I am currently at my lowest weight of the year -- I had been plateaued for nearly a year. While the challenge didn't have any specific diet and exercise regimen, I can confidently say this challenge is what got me this far. When I started the July-Why Challenge, I was not in a good place in my head and I had a bad habit of doing everything for other people. The challenge brought me back to my center and showed me that I come first. I have always been an emotional eater, and during college I was addicted to fast food. Still to do this day, stress and loneliness bring me to the drive through. During this challenge I had a really difficult week and instead of turning to food, I let myself cry it out, think it through -- I didn't even WANT the fast food. When I put myself in the now, thinking about the fuel I want to put my vessel, fast food is dead last on the list. We have gone out to eat only once or twice in the last 6 weeks and I have never felt better. Thank you Brandon and Erica for hosting this awesome challenge!
~Jenn Buckhahn~
...My struggle, or focus, if you will, for the appointed month we had together was that I wanted more zest in my career. I am a nurse by trade, and work on a medical-surgical unit for a Metro-Detroit hospital. I had passion for it, but that passion was being stifled by executive management decisions, and influence by the government (healthcare is definitely changing!). In addition, I was pursuing health and fitness coaching, as I had wanted to help others achieve what I had through better diet and exercise. Again, the passion was there, but stifled. This time, it was stifled by a few "bad months" where I couldn't get anyone on board to commit to different groups I was hosting. I didn't feel like quitting either "job" was an option, but I definitely had lost my gusto and I wanted it back!
Call it the winter blues, call it losing traction, call it what you will, but I needed a boost, and Brandon's invitation came at the right time! As we live in different states, we were able to schedule online video meetings, and talk via telephone. These were done weekly, and lasted about an hour. Brandon took the time to listen to my concerns/evaluations of what was happening in my life, and gave me real, honest feedback. He asked questions, and had genuine interest in helping me, not only for my career choices, but as a human being. It was clear from the get go that he had a passion for helping others. It was a welcome salve to my wounds. Brandon was personable, and made what could be scary (life change! get your act together!), into a lot of fun. Many a call were started with him singing a silly song, and all of them had us cussing triumphantly. I felt very at ease with him. I was able to be myself, and I knew he was being himself, too. I am fortunate to have found a new friend, in addition to a new lot on life. It was evident that Brandon took time and effort outside of our weekly chats to research and find tools/methods that would help me find my fire again. Ultimately, it came down to I had the power within me all the time. I was able to revive, and kick "fearful self" to the curb. I am pleased to say that I am finding a peace in my work that I hadn't had before, even when my passion fires were burning full force! I still use the methods he taught me in work as a nurse, work as a coach, my roles as sister, companion, and friend. It's hard to gauge growth in "liveliness", "passion", or "feeling good", but sufficed to say, I have grown, and it is much thanks to Brandon and his coaching.
~Amanda Ray O’ Rourke~
I want to thank you for doing this challenge and for all the motivation. It's really helped me get back into working out and even though somedays I don't really feel like it, this group keeps me going!
~Eric Fredrickson~