The Power Of SharIng Your Story

By Erin Rhoades

There was a time that I was ashamed to share my struggles.

I was afraid to admit that I battled with disordered eating.

I would under eat and over exercise to an extreme, and when no one was looking on a weekend night, I would binge on sweets to the point I thought I would literally be sick. I had somehow allowed food and exercise to control me. It was all I thought about, and it wasn’t until my body became physically sick that I took a step back and decided that something had to change.

As I dealt with my demons, and my body and mind were healing, I couldn’t help but feel ashamed. I wasn’t that strong, in control person everyone thought I was…at least not yet.

What I didn’t know is that my secret struggles were eventually going to mold me into that person I wanted to be. The transformation that needed to take place didn’t begin until I decided to share my story. I started with one person that I thought might understand and I knew for certain wouldn’t judge me, but would love me through it. By telling that one person, my secret already had less power over me and I immediately felt a little stronger. I decided to share with a few more people and with each time I told about my struggles, a little of that shame melted away.

I eventually decided to speak a little louder and share my story on my blog. I remember staring at my words, wondering if putting my story out there for the world to see was the right thing to do. I finally took a deep breath, counted to three and clicked “post”. I closed my computer and waited a while before I looked for any reactions on my social media, but when I did, I knew I had done the right thing. There were many comments but the one’s that really tugged at my heart were the women thanking me for being vulnerable, because now they didn’t feel so alone.

From that day forward, the shame that burdened me was no longer there. I now find it to be a privilege when I get to share my personal struggles. I personally believe we go through things for two specific reasons. One, they make us stronger and form us into the people we are meant to be. Two, we are to take what we’ve learned from difficult situations and help others. Whether that is helping someone going through a similar situation or to warn others against making our same mistakes. There is a lot more to my story than what I’ve briefly shared (which you can read about here), but I can honestly say with all my heart, that I would gladly go through it all again, if I can stop one person from going down my same path.

I urge you, if you have an experience that has changed your life and made you stronger, to tell that story. You don’t have to write a blog and put your life out there for just anyone to see. Maybe you choose to tell just one person to lighten that burden you’ve been carrying around. Find that someone you trust and share your struggle. Being vulnerable isn’t always fun, but it can be rewarding in many different ways. Maybe your story will be the one that might just change someone else’s life.

How to Lose a Gunt in 10 Days

By K.L.

Countless magazines, both health and fashion, tell us we can do anything. "Be bikini ready in 2 weeks!" "Get THESE abs by the weekend!" "Look 10 pounds thinner by noon!" 

I know the articles that seem too good to be true, ARE too good to be true. These so-called miracle cures and drastic claims are just fluff pieces to sell magazines (... Uh, similar to this one). I know it isn't realistic, or attainable to look like Gwyneth Paltrow with one swift ab exercise. I know putting coconut oil on my cellulite and stretch marks won't make it supple and smooth like Beyoncé's. I know J-Lo's butt is not something I can get by buying an exercise band. And I most certainly know that my legs will never look like Heidi Klum's, and especially not because I take on a 2-week squat challenge. 

So why do I keep going for the quick fix? The overnight results? Why do I even read these articles? 

I am the type who will go so hard in the gym. I love to sweat, and work hard, so much so that I'll compete with myself and others. The hardest part for me is nutrition. The gym is an hour a day, (alright, maybe half an hour. Well, a few days a week. Okay, at least once) but food is ALL day EVERY day. And it's the most important part! These "quick fix" articles show a 3-minute arm circle workout and claim that they will give me the "bikini body I've always wanted." IT'S NOT ENOUGH, my friends. I know, because I've tried. Somehow my abs look the same even if I follow the Kale Smoothie diet for three days (I think the box of Oreos may have something to do with it). 

So why the title, you ask? Well, it was a ploy to get you to read this article.

... Did it work? 

What is a gunt, anyway? Well, urban dictionary will tell you (see also: fupa), but here is my highly educated response: it's the space between your belly button and your lady parts. It's the place that all dresses (tight or loose) love to grab on to. The spot that seems impossible to get rid of. It's the spot our kids like to touch and ask us if there's a baby in there. The sole reason shape wear was invented. The spot that tells us we've had too much Halloween candy. The spot that loves to come out and play if ever we dare bend over. 

So, how does one lose a gunt in 10 days? Sorry, friends. We don't.

That sucker isn't going away in just over a week. But with proper nutrition, strength and interval training, and a hefty source of willpower, we can get closer to a flat stomach. It might take weeks. It might take months. It might take a year. But we are too smart to keep believing the gimmicky "dietainment" stories that wreak havoc on our self-esteem. We've learned, through all of the fad diets and fad exercise plans, that there is no quick fix. It always comes down to what you put in your body, and how you push your body to be strong. 

And hey, if all else fails, there's always Spanx. 

(Endnote: when I pitched the idea for this article to editor Val, she asked me, "What is a gunt?" This made me laugh, then become infuriated. A woman who doesn't know what a gunt is? A mother of 4 who's never had a little pooch down by her va-jay-jay? It's just not fair. I love you, Val, but I may have to unfriend you on Facebook.) 

Habits: Reprogramming Yourself for a Habitually Healthy You

By Angela Hauck

Model: Natalie Davis

We can be habitually happy; habitually driven; and habitually supportive.

Just as easily we can be habitually judgmental; habitually late; and habitually lazy.

The body enjoys familiarity and routine. Take for example the route that you always take to get to work. Unless there is construction, we often stick to the same path every day.

The brain is no different. It likes to take the same route and altering the route or re-paving the road is not an easy task.

Moreover, although we are all well aware that our current health and body composition is a direct reflection of our everyday habits, changing those habits is not easy.

In hindsight, I can identify all of the habits that contributed to the person I used to be.

In college, I would get a massive slice of cheese pizza every day for lunch and lather it in a disgustingly thick layer of parmesan cheese.  

A bottle of pop would wash it down and I would often add a chocolate bar for dessert.

Every evening was filled with a few hours of television and online battles of tetris.

A few nights a week, I would engage in excessive binge drinking. Not long after was brutal hangovers and puking in the hallway garbage cans at school.

While living in British Columbia, I would consume Chicken Nuggets, french fries and a Coke from McDonalds and then go to Dairy Queen for a blizzard treat.

Every evening was filled with a long nap and a few unproductive hours on my computer.

Every weekend, booze took priority and Sundays were always a complete write-off.

I only bought fast-food or food that was on sale. I scarfed down meals manically and mindlessly.  

Water and vegetables were pretty much non-existent and it’s no surprise that as a result, I became unhealthy, overweight, unmotivated and lazy.

That very well could have been what I became forever. I could have stayed habitually overweight. Habitually lazy. Habitually fat.

In turn, I could have taught my kids unhealthy choices, habits and behaviours. And, they too could have come habitually overweight. Habitually lazy. Habitually fat.

Or not. . .

Although automatic in nature, habits are a choice, they can be temporary and they have the ability to change.

Take for example what is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

What’s typically on the table for breakfast?

How do you decide what’s for dinner?

How do you deal with stressors in your life?

What habits are holding you back physically and mentally?

And then consider the effect your habits are having on those that are around you.

One of the coolest capabilities we have as human beings is the ability to influence other people, especially the people that we love.  

By demonstrating healthy habits, we can enrich and inspire our family members to better health. We have the power to shape a solid foundation and a solid future for our children.  

By getting them involved in healthy living at a young age, we can help prepare them for a future of maintaining a healthy weight and a future of avoiding health problems related to excess body fat.

I’ve put together my top 8 healthy nutrition habits that you can apply in your household.

1) Be a good role model, especially when you’re tired, stressed or busy.

It’s very easy to grab “junk” food when life gets challenging.  

It’s important to remember who is watching. Is this a habit that you would want your children to emulate?

2) Read labels – not to learn how many calories are in the item, but to find out the ingredients.

Teach your children (when they are old enough) how to identify hidden sugars. Teach them to make selections that are high in protein and high in fiber.

3) Sit down with your kids to plan out the meals for the week.

Listen to their ideas and work as a team. Perhaps your son wants to have spaghetti and garlic bread for dinner with a chocolate brownie for dessert.  

Come up with ways to include a vegetable and a good protein source into the meal then find a healthy brownie recipe that you can make together.

4) Make up a homemade trail mix full of raw nuts and seeds such as walnuts, pumpkin seeds, almonds and chia seeds and keep it on hand for a quick snack.  

Packed with omega-3 fats, having these on hand can help with cognitive development and the prevention of many chronic diseases.

5) Mix flavoured yogurt with plain yogurt to cut back on the sugar.

This also works with chocolate milk and juices. You can dilute with milk or water.

6) Let your children choose their favourite fruits and vegetables.  

When you are in the produce aisle, show them the many colourful options and explain why fruits and vegetables are important.  

When you get home, chop, prepare and organize them so that they are easily accessible.  

Involve them in the process – even young children can do things like tear up lettuce for salad and put lids on Tupperware containers.

7) Serve appropriate portions.

Teach your children what it feels like to eat until they are 80% full. Let kids stop when they are no longer hungry instead of when the plate is clean.

8) Take your family’s favourite meals and find a way to do them over!

Wonder Woman Fitness: Kiowana Phillips

By Jill Farr

Soldier, author, certified personal trainer, PhD student, wife, mom…Kiowana Phillips isn’t kidding when she refers to herself as a “Jane of All Trades”, but the usual follow up of “Master of None” doesn’t apply here—she attains goals, in addition to setting them.

“I love challenging myself,” Kiowana says. “There are many women that I look up to but none that do everything that I do. We are all unique. I love helping others and what makes me unique is that I have the motivation, support and drive to push people to reach their goals. Whether they want to maintain, lose weight, or just challenge themselves, I'm there every step of the way.”

