Hi ,
OK - I have a little secret to share. This one is less of a "I know the date of the Reputation TV album drop" (IYKYK 💃) and more of a "There's something I haven't been completely honest about." If I AM being honest, I'd rather keep this piece under wraps until it's gone, but the other day a friend said something to me that made me feel brave:
It’s your vulnerability in your own health journey that allows you to advocate and coach more authentically.
So here goes:
I've been battling a bully. It started with unhelpful criticism that was easy to shake off, but has since escalated and needs to be dealt with.
You see, I spend a good part of my day navigating chronic pain. The endurance of attending to its needs is challenging, however, the bully has been non-stop, telling me incessantly that my health must be perfect in order to support yours - this stings.
The bully is convinced that health is a static state of perfection that can be achieved through hard work and the pulling up of bootstraps. They whisper that if I just tried harder, gave up all food-related joy, and bought every supplement on the market, I could finally be "well."
What's more, their timing is uncanny. They show up hardest on the most challenging days, suggesting that I must have done something wrong to be dealing with pain. On the good days, they turn passive aggressive saying: "Look at you! Believing you're not going to have to deal with this anymore! Bless your heart."
And the worst part? This bully... it's me.
It's my own inner critic that tells me that if I share the truth of what my days are like, I'll be accused of failing at a very narrow definition of health. The bully plays the game of constantly moving the finish line in a way that will never let me experience the joy of small victories. This voice has not only been a burden on me, but it's also been standing in the way of the work I love and the people I am honored to work with.
I've been exhausted trying to both support myself through pain AND work through the pressure that this inner critic puts on me. I've decided that it stops today.
Bully behavior is often made in an attempt to seek attention that they weren't able to receive in a positive way. I'm writing this email to put the spotlight on the bully, but take the mic away. As Eleanor Roosevelt said:
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
To my bully, I say:
I appreciate that you're trying to protect me, to keep me safe from judgment and disappointment. But your methods are misguided. You see limitations where I see strength, and you focus on an impossible ideal instead of celebrating the progress I've made.
Although this year has been one of the most physically painful, I have never felt mentally healthier, more grounded in my work, and more accomplished professionally. Clearly, the story you are telling is untrue.
The work I've done to bolster well-being of others as a board-certified health coach has prepared me to work through my own unhelpful messages from the bully with a strong understanding of what health truly is: navigating challenges with grace and compassion.
That's why I wanted to share this with you. Because when it comes to our health, we all wrestle with our own inner bullies.
Over the past two weeks, the "Fall in Love With Walking" challenge reminded me that there are others who, like me, who need flexibility in both body and mind to pursue the important pieces of our wellbeing while drowning out the noise of our critics. It also reminded me how important it is to trust ourselves, our inner wisdom and our ability to make personal choices that support our well-being.
You've affirmed that we can discover more, on our own terms. This leads me to an exciting announcement!
We're following up the Fall In Love With Walking Challenge with the "Find Your Stride," a month-long fitness-building program designed to help you find your own path towards building strength and endurance - on your terms.
Each week, you'll be working with me to build up the agility needed to choose your challenges for sustainable progress, not fleeting perfection. We'll build up your walking practice to a fitness level, while also building muscular strength to support you fully.
More than just fitness, "Find Your Stride" is a community where we can share our struggles and triumphs, and support each other in reclaiming that trust in ourselves.
If you're ready to mute your own inner bully to take on your challenges, celebrate your victories, and honor your inner wisdom, I invite you to join me.
Thank you for listening and I look forward to finding our stride together.
✌️ Coach JZ
Find your stride starts on 11/3/24. Registration is open and your first program materials unlock on 10/28/24 with assessments and a cadence walk. I look forward to working with you!
REPLAYS ARE UP! Click the highlighted link to take class with me below:
Monday: Strength Without Strain Bounce Class
Wednesday: OUR 200th CLASS CELEBRATION!!!
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