My Team Vision

What did you want to be when you grew up?

As a youngster I probably had big dreams of being a whale trainer or working at the McDonald’s playplace, but as I hit high school they were more like: teacher, athletic trainer, veterinarian, or some sort of counseling. Even in college I didn’t necessarily have a concrete answer, but I did have two requirements: be wildly passionate about the work I do while being present for my future family.

A few years later…here I am living that out. “Grateful” doesn’t even begin to describe how fortunate I feel that I’ve been exposed to my IDEAL job so early in life. Wanna know what I REALLY do?? I help people live healthy more fulfilling lives and mentor others to do the same…while working from my house.

As my team grows, so does the vision for this community.
Some days it’s a little foggy, other days it’s crystal clear.

The crystal clear part looks like this:

-I want nothing more than to foster a culture for my team where we KNOW & whole-heartedly BELIEVE we can make a difference.

-I’m working to build a place where the focus is on lifting each other up, knowing there is room for each of us at the top.

-I see resiliency in my tribe as we work through struggles, but never enough to hold us back.

-Growth & steadfastness are at the core…knowing we are always working to be better people from the inside out.

We call ourselves &BEYOND – a constant reminder to push beyond our limits; to live beyond ourselves.

As I move forward side-by-side with the rest of my team, it fills me up more than anything when they catch on to this vision, see their own potential, stand up for what they hold dear, and ultimately create a life of FREEDOM for their families.

This train is leaving with a remarkable crew already aboard.

We have room for you, too.

team-vision-graphic

I CAN DO HARD THINGS.

“I CAN DO HARD THINGS.”

This phrase means FAR more to me than the photo shows. It has defined parenthood for me up until this point. (You know- since I’m suddenly a professional parent now that I’ve been doing it for a whole 5 months😉)

…the pregnancy.
I CAN DO HARD THINGS.
This phrase cheered me through a lonely pregnancy while my husband was deployed.
This phrase uplifted me through that extra week & one day that sweet girl went over her due date.

…the delivery.
I CAN DO HARD THINGS.
This phrase motivated me through (30 hours of unmedicated) labor.
This phrase supported me through that TERRIBLE walk in the park (when I was already 5cm).
This phrase was repeated over & over & over & over as my body went to war.

…the first week.
I CAN DO HARD THINGS.
This phrase helped me through that disheartening first week when I wanted to give my baby back.
This phrase guided me through those physically painful moments as I learned to feed my baby.
This phrase encouraged me during the mentally draining hours it took to teach my baby to eat.
This phrase soothed me when I was genuinely upset at how a tiny human’s life is 100% dependent on my BROKEN body.

…the first few months.
I CAN DO HARD THINGS.
This phrase soothed me while I tried to calm a screaming infant.
This phrase got me through the times I was awake every other hour through with a sick little girl.
This phrase uplifted me when I knew I didn’t have a clue what I was doing.

…the postpartum workouts.
I CAN DO HARD THINGS.
This phrase encouraged me during my first postpartum workout at 9 weeks.
This phrase motivates me to “push play” on days I’d rather not.
This phrase helped me through every. single. rep. during yesterday’s workout.
This phrase reminds me to push continue making progress.

.
YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS.
Yes, you. I know you can.

Sometimes all it takes is a tweak in the way I phrase the activity in my head. Changing “This is really hard” to “I can do hard things” makes all the difference. Give it a try-I promise you NEED to hear yourself say it.

Parenting & taking care of yourself is hard…but YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS. 

hard-things

blog sign

Have you heard of EVEN Hotels?

Have you heard of Even Hotels?
Me either.

This morning I booked our stay in NYC at an EVEN Hotel…solely based on price & location. Really.

The website boasted a “happy, healthy place” that “welcomes wellness-minded travelers”…I thought it was an interesting claim & mostly just marketing, but wasn’t really expecting a follow through.

After digging a little further, though, EVERY ROOM has an “in room training zone & fitness kit” (take a peek at this stock pile photo –a yoga ball & resistance bands included?! AWESOME). …and I have Beachbody On Demand that will stream the same workouts I’m used to back home in San Diego.

unknown

I don’t even have to awkwardly go to the hotel gym and stream from my phone while people give me funny looks. #beentheredonethat It’s like they know I workout from home! 

I think this hotel was made specifically for coaches.

Other perks include: spa like showers, cooling eucalyptus sheets, black out shades, coffee maker & refrigerator (hard to come by in New York, it seems), and with all of that in the room … I can only imagine the ambiance of the public space and the food options!

