PUMPed for Possibilities!!!

I love these two photos! No, they are not a before/after photo.  They are not a THEN and NOW photo comparison either.  They are images of possibility, and a celebration of growth, change, and evolution of self!!!  The photo on the left is me in 2012 after I won the ABA fitness model division.  The photo of me on the right was taken yesterday, almost 6 years to the day later.  I just completed my 10th IsaBody Challenge (8 months postpartum) and thought it would be fun to recreate my photo on the left that just popped up on my Facebook memories!!!

I love that I’m wearing the “PUMP” top in both photos.  Both so relevant and so different.  On the left, I was a Body Pump/ weight lifting machine!!!  On the right, I am still a pumper... with breastfeeding (in fact, I’m “pumping” as I type…TMI??? Overshare?  Don’t care…I’m grateful to still be able to feed my little guy.)

I love these photos so much because they represent two completely different successful women. The best part is that I am both of them!!!  The human body is incredible!!!  When given the right diet, exercise, and mindset, it can achieve ANYTHING!!!  They both are the result of what Tony Robbins calls his “ultimate success formula.”

1. Know your end result
2. Know your “why”
3. Take massive action
4. Review and change your approach as needed***
5. Repeat 3 &4 until you achieve your goal!!!

***Be sure to laugh (and sometimes cry), give gratitude, and celebrate all along the way!!!
I had to follow this exact formula with both journeys represented in the photos:

2012- I wanted to crush a fitness competition, to see what’s possible when I follow a true program.  My 1st show was in 2010, and I had NO CLUE!!!  I did everything wrong, but I did it! (and still had fun in the process.)  So for this competition, I hired a coach, followed her proven exercise and nutrition plan, and trusted the process!  When my costume went south 2 days before the show, I regrouped, changed my approach and created a new top….hence the epic, “PUMP” top!!!  I couldn’t’ be more proud of how it all turned out!!!

2018- The road to motherhood is another key example of the Ultimate success formula.  When the “old fashioned way” didn’t work, we tried IUI, and then IVF. When IVF didn’t work, we kept trying as we stayed true to “our why” of building a family.  However, I changed my mindset in our final round, and I truly feel that’s where the “magic” and MJ showed up!!!

I could show you more photos too….like when I finished the marathon for the 1st time in 1999.  Or when I bought my 1st condo 2006!!!  These are two additional amazing possibilities that came to life where I once thought they were unattainable!!!  I’m sure if I had those photos, my body, mind and spirit looked a lot different from the photos above.

That’s the thing, to achieve something different, you have to become someone different!!!  The me of 2012, never could have had a baby with that body and that mindset.  And as proud of who I am today, I have no desire to even go up on stage…even in the most sparkly of bikinis and b’dazzled heals!

Ok, let’s be honest.  When I looked at the photo on the left, I was nostalgic for a moment about my abs and my arms.  But then I got excited and so blown away by the photo on the right.  I grew and carried a new life in my beautiful belly!!!  That’s a miracle!!!  And my arms are still so strong…for when I carry my beautiful baby boy!!!  In fact, they are no longer "for decorative purposes only!" LOL! Honestly, I think I’m stronger now then before. It’s lot of work carrying my 18+ lb baby AND car seat around town!  As great as my 2012 abs were, I am much more proud of my 2018 body!!!
​
Be proud of who you are TODAY.  You'll the perfect version of you to be the miracle edition you are TODAY!!!  You’re not that person anymore from the old photos, and that’s a good thing!  However, if you want something different in your future, you need to become someone different in body, mind, and spirit!  So…Keep dreaming!  Keep growing!  Keep evolving to be the person you dream of being next!!!  

 I can’t wait to see my new success photos of possibility.   Whoever I become, I know it will be incredible!!!