Summer Reflection

I wrote this blog back in the Summer of 2009, I developed an extremely successful corporate wellness program, helping employees of a local hospital drop serious weight and gain even more confidence. My individual clients and my group classes solidified my aspirations of becoming my own business owner. I love my job and consider each day training others, a HUGE blessing!

Nine months prior to all of these blessings, I was in the midst of three ankle surgeries posing a big question mark for my future. Would I ever be able to walk again? Will I be able to become a personal trainer? Will I have to have a sedentary career? All scary thoughts to a girl who previously never went a day without some kind of physical activity.

**To update those who do not know my ankle trauma. Quick recap: I had my first ankle surgery September 2008 to repair a partially torn ankle tendon. Six weeks later I was diagnosed with a Strep Infection in my ankle that would cause me to undergo two more surgeries, bedrest for two weeks, followed by several months of inactivity and extreme limited mobility. I started walking again January 2009 and participated in six weeks of physical therapy on an underwater treadmill (coolest invention ever!).**

My first 5k race was in Athens for Habitat for Humanity. The best part about it was that my mom came up to run it too! I developed a running program in January to help her reach her ultimate goal: to finish a half-marathon (in June). Although we were different paces, she also ran the second 5k, the first 10k, and the first half-marathon post-surgery with me! It meant so much to have her out there and to see her grow so much as a runner!

Jean, Lindsay, and Dad also ran the Rock N Roll Seattle Half-Marathon with us! That was an all-time high for me. What better way to spend a day with family than to push yourself farther than you ever thought possible and to have all those that you care most about right there with you to share the glory of a job well done!?

Ok now onto my journey towards leadership. This summer my true goal was to gain confidence as a leader in fitness. At the beginning of the summer I held close an immense amount of book knowledge about health and fitness. I'd been in school for 20 years, read countless running books, ran tons of races, and passed a national personal training certification test. I knew a whole lot, but had no practical experience. I had spent the last nine months getting myself healthy so that I could, in turn, teach others how to pursue a healthy and active lifestyle. Through teaching others about exercise, I gained so much more than confidence this summer. Through new-formed friendships I found pure insight, strength, and happiness!

I plan to keep in touch with my bootcampers and their progress into the fall! I will work on posting different challenges for y'all, as well as dates I'll be coming home to do some drop-in bootcamps! This summer marked the most precious of moments to be remembered. I love y'all and thank you for all the life lessons you taught me!