You say I can't. I say watch me!

This is my story of empowerment! My mother instilled honor, faith, courage, and stubbornness in me! It has been what has pushed me through to attain my goals against all the odds!

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Over the last 8 months or so I have been struggling with my own body image as I managed the changes my body took figuring out GI issues. I had become so disappointed in myself for not looking the way I want to look and even more frustrated because of all the hard work I had put in. And then suddenly this week I had a revelation. Maybe because I took a break from daily workouts, maybe from the nicer weather, or maybe from having some good conversations with friends. Regardless of the cause, I have come to realize that our culture thrives on comparison. Those "motivational fitness" figures splayed across my Facebook and Instagram only fueled my self hatred. "Why can't I look like that?", I wondered. Well, here is why. Because I am not them. I will never be them. I have me. I have the body and the life I was given. I will never achieve the chiseled abs I so desire. This due to that I am 6 inches shorter than I should be and that my spine was glued in a S curve of 78 and 42 degrees. I will never have quads and calls of steel because they just don't have any nerve input. And also because genetically I'm not built that way! BUT!!!! I have those experiences quite literally displayed throughout my body. MY BODY. The body that works so hard to heal others, that allows me to love my amazing husband and incredible friends and family, that preaches about addiction and health in an attempt to save others, and that allows me to box and weight lift. All of which makes me FEEL good. Now THAT is success, my friends. When you wake up in the morning, you look at yourself and say "I'm happy. I'm healthy. I'm loved. I'm ME." We have but one life. One chance. I work hard to be the best version of myself. I can't be you. You can't be me. Just be yourself! And LOVE every part! Today I'm making a vow. Never to allow myself to waste any of my time or energy wanting to be someone else. Because I love me. #love #selfie #selflove #loveyourself #motivation #inspiration #beyourownmotivation #beyourself #beyourownhero #beyourbest #beyourownmotivation #family #fitness #nevercompare #scoliosis #scoliosissurgery #spinalfusion

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An amazing weekend spent with these two and amazing family! Fun times to come for sure! Cannot WAIT for this summer! Happy birthday Papa Neely! "Time is a rare luxury which can never be purchased at any cost. So when someone spends it for you, it defines the depth of care they have for you." Awesome weekend ❤️ #family #Neely #bestfriend #solucky #happybirthday #birthdaycelebrations #likesisters #sisterfromanothermister

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I received breakfast in bed this morning and enjoyed the company of my amazing husband! 😁 I just love him 😍 #cleaneating #healthyfood #fitlife #husband #besthusband #helovesme #ilovehim #breakfast #breakfastinbed #lifeisgood #army #nationalguard #hairofthedog #eggs #coffee #bestfriend #solucky

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So now that I have been officially diagnosed with celiac sprue I have had to be much more careful about the food I put in my body. Over the years I have changed my eating habits to eating mostly gluten free and clean, but now the scrutiny begins! The label reading is exhausting! So this week I took charge! Meal prepping and budgeting EVERYTHING. Including my husbands lunches 😜 I absolutely love overnight oats! 1/4 cup each coconut milk, Greek yogurt, oats a tablespoon of chia seeds and topped with fruit or just eaten plain! We are always on a journey to find a better form of ourselves and today I start with this! One day at a time. Happy Monday! #Monday #mondaymotivation #glutenfree #celiac #celiacsprue #oatmeal #overnightoats #findabetteryou #keeppushing #nevergiveup #neversaynever #icanandiwill #mealprep #fitness #fitlife #healthyfood #cleaneating

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So many memories we have had over the course of the years! It was hard picking some of the best photos! Happy birthday to my dearest friend, Mag!! You have been an incredible friend to me even though we are thousands of miles apart! I wish you the most amazing birthday! Although I know it won't be as good as the one we spent together 😉 I love you beyond belief! I just can't wait to see you this summer!! #happybirthday #friend #frenchfriend #tbt #bestfriend #birthdaycollage @schwem7184

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There are no words to describe the love I have for this little being. Brittany, I have told you a thousand times and I will tell you a thousand more... I am so honored to be apart of this amazing journey with you. You will never truly know how much this means to me. You are already an incredible mom and I am so so proud of you for how strong you have been. You will be an superb role model for your little one. I am excited to live this life with you and adding little Lena is a beautiful bonus. Little Lena, Aunt Heather loves you beyond belief. You will be thoroughly loved by your mom and dad and only hope to add that much more to your wonderful life! #baby #niece #littlelena #lena #love #imanaunt #soinlove #mybestfriendhadababy #newborn