As the wonder woman behind Wonder Woman Fitness, Kiowana brings her special brand of enthusiasm to her clients. A Beachbody Coach and certified personal trainer, she also has personal experience with what it’s like to be at the beginning of a long fitness journey.

“I've faced many challenges on my journey from gaining weight and not being able to lose it after giving birth to my now 2 year old, to not liking what I see in the mirror,” Kiowana says.

Although she believes in nutrition and a good program for fitness, Kiowana also credits drive with getting her where she is today, fitness-wise.

“I've always been a competitive person in spirit being in the Army but fitness is my passion,” Kiowana says. “I get a rush from pushing myself.”

Turning challenges into opportunities has meant more than making a business out of fitness, after getting fit, herself; Kiowana’s book, The Boy Who Smiles with His Heart, is a chronicle of the first nine years of her son Khaleb’s life with Moebius Syndrome, a condition that includes facial paralysis. (You can follow the book’s Facebook page to find out more about raising awareness of Moebius Syndrome.

In addition to strength training, Kiowana is an avid runner (20-40 miles a week, and about five races a month, ranging from 5ks to half marathons), and a competitive student of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which she says comes in a close second to running as her favorite fitness pastime.

“There’s something about stepping on the mat with someone and knowing that both of you want to win,” Kiowana says. “It's all about who wants it more.”

Kiowana may have been blessed with an extra helping of drive, but she insists that the pursuit of fitness is a natural confidence enhancer, and that getting moving, physically, can have enormous effect on your mental wellbeing.

“Fitness plays a huge role in confidence,” Kiowana says. “When you feel better, you look better, you move better, you love better, you're better altogether. When you work out you're doing something for YOURSELF. That's YOUR time. Your time to yourself to work on you.”

For the women who wonder if they too can become Wonder Women, Kiowana’s response is a resounding yes.

“My advice to women who need encouragement would be to always think RESILIENCY,” Kiowana says. “Have the courage to keep pushing forward. Don't quit. It will hurt, you will be sore but change doesn't happen overnight. Situations are inevitable.”

“Life happens but keep going. Hold your head up and run the day, don't let it run you.”

Jessie Benson Takes Balance to the Next Level with SUP Fitness

By Jill Farr

Shortly after 29 year old FloYo© creator Jessie Benson was introduced to stand up paddle boarding (SUP) she found herself dreaming what many thought was an impossible dream; introducing East Coast inhabitants to SUP yoga.

“Stand up paddle boarding was still brand new, almost non-existent on the East Coast,” says Benson. “I had a vision for FloYo© but when I told people about the workout and the experience on the water people in my community thought I was crazy.”

“There were a lot of challenges to overcome--a very short SUP season, a perception of polluted waters that were unsafe to be on, to name a few—but I knew that once I got people on the boards they would fall in love with the SUP fitness experience. I just had to figure out a way to get them to take that first step and get on board.”

Benson’s love for fitness started early, and was encouraged in her home.

“I fell in love with fitness when I was in high school,” she says. “I was a bit overweight in middle school, but always played sports and was active. My parents went to the gym religiously and always instilled the importance of fitness.”

Before discovering SUP, Benson had another activity ignite her fitness fire; spinning.

“When I discovered spinning as a sophomore in high school, I fell in love,” she says. “I started to lose a bit of weight and gained so much confidence. I loved the rush I felt after a spin class. I felt as though I could take on the world, I could do anything I set my mind to.”

Benson wasn’t simply content to spin as a student; her excitement led her to want to share her passion with others as a teacher.

“As a freshman in college, I got certified as a spin instructor. I taught spin and other group fitness classes all through college and continued after I got a corporate job right after graduation.”

The business world may have beckoned right out of college, but Benson’s heart was solidly in the fitness world, and her characteristic drive and belief in pursuing what fulfills you led her to look for a path to change.

“I knew that fitness was my passion,” Benson says. “I felt so fulfilled when in the gym inspiring others to live up to their fullest potential. I dreamt of how I could make fitness my career and then when I discovered SUP, I knew I had found the answer.”

“It was a bit of a journey creating FloYo© and figuring out how the brand would develop but now I am able to travel the world doing what I love- introducing people to SUP yoga. It truly is my dream job and I couldn't imagine doing anything else!”

Now an ASI (Academy of Surfing Instructors) SUP Yoga trainer, Benson leads ASI trainings in addition to FloYo© trainings all around the world.

Benson not only has a penchant for taking the initiative and learning how to teach others when she finds something that speaks to her, she realizes the importance of gratitude as well, towards the mentors that have helped her shape her fitness future.

“I still keep in touch with my very first spin instructor,” Benson says. “I give her a lot of credit for where I am today. She ignited my passion and inspired me to follow fitness as a career!”

Inspiring a similar type of excitement in others and sharing the great lessons she learns from SUP is the icing on the cake for Benson; the true accomplishment is teaching women to overcome the biggest obstacle in pursuing that passion…fear.

Holding challenging yoga poses is a daunting enough task for many when standing on solid ground, but taking it to the water—while balancing on a board—is not only a significant physical hurdle, but a great metaphor for other areas of life.

As one of the pioneers of SUP fitness on the East Coast, Benson credits the fueling of her passion and drive to bring the pastime to others with the feeling that being on the water gave her.

“I loved the feeling of freedom I discovered while on a paddleboard in the middle of the water with nothing holding me back,” Benson says. “That passion is what made others want to come out and experience FloYo© for themselves.”

“I encourage strength in women in each and every FloYo© class- showing women what is possible. Women often come to class very skeptical, fearful of falling in the water, nervous that they will not be able to stand up and do yoga poses on the board. I have created an experience on a paddle board that encourages women to drop their fears, to get free and to have fun.”

“FloYo© helps women find freedom, and finding freedom is finding possibility. Once my students take that leap and sign up for a class they commit to surrendering their fear and finding their strength.”

Even if you don’t have the chance to get on a paddle board and try out your Warrior pose, Benson believes the essence of her program comes down to something any of us can do…test our limits.

“My biggest piece of advice for women is to step out of their comfort zone,” says Benson. “If they are always doing the same fitness routine- running on the treadmill or always taking the same yoga class- I encourage them to try something new.”

“Trying something that makes them feel slightly uncomfortable, something out of their realm of normal gives them the confidence they need to face any challenge in life head on. My favorite part of my job is seeing the joy and sense of accomplishment on women’s faces after a class--they come in thinking they will never be able to stand on a board and leave feeling like they could take over the world.”

“Fitness helps women find that sense of empowerment, and that’s what FloYo is what it is all about!”

(Visit www.FloYoFit.com and follow FloYoFit on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to learn more.)

#GORGOgirl: Zina Breeding

We love featuring our everyday GORGOgirls that are inspiring us to crush life and a balanced approach to fitness.

Meet Zina Breeding.

Tell us about yourself!

I retired from Department of Army Civil Service in June 2016 after 37 years at the age of 55. I worked as a warehouse work leader/forklift operator for the majority of those years. Blue collar work in warehouses doing shipping and receiving, operating a forklift, driving a 4 ton box truck (think large Lowes delivery truck), loading/unloading semis. Physical work. Now I babysit my two year old grandson 3 days a week and help out my mother, mother-in-law and 100 year old grandmother-in-law with running errands, driving them to appointments and whatever else they need help with. It keeps me busy!

I got married when I was 20 and have two children. Elizabeth is 34 and the mother of my adorable grandson Silas and my son Alex is 31. I got divorced after 29 years of marriage at the age of 49. My children blamed me for the divorce and pretty much had nothing to do with me for two years...divorce is hard on your kids no matter what age. But sometimes you have to do what is needed for you...for once in your life. I got remarried in 2013 to Keith and there is never a day that goes by that I don't know that I am loved and most of all appreciated.

Tell us about your fitness life!

I have worked out off and on for years. I've attended group fitness classes, did a stint of running and been a member of the gym that is home to Camp Gorgo (I was there when Val and Christie worked there when they were stationed at Fort Knox). When I was doing the group fitness classes (probably 2006/2007) I loved the Les Mills Body Pump classes and got great results from them. I started my latest fitness journey in November of 2018. I have a workout area in my basement now and workout from home. I would love to go back to the gym but for now this is what works for me. I love lifting weights and my body seems to respond pretty quickly to that type of workout. I've been following Val, Christie and Dani for several years and have been doing their Facebook challenges. I enjoy using weights and seeing the changes in my body...I love how it makes my arms and shoulders look. I also try to get in a couple of days of cardio using the elliptical although some days chasing after a two year old suffices!

Any hobbies or things you enjoy doing?

My husband and I are avid golfers. I had never picked up a golf club until I met my husband so I started very late (age 49) but I absolutely love it. It's something we enjoy doing together and I learn something new every time I play. We enjoy traveling and playing in couples scrambles. I also have a group of ladies that play and we enjoy traveling to different golf courses and playing in tournaments.

DO YOU HAVE ANY GOALS YOU’RE WORKING TOWARD?

My goals are pretty simple...be healthy, happy, physically active, stronger and maintain a healthy weight. I want to be proud of how I look and feel at age 60. I want to be ok with aging because I don't like the alternative.

Any struggles?

