What Coaching is Not

Talking about something I am passionate is incredibly easy. I could talk on subjects I am passionate for hours, if given the breath and time. I won't be doing that to you today, but I do want to share a new aspect of my passion with you to help you understand what it is that I do!

Many of you know by now that I am a Beachbody coach. I own my own coaching business, and honestly, love it more than I ever thought I could. It fits my goals, my personality, my passion, and my purpose to speak life and worth into others, all while empowering myself and others to make a difference in their physical health and fitness.

Honestly, most unexpected and coolest job ever.

But let's shout out the elephant in the room. When most people find out that someone is involved with coaching, consulting, distributing, or anything else related with Multi Level Marketing, direct sales or network marketing, we bristle. We search for the nearest exit and create our strategy to get there as fast as possible.

It makes us uncomfortable because its unconventional. And because there have honestly been some not so honest companies in the past that have burned people.

I want to take a moment today on my blog to tell you a few things that Beachbody coaches are NOT, and maybe answer some of your questions along the way! My heart always in coaching is to SHARE. I'm not out to sell everyone, I honestly love helping people find something that works because it has made a huge difference in my life.

Okay, let's dive in.

1. Beachbody is not a pyramid scheme. Those are in fact, illegal. Pyramid schemes are scams that involve no trading of goods or services. Clearly with Beachbody, you get both. Our commission as coaches does not come solely from signing people up.

2. It's not a get rich quick scheme. This is one that trips up people a lot. In our minds we can know that, but sometimes we have the expectation (whether self imposed or someone dishonestly told us) that we will make millions overnight. This is a business, and it does take time, and hard work to grow.

3. It is not something that just happens. Speaking of hard work, you do have to put in effort. I know I have made the mistake in the past of thinking things would just happen. I put in all kinds of effort to make pretty binders, create posters, but I came drasticly short when it came to action, so I inevitably failed. With Beachbody, because I am passionate about helping others, it has been easy to take action. But you better believe I put in work, effort and heart into my business every day.

4. Coaching is not all about sales. At least it is not for me. Of course there are people in every business that can become the "bad apples." But believe me when I tell you, I am NOT a salesperson. But I absolutely love sharing my story, my journey, my results. Coaching is about helping people find something that works for them, and walking through that journey with them. 

There you have it, just a very few points about what a Beachbody coach is not. I hope through that you can get even a little clearer picture about my work as a coach. It is something that I have become very passionate about, because there is such a great opportunity to help change people's lives.

It's not about the money, a sale, or the programs. It's truly about helping people become more in their own lives. Personally, when I began focusing on my health and fitness, I grew in every area of my life. And that is why I share, and why I want others to be able to experience the incredible freedom and results from making simple changes for their own health benefit in their lives.

Now let's hear from you! What questions do you have about Beachbody coaching? 

What the Heck Am I Doing?

Over the past year you may have noticed that I've been posting a lot of stuff about health and fitness. You may have noticed that I've been posting lots of healthier recipes. And that I take a lot of "sweaty selfies" after I workout.

Am I really just that selfie loving that I want to show you the sweat on my head and update you on what I'm eating? Sorry, but NO! There actually is a much deeper purpose behind it.

It's because I want to share and encourage and inspire and MOTIVATE.

You see, just a little over a year ago, I was sitting in a really unhealthy place. I was eating whatever I wanted, not doing anything active really, and just feeling really "blah" about my health. I knew something was wrong, and I knew that I didn't feel comfortable in my own skin. I knew that if I didn't make a change, that my health was going to deteriorate very quickly.

As a new bride, that was the last thing I wanted! I wanted to look forward to a long, full, healthy life with my wonderful husband, keep up with him, have adventures with him, and then be able to raise a healthy family together.

If I stayed like I was, it would not have been possible. I was living in denial, and I had to get out. So, I made the HUGE leap of faith for me and decided to start working out. Zach worked out with me and kept me accountable for ten whole weeks and I finished a workout program for the first time EVER.

What I decided to do next was big, and is the reason why I have been posting so much about health and fitness and sharing this journey in life with you. I became a coach for Beachbody so that I can help others know that this is possible and that there is hope.

I know just how hard it is to get started, believe me. So when I saw there was a chance to help others over that big hurdle and get them going on their journey and help them get results, I jumped on it! The financial reward from it is just the frosting on the cake.

My true passion is helping others. Every sweaty workout picture, every recipe, every motivational quote I post, every little tid bit I share about marriage, life, and this crazy journey, is to help YOU, dear friend. To let you know that you are not alone, and that you can do this.

