Tag: Faith

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Fit Faith Friday Health Coaching Spiritual Health Uncategorized

{Fit&Faithful Fridays} Maryalice Goldsmith


As I started A. Wright Fit and stepped into this “Fit & Faith-based” company, I was met with many challenges—one of which was I really didn’t know what I was doing. (Disclaimer: To a very large degree, I still don’t!). But one of the smartest things I invested in during this start-up process was a business and mentorship coach and group of women to help me along the way. This gem of a woman, Maryalice Goldsmith, because my online mentor. She is just one of my coaches, along with Jill Coleman who started the Best of You Coaching program for online coaching professional women!

can be a bit tricky, but Maryalice has such warmth and compassion, that it actually translated very profoundly through your writing and assistance. As I started to know her better and looked through some of the awesome programming she was offering in her own online space, I was in awe. Read on about what Maryalice has to say to some of the deep Faith and Fitness related questions I asked her. You can also read the entire article on my blog post here:

Maryalice Goldsmith

InsideoutWellness, GoGetters Online Mentorship

Me: Tell us a little bit about what you do and how you started your business?

Maryalice: I started my business back in 2008 as a “hobby”. I put my 3rd and final son on the bus and thought, “What the heck am I going to do now?” After being a stay-at-home for 14-years I knew I wanted to tap into more areas of my brain. I loved being a stay-at-home Mom, but I got to that point where I knew I wanted to challenge myself and do something outside of that.
I decided to get certified in personal training and I started my “hobby” in the basement of my home. Whilst I’m still currently operating from my basement, it’s better than nothing. Eventually, the business will get to a level where I can move to a different space. For now though, I’m stuck in the basement. When I get clients, I do feel a little bit unprofessional telling them that I’m in the basement of my home. When I told my friend this, she suggested that I could always visit yourvirtualofficelondon.co.uk to look at getting an office address in London. That would make my business seem a lot more professional, so I might look into that at some point. It would also save me from giving my home address out.

In less than 18-months I had over 36 one on one sessions and 6-different varieties of bootcamps; boxing, TRX, sports conditioning and traditional style bootcamps.

I was in for about 50+ hours per week.

This was so not the goal. So I decided to check myself before I wrecked myself.

I made the decision to go online so that I can reach more people, get more time back in my life, and that work life balance we all desire. If it wasn’t for numerous guides to get me online such as this how to park a domain article, I would have had to fork out a lot of money trying to gain an online presence.

Running an online fitness empire is empowering, but it does have its technical challenges, especially where managing a website is concerned. For example, it is so important to use a reliable server such as Hostiserver to ensure that visitors to your website enjoy a smooth experience and are therefore more likely to engage with your brand.

It has been the best, most challenging, most incredible experience of my life.

Maryalice_against the wall

I hired a business coach back in 2013 and in 2014, she hired me to help her coach her clients. How cool is that?

2015 has been one of the best years in my business, I am so incredibly grateful.

My goal for 2016 is to continue to impact women in a positive way.

I run maryalicegoldsmith.com and I have two signature programs; Go Getters Online Mentorship and InsideOut Wellness.

I literally get to coach women everyday how to live happy, healthy, and successfully from the inside out.

It is truly a dream come true!

Me:How has your Faith impacted your Fitness and your Fitness impacted your Faith?

My faith means everything to me. It was a gift given to me by my parents – the very best gift they have ever bestowed upon me.

My faith impacts my fitness because I believe in order to honor God and the body He gave me I need to treat it with care, pride, and love – the way He would.

My fitness impacts my faith because when I respect my workout regiment I am the best version of Maryalice I can be. I am happier, more energized, and I shine my light (it’s a pretty bright light!!!). When I am not taking care of me, well that light is not so bright.

I don’t have that pep in my step… it all comes down to taking care of myself and giving myself what I need to be the very best version of me. Fitness helps me accomplish that.

Me: What is the biggest struggle you see women facing today? How do you think Faith and/or Fitness can help them in finding a solution?

Busy-ness! We are so busy with work, the kids, family & friends, and life in general.

I believe this busy-ness has distanced many women from their faith. In that, they are distant from their soul.

They have lost their connection with their spirit. They no longer know what they want, need, or desire out this life. They are on autopilot and as a result, they have become more and more numb to their goals.

Maryalice Goldsmith-0003

The power of faith is enormous. There is NOTHING in this world you cannot face without faith.

It grounds us in understanding what truly matters.

It motivates us to make decisions that honor who we are and believe that no matter what, if we are staying true to ourself, everything will work out.

Having faith allows us to understand that this moment is simply that, a moment in time. NO matter your struggle, your burden, and or your fear… this too shall pass.

With faith you are armored with a strength… it is the strongest muscle that supports your soul!

Me: Do you have anything coming up that we could join in?

I am super excited about my upcoming Go Getters Online Mentorship that will kick off on January 11th. I have put a great deal into this program and I’m super proud of it.

My Father, who passed on May 23rd of this year, was my greatest motivator. I could remember being as young as 8-years old and my Dad telling me, “Maryalice, you can be anything you set your mind to, ANYTHING. I don’t care if you want to be the first President of The United States – you can do it. You have to work hard, be the best you can be, and be a go getter!”

So, in honor of my Dad I want to help women be Go Getters Online. To go after their dreams and create the lifestyle they desire by building a thriving online business.

If you want to start your own business, then you can do it. Just don’t forget that it is a lot of hard work, and you need to be determined to succeed.

Make sure you know what you need to do, make a detailed list if you need to. For example, it’s important that you register your business as soon as you can (check out Your Company Formations Limited for more information on this), make sure you have a solid business plan etc.

Don’t panic though you’ve got this. And if you are worried then I’m here to help.

This is an 11-month hand holding mentorship, NO SHAME! You can access all the information here: http:www.maryalicegoldsmith.com/go_getters_online

The application process is open, and anyone who fills out an application will receive a link to hop on a call with me. I am only taking 20-serious online entrepreneurial women, so its important that we vibe.

I also believe in human to human contact and the online space often prevents that from happening, I am looking to change that.

To all you Go Getters reading this, I would love to connect!

You can also follow Maryalice on all things social media here:

www.maryalicegoldsmith.com
www.facebook.com/insideoutwellness08
www.twitter.com/MaryaliceHere
www.pinterest.com/insideoutwell
www.instagram.com/maryalice_goldsmith

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Goal Development Health Coaching Uncategorized

What a Difference A Year Makes

33 Birthday Lessons

32

It's been an incredible year!   I have taken over 47 flights.  I have traveled to 9 countries and over 15 cities, domestically.  I became wife.  I became a *bonus*mom (of a toddler!).   We moved to a new city and learned the art of making new friends.  I started a new kind of company and stepped into a calling.  I spoke openly about my Faith and became a writer.  I overcame some significant strongholds and for the first time felt the presence of God, tangibly.   I also was privileged to coach over 23 women personally, which means I fostered 23 intimate relationships with women in over 11 different cities nation-wide.  Every single day, I focused myself on how I could grow and teach others the ways of living STRONG'her and WISE'her by SURREND'hering more and more to God. 

All of this was done in the 32nd year of my life.

