Surround yourself with the dreamers and the doers, the believers, and thinkers, but most of all, surround yourself with those who see greatness within you, even when you don't see it yourself.
I talk a lot about my journey. Mainly because I want it's wins and even imperfections to inspire you and yours, but also because I never want a day to pass that I don't remember, or appreciate, or learn from where I was, maybe even just yesterday. It has included a lot of moves, many opportunities to meet people, and by the grace of God I have been provided the friends I've needed and wanted. While I have been a work in progress, there will always be my best friends from home who have my back, my sisters who never understand me, but love me like crazy regardless, the amazing women I have met in every city we've ever lived and added them to my life long friend list, and then there's the people I meet along the way, who maybe for a season, a month, maybe for the rest of life, influence and shape me because that's what God put them in my path to do. I used to only see their importance after the fact. Like...Oh yeah, THAT'S why that happened and I met that person....but I feel incredibly blessed that these days, I see them so much sooner than after the fact, which means I can tell them what they mean to me, face to face, in real time, and that is an incredibly special feeling and one I never want to take for granted.
So, I have a journey, and I have my fitness passion, and I have my goals, my butts getting big, my foods on point, my abs are putting a smile on my face, I have competitions planned, my hairs the perfect shade of too blonde, and blah blah blah blah blah... what's it all mean? Nothing without someone to share it with. Absolutely nothing without the people who inspire me to be better, nothing without someone asking me about my progress, and really, really nothing without someone cheering for me and better yet, me cheering for them.
My greatest source of fitness inspiration has been the people I've surrounded myself with. When I looked beyond my obvious choices, I was amazed at what I found. I once only looked to a woman in my similar situation, and I still find inspiration and tons of support there, but when I realized I didn't have to limit myself, my world got bigger and more interesting. By staying open, and appreciating other's goals,challenges and GUTS, I was able to find a group of people that inspire me daily, expect big things from me, keep me accountable and CHANGE me. Because of them I have become someone who feels the fear but does it anyways.
So look around you, test your original ideas about who you could connect with. The guy at he gym who won't leave you alone with small talk, he might want to get in you pants, but maybe not. Maybe he has something to teach you about life, and maybe, just maybe, the forty something mom you have nothing in common with, knows a whole lot about overcoming fears and it's exactly what you need to learn.
Find a posse, a swole patrol, or an entire crossfit gym, just find {real} people to inspire you...
THE YOUNG & OLD{...ER}: Two of my favorite Crossfitters. One is 15 years younger than me and has inspired me by his own weighty goals and maturity. Who knew someone so young had so much to teach others, but he does it well, he tries hard, and that is never lost on me. The other is 15 years older and my buddy. On days that I was throwing shade he blocked it, and encouraged me to do better and to smile through my painful year. He had no idea what was going on inside of me, nor did it really matter. I needed a friend, and that's what he was. He looked for me, and asked me where I was when I missed, he asked me about my day and invited to join what was happening outside of the gym. It meant the world to me, and changed my situation. He would probably say...awwww, it was nothing, but it was everything to me. Who would have thought such an old man{I tease} was going to teach me about generosity in a dirty crossfit gym.
AN EXPERT: My trainer and coach. I had secret dreams of competing. I didn't know anything about him except that he prepped bikini fitness girls. Someone had casually mentioned his name and I took an immediate mental note{It only takes one move to listen to everyone's details in an attempt to learn the city you live in}. I marched into his gym, and this is what I saw...calm, confident leader. Not the hard sell trainer I was used to. His passion was evident, his life reflecting his teachings. He believed in me, and then I believed in myself. He only thinks positive. When he talks, I listen. He has taught me a ridiculous amount and we have nothing in common, except that we have everything in common at the same time. We have passion. He showed me I could have it for me and for others. He inspires me to have integrity and joy while trying to make a difference in other peoples lives.
THE SAME, BUT OH SO DIFFERENT: Some people are just plain gifts. God given, enjoy the moment, make a difference, gifts. Watching someone strive for the goals you have set for yourself is incredibly inspirational. A chance to do things differently than you would normally do them, because of their own wise and weary journey. Competing has been fun, but when I had someone to share it with, it became a bigger experience
TEAMMATES AND YOUR COMPETITION: People who work hard, just like you, and do it with grace and style are inspiring. From the first time friend you meet or the group you proudly represent, the good vibes last long after you expect them to fade. Being surrounded by people who celebrate you yet compete against you is pretty amazing. There are lots of lessons to be learned with in that group. The education is priceless.
THE NAKED AND TAN??? I mean, it doesn't inspire ME but no rock should go unturned when searching for a way to stay motivated and inspired. {this is backstage at a NPC comp. For real, that's what it is. Excellent people watching}
THE FAM: The ones you love, now those peeps are something special. They watch your struggles first hand, hold your weepy body when frustrations are just more than you know how to deal with, inspire you to be your self because that's who they love the most. This guy inspires me to do it my way because there is no one who loves my way more than him. The joy he has for me and my passion keeps me reaching higher, keeps me trying harder, and always has me saying yes! to my biggest challenges. Lucky for me he always says yes! to shaving my entire body before I rub in my competition tan. He's amazingly supportive :)