Write Your Story

Part One:

Do you keep a diary? I’ve been writing since I was about eight. I’ve written all kinds of things, it’s just something I’ve always done. If I couldn’t have pen and paper or a computer I think a part of me would be missing. It would be similar to having my hand cut off. This is just something I do, it's a part of who I am.

As technology has grown, my writing is not so much hand written, yet I still find myself purchasing that new notebook or journal. What is wrong with me?

There is just something about the way it feels in my hands, the smell of the paper…even the feel of the paper. I love new pens and pencils too and they have to be the right ones! They have to ‘feel’ right. I’m very picky about those things. I have an overabundance of these items. Just the other day both my children were telling me “You don’t need it” when I saw a pretty notebook. Because of my kids it remained at Walmart. 

I ‘m not sure too many people understand this part of me and that’s okay. It makes me quirky, I guess. Since technology has evolved and I have a computer, most of my notebooks or journals are used for actual 'note-taking'. Business notes, Bible study notes, Book notes (I read a lot) and any other kind of note I might need to write. If the notebook has really pretty paper, sometimes I even use it for handwritten letters...

And there lays a problem. I cannot tell you how many letters I've written that have never been mailed. Every time we have moved, I have found a cards or  letters I meant to mail. Sometimes, I mail them and pray I said something good to the recipient because I haven't got a clue. I figure I wrote it for a reason and because I've a horrid memory it didn't get mailed or maybe...just maybe, God didn't want me to mail it yet. Maybe whatever it is I told them arrived at just the right time...there's a thought uh?

What this all comes down to is, I've been writing my story for years. Once in a while I share snippets of it with someone whom I feel needs to hear a certain part. Who I feel I can counsel, help and be a light for Jesus in their dark moment. 

I don't know if what I say helps or not, but once upon a time my Grandpa (the greatest man that ever lived) found a letter I'd forgotten to mail to a dying woman. I have no idea what I said or even where that letter ended up. She had passed on by the time Grandpa found the letter, but he praised and praised me for writing it. 

And then, even though I think he was thankful he got to read it, he was disappointed that the recipient hadn't received it. He told me how touching he thought the letter to be and how it would have been a blessing to her. He was sad that she didn't get to read it. I felt bad for forgetting to mail it.

My goal in life has been to be that bit of light to another in their time of need. It's not an easy goal. It's an exhausting goal and most the time like my forgotten letters - I fall short. A lot of that has to do with the fact that I'm rather an introvert. I'm happy to stay home in my own little world most days. 

What I've learned is there are other ways to reach out to people. Technology sure helps with that, but still it is difficult to find the right person. The person God wants you to connect with and the people that will build your tribe. What do I mean by that? I don't remember who said it or where I saw it this week, but it went something like this: 

"Do you ever see someone on Facebook, read their posts and think they are your BFF and don't even know it!" 

Like they belong in your tribe and you belong in their's! You just connect! You just "get" each other. Together you're amazing!You succeed. You win. You laugh. You share. You grow. Why is that? I believe the answer is that if you... 

 I believe this to be absolutely true. Think about it. Who is that one person that just energizes you anytime you are around them? You can't help but feel excited and energized. Fun is about to be had! Right? 

The wrong people dim your light, they exhaust you, make you feel less than you are and it's a horrible balance beam to walk. One side they are kind of your friend and the other side they're a bloody nightmare! You know?

Again, the right people energize you, they believe in you and support you. It's like they are the water and you the wilting plant. God sends them along at just the right moment to pull you out of that dark pit. Be aware of who you surround yourself with...

...because this too, is true! I do not have a potty mouth. I do have a few friends that do. I want to break them of that habit, yet if I spend enough time around them I notice myself saying words I normally do not use. I try to avoid that, which means avoiding that friend. I try to avoid T.V. shows or movies for the same reason. A bad habit can be broken but it is so easy to slip and fall back into.

During my six years in England I found myself surrounded by gym rats, fitness junkies and health freaks. Guess what? I became one! I drank the kool-aid, so to speak. They rubbed off on me and I'm so thankful they did. I learned so much about myself because of them. They helped me shine brighter!