I’m REALLY excited to check-in! Not sure I’ve ever felt this way about a hotel before🤔

Expect a blog post & review in a few weeks🙌🏻

 

The Best Basic Day

[originally written July 8, 2016]

I have a dear friend that sits in her closet with a cup of coffee (but I bet sometimes it’s wine) when she needs a sec.

13626491_10103479607151438_4636610858089396313_n

I can’t fit in my closet, but the corner of my bedroom floor is working very well tonight. Yes, that’s a glass of wine.

Today was basic. 
Almost as basic as it could ever get, yet somehow one of the best days I’ve had in a while.

My daughter is becoming my most favorite human. It really wasn’t overnight, but all in one day she learned how to give kisses, blow raspberries (hilarious!), knows what you’re referring to when you ask her to find the puppy or baby (her toys), was fascinated with the ball pit for her birthday party, and is taking 3-4 steps on her own.

She is such a neat tiny little human.

I didn’t get nearly enough work done, but what I did do was structured and organized.
I’m very happy with that…I wish I could say that was normal.
I’m sure it’s no coincidence I had the best workout in a while.

I took the dog for a walk in a new neighborhood; I do that sometimes. Our same old block gets boring for both of us, sometimes driving a short mile in any direction first is just what we need. It might be one of the best walks we’ve had together—I don’t think she realizes how much I cherish those times, too.

My house is a mess. Not even just a mess, but actually dirty. Somehow, though, it still seems like a comfy home…even as I sit in the corner of my room.

You see.
Super basic.
The me five years ago never would have claimed this to be one of the best days. Yet somehow today was just that.

Beyond blessed to be in a place in my life that is filled with so much love & happiness…no matter how ordinary. I like this life we’re building.

Alright- picking myself up off the floor to go spend the remainder of the evening with the best man I know❤️

Thanks for being my listening eyes & ears. I hope you’re in a happy place, too, no matter how ordinary. If you’re not, I hope this chaotic moment you’re going through right now makes you appreciate that place of basic contentment when the time comes.

Cheers🍷

These Jeans have a Story…

These jeans have a story!
…let yours tell one, too!
{details at the end of this post}

jeans story

These jeans are one of my favorite pairs from college. I wore them long past graduation and they still fit nicely in the summer of 2013.

That August was the first time since high school I decided it was time to take control and feel comfortable in my own skin. I joined one of these “online accountability groups” I’m now always talking about, stuck to my 3 month home workout program called “ChaLEAN Extreme,” and lost 11 inches total and 5% body fat.

Sometime during that 3 month transition, my husband proclaimed that we were going pants shopping because my jeans were too big and I needed to stop walking around with a “saggy ass” (…now that’s love!). You can guess where most of that 11 inches came from…….

Fast forward a couple years, and cue baby Nora…!

Last month while I was visiting my parents, I found these old jeans. I thought I’d try them on just “to see” if they fit. Somehow I squeezed them over my butt and managed to barely button them…muffin top and all. Yup! That’s real life.

It was a little discouraging that these same “saggy ass” jeans were now barely buttonable, but I’d just had a baby so I decided to cut myself some slack, stop sulking, and set a goal.

Three weeks ago, when I got back home, I hosted one of those same “online accountability groups” with an absolutely remarkable group of challengers and chose 21 Day Fix as my weapon. The “21 Day Fix” is a Fitness program made up of 30 minute home workouts & a top of the line nutrition program (where you really get to EAT! A LOT). Yesterday was our final day; I took measurements and THIS photo this morning.

Look at these jeans now! That’s what I call a “non-scale victory!”

I’ve been wearing these jeans the last three weeks, noticing that they’re “getting bigger” but it wasn’t until I SAW with my own eyes the number on my tape measurer….I lost 5 inches overall; 2 of which were in my waist!

What a change from that muffin top in just 3 weeks!

Here’s the best part: my results “could have” been even better.
This is me being transparent…
✔️I missed two workouts.
✔️I strayed from the nutrition plan a time or two each week and guiltlessly celebrated birthdays or cheered on the Packers.

…and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Here’s WHY-

This program isn’t a “diet” but a lifestyle change. To me, “diets” have strict rules, focus on what you CAN’T do, and have hard start/stop dates without any of your new habits carrying over into your actual life. This program, on the other hand, helps facilitate a new way of taking care of yourself with exercise and healthy food long after those 21 Days are over. You better believe I will always promote a program that allows you to have a “real life” too.

College jeans: conquered.
Next up: pre-pregnancy jeans.

The 21 Day Fix program is on sale for 6 more days for only $10. Send me an email (alischroeder.fit@gmail.com) if you want to see a REAL, healthy change like I did!

I’d love to hear YOUR story and get you started on conquering your goals.

facebook.com/schroederali
blog sign