I of course don't say this to boast or even martyr myself in the least bit.  It was just a big year!  While it was incredibly busy and frankly a whirlwind of a life change, I have come away with possibly the greatest year EVER! Through the willingness to embrace all this change has come an abundance of lessons and the cultivation of characteristics and virtues that I didn't even realize were possible.   I screwed up a lot.  I had panic attacks and full on melt downs on the regular.   But, I leaned in and withstood the storms and experience sheer joy time and time again.  I learned to #FailForward, #FailFast, #FailFaithfully. I heard of this great idea of keeping a journal of all of the lessons you learn in life (as you inevitably screw up) so you actually remember what you learn and don't have to relearn it the hard way again.  While I didn't start this particular lesson journal in October of last year, but I did acquire quite a few lessons nevertheless!    

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So, for my birthday today and the welcoming of my 33rd year of life, I would like to offer you 33 lessons I learned last year through all my mayhem.

33 Birthday Lessons

  1. There are over 7,000 promises that God gives us in the Bible.  When you find one that resonates with your current need, circle it and pray on that every day.    "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on me and come to pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."  Jeremiah 29:11-13

  2. Sometimes you just have to shut up and pray.

  3. There is a huge difference between a promise and a VOW. 

  4. It's ok to say "no" to something "good" so you can say "yes" to something "great."

  5. When you say you're sorry, you can't add a "but" to the end of it, otherwise it doesn't count.

  6. Talking openly about your Faith is extremely hard and even more humbling when you realize how small your Faith really is.

  7. Nagging people to change never actually works.  They might appease you for a second just to get you to pipe down, but it doesn't work in the long run.

  8. Setting boundaries in how you let others treat you is a way of showing them love.  You are offering them a chance to see the Truth of who you are so speak with gentleness and stand firm in your truth.

  9. The opposite of love isn't hate, the opposite of love is fear.  When you worry, you cannot love.  When you are loving, you cannot worry.   "Perfect love drives out fear" (1 John 4:8).

  10. Asking someone "Why?" is not nearly as inviting as asking someone to "Tell me more about that?"  You get much less of a defensive response.

  11. Sometimes you think you are allergic to foods when really you are allergic to STRESS.

  12. You can get so much more done when you make a list of the top priorities of your day and just do those things.  

  13. There is a perfect  rhythm of working HARD for 90-mins and then taking a short break to do something Physical or Spiritual.  This rhythm makes you far more balanced and efficient, helping you get so much more done WELL.

  14. You can be content in all circumstances by seeing with grateful eyes.

  15. You must not neglect your gift.  You must grow it, cultivate it and give it away.

  16. So what, you're weird.  Radically accept that.   "Those the mind don't matter and those that matter don't mind."-Dr. Seuss

  17. There is true bliss that comes from giving into your "Happy Weight."

  18. "Live not by works, but by Faith."  Busyness does not get you any points with God.

  19. You can actually rewire your brain by visualizing your "future self" and SURREND'hering to her as you make decisions.

  20. God's capacity to give far exceeds our capacity to receive.

  21. There is a distinct difference between "No" and "Not Yet" with God.  Patience is everything.

  22. Comparison is the thief of joy.  We should join in the praise when we see God's blessings on others lives.

  23. Take your environment seriously and it will radically shift your life.  From the people you put yourself around, to the things you watch and read, and the spaces you design for your own work and creativity.

  24. God designed us for Prosperity.  Not understanding the proper value of your TIME will consistently hinder that.

  25. To change any bad habit, including the habit of fear, you must always REPLACE the habit and focus your intention on what you DO want to become.   I suggest love.

  26. Neuroscience now proves a MEMORY is formed after 21-days of intentional thought and dwelling.  A HABIT is formed after 3 cycles of that for a total of 63 DAYS.  For. one. habit.  Focus only on the 'Big Rocks' that matter and will have a bigger impact on your life. 

  27. Those whom are hardest to love are always those that need the most love.  Their insecurity makes them difficult, demanding and distant.   Your love and respect can cure them of all that. 

  28. You learn your true identity and Greater Purpose from others, not by yourself.  God designed us for community. 

  29. "Joy doesn't come from what you have, joy comes from what you know can't be taken from you."  Rick Warren

  30. Your soul is where your body meets your power source. 

  31. It's just like God to take our sinful, selfish acts and decide to bless us anyway.  "God works for the Good of those who love Him." (Romans 8:38)

  32. "Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy and creativity." -Brene Brown

  33. You are so very WORTHY of it all.  Spiritual magic happens when we seek to see ourselves and others the way God see us.  Our worth to Him is endless.

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Spiritual Health Uncategorized

Embrace the Space: Why the G.A.P Method Works!

GAP

I have characterized the majority of my life as feeling like a solid B+ student wishing she were an A.  Across the board, I have felt this lacking and longing that I could be just a little better than I was.  In my looks, my body,  my intellect, my athletic capability, even my Faith! 

There always feels like there is this space between where I am and where I want to be.  Do you know the feeling? 

I feel this space also in my relationships!  You can feel the tension and the gap between where I am coming from and where, say, my husband is coming from on any conversation or subject. 

These gaps in our life can leave us feeling completely inadequate and lacking in various ways.  Like the dangling carrot on a stick in front of our nose,  we will never quite get there.  For some, it may make them want to just give up and quit!  For others, it will become a perpetual obsessive cycle to become “enough.” 

But, what I have come to learn, that these gaps in our life are the greatest gifts we can ever receive and a brilliant design by God. 

So, not only am I going to explain why you should say a prayer of thanks for your gaps in your life today, but I will give you a great tool to remind you of their magnitude to store in your heart for your next moment of inadequacy!

When we study God’s word and reflect on His nature and character sewn throughout, we can see what an act of love our own insufficiency can be.  Because, without our own GAPS in life, we would not have enough room and space for God.

God designed us to need Him and wholly depend on Him for our entire life.  Without these great spaces in our lives, we would not have that longing for Him.  Nor would we have the chance for Him to bless us in such astonishing and over-the-top ways.

He blesses us in spite of us.  Paul reminds us in Romans 3:23 NIV “for all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.” 

So whether you are the Pope or Mother Theresa, you too fall short of the Glory of God. 

If life were a literal race and we were all running from coast to coast, there will be some that will be better than others, sure.  But in the end, no man is able to run non-stop all the way to the finish line.  We ALL will fall short.   

There is a GAP between where we are in our sin and where God is in His Holy throne.  We cannot get there while on this Earth. 

The Good News….

BUT,  BUUUUUUUUUUTTTTT, God is Good, ALL THE TIME and He takes these blessed GAPS in our life and transforms them into exactly what we need!  How?  By bridging the G.A.P and filling that space.

You can use this acronym to remind you of exactly what your GAPs in your life really represent!

G:  Grace

The space between REAL you and PERFECT you will be filled with God’s Grace.  It is with Grace that God sent His son Jesus down to live and die as a sacrifice for our sins we are committing now. 

This Grace is what fills up this universe sized space between our sinful nature and God’s nature. 

When we feel insufficient, we are reminded by God that, “My grace is sufficient for you. For my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)

He takes our insufficiency and transforms it with His Grace.  We are sufficient and purposeful because we fall short.

The best part is, that God’s grace is FREE.  You cannot earn it or buy it!  All you have to do is believe to receive. 

So if you have not yet received God in your heart and are ready to unload this burden of trying to be perfect all on your own, it is time that you give your heart a break and choose to believe in Christ today.  Your Faith does not have to be perfect to trust and believe, it just has to be from the heart.

You can do it right now and say in your heart,  “God, I choose to believe that you love me and sent your son to die for me.  I ask for your presence and guidance in my life, to be my Lord and save me.  Amen.”

