Fear. 

It is such a small word...it's only 4 letters. Yet it can have HUGE impacts on our lives.

I used to let fear run my life. Yes...run it. I was so AFRAID of so much. 

I was afraid of failure. I was afraid of looking stupid. I was afraid of standing out. I was just afraid. 

I look back and just want to smack myself. I mean...seriously. What kind of life does one have being AFRAID of everything? I can tell you...because I lived it. It wasn't very exciting. Or fun. I didn't do too many new things...and I didn't take too many risks. I was kinda sorta... Boring. 

And it didn't change overnight. I didn't miraculously wake up one morning and proclaim that I wasn't afraid anymore. It took a couple years, a few heartbreaking experiences, and a trip around the world to realize how insanely BORED I was! 

Yep - it took traveling to Kuwait for 6 months to really start to grow and change and break out of my comfort zone. I'd been pretty unhappy in my job up to that trip and while I was TERRIFIED of traveling across the world to a completely different culture than I'd ever been in, I was desperate for something different...to get out of the miserable situation I'd found myself in. 

And let me just tell you. That was one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life. I learned so much about myself in those 6 months, about what I wanted in life and how I was limiting myself with my fear of everything, and that where I currently was, was not my final destination. When I got home, it only became more clear that I desperately had to make some changes. 

Again, it didn't happen overnight. It was a series of small changes, little baby steps that eventually led me to where I wanted to be. It takes a lot of courage to step outside of what you've known your whole life. It takes a lot of courage to move away from "home" and the safety net of your mom (or parents). But that...well, that was the first step to my growth and getting to where I wanted to be! 

I look back on my journey and realize how much I've grown...how much I've learned. And how every little twist and turn has led me exactly where I am today. And I know my journey isn't over yet. I'm always changing and growing and realizing there is still so much more out there! 

So...I'm here to ask you. What are you afraid of? Because there really isn't anything to fear, except for maybe FEAR itself. Because fear will hold you in the exact same place, day after day, month after month, year after year. And I don't know about you, but I was so tired of being in the Exact. Same. Place. 

Don't be afraid of life, my friends. Because life is MEANT to be lived! With all the twists and turns, with the failures and successes, with the heartbreaks and experiences. That is what will truly shape you and help you grow. Don't be afraid to EXPERIENCE life for all it has to offer! 

Take me for instance, right now. I am in Japan writing this to you. I had never traveled to another country by myself (outside of a work thing) to meet up with a friend I didn't really know that well. Yes, I was afraid to say yes and to make the trip. But I was also afraid of sitting at home and missing out on what could be a once in a lifetime trip. 

Things don't always go as planned, but I can tell you that being here, this experience, is exactly what I needed after a year that has turned my world upside down. I needed a reset button...a fun experience and trip to help me refocus and get back on track. And to continue kicking fear to the curb! 

So what do you say? Are you ready to start making those small changes, taking those baby steps? What can I do to help you on your journey? Because I know it's always easier when you have someone helping you along! 

I hope you all have a beautiful week! Enjoy your journey, don't let FEAR stop you in your tracks, and fully embrace exactly where you are, right now! 

With love and wellness,
​Whitney

Where do you want to be in 6 months? What do you want your life to look like? Because let me tell you how true this statement is. In 6 months, you can either be in the same place or a better place...here's the thing though. It is solely, 100% up to you. 

What you do today, tomorrow, and the next day...every day, really...will either help improve your future, or it will keep you exactly where you are.

Most people spend their lives complaining about their circumstances, their lack of [fill in the blank], or whatever it is they want (or don't want) in their lives. Yet, most people don't (or won't) do what it takes to get them out of said circumstances or to get what they want. 

So I'll ask it again...where do you want to be in 6 months? But more importantly, what are you willing to DO to make the changes necessary to get to where you want to be?

Now that question...well, that question is far more important. 

