What is Mindfulness Elevated?
You may have seen my posts on social media announcing my lifestyle change to remove alcohol and caffeine from life. That post was scary. Although I am very outgoing, I tend to shy away from the not so pretty parts of me. I like to think, like most people I only should share the good, fun, happy side of my life. In fact, when I got divorced a few years ago, very few people knew. That made dating interesting... just ask Josh!
In case you missed the post here it is:
This is uncomfortable...
It started out as a 30 day experiment to be alcohol free. I wanted to see how I would feel. Would my anxiety go away. I hated feeling anxious...heart racing, sweaty hands, mind racing. Would I sleep better? Would I think clearer, have more brain space, be more motivated, more creative? Would I feel healthier both physically and mentally?
The short answer is YES! After 30 days, I felt way stronger, clearer, focused. The anxiety...GONE! Next, I elected to become caffeine free in addition to being alcohol free.
I’ve kept going. Today is day 80. I made a firm decision that I am going to continue this journey of being alcohol free (caffeine free too!) For me, it’s a part of my daily self care practice.
I’m being mindful about my nutrition, workouts, meditation, journaling, heart and brain health. I’m a better wife, mom, daughter, friend, employee, boss, aunt, sister in law, daughter in law, cat and dog mama...the best version of ME!
Will each passing day be easy? Well, no. What has been easy about 2020? Nothing. There will be good days, bad days and everything in between.
This isn’t my first time living alcohol free; but it is the first time I’m talking openly about it. Call it transparency, living authentically, being accountable. I’m squirming in my chair right now….so uncomfortable. Although I’m an outgoing person, I prefer to keep the not so fun stuff private.
Today I’m choosing to shine a bright light on this part of my life in an effort to help myself and possibly others who feel or have felt the same way I do.
Happy New Year’s Friends!
P.S. This pic was taken last spring when I thought I would like the taste of a dirty martini...wrong!
#afaf #mindfulnesselevated
Simply put, in October 2020 I was reflecting on a girls’ weekend while sitting around a campfire and came to the very personal conclusion that I didn’t like my relationship with alcohol anymore. I wanted to take a break. Quietly. No-fuss, no announcement, no explaining myself. Of course, I shared this with Josh and a close girlfriend but that was it. 30 days. No alcohol.
I’ve been a fitness enthusiast for over 18 years. I’ve done a lot in the fitness industry from being a certified group fitness instructor teaching step, spin, weightlifting, HIIT, kickboxing, and yoga. I’ve managed a group fitness program. I was a personal trainer. I adventured into endurance sports like running 5k’s, 10k’s, half marathon, full marathons, all triathlon distances (sprint, Olympic, half ironmans, and full ironmans). All the while, I was drinking while accomplishing these amazing feats. I never stopped to consider what this was doing to my body and my brain.
As I mentioned in my social media posts, I have taken breaks here and there from alcohol. Everything from a few days to 15 months. It was basically with sheer willpower. I can be stubborn. I wanted to find a different way because choosing not to drink in our culture is not easy. 87% of the American population drinks. With 331 million people in the US, that is 43 million people (over the age of 21) that choose not to drink for various reasons.
I decided in December of 2020 to invest in personal development. Because of the pandemic, I was still working from home. And without drinking, I had a lot more time on my hands. So, I did my research and found a program that I believed in. It’s called This Naked Mind. If you haven’t read it and are sober curious I encourage you to check it out. I invested in a 6-month certification to help others (and myself) find freedom from stimulants and depressants.
Throughout my career, I have been in leadership roles and coaching employees to become the best versions of themselves so they can move onto their dream job. I wanted to transfer that skill set over to a personal passion project. I wanted to start my own coaching business. My career in pro sports is still very much front and center. I am confident in my ability to be a small business owner and run a successful hockey franchise while balancing my personal life.
I stopped drinking for ME. I continue to be active and workout, eat right, meditate, journal, learn for ME. Internally I know I will be a better wife, mom, daughter, friend, aunt, boss, and coach if I put myself first. Out of this journey, Mindfulness Elevated was born. The initial ME was by design. It is a symbol of where I started this journey and how I hope to help others who want to put themselves first.
There are a few different coaching options with Mindfulness Elevated. The first track is called Kick the Substances. This offering focuses on reducing or removing alcohol, caffeine, sugar, prescription drugs, recreational drugs from a client's day-to-day living. We dig into the science, the nature of habits, the brain, emotions, and the coaching is customized to the individual or the group. None of this is a one size fits all approach. We all live our lives differently and the overarching goal is to find freedom and liberation and still live a FULL life.
The second track is called Feeling Fit. This is for clients looking to lose weight, get fit, and live a healthy active lifestyle. I offer customized workout plans for individuals or groups along with nutritional guidance.
Finally, for the individual or client that wants the whole package, I offer a combination of the Feeling Fit and Kick the Substances plan. It takes work. And a lot of it. But it is worth it. No one ever woke up in the morning and said “boy, I wish I drank last night” or “boy, I’m glad I didn’t exercise or eat right today.”
As I continue to blog about this journey you will see mindfulness is a huge part of my evolution. I will be sharing all my daily living rituals centered around the concept of health and wellness while being present and mindful. There will be good days and bad days and everything in between. I will bring you along on this journey with the goal of becoming the best versions of ourselves!
