Be Humble. Do Work.

Do you have a goal or dream?  Do you have the desire to achieve something you’ve never done?

How bad do you want to achieve this goal?

Now that you’ve asked yourself this question, I ask you this:

How much humility do you have to slow down and do it right?

How much patience do you have to methodically work from scratch to learn and perfect a skill or craft that is currently a weakness or non-existent?  Do you have the patience and due diligence to improve upon a blaring weakness?  Can you be humble enough, swallow your pride, and put in the necessary work and effort it is going to take to build solid fundamentals?  Are you hungry enough for this goal that you accept the fact that mastery will not come overnight, and in fact may take many months…possibly years to develop?

Don’t get trapped in the mentality that doing something once means you can do it again with ease…or at least get lost in the thought that you should be able to do it again.

Wouldn’t it be awesome If this approach to life was true?

Practice, training, practice, training and more practice and training is the only way to true mastery and victory.  When you learned basic arithmetic…you know, 2+2=4…did you say “okay, now I’m ready for trigonometry!”  I’m going to take a wild guess and say, you did not. 

The same concept goes with fitness and athletic performance.  The good enough mentality does not work.   Just because you got one double under yesterday, does not mean you will get 60 tomorrow. You cannot force a skill.  You cannot rush strength.  You cannot speed up the process just because you want the result now.  Sorry.  It does not work that way. 

Do you want to know what works?

Simple.  Work.

Do you want to be great or good enough?  

CrossFit founder, Greg Glassman believes that “good enough never is.”  I think many elite level athletes and performers from every sport and career would agree 100% with this wise man’s statement.  In truth, humility means nothing other than learning to be completely honest with yourself and owning it.  Once you can accept the reality of your current situation then, and only then, can true change begin to transpire.

To be good is to be average. 

We all have greatness inside.  Really, I am serious.

It may be difficult to see now, but trust me, greatness is there.  Our job is to tap into and find our greatness, and we can only accomplish greatness by constantly seeking to better ourselves.  I could go on for hours about this concept and topic, but by seeking physical mastery…we find greatness in the rest of our lives.  If you really want to find out what you are made of…you must work for it.  You must put effort into the goals that you have set for yourself. 

The price of greatness is falling along the way.  You will get knocked down a bit.  You will fumble.  You will bleed a bit.  You may get a scar or two.  Your ego will take a hit.  But that is the cost for anything worth having.  It will not come easy.  It shouldn’t or you won’t respect it or feel true accomplishment in the end.  Charles Barkley once stated that “if you’re afraid of failure you don’t deserve to be successful.”  He has never been known to feed anyone sugar, and his words can sting a bit…but it is the truth. 

I agree with Sir Charles 100% , and this truth was a hard pill to swallow myself...trust me.  The truth stings sometimes.  I am sorry to be a Debbie Downer, but if you don’t practice and work for something…and it doesn’t happen…you probably don’t deserve it.  It doesn’t matter whether we are talking athletic performance, professional career, or personal relationships…if you truly want something to work, you must work.

Expect that in order to succeed…you will fail at first.  When you were a baby learning to walk, you failed at hundreds…possibly thousands of attempts.  And look at you now…walking.  You succeeded!

Don’t give up because something is difficult.  Step up!  Work hard, put some effort in…and see just how great you can be.

How Bad Do You Want It?

I have one question for you in accomplishing a goal or dream.

How bad do you want it?

• You made the goal
• It's your dream
• You said you wanted to accomplish x,y,z...
• You said you wanted to run a marathon, lose weight, eat better, make more time for your hobby, spend more time with the people you love.
• You said you wanted to live your dream

But do you really mean it?

What action did you take TODAY to accomplish what you set out to do? What REAL action did you do?

Did you sign-up for the race or competition?  Did you start training?  Did you meal prep?  Did you throw out ALL of the junk food in the cupboard?  Did you call your loved one to set up a date?  Did you get to the gym?  

Again, did you take real action?  

You said you wanted what YOU said you wanted.  No one put those thoughts in your head or made you speak the goal aloud.  No one put a gun to your head and made you set that goal or dream.  But now you're having trouble getting started.  The only solution is ACTION.  It doesn't matter if all that you do today is take a seemingly small step, what matters that you TAKE that step.  Do it.  It will help you take the next step, and the next step, and the next step.  

I think you get the point.  

With that said;

What action will you take to make your goals and dreams come to fruition?  

89 Days Out: Note To Self

I am 89 days out from Battle Royale.

Below are quotes I have written, notes I have taken, and journal entries I have made over the past week.

I want to share my journey with you, and if you really want to follow along than you have to learn how I think and how I find inspiration and motivational fuel to keep working!

Enjoy.

"There may be people that have more talent than you, but there is no excuse for anyone to work harder than you." ~Derek Jeter

"Age is no barrier, It's a limitation you put on your mind." ~Jackie Joyner-Kersee

...When planning goals:

• know where you want to go.
• the modern successful business does not leave its future to chance...Should you?
• Make the plan and work the plan.  Do what you said you wanted to do!
• "The important thing is not where you were or where you are, but where you want to go."

Goal Declaration:

I want to finish in the top 10 at the Battle Royale competition.  To achieve this goal I MUST train consistently and stick to the plan.  I must eat well and on schedule.  I must rest and recover wisely.  I must be smart and diligent in my strength and skills work.  I must work my weakness until it is a strength.  I must also allow down time to unwind and relax in order to let my soul and spirit recharge and renew its passion.  I must be myself. Always. Always be yourself.