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So here are a few ways I remember my mom not only on the anniversary of her death, but as I live every day of my life. I wear and buy teal whenever I can, I wear and buy "pink ribbon" attire whenever I can, my friends and family give and buy teal and pink things whenever they can, I make her funny faces, and I try to live every day with a positive outlook (however hard that may be), loving everyone, appreciating everything and doing whatever possible to live the life she wanted for me. Words can never explain the deep hurt from losing her as my mother and my best friend. I thank you for teaching me to be the best person I can be and to pushing myself every day to be even better. I love you forever. #mom #mommy #love #family #iloveyou #remember #positive #mymotivation #pink #teal #pinkandteal #tealandpink #breastcancer #fightbreastcancer #pinkribbon #cancersucks

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So yesterday I conquered a coconut!! It was yummy!!! Not what I expected. But so little reward for all the work it took! #coconut #coconutwater #coconutworkout #vacation #floridavacation #capecoral #floridavacation #rewardsreaped

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Paul and I have been having so much fun with these two! Last night we had an amazing dinner together then taught Debbie and Bernie how to play hand and foot!!! Sorry Bernie for cutting your head off.... But I had to get the food in. So delicious!! #love #family #traditions #handandfoot #dinner #imalwayshungry #goodfood #goodpeople #goodtimes #cardgames #relax #relaxing #fun #florida #vacation #floridavacation #capecoral

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What would a vacation be without sushi?!?! Such fresh food yumm #sushi #florida #fortmeyers #husband #love #loveofmylife #lovehimforever #ilovesushi #fresh #freshfood #origami (at Origami Fort Myers)

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While I was out having a wonderful dinner with my friends, Paul used the moment to enjoy himself some Chinese food. This was left for me on the counter when I got home. We definitely traveled the rockier path, but I couldn't have been in better company than his. This man is my everything. I live everyday to see the smile on his face. He gives me strength and loves me through my weakness. Moments like this are small yet forever cherished. Best husband award goes to this guy, all day, every day. Always take what life throws at you. You never know... It might through you a curve ball/goof ball! ❤️❤️❤️ #love #lucky #luckyme #luckyhim #husband #loveofmylife #lovehimforever #myhusbandisthebest #alwaysandforever #fortune #fortunecookie

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After spending hours sorting through 15 of my moms buckets of Christmas decorations, we finally have what we want and what we need! A big bucket donated to pass along Christmas love and spirit. Our house full of memories and history. My moms hand painted nativity set, hand made stockings from our cousin, and a little memory ornament to honor my family. An emotional day for sure but glad to have my husband and best friend to help me through. ❤️🎄☃🎁 #love #christmas #christmasdecor #husband #bestfriend #myhusbandisthebest #family #christmascountdown

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Our biggest crowd yet! A total of 31! Our turkey didn't quite cook the way we had expected, but luckily our friend brought a bomb smoked turkey! Besides we had such a good evening spending time with you all. We appreciate and have thoroughly enjoyed your company at our friends-giving. Love you all!!! @tessa_alexandria @ao_gibette @wonderwhovian @ericexist @liveardently @kimmer0608 #thanksgiving #friendsgiving #friends #family #friendsarefamily #fall #turkeyfail #savedbydoug #gladthereswine #tradition #cantwaituntilnextyear

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A little trip down memory lane for my oldest and most cherished friends birthday!!!! It's hard choosing only a handful of photos from over 13 years of friendship! Life brings us through many paths and my dear Christi. I have been blessed and honored to have you by my side. You are an incredible friend and a true inspiration. You are honest, and blunt, loving and committed. I wish you the happiest of birthdays today. May your day be filled with love, cheese and wine! Cheers to 28 years of your life! To many, many more!!! Love, your wifey. ❤️❤️❤️

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All dressed chips in the United States!!?? 😍 dreams really do come true!! My dear family.... I promise I'll still visit 😉 #alldressed #alldressedchips #alldressedchipsusa #ruffles #canada #usa #cheatday #dreamscometrue

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Today I honor and salut all of the amazing men and women and their families who have sacrificed their time, lives, and experiences to allow us to live in freedom. A very happy 90th birthday to my Pépère who served as a PT boater in the navy! Always so humble about his service. A happy anniversary to my Mémère and Pépère who's love, commitment and passion for life inspire me every day. And finally, thank you to my amazing husband! He is not only a committed 10 year member of the Army National Guard but he is my hero. Thank you all for your service. 👊🏼💪🏼🗽💚❤️💙🇺🇸 #veteransday #thankavet #love #husband #honor #hero #service #army #armynationalguard

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My lushes with brushes creation from the party I won last night! Boy, it was so much fun having these amazing women here! I thoroughly enjoyed the evening with you all! ❤️❤️❤ @tessa_alexandria you are incredibly talented and extremely patient! Thank you for a wonderful night! #lusheswithbrushes 🍷🎨 #wine #friends #art #party #artparty #love #painting