Let Your Light Shine...

Nelson Mandela used this quote in his inaugural speech in 1994 and after discovering it, I had to share it!

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? YOU are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presences automatically liberates others."

I love this! I believe 110% that one person can easily turn the day around for another person. How many times have you seen someone with a smile radiating from their face and smiled yourself because you just couldn't help it? I believe that laughter is infectious and when you see someone glowing with happiness, you can't help but feel better. I also believe that way too many of us (myself included) stop from becoming who we truly want to be because we are scared of what others will think or if they will judge us. I had a conversation yesterday with one of my students that left me feeling full of questions. I see in her that she is screaming to become free. She is wanting to become her true self yet holds back for fear she will disappoint those around her. I explained to her that she has to ultimately make herself happy and do what is best for HER in order to find what she is looking for in life. I know I am guilty of hiding myself from others because showing your dreams and aspirations to others can be down right nerve wracking. But what I have learned (and wish I would have practiced looong ago) is that people are either going to like your or not. So why not allow them to like you for you, your true self? You will find more often than not, that those around you will be more attracted and more apt to wanting to be around you when you are 100% comfortable in your own skin than trying to be someone you are not. Now it has taken me 25 years and many rocky spots to figure this out but I wouldn't have it any other way (Mr. O's favorite saying!) My wish for this student and for all of you trying to find your place in this world is to stick to what you believe in and that should be yourself! 

Yesterday was a crazy but very productive day. It was a leg day and we all know what that means! LOL  I saw a face in the gym that I had not seen in about a week...Robin! The crew was all there but it was a mixed workout for some did legs while others worked shoulders. The intensity and programming behind our leg day changed a tad and when I looked over and saw B.C. AND Robin both laying on the floor, I knew it was going to be a good workout! We plowed through about 6 different lifts all while incorporating plyo's and a run outside to top her off. I felt really good about the workout and had enough energy to make it through my first two-a-day! Soo much energy that Robin insisted I tell him what I was on so he could have some...Well my friend, its a thing called life! :) P.s. Good luck today! Know that B.C., Batman, and I are all thinking about you and the little one. Keep us posted! After the gym I went up to my parent's to get Stella and have some good ol' cheesecake! (Yep back on modi cheats) Chatted with my folks and then hit the road for home to food prep, pack my bags for this morning, do way too many dishes and crawl into bed only to wake up a couple hours later. Oh my goodness... back at it again! I also have to mention that the day was brightened by an unexpected present at my doorstep and it made me smile. Shoot its still making me smile!

Ciao for now,   J

Hmm...How Could I Forget?

"You've got to get up every morning with determination if you're going to go to bed with satisfaction."-George Lorimer

Two-a-day cardios started today and when I was driving in at a quarter to 4 (a.m. that is), I was still wiping the sleep from my eyes. I forgot how early round 1 was but how could I? It wasn't that long ago that I was prepping for my first ever competition. Nailed cardio session one and next came breakfast...Guess what it was?? Yep! Salmon and asparagus at 4:30 am.. Mmmm Delish! Hehe I don't know if I will ever forget about this breakfast of champions. I will admit that getting up, doing cardio followed by a day of fish eating, I feel like my head is more in the game than ever and I am now in full-blown comp mode. Not that I wasn't before, its just now I know what lies ahead of me and I am ready to take it on! I was talking with a friend this weekend, I will call him Mr. T, and I was explaining that even though life gets rough and bad things can happen, I will find a way through, around, or straight up over the top of that problem proving it can not get me down. He said not many people think that way and it is one of my character traits he admires the most. Aww thanks! :) I am hoping Mr. T will compete because if he does, he will kill it! I have had the chance to lift with him a couple times and it has added great variety to my workouts as well as a change of scenery not too mention, he lifts with an 18-year old that is going to be H-U-G-E! This kid has more heart and dedication than many and he is making huge strides in the gym. I did not know him when he first started but what I know now is that if he ever competes, he will be hard to beat...Just give him a couple of years!

I mentioned that I carry pictures of my family around with me yesterday as a reminder that I can do anything I want. This is because I am blessed to have such an amazing family stand behind me through thick and thin, no matter what is going on, I know they will be there 150%. I love each and everyone of them more and more each day and would like to thank them for supporting my dreams and allowing me to follow them as a woman, a daughter, a sister, and a friend. Mom and Dad- I could never ever imagine my life without you and your unconditional love. You have taught me to stand up when ever I fall, smile even through the tears, and love with no boundaries. I hope to be half of what you are too me someday. My broham! Thank you for being there to tell me it's ok when I don't see the light at the end of the tunnel and to make me smile and offering to beat up anyone who is treating me wrong. Def NG! I love you. My seeeestah! My best friend and who would of thought I would be saying that after the time you gave me a concussion?! I love you and am soo dang proud of the woman you are! Thank you for sharing the many cheat meals with me and even more so the delicious brownies AND frosting. Thank you for believing in me and being there when I needed a shoulder to cry on or a friend to snuggle with. P.s. Thanks for being my coffee-run partner-in-crime..I am one blessed girl to come from such a strong family. I love you!

