Have you ever stopped to think about what events in your life REALLY shaped who you are?

I know that really EVERYTHING we do has an effect on who we are and who we become, but how about those REALLY impactful moments? Those life changers?

I stopped to think about them recently, and here are the first that came to mind.

1. Meeting the love of my life, Jerry. Not only did he change my life in the obvious ways, he changed ME as a person in the best way. I am BETTER because of his love and influence, and I have learned SO MUCH about being a good person from Jer and his beautiful family.

2. SKYDIVING! I want to keep these descriptions short so I wont go into great detail, but I had a huge medical scare in 2003 that made me realize how fragile life is. I didn't want to miss out on anything life had to offer knowing that at any moment it can be taken away. SO I decided to do the scariest thing I could think of. My reasoning was when I was faced with fear in the future, I'd have to remind myself that I was BRAVE and had already done something MUCH more terrifying!

3. Moving to Oregon. In 2008, we moved with our best friends Jess and Evan across the country, just because! We didn't have housing set up, some of us didn't have jobs even. We just packed up and went. We had a great adventure out there, and I fell madly in love with the Pacific NW. BUT our adventure was short lived (we'll be back soon, Oregon!), because we got the greatest surprise of our lives which brings me to number...

4. Harper's birth/Becoming a mama. I don't even need to explain. If I tried, I'd never stop typing heart emoticon Because of Harper choosing us, I became who I was always meant to be.

5. AND of course, the birth of sweet, sweet Junie. Not only was the actual ACT of giving birth to her life changing (I had a VBAC which was very empowering and a huge emotional milestone) but she brightened our life, made Harps a big brother, and made our family complete. She was meant to be ours.

6. Holding a tiny alligator. Just joking. Are you still reading this?

7. Becoming a coach. Making this decision was absolutely one of THE best decisions I have EVER made. I've changed my health, my strength, my outlook. I have passion and purpose. I am charged and alive. I've met incredible people. I have a completely new perspective. I take great comfort in knowing that I will be financially free and get so excited for the things we will be able to do in the future because of the income I will be generating. I have great confidence. I am renewed. I am present with my children. I get to wake up every morning CHARGED about the living that I am making! Again, I could go on and on...

It's so crazy to me that making the decision, on a whim, to become a coach, with great skepticism and little belief in myself or the opportunity, has evolved into one of my TOP life changing events.

I share this with you because I want you to think about your own life. Think of your positive life changing events. Has it been awhile since you've had one?

If it has, it might be time to shake it up a bit!

I've said it before, I will say it again...if you're hearing that whisper. If you're feeling a nudge from the Universe you've gotta JUMP!

Just like that skydiving trip I took. Make that jump and never let fear hold you back again.

PS If you think you might be interested in coaching, I have a 5 day informational group coming up. It's FREE and it'll be held right here on Facebook. Comment below or send me a message if you would like details.

OK. I realize that this looks kind of gross, haha. 

BUT

I figure if you're reading my "What Junie Eats" posts, you're probably a frazzled, busy mom of a toddler or preschooler, and you would probably appreciate a quick and easy and fairly healthy convenience meal idea, right? RIGHT?

Of course we would ALL love to make every meal from scratch, but that just doesn't happen in this household, and I'll make a bet that it doesn't happen in many of yours either.

It's nice to have some super easy options that still make you feel like you're providing a healthy meal for your kiddos SO, without further adieu, here we have....


- Trader Joe's Fish Nuggets- 

- Trader Joe's riced cauliflower cooked with a bit of olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, scallions, garlic, salt and pepper.

- cukes with salt and pepper

- banana!

BOTH kiddos LOVED it and ate it up. Harper (our picky 6 year old) kept saying I LOVE THIS RICE! I didn't tell him he was gobbling up cauliflower. I hate to lie, but I was so afraid he'd change his mind! Did you know cauliflower has a host of health benefits?

Per one of my favorite sites, My New Roots,  Cauliflower is an excellent source of vitamin K and a very good source of omega-3 fatty acids (in the form of alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA), cauliflower provides us with two powerful anti-inflammatory nutrients. Cauliflower is also jam-packed with phytonutrients (those are the super-charged healthy compounds found exclusively in plants), such as the familiar beta-carotene, as well as the lesser-known beta-cryptoxanthin, caffeic acid, cinnamic acid, ferulic acid, quercetin, rutin, and kaempferol (there will be a quiz at the end of this post ;) This broad spectrum antioxidant support helps lower the risk of oxidative stress in our cells. By providing us with such a great array of antioxidant nutrients, cauliflower helps lower our cancer risk by helping us avoid chronic and unwanted oxidative stress.
Don't you love reading things like that after your kid gobbles it down? I do!