I struggle with feelings of guilt. My husband suffers from spinal stenosis and his physical activity is limited. I feel guilty spending time away from him doing things that he can no longer physically do. In 2016 my Dad spent 22 days in the hospital. My Mom and I took turns staying with him day and night. He came home from the hospital and three hours later my mother suffered a stroke. The decision to put him in Hospice care was made while I was at work that day without my knowledge and I was upset. We talked and while I was hugging her and telling her I loved her she had the stroke. In my mind, I had caused her to have a stroke because she was upset that I was upset. Daddy ended up back in the hospital after only being home 3 days and my Mom ended up in the rehabilitation center across the street. I ran back and forth between them until Daddy died 9 days later. My heart was broken and I was mentally and physically exhausted. And I felt guilty because I hadn't kept him alive long enough for them to be together again. My mother's stroke and my Dad's death were neither one my fault but you couldn't convince me of that. It's been almost 4 years and I'm still struggling to even write this. I feel guilty about spending time on my self, doing what I want to do, when there's so much I could be doing for the others I help take care of. I worry too much about what others think instead of doing what makes me happy. I struggle with depression at times and exercise has always helped me to keep that under control. Sometimes I'm my own worst enemy so I am working on granting myself more grace and focusing more on what makes my heart happy.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT THE GORGO COMMUNITY?

The GORGO community has given me the opportunity to make new friends and to learn that I'm not alone in my feelings and struggles.

I worked for 37 years in a male-oriented job so I don't have a lot of female friends. I love that the women are strong and encouraging instead of tearing each other down. If you're struggling, they are there to pick you up, dust you off and help you to get back on your way.

CAMP GORGO: Thoughts about your experience? Fav part? What made you want to attend?

In 2018, I began my journey to lose some weight and to start working out again. When they advertised the dates for Camp GORGO 2019, I noticed that my 59th birthday would fall on that Saturday. I live in Elizabethtown where the camp is held,

I'd lost 35 pounds, was working out again and it was my birthday...how could I not go?! So I signed up and attended the camp. I didn't know anyone. I knew I was not going to be in as good of shape as most and probably older that anyone else that was there but I stepped out of my box and went. Not going to lie, it was intimidating to walk into a room full of women. But that passed quickly. There were women there of all shapes, sizes, ages and athletic abilities. And they were all smiling and friendly and helpful. During the breakout sessions, I learned that these young women were struggling with the same things I struggled with at their age: self doubt, feelings of not being enough, trying to balance career/motherhood/being a wife, trying to look a certain way, stress, depression.

I don't know why I was surprised...I still suffer from some of the same things even at 59. It was very eye-opening to hear what had led all of us here. The Saturday morning games were a blast (I know they were for fun but there was some pretty fierce competition going on!) and it was fun to see everyone dressed up in their costumes. The afternoon sessions at the gym were very informative and a chance to try something new or learn how to improve what you were already doing. And again, it was great to see everyone encouraging and helping each other. And getting to dress up on Saturday night and spend a night with your new friends was awesome! I can't wait to go back this year!

Do you have any message you feel called to share about where you are at in your life right now to encourage other GORGO GIRLS?

Life is short. The older you get, the better you understand that. It's sad that we spend so much of our lives stressing over things that in the grand scheme of things don't matter. Even though it's hard, take time to care for yourself.

Do what makes you happy and spend your time with the ones that make your heart full.

Perseverance and Passion: Khristie Gass

by Jill Hardy

Instagram: KHRISTIEGASS

By the time Khristie Gass was 18 years old, she had lost both of her parents to cancer.

Although devastating and traumatic, their loss didn’t derail Khristie’s life, or embitter her. Instead, it galvanized her in her determination to follow her dreams and throw herself into achieving goals that would empower her to help others. Because, as she says, we have no guarantees.

“You never know,” Khristie says. “My parents were young, in their forties. I want to do all I can, live life, every day.”

Her journey included getting certified as a personal trainer and group instructor (AFAA), and eventually led to the opening of her own gym, Physiques, in her hometown of Lafayette, Louisiana…before the age of 25.

“I could have gone another way,” Khristie says. “Losing my parents so young. My brothers and sisters were dispersed—it wasn’t easy, but I wanted to focus on the positive. My parents died in debt, due to their illness; my mom owned 20 acres that was taken, because of that. I think it made me a better person, though, not having things given to me. It took many tries to get financing, to open the gym, and I had to work elsewhere full time the first year.”

Eventually the dream did become a reality, and Khristie says that while running a fitness center has its challenges, the rewards are immense.

“I want to help women be the best they can be,” Khristie says. “There is some negativity that goes along with owning a gym, but hearing women tell me how much it’s helped them is worth it. Your regulars become like your family.”

Khristie’s live-life-to-the-fullest mindset informs her training style and the atmosphere at her gym, and she believes in encouraging women to seize the moment.

“I ask women, ‘What are you waiting for?’”, Khristie says. “That goes for training, and other areas of life, as well. Follow your dreams. You may fall, but you can get back up again.”

Khristie also believes that our biggest inspiration should come when we look in the mirror—not at other women.

“Don’t look at magazine covers,” Khristie says. “Do what you need to do to be healthy and be yourself.”

This positive reinforcement is something Khristie believes should be more common among women.

“Women can be harsh critics—to themselves, and to other women. You never know how women are going to act—with an all-female gym, it can be a concern, but my members are encouraging. To me, and to each other. They feel encouraged by me, and they return that. We need to give each other positive reinforcement.”

“It’s fine for a man to give you that affirmation, but I believe it’s meaningful from our fellow women. We need that from each other.”

Khristie’s enthusiasm about helping women get fit also led to the development of Funkie Fusion, her signature program that’s a combination of muscle conditioning, floor aerobics and dance, set to upbeat 80s and 90s music.

Funkie Fusion has the advantage of being a lot of fun, in addition to providing a heart rate raising, muscle and agility-building workout, but Khristie maintains that the challenge level can be adjusted easily by the participant.

“Typically it’s easy for clients to catch on, and modify it according to their ability,” Khristie says. “My love of floor aerobics and dance led me to develop it.”

Funkie Fusion’s fun potential and results oriented fitness focus has made it a popular offering at nationwide gyms (led by instructors certified under Khristie’s supervision), and Khristie has achieved recognition for her contribution to women’s fitness by being named the Face of ReebokONE for 2014-2015.

Even with all that she’s already accomplished, Khristie continues to push forward and achieve goals—and create new ones—with one overarching intent; to continue helping others.

“I want to inspire women,” Khristie says. “If I inspire even one person, if I help one person achieve their dream, I’ve done what I’m supposed to do, I believe.”

Leah Brouwers: The Power of Failure

By Jill Farr

35 year old mom of two Leah Brouwers has a history of starting things young, and sticking with them.

Now a managing partner in her dad’s investment financial services firm, Leah began working at the company during her first year of university, and went full time in her second, working during the day and attending classes at night to finish her degree.

“We help people retire,” Leah explains. “It’s a goal-oriented pursuit. You could say it’s similar to fitness, in a way.”

Leah’s fitness pursuit of choice--rock climbing--was also something that came into her life early, and made a lasting impact.

“The first chapter of my fitness life was just being active as a kid,” Leah says. “At about 16 I fell in love with rock climbing. My brother took me to a rock climbing gym and I absolutely loved it. I think it kept me out of a lot of the trouble that girls can get into as teenagers.”

“I met my husband rock climbing, we’ve traveled the world doing it...it’s something I loved and trained for, but it didn’t help me understand fitness in general.”

Leah’s love for rock climbing was temporarily sidelined by another big life event...motherhood.

“I thought I knew the meaning of perseverance and hard work prior to children,” Leah says. “I thought I understood what sacrifice was, what self-discipline was...I felt like I was always moving forward, life was good, and I had it on lock.”

“My husband and I were travelling the world rock climbing and enjoying time together – I wanted for nothing. We decided early on that we wanted to have children, and agreed to take the plunge.” 

“We were fortunate to get pregnant quickly. I had this ignorant view that since I was really healthy and strong this was going to be a breeze. I miscarried.” 

“I spun it in the most positive way I could, went on a climbing trip and tried to move on quickly.  What a mistake. I played the ‘I’m okay’ card and didn’t sit in my emotions long enough to heal –I stapled up my wound and tried again. Within a couple of months, I was pregnant with my first son Elijah and announced it to my hubby on Christmas morning –an awesome memory.”

“I subscribed to an app that gave me several workouts for pregnant women and it was supposed to take me through my pregnancy. I had no idea; the next 8 months were about to be a marathon that I hadn’t trained for.”

“I have suffered from chronic migraines since I was 13, but they went to another level while pregnant. No intense movement allowed, a walk, anything; it all brought pain. I refused to medicate for fear of repercussions so I would spend 8 hours in a chair in a dark room waiting for it to be over. It was lonely, painful, and exhausting. Time in the office was choppy and my team was nothing short of incredible in supporting me through my pregnancies. I work with my father and he rescued me more times than I can count. (My mom, too.)”

“To me, regardless of actual reality, I felt that I had failed. Cue labour. We all have our experiences, they say the joys of meeting your baby essentially ‘wipe-out’ any traumas of childbirth, but I can bring myself right back to the delivery room and it wasn’t rainbows and unicorns.  Meeting my son Elijah was incredible and amazing, let’s not confuse the two...but why we are expected to pretend and/or forget?”

 “Now the pregnancy was over and I was excited for healing, going back to being active, and getting on with it. Fail #4! Nothing came naturally to me. I had done all the reading, the listening, the choosing of the best approach and nothing seemed to click. I was a complete zombie and unhappy mama. Time allowed me to heal quite a bit, but not without a ton of work. I thought I had brought myself through the fire when I started to feel like myself again. I hooked up with an online trainer 4 months post-partum and began to stitch my mind and body back together. And I did – I didn’t know at the time but it was just the warm up for round two.”  

“At just over 1 year postpartum I became pregnant with my second son, Asher. I knew I was pregnant by the return of the horrible migraines and thought; here we go again.”

“If the first pregnancy felt like a marathon, the second one was the Ultimate Ironman.”

