Beyond YOUR Comfort Zone

When one door closes, another opens. In the final episode of Beyond Your Comfort Zone, Laurie Holbrook, an Original Team Elevate member and a current student of our 12-week nutrition course, interviewed me to share my thoughts and reflections on hosting the podcast, racing triathlons, and coaching Team Elevate. Each experience has been exactly what I needed, and I hope it has inspired each of you to go beyond your comfort zone.

Now, I'm taking my own advice and stepping out of my comfort zone. I'm transitioning into Kelsi Kitchen, embarking on an exciting new adventure. We will be launching a podcast called FUELED in the first week of August. I can't wait for you all to join me on this new journey. Keep pursuing your own adventures, because you only get one life, so live big and embrace it all.

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Wow, what a difference two years can make. Welcome to this follow-up episode to #115, "Are You Going Through the Discomfort or Avoiding It?" In this episode, I'll take you through what happens on the other side of discomfort and share three gifts you receive: aliveness (vitality), perspective, and time. I'll also share my experience doing the Spartan Race this time versus two years ago. Remember, you only live once (YOLO), so what kind of discomfort are you going through to get the gift on the other side? Let's dive in!

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What a race. At the beginning of the year, I started noticing changes in my heart and mind. With Ironman 70.3 St. George and Ironman 70.3 Boulder already on my schedule, I knew these two races would close a 25-year chapter of chasing Ironman goals. After a disappointing race at Ironman 70.3 St. George, I realized I had my work cut out for me going into this last race.

In the five weeks between the St. George race and Boulder, I focused not only on physical training but also on building mental fitness. The race I had on Saturday exceeded my expectations. With so many of my amazing friends and family lining the course, and combining a solid swim, bike, and run with proper nutrition and mental strength, I knew this race would be a tribute to what triathlon has meant to me and how it has shaped me into the person I am today.

During the second part of the run, euphoria set in, and I realized I may never experience a race like that again. I thank my lucky stars, my angel mama, my Father in Heaven, and all those who sent me their love and energy. We often don't realize that what we do can inspire others, but I know I've been inspired countless times by watching others' athleticism.

If you're looking to reach the next level in something and see how it can transform and uplift your life, this could be the perfect episode for you. A tribute to triathlon – Ironman 70.3 Boulder.

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In this inspiring episode, we reconnect with Laurie Holbrook, who first joined us in episode #120 to publicly commit to completing an Ironman. Despite facing significant life changes and challenges, Laurie’s determination never wavered. She takes us behind the scenes, sharing the emotional and physical journey leading up to the race.

Laurie opens up about the transformative power of training, and how overcoming grief and personal hurdles shaped her path to the Ironman start line. Her story is a testament to resilience, showcasing how the rigors of preparation and the mental fortitude required for an Ironman can mirror the challenges of life.

When Laurie finally crossed the finish line, it was more than just a race completed; it was a celebration of perseverance, personal growth, and the lessons learned along the way. Her journey is a powerful reminder that sometimes our biggest goals require us to push through life's toughest moments.

Don’t miss this episode to hear Laurie’s moving story and learn how she transformed adversity into achievement.

Door are open to Team Elevate . Join us today. Sign up with this link https://kamibanks.com/join-the-team/

Many people have said this to me,  "I know how to eat healthy; I just don't do it." This episode addresses the gap between knowledge and action when it comes to healthy eating.

First, we'll cover the basics of how to eat healthy. Then, we'll tackle the real challenge: transitioning from knowledge to action. I'll share practical steps you can take to start making healthier choices. Once you begin taking action, you'll start to form habits, and eventually, you'll integrate healthy eating into your lifestyle.

Don't miss this episode—it could be the catalyst you need to start living the healthy lifestyle you've always dreamed of. Let's turn your healthy eating knowledge into action!

Door are open to Team Elevate . Join us today. Sign up with this link https://kamibanks.com/join-the-team/

How would you like to experience more courage? How about having more energy and feeling more alive in life? When I saw that doing the warrior polar plunge could help me experience courage and vitality, I was in. Although that was momentary, I also choose to embrace courage in everyday life. In this podcast, I share a few ideas on how to have more courage and the benefits that come from it, including increased vitality and the opportunity to live a bigger life.

