What does Live for a Living mean to me?
I look at it as a tool to motivate other’s to be the best versions of themselves, regardless of the obstacles they’ve faced.
I have made the decision, very recently, to pursue a new career path in fitness. For the past several years fitness has been the main focus of my existence. I love watching people do things they didn’t know they were capable of doing. Especially women. Since starting this fitness journey, I’ve always wanted to make it a career, but I’ve been scared.
The picture on the left, 22, pre-fitness journey. On the right, 32.
Fear is a liar.
We live in a world where women tear each other down. And, all my life I have either been told I’m not good enough, or I’ve felt like I’m not good enough.
Once upon a time in a land far away from here, I learned that people are mean. Now, my mother, rest her soul, taught me not to be mean. I wasn’t allowed to have a water gun growing up, because she felt like it promoted violence. She taught me to LOVE deep down into my core.
“You all have got to stop calling each other sluts and whores. It just makes it ok for guys to call you sluts and whores. “ - Ms Norbury
In the fifth grade, I was in the bathroom with my friends, and somebody farted. Somehow it was instantly blamed on me and the girls started singing, “Me, myself, and I, my pants are way too high, I don’t know why I farted but I won’t admit it.” I can remember almost nothing from middle school, but I remember this song. Words hurt, man.
"Cause the players gonna play, play, play. And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate. Baby I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake it off." - T. Swift
And since then, it’s been constant. I have always been told I was either too much of something, or not enough. In the past week I’ve been told I was fat, and also told that I’m too much of a barbie to ever be taken seriously, both by women. I’ve been slut shamed, told I’m too blonde, too muscular, I could continue, but it’s just a laundry list of insults that don’t really matter.
#girlswholift #eachotherup
I’m taking a chance. Because I’ve believed in myself this far, everything I’ve ever wanted in life has just seemed to work out.
If you read that as I haven’t had struggles, I’ve survived a drug addiction, my mother killing herself, being raped, a failed marriage, and various other bullshit along the way, all of which you'll hear here or on my blog. I am not a victim, I am a survivor. And it is with that strength that I will find a thick enough skin to deflect the negativity and work on creating a positive bubble for growth both within myself, and to allow other’s a safe space for change.
Strength in struggles
I believe, that as I embark this journey, that I’ll develop skills that will make me a more valuable asset to the world. I’m going to continue to develop myself through online courses to make myself more marketable, while setting serious goals to incorporate fitness to empower women and strengthen children. Children are our building blocks for the future. I'm enrolled in a 200 hour yoga teacher training and I fully intend on getting other health and wellness certifications along my way.
I believe that I can encourage and build women up, and I can carry that torch. I believe that my story of transformation and strength will make a difference. And I will try my hardest to do it with a smile on my face, no matter how heavy the load gets.
Have you ever seen a woman do something she never thought possible? Fortunately, I’ve seen this during endurance events, in CrossFit gyms, in yoga studios, and it fuels my fire. I am committed to holding a metaphorical mirror in front of women showing them what they are made of.
I believe that I can help change the world.
So, please welcome me, as Live for a Living's Director of Operations, I am excited to embark on this journey and share with you along the way!
Namaste!
Linds <3