 “3 days on, 4 days off on repeat for 9 months. Many women have their struggles, this was mine. I spent so much time in a dark room. My coping mechanism was to pray for others; to try and take the focus off my struggle and to apply this time to something better. It didn’t always work, I often cried, I sat there sad, but I’m convinced that it saved a whole lot of me that I needed for later. Major changes were occurring in our office – new location, new vision and growth were happening and to this day I do not know how we managed to make it all happen.”

“I am abundantly blessed; with the arrival of Asher we had two healthy boys. Done and done.” 

“Unfortunately, my woes with feeding were repeated, personal and outer pressures of ‘breast-milk only’ were pushed even though my little guy proved to just not be a candidate; I was beginning to fall apart. No sleep. No rest. No healing. I was completely stuck.”

“I usually have an incredibly positive attitude, it’s something that I really like about myself; I do not sit in the negative too long, I just refuse. There is way too much good in the world. But at that point in time, I felt completely defeated. I had never felt like I was in a place of purgatory before; this was new.”

Leah credits an intervention by her perceptive doctor with turning this dark time around.

 “After a regular check-up with little Asher, I got a call from my doctors office to book me in, just me. Just me? Okay. My doctor sat me down and we just chatted.  She said “Leah, I’d like to chat a bit about postpartum depression, I’ve been watching you carefully and the Leah I have known since you were 14 is not the Leah that is sitting next to me. Let’s talk about how you are feeling, and what we are going to do about it.””

 “I thought…”Huh? Me and postpartum depression do not belong in the same sentence, you’ve got the wrong mama, I’ll be fine.” Failure #5.  We chatted about feeding and my incessant need to find the answers to my failing breastmilk and many other things. She then whispered something so wise, that so spoke deeply to me that I refer to it often… “Leah there is nothing natural about an unhappy mama, how can you possibly give Asher and Eli what they truly need from their mother if you do not heal yourself?” She was so right, on every level. It would take me a long time to unpack it all but this was my lowest moment and I needed to choose what to do.”

The savvy doc didn’t stop there, Leah relates.  

“She wrote me a script for 3 nights’ sleep without Asher. I needed to press pause. My doctor’s intervention on behalf of my well-being was the mental game changer; the actual full nights’ rest was secondary.”

“Coming to grips with it was hard but I now know that it has served me well, and I can look back and revel in the personal growth, the new woman I am to my children, to my husband, in my office and most importantly to me. I often think about what made the difference in my journey back to feeling in control again.”

Leah’s gratitude is reflected in her attitude.

“So, this chapter of my fitness life  is about having a much better appreciation of what it means to be fit. I was strong before, but now...I’m really damn strong. Training for climbing in the early 2000s looked a lot different--now people lift and cross train, but back then it wasn’t like that. There used to be negativity about lifting with climbers because of a (mistaken) idea that lifting will bulk you and make it harder to lift yourself. I mean, a bulked up lifter might struggle, but now we understand that strength is strength.”

Leah considers fitness imperative, not simply something that’s optional.

“Fitness for me is a lifestyle. Awareness of how you’re thinking, how you’re eating...not just fixing your muscles but your gut, and other areas. I suffer from migraines and a lot of my journey is just taking care of my body, my temple.”

“The job that I do, it’s focused on data, on numbers, and your mind just functions in a certain way, so I track lots of stuff. So, I know that as soon as I stop moving my body, my migraines flare up. It might be due to stress, which can cause me to stop being as active, but my physical body is saying, “Help”...everything goes off the rails when my activity level is low. When I exercise, everything  works better. I sleep better...it’s like nutrition and sleep and activity are all holding hands.”

Armed with an understanding of the importance of good nutrition and exercise for her physical health, and a knowledge of how positively it also impacts her favorite pursuit, Leah chooses activity that enhances both.

“My workout schedule now includes HIIT style workouts or lifting, and doing climbing specific workouts, using a hangboard.”

If Sisters in Shape helped Leah develop  a consciousness about fitness, Leah credits GORGO with assisting her in realizing the power of other women as her tribe. “Being in a male dominated industry--although we have lots of women in our office--you don’t realize how much you’re missing until you submerge yourself with a group of women from diverse backgrounds,” Leah says.

“It’s amazing to realize that these women are there to support you, in your pursuits. My attitude towards women in general was changed by attending the GORGO camps. I had past hurts that probably shouldn’t have defined my thinking about other women, but they had--the GORGO women changed my outlook. It’s sad to say that I had negative views about women, but I did.”

Leah believes that finding the company of good women is magical, and something she encourages.

“You get to be a better version of yourself because other women are like you, but different. Especially If you get to be with good, solid women who will call you out when you need it, it’s amazing. It’s been a blessing. I have my close girlfriends, but GORGO showed me a wider view.”

Leah has had rousing success in the business world, and was fortunate to find a fitness niche she loved relatively early, but something that caught her by surprise was her difficulty in dealing with another major life area...motherhood.

“My challenge was fitting into motherhood,” Leah admits. “I’ve done so many other things, I have so many accomplishments, but becoming a mom was the biggest struggle. It was tough on me. I thought I would kill it, but pregnancy is tough. Becoming a mom is tough. I have two awesome boys, 4 and 2. Elijah and Asher, and I’m so grateful for them, but it really did challenge me.”

As she’s adjusted to becoming a mom, Leah has realized that her GORGO girl power is a two-edged sword; positivity and endurance.

“What sets me apart is that I’m not a quitter and I love being positive,” Leah says. “That’s my emotional home--I look for the positive spin. So, motherhood has been a struggle, but I believe I’m better now because of it.”

“When you start working in a financial services company at the age of 21, you feel small. There have been a lot of times where clients have suggested I’m too young, too female...and instead of backing down, I thought, “Wow. Okay, I understand why you’re nervous, but I’m going to show you why you don’t need to be.” 

Although Leah doesn’t give up, she doesn’t equate that with never accepting failure, in fact...she espouses the opposite. Using it.

Just as “failure” has a purpose in workout routines, Leah believes it also serves us in other areas of life.

“My piece of advice is that we all fail,” Leah says. “Get used to it, use it to fuel your flame, not extinguish it. Most of the time I’m good with failure and I think it of it as a stepping stone. Now I know what I’m made of--I’m okay with getting slapped around a little, with sweating, with searching out what I need to do to improve. It’s a painful process, but be okay with failure. Just get back up..”

“Everyone fails. The people you see on Instagram with the filtered lives...they’re failing too. All of the GORGO women you see, they’re inspiring, but they’ll tell you that they’ve had failures. But they’re failing and improving, failing and improving.”

“Your pursuits should be filled with so much growth that you’re renewing every year. There’s this negative connotation when someone said, “Wow, you’ve changed.” But when someone says that to me, I just say, “Thank you!”

“Be okay with failure. It can be a good thing.”

Lessons from Leah:

• The right moment to make change in your life is now.  I could have thought – things will get better once my children get older, I’ll figure it out then. Trade beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, and happiness for your heavy heart. It’s a choice, not a life sentence. 

• Forgive. Forgive. Forgive. Forgiveness is not about them, it’s about you. Most importantly – forgive yourself, you are going to mess up, fail, make all the wrong choices.  We all do. Promise to learn and do better, forgive and move forward.

• Stop blaming others for your current state. You are the keeper of your own life. 

• Stop caring about what others think.  This is your life, not theirs. Period.  Be okay with others not understanding your choices. You have not chosen to have a mediocre life. 

• Make goals! Create a vision for your life (personal, professional, health, mamahood, relationships), and hold yourself accountable.  I read an awesome concept once that a lack of self-esteem and self-confidence is directly related to dishonouring yourself; if your word doesn’t matter, you don’t matter. Honour yourself first and see what happens.  There is no ending to the pursuit, the magic happens in the journey, and there are things being prepared for you in the distance, you won’t get there by standing still.

• Be mindful of your inputs. Friends, family, social inputs, health, etc… you are who you surround yourself with.

• Be willing to ask for help and show your struggle.  I had to learn this the hard way. If it wasn’t for my safety net of support, I’d be dead in the water.

• Sweating is good. Going through hard stuff is necessary for progression.  Get comfortable with being uncomfortable (this is a great insight from Rachel Hollis).

• Read! I have opened myself to a lot of personal growth books (a new approach for me), trying to gain perspective, to learn and grow. 

• BE grateful.  BE kind. BE positive. You will have ebbs and flows, mountains and valleys – if you train yourself to see the good on the regular, you will have a better chance for survival when things get tough, you will have more tools to use in times of trouble.  Give others the benefit of the doubt, stop judging, everyone has crosses to bear, we know so little about their story, be kind and pull only the good (leave the stuff you don’t understand). 

“I am so grateful for my life and those in it; I am just getting started and I cannot wait for more.” 

Hack Your Way to Healthy Habits

By Emily Kund

If you’re like me, there always seems to be a new goal out there you haven’t yet achieved. Maybe it’s drinking a gallon of water a day, eating your fruits and vegetables, or doing your mobility exercises.  When faced with this challenge, I turned to the Tiny Habits® method to help hack my way to better health. Dr. BJ Fogg of Stanford University has developed a method whereby focusing on tiny tasks can lead to big behavior changes.

Below are five easy steps to hack your way to healthy habits:

Step 1: Get out of the Grind

A lot of people rely on willpower to establish healthy habits. For some, when the willpower starts to run out, it seems like focusing on habits becomes a grind and the good progress slowly fades away. In his work, Dr. Fogg developed a model, which shows that behaviors are created when three elements - motivation, ability, and trigger - exist at the same time.