God will take care of growing your Faith and all of the questions that you have.  You don’t have to prove Him to yourself, He will handle it.  Just believe and you will receive.

A:  Abundance

 The second reminder is that when we feel like we are lacking in qualities, outcomes, characteristics, and even Faith, God is our ABUNDANCE. 

One of the greatest gifts you can have is to think with an abundance mindset.  To know that no matter what, there is always more where that came from. 

If someone stole your great invention, there will be an even greater invention down the line. 

If you didn’t get the great job promotion that you worked so hard for, there will be an even better opportunity coming shortly. 

All of dreams that seem impossible with your current circumstances, are POSSIBLE with God. “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

Having that GAP in between the reality and your expectation, leaves room for the Great HOPE for tomorrow that only God can provide.  God gives us Hope with His Abundant nature.

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,”  (Ephesians 3:20 NLT)

P:  Power

These very spaces of inadequacy and gaps in our alignment become the areas where we gain our greatest courage, strength and POWER. 

Going back to the verse in Romans, not only do we see that God’s grace is our sufficiency, but is also our POWER because God’s Power becomes our Power.

“My grace is sufficient for you. For my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)

When we are weak, He is STRONG. 

When we feel afraid, He is our COURAGE.

When we want to act out in anger, He is our LOVE.

All of these attributes become our very power within us to withstand every circumstance and failure in life. 

Whatever we are lacking, God exceeds and it is in HIS Might that we are so capable. 

The next time you feel the weight of the space between you and your goals, expectations, and progress, remember your GAP is your Guide.  

It is easy to keep putting more pressure on yourself to try harder or to give up rather than give IN to the God that created you, but I assure you, seeing these spaces as the Grace, Abundance and Power that you need to excel will quickly show you how incredibly rewarding our Faith can be!

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Spiritual Health

10 Scriptures to Help You Endure Your Race in Health

 

IMPATIENCE

The name of the game in most of our desired BODY health transformations is found in FAT LOSS.  As you have encountered already throughout the information included this program, the process of Fat Loss is SLOW.  In fact, there is a quote I’ve used several times to reiterate the “slower is better” mentality required for sustainable fat loss–

“What comes easy won’t last long, and what lasts long, won’t come easy.” –TWEET THAT!

What Lasts Long

In other words, it’s easy to go on a crash diet and muster up every last inch of your limited willpower to restrain yourself enough to see some FAST results, but inevitably those fast results won’t last long.   That’s we have a yo-yo diet epidemic in our country and why the damaged metabolisms from such actions are triggering the overall trend in being overweight and obese. 

Obviously, since we are talking about a True Health transformation, the name of the game for finding “A Wright fit” for yourself is to take the slower, smarter, God powered route to True Health and fat loss. 

If that’s the case, we are inevitably going to need a LOT of one major character value—-PATIENCE. 

Patience does not come easy for us humans in the fallen world we live.  But patience, forbearance, endurance and perseverance are ALL character qualities that can be instilled in us through the Holy Spirit and a change in mindset. 

While we saw several examples of the severely delayed consequences that came from impatient whining and grumbling of God’s chosen people in the Bible (see Exodus 16 for the raining QUAIL miracle)  God also showed us the sheer resiliency and endurance of His most beloved followers.

Abraham, Moses, Noah, Job, Joseph, Peter, Paul and the King of endurance out of love, Jesus Himself.

We see that God tests all of His chosen and loved ones so that He may reveal their true heart and expose all sin that needs correction (with the exception of Jesus, of course)  in order to establish true character and Faith.  It all serves His purpose.

Don’t think that your HEALTH goals are not a part of your test in endurance!  Every single part of your life is a test in your ability to improve your Faith and endure gladly for God’s great glory.

So, as I hope you are on the “slow route” to Fat Loss as you *should* be, here are some of my favorite passages and scriptures on Endurance, Patience and Perseverance so you can renew your resiliency and hope in the Lord greater yet.

10 Scriptures to Help You Build Your Endurance Today:

  1. On endurance Producing Character:  “We also boast in our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance brings God’s approval, and his approval creates hope.” (Romans 5: 3-4 GNB) (Tweet that!)
  2. On renewing strength: “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.  They will soar high on wings like eagles.  They will run and now grow weary.  They will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 NLT) (Tweet that!)
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  3. On Paul’s Endurance: “But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach and how I live and what my purpose in life is.  You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance.  You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured.  You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra–but the Lord rescued me from all of it.” (2 Timothy 3:10-11 NLT) (Tweet that!)
  4. On learning patience from God’s word: “Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.” (Romans 15:4 NLT) (Tweet that!)
  5. On why God tests us:  “do not listen to them.  The LORD your God is testing you to see if you truly love him with all your heart and soul.” (Deuteronomy 13:3 NLT) (Tweet that!)
  6. On eagerly awaiting with hope: “But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.” (Romans 8:25 NLT) (Tweet that!)
  7. On running with endurance the race of Faith: “let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.  And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our Faith.” (Hebrews 12:1b-2a) (Tweet that!)
    Therefore let us strip off every weight that slows us down
  8. On God’s blessing for persevering: “As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered.  You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.  The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” (James 5:11 NIV)
  9. On Waiting Patiently for God’s Promises: “When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants” And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.” (Hebrews 6:13-15)
  10. On enduring to the end: Jesus said, “But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:13 NLT) (Tweet that!)

 BE BLESSED!  Endure gladly today!

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Uncategorized

{Part 2} 5 Ways to NOT Be a Christian A-Hole

The other day, I wrote about my epiphany  of one of the  greatest fears that a Christian person might have when talking about their Faith is the feared STIGMA that all Christians are self-righteous, hypocritical A-HOLES.  I believe this fear actually holds so many of us back from speaking our truth and actually impacting people’s lives.  (read here)

The fear of the stigma becomes a deterrent for standing up and speaking our truth!  It prevents many people from sharing openly or from doing something like I’ve done— combining their business  and their Faith. 

Because the truth is just because I run a Faith-Based Company does not mean I’m over here counting your sins and judging you.  No, it DOES NOT in fact mean that I’m a Christian A-Hole.  So I think it’s time we stand up and say it and prove it with our actions. 

This past weekend I was at a Fitness conference among 80+ other women, and I was able to successfully hurdle this fear of the stigma that others were going to “not like me” or “shy away from me” because of my beliefs.  Well, that didn’t happen! 

While I didn’t intentionally set out to do these things, I can reflect now on the 5 things I did that helped me to avoid this misconception and have a really great time bonding with fellow Faith-based people and non-Faith-based people alike. 

I encourage you, if you are Faith-based to apply whatever fits well with you in your life without the fear of ruffling feathers.  If you are not Faith-based, or have had reservations about your belief because of a past experience with an overly-religious people, I hope this will give you  some hope that there is a way for your to establish a relationship with God and not fear what your lifestyle will be like!

5 Ways to NOT Be a Christian A-Hole:

1. Stand-Up and Say Your Truth With Confidence:

People know when you’re faking it.  They know when you’re nervous from second guessing yourself.  So, the key to being able to do this is to hold your conviction of what you truly believe.  Faith is not easy, but you don’t have to have it “perfect” to be able to talk freely about your experience and even admit that you have questions or doubts but still have Faith.  Your only task is to stand in your truth!  People resonate with those that hold conviction.  That speaks far louder than any choice of words!

