🌻 Sudden Shifts 🌨️

Sometimes life hits us like a nor’easter at the beginning of Spring. Everything is going well, or at least, looking up for a change. There’s fresh opportunities, growth, and new life blooming in new ways. There’s warmth and comfort in the direction life is taking you. There’s peace in the gentle breeze that says “You’re doing great. Keep going.” Sure, life isn’t easy (when is it ever?!), but it’s good and it’s worthwhile and there’s hope for things to come.

When suddenly, it just happens – everything freezes. The temperature plummets, the sun disappears, and we’re blindsided wondering what the hell is going on. A sudden freeze can take the shape of so many different things – a job change, a loss, a life detour, etc. Most of the time though, it catches us off guard.

A little over a month ago, I suddenly found myself with less than a week before my career of a lifetime was suddenly ripped away. This career choice found me at a pivotal time in my life and forever impacted my life for the better. Throughout my time with ATCK, I grew in ways I never dreamt. Physically, I found something that my body positively responded to. I was building muscle, losing weight, and in the best shape of my life. Emotionally, I found not only an outlet for stress/anxiety/hard feelings, but a support system of amazing people that will forever hold a special place in my heart. I found my footing, I found my voice, and I learned how to use it effectively and profoundly. Not only was my life changed, but I was in a position to meet people where they were at, coach them, and help them become the best versions of themselves (however that looked case by case).

ATCK was not just a career… it was a safe space, a family, a life-changing environment. It helped me through one of the hardest seasons of my life. It saw me when my body flared and with it, my emotions. It wasn’t just a place to get in a great workout (even though those workouts were the BEST!). It was a place that allowed my wings to grow and learn what it felt like to fly. It was an honor to wear a mic and coach classes. It was an honor to coach technique and help people see just how far their potential can really reach. It was an honor to meet people and watch them grow.

So when we found out on a Monday that our doors were permanently closing that coming Saturday, my world froze. There were buds of leadership blooming. There was green grass growing because that’s where I was watering it. There were great things on the horizon if only the sun could have stuck around a little bit longer…

But, the storm was inevitable.

Everything came to a screeching halt. My career was ending, the leadership opportunities were dying away, and the place that I called my second home was not going to be accessible anymore. The emotions were real. I mean what do you do when your place of comfort, escape, and growth just suddenly ceases to exist? What does it look like to exercise now that there’s no set routine and schedule? Will the back pain come back? Will I lose the progress I’ve made? Will I start back at square one?

The comforting answer to all of these questions, is no. I won’t start back at square one. I won’t regress. There’s a chance the back pain may come back, but I’m more equipped and stronger this time around. Just because the nor’easter has come, does not mean that the growth dies away. It’s just frozen for a little bit.

The good news? The snow doesn’t stick around for very long.. It’s still Spring. The sun will come back out, the temperatures will rise, and what was once suddenly frozen over will continue to find ways to grow.

It just looks a little different – but the growth is still there.

This time, new opportunities just takes on a whole new meaning. Now, I find myself looking ahead to what’s next. Searching for the next career choice, only now with a fresh perspective. Will it be the next career of a lifetime? We shall see. No matter what is next, I know we can only go up from here. ATCK showed me how to push past old limitations, what my new limitations can be, challenge perspectives/old belief systems in the hopes of continuing forward, and to not settle for anything less than greatness. I am a stronger person inside and out thanks to the amazing opportunity I had with ATCK Fitness. Sadly, that chapter came to an end, but it’s not the end of the story.

A new chapter is unfolding and blooming before my eyes and let me tell you, it’s going to be a good one.

So when a sudden freeze or a sudden shift occurs out of nowhere, don’t lose hope. Your growth isn’t going to fade away and the good season of life you’re in isn’t going to leave you… it just get’s frozen over for a little bit. Sure things might look different when the snow melts away, but the warm sunshine will return. Everything will be okay. You got this.

As always, I’m cheering you on every step of the way.

With so much love,

Lauren R. ❤️