🤔 QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
- What’s the story you’ve been telling yourself about your progress?
Is your inner dialogue helping you move forward or holding you back?
GIVE IT A GO
Take a moment to reflect—are you being your own biggest cheerleader, or are you narrating a story that keeps you stuck? Consider these questions as journal prompts this week.
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🏆 YOUR CHALLENGE THIS WEEK
Notice the way you talk to yourself about your goals. When you catch a negative thought (e.g., I’ll never get there), pause and rewrite it in a way that serves you (I’m not there yet, but I will be). Try this for a week and see how shifting the narrative shifts your momentum.
KEEP IN MIND
The words you repeat to yourself shape your reality. You haven’t failed—you’re just in the middle of the story. Keep going. Hit reply and share your wins or ask me a question - I might feature it here, but don't worry, your name stays between us.
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❔SPILL THE BEANS: QUESTION OF THE WEEK
....(or Rather, Theme): The Lyft Lawsuit
I must have received at least twenty messages this week, all with the same attached video—Detroit rapper Dank Demoss is suing Lyft, alleging that she was denied a ride because of her weight. And almost every message came with the same question: “What do you think of this?”
Honestly? Stories like this don’t just stand alone; they tend to crack open much bigger conversations—conversations about accessibility, and where personal responsibility meets corporate policies. And let’s be real—those conversations aren’t always easy.
If I’m being honest, I don’t typically weigh in on national headlines like this. Not because they don’t matter, but because my work and my heart have always been rooted in our space—functional fitness, mindset, and the ways we show up for ourselves every day. That’s where I feel like I can make the most impact.
That said, however, if nothing else, cases like this force people to look at different realities, even the ones they might rather ignore.
Because this case kept landing in my inbox, I did a little digging into Michigan’s anti-discrimination laws, which are actually pretty unique. Michigan is the only state where weight is a legally protected class, meaning that discrimination based on body size is, by law, prohibited. So while public opinion will no doubt be all over the place, the merit of this case won’t come down to personal feelings about weight or personal responsibility—it will come down to the legal protections in place and how they are applied in the State of Michigan. And that is all I have to say about that :)
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Want to join me at an upcoming Working with Larger Bodies Seminar?
The next one is in Colorado!
CrossFit Elm Turnberry
12433 E 104th PL #103
Commerce City, CO 80022
Saturday, February 15, 2025
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
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☕ FRESHLY BREWED: WHAT I'M READING OR WATCHING
Varied Not Random #199 Obesity… (YouTube). I appreciate that they brought in an obesity specialist, and to be fair, she had some valuable insights. She outlined what she believes are the five components for treating obesity and, toward the end, briefly touched on ‘mindset’—mentioning emotional eating as one example. However, when asked, ‘How can we help with the emotional aspects of our relationship with food?’ her quick answer was medication—because, in her words, ‘it shuts off all the noise.’
That response left me with more questions than answers. While I understand that medication can be a useful tool, simply silencing the noise doesn’t necessarily address why it’s there in the first place. What about mental health? Trauma? Lived experience? These factors play a massive role in obesity and in my humble opinion are the biggest players, yet they seemed largely absent from most of these types of discussions. And as we continue to learn more about the potential long-term side effects of these medications, I can’t help but feel that a broader conversation is needed.
Pat asked, ‘How can we tell someone they’re unhealthy and need to lose weight?’ The Doctor acknowledged that these conversations shouldn’t happen with people you don’t have a meaningful relationship with—a perspective that often gets overlooked. Hell, these are tough discussions with people you are closest to. But once again, I can't help but wonder why these coaches believe people with obesity don't already know and that maybe we should start considering other approaches.
Throughout the discussion, the Doctor appeared to lean heavily on medication as a solution, bringing it up repeatedly. Then, in the final moments of the podcast, she mentioned that she gets paid by Eli Lilly to educate other doctors about GLP-1s.
Am I against GLP-1s? No. I believe they have their place. But I also believe obesity is complex, and if we’re not addressing the full picture—including mental health, environment, support systems, (insert longer list here) and the deeper ‘why’ —we’re missing an essential part of the solution.
🫘 COOL BEANS - Brussels Bliss Bites
Ingredients
- 1pound bag sliced fresh Brussels Sprouts (or sliced whole ones)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp oregano
- salt and Korean red pepper to taste
- finishing with 1 tablespoon sugar free balsamic vinegar glaze
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
- Toss the sliced Brussels sprouts in the olive oil and seasonings. Spread in a thin layer on a nonstick baking sheet (can line with parchment paper or silicon sheet for easy cleanup).
- Roast for 30 minutes. Toss them, then roast them for another 15 minutes or until golden brown and tender.
- Toss with balsamic glaze. Serve hot.
Best Meat Pairings:
🔥 Grilled or Roasted Meats
- Steak – The crispy, caramelized Brussels sprouts complement the richness of a ribeye, filet mignon, or sirloin.
- Pork Tenderloin – The mild, slightly sweet pork pairs beautifully with the tangy balsamic glaze.
- Lamb Chops – The garlic and oregano in the sprouts match well with the bold flavor of lamb.
🍗 Chicken & Turkey
- Roasted Chicken – The crispy, golden-brown Brussels add texture and flavor to juicy roasted chicken.
- Turkey Breast – A lighter option that works well, especially with the balsamic glaze balancing the lean turkey.
🐟 Seafood
- Salmon – The richness of salmon pairs beautifully with the crispy, slightly spicy Brussels.
- Seared Scallops – The sweetness of scallops contrasts nicely with the savory, garlicky sprouts.
- Grilled Shrimp – The smoky char from grilled shrimp complements the roasted Brussels and balsamic glaze.
Oh, and before I go—you might have noticed your inbox was a little quieter last week. That wasn’t a mistake! I’m playing around with the rhythm of this newsletter and figuring out what feels right. So, what do you think? Do you prefer a weekly check-in or would every other week feel just right? Take this quick little survey and let me know —I’d love your input!"
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Stay tuned for more inspiration and ideas—let’s keep growing together.
Until then, take care
Your friend, 💖