2.  People Don’t Remember What You Say, But Do Remember How You Make Them Feel: 

Growing up, I do remember a lot of experiences where I felt uncomfortable about religious people.  I remember those people that tried to guilt me for my sin and it did push me away.  But, luckily, there were just as many people that showed me love and compassion through interest and genuine care in my life.  Today, I remember 0% of what words people ever spoke to me, but I will remember always how they made me feel.  I am still drawn to seek these people and be around them because of how I feel when I’m with them.    

Hold this truth close to your heart too.  Let go of the need to say “just the right thing” to people you want to reach and instead just focus on doing the things that make other people feel good to be around you.   Being present in the moment allows you to take this opportunity and represent God best.

3. People Respond to Passion and Kindness:

I spoke with almost all 80 of the women in the room and did not ask a single one of them about their Faith.  You might find that odd, but what I did I think inspired far greater.  I spoke about my Faith with such passion and kindness that it gave opportunity for whomever I was speaking with to open up if they chose to.  Many of the women did and we had a great conversation. 

When I speak about A. Wright Fit, I realize my passion just lights up.  It is not about the business that excites me, it is what God has done through my life and the very miracle that I am where I am today.  Speaking of that personal pride and joy from God resonates FAR greater than having a “philosophical” discussion of what it means to be Faith-based or not Faith-based. 

I could see in the women’s eyes that they would light up as my energy poured out of me.  So no matter what their current relationship with God was, I transmitted mine without having to use words.  I hope they saw such a passionate relationship with God within me that they might desire one for themselves!  I can only show this, not explain it.

4. Use Far More “I’s” and “We’s” than “You’s”:

Ok, this might be Sales 101, but I think for many believers this might be a necessary refresher!  If you want to get someone to do something, buy something, or BELIEVE something, you don’t go about doing it by TELLING THEM WHAT TO DO and all the reasons why.  Why?  Because our innate human response when someone tells us what to do is to act like we did as a child—- get defensive and do the opposite!    

It’s true for every single relationship out there!   I genuinely believe that most Christians that are trying to share their Faith have no intention of coming across as self-righteous A holes!  Of course not!  They are trying to do what Jesus calls us to do.    But it’s just a matter of delivery that throws off the intention.

So, in my writing and in my speaking, I have learned that the best way to speak about beliefs is to speak from personal experience.  Many more “I feel…” or “I have…” or “We can…” and a lot less “You should’s…” 

Even a seemingly innocent question of “Why?” can invoke a natural defensive response.  Think about yourself and how you respond when someone asks you “Why?” about your beliefs or actions.  You naturally get a little defensive, don’t you? A far better question is, “Tell me more about that?”    

Keeping things trigger-free of defensive emotions is the best way to have a loving conversation.

5. In the End It’s Up to God Anyway, So Have Faith:

Trust me, I am not taking this as a cop out by any means.  God calls ALL who have a relationship with Him to create more disciples among us (Matthew 28:16-20). But we must always remember that it is ultimately GOD and that person that has the control in this. 

We are just responsible for our part, not their part.  God has to take care of that from the inside. 

Jesus tells us this point blank. “You did not choose me; I chose you and appointed you to go and bear much fruit, the kind of fruit that endures.  And so the Father will give you whatever you ask of Him in my name.” (John 15:16 GNB)

I think this is one of the most profound mental shifts I have made in my Faith.  I have to establish a deep enough belief and FAITH in God that allows me to trust that ALL I have to do is  MY BEST and the rest is up to God and the other person. To be obedient to MY responsibility here on earth with thanksgiving and the honor of being chosen and capable.    

Nothing can be forced from the outside.  Everything comes from within.  Their personal experiences build up until staying the same is far more painful than changing their beliefs.  That is what it was for me and that is what it is for everyone!

These are just my takes on what I am doing that I think is working.  I am not perfect at it and do know that I need to grow in courage and Faith more and more.  But I was proud of the progress I made in overcoming a lot of fears this last weekend!  I hope this encourages you in your Faith this week too! 

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Categories
Spiritual Health

SURREND’hered to the STIGMA: Does Faith Based Equal A-Hole? [Part 1]

SURREND'herED TO THE STIGMA

An Epiphany….

We all see them and they make us cringe.  They are the people that are so caught up in their own beliefs, whether whole-heartedly with an established religion or whole-heartedly against established religion, that they start pushing their beliefs on everyone they know and questioning anyone in their way. 

With the advent of social media, we’ve seen this interaction on the rise.  People have more courage to be a-holes when they are typing their responses instead of saying them.  Plus, things get lost in the text and translation and it’s a slippery slope to a non-stop loop of slander and defense. 

All of this has made a strong case for society now telling us “keep your Faith and your political beliefs to yourself!”

So, deciding to take courage to ignore said opinions and put my Faith into my business that is built for the online space is something that is pretty scary to do!  I’ve opened up a few times regarding these fears that I’ve been able to overcome. 

And yet, at the same time, writing about my Faith is also kind of a “safe” way to be open about it.  I have the protection of my screen blocking me from any riffraff.  I can choose to read comments and respond or hit delete and move on! 

Alas, this past weekend when I had the opportunity to do some face-to-face interaction and opening up about my business and the Fit and Faith movement, I was nervous.  I was among 80+ other health and fitness female entrepreneurs attending the Best of You Coaching Club fitness retreat all the way in Asheville, NC.  I have been in this group all year, but as it is a virtual coaching club with the majority of our interaction via Facebook, I had met only very few of the women in attendance before that day.

The Best Of You Coaching Club of Women
The Best Of You Coaching Club of Women

As is customary, at the first session, everyone was asked to stand up, give their introduction about their business and tell what they’d like to learn over the weekend.  I was nervous of course, because, well, #publicspeaking. 

But I was also really nervous because I knew I was going to be “breaking society’s rules” and attempting to do it face-to-face.  In fact, my mentor herself has written that she is not a Faith-based person at all, which I totally get!  Not everyone is where I am.  Talking about Faith among other believers can be awkward enough,  but putting it all “out there” to people who don’t share your faith is HARD.

But I knew I needed to stand in my Truth.  My Truth is that A. Wright Fit is not just a regular “I want to help women get healthy” kind of business.  I know, that ultimately, I am in the life-changing business because I want to use Fitness as a way to help women grow into their Faith and a real relationship with God.  Then I want to use their Faith to excel and balance their Fitness!

With married health power-houses, Jade Teta (Metabolic Effect) and Jill Coleman (Jillfit.com and my business mentor)
Me (center) with the married health power-houses, Jade Teta (Metabolic Effect) and Jill Coleman (Jillfit.com and my business mentor).

I stood up smiling and said my piece, “Hi, I’m Amanda Wright, I own A. Wright Fit that is a Fit and Faith based company that I hope to expand and lead a Fit and Faithful movement.”  I sat down and my heart was beating audibly in my ears.  “Whew, I did it!” I thought.  As I listened to all the other women, I realized, we all had different ventures (which is awesome!) but I was the only one that had decided to be combine Faith and Fitness. 

What happened was pretty remarkable.  Later throughout the day, I had several women come up to me and talk about being Faith-based in this industry and give me such great praise for being the only one there that said anything about their Faith and business together. 

One woman told me she was in awe that I was willing to just be bold and say it because she had a hard time admitting to her faith in her business out of fear of isolating some clients.

