"High Pockets"

 

 

Middle School...some of my most memorable & awkward years.

The years of "high pockets"

as my grandmother used to refer to us as,

because our legs were growing faster than the rest of our body.

  

 

Basketball & track were my life!

I was so excited to make both teams.

I spent hours everyday shooting hoops & practicing by myself.

I wasn't great, certainly wasn't the star player,

and there was never family or friends in the crowd cheering my name.

I didn't care...I just wanted to get better!

I played because I absolutely loved the game & for the personal challenge.

It didn't matter to me that no one asked or cared how I played, or if we won.

I just knew I could become GREAT if I just kept trying. 

 I had an independent, winning attitude then,

and have tried to carry that spirit with me throughout my life.

What I didn't realize though is that I was already GREAT!

It's not the audience that makes the star...

it's the light shining within ♥

 

 

2013 Promise

Reminder to someone special today...

 

you are beautiful, capable, and stronger than you believe.

The obstacles before you are tiny matters in the grand scheme of life.

Wherever you are at today,

you have the ability to effect the most influential person in your life...

YOU ♥

 

 My 2013 promise to myself:

 I know that the journey ahead of me will not always be easy.

I will grow tired, weary & discouraged.

I will face adversity & struggles...

but when I do...

I will reflect back & renew my commitment to keep going.

I will remind myself that regardless of how I feel today,

that there is a greater ability within me

to accomplish the things I once believed were impossible ♥

I will choose to be strong for one more day~

Another Day Strong

I'm not strong because life is always easy.

I'm strong because for me it's the only choice.
There are trials and there are tragedies. I've witnessed both

in the 37 years I have been here.
So often we lose perspective of the the difference....

Break ups, losing your job, losing your home, pay cuts,

financial struggles, illness ...these are examples of trials.

Although extremely difficult situations remember that you

have the ability one day at a time to push through them. 

The young man or woman who see's no value in their life and gives up,
the helpless child who is abused,
the life that is stolen early...
these are tragedies.

I remember when I was 16 years old, a month after my mom took her own life.

I was sitting alone in a doctors office for my first pre-natal appt. Pregnant with my first son, mourning, scared to death and having no idea how I would bring myself to carry on even one

more hour..much less a day. My remaining family had abandoned me, and I was deathly ill to the point that bathing and dressing myself seemed next to impossible. One minute, hour, day, at a time..

I would make it thru this horror and the strength and lessons that I would choose to gain from this experience would enrich my life forever.

One of the great lessons I have learned is that when trials come to put them into perspective.

To remind myself that this is a tiny hurdle in the grand scheme of my life.

That the problem at hand may not be resolved in the time that I would like, but that if I

focus on the things I can control one minute, hour, day at a time...then I will be ok.

 

Strength is not an inherited quality...it's a choice.

Asking All these Questions

An aspiring model wants to land a magazine cover,

a fitness enthusiast wants to compete & win a bikini,

fitness or bodybuilding competition...

Is the end result just a title...a cover?

What rewards will this bring to your life?

What do you ultimately hope to accomplish.

 

Too often people can spend so much time, energy & effort on a goal without taking the time to give thought as to what they want the end result to be.

Don't forget to ask yourself & even write out the REASONS?

Sometimes we have ideas and goals, but the REASONS behind those goals

are what will help dictate an effective game plan & provide fuel to maintain momentum when the initial excitement fades.

 

Begin with the END in mind.

I would exercise, but...

 

I have a health condition...
I don't have time...
I have children...
I don't have your schedule...
I don't have your will power...
I don't have the energy...
I can't afford a gym membership...
I don't have or can't afford a trainer...

There are so many countless reasons people give not to exercise.
At the end of the day we act according to our priorities.
Our actions dictate what is truly important, not our words.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Breaking Down EXCUSES

1)  I have a health condition...