Ciao for now,  J

Remember Who You Are...

Just sometimes I wish I could escape myself and be someone else. This feeling only comes when I have soo much on my plate that it is spilling out all over my new Fergie Pumps (which by the way...Macy's is having a sale on!) It was a Pete Da Man day and it was a good one. I got a good cardio session in as well as talked about the next couple weeks and where I need to be come July. I recieved my new diet and let me say one thing... Tilapia Goo, I did not miss you but you are back and I will happily deal with you! Sweet cheeks met me there and I am thrilled by the accomplishments she achieved as well as how relieved she looked as we parted ways. She sent me a text later today when I was driving home and it brought me to tears (of course). "I could never repay you for your strength and constant vigilance in my life..thank you." It made my heart soo happy to know that she is feeling a lot better on this journey and is now back in action! I had a day in which I had soo much going on in my head and had so many thoughts yet could not put them into words. I wanted, more like needed, to talk to someone, a friend, but I could not form my feelings into words. Much of this I attribute to being physically exhausted and sore but more so that I try and take on the world each and every day, jumping from task to task in order to get everything accomplished. That's the one thing about being a competitor, time management is a MUST! I have to have my planner with me at all times in order to make sure I not only know when I have appointments but also have my TO-DO list, quotes to keep me motivated, and a couple pictures of my family to remind me that I can do anything I put my mind too. The most helpful thing I have learned to do is list out everything I need to accomplish and prioritize it out so I can cross of the "musts" first before moving to the "shoulds." I found this quote and as I read it today, I realized that I had not taken a long, deep breath in who knows how long...

"Next time you're stressed, take a step back, inhale and laugh. Remember who you are and why you're here. You're never given anything in this world that you can't handle. Be strong, be flexible, love yourself, and love others. Always remember, just keep moving forward."

Keep your eyes forward and never look in the rear view mirror unless it is a reminder proving to yourself that you are in fact in a great spot and have fought one heck of a fight to get to where you are. Love yourself more than anything and share your laughter with your loved ones. Laughter can be the best medicine in the toughest of times. Lastly, remember to be strong! You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have. Most importantly... Just keep moving forward.

Ciao for now,    J

What I Have Learned...

Wowza! What a weekend. This was a busy weekend especially Saturday in which I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off from work to the gym for cardio to posing practice to you name it, I was probably there! Posing was a great opportunity to enjoy the sunshine! Since it was soo nice outside, Pete had us (only 2 girls) strutting our stuff outside, clad in bikinis and clear plastic heels. Oh what a sight to see! The boys did the same thing yesterday because I received a text from one of them that said, "Posing practice outside today...bordered by indecent exposure, we got some looks as people drove by." I can only imagine! I had to escape life for a little while so I headed up to hang out with my dad. He always knows how to make me feel better and talk me through many of life's predicaments. I slept for a solid 14 hours only to wake up sorer than ever! I think it was my body's way of telling me that it needs some rest, and since I was nice enough (more like exhausted enough) to let it rest, it was going to utilize every second of it. I got some good workouts in including a chest workout yesterday that left me sorer than heck this morning! Cardio yesterday kicked my bootay for I got almost 5 miles of sprint work in in 30 minutes!

"I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together."



Life is a journey that throws small pebbles as well as giant rocks at you as you wind along the many twists and turns. I have learned, more recently, that people are stronger than they think, life is just as unpredictable as the weather here in Washington, and it is ok to let your guard down and trust someone with your heart. For someone who is overly independent and prides herself in being strong and who has been hurt in the past, it is tough to let others into my life and let alone my heart. Recently, I have learned that is is ok to let others in and it is ok to lean on someone when you are having a hard time keeping yourself upright. It is also ok to ask for help every now and then, and there is no reason to travel on the journey called life alone. I know when the going gets tough, sometimes life plain ol' sucks! But I also know that if you sit and dwell on all the misfortunes in life, it only escalates the situation and you find yourself feeling worse than before.You also miss out on all the amazing things that are happening around you. Life passes by quickly and if you focus all your energy on the negatives, the positives pass by unnoticed. I had a long talk with Sweetcheeks this weekend and she is having a tough go. I reminded her that she is a courageous, beautiful, amazing woman with a whole sea of opportunities in reach. I told her to keep her head held high as she pushes forward through the storm and sunshine is just a little ways a head. I will stand beside her every step of the way, through the pouring rain and teach her that it is fun to dance in the rain! I believe in her 110% and know she can do anything and everything she wants. She wrote something to me that brought me to tears because she sees something in me that I do not see yet I see it in her... "When I grow up, I hope to be half the woman you are and have your courage, strength, dedication, joy, love, zest for life, passion, and most of all your positive outlook no matter what life gives you. Someday..." I love my friends. I love my family. I will do anything and everything for them.

