1 Year
This has been a post I both anticipated and dreaded writing… it’s bittersweet and I see so much light but also dark in this time. 2020 was a year, I don’t need to rehash that for anyone reading here. But to provide the context for my life, these are the life changes that have changed me in incredibly significant ways over the last few years.
Son born October 2015
Twin girls born October 2017
Following their birth I found a Physical Therapist and subsequently a personal trainer that changed my life and lead me down a whole new path - a passion to help other women in similar situations.
Decided to start studying to become a personal trainer Summer 2018, passed Dec 2018
Started my Postpartum Exercise Certification January 2019 (Wasn’t quite sure how I would start using it but knew I couldn’t live without it)
Family business is sold (place I was working) and the dynamic of work/life started to shift, good and bad
January - March there is extreme stress in my job and I’m anxious to move on but can’t financially.
March 2020 Pandemic hits and I’m notified that my contract will be “paused until further notice” in Mid-April.
Fitness becomes full time and I better get my act together to make it my new career - I’m scared and ecstatic!
May 2020 moved our family from Chicago to Michigan, we thought it would be a one week break from the city, and it turned into 3 months…
August 2020 we permanently moved our family to Wisconsin
It’s been a lot of change in the past year, I know it has for everyone. And I don’t know about you but I don’t think I really let myself absorb it or work through it. I was intentional about not wanting to put too much on my plate in the beginning of our time in Wisconsin, but I just can’t help it… my “settling in” phase, focusing completely on family and settling rather than work, was about 2 weeks and then I was ready to get after it again. It doesn’t suit me well if I’m honest.
It’s been a year (plus a couple months) of self exploration, plenty of therapy and time spent on my mindset. It was very necessary to get through more than the pandemic and I can wholeheartedly say I’ve become a stronger, more resilient and more self confident person than I was in January of 2020.
In March 2020 I decided to start exercising 12 minutes a day when the kids were resting. This changed me. It allowed me to truly do something for me, get my brain going and energy up 7 days per week. I didn’t always want to do it but was ALWAYS so grateful that I did. Some days I had 10 people, most I had 0. But I’ve found this thing that no matter what, I would keep doing. Even when one is watching. I’m serving myself and serving my community at the same time and gaining real results.
So many of you lovely ladies have been able to enjoy and incorporate these 12 minute videos in to your days and weeks after they are recorded. THAT IS MY WHY. That is why every week, I keep going, keep serving you and me.
It’s no surprise that I believe every postpartum woman deserves time to herself and the ability to reclaim her body and self in some way. Now, don’t misunderstand me, I’m not talking about losing weight or finding a specific physique - but I am saying you should feel like you body belongs to you and you are happy with it in all it’s glory. Especially in the early days when breastfeeding, you are 100% a giver and at least for me, I didn’t really feel like my body was mine, it served another purpose and belonged to this baby. That can wear on you in so many ways and then when it comes to intimacy with your partner, make you uncomfortable or not as comfortable as you may have been. Things have shifted, areas are squishy, and leaking and maybe still sore. Reclaiming confidence in your body’s ability, and joy in pleasure is so important in those times.
I wasn’t quite sure where I was leading with this post but here is it - find confidence, find joy, find connection, find pleasure. You deserve it, we all do, and I want that for you more than anything. The physical work that I do with clients has this amazing snowball effect that ends with these incredible results. Hop on this crazy journey with me and so many other women, let’s talk and find your path.
Wishing you all the best today and everyday. xo
