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2012 Reflections: Thyroid woes, staying true, and being a chickenshit.

2012 Reflections: Thyroid woes, staying true, and being a chickenshit. 


Yep, I’m doing it. The sometimes cheesy and always predictable year-in-review blog post. As each year passes, I think that the lessons I learned and the experiences I had will remain unparalleled, however the next year never fails to trump the previous. 
2012 has, once again, been chock full of new experiences and I’ve learned so many precious lessons that I can’t wait to share with you! So get comfy and settle in my friends. Lets talk 2012. 

Listen to Your Gut

After insisting that numerous clients of mine get hormone panels ran and extensive thyroid testing done (and I ain’t just talkin’ the standard TSH and T4 test, which tells us next to nothing), I finally – after months and months of knowing something was wrong with me – chose to heed my own advice and got the tests ran myself. 

What turned up were problems I suspected deep down in my gut: a slew of hormonal imbalances and very serious thyroid problems. 
I ignored all of the warning signs and kept attempting to rationalize my symptoms and cover them up with more diet and exercise which only made a bad situation worse. That little voice that whispers into our ear knows what’s up every. single. damn. time. 

Turn off the computer, tv, and cell phone and turn inwards. Ask yourself how you’re feeling – how you’re really feeling – and ask it frequently. Pay attention. You know you.  If something feels off, investigate immediately and don’t take “no” for an answer. (I camped out in a doctor’s office until they agreed to run the tests that I requested.) 

More on all of this in a future post, but suffice it to say that we should always pay attention to the little warning signs.

Health > Aesthetics

Over the summer, I was forced by my doctors to dial my training way back; so far back that I may or may not have shed a few tears about it.  
You see, I have exercised like a maniac in some fashion or another since I was 16 years old. Working out at least 4-5 days a week is just what I do; it’s always been a non-negotiable. 

In light of the aforementioned health woes, I have had to put all physique goals on the back burner and focus my attention on fixing my thyroid and hormone issues. Diet and high intensity training is not what my body needs to heal – as a matter of fact, it will only exacerbate my problems. 
The prospect of a hot bod has always been a huge driver for me, so training without any strength or physique goals was really tough for me at first. It took me awhile to come to terms with the fact that a lean body doesn’t always mean a healthy body, and unfortunately I learned this lesson the hard way.

To help me focus on other things besides aesthetics, I have dove headfirst back into my yoga practice, which I pushed aside for awhile to focus on slingin’ iron. I have also hired a trainer to learn the Olympic lifts, which I’m absolutely loving and it’s kept my gym time fun and fresh. The best news is that I’m feeling better and things are looking up.

Exercise is pertinent in the equation for health, but if you have to take a bit of time off or dial things back a bit, the world will not actually come to an end. Who knew? 

Don’t Compromise Your Truth

I co-founded an extremely popular business in late 2011, and then gracefully relinquished my role at the end of 2012 when the business model evolved into something that was no longer the right fit for myself and my vision. Many people were surprised and a lot of people didn’t understand, and that is okay. 
It’s easy to go with the status quo just because we think we are supposed to, even when it’s the wrong thing for us. It takes a helluva lot more courage to put your foot down and go after what you really want and deserve. 


Being popular is fun, however being true to yourself and your dreams are what will bring real happiness. Don’t compromise yourself or your truth just to make other people happy. Going with the flow is easy, but building the empire of your wildest dreams is where the magic happens. 

One of my favorite books, “The Firestarter Sessions” is about this very topic and I can’t recommend it enough. 

Being Super Busy is Counterproductive. 

Earlier this year, I got stuck in the trap thinking that if I was always super busy then I would inevitably be ultra-productive which, in turn, would make me super successful. WRONG. Oh, so wrong. 
Being crazy busy and committing myself to a billion (give or take) writing assignments, nutrition clients, and personal tasks made me a miserable crazy person. I had a never ending To Do List and when I woke up in the middle of the night my brain was like a tornado, whirling with thoughts of things I had to do, wanted to do, and needed to do. 
In short, my new “productive and successful” lifestyle was stressing me the eff out. It was taking a toll on my sleep schedule, my appetite, and my happiness. 

I started to make a concerted effort to do less. (As a matter of fact, doing even less is one of my goals for 2013.) Some people will scoff at that statement but I’ve learned the hard way that it is absolutely crucial to my happiness and wellbeing to have chill time. Some people enjoy running around like a chicken with their head chopped off. I don’t. It’s not good for me. 

Now I unapologetically schedule time to lay on the couch, watch Grey’s Anatomy reruns, and snuggle my pug. I won’t check emails on Saturdays.  I read fiction, and a lot of it. ::gasp:: Sometimes I walk on the treadmill just so I can zone out, listen to awesome music, and not worry about dodging cars. I’m not afraid to say, “No, thanks, I can’t attend. I need to relax.” 

The best part? Incredible opportunities are still rolling in. I maintain a killer roster of nutrition clients that are all kicking serious ass. Our business has never been better. All of that with more time to recharge, refuel, feel incredible and stay sane? Hell yes! 

There are no bonus points awarded for running ourselves ragged. In fact, it’s completely counterproductive. An excellent book about this that I absolutely loved is The Power of Engagement. 

Don’t Be a Chickenshit.

I had the incredible honor of being invited by Train Strength Barbell in Salt Lake City to give my very first solo seminar this year. I jumped at the chance and immediately accepted… and then totally freaked out. 

I was scared that they’d hate me and I wouldn’t be able to offer them any valuable information. I ran through every horrible scenario in my head ranging from people not showing up to people walking out. I tortured myself! 

When the day came, I pulled it together, did my best, and low and behold – it was awesome! Even though it was on the day of the first big snowstorm of the season, we still had a great turn out and everybody was so nice! The discussion flowed nonstop and everybody said that they loved it. What an experience! 
When I left, I was walking on sunshine. This was a huge opportunity for me, I learned a lot and now I can’t wait to do my next one! I wasted countless days worrying myself silly and completely undervaluing myself, and for what? Sheesh! 
An amazing woman named Amanda attended my seminar and did a write-up on it here

Dream Big.

During the winter of 2011, Michael and I were driving home from a road trip one evening, chatting.  Within 15 minutes, we had made up our minds that in 2012 we were going to spend six months in Kentucky (where our business & Michael’s family is) and six months in Salt Lake City where my family and my original home is. 

At first, the goal sounded a bit lofty. Travel back and forth across the country and live in two places? Is that really possible? It meant a lot of work – finding and renting a fully furnished place in Salt Lake and packing up our two doggies to embark on an 1800 mile drive. 

We mapped out our vision and set our plan into motion. Sure enough, in 2012 we spent spring in KY, summer in SLC, fall in KY, and are currently spending the winter & holidays in SLC. We had the generous blessing of our family that helped make our travel possible, and now I’m already dreaming about how (and where) to divide up 2013! 

Dream big, set a plan and just do it. After all, why not? 


I refuse to wish time away, so I plan to enjoy every last juicy drop of 2012. However, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited to see what 2013 has in store. 

What did 2012 teach you? 
I’d love to hear your lessons or stories! Drop me a line below! 

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