Since starting this fitness coaching journey, I have heard so many amazing stories from people who have overcome far more than fitness struggles. People with eating disorders, drug addictions, depression, insecurities, and deep emotional scars. So many people start out with fitness programs or in challenge groups thinking that they just want or need to get in better shape, only to learn that their true struggle is much, much deeper. Sometimes they don’t realize it until they come to a place of  overcoming whatever their real struggle was, and it is so incredibly beautiful. 

I guess when you immerse yourself in people who want nothing more than to see each other reach their greatest potential, who do nothing but lift each other up and encourage each other on their own journeys, glorious things rise from that type of immersion. Someone in my team’s challenge group posted tonight that she just experienced an emotional breakdown because she realized that she no longer feels shame when she looks in the mirror. And not because of some newfound vein body image. She has come to a place of accepting herself, of letting go of her insecurities and embracing the person that she is. And THAT is absolutely incredible and brings tears to my eyes. 

Body shaming is something that people are often most guilty of doing to themselves. And to look in the mirror and think nothing but insults is ultimately an insult to our Creator. It breaks us down mentally and emotionally in ways we don’t even realize. And there is such a connection between our physical, spiritual, and emotional health. Each one affects the others. When you feed insults into any area of your life, you are placing limitations on yourself and the potential that God has for your life. We all have room for improvement, but shaming yourself won’t bring any positive results. It will only stop you from trying. 

I heard a song on the radio today that I haven’t been able to stop listening to. It’s called “Tell Your Heart to Beat Again” by Danny Gokey. Tell your heart to beat again. Step into the light of grace. I love those lines from the song, because we can miss how much of our life and circumstances are really a result of our own choices. God’s grace is always there, there’s never a question of whether or not it’s available. But we need to take the step into the light, the choice is up to us. Make the choice, and find the beauty in your journey. Wherever you are, whatever your circumstances, you are only in the middle of your journey. Which direction you go each day is up to you. Your story is still a work in progress… don’t let it be written without your input.

I feel like my heart could burst out of my chest thinking about all of this. My heart’s desire is to see people find hope, to overcome their struggles, to realize their potential as God’s creation, and to go after finding their purpose with everything in them. So what started as fitness coaching has blossomed into something so much more than I could have ever imagined. And it’s by far one of the best choices I have ever made.