, but that's not who I want to be! I get to choose to be the person that makes wise decision each and every day. I don't suddenly become her, I have to do the work! The truth is, I'm not afraid of hard work. It's giving into the negative thoughts and defeated mindset that brings me down. Life is going to happen! That doesn't change the goal.
So I'm learning to be firm about my goals and flexible about my methods. If I need to rest, I skip a workout, but I stick to my nutrition plan. If I can work out, I do! If I give into defeat and have a bad day, I pick back up as soon as I realize where I've let myself go. I'm designing my life starting from the inside out and I do not want to be a person that gives up because things get hard. I want to be the person that crushes her goals in spite of struggles! No inspiring story of success ends with, " It was easy." So when things get hard, be encouraged! You're in the thick of it. You are writing your success story. When those hurdles appear how are you going to jump over them? How are you going to improvise your plan to get to your goal? It's not easy, but it IS worth it! So instead of listening to your own negative inner dialogue, ask yourself two questions. Who do you want to be? How are you going to make it happen? Let every decision you make stem from there. We all have our curses. For some that might mean a disease that makes it hard to lose weight, or struggling with depression or anxiety, money trouble, a busy schedule, children that don't sleep well, an unsupportive spouse, no spouse, and the list goes on. It's easy to look at our circumstances and throw in the towel but if you look around you, there are people in your circumstances, and even harder ones pushing through, making themselves a priority, and chasing their dreams!
One of the things I love about our challenge group is walking through our struggles together! It helps me have perspective on my own circumstances and it keeps me inspired to keep going, both for my own benefit and for those in the trenches with me. Conquering the hard circumstances is empowering! That moment you realize you are stronger than that struggle it ceases to have power over you! It's not easy but it is worth it! Keep pressing on, beautiful girl! You can do hard things! We all know that we need to eat more veggies, right? So finding ways to jazz them up and make them delicious on their own is key to getting a more balanced diet. This is one of my new favorites!
You will need: 2 Tablespoons of coconut oil 2 cloves garlic, chopped 2 Tablespoons, grated fresh ginger 1 medium carrot, cut into thin diagonal slices 1 cup broccolu florets 1 zucchini chopped 1 small head bok choy, chopped into bite sized pieces 1 Tablespoon of sesame oil 2 Tablespoon of Braggs liquid aminos ( or to taste) Heat coconut oil in a large skillet or owk over high heat. Add garlic, ginger, and carrots; cook, stirring constantly for one minute. Add broccoli; cook, sirring frequently for 4-5 minutes. Add zucchini and bok choy. Reduce heat to medium. Cook 2-3 minutes or until tender-crisp. Turn off heat. Add sesame il and Braggs liquid aminos. Mix well. Enjoy! When I was 20 I started having trouble with my skin. Terrible acne! My parents were splitting up at the time and I chalked it up to stress. On top of it, I was broke. I was making $8 an hour and living on my own, but I was funneling money into fixing my skin. I tried every fad on the market, I went to dermatologists, I tried Retin-A, plus every homeopathic remedy people recommended including accupuncture and flower essences. Nothing worked but that didn't stop me from trying! In face, my skin didn't get better until my nutrition got better. We have been marketed into believing that we need a miracle cure but the truth is when we give our bodies the nutrients they need to function properly, most of those symptoms disappear. The average women spends per year: $215 on cosmetics $680 on hair products/services $800 a weigthloss products ( including diet foods and beverages) And 17 years of her life dieting. My inbox is full of messages from women reaching out asking for my help that never take the step because they don't see the value or importance of investing in themselves. They don't see that they are like a hamster on a wheel always chasing the same things and pouring money into things that can't solve the problem. I understand because I was there! I didn't understand that it wasn't what I put on my body that would make a difference, it was what I was putting IN that needed to change! More upsetting to me than the money wasted is the years spent punishing themselves. 