I did it... now what?

I did it...  


I passed three highly respected certifications in fields of Sports Performance and Nutrition. I now hold the titles of CSCS, USAW-L1, and PN1.


...all within 10 weeks of each other.  


Of course, I thought I could get them done within 3 weeks of each other.  (A perfect example of my tendency to think I am super woman.)



It has been two weeks now since I passed my last exam.  I’m just starting to get out of “study mode” and adjust to reality.  This week I found myself back at the coffee shop I'd been studying in the last several weeks. This time I was rereading my blog posts from October 2014 to February 2015. I remember receiving private messages about how helpful my posts were to some of you. Your feedback was very helpful to me. Sharing the information (as I was implementing it) helped me not feel alone in the journey.


I went through an incredible period of growth over the last 6 months.  This growth went beyond just passing exams.  It also included major shifts in my social life, relationships, “happy hours”, and reclaiming the athlete I’d lost. But much of this change is a result of shifts I have made over the last three years.  I finally managed to align my beliefs of who I wanted to be, to who I actually am on a daily basis. The last 6 months have been where I have gotten to visibly see all my hard work pay off. The result has been an overwhelming sense of calm and peace.



This is why I share my journey with you.


You can have control over yourself.


You can become who it is you know you are.


You can become the strongest version of you.


You can develop the self-discipline required to keep going towards your goal, even when you do not feel motivated...even when the cards are stacked against you.


I wake up every morning with an energy that is driven by a deep sense of purpose.  I have heard over and over that I am “lucky”.  I don’t know if it is luck...it may just be stubbornness. Or maybe it is a gift.  But I do not think that this is unique to me.  I strongly believe it can be cultivated in anyone.  We don’t listen to our hearts and desires anymore.  We let life take over. We let other people take over our schedule.  We work ourselves to death out of fear.   We give in to what is easy, instead of what is meaningful.


If I can reclaim my life and my schedule, I know you can too.


I have been fielding many questions on what I am going to do next.  The answer is a bit complex and tricky.  I know where I am going, but I do not know exactly how I will get there. I have a verse I have been living by for the last several years. “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)


Life seems to work in a ripple effect. What ever I give time and energy to in the present creates an outward effect on my future and people around me.   I have learned the best thing to do is to hold onto the goal or dream...but to focus solely on how I can make best use of today.  I have also learned to “manage my energy”.  This requires periods of rest, and taking purposeful moments in my day to slow down, breathe, and release tension and anxiety.  Many times it means taking a nap. It almost always means keeping open times in my schedule to “do nothing”.



So where am I going next?  

Nowhere… I am staying put.

I am currently the Fitness Center Director for the Sulgrave Regency on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Mo.  Over the last 9 months I have shifted my position from one where I just “managed” the facility, to launching a complimentary Wellness Coaching program for the residents.  I could just keep the facility tidy and wash and fold the gym towels.  But that would be a gross disservice to the residents and a waste of my time.  


Nearly 40 residents have had a basic program design, and now 5 are enrolled in my Wellness Coaching program. The official program launch is next week.  It has been great to be able to impact this many people over the last few months. I am very blessed to have a full time position that allows me to truly impact people's lives, while in their own home.  Implementing this new program will also give validity to my methods as a trainer, and boost the effectiveness of my programs for the public.



What does this mean for Mai Trainer, LLC?

I will be spending the next few months putting together the essentials for a business, that will fit with my current availability and support my role as a mother.  


My current projects (for you) are a free ebook, that anyone can use to start a permanent and lasting change towards healthy eating and exercise.  I am also working to strengthen my free “Workout of the Month” program.  My goal is for these free resources to be a valuable tool for anyone without the budget for a personal trainer, who wants a sound program that works.


I am also putting together a service package for in home personal training clients, who are willing to dedicate the time and financial resources for a 12- 24 week in depth lifestyle change. This is still in it’s planning stages, and will only be available to 3-4 people at a time.  


The last project I’m developing, is a online based training system, that would make my 12-24 week training programs more affordable and accessible to a greater number of people. In addition to a complete workout program, it  will include habit change and nutritional guides.  


For the rest of the spring and summer you will see my blog come back weekly.  I will also be posting regularly on Facebook, and getting a handle on how to best use Pinterest and Youtube for Mai Trainer.  My hope is to use the rest of 2015 to fully develop the programs I’ll be using for 2016.


Thank you for all of the love and support!  


I’ll be back next week with a new blog series :).