The Rest of the Story!

4 TIMES IN CUFFS......
  
     1.  17 years old- Threw a party while my parents were out of town.  If they hadn't just warned me, I would've had 3-5 charges on me that night!
     
     2.  18 years old- Shoplifting at Wal-Mart, Post Arrested, I was banned from Wal-Mart for  one year, used all of my graduation money to pay fines, probation

     3.  29 years old- Domestic Violence- Spent Memorial weekend in jail, probation, anger  management classes

     4.  32 years old- Embezzlement-FELONY, pretrial diversion, restitution, community service


As you can see each time I got in trouble it was a little worse than the last time!  Had I not decided to make a change, chances are pretty good I'd be doing some serious jail time for my actions! But this is only a small portion of the things I experienced during my addiction!  I may just have to sit down and write a book one day!

I had absolutely no respect for anyone much less myself! I was a thief, a liar, and most of all such a disappointment to my family.  I was selfish in all the wrong ways! No one trusted me being around HAHA!! Could I blame them one bit?  I had no concern for anyone else's feelings or anyone else's stuff they worked so hard for!  When you have an affair with any kind of addiction, it honestly becomes your EVERYTHING!  It's like being married in a small town and cheating on your spouse! You think all your tracks are covered...., BUT EVERYONE IN TOWN KNOWS!!! Pure ignorance I mean GEEZ!

There's only ONE EXPLANATION as to why I'm where I'm at today!  GOD!  God rescued me! This time I listened because I was in desperation.  I lost everything I owned and worked so hard for! I lost much love and respect from so many! BUT THANK GOD I'M FREE AT LAST! He brought me to my Beachbody family that accepted me with open arms!  The workouts are AMAZING!  Shakeology is AMAZING!! But my transformation  what happened on the inside!

 People ask me all the time, WHY ARE YOU SO HAPPY?  I am so happy because I understand the true meaning of the word LOVE!  With all the Personal Development I do, I learned to LOVE myself again!  I learned my self worth!  I learned that I am deserving of so much happiness!! The reason I am so positive is because I came from such a dark side of the bridge and finally found my way across to the happy side and I will NEVER apologize for my "OVER THE TOP" personality!  I believe with my whole heart and soul that IF I CAN DO THIS, SO CAN YOU!!! This is the reason I make my motivation videos!!  I want to give you HOPE that's it's possible!! I could not have done this alone!  I give so much credit to the few family and friends that had a wee bit of faith in me,  my Beachbody family, that saw something in me when I couldn't see it in myself, and my heavenly FATHER above!

Feeling worthless and ashamed are common feelings when you're having an affair with ADDICTION, trust me I know!  I would love nothing more than to be your personal CHEERLEADER!! Everyone needs SOMEONE Cheering for them!

Everything Is Gona Be Ok!

Do you think it's a coincident that a complete stranger opened my eyes to a simple, yet complex word?  A word that's so misused and misunderstood.... LOVE!!

I don't at all believe in coincidences.  I believe God puts specific people in your life for a specific reason.  In the short 28 days of this new year, I've met some pretty amazing people, but this one in particular just touched my soul.  :)

Over the last few months, I've had to really work hard at LOVING myself again for all the things I've done and the people that I've hurt.  Some days it wasn't an easy task, but I had to keep reassuring myself everyday that I AM WORTH IT!  Forgiving yourself is sometimes the hardest thing we face as humans in my opinion.  Once you finally do, though, it's the most FREEING feeling ever! But what good does LOVING MYSELF again do if I'm not spreading it around every place I go?

My life theme is "Make a Stranger Smile"!  I live by it and apply it every where I go, but do people really feel the genuine LOVE that's in my heart by my smile?  People do smile back at me, BUT  I know that behind some of those smiles is a world of hurt.  I know behind some of those smiles there's a world of shame.  I know behind some of those smiles there's a world of fear.  How do I know?  I've been there!

When I go out into the world today,  I ask GOD to allow me to show people true LOVE.  Even though it's very uncomfortable at first to go up to a complete stranger and try to make their day better when you have no idea what's going on in their life!  Sometimes all people need is a simple gesture of a hand shake or a hug and tell them everything's going to be ok! This is something very new to me, but I have high hopes that offering COMPLETE TRUE LOVE to STRANGERS will get easier!

This is the lesson I learned from a complete stranger!! And now no matter what I MUST pay it forward! 

I used to be a LOSER!

It's true!! I used to be a LOSER! Even though something deep down inside of me kept telling me I was something special, I allowed for SO LONG people's opinions of me become my reality! Once I got SOBER and put the right people in my life, I started believing in myself again!  Do you know how AMAZING that feels to wake up BELIEVING you have a chance again?  Do you know how AMAZING it feels to wake up having others BELIEVE in you again?  It's the most empowering experience ever!

