Author: stacey

I'm a 44-year old mom of 2 boys that are 10 & 7. I built my business while working full time and have my own business with Beachbody...a company that changed my life for the best. I love to point out the obvious. People amuse and amaze me. I have a cape and tights that I typically misplace but I'll leap from the tall building anyway, and figure it out on my way down. The joy in life is the journey.

Self-limiting beliefs

 

Self-limiting beliefs
Not All Who Wander Are Lost

Self-limiting beliefs are freaking powerful. I mean, if you don’t think you can do something then there’s a really strong chance that you’re gonna see those beliefs grow to fruition and not be able to do “it” (whatever “it” is). Let me tell you a story…

Beliefs and self-limiting beliefs. Before the power of self-limiting beliefs, I was a very optimistic, outgoing, bright, and sunny child. As I grew older in age, I realized that many people were inviting (okay demanding) me to shut up and sit down. After a while, I learned to dim my enthusiasm but my passion still burned brightly inside. I have spent much of my life, if not all, feeling confused as to why my opinions, beliefs, and views were unwelcome or deemed irrelevant by a few key people in my life. Report cards, performance evaluations, criticism on the job, and general comments left me with a huge feeling of inadequacy and that I was simply not enough. That’s a difficult position to be in. Enter Self-limiting beliefs.

beliefs
Circa 1977

Over time, I grew to discern when to let my freak flag fly but generally tried to keep it under wraps or, at a minimum; at half-mast. A couple of years ago I took a HUGE leap of faith and quit my steady full-time income and went full-time commission with Beachbody. The thought of spending my life helping others find their path with financial health, wellness, physical health, and nutrition was a Sirens’ Song to me. I took a leap of faith knowing I’d grow wings on the way

down.

Once I took that leap, paralysis set in and I lost my voice and I was overwhelmed by self-limiting beliefs. I froze. I panicked. I bailed on my fitness, my nutrition, my own financial health, and deemed my goals and visions to be too lofty. As the weight crept on and the debt grew deeper my self-confidence plummeted and the self-limiting beliefs took over. I found that what I perceived others thought of me mattered more than what I believed in me. I abandoned my love of all things fun and exchanged it for processes and systems. I left my proven land of “Just Be You” and moved into the territory of “You’re Doing It Wrong.” Wow. That sucked.

I internalized so much that I made myself physically ill. I’ve been vomiting, nauseated, skipping meals, extremely self-critical to the point of bailing on the mere thought of keeping my body in shape as it’s not going to work anyway as I’ll just quit it like I quit everything else. I’ve neglected my business even more that I’ve neglected my physical well-being.

“Self-limiting beliefs are freaking powerful. I mean, if you don’t think you can do something then there’s a really strong chance that you’re gonna see that to fruition and not be able to do “it” (whatever “it” is).”

unicorns rule
symbol of purity and grace

It has taken a lot of WORK but I am ready. I’m ready to resume ME and let my freak flag fly at full mast and let go of whatever I think you’re thinking of me (did ya follow that?). Why? Cuz I’m uniquely gifted by God and I’m dishonoring Him by injecting my human thinking into His master plan. No matter how hard I work at mastering processes and systems it will never be my gifting. I understand that I want to be proficient in certain processes but am in agreement with myself to let it go and simply be me. Simply. Be. Me.

How ‘bout you? Can you relate? If yes—then we have to connect. Comment below or message me. Let’s make 2016 OUR year to ROAR.

I am enough
I am enough

I talk to myself. A lot.

Talk to myself 2015

I talk to myself. A lot. Maybe I’m alone in this (and am okay with that if it’s indeed true) but … maybe…just maybe; you will relate? I talk to myself. A lot. This

Talk to myself 1975
Talk to myself 1975

morning I’m out mowing the lawn and my current version of me is telling my younger version of me what I coulda shoulda woulda done for a better today. Stuff like I should have made different

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Salted Caramel Chocolate Shakeology

Salted Caramel Chocolate Shakeology? Yes, please. I mean, come on. Sometimes a girl just needs a hit of chocolate. With salt. And, okay sure… add some caramel, too! This recipe is so delicious and yet it is healthy for me, too! WOOT!

