How has your perspective shifted over the past five months? How have you grown? I wasn’t convinced I had it in me to reach my goals. I had a tough winter before coming on as a Stratejoy blogger, and I lost faith in myself and my abilities. Five months later, the stuff that used to plague me doesn’t haunt me any more.
What do you wish you’d known before you started your QLC journey? That it’s supposed to be challenging. That this part of my life is difficult, and it doesn’t mean I’m doing something wrong, or I’m an incapable person. I’m right where I’m supposed to be.
What are you going to continue to work on after Season 6? Living with less anxiety, less stress, less worry. Remebering I am enough, just as I am.
What little things in life right now make your toes curl with happiness? Big things? My big thing: teaching BodyStep. I love that job. My only complaint about my group fitness career is I can’t do it enough. I want to teach all the time. Little thing: spontaneous dinners out with friends, my new Grind and Brew coffee maker, that bowl of ice cream I scoop out after I teach two classes in one day.
In the movie of your life, who would you want to play YOU? Hmm….I’d have to go with myself. There’s no one better to be me than me, right?
What goodies (books/music/travel/quotes/ideas…) have you found over the past few months that are helping your inspiration and creativity? Getting out of town with our trip to Sedona gave me a break from the same-old, same-old, which left me more inspired and less burnt out. I am definitely feeling more interested in taking vacations (mini breaks or bigger breaks), so get rid of that blah feeling. I’ve also been reading Tara Brach’s book, Radical Acceptance, and Kristin Neff’s Self Compassion, which have stopped me from going down that self-loathing path that is so destructive to creativity.
If you were able to start over and start blogging for Stratejoy right now, what would your “Goals” post look like? What do you hope to accomplish by the end of 2012? How is it the same/different from your “Goals” post from earlier this year? Everything I initially set out to do, I did, in some way or another, so I would keep those goals the same. Through the end of this year, I hope to continue growing as a group fitness instructor, challenge myself as a writer and as a blogger, and keep those feelings of unworthiness at bay.
Name 5 things you absolutely positively could not live without. Group fitness, blogging, coffee, iPhone, and the Internet.
Who are your top 3 celebrity crushes of the moment? Hmmm…Okay, so I am not really into celebrities that much. I’m that person who hasn’t heard of X, Y, or Z when Emmy and Oscar time rolls around. But! I recently watched the HBO show, Girls, (late to the game on this – this show has been out for a while), and I think Lena Dunham is a riot. Not only that, but she also stars, directs, and produces the show. And she also created it. I just think that’s pretty cool. Hmm…I also love The Today Show, so I’d have to go with Natalie Morales and Matt Laurer.
If you had to dedicate your life to one cause for your life, what would it be? Why? Inspiring people to live a healthy, active life through group fitness. So many people tell me they want to get fit, they need to get fit, they feel unattractive, overweight, uninspired. And they want to do something about it but don’t know how. I see so many people try all these different workouts and diets, and nothing sticks. They try to force themselves to be runners or cyclists or whatever. When they could get fit and healthy doing something they love. It just takes time to find that thing. I find there are a lot of unhealthy thoughts about weight loss, and I’d like to change that, so everyone can live healthfully and happy, instead of being hungry and hating excercise.
What is one of your favorite memories? My dad teaching me to ride a bike. It’s so funny to me now because I love cycling – I even have special shoes that clip into the bike. I am – quite literally – attached to my bike. Yet, I swore I’d never learn because I was too scared. I’m glad my Dad forced me to keep trying. Thanks, Dad!
What’s your hidden talent? I am a pro at backing in cars to parking spaces. I only back in. Never pull in front ways. My Dad spent hours with me to hone this “talent,” and now I am an excellent parker.
What was the last book you read that made an impact on you, and what effect did it have? I love Gretchen Rubin and her book, The Happiness Project. I read this book a while ago, but it’s something I think about everyday, and I create happiness intentions each month.
What quote best represents you or motivates you in your current place in life? I’ve always go back to the Serenity Prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept those things I cannot change, change those things I can, and wisdom to the know the difference. This mantra has been part of my life for years and years, probably because it’s applicable throughout every stage of life.
What are three things that you are totally obsessed with right now? Anything in the color orange, YouTube beauty gurus, and drug store makeup.
What is one thing you’d like to change about the world? I don’t like when people are mean to each other. Nice is best. More nice.
If there is one gift you could give to a stranger, what would it be? A favor. I love helping people out. I was talking with a bunch of my girlfriends the other day about how afraid we are to ask for help. And not because we don’t want to seem weak, but because we don’t want to be pushy or put other people out. But, in reality, I think people like helping other people. I love helping others. So, please, ask me for a favor. I’ll help you out.
If super heroes are real (and they are), what super power would you have? Endless energy would be good, so I can keep up with my two year old.
What do you see when you look into your own eyes? Strength and a kind heart.
What songs are you loving right now? I know all the words to The Fresh Beat Band’s album, so I am very popular with the toddler set. When I have a minute to listen to non-toddler tunes, I am usually listening to my group fitness playlist, so I can memorize the songs. If I’m not listening to my group fitness stuff, I jump from country to top 40 with wild abandon.
What 3 lessons will you take with you from over the last 5 months? 1) Worry is not preventative; 2) I’m enough as I am; 3) I do not need to explain my boundaries.
What’s turning you on right now? I’m looking forward to what’s next for me. I’ve got more up my sleeve with group fitness, exciting stuff for my personal blog, and growing our family. I love challenges, so I’m all jazzed up thinking about what’s next.
