I'm not gifted with great genetics.  I'm not naturally athletic.  

I was extremely pigeon toed as a child to the point where I was picked on for it.  I was a slow runner.  My triples in softball should have been home runs because of my slow running.  I "fixed" my pigeon toes on my own and then my hips started to pop and hurt after I ran.
I kept going.

I climbed trees as a child and had constantly bruised shins and sap in my hair to show for it.  I rode my bike everywhere.  I played Wiffle Ball and Cops-n-Robbers until dark.  In the winter I LIVED for sledding!  I ran straight into a tree once and it rung my bell.
 I kept going.

My ankles were weak.  I had them taped before every soccer game so I could run without pain and swelling.  Often the girls teams were last in the training room, because boys were more important.  So I learned how to tape my own ankles.  
I kept going.

I played sports all through high school.  Soccer, swimming and softball.  I was a decent softball pitcher but was scared of the role.  I had a great arm, thanks to my brother who wouldn't let me "throw like a girl".  In soccer, I was known for my powerful throw ins and could put the ball wherever I wanted to.  Swimming I just did to stay busy and I wasn't great at it, but it led to a job lifeguarding and teaching swim lessons in college.
I kept going.  Actually, that's a lie.  
I stopped.

I had my first child at 21, got married before I should have, divorced 5 years later.  During that time, I never lost the "baby weight".  I was instantly an adult who had to survive and raise a human.  I dabbled in "working out" but mostly just survived.  I dealt with anxiety during this time, but I didn't know what it was.  I kept it to myself because I thought I was crazy.
I survived.

I got remarried and had my second child at 36.  Before I got pregnant, my workouts consisted of a 1 mile run, 25 crunches and 25 push ups.  (I know, I know, CRUNCHES?).
FACE PALM.
I didn't know what to do, I just knew I needed to MOVE.
I kept going.

I started p90x after I had my daughter.  It was ok.  Mostly annoying.  I eventually started reworking that format to fit my needs.  
I kept going.

I decided I wanted to be a "personal trainer".  I had no idea what that meant but seemed like a fun job.  Got certified and a few clients right away.  I had no gym, just my own basement or clients homes.  I winged it, but...
I kept going.

Nutrition was a major roadblock for me personally.  I was eating very low calorie and dealing with significant digestive issues and in pain all the time.  I saw several Dr's who had no answers.
I kept going.

With help of a Nutritionist, I got the digestive issues under control and then a problem with my right knee popped up.  A cyst nestled between my ACL and Meniscus according to the $1600 MRI.  I saw the best orthopedic Dr. in the area.  I was prepared to schedule surgery to have it removed.  Instead, he said I was too old and that I needed to "leave the training to the young guys".  I was 40.
I kept going..... ish.

For over a year I did little to no lower body weighted exercise.  I stopped running completely to keep the cyst from filling with fluid.  I became lower body weak and was not happy.  But I kept working and training.
I kept going.

Eventually, I found ways to train around the cyst.  Studied the knee extensively and eventually found that my hips were not mobile and my knees were taking on a lot of what the hips were supposed to do.  A lightbulb went off.
I kept going.

I found Corrective Exercise and the FMS (Functional Movement Systems) areas of study as a result of my own issues and have used that education to become an expert in reducing injury risk and healing injury.
Because I kept going, I have taken my road blocks, and turned them into opportunity.
I keep going.

Opportunity has never ONCE knocked on my door.  I've had to hunt it down, grab it by the neck and struggle to make it mine.  EVERY.  SINGLE.  TIME. The cards have always been stacked against me.  Listen carefully to me when I say
I DO NOT CARE.
I WILL ALWAYS KEEP GOING.
​

If you made a New Years resolution to lose weight, get fit, build strength or become a healthier person, chances are that resolution is starting to crumble.  But I'm here to tell you, it's probably not your fault and you can turn that bus around today.

Look.  Here's the truth.  Very few people on earth actually want to work out.  Very few people eat foods they know are not good for them "for no reason". (There's always an underlying reason).  Very few people take ownership of the fact that their lifestyle choices are the reason for their poor health.  Very few motivated people know what to do when they get to the gym.  Very few people set realistic goals.  Those are the reasons people give up their resolutions mid-february.  It has less to do with your will power and more to do with the fact that the odds are stacked against you.

STEP 1: ACCEPT THE SUCK
First, accept the fact that you are going to have to get uncomfortable.  Physically, mentally, and maybe even emotionally.  Accept the fact that this is going to be hard and may take a long time.  Accept the fact that you'd rather be eating pizza than salads.  Be willing to get to the bottom of why you eat how you do and be ready to find a professional who can help you address emotional eating if that's a problem for you.  All of that is going to suck at first, but accepting the suck has to be the first step.