When a desired behavior is hard to do, even though we may be highly motivated, we rely on willpower or ‘grinding it out’ to try to affect change.  Rather than rely on willpower, which requires a large amount of motivation and ability, Dr. Fogg found that by adding a specific trigger and making the desired action very easy, people found success.

Step 2: Get Tiny

One of the keys to successful behavior change is to make the action really easy to do. That means we must get tiny. A tiny action is one that takes less than thirty seconds to do, requires little effort, and is done at least once a day. For example, instead of flossing all of our teeth, we floss one tooth.  When we pair the desired action with a specific routine, the new habit is manageable.  Taking small, specific actions is easy and does not take a lot of time.  A lot of clients say this is one reason why they are successful, because they feel like they can take that first small step.  Some clients do more than the Tiny Habit (i.e. they floss more than one tooth), but the goal is to take the tiny action and celebrate it. Additional actions are like extra credit!

Step 3: Find what works for you

Sometimes the recipes we develop to make a change are not successful at first. This is where we practice and revise the habit recipe.  If after practicing for a few days we still aren’t successful, the habit may need to be revised.  Let me share my personal example.  My goal was to drink a gallon of water every day.  My Tiny Habits® recipe was this: After I step off the elevator, I will fill my water bottle. But I was unsuccessful with this recipe! When I asked myself why, I found that when I got to work, I was sometimes delayed because of traffic, and I just wanted to get started working.  I still had this goal, so I looked at other ways I could create a habit around it. What worked for me in the end? Using the following recipe: After I pack my lunch, I will fill my water bottle.  Now I have a full water bottle and I can get started working without disruption.  Revision is part of the process and is totally normal.  The objective is to find what works well for you!

Step 4: Visualize Success and Celebrate

Another tool to help people be successful at establishing and maintaining healthy habits is to mentally rehearse the habits.  Celebrating is another key factor in developing good behaviors. When people mentally rehearse the Tiny Habit, including a celebration, this helps to make the habit more automatic in their daily routines. The positive emotion associated with doing the new habits each day makes us feel good, and this reframes our mindset and sets us up for long-term success.  What’s one way to celebrate? Say, “I’m awesome!” You can also fist pump or do whatever feels natural for you.

Step 5: Grow

Whether it’s flossing one tooth or packing a piece of fruit in your lunch, this Tiny Habit is the first step towards change.  Once the new tiny habit becomes automatic, you can start building on it by increasing the frequency in which you perform them.  Examples of high frequency routines include:

· Washing hands
· Flushing the toilet
· Checking email or social media

Small actions can lead to sustainable behavior change, so take the first step by trying out a Tiny Habit tonight!

Habit Hack

Motivation + Existing Routine + Tiny New Habit = Healthy Habit Hack

Try a few of the Tiny Habits® below to help you start your journey to better health.

❶ After I brush my teeth, I will floss one tooth.

❷ After I change into my PJs, I will do two stretches.

❸ After I wash my hands, I will say, “I’m awesome!”

❹ After I start the coffee, I will take a sip of water.

❺ After I flush the toilet, I will do two air squats.

❻ After I pack my kids’ lunches, I will grab one piece of fruit.

❼ After I start the dishwasher, I will set out my vitamins.

❽ After I hear a phone ring, I will exhale and relax for two breaths.

❾ After I put my head on my pillow, I will think of one thing I’m grateful for.

❿ After I clear dinner dishes, I will set out my lunch container for the next day.

You can find more information about Tiny Habits at www.tinyhabitsacademy.org at www.emilykund.com.

Peanut Butter Energy Bites

By Aleshia Pinto

We all need something a little sweet once in a while, but processed sugary snacks are high in calories and can leave you with a crash. These little bite are the perfect dessert or after work-out treat!

Loaded with healthy fats from a variety of nuts, they give a satisfying crunch and dried apricots and honey provide natural sweetness without any added refined sugar. Creamy, smooth peanut butter and a little added dark chocolate give these bites the taste of a healthy version of a crunchy peanut butter cup - one you don’t have to feel guilty for indulging in!

Need a protein boost? Add in 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder.

Ingredients:

1 cup toasted oats (use gluten free if gluten intolerant)
2/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/4 cup pepitas
1/2 cup raw almonds, pulsed 3-4 times in food processor
1/2 cup unsalted, roasted sunflower seeds
1/4 cup honey
3/4 cup natural peanut butter
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup chopped dried apricots
2 tablespoons coconut oil
About 1/4 cup dark chocolate, chopped (or more!)
1/4 cup chia seeds (optional)

Directions:

• Melt peanut butter, honey and coconut oil in small sauce pan, stirring until smooth.

• Toss well with remaining ingredients. Refrigerate until cold or cool enough to handle.

• Roll into bite-sized balls and place on parchment paper.

• Melt chocolate in microwave in 10 second increments, stirring well after each time until chocolate is melted. Drizzle over top of prepared balls.

• Store in the fridge or freezer in tupperware containers separated by parchment paper to prevent from sticking.

#GORGOgirl: Tiffany Sylvester

We love featuring our everyday GORGOgirls that are inspiring us to crush life and a balanced approach to fitness.
Meet Tiffany Sylvester.

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF!

I am a 37 year old single mom raising four boys all by myself, whose ages range from 14-3. I was born in KY but raised in Maryland and currently reside in Annapolis, Md. I have always had a passion for making people look and feel their best. So 17 years ago I decided to become a hairstylist. For the past 8 years I have owned Frederick David Salon in Severna Park, MD with one of my best friends, Geri.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FITNESS LIFE!

I have definitely been a lover of fitness my whole life. I am a firm believer in the mind/body/spirit connection. Fitness for me is a big part of not only my physical health, but mental and emotional health, as well. It’s become a fantastic coping mechanism to healthfully handle all the stress in my life. As the saying goes, “strong body, strong mind.” Crossfit is my new love in life! Like, I love love it!!!

DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC GOALS YOU’RE WORKING ON?

My goals are simple, to be the best mother, friend, and person I can be. To live a full life with a tremendous amount of peace and happiness. To wake up every morning and make the conscious decision to be better and do better than the day before. Never make the same mistake twice. Live authentically and transparently with everything I do. Finally, to honor myself and my journey. Sometimes I think it’s really easy to forget about the source that holds it all together—me. I am good to no one if I am not good to myself first and foremost.

Any Struggles?

My struggles are having too high of expectations in others to be decent and respectful humans. It’s very hard for me to understand why people can’t act with integrity and character in all they do in life.

I love the quote: Don’t talk, act. Don’t say, show. Don’t promise, prove.

DO YOU HAVE ANY MESSAGE YOU FEEL CALLED TO SHARE ABOUT WHERE YOU ARE AT IN YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW TO ENCOURAGE OTHER GORGO GIRLS?

My message goes along with another quote I love: She needed a hero, so that’s what she became.

It’s really hard being everything to everyone all the time. I wanted so desperately for the right people to step up and do what they were supposed to do. Or if I were really lucky Superman would come along to lift me up and take me anywhere—show me the love I desperately longed for—and save me before it was too late. But the reality is, no man, woman, or superhero will ever do that for me or any of us. It has been me all along that possesses everything I have always needed to be my own hero, I just couldn’t see it—or didn’t want to. But now I do and that is one of the most beautiful lessons I have learned in recent months.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT THE GORGO COMMUNITY?

What I love most about the GORGO community is how much love and acceptance the entire community emanates. Everyone wants to see everyone else persevere and achieve their hearts desires. In today’s world where most attempt to tear another down in order to lift themselves up, this community does just the opposite. They all attempt to lift one another up to the highest level. They share the belief that life becomes limitless when one becomes fearless. With women like this by my side, it is a lot easier to let go of the fear and limiting beliefs. For that, I am eternally grateful.

CAMP GORGO: THOUGHTS ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE? FAV PART? WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO ATTEND?

*CAMP GORGO was one of the most phenomenal experiences I have been blessed to be a part of. I knew no one; however, didn’t feel as though I met a single stranger. Everyone was so warm, loving, and welcoming plus beautiful! My favorite part was getting to know all these beautiful and inspiring women that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to encounter in my day to day life—all in one place—sharing a common goal of betterment of ourselves and others. I wanted to attend because I have never done anything like it before and was excited to experience something new that was totally outside my comfort zone.

#GORGOgirl: Teri Richardson

We love featuring our everyday GORGOgirls that are inspiring us to crush life and a balanced approach to fitness.
Meet Teri Richardson.

Tell us about yourself!

I own and operate a Garbage disposal business in Texas with my husband of 16 years, Jack. Due to endometriosis I am unable to have children. However, I am a mom to several furr babies!

Tell us about your fitness life.

The majority of my fitness comes from my job which is hard manual labor almost 16 hours a day, 6 days a week.

Do you have any specific goals you’re working on?

My personal goals are to make more time for myself and those I love. My professional goals are to continue building a strong, trustworthy business. A business to be proud of and that allows us to continue to give back to the communities in which we provide service.

Any Struggles?

My largest personal struggle is that I need to learn to stop buying people's love and friendship. My largest business struggle would be to learn to accept the fact that I can not please everyone and not everyone is worthy of my time and effort.

Fav Quote that inspires you right now in your life?

"Let them sleep while you grind. Let them party while you work. The difference will show."

Do you have any message you feel called to share about where you are at in your life right now to encourage other GORGO GIRLS?