96 Days Out!

This is going to be short and sweet.  There is not going to be any deep or philosophical message today.  I am simply posting this to hold myself accountable for 96 days.  I am 96 days out from my first CrossFit competition in over 4 years.

Did you just read that?  I haven't competed in anything in over 4 years!  But I bit the bullet and signed up for a local CrossFit competition, Battle Royale that takes place on July 22nd.

This is exciting and a little nerve racking to me, because I haven't competed in FOUR YEARS! Also, because I am a business owner and my schedule is slammed.  I wake-up at 4:30am M-F, and typically don't get to bed until 10pm or later. For the last 3 1/2 years, my main focus has been setting up and running my gym successfully.  And while I still workout and train 5-6 times a week, I have placed my competitive side on the back burner.

If I'm honest, I have hidden behind the excuse that BPCF must come first and my fitness goals and potential come last.  That is going to stop now.  I am learning that my goals and dreams must come first if I am to be fulfilled.  I am also learning that adding a new challenge to the mix will only enhance BPCF and validate my credibility, because I will be walking the walk even more!

I thought I was going to make a run at the 2017 CrossFit Open that took place in March, but a small elbow injury set me back.  With that I decided not to enter in the Open, and left me a little disappointed in myself for not doing so.  The opportunity to sign up for Battle Royale presented itself, and I decided to take the plunge head first and sign up for the individual RX division.

I understand that I have A LOT of work to do.  I understand that I will probably be one of the oldest women in this division.  I understand that this will not be for the faint of heart.  And for these reasons I am fired up and ready to work my ass off to do my best.

My goal is to finish top 10.  That may not seem like such a big deal, but this is going to be a challenge.  Difficult yes, but not impossible.

I am 96 days out from my first CrossFit competition in over 4 years!

Join me on this journey as I track my progress and hold myself accountable via blog, videos, and pictures.

  

You Get What You "See"

What do you see for yourself?  What do you envision?  What is your story?  What is your truest self?  What is your biggest dream? 

What you “see” is what you get.  The “picture” you envision creates your reality.  If you place limits on your abilities, you should know that, those limits are imaginary and solidified by the story that you choose to believe.  Our imagination can lead us or it can limit us.  Author Jerry Lynch states that “our imagination can either lead us to our truest potential of greatness or limit us with “real” mental barriers that prevent us from our truest self.”

What is the image you have of yourself?  Is it positive?  Is it self-empowering?  Does your imagination fuel your confidence and self-esteem?  Or does your imagination have you believing in a negative self-image?  Do you believe in false stories that limit your abilities and ambitions?  Do you let the opinions of others steer the direction of your actions?  Do you tell yourself (or think to yourself), “I can’t do that.” Or “I’ll never be able to achieve that!”  Whatever “that” is…YES you can!

“Argue for your limitations and sure enough, they’re yours.” I don’t even know who Richard Bach is, but his quote is 100% correct!  Whatever you accept as your truth, is your truth…nothing but your truth.   Do you know who else was right?  Thomas Edison when he said, “If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.”  When flipped, a coin has two sides on which to land, heads or tails.  Just as the coin has two sides, you have two options; positive or negative, victor or victim, winner or loser.   The difference between you and the coin is that the coin’s fate is determined by a flip, and your fate is determined by a decision; your decision.  That decision belongs to you.

You have the power to decide your outcome.  You have the power to decide who you are.  You have the power to decide if you will believe in limitations, which are usually influenced by outside sources, or you can believe in yourself and follow your decision into greatness. 

It is okay to believe in your abilities.  No really, it is.  “You can have anything you want if you are willing to give up the belief that you can’t have it.” Here is another guy I know nothing about, but Dr. Robert Anthony makes a valid point…if you just believe in yourself, you can have whatever the fuck you want!  Sorry, that may have been a bit much…but am I wrong?

I never really was a big fan of Goldie Hawn’s movie’s but she had a point in saying “I finally stopped running away from myself.  Who else is there better to be?”  Exactly, Goldie.  Exactly!  Who else is there better to be than yourself?  Who else is there to believe in other than yourself?  Who else is there that is better fit to dream your dreams or live your life?  No one!  You are the only one that is capable of being uniquely you.

The only limitations that you have are the ones that you tell yourself.  Stop telling yourself and the rest of us, a bullshit story of your limitations.  Stop placing imaginary limits on yourself- yielding you powerless. Instead, start envisioning a positively powerful life that is limitless and filled with success and happiness.

Give Me The Ball

Yesterday was deadlift day.  We were to perform a 5x5 @ 70%.  Typically, 70% isn’t all that heavy.  I mean, it’s heavy, but it isn’t HEAVY.  Usually I get super excited for deadlift day. I love deadlifts.   Not today.  When I calculated my percentage and what I was to lift, it felt daunting.  I was actually nervous that I wouldn’t be able to finish my work.  I considered dropping the weight down.  I considered asking for more rest in between sets as we (Eric and I) have recently decreased our rest/recovery between sets to improve our conditioning. 

I was getting pissed at myself.  I was freaking out about a number that I knew I could do, but felt anxious about.  Negative thoughts were rushing through my mind.  “What if I fail? What if I injure myself?  I can’t get hurt.  Do I really want to be strong?  Is it worth it?  Do I really want this?” 

