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I share it all because the highlights divide us and the struggles unite us.
Through these candid confessions and reflections, you will understand that we are all connected. We are united by similar fears, self-doubt, and pressures.
We each hold a key to unlocking our fullest potential through inspired action.
Soul to Sole: What to Expect
At its heart, Soul to Sole: Unlocking Potential and Embracing Authenticity is a journey into self-discovery and joy—a space to reconnect with your true self and find the courage to lean into the life you deeply desire. Whether you're already registered or contemplating signing up, this blog post is here to ease any uncertainties and build excitement for what lies ahead!
Confidence Takes Reps
We’ve been talking a lot about confidence inside the gyms. What confidence feels like, how we build it, and how we transfer these beliefs from fitness to our everyday lives.
Repetition creates familiarity which helps the unknown become less overwhelming. The more familiar we become with our environment and our abilities, we begin to trust. Our first day at camp feels very different to our 100th. We leverage those proven experiences of success to later trust future experiences that are unknown. We develop a mindset that can see beyond what may be in front of us at that given moment. We know that we are equipped to overcome.
Say “Yes” this time.
The first day I walked into Burn Boot Camp, I was exhausted and smelled like crusty breast milk. I was a new mom all over again. I was carrying extra baby weight and was reminded of it every time the fold of my butt cheeks would stick to the top of my legs. I was conflicted with emotion. My children gave me so much joy, yet I felt so disconnected from myself. My body quickly became a vessel for feeding, and all the hobbies and interests that once made me “me,” started to gather dust.
Finding Rhythm in Midlife
There are thirty of us seated in a large living room with modern art and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Santa Fe horizon. The living room belongs to Chip Conley, Founder of Modern Elder Academy (MEA), published author, and former CEO of AirBnB. He’s a hospitality guru, and so it’s only appropriate he’s hosting us so intimately in his home. Although, this was never the plan. The grand opening of the MEA Santa Fe ranch retreat center was supposed to be underway, but with a few unexpected building inspection hiccups, he was quick to improvise. Dozens of trailers were brought in adorned with luxurious hotel-grade bedding and nightstand chocolates creating an impromptu trailer park for our five-night stay. I knew our experience would be a little different, but just as special, if not more.
Is Your Vision Board a Waste of Time?
Like anything, what you put in is what you’ll get out. It’s a fun process to dream and visually create goals on a piece of paper, but your success is determined by three key factors:
Growth Happens.
Manchester turned six today! I was humbled to be in the gym early this morning and surrounded by our members who have joined this community from various points in time. Day one, year one, today. I take none of this for granted. I know the fitness journey is chock full of ups and downs, peaks and valleys, PRs and failures. To be a consistent anchor in anyone’s journey fuels me with an even deeper purpose because I know what it takes to hang on, trust the process, and grow through transformation.
We often look to fitness as our gateway to happiness, and for short periods of time - it absolutely is. But it’s not our source of happiness. We are. It begins within each of us. This is exactly what Kira (Nolen) talked about today in her cooldowns.
We are fortunate to have so many members who have been with us for YEARS. It’s a true gift. Being a multi-year member myself, I know it comes with challenges, though. When motivation runs dry, we often look for new inspiration or shiny objects to keep our attention span. To keep what once was, we rely on the things that once were. Yet, we are the ones that are designed to change.
But that’s where Burn Boot Camp excels. We don’t just have an interest in your motivation levels, but who you are as a person and how you are evolving. We want to peel back those layers with you.
Event Recap: Elevate Your Potential
I invite YOU to make the most out of your life and take action toward your dreams with me at an upcoming workshop. Together, we take the time to find stillness through a visualization meditation, and we pause to listen to what our desires truly are. This clarity begins to paint a picture of what is important to us. We step outside of the expectations of others and our own mental clutter that’s been holding us back and into the authenticity of our hearts. We create without judgment and boundaries in our relationships, well-being, spirituality, career, community, and lifestyle.
10 Things I’ve Learned as a Small Business Owner
There is a Burn Boot Camp Franchise Partner, or heck, any small business owner, that needs to be reminded of this. Yes, you.
Last November, I celebrated five years in business and in the next five weeks, I’ll be opening my fifth Burn Boot Camp. The five-year milestone is one typically only half survive, yet there is so much more to survival than an “OPEN” sign.
Here are a few heavy lessons I’ve learned along the way:
1. Your business is only as strong as your own health. If you’re not prioritizing yourself, your business is a ticking time bomb. Your business needs YOU to think clearly and strategically to advance. Cloudy thoughts do not create a clear vision. Anxiety-ridden decisions do not create a stable environment. Exhausted leaders do not inspire energized employees. Your people need YOU to set the example of expectations and direction. If you’re not performing to your fullest potential, neither will your people.
Take it off.