In the past I battled some depression. I felt I wasn't good enough. I let toxic people and their opinions of me dictate the way I felt about myself. I am very grateful for God and my husband and the unconditional love they have shown me. No matter the situation or the stress you're under, don't ever let temporary feelings lead you to making a permanent decision. Reach out. If you're someone who doesn't struggle with or understand depression, be a friend and really listen to those who may be reaching out. Today, I find myself stronger and more motivated than ever. I work hard doing a job that most people aren't capable of doing and that is considered the 5th most dangerous job in the United States. Being a garbage collector is an underestimated, under-appreciated, thankless job - and a deadly one. In 2017 there were 132 recorded fatalities. It is a labor intensive, nasty and disease-ridden job but is an absolute necessity for our communities and environment. Women only make up 1% of the workers in this industry. Being such an asset to what is considered a man's industry is very empowering. You can do anything you set your mind to. Believe in yourself. Dig deep. Take control of your power. Dust off your crown and make things happen.

What do you love most about the GORGO community?

I love the FACT that you become part of a tribe. You meet and bond with women from all different walks of life, all religious beliefs and different political beliefs. This is a loving group of non-judgmental strong beautiful women.

CAMP GORGO: Thoughts about your experience? Fav part? What made you want to attend?

I originally started following Christie Nix and her journey which led me to following Gorgo. Every year I've always watched the camp come and go with hopes to one day attend. After the 2019 New Year I jumped in on the early bird registration. I knew if I went ahead and paid for it, I would have to do it. I met some absolutely amazing women who brought me out of the shell that I had buried myself in and because of them I sang again for the first time in years. I look forward to a lifelong friendship with these amazing women. The Gorgo workshops were not only informative but motivational. I was pushed but not to the point of feeling defeated. In the last 3 years, I have maybe had 3 weekends off. I'm so happy Camp Gorgo was one of those!

Chapin Schnick: Honoring Your Body Through Life's Ebb and Flow

By Jill Farr

To say that Chapin Schnick was “active” growing up is an understatement.

“In high school, I played volleyball, soccer, basketball, and softball, and I swam,” Chapin says. “And then I played college softball.”

For many people who are athletes in high school and college, finding the time and energy to be the level of active they were in their youth is difficult; the pressure of getting a job and maintaining an adult life takes a big chunk out of the time formerly devoted to sports. But Chapin stayed athletic.

“I dabbled in things after college, CrossFit, running.” Chapin says. “I stayed active. Even during a time when I was overweight, I was still running marathons.”

Some big events altered that trajectory, however.

“After two consecutive miscarriages and a debilitating wreck,” Chapin says, “I took an extended break from the gym and enjoyed a few years where I just focused on being a rainbow-wearing, donut-eating art teacher my students loved.” 

“In a sense, this was excellent, because it helped my career. I came out of it with a few important grants, including the inaugural InstaGrant from the Indiana Arts Commission, I presented at national conferences, and was named the 2018 Indiana Art Educator of the Year.  My mental and physical health suffered, though.”

This time, Chapin took a different route back to fitness. 

“In the spring of 2018, I began taking weekly hot yoga classes and going on backpacking trips with DNK Presents, a women-owned adventure company, which led into a summer of camping road trips. Coupled with a focus on intermittent fasting, I finally felt like me again. In addition to now working for the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC), I’m training to be a guide with DNK Presents.”

Instead of an intense, regimented workout schedule, Chapin’s fitness life is more organic.

“I focus on yoga and hiking, and natural movement in general,” Chapin relates. “Along with metabolic conditioning. If I have an upcoming hike, I’m preparing for it. I’m usually just focused on trying to get 30 minutes of activity, whether it’s weights, kettlebell exercises, or whatever. Today I did double unders..it varies.”

Another shot in the arm for Chapin’s fitness life has been Camp GORGO.

“I had been following Val Solomon on social media, along with Christie NIx, about six years ago, when it came up on FB that they were going to do a lifting workshop, and it was at my parents' gym. I was so excited to see it happening, and then after that they announced that Camp GORGO was happening in the same area. I’ve gone to every single camp since.”

“It’s not even so much the workout experience for me, anymore...I came out of the first camp with friendships and more of a holistic view of fitness. Every summer since has been about catching up with these women, setting new goals...I literally can’t imagine my year without a Camp GORGO in it.”

Chapin gives yoga a lot of credit for bringing her back into the fitness fold. 

“For about six months,” Chapin explains, “After the accident, I did nothing aside from the occasional walk. Yoga was what brought me back to the point of being able to get active again.”

Yoga is deceptively simple, and good exercise for someone who needs a gentle fitness beginning...but it’s also a very intense workout that can level up as your strength and ability increases. Studies have shown that there are several reasons why it has such a positive impact on the people who practice it, but Chapin has her own opinion.

“The reason I think it appealed to me so much--after having basically destroyed my shoulder in this car accident--was the notion that it’s infinitely accessible. People following the same flow can have very different abilities. I may not be able to do this intense version someone else is, but I can do it where I am, and get benefit.”

In addition to its gentle on ramp for beginners, yoga has the potential to build incredible strength, and Chapin has seen that, too.

“For the last two summers of Camp GORGO,” she says, “I’d only done yoga and hiking, going in, but was keeping up with everyone. I hadn’t picked up a weight for two years. It blew my mind.”

The mind/body connection can be experienced with any activity, but yoga’s origins give it a leg up, since it was designed with that symbiosis in mind.

“I always come out feeling relaxed,” Chapin says. “I prefer hot yoga and one of the reasons is that I just feel cleansed. It’s about more than the activity. Being into yoga for the last couple of years has gotten me into understanding chakras and things like Reiki. I always thought Reiki was crazy stuff, and now I participate in Reiki massage. It’s opened my eyes to more.”

Chapin’s love for hiking developed out of necessity, and is fed by the meditative quality of having the great outdoors as your gym.

“The hiking focus came about when I was prepping for some camping trips,” Chapin shares. 

“I knew we were going to be carrying 60lb backpacks, so I got into it. I’d avoided the outdoors for a while, but this got me back outside. As with yoga, I feel renewed afterwards. Now I’m an assistant backpacking guide for a women’s outdoors company. In October we’re going to Tennessee, we’ll have a bunch of beginner backpackers --women--and we’ll teach them about no trace ethics, safety, and how to poop in the woods!”

“I had always felt like, coming out of being a competitive athlete, that I need to keep up with running, I need to keep up with lifting, but I don’t feel the stress of needing to have a certain type of movement any more. I’m trying to honor my body, and if I feel like moving my body a certain way, I do. I don’t feel the need to have a certain structure with having to have four lifting workouts that last a minimum of an hour...my only focus is four days with 30 minutes of activity.”

When you look at the pattern of Chapin’s activity, going from the highly competitive mindset of organized sports, to the Zen end of the spectrum, with hiking and yoga, you might wonder if a part of her misses the competition. She wondered about that, herself, and the answer might not be what you’d expect.

“I thought I would feel lost, not having competitions coming up. When I had the wreck, I was training for a powerlifting competition. That hasn’t interested me since. And it’s freeing in a way. I spent probably 25 ish years always trying to focus on being the best at some pursuit, or supporting other team members, and now I just feel like...I’m just trying to be good to my body.”

And as far as the team aspect of sports being gone, Chapin says that she’s found the fix for that in Camp GORGO, with even more of the support, and none of the competition.

“I feel like a lot of folks coming to Camp Gorgo believe it’s going to be the opposite of what it is. They think, “Oh, it’s a fitness camp with all of these influencer types...everyone’s going to be catty...it’s going to be competitive, focused on looks...it’s the opposite. I actually feel so relaxed at Camp GORGO. We’re all trying to be the healthiest versions of ourselves. It’s freeing to be around women who have similar goals.”

The ability to listen to what your body needs and honor it as life changes those needs is the big message that Chapin believes her story holds. And that adaptability has served her well in finding happiness and contentment with the changes she’s had to navigate.

“I spent more than 25 years thinking being a mother was the one thing I was certain I was meant to be,” Chapin says.

“But as I close in on 34, I am happily content with my handsome hubby and our three furry boys, my goal of 30-min. of movement most days of the week, and supporting fellow artists and arts organizations in Indiana through my position at the IAC.”

Joann Rivas: Finding Herself Through Many Facets of Fitness

By Jill Farr

For many women, the realization that fitness matters comes to them for the first time after they’ve experienced pregnancy and childbirth. Joann Rivas was one of those.

After her son was born in March 2012, Joann knew that her personal level of health was in question due to the weight gain she’d experienced during her pregnancy, but it wasn’t until she saw a family photo taken at an amusement park that she made the decision to make a change.

“I thought, ‘This is not me’”, Joann says. “This is not who I am.”

The journey to get back—or uncover—her true self ultimately led her to strength training with weights and competing in a figure competition, but that path was prepared with another pursuit; yoga.

“I started eating clean and making some weight loss goals in 2012,” Joann says. “After seeing some increased fitness and weight loss, I had a setback over the holidays, but made a New Year’s Resolution in January 2013 to get back in gear. A few months later, I began practicing yoga daily. I also began to incorporate a more plant-based diet into my life.”

Although you don’t hear “yoga” and “plant based” mentioned very often in the weight lifting world, Joann believes that both had a powerful impact on her fitness beginning.

“I definitely think it had an effect on my core,” Joann says. “After about two months of doing that and researching, I felt I was ready to start lifting weights.”

The flexibility that yoga practice brings is a positive, balancing force to weight lifting, Joann believes, and she points those who are curious to the Internet for inspiration.

“Instagram is great for yoga,” Joann says. “The monthly challenges you can find are great—some of my favorites are @beachyogagirl, @kinoyoga and @laurasykora—and you can get in contact with others easily.”

While yoga helped to create a foundation for her fitness, Joann credits weight lifting with the final result.

“The weight melted off,” Joann says. “When I started in May I weighed 150, and by July I had lost 20 pounds and was 10 pounds lighter than my pre-baby weight.”