 

Salted Caramel Chocolate Shakeology

Salted Caramel Chocolate Shakeology
Salted Caramel Chocolate Shakeology

 

  • 1 cup Almond milk (you know how I feel about cow’s milk so just work with me here)
  • 1 tsp. caramel extract (found it at Meijer after a lot of searching — I recommend simply asking for direction and save the time)
  • 1 dash sea salt (I use pink Himalayan)
  • 1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology (Regular or Vegan — I prefer Vegan)
  • Ice to taste

 

Combine all the awesome into a blender and then crank it up (make sure the top is on the blender first). Goooooood morning breakfast!

Edamame and Roasted Corn Succotash

Edamame and Roasted Corn Succotash

This recipe is simple, tastes fresh, and is delicious. I had it for the first time a couple of years ago when I first did the Ultimate Reset and was excited to make it again today. My biggest revelation with this dish is that corn and edamame are considered a starch (yellow container for those of you playing along at home) and are not considered veggies.

edamameEdamame and Roasted Corn Succotash

3/4 cup frozen edamame

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I’m Enough

Runway(1)

One Day She Said I’m Enough …

SON OF A NUTCRACKER. I’ve gained 20 pounds since my last annual appointment (yes, even after the 10 that I lost the last couple of weeks I’ve still hung onto 20). After a very open and honest conversation with my doctor I figured the same honesty may help some of you, too? So…here we go. Grab a glass of water—this could take a minute to get through.

Life is GREAT and I am ecstatic about my life changes this past year but those life changes had an effect on my health—and not all in great ways. It’s weird to be ridiculously happy and yet depressed in the same breath.

We made the decision for me to go full-time Beachbody last June as I was making myself crazy trying to “do it all”. My Beachbody business lifts my spirits and adds joy to my life—human resources and regularly disciplining and firing people did not. The choice was an obvious one—it was time for me to let go of what I’ve busted my ass to build a reputation and a career on and move onto a healthier mental state. I walked. I didn’t look back and yet didn’t pay attention to the emotional roller coaster that accompanied that decision.

We got married in July and I changed my last name. I did not give this enough emotional credit, either. I dismissed the darker emotions that came with those decisions. I had vehemently stated I was (a) not getting married again and was (b) not changing my name again. “I was born a Hanna and will die a Hanna” was my mantra. Then I fell head over heels in love and decided to do both. They were incredible decisions and I’m proud of both of them—but didn’t allow myself to feel the weight of either choice. You see, sometimes there’s bad stuff mixed in with the best of times. “It was the best of times. It was the worst of times…”

The last half of 2014 was a dark place for me and yet I didn’t want anyone to know it so I stuffed it deep in the wormholes in my mind (not a good idea, by the way). I barely ate. My sleep was haunted by nightmares. I was drinking daily—and often during the day. I stopped exercising. I stopped communicating with friends as I didn’t want them to see me like that. I drank minimal water. I gained weight. I was overwhelmed with the guilt at being a “fitness coach” and overweight. I ate even less food. I drank more alcohol. I drank more caffeine. I hid from all things healthy and trained my brain that food and people were bad and should be avoided. And then…one day I’d had enough.

I’m a “pull myself up by the bootstraps” kinda gal and knew that I had gotten myself into this mess and therefore could get myself out. But not without some really uncomfortably honest conversations with myself, loved ones, doctors—and now you. I’m enough.

I’m down 10 pounds. I’m hand-in-hand with God. I’m eating real food. I’m drinking FAR less booze and caffeine. I’m drinking more water. I’m exercising more often. I’m fully participating in my life again AND IT FEELS GREAT. I’m enough.

I’ve still 20 pounds to lose—but my mind is right and I’m doing the right stuff. When I asked the doctor if she had any recommendations for me other than eat often, move more, and drink more water her reply was, “No.”

There is no magic pill, friend. There is no easy button.

But there is hope. There are choices. You can do this. You are worth it.

I’m enough. I’m here and would love to help you if you can handle my honesty and the kick in the ass that this journey often requires. You in?

Chicken Breast with Sauteed Mushrooms

Chicken Breast with Sauteed Mushrooms
Chicken Breast with Sauteed Mushrooms

Chicken Breast with Sauteed Mushrooms (Recipe is from our friends at Beachbody).

Y’all know I am not a fan of chicken but I do love me some mushrooms and this dish is delish!

Mushroom lovers, this is for you! These mushrooms sautéed with garlic and sherry vinegar are incredibly flavorful, you’ll want to put them on everything. (Leftovers taste great in an omelet!)

Total Time: 48 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: 38 min.
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
1½ tsp. olive oil, divided use

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