As a therapist, I’m no stranger to conversations about healing, growth, and pushing past personal limits. But this past year, I found myself needing to apply these lessons more deeply in my own life. Between preparing for a grueling competition—the Beast Mode Games—and managing other personal stressors, I experienced one of the most challenging periods of my life. It was overwhelming, but it also brought clarity. The competition became the catalyst for realizations that helped me navigate the last quarter of 2024 and move into 2025 with a renewed sense of purpose and clarity on who I am.
While training for the Beast Mode Games, life felt heavy. I struggled to regulate my nervous system amid the pressure and stress of preparing for the competition, relationships, and work. It felt like I had too much on my plate and food was falling off. I was waking up nervous, full of anxiety, and worry about how things will go. I was doubting my ability to crush this competition and deal with the other stressors in my life. Have you ever experienced that feeling of anxiety and fear in the pit of your stomach when you wake up? That was my life for a little over 2 months – it was terrible!
My efforts to regulate my nervous system ranged from: deep breathing, mediation for at least 20 minutes, 10-15 minutes on my vibration plate, prayer, mirror work, affirmations, long walks, talking with my therapist/coach, and journaling. All of these helped me stay afloat and not completely crash out!
Now, let me tell you, there was a movement in the competition that I just couldn’t master during training, and the frustration was deeply triggering. I kept falling into the familiar pattern of focusing on what I wasn’t doing right instead of acknowledging my strengths. But as I leaned into mirror work and prayer, I began to see this as an opportunity to face my shadows.
By the time competition day arrived, I conquered that movement. It wasn’t just about physical strength; it was about digging deep and finding the resilience I needed to believe in myself. That experience helped me realize some truths that shaped how I approached the rest of the year.
Here are four lessons I learned:
- Detach from the outcome: Idealizing outcomes—whether in relationships or business—often leads to disappointment. Boundaries and affirmations to support your self belief are essential.
- Ask for what you really want: Working with a coach helped me identify where I wasn’t being fully honest about my desires as it relates to my relationships, both platonic and romantic.
- Do what scares you: Faith grows when you lean into fear. Choosing yourself means aligning your actions with your values.
- Rest is productive: In 2025, I am leaning into workouts that challenge me differently like: Yoga, heavy lifting, pilates, and long walks became my anchors. These activities remind me to go inward, breathe deeply, and honor my body’s need for movement and stillness.
Stepping outside of my comfort zone wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. If you want to dive deeper into my journey and the lessons I’ve learned, I invite you to watch my most recent YouTube video where I share the raw, unfiltered story behind these realizations. What shadows do you need to face this year? Let’s take bold steps together.
If you’re a woman on your healing journey and wondering how to heal with intention, I invite you to join my online course designed specifically for you. The course is scheduled to drop on Feb 14th 2025, so sign up HERE to stay in the loop!
In this course, I’ll walk you through actionable steps and tools to help you heal with purpose and clarity. Together, we’ll navigate the “how” of healing so you can create a life that feels authentic and aligned. Stay tuned for details on how to sign up by signing up HERE.