Another friend said the same thing, while she had one Faith-based component of her business, her main business aspect she wanted to pursue was outside of the Faith realm because she knew that so many people would be “turned off” by it and wouldn’t buy from her.

Another woman said that she was not religious at all (she had had a bad experience growing up) but she really respected the way I went about my Faith and wrote about it too.   Such amazing encouragement!

Everyone had very valid points in their concerns!  While I do not believe that it is necessary for everyone to make their “business” about their Faith like I feel I am called to do, all this does point the very real fear of breaking “Society’s Rules” that I mentioned before.  This can go for ANY belief and stance in life, but specifically, I believe….

…as Christians, we fear the STIGMA that everyone thinks Christians are Self-Righteous A-Holes. 

I have admitted on this blog a few times that one of my biggest fears in starting A. Wright Fit was not about standing up to the non-Christians, but about standing up to the CHRISTIANS.

To date, the only person that has ever “ruffled my feathers” over an article I wrote was in fact a Christian guy whom I agreed with on all of his points!  But he still felt obligated to post some crazy offensive stories with some very defensive remarks that were pretty unwarranted.

So all this to say, there is some legitimacy to everyone’s claims.  There are some of the overly religious, overtly rules-based, sin-pointing, shame-inducing, types that are frankly, 100% WRONG, in how they approach and speak to anyone that does not yet have a relationship with Jesus. 

But you know what?  Even though there are these extreme types, I want to make a stand and say it.  NO! Not ALL Christians are Self-Righteous A-Holes! 

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In fact, NOT MANY are.  I don’t have hardly any Faith-based friends and family that are self-righteous because frankly, why would I be hanging around a person like that?!  

I realized that if I am hoping to start a Fit and Faithful MOVEMENT, which will highlight and celebrate everyone that is embracing their Faith in their Fitness, then we need to start the conversation about simply being BRAVE enough to admit to your Faith first!  

The reason why so many of my fellow believers don’t admit it is because of the STIGMA that society has given “religious” people.  But the STIGMA is NOT TRUE in MOST CASES.  Fearing the stigma and shying away from the stigma does not make the stigma going away.  

We must SURREND’her to the STIGMA and stand up for the truth! 

Faith-Based DOES NOT Equal A-Hole.

Faith-Based means humble. Faith-based means kind.  Faith-based means loving.  Faith-based means passionate, strong, God-powered and centered. Faith-based means you know how screwed up you are, but you just serve a God that’s greater. 

To be Faith-based simply means that we are attempting to grow and cultivate our character to be like that of Christ, albeit it quite imperfectly.  In case you don’t know, Christ, in the 33-years He was on this Earth wasn’t an A-hole.   I know that sentence is not exactly in the scriptures anywhere, but I can read between the lines and that’s what it comes down to.  (;-)) 

If we can get over our FEAR of what everyone is going to *think* about us, than we can move on to freely do what we are set out and called to do, help those we love find God in their heart.  To, as is my Mission Statement and Life Verse says, “Let our light shine before others, so they might see my good deeds and glorify my Father in heaven!” (Matt 5:16).

Matt 5-16

So, to prove my point, I’m going to a second-part of this series on the 5 Distinguishing Things I Did Last Weekend to Avoid Being a Faith-Based A Hole..     

Be sure you check it out!

Categories
Fitness & Training Spiritual Health

Isn’t It Just Like God…. A Testimony of Fitness and Faith

Because It's Just Like God...

It would be 2013, lucky #13, that would be my most transformed year-to-date.  I was single after being in an on-again, off-again relationship going on about 4 years.  I was living in Denver, CO and had just found myself lucky enough to be raptured in a new passion that was soon going to be a career change.  I had always loved going to the gym but then I was given the opportunity to start teaching group fitness classes, training clients and soon became a certified Nutrition Coach.

I had just found my “word”, you know, those words that seem to smack you in the face with how perfect they are for you right in the moment?  My word was SURRENDER as I had realized that even though I grew up going to church, I hadn’t yet fully SURRENDERED and committed myself to a real relationship with God.  Those several heart breaks helped me fill my heart with God’s healing Grace, and now that my life was falling into place just right, SURRENDER was the word I clung to to keep me walking with God and letting Him lead the way.

2014-12-15 20.50.51

However, somewhere at the juncture of deciding to take my passion for the Fitness industry to a career-level, I got scared.  I started to second-guess myself and my self-worth based on my long held body image issues.  As a way to “look the part” I decided I would train for a Bikini Competition.  I vividly remember standing in the gym with a tug on my heart and Jesus whispering, “You don’t have to do this, Mandi.”   The problem was that I had already made my “grand announcement” and was receiving so much praise and encouragement, I feared I couldn’t back out of it.  So I ignored God and thrust myself into 5-months of grueling training for an event my body was not designed to do.   All so I could convince myself I was “good enough” for people to hire me as a professional.

It didn’t work.Show Before and After

The day of the show, I was back stage, at 10% body fat, 20 lbs lighter and still felt absurdly “larger” than the other girls.  I was shaking my head in disbelief.  How could I still feel this way after so much work?  Not recognizing the woman I became, I prayed to God, pleading for Him to just be with me.  I was deep in shame and regret but He, of course, was there all along, and His peace renewed my strength.  I knew I would recommit my heart to Christ and try to put back the pieces of my heart with Him at the center.

But, here is where I would get the greatest shock and gift of grace of my entire life. 

The day of the show, my then “off-again” boyfriend,  Howard, whom I had not seen for 18-months, decided to fly in from California and surprise me at my show!  He was a bit aghast at my ribs and skinniness (he politely asked that I gain back 20lbs immediately) and I thought of it as a sweet gesture of support that I tried not to think much about given the fact that I was attempting to be “OVER HIM” from the past years of pain.  In my heart, he had always been “that guy” that I could not quite get over. 

Howard and I at Bikini

A week later, I got a call from Howard with some news!  He had apparently spoken to my Mom and Dad, asking their permission and forgiveness first, and wanted to let me know that he had finally figured out (with the help of  a couple years of therapy), that I was in fact “The One” all along.  That he had finally overcome his fears of inadequacy and commitment and he was ready to get married, have a family, travel the world and anything I wanted, if I’d have him. 

This news was of course a tremendous shock!  The words I had always hoped to hear were finally being said! I felt elated. 

“But…..,” he said.  Never a good sign.

“I have to tell you, I have a 8-month old baby girl, named Eden.” 

My elation was met with devastation and I could hear no more.  I hung up and cried out to God, “God have I not endured enough?  How can I bear this pain too? Please God….please.”  I cried all night.

But by morning, something in me all of a sudden shifted.  Something in my heart was triggered.  A hair thin strip of peace that “transcended all understanding” formed deep within me and began to grow.  For some reason, I knew everything was going to be alright.  I didn’t know how, but I went back to my word—SURRENDER.

Over the next month and several more conversations with Howard, I would come to understand that this baby girl, sweet Eden, while not planned by her parents, was still planned by God.  She would be an agent of change in Howard and would be used by God to transform his life.  She would renew Howard’s faith too, as he fought his own regrets.

I realized, it’s just like God to do such an act of Grace.   To take a time where I would blatantly ignore his voice and pull away from Him,  AND Howard would certainly make a bad choice trying to do things “his way” too and yet, God decided to bless us anyway. 