Ciao for now,    J

Paying The Price

Yesterday was a leg day and let's just say I couldn't tell if Batman wanted to punch me or throw up for what we did. I had the boys sweating (I was more than most workouts as well) and we pretty much looked like we were crazy! (Well crazier than normal) A guy that I see fairly often introduced himself and said he could not believe how hard each and every workout is that he witnesses and he is jealous of the intensity we maintain as a 'crew'. On three different accounts yesterday, people approached me and asked about training and how they can get into shape and one lady even stalked me and a team mate into the locker room with her cell phone in hand trying to get our number to become a training partner. It was flattering but kinda weird at the same time. I topped off leg day with the good ol' stair climber and Batman said, "You really are making up for yesterday aren't you?" LOL yes sir I am! I got to keep my mind focused and my training on par. I can not let up nor will I let the bad days affect the good. I know my competition is out there training their hineys off and so will I. I followed up the gym with a store run, a tanning session, A LOT of food prep (finished 4 days worth), laundry, grad school applications and a little snuggle time with Stella before laying down and falling asleep faster than the paparazzi is to reach Kim Kardashian. Exhausted but a much better day than the previous!

"Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true."

 -Leon J. Suenes

The quote above has more meaning than I can explain. I was in a full-force conversation with Batman yesterday as I was dripping sweat all over the stair climber and I was explaining what was going on in my life and trying to get to the bottom of why I feel the way I feel. I over analyze everything and it leaves me feeling anxious and unsettled so imagine this journey in which you are working your butt off, trying to get everything done in a day and you still are not content with things or where you are. Its rough and with the help of good friends and a determined mind, it is something that you can work through. I pay the price to make those dreams come true but I also do not know if the dreams I dream are too big or too small, and I often find myself questioning my ability to make them come true. I have yet discovered how to make myself see things through a clear lens versus my stubborn, jaded way of viewing life and the accomplishments as well as downfalls that come with it. I spent some time last night writing all my goals, plans, thoughts, concerns, ect down and feel now that I have a clear brain and can spend time focusing and prioritizing things out. It is time to stop the overanalyzing and rid the unnecessary stress out of my life so that I can be happy and focused in all aspects.

Ciao for now,     J

Life...

"This life is what you make it. No matter what, you're going to mess up sometimes, it's a universal truth. But the good part is you get to decide how you're going to mess it up. People will be your friends. But just remember, some come, some go. The ones that stay with you through everything- they're your true best friends. Don't let go of them. Also remember, sisters make the best friends in the world. Just because you fail once, doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always believe in yourself. Keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about."      

-Marilyn Monroe

What Do You Do??

What do you do when you have a bad day? Some of yall probably do what I normally do and hit the gym to burn off some steam and you feel magically better. Yesterday was one of those days. One of those days that didn't start off bad but by the end of it, I couldn't wait for it to be over! I had the worst training session in the gym in...well I can't remember how long. I had seen Pete and battled traffic back towards the gym for an hour so not only was I getting to the gym at "rush hour" where every piece of equipment was being used, but I had just used all my normal time for lifting sitting in the car with sucky drivers! The boys had already been there and done their thing, which left me to fend for myself. Normally this is a piece of cake and I will just do my thing but for some reason I just could not shake the mood I was in. I started in on my cardio since I really thought it would be the ticket to making me feel better and all it did was make it worse. I got as much cardio in that I could stand (and as long as I could bear the man next to me who smelt like a fish factory) before just leaving and going home. I have no idea what was going on but when I got home and took a shower and sat down on the couch, I felt better. Now I am NOT one to give up and throw in the towel but the gym is my friend, my go-to when I need a pick me up, but if the gym isn't going to help, then sure as heck nothing will! I told myself to not worry about the missed workout and I will make it up as well as come full force today and the rest of the week.

Physically, I am still feeling good but the oddest thing keeps happening. I came into work yesterday and felt great but by the end of the day, my legs felt swollen and cardio hurt. I don't know what is causing my legs to do this but it has got to be something I do at work because over the weekend, I felt awesome and cardio felt like a breeze yet stepping on the treadmill last night felt like I had cement blocks strapped to my feet. It is miserable and it is that skin skin tight feeling where my muscles are growing but my skin is not. This is something that better figure itself out or we will have some words and I just might have to take it out back! I am all fired up and if my dang legs don't start cooperating, I may have to seek out some type of shock therapy or something for them! I hope yall have a good day and Wednesday.....I hope you are better than Tuesday!

Ciao for now,    J