Happy (almost) Thanksgiving everyone! I wanted to write a quick little post about a few of the things that I am thankful for this year – one of them being you, my faithful readers 🙂 I would have never thought, when my girl Helen encouraged me to start a blog back in February 2012 that it would end up where it is today. I’ve been so fortunate to “meet” some amazing people, to share my stories, offer motivation, and combine two things that have been an important part of my adult life: fitness and writing. It’s been almost two years for this little blog that could, and if you’d asked me if I would have ever thought that I’d get more than 1,300 people liking what I had to say enough to click “follow,” I would have said no. I love that I’ve been able to communicate with you through your comments, and through Facebook and Twitter. For your support, I am truly grateful.
So … what else is on the list this year? I’m thankful that I have the opportunity to share what I love in person, too. I’ve developed a pretty strong following at XSport throughout the last three and a half years, and I love that these girls and guys give me the amazing opportunity to really be my best self for five (or more) hours each week. Yes, many of them think I’m crazy when I’m singing, or dancing around the room, or, Â yes, playing “Tiger Rag” and doing cadence calls when I teach class on game day, but they keep coming back for more. And as a person who, though it may not look it (especially when I’m doing all these crazy things), feels like I’m constantly being judged or rejected, there is nothing more fulfilling than knowing that you don’t just come to the gym for a workout – you come to see me. Many of you have become my friends throughout our time together, and I’m better having you in my life.
On that note, I’m also thankful that I was able to start subbing at a second gym this year, too! I didn’t realize until probably about a year ago that I lived directly across the street from a Sport&Health. But I’m glad I finally opened my eyes. The team over there is incredible, and the opportunities for growth and education have been amazing. It’s through my new-ish relationship with this club that I was able to attend the DCAC Conference over the summer, and to earn a second cycling certification (and at no cost!) – which are GREAT things for me, as I’m constantly on the hunt for something new.
But there are a few things I’m thankful outside of the blog and the studio, as well. I started a new “real” (and yeah, not quite as fun) job back in September, and it has been good for me. I’d grown stagnant in what I’d been doing previously, and as I’ve already mentioned, growth is important to me. I’m fortunate in the fact that guy I work directly with is great – and it helps that he’s a big runner, so he doesn’t think I’m crazy when I get into my fitness talk. Even more so, I’m fortunate to be bringing home a significantly bigger paycheck! Only downside to this one? The government shutdown cost me the time off I would have needed for the holidays. I picked Christmas over Thanksgiving, so I’m spending my first Thanksgiving ever away from my family this year. I didn’t expect it to bother me too much, but I have to admit … it hit me today that I am pretty bummed.
Which brings me one of the biggest ones: I’m thankful for my friends and family. I have a lot of great people in my life – people who have been there through the good times and the bad times. They’ve been there when I needed motivation to find what truly makes me happy, and to cheer me up when I was down (trust me … Helen, if you’re reading this … you’ve been my savior more times than I can count. I knew I’d miss you when we stopped spending 40+ hours a week sitting two feet away from each other, but I didn’t realize I’d miss you this much). I’ve been so fortunate to have great groups of friends throughout my lifetime, and I wish every day we all were closer together (is this a good time to bring up the Medina girls trip we’ve been talking about for, oh, 7 or 8 years now)? You’ve all helped shape me into who I am today. Though, honestly … many of you are probably still wondering how I got to be obsessed with fitness and football.
That said … thanks again to everyone who has been a big part of my life throughout the last year (or longer). Try to enjoy your Thanksgiving, cherish your family time (I wish I could be with mine), and please … don’t be afraid to eat a little pie (one slice won’t kill you. But don’t eat the whole thing, because you will hate yourself on Monday).
Strong-Fit-Beautiful 