Something I don't widely broadcast are some of my own health conditions. One of these is Psoriatic Arthritis, an Auto-immune disease which causes skin conditions, Arthritis, and severe, frequent bouts of fatigue. Under the supervision of a Rheumatologist, I require aggressive therapy along with bi-weekly injections.
There have been countless flare ups when I could barely walk from the joint pain in my knees & hips. Even the joints in my spine can often be effected causing debilitating pain. I also have Osteoporosis which only adds to the aggrevation.
There are more days than not that I struggle with severe fatigue and/or joint pain, but
I believe that life begins where self pity ends.
Reality is...there are accomplished bodybuilders who are in wheel chairs, and those with lesser or greater conditions who are fighting to live a healthy & fit lifestyle.
Focus on what you CAN do. Don't allow a condition to be an excuse.

2) I don't have time...I have children...I don't have your schedule...

We all have the same number of hours in a day. We cannot change the number of hours,
only our approach.
I am the mother of 3 boys, a wife, Business Woman with a full time job in outside marketing & sales which requires extensive travel covering a portion of 3 states...all driving. My children are active in basketball, baseball & football. I do not have a housekeeper. Laundry & house work are a continuous effort. We rarely eat out, and cooking healthy requires planning. Eating healthy, taking time to exercise does require effort & planning to be consistent. Is it ALL easy? No, but it's important to me. It's important for my family.

3) I don't have your WILL POWER...

Truth: It's not about WILL. It's about WANT.
Change is possible when you WANT to take personal responsibility and act according to your priorities rather than what's comfortable.

4) I don't have the energy...

Truth: the less you do, the less you want to do.
Exercising will improve your stamina & energy level.

5) I can't afford a gym membership or a trainer...
There are countless exercises that can be performed at home, and in your community. The internet is full or resources for at home workouts & exercises. When I first started my commitment to exercising regularly, I purchased a book titled.."Smart Girls Do Dumbbells". It broke down some basic dumbbell exercises I could perform at home. Don't be afraid to fail your way thru.
I have never had a trainer, and still have yet to work with one.

The journey is not always easy.

I will grow tired, weary & discouraged.

 I will face adversity & struggles,
but when I do..

I will reflect back & renew my commitment
to keep going.

I will remind myself
that regardless of how I feel...

that there is a greater ability within me
to accomplish the things that
I once believed were impossible.

I will CHOOSE to look fear & excuses
in the face, and act according to my priorities.

Much Love,
Brenna

Dog Days

Success is not a sudden happening,

and great things are not accomplished by one great act.

I'm often asked how I stay motivated in my fitness goals. My philosophy is not to rely on motivation, but rather on cultivating a strong work ethic.

Work ethic defined: a set of values based on hard work and diligence. It is also a belief in the moral benefit of work and its ability to enhance character.

My focus is to exercise, renew and continue developing the qualities of a strong work ethic...

• Emphasis on Quality
• Sense of Responsibility & Ownership
• Commitment 
• Reliability
• Discipline
• Focus
• Prioritizing
• Self control
• Planning
• Integrity

Strengthening these areas in my life brings great reward to not only accomplishing my fitness goals, but builds character & improves my business performance and personal life.

 

It's not just wanting to accomplish a goal, it's deciding what kind of person I want to be. I focus more on WHO I am becoming. I know that she will carry the abilities to accomplish anything she sets her mind to. That through discouragement, struggle, failures, and adversity, she will have the character to keep going.

"The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses-

behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road,

long before I dance under those lights"

-Muhammad Ali

TO DO: Post a note on your bathroom mirror as a reminder of the characteristics & behaviors that you want to improve that will enrich your life. When you encounter a "dog day" (period of inactivity or sluggishness), feel the urge to give less than your best, when you get discouraged, tired or just want to take the easy way out...remind yourself of your commitments, and value your life enough to carry those commitments out one decision, one act, and one day at a time.

"It's not the size of the dog, it's the size of the fight in the dog" -Mark Twain

 

Action Figures don't Change Lives

In the fitness industry, as I’m sure in many industies, I read so many stories from men & women who share that their main goal is to be a leader, or icon.

Aiming to be above others is not an act of Leadership. Leadership is not position, it's the ability to walk beside others & influence them to believe in themselves and their abilities.