WTF?

How could I be asking these questions and having this doubt?  This was not like me, at all.  I have never back down from a chance at personal growth.  I have never been afraid of a challenge.  But I was.

Before we began, I asked myself “when was a time when I felt powerful?  When was a time when I felt fearless and confident?”

My answer: Basketball.  

Me hoopin' it up in 1982.  I was 3 years old.

If you were to ask me to describe my childhood and adolescence in one word my answer would be; basketball.  Basketball was my entire identity in my youth.  Before I started making stupid teenage decisions, basketball was my world.  I ate basketball.  I breathed basketball.  I dreamt basketball.  I was head-over-heels in love with basketball.  It was my first love. 

When I played all I wanted was the ball.  I wanted to shot the ball.  I wanted to pass the ball.  I wanted to rebound the ball.  I wanted to steal the ball.  My focus was to play ball.  My focus was playing basketball relentlessly working to be my best.

I never backed down to a big moment.  In fact, I wanted the ball the most during the big moments…when everything was on the line.  I thrived off of pressure situations.  I wanted to guard the best player of the opposite team.  I loved competition.  I found joy in risk-taking.  I got lost in the rush of working to be my best in hopes of being victorious with no guarantee to victory. 

I stepped up to any challenge.  I would play anyone, no matter how big or tall.  I was a beast, and I wanted a chance to prove my ability and skill.  I believed in my ability.  I trusted the hours and hours that I spent practicing skills and visualizing details of execution.  Even if I didn’t come out the victor in each game situation, I was hungry for the next game and the next encounter I would have with an opponent to prove I was the best.  I was never scared. 

I decided to create a mantra right then and there.  “Give me the ball! I got this!” I repeated this mantra, silently in my head again and again.  “Give me the ball!  I got this!”  “Give me the ball!  I got this!”  I said this over and over until it turned into, “Give me the barbell!  I got this!”  “Give me the barbell!  I got this!”

I started to embody and embrace the feelings that I had as a basketball player, confident, strong, and competitive.  I literally got fired up thinking about lifting the heavy barbell off the ground.  I wanted that barbell in my hands!  I wanted to lift!  I actually started to grin when it was my set, because it felt like when I would step up for a free throw shot in my youth.  I was ready.  I was pumped!  There was no question in my mind.  I knew I would crush it. 

I know I’m not the only one that gets a bit anxious when attempting something difficult and challenging.  I know I’m not the only one that second guesses my ability when you are called upon to perform.  I am not alone in this battle of the mind. 

For that reason, I encourage you to create your own personal mantra that instantly transforms your mind from meager thoughts to a super-confident mindset! 

Here’s how:

Think back to a time, a situation, or competition where you were confident.  Recall an instance where you had a flawless performance.  Remember all the details and embody how you felt.  Embrace the confidence, joy, and personal power that exhilarated you.  Were you playing a sport and have a near perfect performance?  Was it a presentation that you were well prepared for?  Did you make a really good impression during a job interview that led to employment for your dream job? 

Whatever that moment was or memory was, I ask you to tell yourself NOW what you told yourself THEN to get pumped and confident for that particular situation.  Now imagine you are there.  Imagine you are about to step on the court or take the stage, how does it feel?  Feels great, doesn’t it?

Now that you have that memory fresh in your mind you can develop, create, and rehearse a mantra for yourself that you can apply to present day pressures or challenges that you face.  For example, Simply interchange words in order to give your current situation the appropriate energy and focus that is needed to supercharge you with belief in your abilities.  

I used basketball as motivation for lifting a barbell.  I changed “Give me the ball!” into “Give me the barbell!” 

If you have great memories with of a performance you had in theater, for instance, you could take “It’s show time!” and replace the word “show” with “it’s lift time!”

There are no rules when it comes to finding inner motivation and drive to take on a challenge.  Be creative.  Have fun! 

Decide to Control

We are constantly in a state of learning how to think and remain positive in a world full of chaos and difficult challenges.  We are at war with ourselves, and many times we are unaware that a war is even taking place.  We are at war between negative influence and empowering positivity.  Due to this constant battle- we sometimes fall into a trap of believing we have no control over our outcome.  This is not true.  Do not believe the lie of others, which states you can’t or that you won’t or that something is impossible.  That is bullshit.  Don’t buy into the idea that you can’t, won’t, or shouldn’t.  You are in control of your life.  Listen to the voice inside of you communicating your truth. 

The most limiting factor to your success is the internal negative bullshit that you are thinking.  Not only do you believe this nonsense story, but you’re buying it in bulk and eating it every single day of your life.  Stop polluting your mind with this crap.  The story that you keep acknowledging is the one that will be acted out in your day to day life.  The thoughts that you create in your mind will be reflected in real life.

Who you are, what you do, and where you go, are the direct results of the thoughts that you choose.  Choose wisely.  Choose boldly.

You are in control of your thoughts.  No really, you are!  You are in the driver’s seat of your very own thinking.  You have the wheel.  You are in control of your final destination.

You can either think like a loser or think like a champion.  You can either think like a peasant or think like a queen.  The choice is very simply, yours.  You can either live free and be empowered with positivity or be a prisoner to a negative mindset.