The problem we run into in today's world is, well several things. 

• nobody has time for anyone
• people are lazy
• they have excuses fifteen miles long
• they don't prioritize
• they drift through life
• they've been hurt before
• doubt
• they're afraid
• scared to trust
• feel safer at home

That list can go on and on, just like the reasons as to why very few people have seen or read many of my writings. What am I writing them for? What purpose are they serving if forgotten in drawer? Who are the touching, uplifting, encouraging, supporting or helping? 

I have a story to tell, everybody does, but writing it is scary. Writing it is hard. It is an emotional journey with an ending and destination unknown. Fear can strangle it before pen ever touches paper and forcing fingertips to sit silently upon the keys...

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Bonus Post 1

This is a bonus post and I have a feeling I will be posting a few of them. However, most of my posts will be Monday, Wednesday and Friday and you may notice that I schedule posts. I try to write them and keep them scheduled so that whenever you visit – there is something new to check out. I’m also playing around with some videos. I feel I need to step out of my comfort zone and videos are out of my zone! We don’t grow if we’re comfortable.

I invited you to travel along this journey with me and so I need to share the journey with you…for realz! I want you to know I’m not just hanging out here and telling you stuff but I am going through it with you my love!

So with that being said I’m going to share my first 2 videos with you. I’ve been a little unsure about sharing these because well I get a bit emotional in both and I cannot stand to be emotional! I don’t mind if anyone else is emotional, I just personally don’t like it when my emotions get the best of me. It’s just a hurdle I haven’t been able to jump. Maybe it’s a control thing – I don’t know.

I shared the first video in my private FREE accountability group and everyone encouraged me to share it…so I’m biting the bullet, sucking it up, stepping out of my comfort zone and sharing them with you. Please be nice.

Video one was recorded January 18 2016 @ 171.8 pounds (I believe).

I hear Snoop Dogg saying "Greetings Loved Ones" - you know from the beginning of California Girls by Katy Perry in my head...my playlist has MANY personalities. 

Video two was recorded January 25^th 2016 @ 169.4 pounds (and I took the time to make myself look nice…what a difference!)

Let's just stick to songs shall well...anyone heard the new Adele song they're playing OVER and OVER...they're gonna wear that baby out!

I'm not sure if this is the BEST way to share videos within a blog...but it's what I know how to do, we'll see about improvement upon education. I know a lot of people go all out when creating videos. I'm not making a movie here. I just want to talk to you, be it from my closet or kitchen or even my car - it's not going to be a polished fantastic creation. It's just me, hope that's alright.

~Coach Tonya~

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Say WHAT!

Yes, you read correctly. I failed gym class. 

How is that possible you might ask? Well...when you refuse to dress out and participate it's pretty darn possible. I admit, that was a long time ago, BUT when I look at pictures of events I've attended, races I've ran and competitions I've competed in and I think to myself...

WHY was I so bullheaded?! 

Why did my 8th grade self, have such a bad attitude towards fitness, what happened? I'm not exactly sure I know the answer to that. The year before I'd been on the basketball team and sadly dismissed because that same year I was diagnosed with Asthma. All the sudden I had a medical excuse and I let it be my reason. I couldn't participate because I have asthma. I didn't try out for anymore sports. I didn't do anything that really qualified as exercise...except swimming during the summers. Back then, I didn't feel I had to do anything. I was 117 pounds and a size 0. I lived a diet of Pepsi, Pizza and Doritos. My Mom always told me my bad habits would eventually catch up to me. 

After 2 children, a bout of depression and life's stresses in general my Mom proved to be absolutely correct. It all caught up to me. My husband was deployed in 2011 and I flew from England to Missouri with the children to spend the summer at home. During that time my Mom wanted family photos taken. I hate the way I look in those photos. 

My Mom had suffered an injury and required a major surgery on her foot. She'd completed P90X and it was ALL she talked about! It drove me crazy! I wanted her to SHUT UP! I didn't want to call her or talk to her because I would hear nothing but P90X this and that. She'd lost a lot of weight and like 18 inches. Then the injury happened and it took her down, way down. She gained all her weight back and was/is miserable about it. She was sitting in the driver’s seat and I in the passenger seat. I have no idea where we were going but I noticed how the seat belt cut across her and how unhappy she looked in that moment. 

