My friend Aly from FOOD REBEL is an inspiration to me! She is a nutritional consultant and coach. She is a cross-fit enthusiast, and a wonderful friend. I admire her real persona on social media, it is authentic to how I know her as a friend and neighbor. She is also motivated in leading this community she has created! I hope you enjoy what I learned from her as much as I did!
What does confidence mean to you? How do you create it in your life?
Personal confidence is knowing who you are and loving yourself anyway. I truly believe personal confidence is a trait that comes through A LOT of hard work and persistence. You find who you are, by going through hard times and continuing to stand back up when life knocks you down. It comes by acknowledging your flaws and weaknesses — and choosing to either strengthen them or accept them as they are. I believe in showing yourself grace as you learn and grow as an individual. It’s definitely something I’m still working on each day!
Just as there is personal confidence in yourself, I also believe there is confidence in a process. Finding a mentor you admire and trust to show you the way through a process is key. And then allowing yourself to trust and have CONFIDENCE and patience in the process can bring things and ideas into your life that you never imagined were possible.
WILL YOU SHARE A FAVORITE ROUTINE? HOW HAS IT CHANGED YOUR LIFE?
My ABSOLUTE favorite routine has only been a part of my life for the past 6 months. It has brought so much perspective and peace into my days. Each morning, as I wake up, I roll over and grab my notebook off my nightstand and spend 10 minutes journaling. First, I write a list of personal affirmations. These are goals and ideals and dreams I have for myself. They include things like, “I am a supportive wife. I am an effective and knowledgeable coach. I listen to my children. I am intentional with my time. Etc.”
Then I write a handful of things I am thankful for right then. They can be as important as my family or my God, or as minor as my toothbrush and mechanical pencils.
I also write my three specific long-terms goals each day, which include a wellness goal, a financial goal, and a family goal.
Finally, I write a “people list,” I ponder who I would like to intentionally show up for today. It could be one of my children that I feel needs a little extra love or attention, a neighbor that needs a helping hand, my amazing clients, or even myself—if I need to take time to protect my own well-being.
If my children are still sleeping at this point (whew), I also take time to read some scripture, do some yoga stretches or breathing, take a few minutes to pray, and pre-log my meals for the day.
This sets my day up for peace and purpose. I hope to continue to have this routine a part of my day for the rest of my life.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MISTAKE THAT YOU HAVE MADE IN YOUR LIFE?
My favorite mistake in my life was accidentally leaving my gloves in the car of my cousin’s date. I hadn’t realized I had stolen his attention on our double date that night. He brought the lost gloves to my house the next day hoping to get my phone number. However, I wouldn’t come to the door because I had just gotten out of the shower and had a towel on my head and mascara running down my face! I drove by his work a few days later and left a note thanking him. He carried that note in his wallet for 2 years! It took that long for me to stop feeling bad for stealing my cousins date! But thankfully she forgave me and I now have been married to him for 12 years!
WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO SHOW UP AND WORK HARD IN YOUR BUSINESS AS A NUTRITION COACH?
I am COMPLETELY in love with helping women learn to love themselves. I love to see their excitement as they not only lose fat, but as they gain confidence in themselves and in the process. I love seeing the support in the groups. They motivate me to make healthy choices in my own life.
I also really love creating something. I love being a mother, but its hard work!! And it’s often mundane and forgotten tasks. I’ve found joy in creating a business that is growing and helping others!! It’s given my life an added purpose and confidence. It’s a perfect creative outlet for me it helps remind me that I’m a capable and intelligent woman.
WHAT IS THE MOST MEMORABLE GIFT THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED?
The most memorable gift I ever received was a little handmade Christmas ornament my preschooler made for me one year. It had his painted handprint on it. He then painted each finger like a snowman. It was a seemingly small and insignificant gift. But he gave it to me on the day the Sandy Hook school shooting happened. I remember holding that little ornament and crying that evening. I remember feeling so thankful that I got to hold my precious little children that day and my heart ached for those families who didn’t get to do the same.
WHAT TRAIT ARE YOU MOST GRATEFUL FOR IN YOURSELF?
I am grateful for my ability for personal introspection. I’ve always been an introvert and I’ve learned to stay in tune with what’s going on in my mind and body. I’ve researched to find tools that help me stay peaceful and feel my best. It’s also helped me in my spiritual life. I feel like I have a stronger connection with my God because of the time I’ve spent in personal reflection.
WHAT TOOL COULD YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT? WHY?
I am a HUGE lover of Google. One of my favorite “guilty pleasures” is to google all my curiosities and questions. If you look through my search history you’ll find things as varied as, “How to give a goldendoodle a haircut at home,” to things like “Healthy and quick school morning recipes.” You can find anything and learn about so many different things online! We live in an AMAZING time to have access to so much information instantly. I love it!
WHAT DOES THE WORLD NEED MORE OF?
The world needs more patience. Myself included! We are all so impatient with other people, with waiting for services, for things to heal, and for the next big thing to happen in our lives. It brings so much anxiety, frustration and depression. If we could just BREATHE and find happiness and contentment now, I believe we could save ourselves so much angst.
Don’t you LOVE her!? I am excited to share more about her as a mom next week…and how her nutrition background and expertise helps her AND HER FAMILY!