Dear Mom of "THAT KID" --- I get you. You get me. I am walking a lot of miles in your shoes. We question ourselves and wondering if our kid is out of their mind because somehow other moms got the secret memo, "how to raise perfect children" and they never shared the message with us. What a shame.
So the kid in class who hits, throws, kicks, spits... the politically correct way of saying, "Your child was a bit wild today." We all know what that means. lol I am here to tell you that you are awesome. Since you love your child, feed your child, cloth your child and discipline your child.. you are a great mom!! A GREAT MOM. I don't judge you. I don't blame you for your kiddo acting like a strong-independent-confident terd. I love them too. I wish I could give you a hug. I know 6 out of the 7 days a week, we are on the brink of tears. We wonder, "is it this hard for everyone else? or am I just really doing everything wrong?" You aren't my dear strong momma. You need an extra dose of grace. Hear it from a momma who's son has been kicked out of every {EVERY} school, church nursery, gym child care, YMCA summer camps classroom. Every single one. And I would cry all day long after each teacher told me he was just not ready or the right fit there. Finally, we looked for answers. We know he is awesome. And we also know he has social and developmental delays that affect his behavior in a classroom setting. We aren't oblivious. But I finally realized he is unique and exactly how God made him. I am not ashamed of him. I am proud of him and I do have very high expectations for my spitfire son.
Eventually, we took the steps to get him evaluated for an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) with the local Special Education program. He was eligible for an IEP and would receive certain accommodations to help him in the classroom. He is 4 years old and we have a big road a head of us... but we feel confident we are on the right path. For those who are feeling alone, you aren't. You can be your child'd advocate. Learn more about our journey with his IEP in this video. Remember, you are doing your best. Give yourself some grace. Take a deep breath. God gave you your kiddo for a reason. He knew you would be strong enough to raise them up to be leaders. Capeesh?
I will leave you with this. Don't lose heart. Galatians 6:9:
"Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary."
If you have "THAT KID" --- watch this video and see if we relate!! I'd love to connect to chat more about what we've done to help him thrive (and for us to remain sane & strong)
This FOR REAL has got me on the edge of my seat. It makes my job as a Beachbody Coach so easy when I can motivate people to take solid steps towards living a healthier lifestyle.
Beachbody is betting $1 million dollars that you and your customers will fall in love with getting healthy. During teh Challenge period (September 5th - October 2nd), Coaches and customers who meet the below requirements will win an equal share of a $1 million dollar pot seeded by Beachbody!
As a BONUS -- for every Challenge Pack sold from July 27th - August 31st, Beachbody will add $5 to the $1 million dollars, UP TO $3 MILLION DOLLARS!!
Let me repeat : During the month of September, if you join this Beachbody Health Bet Challenge, you will earn piece of a potential $3 million dollar pot!!
THREE MILLION DOLLARS!!
Just for fun, let's assume that 25,000 people participate in the Beachody Health Bet Challenge. And because typically 2% of people do what they say they will do ... let's UP that percentage to 10% because there is monetary motivation.
So what if 10% of the hypothetical 25,000 people actually meet the requirements... and each of those people earn an equal share of a $3 million dollar pot.
I'll do the math (you're welcome).
10% of 25,000 people = 2,500 people
$3 million split between 2,500 people = $1,200
WHAT???
What would you do with an extra $1,200???
This is unreal???
What are the requirements?
REQUIREMENT #1: You gotta join my Health Bet Challenge (starts September 6th) REQUIREMENT #2:
You gotta commit to eating healthy. And a way we will measure a portion of this committment is by your committed to add Shakeology to your nutrition plan. You must drink Shakeology (and track it in our group with a selfie) at least 5 days a week.
REQUIREMENT #3: You gotta commit to working out at least 3 times a week & log it in our group.
That's it!!
SUMMARY:
Join my Health Bet Challenge Group
Drink Shakeology 5 days a week
Workout 3 days a week
Then win a part of the Health Bet!
You gotta do this. Seriously, you'd be a crazy person if you chose NOT to take advantage of this fun.
I will tell you all about it and walk you through the steps to sign up - it's easy breezy.
Fill out my Challenge Group application below and you will hear from me ASAP because I know this is very important to you (as it is to me too).
(Here is a video summary of what the Health Bet Challenge is...)
I reserve that intimacy for my $1 composition notebook. But God is stirring new things in my heart and the only way I can continue in my day is to somehow articulate them... and perhaps process them as I share...
