Faith and Sweat: The Awakening

I began my coaching journey after losing 40lbs with 21 Day Fix and Shakeology and feeling like a brand new me. I wanted to shout from the roof tops what I had learned and had a passion ignited in me to help as many people as I could. That's where our team was born! Dream Big Tribe grew and grew and together we were building a community of women who had a judgement free zone, a safe place they could check in daily to share their achievements and struggles, and anything else on their heart.

(Before I started making healthy changes/Me as a new Coach)

Then I hit a personal road block that felt like continued hurdles one after the next. Only a few months into my coaching journey I was hit on the freeway in an accident that literally rocked my world. Months of Physical Theraphy/Dr. Apts and a diagnosis of PTSD left me feeling a wave of emotions of  feeling defeated and determined to come out of this stronger than ever. A shorter version? I was in a glass case of emotions (yep I just made an Anchorman reference).

Anxiety, forgetfulness, feeling like Luna Lovegood with my mind jumping all over the place. I really struggled with focusing on one task and getting it done 100%. My workouts, my nutrition struggled as I attempted to put myself back to the person I was, the results I worked so hard for before the accident.

I'd get close, then something else would come up. Another hurdle, another obstacle. I'd find myself thinking "Why? What this now?" And feeling like a failure, a fraud of a coach because I couldn't get my self together.

Fast forward to present day, I want to tell you something that I realized. All this time I've spent trying to get BACK to the person I was pre-accident wasn't what I needed at all. Why do I say that?

Because I'm not that person anymore. And that's 100% ok.

God gives us events, seasons in our life to help mold us and shape us into the person He has planned for us to be. All these's hurdles, obstacles happening that have left me wondering "why?!" are examples of this. I needed to stop going backwards, to stop trying to be a person I wasn't any longer.

Taking a breath here for a second.. this is really hard to put out there.

While I've been going through these struggles being the scenes, on the outside I was trying to act like I was comfortable with who I was. I would share sprinkles of my anxiety, struggles, and did my best at the time to try to show the "whole" journey. But I was still afraid of what others would think, that I was coming across as a walking billboard for products and felt like I wasn't truly worthy enough to be a coach for other people when I couldn't get my own stuff together. In all honesty? The workout programs I've been doing these past almost 2 years, drinking my daily Shakeology has blessed my life in so many ways. I have more energy, my health is better for it and it's been a natural stress reliever for me. It's why I became a coach, because I truly believe Beachbody's products/programs are one of a kind and offer the ability to make this a lifestyle change and not a "quick fix, magic pill" that won't last. I also know that I'm not good to myself or others, if I'm not being authentically my self, the person God has designed me to be.

I've been pretty open with sharing that part of my journey with others. The part I haven't been sharing as much.. Me as a person. The Jesus loving, absent minded, anxiety filled, coffee drinking, arts and crafts addict, pumpkin fanatic, country living, mommy, wife, friend, daughter, sister, person.. that I am. I'm ready to embrace that and be that kinda coach, and stop trying to be the coach I used to be. Now more than ever I have a passion ignited in me to help others find peace, love, and confidence in their own skin. To be authentically you.

(Me now: No make up, post workout, Faith, Sweat and all. Ready embracing this new season)

That's where this new season has begun. 3 words that have been ringing in my ears for weeks now.

Faith and Sweat.

Typically when I come up with a new challenge group... new blog series... new coach training, etc.. I spend weeks and sometimes months behind the scenes building it up before I launch it.

I'm doing things differently this time. I'm going to be sharing with you from the very beginning.

What is Faith and Sweat?

Faith is crucial. Faith in God's timing, in His plan. Also, having faith in the process of making healthy lifestyle habits. Knowing that things take time, that this is a journey and not something that will happen over night. A daily choice to have faith in that journey and knowing that God is good all the time. Even when the season seems foggy or dreary.

"Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will be moved. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:21

Sweat. I believe with all my heart that God gives us opportunities and gifts/life experiences to put to work, as tools to make things happen. You have big dreams? You have goals planted so deep in your heart that you want to make a reality? You gotta put in the sweat, the hard work to make it happen. It can be scary, sometimes it may feel like your feet are glued to the floor because you are afraid of failing. The truth? You will never truly fail with the Lord God on your side.

Have faith in the process, sweat your hearts hopes and dreams... Together, Faith and Sweat. Mountains will be moved.

Whether you have health and fitness goals you have started and stopped more times than you can count, have financial goals you want to reach, or whatever it is that's been planted in your heart to make a reality... I would love for you to join me from the beginning of this new project. This new season.

What will be a part of this project?

Honestly? I'm not 100% sure yet (see I told you this is starting from square one). There will Mon- Fri daily FB lives here: https://www.facebook.com/lifelightup/

There will be daily tips, and sharing my own personal journey as I dig into my own faith and sweat.

There will be blog posts.

There will be me here to encourage you, fellowship with you either in our Dream Big Tribe community and/or privately as your coach.

I'm done trying to be the coach I think I should be, and ready to be the coach/person that God has planned for me to be in this season of time.

Will you join me?