17 years of a life DIETING! That's 17 years feeling shamed into losing weight, only to regain it. That is no way to live! I am so passionate about this because I have seen the freedom that developing a healthy lifestyle brings. It doesn't mean that you never indulge or enjoy your favorite treats, its about living a life of moderation. Understanding how to be care for your body in a way that gives you an amazing quality of life without shame, fear, and illness. For years, I "managed" my weight through calorie counting and that included redbull and peanut butter crackers for breakfast! I was headed toward diabetes but I was 116 pounds! Our culture told me I was healthy because I was thin, but my skin was screaming at me to wake up and care for my body. My husband will tell you, I fought paying the price of a challenge pack, but in the following year I made up for it in the cost of make-up alone! Not to mention the $60 a month I was spending on redbull or the $50 a month I spent eating fast food. When I started caring for my body, I became healthy from the inside out. My shame went away, my skin cleared up, my hair became healthy and shiny and I stopped funneling money into symptoms. The average women is spending $141 a month chasing the APPEARANCE of a healthy body. For a one time( not to mention refundable) purchase around the same amount you can get the skills to actually HAVE a healthy body and trim down that monthly cost drastically! And more important to me than all that money wasted is the years spent feeling less than and miserable. Don't live your life feeling unhappy and punishing yourself into your skinny jeans! Work out 30 minutes a day with some of best trainers in the world, come learn what your body needs from you with meal plans put together by nutritionists, and surround yourself with other women that are walking this out and learning to have grace for themselves! Everyday, women in our group tell me things like they are sleeping better, they stopped having bathroom trouble, their skin cleared up, their hair is growing out healthy, they stopped having migraines, they started their periods again, they were able to get off meds, and the list goes on! Instead of looking at symptoms as the problem, we need to look at how we are treating our bodies. It only takes three weeks to start seeing major changes. Join us for a round and see for yourself! http://www.angelsofvalor.com/join-a-challenge-group.html ᐧ Today in our challenge group we were talking about negative thoughts and ideas that can hinder our healing and growth and as we shared our stories, one of my challengers commented that she had realized she needs to be content with her body and stop envying my abs! I laughed out loud! These 4 pictures were taken this year, since May actually!
My abs are in a constant state of flux depending on my life circumstances! I love to be toned but I have kids that don't sleep, and a life that requires a certain amount of flexibility. I lose muscle quickly and I get discouraged a lot! Part of why I love coaching is because I get to share my crazy journey and show other women it's all a process. My nutrition has to be PERFECT to maintain the abs and with a family it gets tough but I have decided that its about whats best for my family, ALL of us, its not all about me maintaining muscles. I'm healthy, I'm eating better than I ever have, so if leaving some wiggle room gives my children a happy childhood and keeps my husband from losing his mind than I need to learn to be content. It comes in waves, and I have learned to just do my best and ride it out! I do understand though, I have people in my life who make me envious but it's all about perspective. And I have gained so much more knowledge throughout this process. Trying the different programs, following the different nutrition plans, I keep gleaning things that help me! Fitness is a journey not a destination! It's about respecting your body, practicing self-care, thinking about the future, while enjoying the present! Don't envy anyone, just fall in love with the process and remember progress isn't all physical! Finding that balance and having a healthy mentality and emotional state of being is part of the journey too! Being able to enjoy your life is more important than a six pack! This was probably our FAVORITE meal from the Ultimate Reset! It was super filling and delicious! Awesome for the cold Colorado nights as well!
You will need: 2 oz of raw cashews ( about 36 cashews) 3 cups of water 3 medium zucchinis, cut into chunks Himalayan Sea Salt to taste Soak cashew in 1 cup of water for 1 hour. While cashews are soaking, bring remaining water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add zucchini; cook for 4-5 minutes. Drain. Set aside. Place cashews( with water), zucchini, and salt into a food processer ( in two batches if necessary). Blend until smooth. Heat soup in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 4-5 minutes, or until hot. Do not boil. You've got to try it! I'd love to hear your experience if you do! I don't talk very much about the monetary perks about being a coach, because, honestly, that doesn't really matter to me. I started coaching because being part of the Beachbody community changed my perspective of my body and transformed my life.