Don’t worry.  Your thoughts don’t own you.  You own your thoughts.  You are in complete control.  You can change your stinking thinking RIGHT NOW and start RIGHT NOW down the path of positive thinking!  No Really!  You can!

How? You ask.

The answer is simple.  Decide to take control.  Decide to change the way you think.  You must make the decision that you are in control of your life and your thoughts.  Do it now.  Remember that simple does not mean easy.  Sometimes we have to rewire our thinking in order to understand that we have personal power and complete control over our lives. 

We can learn to control our thinking by rewiring and reprogramming the story that we have survived and thrived on for so long.  To do this we must first make the conscious decision that we must change our thinking.  Once the decision is made, only then can the journey begin.  The first step on this journey is to understand that you have control.  This is the most difficult of all the steps.  This can make or break many people, so buckle up…it might get bumpy.

I Am MissFit: Not A Brand, But A Lifestyle

I Am MissFit isn’t just a brand.  It isn’t prissy and pink.  You won’t see flowers or bows and barrettes.  There are no cutesy slogans or pretty little ribbons to wear that signify girl power.

MissFit is an attitude.  MissFit is a way of life.  To be MissFit is to be yourself. 

It’s a lifestyle.  It’s who you are.  To be MissFit is to simply be you.  You don’t need to fit in when you stand out.

To be MissFit is to be resilient in the face of adversity.  To be MissFit is to stand strong in the eye of the storm.  To be MissFit is to have an unwavering determination in the face of failure and defeat.  To be a MissFit is to put your head down and hustle hard for what you want and defy any definition that society tries to place on you because you’re a woman.  To be MissFit is to live your life out loud with no apologies.  To be MissFit is to step into your dreams and make it your reality.    

I Am MissFit can represent who you are or the greatness that you possess and the greatness you are creating.  When you read or hear the words “I Am MissFit”, replace the word MissFit with your own personal mantra to inspire and empower you to be exactly who you are and live the lifestyle you want!

Monday Motivation for MissFit's: Sometimes all you need is a little R & R

I am so pumped that Monday is here!  I can't explain to you the excitement that I feel to get back on my hustle and grind.  I feel recharged, refreshed, and refocused.  I'm really freaking excited to seize the day!

I just returned home from vacation.  Well, truthfully it was a short excursion to the beach that allowed me to the luxury of not setting an alarm clock for 2 whole days. I work really hard, and truthfully I feel exhausted lately.  The get away was great.  It was needed.  I love vacations.  Vacations help to renew the mind and spirit while relax the body.

During the calm and relaxation of vacation, you are reminded of your life goals and reinvigorated by your passions!  During vacation the hunger and desire for achievement begin to re-manifest as they were lost in the hustle of the day to day grind.  During rest and relaxation I actually remember the passion and love that I have for my work.

R & R never hurt anyone.  It is usually well deserved.  Resting allows us to appreciate what we do and to be thankful for our abilities.  If you haven't taken a break lately, I highly recommend it.

"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." ~Aristotle

It feels odd admitting this, but I was ready for Monday to arrive.  I'm ready to return to my work

I'm ready to return to my regimen.  I'm ready to get back to working towards my goals.  I'm ready to crush it!  I'm ready to get back in the swing of things and take action.

Define Own Standard of Beauty

Recently I was having a conversation with a fellow, and a comment that he had about my body blew me away.  I could have become offended, but once I took time to think about it and digest his ignorance...I had an epiphany about my body image and I felt empowered.

The epiphany was: I'm a bad ass motherfucker with or without anyone's fucking approval!

These words actually came out of a man's mouth:

"You have an amazing body.  You know what would make you look awesome!  Bigger boobs.  Have you ever thought about getting implants?  You should think about it.  You'd rock it!  You'd look great! Girls are lucky, you can get parts enhanced.  If I could, I'd get penis enlarged to 20 feet.  Can you imagine?  Women are lucky."

Thanks, dick!

I'm not going to comment on his appearance, because it doesn't matter. But I will just note that I was not impressed.

Had I been told that comment at 22 years old, hell even 30 years old...I am not sure my delicate self-esteem could have taken that.  I would have rushed to the nearest hiding spot and cried a little and felt insecure for the rest of the day.  I would have started saving money for breast implants, and imagined how "perfect" my body would be once the procedure was complete.  I would have looked for approval of others based on how they viewed my body and hope that I was good enough and worthy for love.  I would have thought that to be considered attractive and beautiful, I would need to look a certain way.  I would have also wrongly judged other women based on my warped perception of beauty.

Luckily I am 37, and at this point I could care less about what some idiot thinks about my body and what I should do to "enhance" it.  Luckily I have spent years working to build my confidence levels and self-esteem, and self-love based on personal improvement and achievement rather than only basing my worth on appearance.  Though at times it has been a struggle at times, I no longer base my worth on my looks as I did when I was younger.  I try to be honest with myself, and the truth (if you didn't know) is I do not have a large bust.  To answer his question, yes, I have considered paying for a breast augmentation.  I have done the online research, called clinics, saved thousands of dollars, and even sat in for an appointment to talk to a cosmetic surgeon.  I could never pull the trigger.

I'm not sure why I never went through with the procedure, but I am positive that the cost had something to do with it.  I also knew that I was not mature enough for a change so significant.  And to be completely upfront, I still consider it sometimes.  To follow that statement, let me be clear, I only make life changing decisions based on my happiness and what is best for my well-being.  I will never make a decision, especially about my body, to please anyone else.  Ever.

