The Phoenix Rises
About a 5-Minute Read
๐๐ค๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ช๐ฃ๐ฌ๐ค๐ง๐ฉ๐๐ฎ ๐ข๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ ๐ฅ๐ก๐๐ฎ (๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐๐ก) ๐จ๐ข๐๐ก๐ก ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ค๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ข๐ค๐ช๐จ
Growing up I felt like I lived in the shadows. My parents did their best to provide opportunities for me to grow and thrive. But I lived in the shadow of my big brother.
He was a star at sports. Girls just about lined up to date him. Even as a โjockโ he had good grades and received scholarship offers. Everyone knew his name.
Until I finished high school, I didnโt have my own name - I was โlittle Ziggyโ โZigโs sister,โ or โZigetteโ to friends, their parents, and even teachers. I wore my hair in a pixie cut (which I hated) because I wasn't allowed to have long hair, and combined with the hand-me-down clothes I wore when we were younger, more than once it resulted in my mom being asked if I was her โother son.โ Not great for a young girlโs self-esteem.
So I lived in the shadows, feeling anonymous, like I could never be good enough.
I wasnโt popular in school. I didnโt make the cheerleading squad. I was never asked to the prom. I worked really hard to get good grades, and be as good as I could be in figure skating and music. But no matter how hard I worked, it never felt good enough. I always felt โless thanโ in a number of different ways.
My opinions were given to me. Decisions about what I wanted to do with my life were made by others, and I came to believe that people could do whatever they wanted to me and I should just smile and take it. I felt unworthy of living a life that was my own.
Add to that some unaddressed and unhealed trauma from my youth, and I was a walking bundle of insecurity and unworthiness.
Figure skating gave me my one chance to shine. Stepping onto the ice felt like stepping through a portal into another world, where I was free to be me, and everything I did was mine and mine alone. It gave me strength, and I immersed myself in it. I lived for those moments on the ice. When I was off the ice, though, it was a different story.
After losing my mother when I was 19, my sense of unworthiness grew stronger, and I basically went through the motions of going to college, getting a job, and pursuing the smallest opportunities available because after all, who was I to aim for the stars?
Iโm not saying my whole life has been awful - Iโve done and accomplished some pretty amazing things, and I am grateful for the many opportunities Iโve had. But I often used to wonder how different my life would have been if I hadnโt spent so many years feeling unworthy of the things I dreamed about. Things that others seemed to grab hold of with ease.
Iโm a very different person now.
I work hard, and I know Iโm really good at what I do. Iโm proud of my accomplishments. And there have been quite a few. Some highlights:
I went back to university to finish my degree in my early 40s while working full-time
Iโve run 2 full marathons and 2 half marathons, even though I hated running at first
Iโve ridden over 19 different century (100-mile) bike rides
Iโve achieved coaching certifications that are highly regarded, and even though I sometimes tell myself that anyone could do it, the truth is that not everyone can.
I moved countries and learned a new language at 50
I learned to paddle board at age 58
I was nominated for knighthood, and have been knighted. Twice.
One of the most important accomplishments leading to all of this involved the journey from extreme body dysmorphia, to being severely overweight and nearly unable to function on a daily basis, to becoming strong, energetic, and focused.
Thereโs no special secret or โhackโ that made those things happen. The truth is, I worked my ass off for each and every one of them.
So, how did I make those changes?
I started by working on myself from the inside out. I finally learned how to set boundaries for myself. I began living in alignment with my core values. Most importantly, though, I LEARNED TO ASK FOR THE HELP I NEEDED.
I stopped looking for quick fixes, special diets, and miracle supplements. I knew I had to find a better, healthier way. I had to admit that I wasnโt able to do it on my own (even as a certified holistic nutritionist).
These days, my body might not look the way society says it should, but I donโt let that dictate my worth.
I know that I am, and will always be, a work in progress.
I know that when I open myself up to possibility, I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.
Iโm not playing small anymore. Authenticity and Integrity are two of my top core values, and itโs time for my voice to be heard and my real self to shine through.
I am kind and compassionate and I care deeply about other people.
Iโm a really good coach.
I have a great sense of humor.
I am sassy, sweary, and sarcastic.
I am a BADASS.
I KNOW DOWN TO MY VERY CORE THAT I AM FUCKING WORTHY OF EVERYTHING I DESIRE.
AND SO ARE YOU.
Itโs time to stop getting in your own way. If you ever hear yourself say:
Iโm just no good atโฆ
I donโt have the time
I know what to do, I just need to do it (then you donโt)
I can do this on my own (then you donโt)
I just need the โrightโ diet or meal plan
Iโll start when the time is right
Those are all excuses.
I know that sounds harsh, but bear with me here because if we don't get real about things, then nothing is going to change.
๐๐๐ ๐๐ค๐ข๐ข๐ค๐ฃ ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐๐๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ค๐ช๐๐ ๐๐ก๐ก ๐ฉ๐๐ค๐จ๐ ๐๐ญ๐๐ช๐จ๐๐จ ๐๐จ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ค๐ ๐ช๐ฃ๐ฌ๐ค๐ง๐ฉ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐จ๐จ.
Even if youโve never said it out loud, every time you use one of these excuses youโre basically telling yourself that youโre not worth investing your time, money, or energy into; so you continue to put everyone and everything else first. You hide behind them and then point to them as the reason youโre not able to get to where you want to be.
Let me tell you something right here and now.
You are an amazing person with qualities, skills, and talents that others admire
There are people in your life who love you and want you to be happy
When youโre happy and healthy it enriches the lives of everyone around you
There are people who would be devastated if something happened to you
You have so many amazing things to share with the world, itโs time to stop playing small
You CAN do it. You are FUCKING WORTHY. You DESERVE to live an amazing, vibrant life. If you didnโt deserve those things, you wouldn't be here on this earth.
It absolutely breaks my heart to watch you suffer. Doing that offers ZERO benefit to anyone, especially yourself.
Letโs get that GPS out and give you the support you need so you can get on the right path.
ITโS NEVER TOO LATE TO START.
Iโm offering 10 free Breakthrough Calls this month because the world needs all the magic you have to offer.
Letโs have a chat and Iโll help you take that first step. Click HERE to access my calendar and book your free call.
Donโt wait - DO IT NOW.
Iโm here for you.