This blog won't be entertaining. It will be a magnifying glass into all my flaws. Who I am. What I'm after. Where I've come. And the steps I take daily to overcome my giants.
There are a million other things I should be doing right now. I run an online health & fitness business from my home. My oldest son is in school right now and I put pressure on myself to conquer the world between the hours of 8am - 3pm. But I am frozen and I can't get my head on straight until I word vomit this out. I don't think I can operate as usual today until I let God do his thing.
Have you ever felt that way? One of those, "OK - I must STOP & LISTEN."
Take that as a much needed #liveslow moment. "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
MOMENT OF TRUTH:
I feel like I've messed up a lot of people. Unintentionally.
When I started my own business, I had a simple goal of earning enough to be able to quit my full-time job. Then after that happened (sooner than I expected), I kept pedaling my wheels because of my husband's belief in me and our desire to do something big with our lives. He wanted me to use my gifts and always encouraged me to be all that I could be... But that was the thing -- What if I failed? What is I disappointed everyone? What if everyone has inflated expectations of me because... let's be honest....
I spoke big game.
Then all of a sudden my business took off. It really started to blossom. The women I was mentoring started experiencing positive changes and success as well. That excited me and equally intimidated me. Do I let them know I felt like a hot mess 50% of the time? What do leaders do when they have to lead other leaders? How real & vulnerable could I allow myself to get? Do I act strong 100% of the time? If I stumbled and acted human, would they think I was a hypocrite? Would I lose all credibility?
What if sometimes I needed to yell, cry, scream and have my whine and cheese?? I quickly buried those temptations. I pulled my shoulders back & put on my big girl panties.
This idea of being a strong flawless #GIRLBOSS indoctrinated me.
And the result? I lost some good friends. I take responsibility for the pressure I put on them to perform, succeed, be at the top, impress, cover their insecurities.... and although those are not BAD pieces of advice... it was derived from me simply not knowing how to be a good leader.
Actually, I was a good leader. But I wasn't a GREAT leader yet. There is a Grand Canyon difference.
I was overcoming my giants by working more, playing less, smothering excuses and having zero tolerance for whining. I have a natural FIGHTER personality. I won't let anyone - ANYONE - tell me I am too young, little, inexperienced, or immature to rise to the occasion.
Albeit, some of those accusations may ring true (as a matter of fact, I HAVE been too inexperienced & too immature at times and my business suffered because of it...That is a part of being human and being a new business owner. Learning from your dumb mistakes is a good thing.) but I am still a fighter. I am Laura. I am still the spunky, driven, relentless girl God created.
"Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come." 1 Timothy 4:8
You want to know when my insecurities got turned up 100 notches? When I was no longer a big fish in a little pond. I was a little fish in the big ocean. My team had earned their way becoming a TOP TEAM in our company. And then I looked around at all the other inspiring, seemingly put-together leaders and felt out of place.
I got distracted. And instead of continuing to do the actions that GOT US to the big ocean... I started hitting autopilot so I could keep the plates spinning.
I had personal issues come up with my son and his behavior at school. I had a newborn baby. I had retired my husband and we were in constant debate about discovering how he could use to HIS GIFTS fulfill our family goals as well.
It got me dizzy.
So I got in #GIRLBOSS mode and push the pedal to the medal. My emotions were maxed out because I was using all my gentleness & empathy to problem solve with my family. And all I had left was little patience for women on my team who whined that their deserved success hadn't come fast enough.
I had little patience.
In those moments, I was not allowing God to be my strength. I was scrapping the bottom of the barrel and it's to NO surprise that I came up short-handed and had little wisdom and leadership to offer these customers or coaches in need.
I've lost some night's sleep feeling uneasy that I did not allow God to speak through me to help those who trusted me to lead them.
However, I've recently realized ---
God already knew this would happen... and he let it happen.
And maybe it was to bring this to the surface.
Hard truth: I am NOT enough. I am NOT good enough. And I cannot DO ENOUGH to feel satisfied.
As a matter of fact, if it weren't for Jesus dying for me on the cross, I wouldn't even know what good was. Because I am broken. I am prideful. I am easily distracted. And all goodness that comes from my life or lips, it is all because of the goodness God intentionally placed in me.
"When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be a peace with him."
Proverbs 16:7
SUMMARY ::
I told you this post would be different. It was not a "how to" or "my top tips" -- and some may think this was a bad business move to openly talk about my faith & my failures. But my #1 priority is to help the coaches on my team be their best. And until I talk about un-talked topics... they may hide in fear like I did.