Why should I or any woman feel the need to alter my body to suit someone else's standard of beauty? Why should I or any woman feel that I need to look a certain way in order to gain the approval or admiration of a man?  Why should I or any woman feel that I have to try harder or pay money to live up to a contrived standard of beauty?  Why should I or any woman feel unworthy or less perfect due to lacking a certain preference?  Why do I or any woman need to change my breast size, lip size, butt size, or waist size to be accepted as a beautiful woman?

I would like to bring to your attention that most men or women that require this unattainable standard of beauty are far more insecure than any of you reading this blog.

I have many different qualities and features that make me just as much of a woman as any other woman big bust or not.  I don't believe I have to prove my "woman-ness" to anyone male or female. And I certainly don't feel I need to spend thousands of dollars to get the approval of some sex crazed pig.  It doesn't matter what size my boobs are, how large or small my butt is, how long my hair is, or how much I weigh or what kind of clothes I wear that defines me as a woman.  Being a woman is much more than physical appearance.

I wish I could give you a straight forward definition of what is means to be a woman.  I wish I could draw a picture or describe in detail what a woman should look like, how she should dress, fix her hair, wear her make-up, how a woman should speak, What sports a woman should play, what career path is acceptable for a woman, how a woman should walk, and how a woman should think.  But I can't give you a definition or a description.  To be a woman is all empowering and beautiful.  There is no one standard of beauty.  There is no right or wrong.  There is no checklist that you can mark to meet a certain standard or "woman-ness".  You are either a woman or you are not, and if you are you should know that you are perfectly beautiful.  If you are not a woman, you have no business in defining the beauty and greatness that is a woman.

I'm going to close with this:  You are a bad ass motherfucking woman with or without anyone's fucking approval!

Run, Rise, Rule, or Reign. When It Comes To Fear, You Choose.

According to the late great Zig Ziglar, fear has two meanings; “Forget Everything And Run or Face Everything And Rise.” 

Zig's wisdom and knowledge speaks volumes and is everlasting.  He was right, have 2 choices when facing challenges or objections: Run or Rise.  It's a classic case of fight or flight.  You always have power and control over your reactions to any situation.  Even when you have some butterflies in your stomach or are nervous about working towards a goal.  There will always be obstacles, and more than likely there will be a hater or 10 that have objections to the actions that you take in YOUR life. Sometimes we can even decide not to take action towards our dreams because of the negativity and insecurity of other people.  Those people are called haters and they should be ignored.  

I think there is a third meaning.  It’s a little harsh.  It might hurt some ears.  But it needs to be said, especially if you are letting the words of the haters clog your mind and prevent your greatness.

FEAR:  F*ck Everyone And Rule! 

The haters want you to fall.  They want you to fail.  They want you to hurt.  They want you to quit.  They want you to have self-doubt.  They want you to question your abilities.  Haters hate you.  They do not wish you well.  They do not pray for your success.   They do not wish you happiness.  F*ck the haters.  They don’t pay your bills.  They don’t wear your shoes.  They don’t know the challenges that you face day in and day out.  They don’t know the depth of your dreams.  They want you to stop.  They want you to quit.  They want you to fear what they fear…your greatness.  Don't fear your own light.  Shine bright.  I wonder if there could even be a fourth meaning for fear?

FEAR:  Forge Excellence And Reign!

Do not let their hate affect your performance.  Do not let their contempt affect your work.  Do not let their jealousy affect your success.  Do not let their rumors affect your intensity, creativity, passion.  Be excellent.  No matter what is said, no matter how the BS is spread.  Forge excellence.  Stop accepting mediocrity.  Stop being okay with average.  Don’t allow what they can’t do affect what you can do.  Don’t hold back because you have high standards.  Stop being afraid to step up and be excellent!   

Now that you have 4 meanings to choose from, the choice is yours.  Can I make a suggestion?  No matter if you decide to Rise, Rule, or Reign in the face of fear NEVER run!

I Am

I Am MissFit.

I am strong.

I am confident.

I am bold.

I am beautiful.

I am brave.

I am adventurous.

I am ambitious.

I am driven.

I am courageous.

I am relentless.

I am fearless.

I am focused.

I am loving.

I am caring.

I am brazen.

I am fabulous.

I am outstanding.

I am fun.

I am flamboyant.

I am great.

I am an example.

I am goal-driven.

I am unstoppable.

I am unbreakable.

I am gentle.

I am tough.

I am vibrant.

I am committed.

I am trustworthy.

I am true to self.

I am a risk taker.

I am an achiever.

I am a leader.

I am a doer.

 

Like I said... I AM MISSFIT!

 

 

 

 

Excellence

My mission is excellence.  I desire to live to the best of my ability.  And that is why I Am MissFit.  I live to be as strong as possible.  I live to learn as much as possible.  I live to experience as much as possible.  I strive to shine bright with a contagious radiance of beauty and confidence.  I want to reach the highest peak of my human potential while I am on this earth. 

I have accomplished great things before, but my past does not equal my future.  I want to be more tomorrow than I was yesterday, and I will use the NOW to catapult me into a cascade of excellence for as long as possible.  Because nothing is impossible.    

