Hey Rockstars! (Yes, even if you aren't on my team yet, if you are reading this, YOU are a ROCKSTAR!!!) :)
First I have to say thank you to everyone who read my last blog, "My Transformation Story". Many of you left comments, sent me private messages, or found me and spoke to me face to face; I appreciate each and every one of you for that! I knew many of you would relate to some aspect of that story, which is why I had to share it!
Another more personal story was in my "Amanda's Why" video that was in the Spotlight a few weeks ago. (If you didn't watch it yet, go watch and see!!!) Tonight's blog is going to expand on my why, and what it means to all of you...
My mom is a big part of why I do what I do. She is an amazing woman and a fighter, but she has struggled with food addiction obesity since I was born. (You do the math). In retaliation (however subconscious) I, in turn, struggled with anorexia for several years. Luckily I recovered, and in doing so, became incredibly interested in how to be FIT and HEALTHY the right way. Fast forward to a year ago, when I was first presented with the opportunity to improve my daily nutrition with Shakeology, but also to help those I love to do so too. My mom, of course, was the first person I wanted to get onto Shakeology...if only it were that easy. In the past year I've built a solid business with over 40 coaches going strong (and growing daily), surrounded myself with people who are as driven to end the trend of obesity as I am. But my mom...that's another story.
I grew up fearing the worst for my mom, and any kid that has lived in a house with an unhealthy parent knows exactly what I'm talking about. I never, ever, ever want to put my children in that situation. They need to know that I put my health first FOR THEM, so that I can be the best possible mom I can be; and part of that is instilling a habitual lifestyle of healthy, nutritious food choices, activity over inactivity, and personal/spiritual growth. Beachbody is a part of all of that for me. In fact, my kids know that this very issue is so important to me that I want to help OTHER families do the same thing! I don't want other kids growing up thinking fast food is dinner, that school lunch is healthy and that playing video games for hours on end while eating potato chips is the cool thing to do! And I want other parents to understand that ACTIONS speak louder than WORDS. What you DO speaks so loudly, your children can't hear what you are SAYING!!! What did YOU eat for dinner? What have YOU done since your kids got home from school? It is the little things we do in our daily lives that create a LIFESTYLE. I challenge you: what kind of lifestyle are your actions creating for you and your children?
So some people may look at what I am doing (Beachbody IS an MLM) and say, "But you're just in this to make money and to sell stuff". 1) You're damn right I want to make money--don't you? 2) Every single dollar I make from "selling stuff" is a direct representation of someone purchasing a product that will GREATLY enhance their quality of life, and possibly that of their children's lives. Why should I feel bad about that? Every time you go to Wal-Mart, you BOUGHT something that made someone money. Do you buy Scentsy products? Avon? Mary Kay? Should those men and women feel guilty for making money by selling a product people willingly purchased? NO! And neither do I! And Beachbody products aren't just for fun! They are products that CHANGE LIVES. Period.
When coaches come to me, or customers, and say they are disgruntled with either the opportunity or the process, many of them tell me they feel like they lost their motivation. Carl Daikeler said this morning on our National Coach Call, "Let you HEART be your motivation". [insert the sound of my heart sinking to the floor] Every day when I wake up to teach a class or begin a Beachbody workday with emails, phone calls, or whatever, I know what my motivation is for doing it. The paycheck? Eh, the paycheck is great--there's no reason my work and my time should be on a volunteer basis! That's not it. My motivation is MY HEART. Ask Bill...I guarantee you he has heard me speak about each and every one of you. Yes, you heard me right. You. EVERY one of you; coach, customer, group ex. participant, friend on facebook, YOU. And why? Because my heart is in this business. I believe in Beachbody's products, and I believe in our MISSION to end the trend of obesity, and more than anything, I believe in YOU.
My mom just got sent back to the hospital for another health issue set off by her most recent surgery (I've lost count, but in the past ten years I think she's had more than 5 surgeries). Her food addiction still has her blinded...I haven't reached her yet. But that's ok, because if I can help anyone else out there--mom, dad, partner, friend--then that's awesome. I get to go to bed every night knowing I have done something to help at least one person out every day, and that I am impressing the importance of health onto my beautiful children along the way.
"The best work is done with the heart breaking, or overflowing" (Mignon McLaughlin)
Love, success, and health...