So, keep some riced cauliflower and fish nuggets in the freezer for one of those days when you are uninspired, or short on time, or you just don't freaking feel like cooking, and you can still feel good about giving your kids a decent meal.

Today you're six!

My beautiful son,

How is it possible that you're six?

It seems like yesterday you were your sister's age, a toddler, adorable as can be. Super shy, incredibly intuitive, stubborn and brilliant. The only part that has changed a bit there is the shy part. You really have built some confidence within the last year. I can tell that you're a leader when I see you with your friends at school, and you're no longer afraid to approach another kid at the park to play. There's nothing wrong with being shy, but I am glad to see that you've become confident and even bold at times!

You love Legos and Minecraft, video games and YouTube videos of other people playing video games. You have a new found love for ART!!! YAY!! You LOVE to draw and color and you make the most beautiful, interesting creations! I love that you've found something else to get lost in. You'll work on a picture for what seems like forever. My heart swells when you complete your masterpiece and come to show me, (paper face down on your chest, arms folded over it so that I can't get a smidge of a sneak peek before you're ready) and turn it over for the big reveal, beaming with pride!

You're a collector. You have a treasure box filled with shells, pinecones, confetti and acorns. Broken jewelry, found barrettes, popped balloons, and stones of every shape and size. You're always on the hunt for something special. I love this about you. I need to remember to travel with big pockets, because we always end up filling them with your finds when we're out on an adventure.

                                           

     
You can write sentences and stories now, and you've melted my heart with this skill.  Recently you brought home a small notebook on a string around your neck; a prize from the treasure box at school. I melted into a heap of mush when I looked inside to see that you'd written 2 things. Your name on one page and "I love my mom" on the other.  Yesterday when I went into my notes section on my phone,  I discovered that you'd typed the same thing there too.

I must admit that last year has been one of the most challenging.  You can be a little pain in the ass sometimes! But then I realize, can't we all? After a particularly difficult day, once you guys are fast asleep and we have time to reflect, I want you to know that your daddy and I work REALLY hard to try to figure out why things were the way they were and try SO hard to understand how you and your sister feel. I'm gonna tell you, kiddo, grown ups are the ones who are wired differently; not kids. Your daddy and I try VERY hard to be the absolute best parents that we can be for you guys, and when we have a bad day, or when we screw up, I take consolation in knowing that we put every ounce of everything we have into trying to be good parents to you. We're a good team. A GREAT team.  I hope and pray that as you grow, you know that, and will always remain close to us.

Speaking of growing, can you slow it down, please? Why does six sound SO OLD??!! It's like you're a bonafide BIG KID now! The term big kid even sounds too little to say now that you're SIX. You're just a regular kid! I can still hold you, though, and mark my words, I'll be holding you as long as I can (watch out, I've been working out!) You DID stop kissing me in front of the safety patrols in car line towards the end of last year. I always told you that time would come! I was so happy when you showered me with hugs and kisses this  morning and proudly said " See? I'll still hug and kiss you when I'm big!" My heart.

Today, your birthday was wonderful. I know your favorite part was presents, balloons, Glazer and treats, but my favorite part was tonight, at bedtime, when I read you each letter I wrote to you on your birthdays in the past. You laid there quietly and held on to each and every word with a smile on your beautiful face. I tried to keep my voice from cracking, but I let it go.  You're used to my happy tears now. You understand.

   Happy Birthday, my beautiful first born baby boy. Thank you for making me a mom. You're my saving grace.

All of my love forever and always, Mama xxoo

Wonder Drug

What if there was a drug that could improve your mood, give you a brighter outlook, increase  your energy, make you feel beautiful,  help you sleep better, improve your skin, help with aches and pains, make you more patient, help you lose weight, make you more focused, provide inspiration, increase your strength, give you self confidence, improve your relationships and most importantly make you live longer? Oh and there are no side effects, except maybe some sore muscles.

Would you take it? How much would you pay for it? Would you work hard to earn access to this drug?

It sounds like a miracle, right?

My guess is that if there was something like this that was manufactured, it would be incredibly popular. I mean, who wouldn't want to be given a way to achieve all of the above benefits that I mentioned?

I'll bet a bunch of people would do whatever they could to access that wonder drug.

As I was sitting on my porch, soaking in the beauty of dusk in my neighborhood, cooling off post workout, it hit me, as it always does, how amazing I feel after a good workout.

