Why Working from Home WORKS for Our Family

Thank you to everyone who reached out about yesterday's post.  There is so much beauty in the opportunities we moms have. It is a wonderful thing to celebrate and support fellow moms in whatever their decision is because, at the end of the day, deciding what works best for our own families is the most important thing we can do.

I want to share today why our family has found me working from home to be our best fit.

The blessing it has been to never have to leave this guy and GO to work.

I like to work.
When we found out we were pregnant with our second child, Andrew and I really began to have conversations about me working outside of the home. Day care was going to be more expensive, life would be more hectic. Did me working still make sense for us? And when we looked at the black and white facts of it all, it did.

One reason being that we, like most families, needed two incomes. But more than that, I like to work. Every summer, as it was drawing to an end, I was anxious for the school year to start up. Not because I wanted to leave my boys, but because I missed work. I missed the routine, the challenge of using my skill set to help all my students succeed, problem solving, being creative, adult interaction. I liked having a role that was MINE outside of wife and mom. Working gave me a very real identity that was me, not who I was in relation to someone else.

When I became a coach, that void I was worried about was instantly filled. I have a very real role outside of my children. I get to interact with other adults on my team as well as my clients. I am constantly connecting with new people, problem solving with clients and my coaches and getting to be creative in how I approach helping others.

Working from home perk--comfy coach, workout clothes, messy bun

I'm the boss.
I know that sounds cocky but think about it. One of the hardest parts of working outside of the home and balancing motherhood is the lack of flexibility. I had an amazing and super empathetic principal to work with. She was always understanding when the boys would get sick (or our sitter would get sick). I was really blessed. But at the end of the day, I worked for someone else.

I had to haul my butt in to get plans ready for a sub either early in the morning or late at night, depending on when sickness struck. If I didn't have any time off, I got docked pay. I had to return to work after my first son was born via c-section, after only 6 weeks off (and still had a few days of docked pay because I didn't have enough sick days accumulated)!! I get that all of this is part of having a real job, but I wanted more.

I wanted to be home with my kids when they were sick and not be thinking about work and wondering what I would come back to. (Not all substitutes are created equal). I wanted to be able to see my hard work and give myself a day off when I wanted. I wanted to decide if I wanted to work, what hours I wanted to work and where I wanted to work them. {I much prefer working poolside while my boys splash around. I've also worked in the passenger seat on the way to the beach, in an airport, from the couch, at our backyard table...all with my family nearby.}

I worked at the library while they got books and colored. 

Impromptu afternoon off so we could get out and head to the mall. 

I also wanted to decide my worth. Think about it? At the end of the day, your hard work's worth is determined by someone ELSE. I could put in long hours, come up with creative, engaging plans, spend my own money on items for my classroom and still make the same as another teacher doing half the work. What kind of incentive is that to work hard?

Now, my hard work is directly reflected in my pay. I have given myself a raise 3x since becoming my own boss. I have matched my old monthly income working a quarter of the time each week and if I want to make more, it is up to ME!

I get to be there.
Unless my kids were going to go to the school where I taught, I realized pretty quickly I would miss a lot. Their class parties, their field trips, their fun days at school. I wouldn't be able to go. Not unless I took a day from work to do that. All my life, when I thought about being a mom, I thought about those moments. I wanted to be there.

I wanted to volunteer. I wanted to be available to run up a forgotten lunchbox. I wanted to be waiting for them after school with a snack to hear all about their day. I wanted to send them off without being rushed to get out the door. Call me selfish, but I wanted all the memories.

Working from home allows me to make an income for our family and have a something else that gives me passion but also allows me to be there for all the moments; big and small.

I get to be on the preschool board, volunteer in Hud's classroom, go to all the school parties. I love those memories I have stored up. I loved the excitement when I got to share in his experiences.

Hudson's Mother's Day Tea

Thanksgiving Feast

I like adventure.
Deciding to take the leap into coaching was one of the most adventurous decisions I have ever made. To take a risk and decide to put yourself out there was not in my comfort zone. I like consistency. I like predictability to a degree. I like acceptance from others.