You can sit in the same place, complaining and wondering when life will hand you exactly what you want. Or you can get up and make the changes so you get exactly where you want to go.

And don't get me wrong...I'm not saying it's going to be easy. And I'm not saying you won't hit road blocks along the way. But it will 100% be worth it. 

So work on yourself every day. Your health, your wealth, your happiness. It will take time. And it will take effort. But you CAN make it happen! 

And today? Well today starts my journey to making some big changes. I leave this afternoon to head to Japan. My first of many journeys...and I am so excited. I am certainly not the same person I was 6 months ago. And I know I won't be the same person 6 months from now. 

I know that getting where I want to be will take work and it may be uncomfortable, but I am willing to do the work. I don't want to be in the same place anymore...I want to be in a better place. A much better place.

So here we go. Time to start focusing on the important things in my life...time to make the necessary changes to get me to a better place. 

So how about you? Are you ready? If so, let's do this! Let's be on this journey together! 

Have a beautiful week! And keep an eye out for pictures from my travels! 

With love and wellness,
​Whitney

So if you've followed me for any length of time, you know that I have moved. A lot. Like...a lot, a lot. 

I can't even remember all the places I've lived or the timeframe I've lived there. Let's just say it makes for applying for anything extremely interesting. The best part is having to explain why I've moved 8,000 times [please note the sarcasm].

But...this next move? Let's just say I signed a year lease and I don't plan on breaking it. I am ready to have some roots and be settled for more than a couple months at a time. 

Moving is stressful. Finding a place to live is stressful. Finding people to help move is stressful. Changing all your addresses at the million places you have to is stressful. I mean...you get my point, right? 

However, the one thing that has truly helped me in all of this is the power of prayer. I know when I am not leaning on God because my anxiety goes through the roof. I start stressing and playing the "what if" game. And I end up snapping at people, when it has nothing to do with them. 

So this past week, when I was feeling down and super depressed, I allowed myself to turn inward and really focus on prayer and reading my bible. I knew that I was in a situation I couldn't control, so instead of allowing my anxiety to run out of control, I prayed. And I prayed. And then I prayed again.

God truly does answer prayers, even when you don't think He's listening or when you think all else has failed. 

And I'll be the first to admit - I am not the best at remembering to lean on God and to focus on prayer first. I kind of get in my own head and think I can control the situations and handle it on my own. I often need the reminder, either from other people or a knock to my head, to get me back on track. And boy, is it insane how God works! 

So, for those of you who pray, say a few for me for a safe and quick move on Tuesday. It will hopefully be my last move for a long while. 

Have a beautiful week! And keep following cuz next week I leave for Japan! My adventures are just starting!! 

With love and wellness, 
​Whitney

So we're one week into 2018 and I want to know...how are you doing with your resolutions? 

So far, I have read my Bible and my January book every night, I've done some awesome trainings and pushed myself out of my comfort zone in my business, and I've changed my morning routine so the first thing I do isn't grab my phone and surf social media (anyone else guilty of this?!). 

I know it won't happen overnight, but these are changes I hope to implement and continue well into 2018. I have three books already set aside for the next few months, so I have no excuses!!

And I know...I get it. Change isn't easy. It can be downright scary. But it is also so worth it. 

So let's hear it...how are you doing? Leave me a comment or message me, because I'd love to know! 

Okay - so now that that's out of the way...let's talk comfort zones. Where is yours? Where have you been sitting in your comfort zone? 

I had a very large comfort zone. For a long time. And it took me even longer to gain the courage to leave it. 

Now, to be clear, I didn't know that I was sitting pretty in the center of my comfort zone. All I knew was that I was unhappy at where I was in life. And I didn't know how to change it. 

I'd worked for the government since I graduated college. It was all I'd ever known. My mom worked for the government and my step-dad was in the military (aka, government). It was a solid government job with great benefits and pretty darn good pay. And some parts of the job were amazing. 