I absolutely love what I do for my job as a health and fitness coach. I love being surrounded by inspiring people, and being able to in turn pour into others and help others. I'm not out to sell, I'm out to share and help, and I know that this is a cry of my heart that will be enduring for quite a while.

Every month I lead one to two exclusive, private, online health and fitness groups to help keep others motivated and accountable to their health and fitness goals. My job is to match you up with a program that works for you and will actually get you results. That is my passion. To show you an avenue that you can take to reach your goals and feel your best.

So be on the lookout and know that everything I share, and everything that I post, is not to build myself up or to say "look at me." The cry of my heart truly is to share this journey with you. To invite you in and walk side by side with you. Because Lord knows that going it alone is so hard. Know that you have a friend in me, and it is my passion in life to help you.

Are You Ready for a Challenge?

Who else is in shock that we are already through the first week of October? Halloween is coming up, and following right along after that Thanksgiving is coming! It’s the season of pumpkin everything, chunky knit sweaters, pumpkin patches, apple orchards, hay rides, and good food.

And while there is certainly room for a lot of fall fun this month and next, I’m getting down to business and putting together some great fall fun of my own! Just like every month, I have new challenge groups beginning! Only this month, I have two, and one is brand new!

I wanted to take a minute to let you all know what my groups are going to entail this month so that if you are ready to take the reigns of your health and get fit for fall and before the holidays, you know what is available to you! I absolutely love my job, and I love helping others set and reach their health and fitness goals, while I am working on my goals myself.

The first group is my “Fit for Fall” group. It will begin on Monday, October 20^th, and will run for 60 days. This group is open to anyone to use any Beachbody program they may already have, or want to begin. Each challenger will pick the program that is right for them; or I can help you choose one. We will all be replacing one meal or snack a day with Shakeology so we are getting the max amount of nutrition and results as we work our bodies.

This challenge group will take place online via a closed Facebook group- so if you are out of town, no worries! This group is mobile (one of the things I love best about these groups)! Every day I will be posting about a topic that will help keep you motivated and reaching your goals. I cover topics about meal planning, grocery shopping, eating out, emotional eating, and how to schedule workouts in a busy life.

And, perhaps the best part of the group is the support you receive from being surrounded by other like minded people going through the exact same thing that you are going through! We all will check in every day to rate how our workout went, and how our nutrition and water were. This keeps us accountable to each other, and is a safe place for you to know you are not alone!

If you are interested in joining in this exclusive “Fit for Fall” challenge group starting on October 20^th,  please fill the application (found at the bottom of this post) and we can see if it would be a good fit for you and go from there!

My second group that I have starting this month is totally new and really exciting! This is my first “Moms on a Mission” challenge group! This 30 day group is exclusively for new moms or moms of young kids. Because you have a unique but shared experience together being moms, this group is going to be one of a kind!

Moms on a Mission begins on October 27, and is designed to help busy new moms get their health and fitness on track while they tackle the most important job of being a mom to their precious little ones. As a mom, you set the example and stage for your kids and your family, and health and fitness is one of those areas.

Each of my challengers will choose a Beachbody program that is right for them, with a focus on finding a workout that fits your schedule. We have many incredible programs that are only 25 to 30 minutes long, but give you great results, while fitting into a tight schedule.

We also will be using Shakeology (if you are pregnant or breastfeeding though you can check with your doctor about the use), and checking in daily to our closed Facebook group for accountability and motivation.

I will be posting daily with specific emphasis on issues that you deal with as new moms, or moms of younger children. Topics will include how to plan your workout into a busy schedule, how to meal plan and prep healthy food with kids and a family, how to prioritize your health, cooking recipes for simple, fast and healthy dinners, and setting the example for your family by making your health a priority.

If you are looking to lose your baby weight, get back into your pre baby jeans, or just looking to have more energy and feel better so you can be there for your precious children and  your family, fill out the application below for my “Moms on a Mission” Challenge Group!

We will see if this is a good fit for you, and I would love to help you reach your goals and feel amazing not only with your health and fitness, but as a mom, because your role is so important!

(Note, if you are pregnant, always consult your doctor first before beginning a new program. Know that we do have a specific program you can do while you are pregnant if you want to strengthen your core and stay fit during your pregnancy!)

So there you have, my two exclusive challenge groups this month! I am so excited for each challenger that will be joining us. I absolutely love helping others reach their goals and feel amazing. In addition, there will also be some special contests and prizes involved in each group, so you won’t want to miss that!

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about these groups this month. You can fill out the application and include your questions, and we can go from there!

You can also find more information about each group at my Facebook event page for each group. I will be posting different things about them as the month goes on, so if you want to stay up to date, just add yourself to the page!