FB Live Access: www.FB.com/LifeLightUp

Fill out my online form.

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Why we are Homeschooling and our First Day of School

We have officially gotten through our very first week of Homeschooling! With the 3 day weekend and our first class day with our co-op, we eased our way into this new routine and we've loved every minute of it.

I've been asked a lot WHY we are Homeschooling. 

I could give you a very long post on our reasons. But I'll save that for another blog post someday.

The short reason? This is what God has called us to do and we are going embrace this new season of life we are beginning.

Am I excited? Yes.

Am I nervous? Yes.

Do I trust the direction God is moving our life? With all my heart. He's known this was the plan all along. Thank you Jesus.

While we are in the building phase of our home, the cabin we are staying in on our land is home to us. It's small but fits us comfortably and we are very blessed to have this add on room that works as a office/workout room/class room. We've used up every inch of the space possible and we're happy with the the outcome.

Not everyone that homeschools has a "classroom" and there are a lot of different styles of homeschooling. Why we made a classroom? With the house building, country moving lifestyle changes and the fact we had space in this cabin to do it is why we made one. Having the room set up this way motivates Carson and I when we begin our school day, it's something we both enjoy. It has made beginning kindergarten exciting to him and he looks forward to coming in here everyday to learn. 

Prep... We have truly enjoyed getting familiar with our little local library here in our tiny town :) They've helped me order books in from other branches that will work well with our study units over the next few weeks. We go once a week. The kids get to play, and I get to explore! Double win.

Over the summer I spent a lot of time looking at SO many different types of curriculum. Then one day this awesome curriculum fell on my lap. Or should I say a wonderful friend of mine was selling her used curriculum from previous school years and this was it! Just another awesome move from God.

Caleb snapped this pic of me one night as I was working on the classroom prepping for our first week. I grumbled about it then, now a few weeks later I appreciate that he took this. I want to remember these early stages of this new journey we are on.

What do I hope to get out of our first year of Homeschooling?

Time. Time to be with my children as they learn, explore and grow stronger in their knowledge of the Lord. Time for more giggles, games, story times and snuggles.

I'm honored and humbled to get to do this with our kids. 

I'm also very thankful for my hard working Husband. He works away from us all day so that we can be here together. I'm also thankful for my coaching that allows me to work freely from home.

How we started out our first day of school. Tractor ride and skipping. It was beautiful weather too! So thankful that Fall weather is starting to say hello.

Some pictures from our school day. The first 10 days of this curriculum is called "Foundation: The Story of Creation." We started with Day 1 and read Genesis 1:1-5 in Carson's new Bible. 

At the end of the school day I asked Carson what he wanted to do now that he was done with his first day of school. His response? He wanted to go take care of the animals :) So that's what he did!

What did Lily do after our first day?

She decided the bedroom floor was a good place to fall asleep. Don't worry, I moved her to the bed :)

4 years in a blink. So proud of our sweet, silly, train track building boy. You are a blessing Carskey boy. 

This first day of homeschool has been a long time in the making. I wasn't sure if I was going to be cut out for this, to be the teacher I wanted him to have. Lots of prayer, encouragement from loved ones and other homeschool mamas and God's glorious grace got us to this point. I'm feeling incredibly thankful and blessed for this new season God has called on us, and honored to have this role in my kids lives. 

Is homeschooling for everyone? No. Is it what my family and I have been called to do? Yes. And we are going to savor it, thrive in it God willing and enjoy it. ❤️

This blog started out as a place to share my passion for health and fitness. Over the last year it has grown to a place where I also share our journey as new homesteaders and now as a new homeschool mom. Thank you for reading and stay tuned for lots more posts in the future. 

New Beginning's: Our Moving Weekend

"When we pray, God hears more than we say, answers more than we ask, gives more than we imagine in his own time and in his own way."

I can't believe we already moved almost 3 weeks ago. Where is the time going? We started off our weekend celebrating Carson's 5th birthday. I can't believe our sweet sunshine boy is FIVE years old! We asked him what he wanted to do that day and he said he wanted to go up to the new house, so that's just what we did!

This kids built a giant hot wheels track on the porch while we unloaded and got some moving done. Not our typical birthday celebration kinda day, but he was happy!

In the afternoon we had a big surprise for him...

 His very own tractor!! He was a "tiny" bit excited to say the least. Driving it around is now one of his favorite things to do here during the day.

We ended the day signing him happy birthday and eating some delicious cake that Grandma made. He said it was his best birthday ever <3

The next day was moving day! We were incredibly grateful to see our family at our door that morning to help us make the big move out to the country. Thank you Jesus! And thank you family!

Saturday April 16th marked day 1 of building our forever home on R&M Ranch. We are tired, have lots of work ahead of us but are incredibly thankful for this opportunity God has blessed us with and excited for what the future holds. Thank you to all our family who helped us move and have come out to see us. We love you and appreciate you!❤️

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
Colossians 2:6-7 ESV 

Stay tuned for more updates! :)

Embracing being a "Work in Progress"

Today we are constantly surrounded by media and images of what societies "perfection" and standard is. What are bodies should look like, how we should dress, and this false sense of what we are supposed to be. 

