Coach Ren

I found my strength in pain.

When I first heard this song by Mumford & Sons I was going through a bad breakup. The words struck me like a bullet; I felt inspired to find a way to become stronger, find my feet & a way not to let my hardships in life bring me down.

I found the idea of finding strength though painful experiences to be tantalizing.

Over the next 10 years & many hardships, I learned numerous things; I grew my capacity to love, to feel & to understand those around me.

I aimed to get to a place where I truly started to understand what it meant to be me; the person I always imagined & desired I could be.

Everyday since, I did the best I could to make choices to improve instead of choking up with despair.

Coming in to this new year, as I geared up to work again, it felt if things had come full circle. As if my name had been called & knew what that meant, finally. It was time for me to pass on what I learned from my growth & battles with pain over the last 15 years.

I decided to start a pain coaching business to help those struggling to find strength in their pain. I also decide to, unlike most coaches, not charge a flat rate but to create prices based on individuals financial needs.

If you, or someone or someone you know, are struggling with unbearable pain & are looking for more purpose & direction: click on the link in my bio & set up a free coaching trial.

It is possible to find strength & purpose despite ANY PAIN or AILMENT.
I am walking proof of this.

Warm wishes & love to all those out there feeling lost. I see you & you’re feelings are valid. & If you need inspiration today I suggest giving “the Cave” a listen again.

Listening to your body! That is the [ONLY] way.

Returning to work part-time was scary at first. I was so worried about over-doing it and throwing myself back to square one.

Thankfully, my time spent learning to listen to my body closer over the last two years, has served me well.

I have to be extra careful to stop and sit when I need to. Not to mention, saying NO when needed has become paramount.

As a culture, Americans are constantly pressured to work, work, work and that sleep or rest can be sacrificed.
Not only is this INCREDIBLY TOXIC, but for those of us with a chronic illness it can make us far worse; to the point we might not even be able to function like our peers.

What some don’t know, is that this life style can actually lead to future chronic illness in those with good health!

Today, I call on everyone ready this; remember to SLOW DOWN & REST! Before something worse happens. Your body can and will effectively communicate with you if you treat it right and listen.

If need help developing a healthy work practice with chronic pain or creating a better relationship with your body: Sign up for a free coaching session and I can show you how! [link in bio]

t’s ok to be pi**ed 😤 at your chronic illness! It’s a sh*tty situation no doubt about it.

When I first realized my condition was likely long term, I really grappled with it.
I spent months in a haze of angry, grief, frustration & confusion. Why me???

I worked so hard to be where I was! Suddenly, everything about me had changed.

Who knows if it will ever be safe for me to box again, there goes a dream to fight in a ring at least once.

Who knows if I’ll be able to work full time again?

My love of bacon & meat? Gone in a flash, replaced by nausea & an extremely limiting palate/appetite. In fact, I have to take great care, daily, to get my necessary nutrition intake and not lose too much weight.

My extreme sociable nature & endless capacity for being involved- *p**f*. I had to spend nearly 2 years living a life as nearly a hermit. Even as I start to go out again, I have to be so careful to not do it too much or for too long.

Restful sleep- I don’t even know what that feels like anymore. Mostly nights I’m plagued, to varying degrees, by pervasive night sweats & stabs of pain from the movements of the day.

I could go on about what changed but that’s not why I’m here. I share because I want everyone out there struggling to know-
YOU ARE NOT ALONE,
YOUR FEELINGS ARE VALID
& ITS POSSIBLE TO FIND PEACE AND PURPOSE.

It took me a while but I learned to ask for help, found new passions, re-adjusted some old ones & spent a heck of a lot of time learning to listen to my body. I still grieve all the time but that’s ok too. Because, this is hella hard!

I want you all to know I am always here and if you need help finding your peace and purpose. I am always here for you.

[For more information on how I can help-click the link in my bio]

It’s easy to make assumptions based on appearance. We are all guilty of that.