When I signed up as a Beachbody Coach I had no freakin clue how I was going to get ANYONE AT ALL to believe anything I said.  Over the years I burned so many bridges and pretty much completely ran my life into the ground.  Even though I felt so much better inside and out, something deep down inside me just felt like I wasn't good enough for this.... People are going to think... WAIT!! STOP!! RIGHT NOW AMANDA!!.... Didn't you just say you listened to people's opinions for so long and just where did that get you??  This is the exact conversation I had with myself.  ( I talk to myself A LOT these days )

Instead of putting thought into what people are going to think, I made the decision to be MYSELF and admit my failures.  This definitely was not easy at first.... and still isn't some days.  But I do it anyways.  I tune the world out and follow my heart!  I put my STORY out there in hopes to inspire someone along the way to make the necessary changes in their own life to find their happiness!  If you have a burning fire inside you like I do, I encourage you to take that leap of faith and do your part to inspire others.  Become a Coach and let's change the world together! 

Thanks to so many great LEADERS in Beachbody that inspire me to keep going, I still have the COURAGE to wake up every single day and talk to strangers about changing their lives.  Most people think I'm crazy and that's quite ok!  I know I have left a stain on their mind that they can't wash away!  Being a Coach to me is showing people there is a way across the bridge of darkness to happiness!  And the beauty of it is, that applies to so many different aspects of LIFE!  TODAY I'm NOT A LOSER! TODAY I'M A WINNER!  And I want you to be a WINNER TOO!  

WOW JUST WOW!!

I read this question somewhere today... A year ago, did you think you'd be where you are now?  Absolutely NOT!!  My daughter didn't want to live with me, I had lost another job, I totaled my car, got evicted, my dog died all in a few weeks time.  Sounds like a dead gum country song! HAHA!  I was spiraling down further in my addiction.  Seriously people told me all the time how worthless I was.  "You won't ever amount to anything, Amanda."

Today... WOW TODAY!  I can barely even get my thoughts out because I'm so overwhelmed with all these amazing emotions running thru my soul.  I have been reaching out to Recovery Centers in the Tampa Bay Area to volunteer my time!  Today I met with the director of this one in particular that just happens to be one mile from my house!  I walk in not really knowing what to expect.  I know that I want to volunteer fitness workouts, because to me FITNESS IS A MUST IN RECOVERY!
Do you know this facility wants ME to help them lead RECOVERY CLASSES??? OOOMMMYYYGGGOOOOSSSSHHH!!! I am so very Honored!! I'm excited, and I'm nervous, and I'm scared, and I'm HAPPY all at the same time!! HAHA!!! I'm not experienced in Leading Recovery Classes, I'm not experienced in talking in front of people, BUT I am so very passionate about helping others cross that same bridge that I crossed! I have no idea what words will come out of my mouth my first time in front of people... BUT I KNOW THAT GOD HAS LEAD ME HERE AND HE OBVIOUSLY KNOWS I CAN DO THIS!!

One year ago....No one believed in me, I didn't believe in myself and there's no way I would've believed ANYONE that told me this would be my life now.  The moment you LET GO AND LET GOD he leads to your true destiny.  All the adversity I faced was for a specific reason so I can give a glimmer of HOPE back to someone that needs it! When you believe in YOURSELF and have THE ALMIGHTY GOD on your side, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!  Don't give up on yourself because YOU ARE WORTH IT! If I can do it SO CAN YOU!! xo

Get Over your FEARS!

IF NOT NOW...WHEN? I want you to SERIOUSLY ask yourself this question! What exactly are you so afraid of? Well get over it!! It's TIME TO FACE YOUR FEARS HEAD ON!  We as humans create our own fears inside our own mind.  The moment you start doubting yourself is the moment YOU get in YOUR OWN WAY!  

Getting SOBER, Getting HEALTHY, Chasing DREAMS aren't getting done because you stop yourself.  You allow negative thoughts to control your outcome.  You are scared to fail.  You are worried about what everyone else thinks.  This is the day to TUNE THE WORLD OUT!  THIS IS THE DAY TO START TAKING CARE OF YOU!  

Did you know that failing at things makes you stronger?   Did you know that if you're failing you're actually trying?  If you keep getting back up and trying eventually you are going to SUCCEED!  Today is the day to QUIT WISHING YOUR LIFE WAS BETTER.  Today is the day to TAKE ACTION! You aren't promised TOMORROW!!  

GOD created us all with GREATNESS!  He didn't intend for us to abuse our bodies in ANY way.  With GOD on your side, when YOU BELIEVE in YOURSELF, and when you surround yourself with PEOPLE THAT UPLIFT YOU on a daily basis....lil babies ANYTHING is POSSIBLE!  If I can do it, SO CAN YOU!  Together we can do this!!

 

19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 

20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Beer...It's what WAS for Supper!

Back in my drinking days, I remember watching the clock just waiting for 5 o'clock so I could go by the store and grab some beer.  The feeling that overcame me is so hard to put into words, but I think it could be best described as a NORMAL woman going on a first date.  I was so excited, yet so anxious, my palms would sweat and my mouth would water.  CRAZY, I know!  I never got like this over men haha, just beer!! Who am I kidding beer was my MAN!! I COULD NOT wait to get my man home.  The first pop of that top was as if my man just whispered sweet nothings in my ear!  AAHHHHH I was floating on CLOUD 9!