I was thinking to myself...if only more people would just start. If they'd just try to get moving, how many lives would improve?

Depression runs deep in my family on both sides.  There is NOTHING worse then watching someone you love experience depression. It's such a helpless feeling.  I am happy to say I have never been sucked into a deep dark depression, and I feel very lucky for that. But I have had a taste of how things could become a slippery slope to that deep dark place.

I know this is an incredibly sensitive subject, and I know that there are MANY MANY different scenarios when it comes to depression. It is absolutely NOT a one size fits all issue with a one size fits all solution. I want you to know that I am NOT at ALL anti drug.

 I have gone through periods, mostly during times of hormonal imbalance or severe family stress, when I got a little taste of how it could spin out of control. It seems that it's a vicious cycle. Everything takes EXTREME effort. Getting out of bed seems like an impossible task. Getting showered and dressed would require more energy than I could muster...and the more you lay around, the harder it gets to break out of that cycle. And it seems that the one thing that might start to improve things, getting UP and OUT, sounds like the worst, most uncomfortable, most exhausting idea ever.

Luckily those bouts were short lived...but I could see, taste and feel how quickly they could snowball into something much deeper and darker... and I have a gut feeling that there are others out there that started where I did, and their situation DID snowball and they have no clue what to do now because they're in deep.

If only more people, experiencing depression or not, could dig in really deep and muster up the gumption to get moving, I think so many lives would be improved in insurmountable ways.

It is so baffling to me that I KNOW for a FACT that millions of people would shell out big bucks for a miracle drug when there is a FREE solution that only takes their decision and commitment to do it.

For those that are stagnant and never move their bodies, if they could just start small, and make a commitment to walk, outside in the world, just for 10 minutes a day, I think many would see huge changes in their well being. It's such a simple thing, but why is it SO hard for us to get that motivation and commit?

It's still hard for me some days, I won't lie to you. But now that I have been exercising on a regular basis for a little over a year, I can't imagine life without it. It has been my "miracle drug" and has provided me with all of the benefits I mentioned above. Well, the live long part is a bit hard to predict, but I will tell you that I'll be damned if I develop a preventable disease or illness...and you can bet your little buttons that I will be a strong and fit well into my old age because I won't have it any other way.

I wish I could start some kind of movement. A movement to move, haha! I just know, without a shadow of a doubt, that so many lives could be improved with a little bit of exercise.

If you're reading this, and you haven't moved your body lately, will you do yourself a big favor and go for a walk? Right now. Put down your device and get outside. It's ok if you look disheveled- you're gonna get sweaty anyhow. Go walk around your neighborhood. Hear the sounds of life. Breathe in the outside air. Notice the things you miss because you never go slow. Bring some of your favorite jams. (no not the shorts from the 90's) some tunes! Music is also so healing for the soul. Go for a 10-20 minute walk. That's enough for now. Then come home feeling accomplished, with flushed cheeks and pride that you did it!

If anyone really does this (I hope you do) will you let me know?  You'd make my day by making your own.

What Junie Eats

Mints. Tons of mints snatched right out of  Harper's tin. Then she discovered that "they're too ficy (spicy) "

Not pictured: Harper crying because Junie ate a shit ton of his special mints.

Also not pictured: Jerry finding said shit ton of soggy mints in his back pocket.

Things He Says

In the car today:

Harper: I know why they put the sound "P" in penis

Me: What?!!

Harper: Penis. It has the sound "P" in it because you pee out of it.

Me (laughing)

Harper: Why are you laughing so hard? Really they put the sound "P" in it because you pee out of it. Really it's just called a nis. They just put the P there because you pee out of it, but it's just a nis!

What Junie Eats

What Junie Eats

- Trader Joe's falafel

- Bread - duh

- Quinoa pilaf

- Curried Couscous salad

Are You Fulfilled?

I was lucky enough to spend the last 4 days with my beautiful family enjoying this view from the gulf-front cottage we rented.  

Our days were spent, swimming, playing games, relaxing and laughing. Lots and lots of laughing. The weather was perfect. Sunshine with a constant breeze during the day, and thunderstorms rolling in late afternoon to make a perfectly cozy transition to evening.

I have so much gratitude for this life I have been given, and reminded myself on several occasions while there on the sandy shore how grateful I am for the free-spirited life we are creating for our family.

I know network marketing has a bad name. Many automatically think of the words "Pyramid Scheme" upon hearing of network marketing opportunities. You think of expensive "kits" to purchase, or sales minimums.  You might picture trying to sell overpriced products that really aren't anything special.

I know that's what I thought.