I am sure some of them are pretending to have it all together. When we both know nothing good will come from ignoring personal issues you need to work out...
I want each coach on my team to work on themselves. Let God prune you. Teach you. Forgive you. Then use that new mojo to build your business on a solid foundation so it won't implode in the future.
Fix it before things crumble.
There is no such thing as perfect, my friend. We will all learn & grow. There is nothing more on this earth that I want more than to provide a safe place for people to feel loved, supported and totally comfortable being themselves.
"Let us not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time, we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up." Galatians 6:9
I've been able to accomplish that through building a Beachbody Coach business. It's been absolutely incredible (in the best & worst of ways). It's given me a clear outlet to use my gifts, fulfill my passion & to pursue my dreams..... and it's expedited some much needed pruning so I am better every day.
God wants to use me. He wants to use you. He wants to make you stronger, better, wiser and to fall more madly deeply in love with him and his provision. If you are willing, he will prune you so you can be your best.
Do you need to forgive yourself for something? For portraying a false image of yourself? For cutting corners? For getting frustrated about your results? For complaining or comparing? For putting down or being lazy? For not following through to your word? For hiding from your friends because you are embarrassed?
Just be you.
I forgive you. I know what it's like to make mistakes and reap the consequences. Somethings we cannot control. Sometimes we must just stand up after getting knocked down - and let God be our new strength.
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Thanks for letting me share. I was right. This was enlightening.
I'd love to hear from you. Talk to me about what you're thinking what you need to get over in order to be your best. Share this to your wall or with others if it helped you.
Shoot me a message on Facebook real quick, I am a good listener and I will pray for you. xoxo
I want to share with you exactly what I do as a Beachbody Coach, how I do it and why I’ve never been more proud to represent a company and team.
The One Thing That Made Me Realize It Was Time To Change
Let’s rewind to 2009, I remember it like it was yesterday. I was working in corporate America for a company which was very well known and very prestigious.
I was the youngest marketing director the company had ever advanced - which was a real honor. Although in the midst of it seeming like I had it all together and that I should’ve been so happy, I was sitting there miserable.
I was traveling away from home 75% of the time, living on airplanes, in hotel rooms and working in a medical industry that I didn't know. I felt weird, I didn't feel like me and I was losing myself. I was physically getting sick and I struggled with so many health issues because I was so stressed out. I had adult acne, PCOS, IBS, heart palpitations and I was one of those weird cases that got swine flu.
I knew something had to change, but instead, I just buckled my seatbelt and said: “This is what life is right?” So I ended up staying in that job for five years...
I don't know where you are in life right now, but if you’re thinking… “I just don't feel like I'm using my strengths or skills and I don’t feel appreciated. Or, I really want to contribute to something bigger than me.”
I was so hungry for that, I needed that. Then, in 2011 I got pregnant and that changed everything. No longer was I thinking I can just suck it up buttercup and do this job, climb the corporate ladder and be all go go go. Instead, I was living for this little child inside of me.
So I started searching for jobs - I was seemingly successful and felt good about my skills. I had a college degree, a masters degree and I’d climbed the corporate ladder. But even though I applied for hundreds of jobs, I got none of them, nothing.
Then, I thought, I’m a failure, I’m not worth anything, I suck at everything, I'm so unhappy and I'm spiraling down, by 2013, I had reached the end of my rope. I was tired, exhausted and living in a new town I didn't know, trying to please everyone else and losing myself.
Then, a friend said to me: “Hey I know you're stressed, I have this detox group I'm starting, would you want to join me?” And I thought yes, I need to detox my life! I need to start fresh and find myself, start working out again because I am out of it. I need to feel good about myself again.
I didn't know it yet, but this would be the very beginning of my amazing journey as a Beachbody Coach.
Once I was introduced to an amazing product that transformed my health from the inside out I knew that Beachbody was for me.
That amazing product was Shakeology - a Beachbody shake that’s dense with superfood nutrition. This is not a claim, but for me personally, many of the health issues I’d my entire life could be fixed through proper nutrition and that’s where Shakeology helped me.
I started out with a challenge pack that included a fitness program and Shakeology and after working out and fixing my nutrition this idea of being a Beachbody Coach was a no-brainer.
So What Exactly Is Beachbody & Why Is It So Great?
