I needed this, you might too

First and foremost, thank you all for the wonderful support about the show airing and this upcoming season! I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to be part of Branden's journey. He is a wonderful person with a big heart who truly wanted to honor his family, Ryan and achieve his dreams. He still inspires me to want to do better, every day.

With that said, I'm kind of in a funk. The hype has subsided and I've been wallowing in my own sicky germness for the week. I can't believe I'm sick again. This will be the third time in two months. I'm on antibiotics (again), which worries me.

Instead of having a bitch session, I'll just tell you that things are about to change and when they do, I'll be ready with open arms and an even more open heart. I'll have known how hard I worked to get here, and I'll be so thankful every day when I wake up for the opportunities I've been given. Not much working out has been going on lately, just lots of traveling for work, so nothing to report there.

If you could use some motivation, well, then that makes two of us. Let's lift our eyes to the sky shall we? Say a prayer and believe that good things are about to happen..

Thanks for the great email Tom. Loved it. Kyle too.. I'll be sharing some good vibes from my supporters, friends and those in my life who will never let me sulk around too long :) Enjoy!

1. You’re stronger than you think you are.

2. Mistakes teach you important lessons. Every time you make one, you’re one step closer to your goal.

3. There is nothing to hold you back except you.

4. You can press forward long after you can’t. It’s a matter of wanting it bad enough.

5. No matter how much progress you make there will always be the people who insist that whatever you’re trying to do is impossible.

6. You are limited only by your own imagination. Let it fly.

7. Perception is reality.

8. Your instincts can be trusted.

9. There is only one question to ask yourself: “What would you do if you were not afraid?”

10. It’s often hard to tell just how close you are to success.

11. The only mistake that can truly hurt you is choosing to do nothing simply because you’re too scared to make a mistake.

12. Never let success get to your head, and never let failure get to your heart.

13. You have to fight through some bad days to earn the best days of your life.

14. Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.

15. Do what you love, not what you think you’re supposed to do.

16. Laughter is the best medicine for stress. Laugh at yourself often.

17. If you want to feel rich, just count all the great things you have that money can’t buy.

18. Forgiving yourself is far more important than getting others to forgive you.

19. If you awake every morning with the thought that something wonderful will happen in your life today, you’ll often find that you’re right.

20. Be nice to yourself.

21. For the most part, it doesn’t matter what people think. Follow your own truth.

22. No education is wasted. Drink in as many new experiences as you can.

23. Making one person smile can change the world.

24. Don’t forget to enjoy your journey!

25. You never know how strong you really are until being strong is the only choice you have.

26. Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.

27. You cannot change what you refuse to confront.

28. Crying doesn’t indicate that you’re weak. It doesn’t always solve your problems either.

29. No matter how many mistakes you make or how slow you progress, you are still way ahead of everyone who isn’t trying.

30. Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.

31. You can learn great things from your mistakes when you aren’t busy denying them.

32. Give up worrying about what others think of you.

33. When you stop chasing the wrong things you give the right things a chance to catch you.

34. You have to accept that some things will never be yours, and learn to appreciate the things that are only yours.

35. As Henry Ford put it, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you are right.”

36. Don’t be afraid to move out of your comfort zone. Some of your best life experiences and opportunities will transpire only after you dare to lose.

37. Giving up doesn’t always mean you’re weak, sometimes it means you are strong enough and smart enough to let go.

38. You’ll rarely be 100% sure it will work. But you can always be 100% sure doing nothing won’t work.

39. Don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future for too long. Right now is life. Live it.

40. No matter how cautiously you choose your words, someone will always twist them around and misinterpret what you say. Just say what you need to say.

41. Not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of good luck.

42. If you are passionate about something, pursue it, no matter what anyone else thinks. That’s how dreams are achieved.

43. If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.

44. What lies before us and behind us are tiny matters when compared to what lies within us.

45. Don’t pray when it rains if you don’t pray when the sun shines.

46. It’s not about getting a chance, it’s about taking a chance.

47. If it were easy everyone would do it.

48. Be vulnerable.

49. A problem is a chance for you to learn.

50. Regardless of the situation, life goes on.

2012 Race Schedule & MTV Air Date

I'm not even going to tell you about how I've been running around like a crazy women on a mission, working my tail off and getting just enough sleep not to crash. You already know all about that.

