Fight the Good Fight!

Last week after teaching my classes at Lifetimes I sat on the stage in my studio. I sat alone, lights off and I thought "WHY do I continue to do this? WHY do I love this so much?"

I thought back on the years of shuffling my little kiddos in and out of various clubs, rushing in to nurse my babies when teaching back-to-back classes, staying up until wee hours of the morning memorizing new formats and feeling so exhausted driving to the club that I would cry before slapping on a smile and cranking out another class.

I thought back on hundreds of trainings - and this grueling three day Body Pump certification in particular. How several people dropped out. How I wanted to drop out when I was up at 2am memorizing choreography with a sore body and a nursing baby to boot.

As I sat alone in the dark it came to me - I love teaching is because I have fought for it! Seventeen years of quiet unheralded decisions to press on when the going got tough and a willingness to be uncomfortably terrified teaching brand new formats 32+ times.

Staying tucked away in my comfort zone could have robbed me from hundreds of meaningful relationships and unmeasurable personal growth. I say face your fears, fight the fight and be the master of your own destiny!

The Country Farm School

They are back! NO electronics. NO mirrors, watches or clocks. NO electricity. NO earrings. NO logos. NO indoor plumbing. NO complaining...AND it's their absolute FAVORITE week of the entire year!

On the farm in Amish country their days are spent in uniform straw hats, t-shirts and long pants as they:

*Scoop poop

*Milk goats

*Collect eggs

*Winnow corn

*Garden 

 *Make meals

*Wood work

*Spin wool

*Clean the hay loft

And on and on. THEY actually LOVE every moment of it! Between "chores" they take creek walks, make homemade bread and applesauce, play with the animals, listen to bedtime stories and create sweet friendships. OH IT'S SO GOOD FOR THE SOUL!

A Walk with Aspen

Aspen was eager to keep our hands latched together during our long walk this morning. My tears silently feel as I contemplated what a complex and difficult world they are growing up in. 

Said the writer of Proverbs "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, 

he will not depart from it." 

May we be ever so diligent and intentional as we train these sweet children 

to navigate the stormy seas of life.

Thank You Grandma!

Teaching fitness well into her 90's wasn't about her - it was always about them. She loved them selflessly and, through her years and years of teaching, became an icon in her city featured in the newspaper time and again. "Think she's little old lady? Just try to keep up!"

As these framed posters hang in my home gym I am reminded of my Grandmas strength, determination and devotion to finding true joy by putting others first! Here's to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them!