The last few weeks have been pretty full of fun and excitement, new loves and old habits, major realizations and simple life changes… where do I begin?!
I mentioned BJJ in my last post, but I’m not sure I conveyed the depth of my obsession accurately… I am training at least 4 nights a week now, have just signed up for my first competition, and am starting to take back to back classes this week. I watch the videos, I listen to the podcasts, I stay late to pick up techniques by watching or working with higher belts…. yea, I’m THAT girl. I have to say, I don’t care if it makes me even MORE crazy than I already am because it is changing my life.
I mean, there are some less than ideal side effects of training in BJJ… when I show my mom videos or teach her some self defense, she just focuses on how I will be able to “tap out” or submit when my arms are pinned. I have to wash my gi (AKA kimono or uniform) pretty much everyday or I can smell myself (which you know is a bad sign) and am pretty sure thats still not enough. I drive about 30 mins (just one way) to train, so gas and mileage are adding up. I am covered in bruises, which has prompted at least one or two enquiries from people I’d rather not discuss my personal life with… hearing “Wow. Jiu Jitsu? Well, don’t piss her off!” from the establishment you regulate is less than ideal, professionally speaking.
And yet, I’m making new friends, setting new goals, and seeing amazing changes in myself. The good outweighs the bad, like Orlando Sanchez outweighs McKenzie Dern…. for those of you less inclined to click, that’s over 250 vs less than 130!
Jiu Jitsu has awakened this crazy, competitive, fierce female who has been locked in a body that hasn’t been challenged… like find your limits challenged for YEARS.
Seriously, it has been SO LONG since I have been this EXCITED about something! For that reason it is worth doing… not JUST doing, but worth throwing my back into and my heart into and every ounce of my spirit into…. right?!
So, BJJ… it’s pretty awesome. BUT the beauty of life is that it is just the beginning! I took this BADASS spin class this past Saturday with my uber fit sister and got my butt KICKED… in a good way. If you are into spinning, find one of these near you ASAP!!! The instructor was pretty incredible and had this to share:
“If you don’t test your limits…. who will?!
It is never too late to dream. It is never too late to start a new goal.” – Gina
I mean, how simple and how true?! BUT how often do you make excuses for pushing ourselves, taking on new challenges, or changing our lives for the better? ALL OF THE FREAKIN’ TIME! I mean, I do it, too! I can talk myself INTO or OUT OF almost anything. It’s pretty impressive considering how terrible of a liar I am that I can get myself to believe I can eat “food-like” products, sit on my butt instead of getting up and exercising, not put in the work and still get the reward. IT. IS. SIMPLY. NOT. TRUE.
If I want to be a better person, improve my health, advance my career, become a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, stay positive and motivated and happy I HAVE TO PUT IN THE WORK.
Take a look at this woman:
She is my new hero (among others because I’m really starting to rack ’em up). Her name is Ashley Conrad and you can read more about her here. I know… lots of links today, but I am PUMPED and eager to SHARE!
My point, and as usual it takes me a very long while to get there, is that you don’t just wake up as what Ashley Conrad is today. You don’t just decide, “I’m going to be champion of the world” or “eat consciously instead of impulsively” or “I’m going to run the USDA” and POOF! Dream came true. End of story. Done.
Nope.
Notta.
Try again later!
Pick something you love OR find something new to be passionate about. Now…. go after it. Challenge yourself. Stop making excuses. Improve your life because you deserve it. Eat better. Exercise. And… be happy.
At the end of the day, it is that simple. It just takes some work. I’m gettin’ to work! Are you?!
365 Runs 