It’s just like God to take these unplanned and imperfect circumstances and make them PERFECT agents of change to propel us to the life He called us for, both individually and in marriage. 

“And we know that in all things, God works for the GOOD of those who love Him.  Who are called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:38

Version 2

In October 2014, I became Mrs. Howard Wright and from that decision of forgiveness onward, my life has been a whirlwind of change!  I gained back ALL the weight, moved to a new city and then another new city just 1 year later, adjusted to life as a “corporate wife” and of course, step-motherhood of a toddler!   And I wouldn’t CHANGE ONE THING!

God uses every single bit of it and has molded every fear,  feat and failure along the way into my Greater Purpose and this venture of A. Wright Fit.   I am passionately using my small platform to help others find their True Health from the inside-out!  Aligning our Fitness through our Faith and allowing God to take the reigns of our LIFE and our health!  To SURREND’her our way to becoming STRONG’her and WISE’her. 

a wright fit tag line halo

Because it’s just like God to make us STRONG’her than we know…..

WrightFamily2 11x14

Categories
Spiritual Health

What Rules Do You Need to Break Today?

Breaking

I have returned from a 17-day journey and I am experiencing a phenomena that is a first for me. It is breaking a RULE I have been subconsciously following my entire life and I think you probably have been following your life too.

You see, I feel physically pretty YUCK today. I’m tired, I’m bloated, I’m fatigued and yet……I am STRONG and HEALTHY. My body? Oh no, body is no good today. But my MIND and my SPIRIT? I’m #winning.

Let me explain….

So, as I am very lucky to get to travel as much as I do, it can be a challenge to stay healthy. Luckily, even away from home, I typically do pretty well health-wise on staying pretty consistent. I have dialed in my health #rituals that I love so much that I have learned to do them wherever I am and whatever time-zone I may be. So, the first 10-days I spent in Colorado was no problem for me. Feeling A-ok body, mind and soul!

But then, things started to fall off course….

It started when I was on an 11-hour plane ride to Tokyo sitting next to a very friendly man, but a man who was a self-described “hard core atheist, tea party republican, and Jack Daniels drinking” man who was on his way to meet his SECOND girl friend that lived in Laos while he left his FIRST girlfriend back in Las Vegas. Typical right?! “Don’t worry,” he told me, “They know all about each other.” RIIIIIIGGGHHHT.

While I did casually introduce the fact that I’m a Faith-based health writer, he just laughed and he told me not to try to “convert him to Christianity as his parents had been trying that for decades now” and instead proceeded to drink….and drink….and drink. I had already learned the lesson that talking politics OR religion DO NOT mix well with alcohol (Take Note!), so that was enough of a sign to let me know that my time would be better used working on my laptop for my clients.

Somewhere along his 7th Jack Daniels of the flight and constant interruptions, I decided my productivity wasn’t going to happen and decided since he was drinking enough for the both of us, my vice of choice should be CHOCOLATE. So I attempted to “cocoa coma” myself to sleep with fair success and he left me well enough alone.

Well, having just finished an elimination diet to test for gut and food intolerances, after going 3-weeks sugar free, this necessary chocolate move hit its stride!

I found myself in the hotel “all dessert” buffet one afternoon (totally worth it by the way) and then as we were visiting my 3-year old step daughter Eden {where she lives with her mom and (Navy doctor) step-dad in Yokosuka, Japan,} those darn gummy bears and cookies found their way into my mouth on several occasions as well! Again, these things are to be expected and I consciously chose them while having fun with the family.

Naturally, upon my return, my body feels YUCK. My stomach hurts. I have a headache. I’ve put on several pounds (although I will not be weighing myself to see exactly how many!). My clothes don’t fit very well. This is the reality of what these foods do to me. Sigh.

Nevertheless, here is where I have made a break through.

You see, I have been anticipating a battle in my mind after I overdo it on vacation—I call it the BATTLE OF THE BODY SHAME.

I realized not long ago, that where I thought I had been “guilting” myself all these years, I was actually SHAMING myself over my body.

Reading the books, “I Thought It Was Just Me But It Wasn’t” and “Daring Greatly” by shame researcher and renowned author, Brene Brown, I had this aha moment.

Guilt is what you feel when you realize you have done something wrong. “It was a bad idea to eat that much chocolate so many days in a row.”

SHAME is what you feel when you internalize your feelings to now define who you are. “I AM bad because I make such stupid decisions with my eating.”

She explains, shame is something all humans experience. We each have shame and may even use shame to employ control over others.

Because my body image issues have run very deep in my personal history, naturally, these are the areas that I feel the most shame about my “imperfect” and indulgent behavior. I would tell myself that I was “gross” or “disgusting” when I would put on some weight. I would look in the mirror, pinch my fat and scoff at my reflection. I would berate myself for not being “strong enough” to overcome the sugar cravings and I would punish myself with a “DETOX” or 2-a-day workouts and only vegetables and protein. This is actually very dangerous, and if continued over a long period of time, can result in eating disorders like anorexia nervosa. This can become addicting and unfortunately, people with this illness can become seriously ill and impact their health forever. If you, or someone you know is suffering with an eating disorder, you can access inpatient treatment. this is 24 hour, live-in, professional care.

I have realized that I have been operating on the RULES of the world. A rule that is completely logical, mathematical even, and is something that we ALL follow in some way.

THE RULES:

BEHAVIOR (+) = EMOTIONAL RESPONSE (+)

BEHAVIOR (-) = EMOTIONAL RESPONSE (-)

If I engage in healthy, positive choices and behavior, I enjoy the positive, loving, and joy-filled emotional reaction, and vice versa.

Meaning, if I eat healthy, practice self-control, engage in exercise as best as I can, I am rewarded with feelings of pride, joy, peace and a healthy mindset.

However, on the flip side, if I go over the top with my eating, over-indulge in foods I know better than over consuming, don’t exercise as much as I should have, and consequently feel the physical repercussions of those actions, I naturally feel the emotions of disappointment, regret, guilt and YES, historically a lot of BODY SHAME.

These RULES we come to depend on and rely on so much that we continue to implement new behavior patterns and habits so we might avoid the negative emotional consequences we suffer from again and again.

Even just a couple months ago, I wrote about a trip I came back from in London where I seemed to have OD’d on High Tea Cookies, Cakes and Crumpets. On this occasion, I anticipated and was met with the expected break-down of BODY SHAME. I spent a solid morning pretty upset, crying, and angry with myself but luckily sought refuge with God, who of course gave me the resiliency I needed. In His strength, I recovered quickly and moved onward. I shared the 4-steps that got me out of it.

I was anticipating a similar morning today. I feel just as crappy as I did after that last international trip, so I thought I would naturally have the same emotional response.

But what I am experiencing is unprecedented.

I am NOT having the negative emotional response I’m supposed to be having right now. I am feeling good and even, dare I say, joyful, even in the midst of feeling physically ill.

How is this possible? There is only one explanation that accounts for this newfound reaction:

I’m WINNING THE BATTLE of BREAKING THE RULES.

You see, what I have realized that the ROOT CAUSE of any one ever feeling shame is that this is the number one strategy the devil uses to try to win. If he wins our minds, he wins our lives. This is what SHAME does.

SHAME keeps us playing small. SHAME keeps us looking backwards in our life and dwelling on what we “should have done.” SHAME is a major distraction to the path that God has laid out before us. SHAME denies us of our Truth that God loves us and we are WORTHY of His love and eternal blessings no matter what stupid things we fall for.