Joann began charting her progress and sharing her research on a blog, (jox0fit.blogspot.com) and on Instagram (@jox0_fit). Her social media sites also became a way to chronicle her progress towards another goal she had set; competing in a figure competition.

“I did my first competition last year,” Joann says, “And I plan on competing again in February.”

While not for everyone, Joann says that the experience was an encouragement, and she thinks it can have specific benefits for those who are curious…and careful.

“I like the stage, I like the process,” Joann says. “I’d like to get in the habit of doing it once a year or so; I feel like it gives me an accountability, a reason to focus.”

For those who want to try it out, Joann cautions against getting too caught up in the competition itself, and extols the benefits of good coaching.

“I did have a coach for my first competition,” Joann says. “The first few weeks, I thought I could do it on my own, but there’s a lot of fine tuning beyond the basics. Find someone you trust, someone who either sees eye to eye with you on your goals, or respects them. If you want to do it naturally, if you want to not eat a lot of meat or use artificial means, find someone who will work with you, not against you.”

“You might get short term results if you neglect healthy choices for the sake of competition, but it’s not worth your overall health.”

When she’s not preparing for a competition, Joann still follows a predictable fitness schedule.

“I usually train two days, take a rest day, train two days, then take the weekend off to be with my son,” Joann says.

While that time to just relax and enjoy being a mom is important, Joann says that the workout time is just as crucial.

“It definitely helps my inner peace,” she says. “Taking that hour after he’s in bed or before he’s awake is beneficial. I’ve seen the benefits of it. As a mom, taking care of yourself benefits everyone in the long run.”

Joann also knows that the average woman will experience setbacks, and wants to be a realistic example of someone who takes life’s curveballs and still keeps going, and making choices that lead to good results.

“Take it one day at a time,” Joann says. “Don’t overthink the process. Fit it to your life. As long as you’re moving forward and doing the next thing right, you’re doing good.”

I Cannot Even. No, Really You Can.

Written by Priscilla Tallman

I can’t.

I cannot even.

I just cannot even.

I mean. I can’t.

We’ve all heard these expressions. Goodness, we’ve all said them. Tiny little word jabs we use throughout the day to express our disbelief in someone, some thing or some event. Social media has made our ability to can or can’t such a toss away expression anymore, we’ve forgotten those two little words (and the extra ones we tag on for dramatic emphasis) are rooted deeply in our ability to accomplish something.

I mean, can you even? Can you just even?

Yeah, you can.

One of my favorite sayings from my competitive sports playing days is one I stole from my husband, and he stole from his college volleyball coach. It’s super simple. Say it with me:

“Can you?”

That’s it.

Any time a ball was out of play or shanked, his coach would yell “Can you? Can you?” In the middle of a heated game or intense practice, no one had time to answer. You either could, or you died trying. Once we get out of our 20’s or we stop playing something competitively or we stop training for a specific event or sport and begin training for life, we start making excuses about our ability. We start not being able to even – way too often these days.

I get that. I really do.

I have to scale or modify prescribed workouts on a very consistent basis. Some days my body tells me “no” all together. I have 20 years of competitive volleyball on this body and sometimes I wake up at the crack of dawn, peek at the workout and say to myself “I cannot even.” Three little words before the sun comes up that determine my ability in the gym and as a result, my ability and attitude all day.

So, I changed my husbands’ coach’s mantra a bit to fit my life. I switched the words around and took away the question mark – that left these two words: “You can.”

You can.

Imagine beginning your workout, your day with those two words. You can scale or modify the workout. You can do yoga instead if your body says “no” to the weight room. You can just walk up to the bar and lift it without telling yourself that you can’t a thousand times before you get there. You can take care of your body, your mind, your spirit and your emotions without sacrificing one for the other. You can use this phrase to encourage other women in your life without compromising your own ability.

You can.

This phrase is now officially my favorite sports (and life) phrase of all time. As a teammate, I love pushing my tennis partner to take a few more steps to get that stray tennis ball “you can, you can!” In coaching, I love encouraging young athletes to try another time when they are ready to throw in the towel “you can, you can.” When my kids tell me they can’t find anything to pack for their lunches, I say “you can, you can.”

Our days are a series of choices. Sure, there is some level of serendipity, spontaneity and even chaos to any twenty-four hour period, but we can still choose how we approach the day and how we speak to ourselves about what we are able to do. Choosing to say to ourselves “you can,” before the world has a chance to tell us otherwise is strategic and powerful.

Guess what? You can be strategic and powerful. Now what?

You can.

#GORGOgirl: Katie Singletary

We love featuring our everyday GORGOgirls that are inspiring us to crush life and a balanced approach to fitness.
Meet Katie Singletary.

Tell us about yourself!

My faith and my family are the most important things in my life.  God has blessed me with people that love me regardless of my flaws and I am so thankful for that.  I come from a family of women who love to cook and are really good at it too! I love being in the kitchen and learning new recipes and cooking techniques.  Being a new mom has been such a joy and I can’t wait to teach my daughter all the things my mother has taught me.  My husband and I have both just taken up golfing and it has been so fun learning something new together.  He is already way better than me but I’m coming for him!  My love languages are quality time, words of affirmation and physical touch.  That means I’m always up for hanging out, meaningful conversation and I’ll never turn down a hug! :)
I am the proud wife of a Captain in the US Air Force.  Taurean and I met when he was stationed in OKC and we have since moved to Georgia. We are each others biggest fans and life together gets more fun all the time! Our baby girl Mila was born on October 2, 2018. I am the owner of Brand Boutique, promotional products and advertising specialties company. I was born and raised in Oklahoma, but currently living in Columbus, Georgia.

Tell us about your fitness life.  

My fitness journey is one that is constantly changing.  I have always been pretty active and grew up playing sports but I didn’t fall in love with fitness until I joined Koda Crossfit in 2012.  It gave me a community of friends and fed my competitive spirit.  I had gotten in to pretty bad shape and they pushed me to get back to the athlete that I had once been.  Crossfit has taught me that a competitive edge is what I need to push me in my physical goals.  This has led me to compete in numerous Crossfit competitions, half marathons, a sprint triathlon, a powerlifting meet, with my Gorgo Queen Christie Nix and staying fit while pregnant! :)

SHARE SOME GOALS THAT YOU CURRENTLY HAVE.

I am currently working on some aesthetic goals.  Getting back in physical shape after having Mila is on the top of my list.  I am pushing to CONFIDENTLY wear a two piece this summer. I am also about to participate in the OKC Memorial Marathon with my family.  We will be doing the relay and I am responsible for one of the 10K legs.  

Do you have any struggles?  

A current struggle I am having is celebrating the little things after having a baby!  I can be my harshest critic and ain’t nobody got time for that.  The world is always going to have haters so I need to be the first one to love and support myself!

Fav Quote that inspires you right now in your life?

“You don’t need motivation if you have discipline.” - My husband, Taurean Singletary.

He might have stolen this from someone or it might be original, but it has sparked a good amount of conversation in our household.  It also goes well with, “The hardest part is getting out of bed. Once your feet hit the ground and you brush your teeth, it’s easy!” That’s also a gem from my husband! :)

Any message you feel called to share about where you are at in life right now to encourage other GORGO GIRLS?

Comparison is the thief of joy!  It is so easy to look at someone else’s journey and wish you were in their shoes.  STOP THAT! Finding contentment and joy in your own situation isn’t always the easiest task but there is so much peace when you get there.  God made you unique and special and he made only one of YOU!  , With that being said, you are the only person that can change the situation you are in.  If you want a bigger paycheck, hustle a little harder! If you want a smaller waist, turn that third glass of wine down. (Notice I didn’t say second… I gotta keep it real). If you want bigger muscles, pick up the heavier weights!  If you’re scared to start something new, ask someone who’s been there.  You can do it!

What do you love most about the GORGO community?  

The GORGO community is such a great place for women in all seasons of life.  Young or old, married or single, kids or no kids!  It is a place to go to for encouragement and accountability.  It is a safe place to talk about real things with women that have been there or are going through your same things.  It is also just really fun!  In a community of women this big, it feels like a tight knit group of friends and I guarantee there’s someone that’s just your type of gal! 

Thoughts about your experience at Camp GORGO?  

2018 was my first year at camp and it was a blast!  I was about 6 months pregnant and I was a little hesitant to go.  I didn’t want to feel like I was disabled and I definitely didn’t want to be treated that way.  Christie Nix, who invited me to camp, assured me that that wouldn’t be the case at all and SHE WAS RIGHT!  Everyone welcomed me with open arms and only babied me a little bit when I was whoopin’ everyone in leg wrestling.  Just kidding… and I really hope that being pregnant wasn’t a super power there. If I get beat this summer it’s going to be embarrassing.  But really, camp was way more than the physical fun I expected.  It challenged me mentally and at a time that I was a little unsure of what I wanted my future goals to be as a new mom and entrepreneur.  I can’t wait be go back this summer and see all the faces of the girls that have become my social media family!

The Tale of Two Trailblazers

By Erica Willick

The Tale of Two Trailblazers

As your beloved GORGO has transformed in the past couple of years into a glowing vision of strength, beauty, and power she was always rooted in, we reflect simultaneously on our roots and our future.

These cover models of GORGO embody our fiery roots and trailblazing future. Doris Barrilleaux, pictured here at 84-years-old first lady of bodybuilding, pioneered the sport of recognizing women for their efforts in physique. She gracefully flexes beside visionary Valerie Solomon, Editor-In-Chief of the publication you’re reading right now. Both are driving forces behind the unwavering belief that we as women can change the landscape of fitness and health for ourselves.

So what makes someone a “trailblazer”? A trailblazer sees the world through different eyes and chooses to not shy away from the criticism and challenges that comes with doing things differently. They tame a wild trail through a forest for other people to follow.