I had no idea where this was really going to go. I have no business degree, no fitness or nutrition background. All I had was a desire in my heart to do something well, to continue to make a living doing something I loved, and to do it in the presence of my children.

That passion has led to more adventure than I could ever imagine. The friendships that have blossomed from this opportunity blow my mind.

*I've flown to Texas alone to meet a group of people I had only met through social media, save a couple of people.
*I've roomed with people I hadn't met in person {but loved immensely already!}
*I've driven to Nashville with a girlfriend.
*I've booked hotels and made traveling arrangements (something typically left to my husband).
*I drove the boys and I to visit friends 6 hours away.
*I've spoken in front of large groups.
*I've earned us free trips. {Punta Cana 2017--EEKK!!!}
*I've been challenged in my faith.
*I've dared to dream for more for my family, monetary goals aside.

Working from home, this opportunity, opened up a whole new world to me and in turn opened up a whole new {BETTER} ME.

If you asked me what my perfect working world would look like--I'm living it. To be able to feel fulfilled, driven and alive while mothering my boys.

**If you are interested in what I do, how to make working from home a reality for you, or just a chance to add to your family's income, I'd love to chat. I am currently expanding my online business and am looking for people who want to change their life!**

Modesty in the Fitness Industry

Can I be frank with you today?

When I started as a online health and fitness coach almost three years ago, I didn't know a lot.  I knew I had found something that worked for me; that I was passionate about; and that I wanted to share with others.

I also knew that I wanted to learn as much as possible about how to do this thing well because, well because I don't like to anything unless I'm good at it. How's that for truth?? I hate to fail and I like to feel like I'm accomplishing something.

As I set out to learn more about other successful people in my industry, it wasn't long before I felt a little out of place.

Who were these other women with all these followers?
What were these posts?
What does THAT have to do with health??

I quickly wondered if I had what it took to be successful. Not for lack of hard work. But because what I was seeing didn't match who I was.

I'm not a blonde bombshell.
I'm not big chested.
I don't pose baring it all (or at least, darn close to it all.)
I'm not provocative. (Nor do I want to be!)

Disclaimer: Not all women in this industry are like I am describing above. Three years later, I have mentors and people I look up to that are a direct opposition of what I am mentioning. This is just about what I was overwhelmed with in the beginning (and something that is still pretty prevalent.) 

Let me be clear. I am a health and fitness coach.  I take progress photos. I like to see the changes in my body.  I like to feel confident in my clothes. I like to feel confident in a bathing suit. I want other women to learn to love their bodies, embrace confidence in who God created them to be and to live a life that is healthy and full and active.

I am confident that I can do that, and be WILDLY SUCCESSFUL, and still be modest.

I am a wife, mother, Christian.
I can show you my progress without showing off my body provocatively.
I can build an empire without selling out.
I can help other women by showing them heart.
I can change lives.

And you can too! What if we banded together to change the face of what success in this industry looks like? What if more women had this mindset? What if we made health and fitness about health and fitness and not sex appeal??

It's part of my mission these days.
Yes, change lives.
But to revolutionize how we portray it.

Bucket Fillers

When I was a teacher, we talked a lot about the importance of being a bucket filler.  You know--about doing and acting in a way that would positively impact those we came in contact with.  Those actions didn't have to be big but they were so crucial in making our world better.  Giving a smile, a kind word, making eye contact and listening whole-heartedly, giving a compliment.  This was an important part of my role as a teacher.  I wanted to not only teach my kids in subject area but in LIFE!

This past weekend my bucket was so full it was overflowing! If the bucket were real, I would not have been able to carry it around it was so filled in every sense imaginable.  

Let me back up. Last Thursday, after moving into our new home on Monday and madly unpacking home contents and madly packing suitcase contents, I flew to Dallas for leadership training for work.  I knew I was going to be surrounded by amazing people, learning from inspiring leaders, and training with top coaches and instructors.  I was excited.  I was ready.  I was NERVOUS!