Here's a fun fact. I used to have a rule for myself that I would not attend at home parties. I DID NOT like the idea of a get together with the expectation to make a purchase of something I really didn't even want at the end. I DO NOT like buying things unless they are worth their value (in my opinion of course.) I didn't even want to pick the least expensive thing to buy to support a friend. Maybe I sound like a dick, but if you agree to go to all of those parties, that shit adds up, and you end up with a bunch of stuff you never even wanted in the first place! So it was easier for me to just make a blanket rule that I don't do those types of things. Here's another fact. Many years ago a neighbor of ours was considering becoming a Beachbody coach. I told him that it was garbage, a scam, and that he should steer clear.  I hope he disregarded my negativity, and I hope he is as happy as I am now.

I NEVER in a million years thought I myself would become a Beachbody Coach,  become  quite successful with it and most importantly develop a PASSION for it!

So why do I love it so much?

- I am in the best shape of my life and have made exercise and eating well my lifestyle
- I love the products. The workouts are challenging yet effective. The Shakeology has incredible health benefits and is delicious. Because of this, I was able to lose 30 lbs and gain strength and confidence. This is the first and only time I have found a system that works, and that I LOVE.
- I am a part of a beautiful, incredible community of likeminded people. I have made lifelong friends.
- I get to help others find health. It is insanely fulfilling knowing that I have assisted someone in becoming healthier.
- I have learned to become a leader. I love helping my team of coaches build businesses of their own. I have an incredible team, and love the bond we share. I will stop at nothing to help them succeed.
- I am making a great living from home, working whenever and wherever I choose. I have complete and total freedom.
- I have become a better person.
- I don't have to be a sales person. It is NOT my plan to annoy people into buying things. I don't have any slick tactics up my sleeve. I simply share my genuine love for what I am doing and help others do the same. BEST JOB EVER!
- Luckily we don't host parties or have to buy kits. Nothing against them...they're just not my thing!
- I work for an amazing company who gives to charity often, who believes in the greater good, who's mission is to help others find success and happiness in every form. There is opportunity to earn all expense paid vacations and incredible bonuses. They provide the potential to earn an unbelievable income. I've matched my income that took me 8 years to earn as a 911 operator.


I am so lucky that my gut feeling was stronger than my skepticism. I am so glad that I've always trusted my intuition. If I hadn't listened to that whisper, I wouldn't be here, working from home with my 2 beautiful kids. I wouldn't have had the freedom to take 3 on a whim vacations in the past 3 months. I'd still be out of shape and exhausted, stressed and unfulfilled. I'd still have to leave my sweet family drive to work in rush hour traffic to a job that made my blood pressure rise.

Are you fulfilled? Are you truly satisfied with your life?

I ask this not to convince you that this is the way to happiness. I ask because it is my hope that anyone who takes the time to read this will really consider if they are satisfied with their life, and if not, I hope that this might be the catalyst for some of you to really understand that you have other options. Society has a really great way of convincing us that there are very few options in life. We often stick with what's safe and predictable. You can make your own way. This is YOUR life, after all. Shouldn't YOU be the one who decides how your time is spent?

Coaching is an incredible opportunity for the right person. I am on a mission to find those kindred spirits out there to join me on my mission to build an empire of strong, inspiring, motivated, beautiful souls to take on the task of changing lives, beginning with their very own.

I'm looking for a certain type of person. Intuitive and goal oriented. Unafraid to be vulnerable. Kind and good humored. Quirky and fun. Someone who is ready for change, and bold enough to take a leap of faith. It's OK if the idea of that leap scares the shit out of you. Shaking up your life will do that. I need people who are brave. I want believers.

This may sound specific. You're right. It is! I have a vision for my team.

I am in the process of creating some pretty fantastic training material for my team. I'd love to have a select few new coaches to mentor with this new material.

If you think this just might be that thing that you're looking for, please fill out this application so that I may learn a little bit more about you. My team has a "sneak peek into coaching" group coming up June 8th, in which you can learn a bit more about coaching with no obligation/no pressure.   I will be selecting 5 new coaches by June 15th to add to our amazing team and personally mentor. You will have all access to my new training material, and I will help you every step of the way to learn the ropes of this crazy coaching opportunity.

To learn more, please fill out this application and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

https://ginacocks.wufoo.com/forms/apply-to-be-a-coach-for-team-ignite-your-life/

I am looking forward to meeting my next 5! Can't wait to chat with you!