While the kiddo was doing homework or playing with the neighbors, me and my man would have quality time outside for about an hour! This time right here is what I woke up for and worked so hard for EVERY SINGLE DAY!  I didn't do well with interruptions, just HAD to have that time to ourselves.  Once our short hour or so was up, I would get up and start cooking supper for me and the kiddo.  Although I love cooking, I hated the fact I ALWAYS had to do the cooking myself.  Sometimes I wanted a real man that could actually help me with some of the household chores, BUT that was only sometimes haha.  

Once I got supper cooked, I would make the kiddo a plate!  I myself would want more time with my beer man, so I would leave her to eating supper by herself and go back outside for more quality time.  She would always ask me, "Are you gona eat mom?"  The answer was the same almost every night, "I'm going to in a little bit!" And by the way, I'm a pretty amazing cook if I do say so myself,  I would take a bite here and there but rarely actually sat down to eat a nice supper with my daughter.  Before I knew it, the time had flown and it was her bed time and pushing my bedtime as well.  Bedtime was a LOVE/HATE thing, cause I didn't want to leave my main squeeze, but I knew I would see him the next day, same exact time, and same exact situation all over again!

Looking back now, I'm not even sure how my body kept going with the lack of nutrients.  I lived on beer!  I did eat normal food during the day, but my goodness, I rarely got any decent food down me during the evening dates with BEER.  Although, I rarely woke up with a hangover, I never woke up feeling refreshed. EVER.  How ignorant I was to think I could live my life like that.  

I am happy to say that I broke up with that "SO CALLED MAN"!  BEER is no longer in my life.  I have now traded him for SHAKEOLOGY and other nutritional meals. I don't replace my suppers for anything anymore because I've learned how to take care of my body,  I can't go back and get those suppers with my daughter I missed, but I can make sure I don't miss anymore because of a temporary "GOOD" feeling.  That "GOOD" feeling I thought I had with my "SO" CALLED MAN"  doesn't hold a candle to the COMPLETENESS I feel now!  My kiddo and I spend more than just suppers together and it's the MOST AMAZING FEELING EVER!!

 It's NEVER too late for you to experience that feeling!  It would be my pleasure to help YOU get on the right nutritional track! 

Rednecks LOVE Chicken Wangs

Putting down the fried chicken wangs ain't gonna be easy, but it will be worth it!  I freakin' LOVE food! Absolutely love food! Coming from Mississippi, where butter is the main ingredient and EVERYTHING is deep fried and I DO MEAN EVERYTHING ( I ain't seen a fried earthworm but it honestly wouldn't surprise me if someone fried one of them and ate it ),  NUTRITION is the biggest struggle of my healthy lifestyle.  It's a scary thing to face when you have no clue about eating healthy.  Well obviously I was aware that veggies and fruits are good for you...but I ain't a vegetarian (no offense to any of you that are), I'm a MEAT AND POTATO kinda girl.  I do love veggies and fruits, but I surely don't want to have to live on just those.

I think part of my fear was not knowing how to pronounce a lot of the healthy things, exactly what section to find them in the grocery store, and how to cook it.  I'm not scared to eat new things, but really hate looking like look an idiot when it seems like everyone down here in FLORIDA knows all about the healthy stuff.  It really is tough for a REDNECK to learn these new things trust me!! Thankfully, I have the most amazing support from my Beachbody family that are so patient with me when I ask 1000 questions about new foods.  So my Coach introduced me to a Lentil Quinoa soup kinda thingy when we on our way to film an Obstacle Course Race.  First of all I couldn't even pronounce that word, second of all I had no clue what the heck it was.  Thank goodness for the internet so I can do my research. HAHA!!!! It was amazing stuff and the next time I got it I had to point to it on the menu, but now I have mastered that work "QUINOA".  I sucked it up one night and seriously asked my team mates,, what section of the store do I get this stuff?  Don't be afraid to ask questions, even if they seem so dumb and simple to you.


I'm not the best at eating right, but I am WAY better than I was 4 months ago!  The key is baby steps.... Don't think you have to go clean out your cabinets and start completely over!  That in itself just sounds too dramatic and unrealistic for a lot of people.  Start trying to eliminate one thing just for the day to start off with.  For instance, I used to drink 1-2 can cokes per day so I said to myself "Today I'm not going to drink a coke!" Well I made it thru the first day without one.  The next day I said the same thing to myself, and before I knew it a week had gone by and I didn't drink not one coke.  Then two weeks, then three, and now it's been over 4 months since I've had a coke.  Make small goals for yourself!  The feeling of accomplishment when you reach attainable goals is the BEST feeling in the world! 

 I can tell you once you start eating healthier, and you make a decision to eat some chicken wangs sitting in a bunch of grease, they will make you want to hurl.  Eating healthy all the time will eventually become just part of your daily routine.  Don't get so consumed with the THOUGHT of eating healthy that it scares you away.... Ask lots of questions and take baby steps! Although I'm no expert at nutrition, I can get you set up for success with some AMAZING BEACHBODY programs!  Click here to send me a message via facebook!  I would be honored to help you take that first step in the right direction!