You see, I was going to this conference, meeting people from my amazing team, but actually, finally meeting them in person.  Out of the large group that was attending, I had only met three {THREE!!!} in person.  And of those three, I only really knew one.  I had lots of doubts and insecurities.  I mean, yeah we were cool online and I considered them friends but what if we didn't click? What if it wasn't the same in person? Can you relate? Have you ever been in that kind of situation?

I arrived on Thursday, nervous and cautiously excited, to find out that the ONE person I knew wasn't going to be able to make it into Dallas until Friday afternoon! "WHAT?? What now?" is what raced through my mind.  I literally did not have a clue what my afternoon and evening would look like.  But I stepped outside of my comfort zone, messaged a fellow coach I knew was already there and met up with her and some of her coaches. 

I  mean look at the hotel.  It was even intimidating! 

And y'all, that night, I met some of my best friends.  Seriously.  Within minutes, I was laughing harder than I had laughed in awhile.  I was sharing about my life and learning about theirs.  We were open and honest and all my insecurities left and my guard was completely down.  

PiYo Live with Chalene Johnson

Previewing Insanity: Max 30

The amazing thing though, is that same thing continued to happen all weekend long as I met more and more coaches from my team.  They smiled at me.  They listened.  They included.  We shared stories and meals and laughter and LIFE.  We learned together and worked out together and had a party of a time together! 

Dinner with two amazing women!

I am so grateful. What would my life be like if I hadn't gone, had I never taken the step and said YES! to this opportunity?  I can't imagine.  I am such a better person because of it; because of people like Cynthia, Brooke, Anastasia, Kristen, Stacy, and so many more who came into my life in an even bigger way last weekend.  

Do you have that in your life? Bucket fillers? Are you a bucket filler? I always strived to be but am definitely going to be even more intentional about it now! 

Need some accountability??

Happy Wednesday!

If you have checked out the pages section of this blog you will see some new info was updated! I wanted to take a minute to share with you my next accountability group- All or Nothing!

I shared with you all my August goals and one goal was to help 10 new people this month.  One of the ways I would love to help you is through this support group! I run my accountability groups through Facebook so it makes it easy to check in with you irregardless of your location! It was an accountability that started me on my journey to better health and a better life and I really just want to pay that forward.

This month I am also offering a FREE 3-Day Refresh Kit to those who purchase a challenge pack! This new product is amazing and the results people are getting, both physically but just overall well-being and how they feel, is amazing.

What about if you have a program already? Not a problem! I still want to help you! Coaching others is not just a job! It is my PASSION! So if you have a program you want to dust off and try again, this group is for you too!!

So let's set August on FIRE with our commitment to getting healthier and stronger! Who's with me??

Motivational Monday: Why can't you?

Happy Monday everyone!

This post is a bit different than my typical posts.  I really try to use this blog as a place to motivate and encourage. A place to share my journey of health and fitness. A place to share healthy eating ideas.  I want it to be helpful and inspiring.  I want to show others ways that they can achieve their goals.  And I definitely want to be available to anyone who is wanting some support, some guidance, and a friend on their journey.

Yet, I realize, I am not being 100% transparent.  I, like so many people, went through a period of trying every diet, every gimmick, starting full force with big goals and falling completely flat on my face, not getting back up to try again.  

It is obvious from any of my past posts that Shakeology and at home workouts through Beachbody became my answer.  The two factors that actually got me LASTING results when I had reached a point thinking that nothing out there would.  

But more than that, more than those products, was the people behind the products. I became a coach because I believed in the product and my results.  I knew that, in order for the results to last, for this change to become a lifestyle, that I was going to need some MAJOR accountability.  Enter in, Team Impact.  An amazing, genuine, heartfelt, passionate, crazy group of people all working towards the common goal of helping others find health and fitness.  This group of people helped me stay accountable.  I got over my fear of failing and starting sharing with others {the world wide web..ahem} my story.  

