Feel Good Friday – Women’s History Month – Who’s your Shero?

Coach Adrienne (center)

In recognition of Women’s History Month, Brawny (paper towel), teamed up with girls inc. They developed a platform to encourage us to recognize strong, courageous women this month. You can share the story of your shero at Brawny’s website.

You can also share your story today at my blog. Leave a comment and tell us a little about your shero. Here’s my story for today.

It’s 5:30am, cars into pull into the parking in front of A-Train’s SuperFit (women's gym). The lights come on and a group of dedicated women stroll through the door with exercise mats. The owner, Coach Adrienne, has her hair pulled back and gym shoes laced, ready shape and sculpt our bodies.

Nuzzled in jackets and hoodies, we struggle with letting go of the warmth of our outerwear. Adrienne lovingly guides us, “Let’s get started ladies, you’ll warm up quickly.” She delivers on her promise. Planks, Mountain Climbers, Burpees, in no time at all, we’re pulling off as many clothes as we can in a public setting.

From one end of the studio I hear a friend shout, “We got this ladies. Summer bodies are made in the winter.” The ladies keep going, one kettle bell swing, plank jack, or jackknife sit-up at a time. Everyone is at different levels in their fitness journey. Adrienne tells us, “Don’t worry about what your neighbor is doing, do what you can do, but challenge yourself.”

Every day at A-Train SuperFit is a different workout. There are challenges introduced periodically so that one is not bored with routine; Build your strength and core muscles with Burpee and Plank challenges. And on your birthday…the workout is tailored around your favorite exercises.

We end our workout session chanting, “Fat, fat, go away, don’t come back another day!” As we prepare to leave and start our work day, ladies can be heard saying, “She killed us today.” Then they say, “You’ll be here tomorrow, right?” “Yep.” We walk out the door as another group of ladies enter.

Coach Adrienne teaches a second class, goes to work full-time and returns in the evening. She adds variety to our workouts, offers nutrition coaching, AND she has a family who needs her attention. Coach A-Train finds balance. I believe she fits this quote…

“You can get anything you want if you help enough other people get what they want.” Zig Ziglar

Coach Adrienne, you are my Shero for Women’s History Month. Keep doing "you", and everything else will fall into place.

Muffins with Mom – Motivation Monday – Follow your bliss


“Make your life a masterpiece; imagine no limitations on what you can be, have or do.”

Brian Tracy

Is there something that you have wanted to do, but have been putting it off? The time is now. Follow your bliss, your happiness. My son has always wanted to play college football. He made it happen with commitment, determination, and tenacity.

My son played in his second college football game recently. After a significant loss with the first game, my son was excited about their win. He sent me a text that read, “We won, and I did good! I balled out tonight.” Simply put, hard work pays off.

I too, am learning to follow my bliss. This past weekend was the culminating event for the Ms. Black Fit and Fine Pageant in which I was a contestant. The journey began six months ago when I attended an informational meeting about the pageant.

The pageant organizers were friendly and encouraging. The materials stated that the pageant was more than just a beauty pageant. And it was more. It was about self-improvement and doing your personal best. I had been doing the same fitness routine for the past few years and wondering why the results were not different.

Once I signed on the dotted line to become a contestant, I made other changes. My workout routine changed. I joined a new gym – A-Train Super Fit, Belleville, MI (just a commercial break). The personal trainer encouraged the group to push past any excuses.

In addition to routine exercise, we always hear that nutrition is important. As the story goes, I made a concerted effort to be more aware of the nutritional value of the foods I ate. Change is gradual and I am still a work in progress.

Being a contestant in the Ms. Black Fit and Fine Pageant made me push beyond my personal boundaries. I was rewarded with a second place finish, but the best reward was that I followed my bliss. At the end of the day, I can say that all the ladies who participated in the pageant followed their bliss and exhibited their personal best.

The time is now. Make your life a masterpiece.