Is there something you really wanna do, but are putting off?

I totally understand. Really, I do. I lived sooooo many years waiting "until the time was right" or "holding off until the right person came around" yadda yadda yadda.

So, imagine my surprise when, 2 years or so ago, I had a sudden brain fart: "Wouldn't it be cool if I could lift heavy weight off the ground?" At first I didn't know where this thought came from; it just "appeared" as most good ideas are want to do.

I didn't take immediate action for a few reasons, the biggest one being that my body was healing from a wicked hamstring tear and was in no shape to be pushed outside of it's comfort zone.

As weeks went by, I realized that maybe, just maybe, that thought was an answer to a deeper longing I had, a craving for a richer sense of personal strength.

Rarely one to turn down an opportunity for personal growth, I said, "Ok, let's do this thang."

My posterior thigh healed (slowly) and I began asking my body to tell me when it was ready for greater challenges. I integrated new balance and strength exercises into my workout routine. I studied weight lifting tutorials and integrated anatomy and physiology knowledge I possessed into my movement practices. I developed a more intimate relationship with my own structure and it's unique quirks. I learned how to recruit the power of my pelvic floor muscles to support everyday activities, including weight workouts.

When I felt ready enough, I began "deadlifting" 20 pounds of weight, 10 pound dumbbells in each hand. In the beginning, this was tough to do with proper alignment, breath, and muscle control!

Slowly and steadily, I added more weight. I ventured to what I formerly defined "the scary side of the gym" and began easing 40, 50, 60 pound weighted bars off the rack.

Last week, after 6 months of consistent effort AND adequate rest days between workouts, I deadlifted 90 pounds off the ground!

Lifting big weight is not only helping me stay healthy (building bone density and maintaining muscle mass are 2 keys to vibrant health when estrogen is wavin' bye-bye), it's offering me another incredible benefit:

I feel fierce and strong as fuck!

Embodying strength through weight-bearing exercise reminds me that I can handle any obstacle life places in my path. THIS IS MY "WHY!" And this, my friends, feels amazing!

But it's worth repeating that I did NOT saunter into the gym and heft 90 pounds off the ground in one visit. My progression thus far has included lessons in patience, body awareness, rest, and baby stepping my way forward, a self-guided container of support that moved me from feeling good in my body to feeling GRRRRREAT!

There is power in the 1% pivots we make as we journey toward a goal. There is also beauty in asking for help, human or otherwise, while we take those steps.

This is one reason I began offering containers of support through my signature 1:1 coaching program "Pathways to Pleasure." My clients come from all walks of life and have their own unique histories, but they share a common set of desires: to ditch mental overwhelm, to reconnect to their sensual selves and learn to honor the wisdom of their body, and to embrace a lifestyle that feels good to them!

Sometimes our lives feel like a whole lotta dead weight. If you're ready to lighten your load and carry only what matters most, let's connect on a free discovery call to explore partnering on your pathway to pleasure.

Here's to getting 3 digits of iron off the ground,

Jennifer (she/her)

My full yoga class and in-person appointment schedule are right here!