This is the kind of stuff the devil THRIVES on. He wants us to believe that we HAVE TO DO SOMETHING to earn the forgiveness from God and the emotional response we desire. He wants us to keep “trying harder and harder” and putting more and more responsibility on ourselves.

I subconsciously fell for it my entire life. You might be falling for it too, but the TRUTH shall set you free. And, the TRUTH is….

GOD ABOLISHED ALL THE RULES.

In God’s presence, there is no law that says BEHAVIOR (-) = EMOTIONAL RESPONSE (-).

No, God’s law says that no matter what we do in our BEHAVIOR (+/-), He can give us the EMOTIONAL RESPONSE (+) when we seek Him with our heart.

God has broken EVERY RULE when He sent His son Jesus to die for our sins. Even HIS OWN LAWS that He gave to Moses that He commanded His people to follow for thousands of years were ALL BROKEN when Jesus was resurrected.

We are never going to be able to be “enough” on our own. But because we have the sacrifice of the only perfect Man to ever walk this planet in Christ Jesus, we no longer have to suffer from all of the “RULES” of life.

This means the RULE of self-criticism, punishment and even SHAME that we often feel after making poor decisions is abolished too. When we have GOD in our heart, we don’t have to follow those rules anymore.

It is NOT ABOUT RULES, but about a RELATIONSHIP.

It's Not About RULES

My relationship with God TRUMPS my historic relationship with myself—my self talk. When I take the victory that God has handed me when Jesus rose from the grave, I take that victory in EVERY SINGLE WAY that the devil tries to beat me in the battle over my mind.

Today, I guess I realized just how strong and resilient I really am. Because I know that when I’m weak, my God in me is STRONG. And when I’m strong, He is even STRONGER.

The devil has NO PLAY when I stop playing by his rules. This Battle is not mine, but is the Lords.

“And the Joy of the Lord is my strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

Categories
Goal Development Health Coaching Spiritual Health

FINDING YOUR LANE TO WIN


FINDING YOUR LANE TO WIN

I am gearing up to speak tomorrow morning at a gym in Denver, CO, Bodies By Perseverance about the importance of your Greater Purpose in Transforming your Health!

I wrote earlier this week about how knowing about your Greater Purpose will drastically impact all other steps necessary to transform your health, including: Finding Your Greater Balance, Goals, and your Go-To’s.

But, to run any race to win, you have to find YOUR lane. Obviously, we can’t keep switching lanes and expect to gain any real speed. So your Greater Purpose is going to be found with your genetics, your gifts, your talents, your character, your personality and your experiences all contributing significantly to defining exactly what that lane and race will be for YOU.

Each one of us is designed specifically for this calling and this destiny by God. We are inherently worthy of this destiny and it is not earned in the least. God has it all planned out before you and will gently lead you to your lane. It will always be your choice to follow Him there or not. That is the power of Free Will.

For me, God first showed me my lane when my natural passion and love for health turned into a part-time job about 4 years ago. I didn’t find it, it found me. As I had been establishing my walk with God a little tighter at this time and felt a tugging on my heart to expand on this. It was awesome how it just fell into place. It felt right.

The problem that happens sometimes we God guides us to OUR lane, is that we wind up looking at it like this.

It feels lonely almost and uncomfortable being asked to do something against the grain. My Faith waned and I chose to take initiative on myself and force some body changes so I could feel more worthy of being a Fitness Professional, I chose to do a bikini competition. . I pulled away from God and blatantly ignored His voice in my head telling me, “You don’t have to do this Mandi.” But I was scared and the Fear got the best of me.

But, as I have written several times now, what is so amazing and merciful about our God is that He took a mistake and a failure and me turning away from Him and decided to bless me any way.

But it’s just like God….

“And we know in all things, God works for the Good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:38)

I realized from this miracle how much God truly loves me and how much God really has it all planned out for me. All I needed to do was trust Him, allow Him to guide to me my lane again and this time, just FOCUS on what He tells me to do.

{There’s a HUGE lesson in our life to find our lane–> FOCUS.}

So I found myself now in a lane where I am a Wife, a Step Mom, a Daughter, a Friend and now, ….an ENTREPRENEUR?

As I was adjusting to a whirlwind change in life, I felt this inkling and calling to start my own business afresh. After one of my friends showed me an article about business people who had succeeded in their later years, I was so inspired to try and make a name for myself and my business.

employee engagement metrics to measure the different aspects of my environment. I think it’s a great idea and one that I will probably decide to incorporate once I’m up and running.

I have also been giving some serious thought to the marketing side of my business. For example, I already have an amazing email marketing campaign in mind. To succeed in the digital world, harnessing the power of the internet is fundamental, and using an email marketing campaign is an excellent way to tap into a captive audience so that my business can grow. In fact, I found some great pointers about email marketing on makeawebsitehub.com. I even read a great article about some of the different types of email marketing software, including alternatives to MailChimp, so once my business is underway, I will definitely be taking all of this information on board.

Once I am in an ideal position, I will then start to think about looking for employees of my own to help get my company to where I want it to be. I’ve heard that the only way to achieve greatness is to think about giving out something similar to these job satisfaction survey questions at different times within the year, so I can get a better idea of how they are finding their work and whether any improvements that I implement could help them to feel more comfortable. It will be important that I do this, as a business is nothing without a hard-working set of employees who enjoy working for you and have the same goals. This will be a long way into the future though so at least I have time to think about this.

I also knew I wanted to WRITE and SPEAK on the radical transformation that I experienced in my True Health. A. Wright Fit was born.

As I was called to this lane again, now, as a “Online Health Professional,” and decided to write and speak about the role that God has played in my Health and how He can restore and transform everyone’s health and LIFE in the same way, I was faced with the very same feelings I had felt before when He showed me my lane.

FEAR.

I was afraid that I would be breaking “society’s rules” that you aren’t supposed to talk about Faith (or Politics.) I was afraid of offending or being offended. I was afraid that I wouldn’t find “success” if i set myself apart so far from the rest of the “Fitness Community.”

Again, these FEARS of being THIS came up again….

This is when I learned the power that comes from FOCUS.

These Fears are the way the devil will try to keep me DISTRACTED with all the other things I ‘should’ do, instead of just doing what fits with ME to do (again, MY genetics, MY talents, MY gifts, MY personality, MY heart, and MY experiences.) I had to choose to stay in my lane or start skipping around again.

The blessing this time around is that I have more Faith and more Trust in God. Because I have been blessed and unburdened by a host of LIES I had been believing for my entire life, I have been free, to “throw off everything that hinders (me) and the sin that so easily entangles. And…run with perseverance the race marked out for (me), fixing (my) eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of (my) faith.” (Hebrews 12:1,2)

I can feel the fear and choose love instead. I can choose to focus my thoughts on ACHIEVING SUCCESS (i.e. love) instead of AVOIDING FAILURE (i.e. fear).

I am at this place that I am today because God has allowed me to be here all along. God has chosen ME, I have not chosen Him. God has given me His calling for my life, I have not manufactured or forced my own version of success.

I’m not perfect at it at all. Not even SUCCESSFUL by society’s standards yet either. But I AM exactly where I am supposed to be. I have peace and love overflowing with this *knowing*. I simply seek Him and trust in Him and my path is made clear and work to master the crafts of my calling.

The more I FOCUS on my lane and simply work to master the skills that He has given me, the more I will advance my running and will run my race to WIN.