For those of us with a chronic illness it can be hurtful. No matter what, there is always a level of difficulty involved with going out for us.

During the height of my diagnoses search- I felt very vulnerable. I didn’t always know how to process being out.

It can be easier to smile instead sharing so people don’t worry for us. Unless I’m wearing a brace or using a cane, it might be difficult to see what I’m going through. Not to mention, I’ve lost a lot of weight due to not being able to eat much at all. I love all my friends & I know they mean well. I’ll admit it’s odd when they say ‘oh you’re looking better’ or ‘wow you’re looking healthy.’

Why is that?

Even though some has improved- I’m always going to be dealing with fibromyalgia to some extent. You might not know this- I am always in some level of pain and when I’m out, it’s even harder to get comfortable.

If someone you know has a chronic illness- instead of making a statement, ask a question & find out what it’s like for us. We don’t often like to bring it up in conversation- but, it’s nice when people are curious & want to learn. It can feel very validating.

Looking for help? Always feel free to reach out. You’ll find a link in my bio👆🏼

Remember you are seen & your feelings are valid.

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Is your pain consuming your life like weeds in a garden?

For nearly a year I felt like I couldn’t breath, I couldn’t move (sometimes literally), There wasn’t an existence without pain.

I wondered is this my life now? What happened to who I was? Who am I now? What does it mean to be & live with this pain?

I was lost, scared & alone. I cried for hours, I wanted to drift away.

My anxiety grew & grew. I mourned the life I once knew. It felt like I was being consumed by the pain, I was the pain, the pain was me & there was nothing else.

I could’ve kept going down this path, hell I didn’t feel like I had the energy to fight it.

Instead, after months of this, I made a decision, a decision to face the pain, to find out what it meant & to find out who I was with it.

You know what? I am so incredibly happy I did. Yes, it looked very different from my life before. I could no longer be the juggernaut I once was. I might never be able to do the same things I could once do.

You know, that’s OK.

I discovered new talents, found a deeper love for the small pleasures & began to enjoyed the moments I missed before. At the same time I found a new purpose. I discovered I was able to embrace the pain & it became my teacher.

If it’s possible for me, I KNOW it’s possible for you too. Don’t let fear keep you from reaching out & finding out what you’re capable of!

Let me be here for you, all it takes is for you to reach out your hand. You’ll find I am reaching out on the other side ready to grasp it & show you to a future full possibilities.

Let’s do this together.
Schedule your first coaching session on me. The link in the comments or in the bio above.👆🏼I’m waiting for you with open arms & heart full of acceptance & love.

If you have any questions; feel free to send me a message night or day and I’ll respond within 24 hours.

What # speaks to you most? Read on👇🏼

Did you chose 1,3,5,7 or 9?

You’re not alone, as humans we’re natururally drawn to esthetic beauty, phenomena, warm colors & vibrancy. I mean who doesn’t enjoy a relaxing sunset? (or sunrise)

I want you to ask yourself something:

Why then are you trying to be like everyone else?

After my dad died (I was 8 & it was colon cancer), my mom became a single parent & she had a lot on her plate. I didn’t want to be one extra thing she had to worry about.

So I faded into the background, became what everyone wanted me, to be or so I thought…I was an expert chamaeleon, monotone, a repetition.

However, one day, I realized I was left with no personality, I was a reflection of everyone around me. I thought, “wow this is boring, no fun & I don’t even know who I am”. No wonder I had a hard time making friends.

From that day on, I chose to find out who I was. You know what? It’s been one hell of a ride! Yes, there have been many ups & downs. But, it was worth every second!

I am so proud of the vibrant, unique, colorful person I’ve become. There’s no denying that I truly am one of a kind.

I want this for you too more than anything. I dream of a warm vibrant world, filled with brilliant, unique souls- those who refuse to be another copy & instead step into their light & own their bad assery!

I know this can be you!