I cry daily, out of joy, over stories my challengers share with me. Most of these stories have nothing to do with weight loss. They have to do with victories over addictions, a change in perspective, seeing their worth, and feeling beautiful! ( I'm tearing up just talking about it! I would do this for the rest of my life even if I never made a dime. It is that fulfilling! When I started coaching, my first goal was just to have my Shakeology covered so that it wouldn't be taking from the family budget and then it was to cover it for both Phillip and I. After that, I started putting money into my business and I have never had to take money from our household to build it. No loans, no debt. Being a buyer, I saw how much money it took to open a new store, and how long it took for that store to turn a profit. Most businesses take around 5 years to start making money. Mine was making money in the first 30 days! This business is amazing! I never really imagined I would be able to make a full income doing this but that's what has unfolded! And though I still don't do it for the money, it has helped our family greatly! It was nice that when we got slapped with a $400 doctor visit for Scarlett that I was able to cover it or being able to pay for our christmas presents without taking money out of savings. Those things are significant, at least for my family! But my FAVORITE part of what I do is building a sisterhood! Angels of Valor is a team of women that are dedicated to being vulnerable and to sharing our struggles and victories. We share the secrets of our successes because we know that rising water lifts all ships. I am surrounded by some of the most amazing people I have ever met and we are just a small part of an even larger ministry. We are adding to our numbers everyday (in the USA and Canada!) Some of these women I have yet to meet in person but they have become some of my best friends! I get asked a lot if there is any real money to be made in coaching, and the answer is yes! My December earnings were 100% greater than they were in 2015. Who gets that kind of raise? Though Beachbody doesn't guarantee any amount of income or success, I can tell you from experience, if you do the work consistently and with heart, it is more than possible! I am looking for 10 women that are interested in being a part of what we are doing! Our focus is not weight loss but healing, inside and out. We are training woman to care for their bodies BECAUSE they are worthy and not as a punishment for imperfection. We are fighting against unattainable beauty standards, and choosing to see our own beauty. We are about being stronger, NOT thinner. There are a few ways to be involved! 1. You can be part of our challenge group! We are always looking for woman that will come and be present and vulnerable in the group. Many people join but it takes a few stepping out to create that environment! I might lead it but I need people to help me cultivate it! 2. You can become a coach part-time. It doesn't have to be all consuming! You can assist in my group or you can run your own.You can literally put in an hour a day and still build something amazing! Whether you are a stay at home mom or working a full time career , you can build something amazing AND hold yourself accountable to your own health journey on a whole different level! 3. You can become a full on business builder with goals of making it your only job! Still with as little as an hour a day, you can build a thriving business. You can cultivate your own vision for serving others and reach an entire world of people in your life that I can't reach! I am so grateful to my coaches for catching the vision and expanding it! I love my vision but it has become something altogether more beautiful as it has expanded and grown! Regardless of how you would like to serve our team, I will train you, give you all the resources that you need, and you will have the full support of an amazing team behind you as well! I am SO excited to see who joins us this month! With each new coach, our sisterhood grows more and more precious to me! I spent my life hanging out with the guys because I thought girls were nothing but drama. I didn't know these kinds of relationships were even possible. Being part of Angels of Valor has made me sad that I didn't find this sooner! Don't miss out! We have room for you! Apply here---> http://tinyurl.com/becomeanangelofvalor In case you need a little reminder today! You have gifts and abilities no one else ever has or will ever have. Never doubt your importance to this world, especially to the people who's lives you touch everyday! When it comes to your life, be all in. Enjoy who you are, grow, and bless others!
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Author"And Aubrey was her name. A not so very ordinary girl or name."(Or so says David Gates ;) I'm a wife to Phillip, a mother to Scarlett and Juliet. We live in the beautiful city of Thornton, Co. I'm a recovering red bull addict. I love to read. I hate to cook. I seek to be inspired and also to inspire others. I am a Beachbody Coach on a quest to be truly healthy mind, soul, and body and challenge others to do the same. Archives
February 2018
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