Contrary to what you may be thinking.  I don’t desire excellence in order to be the center of attention or appear bigger or better than anyone else.  My aim is to be an example of what is possible.  If I can reach my true potential, other women and young ladies may understand the power of their own potential and take one step closer to their dreams.  My motive is to motivate, inspire, and empower other women to dig deep down inside and relentlessly aspire to define for themselves what it means to be excellent.  I believe if I can strive for my personal definition of excellence, so can you.

I have decided that I am not confined to my fears of failure.  I have decided that even if I am scared, I will try until I succeed.  Because I know that if I try in the midst of being scared, once the smoke clears I will walk away a stronger woman. 

MissFit Athlete Spotlight: Krysty Geesey

Athlete: Krysty Geesey

Age: 25

Sport: CrossFit

Location: Hardbat CrossFit (Newark, DE)

 

Here a CrossFit athlete that you should keep in your radar.  Krysty is young, strong as hell, super athletic, and competitive!  I met Krysty sometime ago at a local CrossFit competition, and didn’t really take notice until I saw this:

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151904800636815&set=vb.670151814&type=2&theater

In case you're wondering, that is 205 on the bar! This woman is a beast!  She is not shy to share her goal of making it to the 2014 CrossFit Games Mid-Atlantic Regionals that is coming up this summer.  If you are a fan of sport, CrossFit you should keep your eyes peeled for Krysty.



Krysty sandwiched between CrossFit Games competitor Emily Friedman and Champion Sam Briggs

Can you tell me about your background? 

I was definitely a tomboy when I was growing up and enjoyed being active and competitive. I was the only girl who would play kickball at recess in elementary school and would kick all the boys’ butts. I grew up in the small town, Dover, PA. I lived in Lancaster, PA for 7 years while completing my Bachelors and Masters degrees. I recently moved from Pennsylvania to Maryland after accepting my first job as a school psychologist.

 

Where do you train?

I am currently training at Hardbat CrossFit in Newark, DE, owned by Ian Hardin and Derek Batman (Yes, that’s really his last name—haha). Ian has been doing all of my programming. His program, Hardin-Fast, is solid (http://hardin-fast.com) for anyone who wants to be a competitive CrossFit athlete.  

What is your sport/fitness background/competitive background?

I didn’t get involved in any organized sports teams until I was in junior high and finally convinced my mom to let me play basketball. I played volleyball and ran track in high school. I also ran indoor and outdoor track at Millersville University. I was a sprinter, dabbled in long jump, and ran on the sprint relays. I’ve always had some natural ability and speed, but was never a standout athlete. I have now been doing CrossFit for over 2 years and also got my Level 1 CF certification over a year ago. I have done numerous competitions since beginning CrossFit and really enjoy that aspect.

 

How did you find CrossFit?

 

Annie, a friend in my graduate school cohort, was talking about CrossFit before one of our summer classes. She told me that she thought I would really like it. In September 2011, I went to my first CrossFit class at 5:45am. After trying it out, I knew that CrossFit was what I needed to kick my butt back into shape. It had been over 2 years since I had trained with any kind of intensity. I knew if I was paying for a membership and a coach was telling me what to do, that I would actually get myself out of bed to workout. That was the kind of motivation that I needed to become active again.

Are you competing?

I am competing. I think that has been one of the largest draws of CrossFit for me. I really missed being a competitive athlete after college. I have done a lot of local competitions over the past few years, as well as some partner and team competitions. I am also looking to compete in some Olympic Lifting competitions, as well. I think it would be really cool to qualify for the American Open next year.

What are your goals & ambitions?  What is your greatest accomplishment in CF thus far?

Right now, my goal is to make it to the 2014 CrossFit Games Mid-Atlantic Regional competition this year. I have a lot of smaller goals that I am working on daily in order to make that goal a reality. I am really working to improve my conditioning and gymnastics skills with a lot of help from my coach. I think that if I can make it through the Open, I could do pretty well at Regionals. Regionals tends to be much more strength-biased than the Open. That strength piece is definitely more within my wheelhouse, but I am trying to become more balanced in all areas of the sport.

I am not sure if I can pick a single greatest accomplishment. I am pretty proud of my 185# snatch. I would absolutely love to hit 200# before the Open. I am also proud of being able to consistently do muscle ups now. They are still a work in progress, but they are coming along.

What would your advice be to other women and/or young girls that want to try this sport (or any sport) but are afraid to try for any reason?

Trying something new can be scary. I was nervous when I first began CrossFit. I wasn’t sure what it would be like, if I would like it, or what the people would be like. You just need to take a leap of faith. Give it a try. If it isn’t for you, then at least you figured it out for yourself instead of just wondering. You don’t need an athletic background to try it either. Just give it a try and give yourself a chance to become a stronger version of your awesome self.

 

CrossFit has truly been one of the best things in my life for the past two years. With the stress of a break-up and graduate school, it was great to have a place to go to escape and focus on me. I’ve met countless people since beginning CrossFit. The community aspect is one of the best parts. I have friends from many gyms in different states and I consider many of those people as part of my family now. I have gained so much through that support system. I love going into the gym and watching others put in hard work and reach their goals. It makes me even more motivated to push myself.

 

 

Why are you a MissFit? 

I have never been good at acknowledging my own accomplishments because I am a perfectionist, and my own worst critic. I am a MissFit because I can now be happy with my accomplishments, but good is never good enough. I feel there is always a way to better myself—mentally, physically, emotionally, or intellectually.