Here are the applications and event pages for both of my Exclusive Challenge Groups this month!

Fit for Fall Challenge Group Application 

Please note that the application deadline is October 15th, to ensure that you receive your materials in time to start with the group. Limited number of spots available, so be sure to apply today to get all the info!

Fit for Fall Facebook Event Page 

Add yourself to our event page to stay up to date on current information, to hear about prizes and other exciting announcements for this Challenge Group! 

Moms on a Mission Challenge Group Application

Please note that the application deadline is October 22nd, to ensure that you receive your materials in time to start with the group. This also has a very limited number of spots left, so be sure to apply today to get the inside info! 

Moms on a Mission Facebook Event Page

Add yourself to our event page to stay up to date on current information, to hear about the awesome prizes and other announcements for this first moms exclusive group! 

The Way You Feel About Yourself

Since February of this past year, I have embarked on a journey to lose over one hundred pounds, slim down and most importantly, get healthy. Some of you may know a bit about my story, but at the beginning of this year I began to realize that I was not in shape (and hadn’t been in a long time), I was getting weaker, and I was feeling awful.

I had no energy, I felt like I was dragging behind and couldn’t keep up with my husband or my friends, and I just wanted to take a nap all the time. Even before I left the country to go overseas for a year, I went to the doctor to get a check up and was told that my blood pressure was in that pre-hypertension stage. Where I almost had high blood pressure, but wasn’t quite there.

You know what I did? I ignored it. I thought “eh, that won’t happen to me.” And I kept eating what I wanted, didn’t want to work out, so I didn’t, and I just kept living. Well it caught up to me. While I didn’t go to the doctor after I came home from my time overseas, I’m pretty sure I passed that thresh hold of being in pre-hypertension to having high blood pressure. But I kept going.

Until I had that wake up call in January and knew something had to change, or I was going to be headed down a slippery slope of medical problems that could be severe and cut my life short.

We always tend to think “oh that will never happen to me.” And then we wake up and realize, it has happened to me. But we may feel powerless to do something about it, so we continue on in the way we have always gone.

There is a huge passion and fire burning in my soul to reach out to you that feel like there’s nothing you can do. I have such a strong, burning desire to help people who are on that hard slope towards medical issues, and I want to help you out.

Because it IS possible. There IS hope. There IS another way.

Will it be easy? No. Will it be free? No. Will it be hard? Probably. Will you want to quit? Most likely more than once.

But you know what? IT IS ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT.

I wish I could reach through the computer screen, sit with you over a cup of coffee and pour into you, fill you with hope and SHOW you that there is another way. Don’t get sucked into the lie that it won’t happen to you, because chances are, you might be facing huge medical complications and bills down the road because you ignored the signs now.

Don’t let that be you. From the bottom of my heart I desire to give people hope and show them what I have learned, because it is truly life changing.

Yes, the journey is painful. Yes, I invest in my health now. Yes, I deny myself of some things I over indulged in before.

But let me tell you, even though I have not reached my goal in health, I have never felt more alive. I have more energy, more joy, more discipline, more zeal for life than perhaps ever before.

Getting physically healthy has helped me get on track in all areas of my life. Spiritually, emotionally, mentally, relationally. It has touched every area of my life.

So let me ask you this…what is your health worth to you?

Are you willing to make a little sacrifice right now to gain more energy for your spouse, your family, your job and your life? To get a more positive outlook and perspective? Are you willing to move forward, even when you feel like quitting?

Or will you sit down where you have always sat, giving in to the instant gratification mentality of our culture, only to find yourself facing more serious (and expensive) problems down the road?

I hope that you hear my heart in this. It is not a blog to cast shame or guilt on anyone. Truly, it has just been burning in my heart to show people that there is hope. And though it can be hard, the journey is not as impossible as you think.

I encourage you today to think about where you are putting your health on your list of priorities. Are you investing in it now, or are you putting it off until later down the road? Be brave. Take the leap you need to take today.

And know that there is support and help and accountability for you here! I love to help others find their way, set their goals and reach them. If you need help, please do not hesitate to reach out to me! 

100 Pound Challenge

100 Pound Challenge

10 challengers.

30 days.

100 pounds.

This will be epic!

Okay, so I might sound a little bit like I’m creating some sort of wild Survivor challenge here, but really that isn’t the case. But, it is something even better because it truly has the ability to change people’s lives. I know, because I have experienced it for myself and want to pass it on to others!

On September 29^th, I will be co-hosting a special, exclusive challenge group with the talented miss Barbara Baez. She and I will lead a group of 10 challengers on a mission to lose 10 pounds each in 30 days. How will we do this, you ask?