To me, Beachbody is a company that allows customers to get a kickback when they refer other people to use their products. It’s a company full of leaders who have been there from the beginning. The integrity, passion, character, consistency, quality service and products are amazing.
A Beachbody Coach is a customer who uses the products and says “Yes, I want to build a business by telling people about the Beachbody community and how they can use the products and programs to lose weight.”
As a Beachbody Coach, you can make it a side job, full-time job or something that could create a fortune for your family.
I always get asked, but what exactly do you do as a Beachbody Coach? Simple, I work on my own transformation. That’s both my physical and internal transformation of my confidence and having a real purpose to work towards. It’s literally my job and my privilege to invite my others to join my journey and inspire them to start their own.
Then, they inspire a few others, who then inspire a few others, you get it right? It’s a pay it forward business and the only way that you succeed is by lifting up other people. That’s how easy it is - I’m not even kidding.
What Support Is There For Coaches?
We start challenge groups every month, which is basically an online accountability group where anyone can start their own fitness and health transformation, then that compounds.
When you get started as a Beachbody Coach there are so many resources to help you succeed. We have weekly team calls, one on one, group training, social media training, video training, manuals, blogs, learning preference, retreats - you name it.
As a coach you get access to amazing peer support and become part of a community. There're team pages you’ll be added to so if you feel like you need to throw in the towel there’s a whole community looking out for you.
You're set up with a success partner and you get a phone call from your sponsor and you can run as slow or fast as you want.
In the fitness aspect we have world class fitness programs that we commit to and keep each other accountable for and this is our family. Each Beachbody coach can that grows their business can create a team and community that you can name whatever you want. For me, Moxie came into my heart, it means the ability to face challenges with spirit and courage.
I'm honored to be the founder of Moxie and work with the thousand coaches we have in our team. We have this new hashtag #wearemoxie because we are a family and the community is incredible, our motto that we live by is to love fast, live slow.
So How Can You Become A Beachbody Coach & How Much Does It Cost?
If you sign up with a Challenge Pack it’s free to become a Beachbody Coach, otherwise, it costs just $40 initially and $15 after that.
Now some people say oh $40 that's a lot. Are you kidding me? To start a business from your home online?
I know this can be a big investment for some, but if you think about the costs of starting a traditional business or franchise, which can be anywhere from $10,000 - $200,000 to me it’s a no-brainer because of the benefits you’ll get.
The risk in only spending $40 is that many people treat Beachbody like a hobby and therefore it pays like a hobby because they don't even put the work into it.
This opportunity is tremendous value but you have to treat it like a business in order for it to gain and build a business.
Beachbody is already a successful brand and spends $150mil on mainstream marketing to create brand recognition and they continually develop new programs and products. You might have heard of P90X, Insanity, 21-Day Fix or Country Heat.
The best thing with coaching is the fact it’s your business. You create your brand, mission, and vision. I love the fact that I can talk about my family, passion and faith openly and I don't have to be politically correct.
What we do is far beyond us, because with every challenge pack sold a portion of that money is donated to a number of fantastic charities. In the past two years, the entire network of Beachbody Coaches have raised over four million dollars for charity.
If you want something out of your life, this is a way to get it.
You can get started by purchasing a challenge pack which includes: a fitness program of your choice, Shakeology for a month, free trial of Beachbody on demand (live streamed programs), joining our upcoming challenge group and you don’t have to pay the $40 coach sign up fee.
All of this is only $140 and everything is money back guaranteed. If you don't think it's your cup of tea, if you hate it - there's no risk.
When I signed up as a coach I did not buy a challenge pack. I bought everything separate and ending up spending more than I should have so you have to make the most of this deal.
There're three different types of coaches in my opinion:
Discount Coaches
A discount coach is someone who says, “I don't want to share this with anybody, I don't want to talk to anyone about it or tell anybody what I'm doing but I just want a discount.” Just for becoming a Beachbody Coach you save 25% on everything.
Hobby Coaches
A hobby coach is someone who says, “I'm not really going to talk to anybody about it, but if somebody asks I'll tell them more.” This is for those who want to do this on the side - no big deal.
Business Builder
A business builder is somebody who says, “I like this, I like the results I'm seeing and I really like this team. I really feel like I could be a part of something big and reach goals. I really want to start a team, have a community and inspire other people.”
You choose what works for you. This is a place to dream big and to live your best life.
I went all because of the results I was having personally it was so easy for me to say yes I recommend it and I will proudly represent this company. I had no idea, it would be such a strong help to my finances and my family.