These two women have trail blazed a path for us first Gorgo Girls, us women who know deep down we have power and strength beyond what is currently expected of us. Not because “strong is the new sexy”, but because feminine strength is timeless and a universal right for all women.

Trailblazer: Doris Barrilleaux (Aug. 11, 1931 - May 12, 2018)

Doris was confident, empowered, strong, and well into her 80’s, maintained a deep passion for women’s equality. Doris raised a family, worked as a flight attendant, became a successful photographer, pioneered women’s bodybuilding and worked hard for female control of it. She also put a tremendous amount of energy into spreading the news of the sport as well as promoting the benefits of strength training to the masses.

Doris remains active on social media and posts regularly about her annoyance of images of helpless women in real life or media. You could call her a Feminist. “Not the man hating kind” she says, “I only hate a few of them…just a few of those that were determined to control the women’s sport from the very beginning.”

Doris is called “the First Lady of Body Building” for her tireless work spearheading the movement to make women’s bodybuilding competitions a reality. In 2011, Doris was inducted into the National Fitness Hall of Fame at the Arnold Sports Festival for playing such an important role in women’s bodybuilding.

Doris envisioned a sport in which women were recognized for being in superior ‘natural’ shape and still very feminine. She envisioned a respected sport in which women were recognized for being healthy and strong. Many times in her autobiography Doris expressed that “the men took over” or that was the “man’s version”. The quest for bigger and the oversexualized poses in some classes she questions - Is this what women want for their sport? Doris saw the sport as art and one that symmetry and aesthetics were awarded, not merely size or sexiness.

Doris had almost lost hope in the work she and other female pioneers had put into the inception of women’s recognition for their efforts of being in good shape, until she met and developed a strong bond with GORGO Magazine’s editor, Valerie Solomon through a special feature that Valerie spearheaded in 2013. Valerie’s research for the feature, led to an in person visit and the two women, born decades apart, united in a vision for telling the world about the healthful benefits of strength training and a fit lifestyle.

Trailblazer: Valerie Solomon

A teen mom at the age of 19, Valerie Solomon, has seen her children as reasons, not excuses before most of us grew into adulthood and attempted to discover our identities. A mother to 4 boys now, she is known to hundreds of thousands on social media as Busy Mom Gets Fit.

Valerie started into the fitness industry simply by sharing her journey that resonated with so many busy moms: trying to raise a gaggle of children, maintain our passion for fitness, keep our families running smoothly, work, support our husbands in their work, go after our crazy dreams, and deal with life’s challenges.

Yet she stands apart from the noise of the mainstream by choosing to stay true to her beliefs in herself and belief in other women, and then acting on those beliefs. Valerie believes we do not need to bend to what others want us to be just because it is more acceptable in current day’s norms. Whether those norms are skinnier or more submissive. She believes that we can be more, that we are equals. The mantra Valerie has coined for her fans is “I’m not beautiful like you, I’m beautiful like me.” Valerie encourages her community to post photos with these words written on photos that they feel represents their unique body. You can see a gallery of these powerful photos by searching #beautifullikeme in Instagram.

Throughout regular attacks on her large social media page for a “too muscular physique” or “selfish” mom gym time, Valerie has become further rooted in her beliefs instead of changing colors like a chameleon to hide. Instead, Valerie pursued her vision of a stronger voice for women like her and co-created GORGO Magazine in 2013.

Valerie craved more from women’s fitness content and was tired of fluff-filled articles crammed with fat burner advertisements, amongst sexualized airbrushed female images. She knew there were other women who felt the same, and put forward the ancient Spartan Queen Gorgo as the namesake for the magazine. At the brainstorming table, “Gorgo” (pronounced Gor-GO) wasn’t well received initially as the word sounded a bit ugly and strange to the test group of women used to “pretty” or traditional titles. However, Valerie stood her ground and insisted that the brand was timeless and required a unique title to represent the movement.

GORGO Magazine was published in November 2013 with Valerie overseeing all publications since it’s inception. Each cover model and article, has been scrutinized by Valerie to ensure it was “Gorgo-enough” for the readers and women she was committed to reach. Her unique ability to rally others to join the cause has resulted in the growth of the GORGO tribe to tens of thousands of women, and contributions from top writers and experts in the industry with powerful and thought-provoking articles.

The birth and growth of GORGO didn’t happen in a vacuum. Life challenges still happened to Valerie, like it does to all of us. Yet, giving up was never an option. No matter how challenging life becomes, a trailblazer doesn’t ever quit.

Passing of the Torch

Valerie flew to attend Doris’s 84th birthday party, amongst the pioneers of women’s bodybuilding. Doris says of Valerie, “Our dreams and goals, while several generations apart, were identical. The more I learned of Valerie’s dedication, determination, and success in the women’s cause for being physically fit, I saw her as the new generation to carry the torch we lit with our first women’s physique contest in 1979.”

At the party, a ceremony was held where Doris passed the “Torch” to Valerie with a physical representation of a torch. Doris, a woman who had dedicated her life to the cause of equality of women in fitness and recognition for those efforts, sees hope in the movement with Valerie and GORGO.

Trailblazers clear the path for so many of us. Yet there is something weaved through the fabric of Doris Barrilleaux and Valerie Solomon that is weaved through millions of women, and weaved through our Spartan Queen, Gorgo. Strong women with a desire to live and do things a little bigger than their stature might lead you to believe is possible.

See the ripple effect of Valerie Solomon’s vision and YOUR power to impact others as part of Camp Gorgo banquet speech.
https://youtu.be/HbiWh3phN1k?t=5m4s

Fabiana Pelucio: How Tragedy Inspired a Drive to Help Others

By Jill Farr

Pivotal moments can happen at any moment in our lives, but sometimes the stage we’re in when they occur can make their effect particularly dramatic.

Falling in love at fourteen isn’t better or worse than having it happen at forty, it’s simply different. Similarly, loss of a loved one can affect us deeply at any age, but there’s something deeply impactful about losing someone important to you when you’re very young.

When Fabiana Pelucio was four years old, one such loss dramatically changed her life.

“My six year old sister suddenly died in front of me,” Fabiana says. “One minute we were playing and the next I was watching my sister lying on the ground turning blue. All I could say was ‘Stand up and walk, just stand up and walk!’  I got emotionally paralyzed from this incident. It took me 36 years to understand the demons in my head.”

But as so often happens, tragedy and the resulting pain inspired a drive to help others, and led to a passion that not only transformed Fabiana, but the lives of those she has come to touch in adulthood, first as a physiotherapist and now as a personal trainer.

“In essence I have come to understand that since that traumatic incident where I was only 4 years old I have always had the need to help people physically,” Fabiana says. “That fueled my choice of studies while growing up.”

“Since moving to Australia I have moved my focus into fitness as a Fitness Model and am undergoing a personal training course to gain credentials.”

Fabiana is a relative newcomer to the fitness model world…and unique in that she decided to pursue this path a little later in life than most.

“In 2014 I decided to do my first show,” Fabiana says, “Not knowing what to expect but wanting to experience something new.”

“I decided to compete in bodybuilding as a fitness model for the first time to celebrate my 40th birthday to try challenging myself as I embarked on the next chapter of my life.”

“I competed in the Sydney IFBB show & placed 3rd…then I felt this fire inside to continue this. So I decided to compete in the ANB Australia Sydney titles in which I placed 1st in both novice and over 30’s divisions. Then I went onto the ANB Australia Nationals and placed 1st in both divisions. I was blown away by this experience as there were women on stage that were world class athletes. I started to believe in my ability even more. I received my ANB/UFE pro card and qualified to compete in the world titles in Canada. As the current Australian Fitness model I was chosen to represent Australia on the prestige world stage in Canada Toronto at the UFE show recently in November.”         

“My journey as a fitness model was a great start to connect to myself, finding the purpose to fulfil my life and giving myself the chance to break through my limitations to follow my inner desire.”

The level of training that Fabiana has undertaken has not only yielded physical results; she believes that strengthening the body can also heal your emotions.

“I consider myself a very spiritual person,” Fabiana says, “So the most rewarding aspect of training has been an awakening process of finding a real connection to my deep inner being because I believe in emotional and physical relationship. Now that I’ve met the real me, it gives me the motivation to keep committed to my strength.”

“Training sort of gives me the feeling of dating your soul mate where you have butterflies in your stomach on every date!”

That sort of connection doesn’t happen overnight, and Fabiana knows as well as most women that finding the time to devote to the sort of training needed to accomplish it takes commitment.

“As women we wear multiple hats in the family and it can be hard to juggle everything at once, but my advice is always to get started. They say that a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Go for walks, take the stairs, join a gym, make a get-fit club with friends; whatever stage of life you are in it is never too late to turn things around but you have to tap into your inner fire.”

In a full circle demonstration of how the most crippling moments can give birth to some of the deepest strength, Fabiana has taken the instinctive urging she felt as a child in the worst moment of her life and transformed it into a call of encouragement to others.

“’Stand up for yourself and Walk’, that’s a quote I always say,” Fabiana says. “Reconnect to your true self and your inner desire. Regardless of the situation you may be struggling with in life, what matters is getting back you. Standing up from your struggles, learning from them and walking on to the next day believing in yourself with goals in mind. Believe you will get up stronger!”

“As a liberated 40 year old woman I decided to see how would feel to experience my dreams, something that I believed it was possible to achieve. Instead of saying “If I was____, I could” why not say, “I am willing to give myself a chance to experience this”, believing that is possible to create a different life’s story.”

“No matter what it takes for you to walk again both emotionally or physically, use your past pain to empower you by learning from it and channeling your weakness into your strength! You just need to take the first step.”