No is just one more chance for YES

There is so much rejection in this world on a daily basis. We don't always think about it because more often than not we can shrug it off and move on to something else.

Learning to be involved in an industry where there is constant rejection, I've come to understand how much rejection I've faced in the last two years, both in business and my personal life. I'll admit that I've gone through phases where I've gotten so frustrated I've wanted to quit and walk away. I wanted to slam the door shut and never look back, but no matter how many times I've wanted to forget about my dream I've never been able to fully shut the door.

I've had people in my life tell me to hold on a little longer. I needed to give my dream time to come together. I think the thing that has kept me going was sitting in college in my Entertainment Management class 2 years ago. One of the guest speakers said that if you really wanted something and to make your dreams in the entertainment business come true you can't take no for an answer. What stuck in my mind was when the speaker said "It only takes one yes to change your life."

Over this past week I have learned that hard work can pay off it just takes time. I have had people start to tell me "yes" for the first time since I started this journey 5 years ago and I'm looking forward to seeing what unfolds. So don't give up on your dreams. Keep fighting and don't take no for an answer.

www.twitter.com/s_laursen

"It only takes one yes to change your life."

Get Fit: Workout at HOME

Summer is just around the corner in a matter of weeks, are you ready?

If not no worries. Here are a couple of simple pieces of gym equipment that you can purchase for a total of around $50.

Most of the time I hate going to the gym. I don't always have the motivation to go to the gym after a long day at work or first thing in the morning. So my solution is bring the gym to me.

I use three pieces of equipment:

1) 2 10lb Weights

2) Stability Ball

3) Resistance Band

You can easily find workouts to do with these 3 pieces of equipment on youtube or researching workouts from Oxygen Magazine or Shape Magazine to name just two of my favorites.

I'll post some workouts that you can do with these later this week. Get ready for SUMMER! :)

Be Grateful

It's so easy to take to take the simplest of things for granted. Every day we get up, make breakfast, get dressed and WALK out the door. We take SIGHT for granted. Or the fact that we can READ road signs.

Take a moment to look at this photo, it will truly open your mind and give you a whole new prospective on your life:

I'm grateful for my health, my sight, the fact I can pay for food, put a roof over my head, have money to buy necessities, keep warm clothes on my back, buy gifts for family.....I could go on, but you get my point. So my question to you is, what are YOU grateful for?

Lauren Lee: Strength and Beauty

Lauren and I at FMI 2009

I first met Lauren Lee back in 2009 when we were both signed up for FMI (Fitness Model International). Lauren and I had been corresponding prior to going to FMI getting to know each other before the eventful week and looking forward to being roommates. What I noticed about Lauren right away, even in her emails was how genuine and down to earth she was. Lauren has a way of speaking from the heart and telling it like it is. She's never afraid to speak her mind and is very upfront with people, which is something I admire.

Lauren and I quickly hit it off. I think she and I were able to relate to each other and confide in each other about things we had gone through and it was easy to see how good of a friend Lauren is. I remember how much I admired her confidence and willingness to give FMI her all by taking and learning as much as she could during the conference at FMI and jumping in front of the camera for the first time.

3 weeks ago, Lauren posted a blog on her Facebook page saying she had cancer at 28. Her story has inspired me and many others. Please click on the link below to read her story. Lauren has a beautiful message that needs to be heard. Her beauty and strength shine through.

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. it comes from an indomitable will." - Gandhi

Lauren Lee 2010 Photo by Mike Byerly

http://iamlaurenlee.blogspot.com/2011/04/i-am-28and-i-have-cancer.html

Female Empowerment

A friend of mine and I were talking about role models and people we looked up to. We talked about school and history in particular. We talked about the different time eras that we learned about and what our favorite part of history was. Personally, I was never a big fan of history class, but what I did love learning about were people that had a voice. People that stood up for their rights or chose to make a statement such as Ghandi.

I told my friend that learning about Black History month was one of my favorite eras to learn about because "people of color" created a voice for themselves. There were several people during that time that made history by using their voice and the woman that always caught my attention the most was Rosa Parks.

She stood up for her rights and sat at the front of the bus. Not only did she make a statement for "people of color" at that time, but she also created opportunities for women. She showed the world that not only should everyone be treated equal, but that women are meant to be treated the same as men. She didn't take no for an answer. She changed history and made her mark without even realizing how much of an impact she made right then.

Where are these role models today? Who do younger generations have to look up to? It seems like finding positive role models is becoming harder and harder to find. Instead of hearing positive feedback in the media or what celebrities are helping create a voice and supporting charities, we hear constant negative headlines about which celebrity is in court this week. It seems like positive influences get overshadowed by the negative.

I will honestly say that I admire those in the media who have a voice and take the time to help others. I admire those who stand up for something they believe in and support a cause. I will say that a positive role model that I've come to admire is Selena Gomez. I truly think she is using her voice in a positive light and I look up to her as well.

My point to this blog is we need more positive influences. I'm grateful to have the opportunity to be a woman and live in the 21st century. I'm grateful to Rosa Parks for making an impact and changing history. Female empowerment is amazing.

Who Needs a Diet? Just Eat Clean!

We all want to “fit” better into our clothes. We make a goal to lose weight or tone up and the only thought in your mind is “I have to go on a diet.” The answer? FALSE! You just need to eat clean.

What is eating clean? Cutting out starches and sugar. Replacing that burger with fresh veggies, fruit and lean protein such as chicken and fish. Replacing that much needed energy drink for water or a healthy substitute like Vitamin Water Zero (this is one of my all time favorite products).

Your next thought, “I don’t have time.” Sure you do! Like everyone, I’m always on the go. Trying to get to work before rush hour traffic and too tired to try to create a big dinner when I get home from work. Here’s my personal solution that has served me well.

If you’re in a pinch and you don’t have a ton of time throughout the week head to the deli at your local grocery store. I pick up a fresh roasted chicken and when I get home I take all of the skin off and just put the meat in a container. It’s already to go and I can use it multiple times throughout the week for a quick chicken salad or use it as a main dish with some fresh veggies. This cuts a lot of my meal prep in half.

You can still have your must needed sweet tooth fix, but just make it a one day a week habit and remember as I’ve said before, everything in moderation. If you stick to eating clean you will definitely notice a change in how you look and feel in a few short weeks. Happy eating :)

Sarah Laursen

One Step At a Time

For the last several months, I've felt as though I've had complete writers block. The reality is, I was making excuses for things that haven't gone very smoothly for a VERY LONG time. Just like everyone, I've been dealt some very painful experiences the last couple of years and have used these experiences to keep myself from fully focusing on myself, my goals, and my own life expectations.

I've felt that working out on a daily basis for the last 2 years has been the one thing I have had complete and utter control over. I gave myself the opportunity to change myself physically, not just for my own health, but because more importantly I wanted to. Making changes in my appearance over time has kept me sane. Knowing I have control to keep my outer being in check has given me a sense of accomplishment.

The truth is, I've felt like this has been my only sense of accomplishment in the last several years. What I have to keep reminding myself is we're all given difficult times in life to appreciate the good that follows later on. I have to continue to look at the small things in life to keep myself going and motivated.

Look to each day as one new step. Another opportunity to put one foot in front of the other. It's important to look ahead and know that life is about taking one step at a time....