I'm not going to end this post without being very transparent and bold about my income. As a disclaimer, Beachbody does not guarantee any level of success or income. You have to work extremely hard and your success depends on your own efforts, diligence, and skill.
In my first week as a coach I was making nothing, I was so excited to make my first $60 in the beginning. Now, two and a half years later I’m making $3,300 a week. I have coaches who make much much more and coaches who make much less. It all depends on your level of work, patience, skill and teachability. Beachbody does not and cannot guarantee you will every earn a paycheck -- it always depends on your effort, skill, patience and determination to achieve your goals.
That's why we have training in place, though. There’s mentorship, tools, and tips, retreats and face to face events where we can help you reach your goals.
Worst case scenario, what if you don't believe in yourself? What if you don't believe me or don't think it's worth it?
If no one wants to join your challenge group or sign up on your team it’s okay. You’d still be connected with driven and inspiring people from our team (so you would be my friend - I love new friends). You’d then be focusing on yourself and getting in shape and have tools and resources to learn more about nutrition and face your fears head on.
Nobody is going to leave you hanging. Say it did work out, though? If you’re teachable, working hard, willing to build a team and willing to help customers get results, you can choose one of the coaching options above.
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Ask Yourself, What Do You Want?
I wanted to come home to my son, financial freedom, to get out of debt, and I did not want a one percent raise every single year. I wanted to be in control of my life and not allow anybody to tell me that I'm fired.
I loved working but I wanted a different lifestyle. I did not feel like me, I felt stuck, afraid and I felt alone. I cried by myself, a lot and it hurt and I wish that upon nobody. Nobody deserves that okay?
Just give me a chance to love you, give me a chance to hug you, and to welcome you into this community. You are not alone, no matter how low you might feel right now you’re not alone.
Do not let your fear stop you. Do not let your fear of yourself, don't let your fear failure, don't let your fear of your past, don't let your doubt, your insecurity, don't let these negative thoughts of what you think other people will say, don't let it stop from who you want to become.
I just wish you could hear the stories and stories of coaches who were radically changed just because they started growing as a person.
If you stay doing the exact same thing you're doing right now, in five years will you have achieved any of your goals? What if you could achieve your goals in six months or if you put in the hard work even twelve months?
I want to challenge you to think about that. If you do not change what you're doing right now, but you want a different lifestyle, or you have life goals you haven’t met yet, will you ever achieve them? APPLY HERE TO JOIN MOXIE
In order for something to change in your life and hit your goals something has to change - here's a chance.
We’d love to welcome you and I cannot wait to see all of the new exciting people sign up. If you guys have any questions feel free to email or message me on Facebook.
Here is a thorough webinar reviewing the WHAT, HOW, WHY about Coaching!
Each year I attend a giant conference with Beachbody called Summit. This past July, our annual conference was in Nashville, TN where I shared a condo with two of my besties right in the middle of downtown! It was beyond perfect!
I will fill in the cracks and details soon -- but in the meantime, here is a pretty thorough album of my experience!
HIGHLIGHTS:
I lead a team called Moxie & we were recognized for being a TOP 100 team in all of Beachbody (out of 450,000)!! That will make you feel proud!
My man got to attend and experience all of this with me - because without him, none of this would be possible!
We hosted a Moxie party on Thursday night where we rented out the entire top floor of a restaurant and celebrated their accomplishments (including a Diamond Wall of Fame for our brilliant Diamond Coaches on Moxie)
I was reminded YET AGAIN that I get to work with a company that integrity, credibility, a giving heart, unbelievable vision and wants me to succeed.
Where we are taking our team Moxie & our Love Fast Live Slow message is BEYOND comprehension. The coaches & customers we get to work with takes the quality of business to the next level. It's an honor and a responsibility I take seriously.
Enjoy these pictures and if you wanted to know more about how to join our Moxie Coach family (either as a customer using the workout program & superfood shakes) or as a Coach on our team who wants to learn how to lead online fitness groups like we do... I am here to answer questions. We are expanding and ready to help those who are a good fit on our team.
So the kid in class who hits, throws, kicks, spits... the politically correct way of saying, "Your child was a bit wild today." We all know what that means. lol 
Hear it from a momma who's son has been kicked out of every {EVERY} school, church nursery, gym child care, YMCA summer camps classroom. Every single one. And I would cry all day long after each teacher told me he was just not ready or the right fit there. 
