Running a timed mile in lacrosse I was always close to last, and someone once told me a 5k would be too much. Now I run half marathons for fun.

Someone once told me maybe I am not meant to do crossfit, but someone also once told me I was a crossfitter, I am going to listen to them.

I know what it is like to feel like no one cares, I know what it is like to think you are alone in a room full of people, I know what it feels like to drown yourself in your own negative self image, I know what it feels like to get up in the morning and feel like you are mentally preparing for war every time you leave the house, I know what its like to feel ugly, fat, unloved, a joke.  I know what it is like to want someone else life, I know what it is like to google weight loss surgeries and drastic diets daily.  I know what it is like to think no one understands.

Let me tell you there will come a time in your journey where you let go of it all.  Where you realize you are not alone and that there are people out there who are going through the same struggles you are and there are even people who are going through much worse.

Every single person on this planet is at a very different point in their journey. Maybe you are sitting there reading this blog discouraged that you will never reach the point of happiness, never lose weight, or be comfortable in the skin you are in.  You could even be looking at this blog rolling your eyes, thinking you are above all of this and move on after a few sentences (these peeps are definitely gone by now).

As you start reading inspirational stories or blogs, cast a vision for yourself, don’t just sit there and think “this will never be me”.  Create this future for yourself, build yourself a community.  Go on Instagram and start following other’s journeys, these are just normal people like you and I who have all started somewhere.

Take down this wall you have build up around you brick by brick. Move away from the mentality of “somebody who cares is going to break this wall down and save the day”.  That somebody is YOU.  Fight for yourself.

It isn’t going to happen over night, it isn’t going to be easy.  There will be tears, there will be mental break downs, there may be blood, there will be sweat, there will be critics and doubters. Some days are really going to suck.  Know that sometimes things do have to fall apart.  Just think, what if there is a reason behind these bad days?  What if these days are breaking something down so we can build it back up for us to reach our goals and to fulfill our purpose?

This is one reason I wish I had started blogging my journey sooner, there are always going to be bad days.  When you are at the beginning of your weightless journey or a journey towards a happier life, bad days are one hundred times harder to pull yourself out of, but you have to remember – YOU ARE WORTH IT.

Do you think Rich Froning walked into a gym an expert, as a child did Martin Brodeur step on the ice as one of the greatest goalies ever to play in the NHL, did Adam Sandler become famous over night? Did Jillian Michaels just start yelling exercises at people and they listened?

These pros/experts/stars have never and still do not have it all figured out, nor do I and I hope that I never do.  These bad days are part of the journey, these days keep us humble and remind us we are only human.  You don’t have to be an expert at anything in order to do it – you are a runner, you are a crossfitter, you are a positive person, who you are maters.

Embrace the suck.

– You are not alone – you are worth it – you are beautiful –

I care about you.