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I've Bean There

Bean There is a monthly newsletter for people on a real-life health journey; the ones rebuilding their bodies, their faith, and their confidence one small step at a time. If you’re tired of perfection culture and want honest stories, spiritual grounding, a little CrossFit grit, and the kind of truth that helps you keep going, this is your place.

A dusty wooden desk bathed in soft winter light, holding a closed laptop, a stack of unfinished handwritten manuscripts, a pen, and a bottle labeled 'antibiotics' beside an empty glass. Faint dust particles float in the air, suggesting time passed and pau
Featured Post

Ep. 16 - Bone infections are rude. Anyway, hi.

NOVEMBER 18, 2025 • ISSUE 16 Bone Infections are Rude. Anyway, Hi. Hi Reader! It's been a while since I last wrote, and I hadn't planned on this extended absence. Life, however, had its own plans. When I last sent out the last newsletter, it was early summer, and I was confident about the year's direction. Then, unexpectedly, I found myself in an exam room after being rushed to the emergency room, hearing the words "bone infection", and suddenly........ the entire year veered off course in a...

the filtered life - what gets left out

JUNE 13, 2025 • ISSUE 15 The Filtered Life: What Gets Left Out How goes it, Reader? Something hit me yesterday that I wasn’t expecting, so I decided to use it to theme this week’s newsletter. It started with a question on a podcast: “Is it okay to use fitness as a filter when dating?” It seemed harmless enough at first. But I’ve been on the other side of that filter. I’ve read profiles that say, “must take health seriously,” and felt my chest tighten. Not because I disagree, but because I...

What is emotional burnout?

MAY 09, 2025 • ISSUE 14 The Truth About Burnout (And Why I Ghosted the Newsletter for One Month) How goes it, Reader? Sorry for missing the last newsletter. I know some of you noticed, and I just want to say I missed you too. The truth is, I had my head down trying to finish the bones of a book. I’ll get into that a bit further down, but when I lock in, I tend to hyperfocus. It’s how I’m wired. I needed the space to push through and get it done, and this was no exception. Also, big news from...

emotional eating

APRIL 4, 2024 • ISSUE 13 The Frayed Wire Nobody Talks About How goes it, Reader? I’m always happy it’s Friday. Weekends are my time to exhale, recalibrate, and grab a little inspiration for the road ahead. Mom says hello, by the way. Normally, they’d be headed home around now, but they’re sticking around a bit longer to help my brother move into his new house (yep—the one we were hunting for). They’ll be with him through the first week of May. I also miss Mom’s coffee. Coincidence? Probably...

using metaphors and our voices

MARCH 22, 2025 • ISSUE 11 The Quiet Part, Out Loud. Hey, Reader! I had so many plans for this newsletter—including the glorious reveal of the best three-ingredient gluten-free pancakes I’ve ever whipped up. I tried one more combination, experimenting with yolks instead of whites (because science), and let’s just say... we’re not quite ready for brunch just yet. The pancake journey took an unexpected turn, and while the results weren’t terrible, they also weren’t newsletter-worthy. But there’s...

weight loss reflection

MARCH 7, 2025 • ISSUE 11 Not Everyone Deserves a Pedestal. Here’s Why. How goes it, Reader? What a wild couple of weeks! I’ve been deep in my writing zone, dusting off the keyboard and getting back to my roots. Meanwhile, the scale? Hanging out in neutral like it’s got nowhere to be (mildly frustrating, not gonna lie). BUT—we officially crossed the 250-pound loss mark! 🎉 The big goal? 300+ pounds down. It’s been a long road, but we’re staying head down, making moves, and proving that slow...

Time saving hacks

FEBRUARY 21, 2025 • ISSUE 10 You Don’t Need More Time, You Need a Better Way to Spend It." Hey, Reader! It’s been an interesting couple of weeks, to say the least! But first—if you noticed (or didn’t), this newsletter is now biweekly based on your feedback. Appreciate you all for keeping it real. 😊 On the progress front: slow and steady, but always moving forward. Some of you may not know, but I was recently diagnosed with hyperthyroidism (not hypo—plot twist, right?). No major side effects,...

The stories we tell ourselves - weight loss

FEBRUARY, 7 2025 • ISSUE 9 What If the Only Thing Standing in Your Way Is the Story You’re Telling Yourself? Hey Reader! Ahh, Friday night—we meet again. Always good to be back in your inbox! It’s been a busy couple of weeks, with plenty happening in the world to keep my brain buzzing. But the biggest event? My mom—the legend herself—just celebrated her 70th birthday! Seventy. I swear I blinked, and here we are. Time is weird like that, isn’t it? This week’s theme? Our own stories. In my...

declutter your life

JANUARY 24, 2024 • ISSUE 8 How to Spot—and Fix—Environmental Barriers to Your Goals Hey Reader! Friday night already? Hooray! This week has been a ride. I just wrapped up my annual purge (you’ll see that list in the article), and let me tell you, it felt so good to clear stuff. Meanwhile, Minnesota decided to remind us all who’s boss with a brutal cold snap—temps dropped to -40°F. So yeah, I spent most of the week snuggled up by the fireplace with a pot of water steaming on the stove to fight...

weight loss and support systems

JANUARY 18, 2025 • ISSUE 7 Your Environment: Why Chasing Big Goals Can Shake Up Support Systems It's Saturday Reader! So... this newsletter is late. Forgive me. Why? Because nothing went according to plan this week (shocking, right?). Honestly, even my backup plans needed a backup plan. But hey, at least I’m consistent. Here’s the truth: I did my first one-mile run last night—like, ever—and it was just before I planned to finish this up. I was exhausted. I mean, I was so proud of myself (one...