That was my moment. That was when it clicked. I didn't want to look like that to my children, to my husband...to myself. I didn't want to be miserable. So when I returned home to England I did 3 things.

1. I became a non-complaint patient. I threw all my medications in the trash and I had a lot.

2. I started working out at home...but it wasn't enough.

3. I started a class called HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) and I hired an amazing Personal Trainer; Mr. Herman Hicks.

Then I started RUNNING! WHAT?! WAIT! I HAVE ASTHMA! 

That's right I DO have Asthma, but I was sick of letting it control me! I found the more I did physically the less attacks I had. I loved seeing just what I could do, what I was actually capable of doing! Which was far more than I had ever given myself credit for! 

I returned to the states December 2011 - our first Christmas without my husband home - and by then I'd lost close to 16 pounds. I'd ran a few 5K's. I'd talked to my sister Holly and I asked if she wanted to do something crazy with me over Christmas break. Her response was, No. I begged. I only wanted to do a 5K with her. When I informed her of my "crazy" event she informed me that it was not crazy, that 13.1 and 26.2 were crazy and we should do one of them! 

So with only a month to train, I bought us both a pair of shoes and on December 18th we ran our first 1/2 marathon together. It took us over 3 hours! My legs were so sore I thought I'd never walk again. I swore I'd never run 13.1 again! 

FYI: Don't swear and don't say never. 

I went on to run, let’s see to date I think I've ran approximately 9 - 1/2 marathons, maybe 10. I'd have to pull out all my medals and count them. I continued to run 5K's, the Mad Monk obstacle race (twice), a Spartan, a Zombie run, a Color run and TWO FULL MARATHONS. 

I also competed in a competition called Ultra Eagle - that was hard core. I was so disappointed in myself for not completing it faster but I had just finished the Paris marathon 2 weeks earlier. My nervous system and body were shot. I wanted to finish it in like 18-20 minutes. It took me closer to 30, I don't remember the exact time. I remember being upset and saying I didn't do it. Only to hear my trainer and friend Jessica inform me that YES I DID!

I continually pushed myself, not because I had to but because I had fallen in love with fitness! I loved seeing what I was capable of. These bodies that God gave us are magnificent when put to the test and capable of far more than some of us can imagine. 

I went from 155 pounds down to 127 and back to my comfortable 133. Then life threw some pretty nasty curve balls at me and I did not handle that well. My marriage went through a really rocky place, we lost 5 family members in 7 months and we moved back to the United States. June 2013-June 2014 is a year I never wish to see again. 

And sadly as I sit here writing this to you I must admit a few things to you. Things I want you to know because I want you to view me as more than a Coach or a Trainer. I want you to view me as a friend who has been and is there too! Life is full of experiences! Some of them knock us down so hard we are unsure if we’ll ever get back up. Some of them are great and we feel like a million bucks. Either way, every experience is a lesson and with every lesson we gain wisdom in which we can share with our friends and hopefully allow the brighter side of life to shine through a little more.

1.   I’m human and the author of my own life, unfortunately I’m writing in pen. So I can’t erase my mistakes and I’ve made them…lots of them.

2.   I’m not perfect and I don’t aim to be.

3.   I’m currently starting my fitness journey over! At 171 pounds!!! I’ve never been this heavy in my life! I hate it! I also know what to do about it.

4.   I still LOVE fitness. I love the way it makes me feel!

    5.   I LOVE helping others. I love walking this journey with friends. 

It’s time to see how well I bounce back.. That's the journey I am on. I'm on my way back to being the fun, healthy and happy Tonya I was becoming in England. If you are on a similar journey and I would love to help you through it; to be a support system for you, to encourage you and to help you succeed because in helping others, I too, succeed. It all starts with the decision to TRY.  

I look forward to traveling this journey with you! 

~Coach Tonya~

***Disclaimer***

I AM a Beachbody Coach. You WILL see posts in regards to Beachbody posted. You WILL see me promoting this company. Now that we have that out of the way let’s get on with being Friends!

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