Door are open to Team Elevate . Join us today. Sign up with this link https://kamibanks.com/join-the-team/

Every day of my life, my mom's influence is woven through everything I do. My passion and deep commitment to living a healthy lifestyle were cultivated when I was a little girl, as I watched my mom truly live out what it means to be healthy. She embodied wellness not just in her actions, but in her spirit, demonstrating daily the importance of health.

In this episode, "Mom's Influence on Healthy Living," I delve into the profound traits and characteristics she demonstrated and passed on to me, my sister, and my six brothers. Her approach to health was holistic and nurturing, emphasizing the connection between physical well-being and emotional resilience. Despite her passing almost five years ago due to ALS, her legacy endures. Her teachings and example continue to inspire us, shaping the way we prioritize our health and wellness.

You can see the impact of her life in how my siblings and I have embraced and committed to healthy living. Her influence has not only shaped our personal lives but has also motivated us to share this passion with others. Even if you didn’t have the example of healthy living while you were growing up, you can start today to be the influence in your own immediate family. By adopting small, consistent changes, you can create a ripple effect that transforms the lives around you.

I am excited for your influence to be felt by those around you, just as my mom’s influence continues to inspire and guide us every day. Join me in honoring her legacy and exploring how we can all live healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Door are open to Team Elevate . Join us today. Sign up with this link https://kamibanks.com/join-the-team/

Triathlon has been an integral part of my life for 25 years, especially since I started participating in Ironman sanctioned races back in 2011. Doing my race report is one of my favorite episodes, and reflecting on the Ironman 70.3 St. George has been quite the emotional journey. Those last two miles of the run, or rather, the final 68 miles of the entire race, were a poignant time for me to contemplate how much my life has evolved since I first tackled the St. George course back in 2017. 

As I traversed the course, it struck me that the most profound impacts of triathlon aren't just about the physicality of the race itself, but the myriad lessons learned on race day and the traits honed through training and competing. I've always maintained that one of the greatest aspects of triathlon is its resemblance to life—a microcosm of life's challenges and triumphs.

With this being the final year of Ironman racing, there's a mix of apprehension and anticipation. Do I still possess the same passion and drive for the sport, knowing it like the back of my hand? There's a certain comfort in familiarity, yet I recognize the need to heed the call of my heart and diversify my athletic pursuits. I'm at an age where repeating the same routines feels stale, yet I'm still youthful enough to embrace new adventures and sports.

So, I urge you to sit back, take it all in, and ask yourself where your heart truly longs to go.

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In today's podcast, we delved into natural methods for enhancing mental wellness. When asked if I struggle with mental health, I admitted that yes, like many, I do to some extent. I discussed tools that can benefit everyone, including exposure to sunlight, spiritual connections, regular exercise, balanced nutrition, strong social ties, and quality sleep. We call them natural MEDS at Team Elevate. I urge you to pick one to focus on and observe the reciprocal benefits between improving mental and physical health.

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In life, one certainty is that none of us will make it out alive. Loss and grief are inevitable parts of our journey. Having walked this path before, I find myself both familiar and resistant to traversing it again. Five years ago, the loss of my mom taught me that exercise and movement were essential in my healing process. Reflecting on my recent 25K trail run during a podcast episode, I likened the course to the road of grief.

During the race, with my father-in-law on life support, I had ample time to contemplate the grieving process. I pushed through to the finish line, rushing to his side before his body succumbed to its final shutdown. It was a poignant reminder that grace and patience are vital companions on this journey of healing.

Grief isn't a sprint; it's a marathon, a long game demanding resilience and endurance. So, buckle up and brace yourself for the bumps along the way. In this episode, I share strategies to ease the journey, to smooth the road, even if just a little.

Door are open to Team Elevate . Join us today. Sign up with this link https://kamibanks.com/join-the-team/