All we ever need to do in our life is allow Him to guide us to our lane, choose LOVE, and RUN with it. You will win every time. Whether in your Health, in your Career, in your Relationships— you must find your lane that supports each together. All of it is used for your Greater Purpose and you must FOCUS your eyes on Jesus to get there.

Just a reminder there are 2 days left to enroll in the STRONG‘her SQUAD! A 12-week Women’s VIRTUAL GROUP HEALTH COACHING program that will help you find your lane and establish your TRUE HEALTH. It is a structure program that gives you education and success tools to develop all areas of your health: BODY, MIND and SOUL so you can become STRONG’her, WISE’her and SURREND’hered to your lane! Please contact me at amanda@amandawrightfit.com to sign up! Payment must be received by Sunday, August 30 and MIDNIGHT

Also, if you are in the Colorado Area, I am going to be at Bodies by Perseverance located on the 5ht FLOOR at 450 E 17th Ave, Denver, CO 80203.

You can join me and my Fit and Faithful partner Jennifer Samuel for a workout and the workshop (provided by me!) from 9am-11am. The workout is $25 and the presentation is FREE.

If you are not interested in the workout, the presentation will begin around 10am.

I will be auctioning of a FREE spot to anyone present to join the STRONG’her SQUAD! Contact me at 858-531-7456 if you are interested in attending!

Categories
Health Coaching Spiritual Health

Everyone’s Always Searching For the Magic Bullet, Well I Have It For you.

As a trainer, nutrition enthusiast and “health professional” you get asked all the time about trends, food choices, exercises to do.  When I start to field these questions, I realize there is one common goal that many people wish they could have when it came to their health—> the “Magic Bullet” that would make it all easier.

I know they are wanting me to say some tips like, “Don’t eat past 7pm and THERE you’ll have your magic bullet!” OR “Do this particular exercise sequence that only takes 7-minutes and THERE, you’ll have your magic bullet!”  These tactics have all been mercilessly exploited.

Unless you are one of the thousands of authors that capitalize on this human “easy fix” desire and decide to write some “Diet” book that promises to “solve all their problems, get them 6-pack abs, and fix-up their husband and clean their house while they’re at it,”  MOST trainers and health professionals will say, “There is no such thing as the magic bullet!” mainly so they can reemphasize their own need, right?  We don’t want to lose OUR job to some “magic bullet” out there, we need to be needed!

Well, although I am NOT a “Diet” author hoping to capitalize on the naive hopes of people, I am also not afraid of telling all my clients ALL they will ever need to know in order to MOVE ON and no longer require my services.  I have the “Pay it forward” mindset, always relying on God to keep business good and wanting to serve in the health industry which usually means giving most of it away.  Convince you that you can do it on your own!  

For THIS reason, I must share I DO BELIEVE IS A MAGIC BULLET THAT ALL PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AND UTILIZE TO RADICALLY CHANGE THEIR HEALTH!

Annnnnnnnnddddd, I’m gong to tell you exactly what it is!   Here!  For FREE!

 

The Magic Bullet for your Health is……

Your Greater Purpose.

This is your destiny, your calling and the reason why you were put on this Earth.

Because let me tell you, you are not only BORN TO RUN THE RACE of life, you are BORN TO WIN THE RACE and your health is both a product of and an integral tool in your ability to run this race to win!

You're Not Just Born to RUN

Your Greater Purpose in NOT what you do for a career or even a valuable role you play (as wife, mother, daughter etc). Your Greater Purpose is your ROLE in expanding the Kingdom of God and fulfilling God’s perfect plan.

It takes understanding your inherent worth, your DNA genetics and every gift, natural desire, ability, heart, passion, personality trait, and every single experience in your life ALL mold together to propel you down this raceway to not only learn to RUN but to LEARN TO WIN.

You WIN in life when you finally learn why you were put on this planet and you passionately pursue mastering this cause for God’s glory.

 

So, you might be asking yourself, Amanda, this is no “Magic Bullet” and what does this have to do with my HEALTH?

Ahhh but it is!  It IS magic because it takes such a monumental shift if your way of thinking that elevates your Spirit to its highest expression of YOUR.  It IS a bullet because it cuts to the heart of WHY you should get healthy, what your health is supposed to help you do in life.   That’s all I’m really after in my health coaching and teaching….helping you find your WHY for Health.    

Your “WHY” is as unique as your DNA because your GREATER PURPOSE can be achieved by NO ONE but you.  You can’t achieve greatly by trying to fulfill someone else’s shoes!    If you don’t find it and do it, no one else will.  There are things planned out for you that God specifically designed YOU to do, but it will always be reliant on your choice and willingness to do them.  It takes trust, hope, faith and above all LOVE to get your head wrapped around this and to say YES to God’s call.   It is a process.

Hey Who Has Why

The reason why I know that this is THE MAGIC BULLET is because knowing you are designed for a Greater Purpose and knowing what your Greater Purpose IS significantly affects ALL the other areas of your health that truly matter.

I believe there are 4 STEPS TO TRANSFORM YOUR HEALTH:

  1. Greater Purpose- Pursuing Your Destiny for Life

  2. Great Balance- Body, Mind, Soul

  3. Goals -Strive to Win

  4. Go-To’s – Create Your Community

While I don’t have time to go over each of these 4 Steps TODAY, I can tell you the MAGIC BULLET of knowing your Greater Purpose in life DRASTICALLY affects ALL THE OTHER STEPS.

  • Understanding that you were specifically chosen for a role in this life and a destiny you are to fulfill dramatically affects your GREAT BALANCE  because you see such a need to get your Spirit aligned with God in order to know what steps to take to your destiny and you also see the need to keep your mindset aligned with God’s thoughts so you don’t fall prey to the devil’s schemes who of course, wants to convince you never to pursue your Greater Purpose and stay playing small in life.
  • Understanding your destiny calling will allow you to establish the (w)right GOALS in life to get you there.  If you don’t have your final destination in mind, your goals are going to take you off course and will distract you from learning what you need to learn.  Not every goal is designed for you to succeed either!  Some of the greatest tools God uses in our Greater Purpose pathway is to teach us through Failure. But knowing God will make your path straight and will use all for Good allows you to not fear failure, but to FAIL FORWARD, FAIL FAST and FAIL FAITHFULLY. 
  • Finally, understanding you are born for a gift to the world that only you can offer will allow you to seek and find your GO TO’s in life.  Surround yourself with your Tribe of People that “get it” and understand where you’re going in life.  They will be there to speak to your gifts and help push you forward with encouragement and love.  In the same light, knowing your Greater Purpose will help you BE THE CHANGE that lost people need to see too.  To build up God’s Kingdom and show His love and mercy.

 

So really, there is a HEALTH HIERARCHY that exists in order for you to transform your health and live your greatest life possible!  It works and I have several clients to prove it!

Screenshot 2015-08-26 08.41.24

If this resonates with you, I would be honored to help expand on what this means in YOUR LIFE and YOUR HEALTH.  The main curriculum objective in my 12-Week Health Coaching sequences both the 1:1 Health Coaching and the STRONG’her Squad, is to guide you to this MAGIC BULLET and help you renew your mind in accepting this, then your health will fall into sequence accordingly.    To learn more and to see when I’m leading my next SQUAD opening, check out the Health Coaching tab on my website HERE or contact me at amanda@amandawrightfit.com!