Hi y'all! So, a blog? Why? Well, I guess the better question is why not?
I've always enjoyed blogs (and vlogs) and learned so much from others. It's also something I have wanted to do in the past and attempted a few of them with one of my other projects (thefourteen40project.com). I appreciate bloggers and those that have been doing it for a long time - it's a true commitment of time and service! However, as a 'regular' working mom in her 40s, I have been feeling that the online blogging world is changing and things are more often than not curated and looking picture perfect. I became disillusioned and stopped reading several as I found myself in the comparison trap.
Fast forward to now and I'm feeling the pull to write one. I am far from an expert and the posts will be the complete opposite of poised and pretty. But they will be real, and I hope they will be of help to anyone that takes a few moments to read them.
What will I blog about? Well, lots of things...all the things. I have multiple 'rings in the circus' so to speak, and I'm often asked about how I juggle them all. The 100% honest answer is that I don't. That said, I do manage a lot and I feel that working moms are experts at getting the most out of every minute of every day. We have to! So I want this blog to be about life...all of it, not just a part of it. I want it to be the main hub so to speak, so that all of my passions are under one umbrella, so that people that I coach in any aspect have a single site, and anyone that is looking for coaching knows where to go.
So I'll start with the beginning - an introduction!
Hey, I'm Melissa! I am Chuck's wife (16 years and counting), mom to 3 kids (ages 14, 12, and 10), speech-language pathologist, PhD University instructor, owner of 2 small businesses, health and wellness promoter, and last but absolutely not least, avid marathon runner. I love all that I do and the best part is that pretty much every part of the above description puts me in the service of others. I love people and helping people live their happiest, healthiest lives. I am a Christian and believe that we are all here in a collective way of service to each other - we get better by helping others get better. Along my journey I've learned time and time again that while I love to give to others, it's so important to give to yourself as well. You can't serve others if you are energy depleted. I've learned that we need to rest as much as we need to push. While I'm very proud of everything I've accomplished (my family, the most) I know the real gift is serving my friends and family - and friends I haven't met yet. That's what I hope to do with this blog!
I'll aim to capture life in general, health and fitness tips, mental health supports, and more! I'll keep this intro short, as I'm sure you'll get to learn more about my life, family, work, and all the things as this progresses. Thanks for following along and I hope to chat further in the comments!
Your heart felt posts on insta are honest and thoughtful. You are definitely part of my daily morning “get off you butt and run” motivation!! I enjoy your non-running posts too... the ones around Mother’s Day were so well written and really spoke to me. I am excited to see what all you share through this new, creative outlet!!
I’m not much of a blog reader, but I’m ready to become one! Such an inspiration in many ways, Melissa!