I fear failure.
Funny statement considering, most people view me as a successful person. What people don’t realize is how much I’ve failed in this process in uncovering my life’s path. In 2008 I experienced an unplanned pregnancy that left me depressed, anxious and worried about the future. I didn’t have a steady income, I lacked health insurance, I recently moved home with my parents, I was overweight from years of disordered eating and while we were engaged, we weren’t married. For a woman who excelled in academics, pageantry and climbing the corporate ladder, I didn’t understand why I was consistently making poor choices.
I was failing and hit rock bottom.
In my uncertainty I decided to have faith in my journey. After all, there must be a reason why I chose to quit a stable job, create a fitness nonprofit, move home to help my sick mother and love a divorced father who was also an injured veteran. If there was a sign that loudly said “Don’t go this route” – I saw it and yet still chose to travel down that road. I intuitively knew that the hardest path would make me stronger.
Not only did starting a family make me work harder to build my own business and create a stable income, but because I battled for years being overweight, I began the first No Excuse Mom group in 2009. Naturally I was nervous when I started the group with just one other person, Ana Sneed. While pushing our strollers we posted flyers on mailboxes, pinned them on community boards and handed them to moms outside of preschools. It was daunting to approach strangers, frustrating when no one attended and upsetting when all my efforts to start a free fitness group fell to deaf ears and unmotivated minds.
I felt like throwing in the towel until one day a new mother showed up at our park with her baby to workout. I was so ecstatic I went home and excitedly told my husband. The next week another mom heard about the group through a flyer and brought along a girlfriend to workout with us. Eventually our city newspaper covered our free fitness group for moms and our little circle of moms began to grow. In the last 5 years I have met with my mom group nearly every Tuesday for a park workout. In our earliest days, I would’ve never imagined having numerous co-leaders, countless events and several mom’s night outs.
Today there are hundreds of moms who are taking their passion and creating purpose through the No Excuse Mom Movement. When I see the positive impact this philosophy has made, I imagine that moment when I wanted to give up, but persisted despite the pain. It is often when we are nearing the summit when we feel the most agony. It is in these moments we must face our fears of failure and break through the pain.
Do not give up.
While life appears easier if you lived with no expectation, no desire and seemingly, no fear, the truth is, when you live a life without intention, you are in fear. You are allowing worry to paralyze you, distract you and intimidate you. It may feel it’s easier to back down and accept a complacent lifestyle, but there is a tiny voice within you who knows you can do more, be more and become more….
Today I’m choosing to do more and I’m telling you today, you can do more too.
This is a 2-minute video of my life’s ride this past year! Join the NEM Movement HERE.
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9 Comments
Maria, You are an inspiration for many of us. I love your blog. Keep up the good work.
Thank you Alana! I really appreciate it.
these are helpful words thank you
You said, “If there was a sign that loudly said “Don’t go this route” – I saw it and yet still chose to travel down that road. I intuitively knew that the hardest path would make me stronger.”
I saw this sign too, and I drove my red Chevy Camaro quickly by. 🙂
Sometimes you never feel the presence of God so much until you are completely out of your comfort zone! Our lives sometimes have to become uncomfortable for us to seek Him, need Him, kneal to Him. I enjoy watching your journey. God Speed
how to join?
Wow! Some inspiring words…love what u said about not giving up and not letting fear rule you. AMAZING! Your words really hit home. SO often I ignore that little voice inside because of fear of failure but its true if u never try u have already failed. VERY INSPIRATIONAL! Thanks for your honest, truthful stories.
This article was profund and touching,trully inspirational.
I watched Maria in a morning show in Australia
at that time she was getting a lot of flak,but I got were she was coming from.
Even though I have hashimotos have 4 kids and contantly tired I get moving on that treadmill
thank you Maria you trully inspired me.
When I initially saw the picture, which has caused so much controversy, it was like a slap in the face but the good kind. I thought to myself “what is my excuse? And us it even valid?” Turns out that my excuses were nothing but me being lazy. Whether it was my homework or the kids, dinner or laundry, I was so full of them. Since I have found the facebook group and am so motivated. I have a failed a few times since but I keep getting up and trying. That in itself is an NSV! You’re an inspiration and truly motivational.
Thank you for the support Sasha!