By using the nutrition plan and workout tools from the 21 Day Fix program! I have done a full review of the 21 Day Fix here, so check that out for more details about the program. In short, it is an incredible simple, effective way to learn about nutrition, clean up your diet, go through simple exercises and lose weight.

So what inspired this challenge? Barbara came up with this idea, and asked if I would join in. And let me tell you, I am all in behind this challenge. The 21 Day Fix has seriously opened my eyes and taken my health to another level, so I want to help others get to that point too.

Think about it, how many of you have the best intentions of working out, eating better, and getting in shape? I feel like most people would say yes to that. How many of you have a fitness or workout DVD sitting on your shelf collecting dust from a few years back? I know that I did! Several. I had quite a few programs that I got two weeks into and gave up on.

Well let me tell you, Barbara and I will not give up on you. Your 21 Day Fix DVD is not going to be collecting dust on the shelf. You are going to be in a group with nine other dedicated individuals who truly want to make a difference in their life and health by beginning this journey and losing ten pounds each.

There is nothing like having a group of people surrounding you, going through the exact same feelings and emotions as each of you pushes towards the goal. You will be motivated, encouraged, and challenged. And you know what? It is just thirty short days, and you can stay consistent and you can finish.

In our challenge, you will have one on one support from me, and I will work with you to set your goals and make a plan of action. I will help you with meal plans and nutrition. Every day Barbara and I will be posting motivational tips and information into our group, and every day you will have the accountability of nine other people.

You can be one of our ten who loses ten pounds in thirty days. What would that mean to you? What would losing ten pounds mean in your life? Would your old pair of jeans fit better as the weather gets cooler this fall? Will you feel more comfortable and not like you have to wear clothes to hide your body? Would it give you a sense of accomplishment for finally finishing a program? Would you feel more alive and energized?

These truly are possibilities in your life. I know first hand, because I was in a place where I thought I couldn’t change. But you know what? If I did, so can you.

It’s time to stop saying “one day” and start saying “today.” Because one of these days, you’re going to run out of “one days.” It might be at a doctor visit where they tell you your blood pressure is too high, or you have diabetes, or even worse things. It might be when you can’t keep up with your kids, or your spouse.

And let me tell you again from first hand experience, it’s an even longer road back when you run out of “one days.” But this is your moment. This is doable. This is sustainable.

Will you take the 100 pound challenge with us? Will you be one of our elite ten?

We All Have Challenges

Stating that we all have challenges in this life is a pretty fair assumption. I don’t know if I have ever met a single person who has not faced a challenge in their life. But, what I have learned is that there is a distinct difference between people. You can tell those that bow down in defeat to their challenges, and those that rise up and face their challenges.

My health and fitness journey has been a joy, but it has also been a challenge. There are hard days. Days that I just want to eat the bag of chips. Days that the last thing I want to do is get out of bed and workout. Days where my body just feels weird. But, I have kept going. I am rising up to face my challenge, and I’ve been bringing others with me.

How? Through challenge groups! You may have heard me talk about them before. I run them every month, and I help others define their health and fitness goals, match them with a workout that fits their needs and goals, and then keep them motivated and accountable to the end. It is called a challenge group for a reason, we all have to rise up and face the challenge. But oh let me tell you, the results are worth it in the end!

I’ve had challengers lose weight, lose inches, gain strength, gain energy, and maybe most importantly, gain confidence in themselves again. There is something incredibly rewarding and empowering to walk along side others who are doing something amazing for their health and their lives.

(It also keeps me consistent on my own journey as well!)

My next challenge group is starting next week, and I have named it the “Live Simple, Dream Big” challenge group. Learning to live a healthy lifestyle may seem complicated and confusing, but I am here to tell you that it is really quite simple, and I teach about that in my groups. We come up with a plan for nutrition and for your workout together.

And one of the most important parts of the group is dreaming big and setting goals, and then running after them. I love to hear people’s reasons of why they want to be in a challenge group, and what their goals are. It could be as simple as fitting into an old pair of jeans, and go all the way to getting off medication.

I’m telling you, health and fitness is a game changer for your whole life. Having more energy, feeling more like yourself just gives you a pep in your step you may never have known was there. I love running these groups because I get to walk with people and motivate and encourage them along each step. I’m walking this journey too, and it’s so much more fun when you are surrounded by others.

If you are in a place where you want help or advice on how to get a handle on your health, please reach out to me! You can message or email me, and we can see if a challenge group would be a good fit for you, and how we can help reach your goals. I’m in the business to help others, and I’m rising up to face the challenge.

Are you?