"The key to successful leadership is

influence, not authority"

-Kenneth Blanchard

Leadership is not a goal, it is a development. When you focus on living fearlessly by example, and through the selfless acts of helping others people will naturally follow.

Don’t focus on becoming something. Focus on being someone…the best you!

Give up the spotlight, and focus on growth. Your life & the life of others will be enriched.

“Leaders become great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others”

-John Maxwell

Help others by offering a better you...

Exercise & develop the characteristics of a leader:

Confidence, Determination, Selflessness, Honesty, Consistency, Dependability, Conviction,

Drive, Ambition, Mental Toughness, Empathy, Boldness, Adaptability, Proactiveness,

Goal & Results Oriented.



 

 

Exercising CHOICE

Refelecting when I was 19 years old, and just three years after the loss of my mother.
I was working hard to start my life over as a young mother myself. My first son was 2 years old and life seemed to be moving in a positive direction.

I was celebrating 6 months in my first home purchase when I received a devastating call.

Lightning had struck & caused a massive fire at my home. Firefighters tossed what they could out the windows of my residence in an effort to salvage what they could, but the house would be a total loss. I remember how my body physically would not quit trembling as I tried to hold it together in front of my son.

We placed the limited items that the Firefighters had tossed out of windows into storage. Most of the items had smoke damage, but I would make an attempt to see if they could be salvaged. A week later our mini storage unit would be broken into and those items would be stolen...

 

Sometimes we have to start over more than once in life...

and life as we know it can be stripped away without a moments notice,

but with every ending is a new beginning.

We just have to make a choice to start again.

 

It truly isn't the number of times we fall..it's the getting back up that counts.

We can look for reasons to quit, or look for reasons to press on.

Choose not to be a victim of circumstance.

 

You don't need a New Year to ever start over...every day presents that opportunity. We just have to choose to take it~

xo,

Brenna

#BreFIT #livetheattitude

Coin of Life

The past year my modeling journey has provided me with the opportunity to work with a wide range of professionals. As a business woman, I always show up ready to work, and carry myself professionally. I believe in communication, and clear, concise expectations. If I were to give any aspiring models advice it would be, not to allow your ambitions to compromise your expectations and demand for professionalism.  I might add that whether the shoot is paid or TFP, this also does not offer compromise.

It is not unrealistic to expect commitments to be carried out. Whether you are a photographer, model, or of any profession… your time is valuable. Continuous failure to follow thru is simply a lack of priority & respect.

Lasting success in all areas of life comes thru building a strong work ethic. Focusing on the strength and character required to execute with quality those things which need to be done, without excuse or hesitation.

As we encounter the last quarter of 2012, I challenge myself and my friends to have the courage to evaluate your business relationships. Release those which are draining your time & efforts, and invest in those which add value, reflect respect, and that will launch you closer to your goals.

The more you value your time,

The more value your time will bring~

 

 

 

 

The Invitation

~THE INVITATION

by Oriah Mountain Dreamer,

Canadian Teacher & Author

 

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living

I want to know what you ache for

and if you dare to dream of meeting your hearts longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are

I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool

for love

for your dreams

for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon...

I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow

if you have been opened by lifes betrayals

or have become shrivelled and closed

from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain

mine or your own

without moving to hide it

or fade it

or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy

mine or your own

if you can dance with wildness

and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your

fingers and toes

without cautioning us to

be careful

be realistic

to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me

is true

I want to know if you can

dissappoint another

to be true to yourself.

If you can bear the accusation of betrayal

and not betray your own soul

If you can be faithless

and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty

even when it is not pretty

every day.

And if you can source your own life

from it's presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure

yours and mine

and still stand on the edge of the lake

and shout to the silver of the full moon

"Yes."

It doesn't interest me

to know where you live or how much money you have.

I want to know if you can get up

after a night of grief and despair

weary and bruised to the bone

and do what needs to be done

to feed the children.

It doesn't interest me who you know

or how you came to be here.

I want to know if you will stand

in the center of the fire

with me

and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom

you have studied.

I want to know what sustains you

from the inside

when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone

with yourself

and if you truly like the company you keep

in the empty moments.