Saved My Sanity

In 2002, exercising  saved my sanity; as it helped me heal from, what I thought at the time was, the best relationship of my life. I made a mix CD of all the female empowerment songs that included the likes of:  Destiny's Child, Madonna, Taylor Dane, Mary J. Bligepan, Christina Aguilar and my homegirl: Lauren Hill of the Fuji's.  I'd take a spin class, that consisted of only me, and I would spin and cry, spin and cry, until one month later, the tears dried up and the emotional weight I was carrying in my heart and around my abdomen area were lighter. 

I was Fine, figuratively and literally speaking.  While in that spin room, I would pray and affirm to the woman I wanted to become. It wasn't a conscious prayer; however, on a super conscious level, the Universe was strengthening my heart muscles, my mental muscles, my character  and physical muscles; so that I could know how to celebrate in the  successes and triumphs of  my life; as well as the challenges and set backs that life always put before you in order to help us grow and expand.

In 2009, I lost my courageous and beautiful best friend of 14 years, to a rare skin cancer. I turned to what I knew best:  working out. I got strong. I got lean and I got fit from the inside/out.

That same year, my first cousin, on my father's side,  was the first African-American to die from the Swine flu in Omaha, Ne. When I received the news, I was on my way to run the Santa Monica, Ca Stairs. I was determined to continue with my workout; as I knew if I stopped, even for a moment, I would break down and temporarily, if not permanantly, lose my will to live. I cried up and down those stairs for two hours as I felt myself getting stronger, more lean and more fit from the inside/out.

In 2010, two of my favorite clients, a mother and daughter duo, died 3 days shy of one another. Again, I worked out. I got strong. I got lean and I got even more fit from the inside/ out.

August 17, 20011, was a life changer for me. My mother, Donna Marie Alvoid, lost her battle to leukemia. While staying with her in the hospital, in Omaha, Ne - I remembered finding the Hospital gym where I was able to run while praying for my mother's happiness and her life. When she passed, four days later - the only way I could cope with losing her and not losing my will to live, was to work out .  Only this time, I started working IN; as opposed to the working Out.

My Faith

While I exercised, I focused more on strengthening my Faith. I became mentally, emotionally and Spiritually strong.  I knew I needed a strong mind and body in order to be a witness to my mother's life and death. I'm supposed to be here to re-share who she was,  what she accomplished and the impact her life had on me and soo many others.  I am supposed to be a witness to the unapologetic life of the party that she was.

This thing called fitness...has SAVED my life and continues to do so.  I know if it could transform me, from the Inside/Out; surely it can do the same for you. After all, Success is NOT convenient, but Possible for all those who believe and have Faith.