Reality, the images we see on covers of magazines are air brushed, woman are photo shopped, cropped, brushed and polished with computers to look a different way.

Here's a great example..

(Photo on the left, manipulated, Photo on the right, raw) 

This one was pretty shocking to me. Her arms, rib cage, freckles, face.. everything was altered. This isn't even the worst of the Photoshop imagines I found while doing research on this post.

Teenage girls all over America are growing up seeing these alternations on covers of magazines and thinking that they are real and this is how "we" are supposed to look. 

Yes, it's great to feel good about how your clothes fit or reaching a goal weight you've set for yourself.  But Eating clean, working out, and taking better care of yourself isn't so you can look like an altered version of a celebrity on a magazine. It's so that you can live a long life (God willing), set an example for others, have more energy and be more present with your loved ones. 

I don't work out in front of my daughter Lily so that she see's her mom trying to fit into a size __ jeans. I do it because I want her to see it's important to take charge of your health and to respect the one body God's given us.

I catch myself sometimes even now at 30 years old looking at a magazine or on TV and think "man I wish I looked like that." I have to put myself in check and remind myself that I am beautiful the way I am in God's eyes and that our societies expectation are not what maters. It's ok to be a work in progress and not strive for the world's definition of "perfection."

Today I want to encourage all woman, to embrace being a work in progress on your health and fitness journey. Don't strive to look like someone else. Instead embrace the one body you've been given and treat it kindly. 

With lots of Love,

When I lost all of my excuses, I found all my results.

I can really relate to this quote. A year and half ago I made the choice on my 29th birthday that I was going to stop making excuses and end my 20's in better shape than I was when I started them. Over that year leading up to my 30th birthday I dropped the excuses that I was a busy working mom of 2 kids under the age of 4. That I didn't have time to take care of myself because on top of that I was actively involved as team mom in my kids team, volunteering at my churches local youth center, family event obligations, photo shoots, etc. etc. etc.

Instead I decided my goals were bigger than any excuses I could come up with. My goal of leading by example for my family and instilling in them that we don't need to have a negative association with how we look. Instead we embrace this one body God gave us and take care of it so we can better serve others and be more present for our loved ones.

It's when I committed to:
- 30 minutes of exercise 5-6 Days a week
- portion control. Making sure I'm eating the right amounts of the right foods
- positive attitude and joyful heart
- Ditching soda
- Accepting the invitation to join a challenge group and show up daily to help myself stay accountable and help others do the same.

On my 30th Birthday I was able to blow out the candles on that cake 35 lbs and 25 inches lost later. All because I dropped my excuses and accepted the choice that was given to me to make a change.

Why am I telling you all this? Not to boast, but to encourage you that as someone who gained and lost 75 lbs TWICE in her twenties...Someone who started and stopped too many diets than I'd like to admit... That no matter how many times you've started and stopped this healthy lifestyle you have the opportunity to stop making excuses today and start taking the actions to make it a reality.

Are you ready to stop making excuses? Ready to not only make that goal but to take the actions to make it happen? Fill out the quick form below and I will get back to you asap so that we can do this together. I want to be that person in your corner and help you on your journey.

Fill out my online form.

Have a blessed day!

I'm not a robot. - I'm a blessed mess.

Hi. 

For those of you that don't know me, my name is Jenny and I'm a blessed mess. What is a blessed mess you ask? I'm blessed because everyday I am given, is an opportunity to be a light , serve and love others. I'm a mess because I fall short daily and I'm 100% ok with that. 

You're probably asking "Why would you be ok with falling short daily?"

I will respond by saying I'm 100% ok with falling short daily because Jesus is enough.

There are days where the laundry is half finished and the sink is full of dishes.

You might notice a little dust on my mantel. 

And there are days when I leave my meal prepped salad in the fridge and have a burger instead. 

Why am I telling you this? Because when I first became a coach one of the things that God put on my heart was to share the whole journey and not just the highlight reel. 

I don't post my daily sweaty selfies, food pics and motivational posts as a "look at me I've got it all together." 

No, not at all.

I post these things because I want to encourage you and I'm sharing my daily decision to move forward each day finding joy in the motion. Each day is a choice and opportunity to lean into Jesus and trust that He is enough.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

When I stopped expecting myself to fit this "mold" that I thought I needed to be,  it was like taking an elephant off my chest. God gives us each different gifts to use for His glory. We aren't all alike. Which is wonderful! Because with the different gifts we've been blessed with, we are able to encourage and help each other. 

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace." 1 Peter 4:10

So friends I want to encourage you to not perceive other's highlight reels as a sign you aren't enough or doing enough. We are all on this journey as blessed messes together. Take that energy and put your whole heart into Jesus. I promise you, it's the best thing you could ever do.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;" Ephesians 2:8

I love you friends. Thank you for taking to time to read this. If I can pray for you or if there is something on your heart you would like to talk about, it would be a blessing to do so with you. You can comment here or send me an email at coachjennym@gmail.com

Have a blessed day,