I went into 2023 ready to listen. I’ve lived an entire lifetime living in a noise maker, although that’s no complaint. I love being surrounded by people, bright lights, and big energy. I’m learning that I also love being in solitude. I dedicated this year to strengthening the voice of my own intuition to continue guiding me in the direction of true fulfillment.

Taking the time to pause gave me a clearer view of who I am, what my needs are, and where my focus needs to lie. I was able to disconnect from expectations and obligations to truly reconnect at a deeper level. Some stuck, and others were tossed. I prioritized sleep more than ever. I spent more time tucking my children into bed…listening, holding, and scratching their backs. I created daily time on my mat and found simple ways to incorporate breathwork into my daily rhythms. I learned how to play golf…sort of…and prioritized hobbies. I journeyed through multiple deep transformational breathwork and meditation sessions. I learned how to sit still…for hours. I confronted old trauma, bad relationships, and past regrets that have freed up space for new thinking, new ways, and new opportunities. I committed to another year with my coach, Alison Canavan, and peeled back more layers than I can count. The very essence of my being is raw, open, and vulnerable, yet powerful all at once.

I meditated with monks and saw the Grand Canyon for the first time – crossing both items off my bucket list. I traveled to New York, Florida, Colorado, Illinois, Tennessee, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Nevada, Arizona, Aruba and wrapped up our sixth and final camping season at local State Parks. I’ve written a new chapter to my marriage and it’s off to a beautiful, beautiful start.

In a year where my focus was keeping an ear to the ground, I’m thankful it ultimately led me to me, which has positively trickled down into my family and businesses. I slowed down, apologized less, and spoke up more.

I asked myself questions like:

What expectations do I place on myself that are draining me?
What expectations do others have of me that I can I let go of?
What different decisions am I making today to help me become who I want to be tomorrow?

The heartaches and hurdles are not to be forgotten. As a Burn Boot Camp community, we lost an incredible employee/member. I lost one uncle, one aunt, two nephews and we received a cancer diagnosis. But, my family continues to stand tall and I’m soaking up all of the extra phone calls we seem to be making to one another.

Taking a step back to focus internally forced me to get creative professionally. I didn’t have enough paws to be in all the pots, yet my desire to continue charging forward was no less important. I enlisted the help of others, and a lot of it. This year was far from sleepy in that regard. We opened our fifth Burn Boot Camp location, relocated our first, and refreshed the second. I hosted three more workshops (Elevate Your Potential) and spoke at multiple events. I celebrated 11 employees who have been with me for five strong years, two for six years, and welcomed dozens more to the roster. We gained hundreds of new members and created a million more opportunities for better living. We raised another $40,000 towards the MDA and a handful of change towards LLS.

2023 taught me that it’s OK to accept help. That, I can still make an impact while leaning on others, and doing so doesn’t make me any less humble or grateful. Rather, I would argue the opposite. My team and support system are the unsung heroes of everything I touch.

I’m ready for you 2024, although, no more ready than I was for today…or yesterday. For me, there is no significance in a new date, rather, there is significance in each new day we are given. There is opportunity for change all around us.