I signed up as a coach eleven  months ago.  I had hopes of helping others.  I had hopes of this lifestyle sticking.  I had {small} hopes of making some income that would allow me to find some fulfillment in my new role as a stay at home mom.  

Can I be totally honest? I got WAY more than I bargained for. I didn't just find some fulfillment.  I had my passion.  I found a calling in my heart of why I am here on Earth.  I found friendships.  I found a way to stay home with my babies, never worrying about leaving them, missing a first anything.  

Y'all--these past months have been a roller coaster! I never imagined what possibilities would open themselves up if I just opened myself up.  I have gone from coach to One Star Qualifying.  I have gone from brand new coach to coach in the top 200 of the company.  I have gone from coach to leader of my team.  

I do not boast in this.  I am nothing without my team.  Without the people who ask me for help and allow me the humbling opportunity of being a support for them.  

What I want to say--is if I can have all that happen, why can't you??

I really am serious! The one thing I have learned this past year, is that this business is for ANYONE who wants it! I have seen so many people, my own coaches included, make it work for them.  

What I am asking is, if you want to help others, if you want to get healthier, if you want to gain some financial freedom--why aren't you coaching?

I am looking for new coaches to add to my team.  I will personally mentor you to help you succeed and reach your goals.  

I almost let this opportunity slip me by.  I said no to the idea because I felt unworthy.  I felt that my story could never help someone else.  How wrong I was! Don't let that be you! I kick myself ever time I think of who I could have been helping sooner if I wouldn't have let fear stop me! 

If you are at all interested in learning more, comment with your email below, find me on Facebook, or shoot me an e-mail! 

Dream BIG

This past weekend my husband and I got to spend Saturday together.  Since moving, we don't do dates very often and hadn't had a date (out of the house) since Valentine's Day.  We were planning on shopping for the new baby that morning so my mom met us and then took our boys with her for an overnight, which meant Andrew and I had most ALL day and night together! 

If you are a parent, you can probably relate to the rarity it is to have time to have a conversation without being interrupted by your littles.  And even when you do find the time, often the conversations center around the "business" of your lives.  

Well on Saturday, without our boys, without interruptions, Andrew and I had the chance to talk.  To really talk. To get past the day to day relaying of information, catching up with what needs done, to the REAL stuff of life.  We got to talk about the things that brought us together as a couple. We got to talk about not only our present, but our future.  About what we wanted for our family, in our careers, in our marriage. I get teary-eyed even thinking about that precious time because so often we take it for granted and don't do it enough.

But Saturday we did.  As we chatted about what the next few years looked like for our family, between running errands around town, catching a movie, and indulging in sushi (what a great day, huh?) we began to dream.  We began to ask  the what ifs. We began to plan what actually could become. 

You may be wondering how this post fits here on this blog about fitness. But it fits exactly here.  Why? Well, it is BECAUSE of fitness, and finding myself and a new passion; finding my new purpose in coaching, that these dreams are possible.  

My husband, a year ago almost to the day, began a new job. It was his DREAM job.  It required so much scary change but we knew it was where God was leading us.  So we went.  From that step of faith, I got to become a stay at home mom; another dream fulfilled.  But I also didn't want to lose myself in that role.  I found coaching.  I found a team.  I found friendships and a purpose and reason to wake up in the morning bigger than just fixing waffles and laundry.  God planted a dream in my heart and fulfilled it without me even knowing to dream it! (Talk about blessing!)

Because of those actions, those leaps of faith, following our hearts--the dreams and I dream now are BIGGER than we've ever dreamed before.  Because the possibilities are bigger.  Coaching has forever changed my life and my family and our future.  How many people can say that their "job" has done that for them? 

I am so grateful every day to get up and help others with their health journey.  It is a privilege and an honor that I don't take lightly.  It fills up my soul and genuinely makes me happy.  That kind of feeling is priceless.  I have to share it.

Do you have BIG dreams? If not--can I encourage you to dream bigger? Go after dreams that seem scary and impossible and find ways to make it possible.  Surround yourself with people who tell you over and over that you can make it happen. 

So...