So take my hand & I’ll show you the way. I have 16 years of experience being unique & powerful. Each day, I continue to learn & grow. Will you join me?

To find out how visit the link in the comments 👇🏼

If this post spoke to you: please like, comment & share. I want to share my message of power & acceptance with the word 🙏🏼

Doctors don’t believe us & it’s a problem!

One thing that came up in my health journey was how much my emotions mattered & how little my words did.

If I came in wearing comfortable clothes, after a sleepless night, crying in pain; my mental health was addressed instead of my physical issues.

If I put on make up, cleaned up & put on a smile, instead they thought I was exaggerating & ‘clearly’ I must not be in the pain I described!

A friend once told me a story about a trip to the ER & how the doctor didn’t believe she was in pain because she made a joke. Seriously!

This is a big problem with us dealing with chronic illness; especially if it’s invisible.

THAT’S NOT OK!

It took me a while to address it; but finally I found the courage & told my doctor. “I have a great therapist your not him. I’m here to address my physical issues; now let’s get to that.“ After that, I started to become a better advocate for myself. I found doctors who cared & listened. I found my voice & ended up getting the diagnoses I needed.

I want to share a few things with all of you in the same boat:

-You are not alone. This is a systematic problem in our system!

-You do not need to let it happen. It’s OK to advocate for yourself. If this is hard at first, bring a friend or a loved one. Speak firmly & clearly- tell them what you need to say. It’s also OK to call a doctor out. Worst case scenario change your doctor.

-Your feelings are valid, you’re allowed to smile, cry or whatever the hell else you need!

If my message resonates with you please like, comment &/or share so I can continue to help as many people as possible.

Need help discovering your power or finding an advocate; I am here for you.
Sign up for a free session👉🏼 link in comments

Have questions about what kind of coaching I offer? Check out this short Q&A. Hopefully I can answer anything you might be wondering. If not feel free to reach out and let me know.

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I don’t know who needs to hear this today.

You are enough. You are worthy. You are valuable. You truly are one of a kind.
In fact, you are the only you in this universe!

No one else can tell you otherwise; only you have that power. So today, I truly hope you can embrace the fact that you are perfect just the way you are.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I wish you all joy & happiness!

Lovingly - Coach Ren

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Find yourself hiding from the pain?

Don’t let it call the shots; pain is not your boss.

I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to run away from pain whether it be from mental or physical. There is a powerful sensation tapped into our sense of survival that makes us want to run away from things that seem to to big.
{Think fight or flight}

When you stop hiding, face the pain & embrace it for being a part of your life; you can truly unlock its potential.

It can show you what you are truly capable of or it can even guide you towards your dreams.

When I embraced my pain, I found out I was capable of so much more than I thought possible.

Pain became my partner instead of my enemy, my advocator instead of my drill sergeant, & my instigator instead of a weight around my neck.

Next time you have the urge to hide under your covers stand up, face it and say:

“You no longer hold any power over me. I am in charge of my life.”

{I find good stern yell really does the trick}

Instead of denying pain’s presence in your life you are embracing it excepting it & turning it’s potential for fear into courage.

Pain can be an energy force working for you.

Now let’s use our bed covers for a more pleasurable past time then hiding. 😉

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Working with chronic pain?

Not only are you dealing with the normal struggles and in & outs of a working day but you’re also doing with restrictions!

Seriously you are superhero.
&
You’re not alone in thinking “This is hard!”

It can feel really overwhelming and at times, even impossible.

Just this morning I was sitting at my desk, in my ergonomic chair, experiencing a heightened state of spine crushing back pain…It made me feel frustrated & angry that sitting even a few hours at a desk can be so difficult! I forced myself to slow down, take a deep breath, take a few minutes to lay on my back & stretch before going back to the computer. It made all the difference.

There are a lot of different ways to make sure you’re working successfully with your pain. I can help you with that! You don’t have to do this alone.

What techniques do you use to deal with pain & illness during your workday?

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