I used to have anxiety about wearing a bathing suit. I would be the one glued to the chair and careful to slither into my clothes to walk a few steps. I was self-conscious, insecure and gave far too many F’s what others thought of me. I cared so much, I lost sight of the one voice that mattered. Mine. Even as a “skinny girl,” I wished for more. I had what others wanted and so I never felt like I had permission to feel the way I felt; instead, I felt shame and a growing discomfort in my own skin. I had placed my value in the hands of beauty standards. It was never enough. My own standards had become buried and the lens in which I saw myself chipped away at my self-confidence.
Love is in the (salty) air
This time, I come to you from the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The past few weeks have been a marathon of travel. The disorganization of work and absence from being inside the gyms has felt overwhelming at times, but I'm proud that I've been able to stay flexible and present wherever my two feet have been planted. Currently, they are planted on the deck of cabin room 622. I am met with salty air and the sound of the ocean splashing against the ship. A cruise ship. Ted and I are joined by 12 other couples from the St. Louis chapter of EO (Entrepreneur's Organization). I feel so grateful for this opportunity. The chemistry and bond of this organization is special. There's an inherent understanding and loyalty that runs deep. As a first-time entrepreneur, I learn so much and am often reminded to slow down. So, I guess I am.
Six Habits I’m Currently Mastering
As we near the end of January, whatever action or goal you set out to accomplish is either starting to stick or is slowly unraveling. If you’re not paying attention, it’s likely unraveling. To make progress in any area of your life, you MUST dedicate your energy there. “Wanting” without effort yields zero results. Dreaming without discomfort is just a dream. Real change requires commitment and focus.
Naked & Completely Free in 2023
I first started swimming as an avenue to share a common hobby with Ted. I dreaded the idea. I grew up afraid of water on Lake Ontario and the older I got, the more I fed this fear. Sharks are in swimming pools; didn’t you know that? I was afraid to even sit in a hot tub alone. But my desire for a deeper connection with my husband became stronger than the fear of imaginary fish swallowing me whole. So, I jumped in. Swimming together validated this effort and therefore I needed Ted to swim with me. I swam for him. I swam for us. We swam consistently every Tuesday and Thursday for almost two years. During this time, I created a healthier relationship with water. I panicked less. I stepped into the ocean chest-high twice and even tasted salt water for the first time in my entire life. When I swam laps, I started to pretend I was a sea turtle (feels normal, right?) and felt a semblance of peace under the cold (pool) water.
Event Recap: Love The Skin You’re In
I had the opportunity to highlight four Burn Boot Camp members from each of my gyms to learn about their fitness transformation. During our time together at lululemon, not only did I become even more inspired by each of them, but I was able to draw common themes that surfaced in their stories and journey to self-love; a practice that requires consistency, positive-self-talk, and a shift in mindset. To love the skin we’re in is much less about our physical appearance as it is our entire being. It’s knowing that we are far more than a number on a scale or the length of our jeans. Each of these members has progressed in unique ways and reflects various stages of a fitness journey, yet they are united by healthy embodiment and pride in who they are.
Event Recap: Hustle Smarter, Not Harder with Maria Granados
She is kind, genuine, and full of life. Maria also knows how to hustle. We sat down together at lululemon to talk about how to hustle smarter, not harder.
Event Recap: You are NOT fine with Heath Norton
What is the one thing Heath wants you to know?
“It’s OK to not be OK. There is power in community to help others feel seen and heard. That, our shared experiences are available as testimonials to others experiencing similar things.”
Event Recap: Your Relationship with F-O-O-D
Meet Jillian. If you were at my live event last week, you did. You already know that she is fun, energetic, witty, humble, smart and passionate. Best of all, she’s been cooking for me since 2017 through her local empire, fit-flavors, and for thousands of others since 2009. Thirteen years ago, she started meal prepping for others out of her kitchen.
8 Ways to Simplify Healthy Eating
There will always be a million reasons why RIGHT NOW is not the best time to eat healthy. Don’t create false barriers. Life is one giant distraction. Learning how to eat well through distractions is what makes you successful.
Stop drifting, start paddling.
Our lives are being shaped every day through action – and inaction. I recently read a quote that I loved: “What you don’t change, you are choosing.” Action requires discomfort and discipline which often leads to inaction. We become paralyzed by the journey in front of us when in reality, all we need is to take one step. When we opt for inaction, we surrender. When we opt for action, we take the wheel.
Event Recap: Live on Purpose
Through our conversation, one message became clear. There is no one way to live on purpose.
Our motivators, values, and appetite for risk are unique to each of us. The journey to purpose cannot be forced, but rather nurtured. As we go through life, our experiences shape our perspectives which shape our values. Our values lead us closer to our purpose. Learning who we are through intentional self-discovery opens the door for new experiences. These experiences teach us what brings us joy, and what does not.
It’s never too late to know your worth
Loving yourself is a practice. It’s an act of kindness and respect. To love yourself is to be proud of yourself. So, give yourself reasons to be proud. You may never be armed with a panic-proof vest, but you learn how to navigate these thoughts in a healthy and productive way.
