Don't Believe Them!

So part of the reason I came down to Nashville for the month, was to see how Jo Dee's day to day life was, so I could help her learn how to adapt and create a plan that works for her. I had no idea what it is like to be a musician and tour...especially with two kids, and I am learning fast! I thought coming here would be good for two specific reasons: 1. I could help Jo Dee come up with a plan that she could do on her own forever, and 2. I could show other people through my posts, and blog, that it IS possible to stick with your plan, even when you are crazy busy, and life gives you obstacles. So far, I was right about those things.

 Friday Night Jo Dee and I spent a good two hours prepping for Saturday. Normally it only takes me an hour or two to prep for an entire week, but this situation was a little different. We needed all our meals prepared and ready to go because we were going to be living on a bus for 24 hours. Jo Dee had a show in Alabama Saturday night, and we need to be up and ready to go on the bus at 6 am. I'm sure all you moms know that leaving the house in the morning with two little ones can be madness, especially when they are half asleep and you have a million things to remember SO we decided to be prepared! I say this at LEAST once a day, 'Fail to prepare, prepare to fail'...and we aren't failing. We had every pan, and baking sheet out, every burner going...and our fix containers, and check list out so we wouldn't miss a beat. I am happy to say, that it went really well! We didn't forget any of our food in our morning stumble, we had our shakeology and blender packed, AND Jo Dee even got me up for a run at 5 am BEFORE the bus...not fun p.s. Although there was a lot of prepping involved it was well worth it. The choices of food once we got to the show were either fried, or catering that didn't really fit into our criteria. 

Me before our 5am morning run...not happy lol

Since we prepared, all we needed to focus on when we got to Alabama was our workouts, remembering to eat, her children, and of course her show! We also came prepared for the workout! We packed our weights on the bus, and Jo Dee brought her computer with the 21 day fix DVDs. I will tell you that doing total cardio fix outside in the Alabama heat is NO FUN...not even a little bit. 

Jo Dee putting our weights away after total cardio fix

The whole point of me writing this post is to talk about being prepared. If you prepare, you are ready for ANYTHING. Food, and workouts were a success for us yesterday which made Jo Dee able to focus on what she does best...sing her heart out! I will tell you that I teared up at several points during her show. She is by far the best performer I have ever seen, and I do not say that because she is my cousin. I run my Beachbody team with three principles in mind: Passion, Discipline, and Integrity. Jo Dee displays all of those things in her day to day life, AND through her music. She met a man yesterday who was an Iraq war vet. He had lost both of his legs while fighting, and had injuries to his arms as well. When Jo Dee spoke with him, he looked her in the eye and told her that he wouldn't change a thing. She spoke about this man on stage, and switched up her set to play a song for him. She sang the Star Spangled Banner like nothing I have ever heard. The passion in her voice, and emotion on her face was infectious, it brought tears to my eyes. She sang it for him, and that brought it to a whole new level for me! Most of the songs on Jo Dee's new album ME touch upon overcoming things, having strength, and never letting anyone else tell you that you can't! I love that about her, and I think it fits in perfectly with what we are doing with this fix challenge, and as health and fitness coaches. Everyone is always looking for a quick fix. When we try to make positive changes in our lives, we are often met with ridicule, and opposition. People want to hold us back...not sure why, but they do! They will come up with every reason under the sun why you can't...and you know what makes me sad? Sometimes people believe them, and never try! Don't believe them! Know that YOU can do what you put your mind to...YOU have the power to change your life...to be happy...to get healthy...to educate yourself. YOU are in control. The only time you fail, is when you give up...when you listen to other people. 

We finally got back home at 3 am this morning...we got to bed at 4:30 am. It was tough...we were tired. Jo Dee was up at 7 am with her two sons. Jo Dee kept telling me how draining the day after a show was, and now I know what she means. Although we are tired, and its hard, we are back at it today. We are sticking with our plan. We know that we can do anything we put our minds to, and that as stubborn Messina's, if we put our minds to something...we are doing it. If you want something, you have to go get it! You can do it! 

Chris and I this morning BEAT from traveling for the show!