Life's Edge

Sometimes all a girl needs is a good cry. Sometimes a soak in the tub with a glass of wine will do. Sometimes getting lost on a trail run and being alone with just her thoughts and endorphins is all she needs. No matter whatever it takes to help clear her head, she must keep her head straight, put her needs first, and compartmentalize her thought processes so she can move forward with success and never cower in fear. The thought of being lost and overwhelmed is well, overwhelming and can drive a girl to the edge. It’s what she does on that edge that matters the most. If she goes crazy she’ll fall and ultimately lose control. If she maintains her logic, faces reality, and stares adversity in the face she stands tall and wins. 

~Cat~

Expectations

What are expectations? Are they self-imposed events, processes, things, etc. that one looks forward to happening or arriving at? The loose term from a Webster’s American Dictionary states that an expectation is ‘the act or state of expecting.’ And to expect is to ‘look for as likely to happen or arrive.’ But oftentimes in life, I find my expectations aren’t met, personally and professionally. There are several approaches to consider from this point as I focus on self-reflection: Are my expectations too high? Am I communicating effectively? Does the person not realize my expectations or even care of my expectations? Is it better to just not have expectations at all, and therefore eliminate the risk of being disappointed in whatever situation? That’s a really difficult task for me. I know my weaknesses: lack of patience, insecurities with myself, and confidence in my capabilities to excel at times. So if I were to counter-balance or attack my weaknesses I could say that my insecurities should be fuel to excel and prove that I am completely capable of what I set my mind to and that people close to me won’t or have no intention of hurting me, at least not on purpose…wait, was that last part a dish of my insecurities?

There are certain personality types who you know will not meet your expectations. And most times it benefits you to not associate with those personality types. But what if you don’t have a choice but to associate with those types of personalities at some point in your life? Do you just give them a free pass? Won’t that essentially inhibit growth for everyone? Yes, in my humble opinion. But to not focus on the negative and disappointment of such situations, it would behoove the typical high expectations personality type to adjust their expectations according to the situation. It’s the least someone can do and if done effectively will benefit all parties involved and encourage ‘self and intellectual growth.’ We learn it as parents, as professionals, as friends, as partners, and as self-fulfilling individuals to adapt. And that is what brings about growth and contributes to making the world a better place to be in.

Expectations can be clear and sometimes an entity will stop meeting your expectations. That is a sign of growth for the individual, a test of adaption, and an opportunity for self-reflection. Self-reflection brings about growth for the individual and oftentimes opens doors of opportunity that otherwise would not have been noticed. Take note, I said ‘noticed’. Opportunity is always there, it just may not be what you are expecting.

I welcome input on the subject matter as I know I have only scratched the surface. Expectations and opportunity evaluation are areas that carry many perspectives and methods, as they are as unique as the individual. 

~Cat~           


Your body is meant for movement. Your brain and intellect are meant to be challenged.  Fulfill your human prophecy, explore your freedoms, and set out to do everything that you imagine (within the law of the land, of course).  :)             

Who? What? and Why?

Welcome to my new blog. Yes, another blog for opinion and perspective to crowd the internet. I can't promise my blog will be controversial or deeply intellectual, but my blog provides me a platform to share my perspective on life's little whatever's every now and then. So here's the skinny:

WHO AM I? 
Well, I'm a thirty-something female, mom, entrepreneur, lover, friend, full-time student, Paleolithic eater, and probably an enemy to a select few even though I don't really care about people that fall into that category. I've been told I have a strong personality by some and occasionally I've been called nice, but mostly misunderstood. Evidently, I carry myself in a way that most people feel free to judge before getting to know who I really am. And quite frankly, I really don't care about other people's judgement. The adversity I experienced growing up and the common everyday folks' tendency to be pretty transparent and shallow has thickened my skin a bit through the years. Don't get me wrong, I don't go and seek people to piss off or piss on. I go about my business doing the best I can to keep my life organized and productive and joyous. And evidently, some people totally read my intentions wrong. I can't solve everyone's problems, only my own. I will tell you that I believe in self-governing (to an extent) and therefore lean on the Libertarian side of political views. However, I am NOT a member of any tea party (I'll save that explanation for another post someday). A social democracy is not going to give Americans strength to build their own future and wealth. Carry on.

WHAT DO I DO?
So what is that I do that makes me so special? So worthy of my own blog? Well, I'm not a diplomat or sexy mistress with lots of juicy stories to tell (sorry to disappoint). I own a fitness business and have plans to open other businesses in the future. That would put me in the serial entrepreneur category. Professionally, I am certified through NSCA, RKC, USAW, and ACE. Personal training and small group training utilizing kettlebells, barbells, TRX, and bodyweight exercises is what I LOVE to teach. My clients see noticeable differences in not only their physiques but also in their everyday functional body movement, stamina, and strength. I function under my business name of State of Fitness, LLC and independently for my PT clients.

On a personal level, I prefer the simple life (although I'm technology dependent), I love to drink beer (occasionally), scotch, workout (obviously), golf, Jeep, my little pugs, ride a certain someone's Harley, watch movies with my boys, and trail run. There are many other things in life that I love, but why go over all of them in just one post? You'll learn about them as I go along my blogging journey. Take note that trail running is my drug of choice. There is nothing more freeing and zen than running through the woods (Vibrams preferred). I'm not an ultra-runner, but I am fascinated with how the ultra-runners are so resilient for the sport. I run anywhere from 2-10 miles per run. Nothing major. Just enough to get my fix and ponder life's little whatever's. Many mind-clearing trail runs have taken me discover new things about myself and different perspectives on things in life. Life is good.

WHY AM I HERE (blogging)?
I felt the need to share my a-ha moments, my cloud-clearing moments, my perspectives on life's whatever's, my workouts, etc. with the internet world. I foresee the blog-o-sphere to be an outlet for keeping my intellect in check, an opportunity to write, motivation or inspiration for myself and others, accountability, personal growth, etc. My whole life is in transition as I am in my thirties and this past year has been no exception. I have taken on a love for writing and hope to contribute some posts worthy of a 'good read'.

BTW: my workout today was a focus on upper-body pulling with emphasis on intermixing bi-lateral and uni-lateral strength moves.
5x5 each of 1 arm KB row (20k), 2 arm KB row (2x16k), barbell row (95lbs).
Finale (just for fun): 5x5 each of 2 KB high-pulls (2x12k) and double KB snatches (2x12k).

*At first, the 1 arm row was the most challenging due to the off-balance nature of the move but by the 3rd set the barbell row was the killer due to the singularity and strength aspect of the move.

Thanks for reading!
~Cat~