Let's talk about more important things instead. Let's talk about you and me. How we've been through some real struggles, trials and tribulations. Let's talk about how you've believed in me and encouraged me. Let's talk about how much I appreciate each of you who reads this blog and care enough to leave a word of encouragement. You know who you are, and even if you don't write, just you checking in means a great deal to me.

With that said, even though it's hard for me to see past next week, lots of wonderful things are on the horizon so if I wasn't about to work for the next three hours and then fly to Orlando tomorrow morning, I would raise a glass with you and celebrate a little!

MTV has notified me of a very possible air date (with the caveat that the programmers still could change it last minute, but that it seems PRETTY definite) and that is:

January 20th at 7:00pm EST! MTV Made I want to be a Triathlete - Branden

The 2012 race schedule has been tentatively decided and is as follows:

April 1 - Galveston 70.3

May 6 - Rev 3 Knoxville (Olymp)

May 19 - Ironman TX

June 10 - Eagleman 70.3

August 12 - Rev 3 Wisconsin Dells Half

Sept 9 - Rev 3 Full IM Cedar Point

October - TBD

Nov 19 - Ironman AZ

Obviously, this is a lot to bite off, but I feel confident in my coach, my training, and most of all, my support system (which includes you fine folks!). I'm super excited about the possibilities and I hope, most of all, to complete my first year healthy and learning what it takes to compete at this level. Whatever that brings, it brings.

I'm thankful the show is finally airing (hopefully) and I can't wait for you to see Branden achieve his dreams. It was such a life changing experience for both of us and I truly will never be the same. It was just awesome. Wait until you see :)

SO TUNE IN! Also, you'll notice a new look for the blog! Well, it goes with my new website:

FUEL YOUR PASSION (upgraded!)

Head on over and check it out!!! Make sure you watch the video "Meet Kim" that Kyle and I worked so hard on over the past month or two! Kyle is unbelievable and I could never do this without him, his partner Jason, Anna, the web designer for their company and the many people who help me edit every blooming thing that I want to put out there.

If you want to receive ten free tips to help you achieve your goals and dreams - sign up for my newsletter! It's right on the home page!!

New Year, New Ideas, New Changes Toward a Healthier You!

It's that time of year, gyms are overly crowded, those of us who workout regularly are swearing and griping under our breath and a whole new group has decided to make healthy changes. I've already seen some comments on facebook about extra "New Years Resolutioners" in their swim lanes and some other general bitching around the locker room.

Yessssss, it may be inconvenient. Yeeeesssss, it might take a little more time to get ready in the morning. You know what though, 2/3'rds of Americans are overweight or obese. Slowly but surely, we are becoming a sick, weak and unhealthy country. So, instead of so much negativity, why don't we embrace these people and help them on their way to better health.

I KNOW many people reading this blog are triathletes, marathoners, friends, family, fellow awesome bloggers and most of you are in pretty good shape, read waaaayyyy too much about training and nutrition and generally lead a lifestyle that others would KILL to know more about and even be able to do 1/4 of what you do. What if we make a pact and promise that we will help encourage one new person through January to eat a bit healthier or engage them in conversation at the gym so that they have a bit more knowledge and a friendly face to say hi to when they show up the next time.

Just a thought :) I'll do it if you do it.. come on.. this might be their only chance to reverse a trend of pre-diabetes, hypertension, or other critical health aliment that could be completely turned around and put them back on track with diet and exercise!

If you are pretty hard core in terms of nutrition, and want to make sure you keep your workouts on track this winter, make sure you read the article Paul Tyler and I wrote for Active.com on
Winter Nutrition: How to Stay on Track!

It helps explain why it's not just important to do your workout, but to time the nutrient intake to maximize energy and recovery along with a little bit on weight management through these cooollldd days as well!

Paul also created a cool new app for the iphone called TriEssential! It offers instant inspiration via daily triathlon training tips, motivating quotes and awesome photos. Check it out HERE.

Finally, if you are in Pittsburgh, please come by and see me at Prima Yoga on January 21st to RENEW YOUR HEALTH IN 2012!! It will be an in depth seminar on all types

of topics that will enhance and energize your life!! Please go to their facebook page for more details!

Hope to see you there! Remember, you have the power to change someone's day or even life!

"It's never too late, it's never too bad, you're never too old or too sick to start from scratch once again."

- Bikram Choudhury