Renov8 Fitness

The sound you hear in the background is not me.

That is everyone else dropping barbells to the floor while doing fast power cleans, which was the prescribed workout that day.

What I’m doing instead is a slower, more controlled back squat because I know my body, I know my goals, and I know what I need right now.

I did not modify the workout because I was trying to do less. I modified it because I am training with intention.

My goal right now is to build as much muscle and strength as I can before my hysterectomy surgery, and for me, that means moving with control, creating tension, focusing on quality reps, and choosing the exercise that best supports where I am in my body and in my life.

This is why learning your body matters.

This is why having the confidence to make smart adjustments matters.

This is why blindly following what everyone else is doing is not always the answer.

Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is slow down, tune in, and choose the version of the workout that actually serves you.

Training is not about proving you can keep up with everyone around you. It is about knowing what you are working toward and making decisions that support that goal.

That is strength.

Some days, motivation is nowhere to be found.

I procrastinated my run all day, hoped .binns would join me so I had an extra push, and almost talked myself out of it completely. But with a race this weekend, I knew this was one of those moments where I had to stop negotiating with myself and just go.

It was a mental game from start to finish, but I got it done. And honestly, that is the part people do not always see. I love running. I love training. I love what I do. But that does not mean I always feel motivated or excited to do it.

Some days I conquer the challenge. Some days I do not. Today, I did.

That is your reminder: You do not have to feel ready to take action. Sometimes you just have to start, get to the halfway point, and let the commitment carry you home.

Coming back from vacation and whew… my quads have definitely been reminding me that I took a break. 😂 Between my race weekend and jumping right back into training, the soreness has been REAL. But honestly? That soreness is also a reminder that I’m rebuilding strength again, and I’m grateful for it.

A lot of people think taking time off means they’re “starting over,” but that’s not true. Life happens. Vacations happen. Recovery happens. What matters most is getting back into your routine and continuing to move forward.

Right now, I’m especially focused because I’m preparing for an upcoming hysterectomy. My goal is simple: Go into surgery strong so I can recover strong. At the same time, I’ve also got races coming up, including the Capital Odyssey Relay, so I’m balancing strength training with running and speed work too.

This is all part of my journey. Not perfection. Not punishment. Just continuing to show up, rebuild, and grow stronger one step at a time.

This was my first race since Thanksgiving 2025, and honestly, I was exhausted.

I went into this 4.5-mile trail race with one simple goal: Have fun and finish.

The race was harder than expected, but I kept going, I finished, and then .binns and I both ended up winning first place in our age groups.

Sometimes showing up really is the win, and sometimes life surprises you with even more.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing moms, bonus moms, pet moms, chosen moms, and mother figures out there 💙

Started my morning with a beautiful walk here in Reno, Nevada, and honestly… What a perfect way to begin the day. Warm sunshine, a little breeze, movement, fresh air, and gratitude.

Wishing you all a beautiful, peaceful, and joy-filled Mother’s Day weekend. Take a moment for yourself today too💫

I did bent leg calf raises again at .fitness and this time I used a heavier kettlebell. Last time I got branded by Perform Better. Today it was . Apparently this exercise has a signature move now 😂

Today was a reminder that growth does not come from easy workouts. This one pushed me, humbled me, and reminded me why hard things matter.