Take Responsibility, Build Resilience

Perception is everything….

Hello Empowered Community,

First, thank you to everyone who reached out after last week’s email and post. Opening up about my journey and my fight for women to stop shrinking and start showing up in their power was vulnerable—and I won’t lie, it was scary. It’s hard to admit that I’ve stumbled, fallen, and struggled, or to stand up for others and speak out against the pressures we face. Vulnerability is often seen as weakness, but I believe it’s one of our greatest strengths. It allows us to connect with each other, to empathize with struggle, and to find resilience in ourselves. So, thank you for seeing and valuing that.

This week, I’m reflecting on a recent visit to the Mystery Spot with my family (see the picture above). It’s a place where perception and reality don’t always line up—a lot like our own health journeys. Sometimes, what we think we see or believe doesn’t fully match the truth. The stories we tell ourselves about what’s possible or what we deserve can be skewed, influenced by fear, judgment, or societal expectations. But when we look closer and get real about where we’re at and what we can control, that’s when true change begins.

For a long time, I was caught in that cycle of trying and quitting, over and over, because I feared judgment. I feared the way society saw me as a strong woman—sometimes that strength was even thrown at me as an insult. People who had no right or knowledge judged my body, my eating, and my exercise habits. I let their words get to me, making me doubt myself and keeping me stuck. But I’ve learned: enough is enough. This journey is mine, and it’s yours, too—only you can truly decide your path.

Yes, there are outside influences. Yes, support systems matter. And yes, you may face struggles that others don’t understand because we rarely know the full story from the outside. But here’s the truth: it’s no one else’s responsibility to make you healthy (even though I wish it were better supported in our society, there’s no time to wait). Health is personal, and real change comes from taking informed, deliberate action.

Avoid the tempting advice of influencers or quick fixes—they often provide shortcuts that don’t last. Instead, seek out real, effective guidance. Find qualified professionals who offer evidence-based advice grounded in experience and science. Yes, investing in reliable support might cost more than a quick-fix supplement or a trendy product, but remember, you vote with your dollars. Don’t waste them on fads or junk that promises the world and delivers nothing. Choose knowledge, experience, community, and sustainable change over hype.

So, how do we break the cycle of quitting and restarting? How do we build systems that support us, even on tough days? It starts with creating routines and habits that don’t rely on willpower alone. Set up small, achievable steps that allow you to experience wins, even if they seem insignificant. Did you walk a little farther today? Did you squeeze in one more rep? Did you prioritize sleep over screen time or choose to handle stress in a healthy way? These small choices, compounded over time, are what ultimately drive progress and resilience.

The real markers of success go beyond what you see on the outside. Look for signs of progress that are often overlooked: improved energy, better sleep, the ability to handle stress with calm. These are the victories that build a foundation of wellness that lasts. Success isn’t always about big, obvious changes. It’s about steady, consistent growth that’s sustainable.

Today, I challenge you to take a hard, honest look at your own role in your current health. How did you get here? Chances are, you didn’t leap into this situation overnight—you slid here, gradually. Now, consider how you can start climbing back up, one step at a time. Realistic changes are the key; dramatic overhauls rarely work long-term. Choose small, meaningful actions that you can stick with, and commit to consistency over perfection.

And as you make progress, think about how you can give back. Our journeys aren’t just about ourselves. They’re about recognizing the people, places, and systems that have supported us, and finding ways to lift others up. Your progress, your success, can inspire those around you to start showing up for themselves, too.

Remember, I create and hold space here for movement, creativity, growth, and play. I’m here to support you as you build these habits, but it’s up to you to show up for yourself. You have the power to make these choices, to create change, and to cultivate resilience.

So today, take a look at your choices. Find one thing you can change, one small action that aligns with the health and life you want. I’d love for you to share it with me—send me an email, or post it in our Facebook community. Let’s support each other on this journey, and let’s keep moving forward, together.

In strength and resilience,

Coach Christine