I have worked hard to obtain both of my college degrees by myself. I’ve worked to become the athlete I am now in a sport that I love.  I have been blessed to be surrounded by amazing people throughout my journey who have believed in me, and pushed me to be more. It catches me off guard when other women say that they look up to me or they want to be like me. It makes me step back and acknowledge how far I have come and that I need to give myself credit sometimes. Those women have become the voices in the back of my mind telling me that I can’t give up.  I think this quote embodies me:

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore, Dream, Discover." –Mark Twain

 

In the last 6 months, I took a leap of faith accepting a job, moving to a new state, and training     at a new gym where I literally knew no one. When I decided to make that leap, I never anticipated that I would have made the gains that I have made or that I would be living and training with a Games athlete. I believe that everything happens for a reason and will work out the way that it should. I would advise all of the MissFits out there to continue on their own journeys and take a few chances to get where they want to go. It will be worth it.

 

 

 

 

Good luck in the 2014 CrossFit Open, Krysty!  The MissFit Movement is pulling for you.  Go all in and don’t look back!

2014 is Coming. Make it Exceptional.

I have a sudden urge to blog.  I'm not sure why I'm blogging.  I haven't blogged in so long, I feel like I forgot how to.   Maybe I just want to say hi (which I do).  Maybe the reason I'm blogging is to motivate you and/or inspire you to rise higher than your current situation.  Maybe I'm writing this to remind you that you can do whatever you desire, but you have to take action.

2014 will begin in 10 days, and you should cease the moment, follow your dreams, and go after your goals with no apologies!  I hate to sound cliché and redundant, but seriously...time does not stop for anyone, and the longer you put off your to-do list and the longer you tell yourself "I'll do it later" the longer you're putting off true joy.  I tell you from experience that the more you put your goals to the side, the more you accept complacency and the status quo.  Don't accept mediocre.  Don't accept average.  Dare to live an exceptional life.  Dare to live your dreams out loud.  Do it and don't apologize.  You won't be disappointed, the journey is the best part.

I am proud to announce that I am the co-owner of Black Powder CrossFit in Dallastown, PA.  It is one of the biggest accomplishments of my life, but not for the reason that most people might think.  It's not about the money.  It's not about the status.  It's not about anything but following through on a vision that I have had, for many years, to help others help themselves through health and fitness.  It's an accomplishment for me because I finally took a chance on myself, threw caution to the wind, let go of any insecurities, and brought my dreams to reality.  That is something I have been mortified of for years!

I am not kidding when I tell you that for YEARS have I brainstormed and scribbled idea after idea on many notepads.  I have had countless conversations with some of my closest friends in which they encouraged me to take the leap and follow through on my dream.  I never would step over that ledge because I was mortified of how I might land...or not.  Looking back, I am unsure if I was scared to fail or afraid to succeed, but the one thing I was certain of is that I was not happy.

I don't claim to know it all.  I never have and never will.  But I will tell you this; if you have a dream that is being fanned by a deep desire and passion...DO IT!  Stop wishing.  Stop day dreaming.  Stop putting it off and do it!  Seriously.  This is not a Nike ad, but Just do it. 

What is the worst thing that could happen?  Will you lose free time?  Sure.  Could you lose a little money?  Maybe.  Could you lose a little sleep?  Certainly.  Could you lose some friends.  Probably.  Will you question your sanity?  More than once, yes.  But believe me, it's worth it! 

To be honest, money comes and goes.  In regards to sleep, once you turn 30 it seems you can never get enough.  And if others turn their back on you because you envisioned a different life for yourself...so be it.  It doesn't mean that you shouldn't live your dreams out loud.  Sometimes little sacrifices must be made in order to rise to the purpose of your life. 

Really all I'm saying is take a chance on yourself and believe in what you can do.  Do you have a desire to travel around the world?  You only live once.  Are you a CrossFit athlete and want to compete?  Train hard and go hard!  Would you like to go back to school and get your degree?  There's no time like the present.

Don't put limitations on yourself.  Don't accept complacency.  Don't sit back and think about it, take action and do it.  Anything is possible.  Anything.  Think about it.  Humans are capable of inventing electricity and traveling to the moon.  We can do anything, and that includes you.  Make 2014 an exceptional year!   

"We all have dreams.  But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort."  Jesse Owens   

Jill Blair: A Survivor Story

 

MissFit: Jill Blair
Sport: CrossFit
Age: 39
Location: York, PA    
 
 
 
Meet Jill Blair. Wife and Mother of two.  She didn’t play a sport or run a race.  Jill didn’t set any world records or set an Olympic weightlifting PR, but Jill is a champion. She is a MissFit.  A fighter.  A survivor.  Jill is a Breast Cancer survivor. 
 
Would you mind telling the readers a little about yourself?
 

I am from Latrobe, PA and moved to York about 6 years ago to be closer to my husband work. I have been married to a wonderful, supportive man, Chris, for almost 17 years. We have two beautiful boys who keep us both on our toes at all times.  I am the owner/photographer at the Jill Blair Photography studio in Wrightsville.  I specialize in newborn portraiture, but I also love working with babies and children. I am currently working on the boudoir side of my business. I believe that all women are beautiful, no matter what size or shape.

 
What is your fitness and/or competitive background?
 

I have absolutely NO fitness background. I never played any sports in school. I grew up with two older brothers that didn't play sports either. They were avid hunters, and dirt bike riders, which is probably the reason I didn't have any desire to play sports. It wasn't really big in our household.

