Remember your Passions

Photo is my electronic drum set, the stool was handmade by my grandfather and it's over 100 years old!

I know I'm behind for talking about New Years Resolutions, but I'm not a fan of making them, therefore I don't.  I prefer to make goals, so I create a list every year for myself.  Some goals are bigger than others.  I try and stay away from material goals and focus more on things that I know will make life throughout this year more enjoyable for myself.

One of my goals this year is to get back to being creative and to not forget all of the things I loved to do growing up.  As a kid I LOVED the outdoors and still do.  I loved having that sense of adventure and freedom to try anything and everything.  As an adult, I've started to forget about that tomboy in me because I get so caught up in every day life and work.

This last week I started to reflect back on the things I loved doing and wanted to make more time for again.  Anything that allows me to be creative and open minded gives me a chance to refocus.  I enjoy music and listening to various instruments and beats and I began to realize how much I miss playing percussion.  (Although I'm sure my family doesn't miss all of the chaos and noise I provided throughout the house growing up).  So I decided that one of the many things I have planned for this year is to pick up those drumsticks and let myself get back into the creative mindset.

It's so easy to forget about that little kid and the spontaneity we all had growing up.  I want to get back to enjoying some of the simple things.  What are some of your passions?

The Beginning of Can Do Fitness

This past week on my personal Facebook page, I announced that I officially have started Can Do Fitness LLC and the support I received from everyone was incredible.  Owning my own business has been something I've always wanted to do, but I was never quite sure what kind of business I would want to have.  I've always loved the idea of being an entrepreneur, but never knew where to start.

Over the last 8 years my passion for health and fitness has grown.  Going to the gym was the only way I could/can alleviate ongoing stress.  I like being challenged to see how much I can lift and there's no better competitor than me, myself and I.  While being on a trip to Arizona this past summer, I knew I wanted and needed to change things from myself, I wasn't putting my own happiness first.  The minute I got back home, I threw myself into school.

This past weekend I received so much support from everyone and it meant a great deal to me.  Several people have asked why I decided on Can Do Fitness.  That answer to me is simple.  Living and growing up with Cerebral Palsy has had it's challenges and I will continue to face those challenges as they come.  What I've refused to do is let this disability define me.  My parents were told early on that I may not walk, talk or I could have a learning disability.  One of those three scenarios was true.  I never let a physician or physical therapist set limitations for me.  If someone told me I couldn't do something, that was enough to fuel the fire and I would purposely do the very thing they said I couldn't, just because I didn't like being told "you can't."  I may not have been able to do things the exact same way as my peers, but I always found a way to work around my "limitations."  My parents always encouraged me to try anything I was curious about, so my nickname from my parents became our "can do kid."

As a trainer, I want to work with individuals who are coming back from injuries or are facing their own disabilities.  I want every client I work with to feel like they CAN accomplish every goal they set for themselves, we just might have to work around certain situations to reach the overall goal.  I never want someone I work with to set limitations for themselves just because of their own circumstances.

There has never been a single person in this world that has never been told "you can't."  We all face challenges, but it's how you deal with them that make or break you.  You don't always overcome every obstacle that comes at you, but you can find ways to work around them and I will strive to help each person see their unlimited potential.  My favorite saying is from Henry Ford, "whether you think you can or can't, either way you are right."