However (there's always a however, LOL), something just wasn't right. I found any reason to avoid going to work - as in, I called in sick, often, and I worked from home or from another office of a fellow agency. And when I was off work, it was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I was happier and I felt lighter. I could 100% feel the difference. I dreaded the day when I had to go back to work. 

Somewhere along my journey, I started questioning the status quo. I started questioning my comfort zone. Because you see, I was no longer comfortable there. I was downright miserable. 

And it took me awhile...about 2 years, really, to find the courage to make the ultimate move. With just under 12 years of government service, I walked away. I quit my job. 

And while it was terrifying, it was also so freeing. I had no idea what my future would hold, but I knew that without making that huge change, nothing would actually change. 

Remember...nothing changes if nothing changes. 

So what comfort zone have you been stuck in? Where have you been unhappy or unsettled? Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not telling you to quit your job or do something drastic without a plan in place, but knowing there is something amiss is half the battle! And yes, I had a plan in place when I walked away, but much like anything, plans changed and I am in a different place than I originally intended. A MUCH better place, I may add! 

So I challenge you...find the magic. Get out of your comfort zone. Even if it's just one toe dipping outside of the bubble. 

Have a beautiful week! 

With love and wellness,
​Whitney

So here we are, the first day of 2018. This is the time when everyone says they are going to start fresh. New beginnings. New resolutions. It's that time when everything is going to change.

And voila! This year, the first falls on a Monday! Even better!! Everyone loves starting on a Monday!

And everything starts out great! People make big plans, write down their goals, and resolve to make these changes permanent. 

A few weeks into the new year and people start reverting back to where they were at the beginning of the year. It's easy to fall back into old routines. Old patterns. Old habits. 

A few weeks later and we're well into February and people start forgetting their resolutions. It's like nothing even happened with a new year. Our resolutions got too hard or too much or too scary (fill in the blank with whatever word you want here).

People accept that "this" is just how they are (whatever this is for them). 

And you know something? This is how we are all year round. We say we are going to start the next Monday or at the beginning of the next month or at the beginning of the year. It becomes this cyclical pattern of "starting over." 

In reality, this is just another failure...another way we settle for less than we deserve, in whatever it is. And much like my last post, I'll be the first to admit that I have failed at a lot of resolutions. In fact, there are probably many years I didn't even set resolutions because I knew I wouldn't hold myself accountable to them. 

But this year, I resolve to do things differently. To do things better. Because I REFUSE to continue to settle for anything less than I deserve. I refuse to continue to accept failure as an option. 

So here I am, making my resolutions in a very public forum. I'd like you all to know what I'm resolving to do this year and to help hold me accountable. And I'd love to know yours, as well! I'm a firm believer in accountability partners and helping each other meet, achieve, and far surpass our goals! 

So here are mine: 

1) First and foremost, I want to continue to grow my relationship with God. I want to find the right church for me, a bible study group that I am committed to attending, and to continue reading the Bible on a daily basis. 

2) Second, I am fully committing myself to my business and it's growth, including my business partners. I resolve to help my team grow and to help change their lives (however that looks for them). 

3) Third, I want to continue to grow on a personal level. I resolve to read one book a month that will help with personal growth so I don't remain stagnant in life (who wants that?). And luckily, I have my first book for January called The Obstacle is the Way (thanks Jeff!). 

4) Last, I want to continue to grow and expand as a Crossfit coach, as well. I want to continue to improve my coaching skills so that I can continue to help and improve the athletes of our gym. 

So there you go. Mine really speak to me and make me feel pretty darn amazing about 2018. I know that big change requires big change, and that can be scary. But I also know that staying in the same place is not a good place to be. I have zero desire to wake up in a year and be in the exact same place as I am now. 

What about you? I'd love to hear yours in the comments and to help hold you accountability to reaching those goals!

So here we go!! Happy New Year! May 2018 be your best year yet! 

Have a beautiful first week of 2018! 

With love and wellness,
Whitney