 
How did you find CrossFit? 
 

Chris has been doing CrossFit now for around 5 years I would say. I started doing a little bit of it right before I got pregnant with my youngest son. Then the morning sickness hit, and lasted for months. I had no desire to go to the gym at the point. So CrossFit again fell on the back burner for me. Then he joined a CrossFit gym in the area, I still had no desire to go. To be honest, I was intimidated. Everyone looked so much stronger than me, and I didn't want to appear weak. Then in 2010, all of that changed and I realized just how strong I really was.

 
Can you talk about when you were diagnosed and your survival story?
 

In September of 2010, I felt a lump in my breast. I quite honestly thought it was my rib. Chris felt it and thought the same thing, so I tried to forget about it. The next month, I decided I should go and have it checked. My gynecologist said the words "you are too young for breast cancer, and I don't really think it's anything to worry about, but since you are due for a mammogram, let's go ahead and order one." So off I went the following week, alone, for my mammogram. I sat in the waiting room and waited with women that were all older than me. I was called back, and then had to sit and wait again. The nurse came out and said that they needed to do an ultrasound, so off I went for that. I was then left in the waiting room alone.  At this point I was shaken up a bit and called Chris. He assured me that everything was all right, and I did feel better…until they called me back to speak with the radiologist who said I would need a biopsy. That happened the following week, along with MORE waiting! That was the longest week of my life. Chris and I went in to find out the results on a Friday. I remember seeing a doctor, nurse, and a social worker walk in the room, and I immediately burst into tears. I knew that it was bad news. "You have breast cancer", is all I heard and I cried even harder. I remember saying "I have two small boys to take care of!" over, and over again. The doctor was so nice…he let me cry until I could calm down, and then told me "if you had to get breast cancer, this is the kind you want to get". I was diagnosed with Stage 0 DCIS, which is cancer cells that are contained in the ducts, and it does not spread. I was then scheduled for surgery the next week for a lumpectomy, and was told I would need 6 weeks of radiation after that, but my margins weren't coming back clear, so I had a few more lumpectomies, and another MRI. My margins came back clear, but the MRI showed yet another spot of concern. The pathology of that spot showed more DCIS. My surgeon said I would need a mastectomy of my right breast, but I opted to have both breasts removed. I wanted to do whatever I had to do to give me the better odds of not having to go through this again. So on March 18, 2011 I had a double mastectomy. When I went back to my surgeon the following week, she told me that the pathology showed even more cancer than they had seen on any of the scans. That confirmed I made the right decision.  Even though some days are hard for me to get past the scars that I see everyday, I never once have regretted my decision.

  

What was your motivation and inspiration during your fight?   

My motivation has always been and always will be my boys. They were only 1 and 7 when I was diagnosed. Devin, my oldest son, still to this day wears pink for me and tells everyone how his mom beat breast cancer. Chase, he still doesn't understand any of it, which I am okay with for now. Someday we will have that chat.

 
What is your motivation now when you think about what you have been through?
 

I want to be healthy and strong! This past year, Chris become co-owner of CrossFit CDI. I made the decision to try it again. I figured, my husband is a coach, so why not give it a go. In February 2013, I signed up for their bootcamp class. The first WOD about killed me. I've always been thin, but I knew I wasn't in great shape. I would get winded walking up a flight of stairs, but I kept going. I was the slowest, I wasn't as strong as the others, but it didn't stop me. I graduated the bootcamp and began going to the main classes, and became hooked. The community is fantastic! No one cares what weight you lift, or what time you finished. What they care about is if you are putting in the intensity and the effort. I try to get in the box at least 4 times a week, and miss it when I don't. 

 

 

 
Do you have any advice to other women that may being going through the same thing or know someone who is? 
 
My best advice to anyone that is going through/went through what I did, is don't give up. Don't sit back and let it take over your life. Fight…fight with everything you have. Life is so worth it. Yes, there are days when I still cry, but that's okay. Crying is good every once in a while. Let it out, then move on. If you know someone that is going through this, just listen. That's all you really need to do. Let them be afraid, don't dismiss anything they say. All of their feeling are real, no matter how silly they sound to you. Just listen, and be there for them.
 

I can honestly say that CrossFit has changed my life. Did I think after having a double mastectomy that I could do the WOD's that I am doing now. Hell no, but I am. As long as you discuss it with your doctor, don't let anything hold you back. If I can do it, you can too!!

 

Why are you MissFit?

 

Why am I MissFit? I am MissFit because I never stopped fighting, and never stopped believing that I could get healthy again. No matter how hard things got, I kept moving forward. My faith, family, and friends never let me down.

 

The MissFit Movement was created to build a community of fit and confident women.  If you go to the mission page you can read for yourself that it is the intention of The MissFit Movement to empower, inspire, and encourage all women.  Being a MissFit does not mean that you can run the fastest, lift the heaviest, or climb the highest.  Rather; being a MissFit is about overcoming all odds, taking on any challenge, and fight to the bone for their goals.  They believe in themselves, take action, and take control of their lives and in the process motivate others to do the same. 


Thank you Jill for sharing your story and demonstrating what the heart of a champion looks like! 

October is Breast Cancer awareness month.  Take the initiative and go get a breast exam.  Go to http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org to learn more.

Empower * Inspire * Encourage