(to make the legal team happy:) "Beachbody does not guarantee any level of success or income from the Team Beachbody Coach Opportunity. Each Coach's income depends on his or her own efforts, diligence, and skill. See our Statement of Independent Coach Earnings  for the most recent information on our Coaches' actual incomes" 

Let's talk about FREEDOM

I was spending some time today going through my photos on my phone, because I needed to delete some to make room for more.

I loved reliving all of the recent memories while I scanned through the pictures..and was really happy to be reminded that WE DO A LOT OF FUN STUFF!

This picture was taken on a date with my son at Busch Gardens. I love the look of happiness on his face.

I love that, because of coaching, I have the freedom to make SO many memories with my children.

I was at a park yesterday with Junie, having a little picnic, and I got a bit teary. I remembered sitting at that SAME park when I was working at 911, watching other stay at home mamas living a carefree, fun life with their kiddos. Meanwhile, I was feeling hurried and rushed, anticipating my night shift at work that evening. I remember telling myself that something had to give. I knew there was an answer, but I didn't know what.

If you would have told me that the answer was in Network Marketing I would have laughed in your face and told you what a scam that garbage was. I'm a natural skeptic. It's not a good trait, but I've always had the mentality that if something seems too good to be true, there must be a catch.

I believe fate drew me here. Somehow, I decided to give it a chance. I was still VERY skeptical, and still believed that this probably wouldn't be the ticket to my freedom, but I couldn't deny that "WHY NOT ME?" feeling that I had. The only investment I had to make was for my OWN workout program/Shakeology. I'd researched the program enough to know that people were getting real results, and I desperately wanted to get back in shape. I figured, even if this coaching thing IS a scam, at least I might get in shape trying.

Well, as you can see I am still here. A successful, happy, confident, healthy, fit, coach, working at home, living a life of freedom, making memories with my family, living a life by design.

I DID get in shape. I lost 30 lbs, and have made fitness my lifestyle.
I DID leave my job. Only 4 months into my coaching career.
I HAVE FOUND MY PASSION AND PURPOSE
in helping others achieve their health and fitness goals, and helping my team..my beautiful, wonderful team, find their freedom too.

This opportunity that is Beachbody coaching is a gift. A crazy, wonderful gift that is transforming SO MANY LIVES.

I want to continue to build my tribe by sharing this gift with the right people. I want to find those others out there that are meant to be on my team, so that I can give them all of the tools to help them find the success that I have found and that is possible through coaching.

Here are a few things you need to know.

If you want to join my team, you will be required to start your OWN journey with a challenge pack. Why? Because you need to invest in your own health in order to inspire others.

You have to be willing to share your journey candidly. It's gonna be scary at first, but you will inspire others, and it will feel AMAZING.

You have to set aside time for personal development. You will continually grow as a person as a coach on my team. Frankly, this has been one of the greatest practices I have incorporated into my life, and I am grateful for this requirement.

If you think you can handle those 3 basic requirements, and feel a little spark from this post, let's chat.

I am not going to try to convince you to do this. I don't have any slick tactics, haha. If you need convincing, this won't work for you. I am looking for people that can decide for themselves, have a vision for their lives, and believe that this could be THE THING that can get them there. Then, after learning more about how this works, develop a PASSION and can't be stopped. I don't WANT to drag people along. I put a lot into helping my coaches, and am looking for people who want this so badly they can taste it...so you can rest assured that if you reach out to me with curiosity and questions, I will answer every single question you have, tell you everything you want to know, maybe ask you a few questions to see if you'd be good for my team, and then we can decide together if this is a good fit for you. If not? NO SWEAT! NO PRESSURE. NONE. If you don't want this, it won't work!

I have a challenge group starting 5/25 if you'd like to begin with your own journey to health. The last day to register is 5/19 (Tomorrow)

I'm glad to set aside some time Monday for anyone who'd like to chat with me about joining my team. If something in this post speaks to you, by all means, reach out to me!

I shudder to think about where I'd be if I didn't reach out to my coach a year and a half ago. Still stressed. Still out of shape. Still exhausted. Still working nights and holidays away from my beautiful children.

I had that gut feeling and chose to listen to it.

Message me if you're having one too.

THINGS HE SAID

THINGS HE SAID.... a #TBT version of THINGS HE SAYS

Harper at about age 3:

(Harps comes into the restroom while I am peeing- no privacy ever... and I farted..one of those airy "pssst" sounding farts)

H: "Mama! What was that sound? Was that steam coming out of your penis?"

And while we're on the topic of penises, here's another one I remember from about the same time....

Jer: "Harps, do you want to sleep in your PJ's or just your underwear?"
Harps: " No, I'll just sleep in my penis " (meaning naked,  HA!)