Go head... take a deep breath right now, and accept the suck..  I will wait.....

Congratulations!  Step 1 is done.  You will repeat step 1 every day, sometimes several times a day until it becomes second nature.  This is the only way to embrace the grind of daily workouts and eating daily nutritious foods.  

STEP 2: OWN YOUR CHOICES
This is crucial so read carefully.  You can not change what you don't take responsibility for.  You have to own it and be honest with yourself.  Now read even more carefully.. DO NOT BEAT YOURSELF UP OVER YOUR CHOICES.  This is counterproductive and does't create an environment of learning and change.  You've got to be honest with yourself from a place of love.  

STEP 3: GET HELP
Even the most self-motivated people don't actually know how to workout for specific goals or eat for weightless in a way that's sustainable.  Every advertised workout plan is "THE BEST PLAN EVER" and every diet is "LIFE CHANGING".  That's a bunch of crap.  The messages you're getting from Planet fitness to Crossfit and from the Keto followers to Paleo lovers are that their way is the only way.  Complete lies based on selling memberships and products.  Case in point.  If you've heard of the Ketogenic diet, you've probably heard you can eat as much bacon, butter and cheese as you want.  LIES!  You can't eat large amounts of those foods in the name of a "Low Carb High Fat (LCHF) diet and lose weight or maintain.  You will likely hit a wall at some point and shove as many carbs as you can in your mouth (this is called a binge and can bring serious physical and emotional consequences).  Does this mean Keto isn't good for you?  Maybe, maybe not.  It does mean that you should find what works for you under the help of a professional who can guide you and tell you the truth whether it's Keto, Paleo, Whole 30 or whatever.

From Beachbody, to crossfit to Planet Fitness.. there are so many confusing messages about working out.  If you've tried more than 1 program and didn't get results, then it's time to get expert programming designed specifically for YOU.  If that person isn't me, find someone who's qualified to assess you personally, help you address any movement dysfunction and who can build you a plan that helps you reach your specific goals.  I have nothing against any of the mentioned programs, however those are not for everyone.  I know people who do crossfit with great success.  I know more people who've gotten injured doing crossfit and who've been emotionally damaged from the program than those who've had great success.  That raises an eyebrow for me.  If that's the route you go, proceed with caution.  Globally advertised programs that come with expensive shakes also raise eye brows as those programs are missing crucial pieces of the exercise science puzzle and chances are selling those expensive shakes are probably not going to bring you "financial freedom".  
When it comes to the opposite end of the spectrum, Planet Fitness... you should know  they intend to collect your $10 a month and hope you don't actually come.  They do, however have very nice equipment...just don't fall for the pizza Fridays.  They're purposefully sabotaging you to get you frustrated so you stop going...but they know you will never cancel that $10 monthly membership.  Brilliant business model.  Horrible for the consumer who get's caught in the trap, but great for the consumer who realized the trap and uses Planet Fitness' low cost fee to get access to great equipment.  I have many clients who have memberships there who access their MRPT workouts in the app while at Planet Fitness.  But I always warn people and make sure we are setting the expectations appropriately.

If you do one of the above mentioned programs and have had success, I congratulate you.  I'm not criticizing those programs, but I am giving people who haven't found what works for them perspective.  If you need that perspective take it from someone who's been in the business for 7 1/2 years, who walks the walk, who is highly educated in weight loss, functional movement, corrective exercise and strength & conditioning and works in the field all day every day.  People like me...we know a few things and we will help you set realistic goals that set you up for success, not failure.  We will assess body type, genetics and other factors to help you navigate roadblocks.  We have a profound understanding of the SCIENCE of exercise and ART of coaching.  

Do not listen to the advice of friends who aren't experts and watch out for people pretending to be experts.  If a friend can't seem to get their health, weight and fitness under control, then they won't be able to help you to make lasting change.  This is the unfortunate truth.  

Do you have questions on where to start?  Do you have roadblocks you'd like to discuss?  Hit me up.  If I don't have the expertise to help you, I will find someone who does.  

SUPER EASY THAI TACO RECIPE:

Add the following to a crock pot set to low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours:
Organic Pork loin or chicken breast (1-2 lbs)
1-2 TBSP Coconut oil
Sea salt, pepper, cumin, turmeric, garlic powder, onion powder, ginger, and any asian spices you like (don't overthink how much, just dump that stuff in there)
Siracha (don't worry how much, just sprinkle that stuff on there)
Sesame Seed Oil (just a little)
Fish Sauce (Just a little)
Let it cook and shred with 2 forks when it's finished.

Serve in Cabbage cups and eat like tacos with the following optional chopped fresh toppings:
cilantro, fresh lime, radish, carrot, cucumber and green onion.

The garnishes really make this!  

Make enough for left overs.  Add more of any seasoning to taste and enjoy!