Earn Your Happy

Holly Perkins is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with a degree in Exercise Physiology and Nutrition. She is the author of Lift to Get Lean (Rodale, 2015) and the leader of Women’s Strength Nation. Holly is a contributing writer and expert for Women’s Health, SELF, Fitness, Shape, Prevention, Men’s Health and LIVESTRONG. Holly’s mission is to empower women on a personal and spiritual level by leading them into the weight room on a journey of physical strength. Shape magazine named Holly as one of the “Top Trainers to Follow” in 2015.

Raised in a small town in Pennsylvania, Holly’s mom was pressing to make sure she chose a career path and was adamant that she pursued whatever she dreamt. With that being said, around the time Holly was in high school, she had no choice but to start to think about her future.

“I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do. All I knew was that I loved fitness!”

Following her bliss, as she calls it, she eventually graduated with a degree in Exercise Physiology and Nutrition, beginning her career as a personal trainer at a high-end, celebrity focused gym in New York. Although her work life couldn't have gone better, Holly hit a low point in her personal life, escalating her passion even more, for fitness and strength training.

“During that phase, the only thing that got me through was my practice and commitment to strength training.”

Fast forwarding to present day, her main message is now to help specifically women, cultivate their personal strength thru strength training! She really hits home as she gets deeper into the “WHAT’S.” What’s really stopping you from loosing the weight? What’s the real reason you wont put on that bikini? She stated it perfectly….

“If it was as simple as just getting into those skinny jeans, you would have already done it. We all have the knowledge and the information out there to do it, it’s actually not that hard. Its all of the other aspects of your motivation and your happiness…what really drives you.”

Getting in shape is just the icing on the cake, it is sorting thru the deep rooted issues and reasons and coming out on the other/better end, that will keep these results long-lasting and meaningful!

“You have to expose your body to a challenge, in order for it to overcome and get stronger.”

These challenges she speaks of, are most likely the ones that you think are “the end,” but let me tell you now…they are really jus the beginning! The job loss, the break up, the pay cut, the loss of a loved one, list the goes on.

Let’s try to turn the “Why is this happening to me?” into “What will I learn from this?” Holly’s amazing advice is guaranteed to turn your frown upside down, dust the cobwebs off your inner strength and allow your Super Woman to SHINE! It’s about time!

• Strength Training
• Conditioning
• Fitness
• Health
• Wellness
• Women
• Personal strength
• Challenge
• Leaps of faith
• Super power

• WomensStrengthNation.com
• Lift to Get Lean by: Holly Perkins

Follow Holly on her most active channel, Instagram @Hollyperkins or find her on the web at HollyPerkins.com.

Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com

One of my favorite topics, yet one that I feel most of us forget about the fastest…self care. How could you possibly begin to love or care for others, without doing the same for yourself first?!

“It is selfish to not care for yourself”

Whatever story matches yours, maybe you're a Mom, a CEO looking after tons of employees, or a Nurse with long shifts, WHATEVER the case may be, it is vital to look after yourself just as much as you would any one else!

So why the bad rep? Why is it “bad to be selfish?! NEWSFLASH…it’s not! In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, “Do what you feel in your heart to be right, for you will be criticized anyways!” Starting now (because I am asking you to take a second for yourself,) answer the following questions:

1. How do I show up the I don’t make time for myself?
2. How do I show up when I don’t take care of my physical body and health?
3. How do I show up when I don’t sleep?
4. How do I show up when I don’t eat foods that make me feel healthy?
5. How do I show up when I keep putting off that thing I know would make me feel good?

Time for me to get real… “

If you want your children to be happy and the people around you, you WILL get selfish, you will be a little bit selfish! It doesn’t mean in life, that you are a selfish person, it just means that you put self care first.”

Ladies and gentlemen, you heard it here first.

• Self care
• Self love
• Preparing for the New Year
• Creating habits
• Routine
• Time management
• Selfishness

• My Holiday Survival Guide
• My HoliBurn Challenge

Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com

Growing up outside of Portland, Alexandra describes her childhood as “growing up with hippies.” Always eating healthy, straight out of a garden to be exact, Alex as a young child always craved sugar.

“When I found out that the church down the street served cookies and kool-aid every weekend, I started going to church…by myself, just to have the cookies!” 

By the age of 15, like most teenagers, Alexandra finally got to decide her own diet and what she chose to eat, especially now that she had a job and was making her own money. This continued for about 10 years, until she began to get extremely sick in her mid 20’s.

“I had migraine headaches about 3-4 days a week and put on about 20 lbs. even after the extra college weight.”

The first doctor she visited, wrote her a prescription for a cocktail of different meds, but it wasn't until her second (and different) doctor visit, that they actually found the core of the issues.

“He asked what I had been eating, and gave me a list of foods to eat and a list of foods to avoid. I wanted to cry! The list to avoid was everything I loved.”

It may have been a bottom-point for Alexandra during that time of pain and disappointment, but it turned into a love and passion for food, molding her into what we would call a “Food Junkie!” She attended culinary school at The Natural Gourmet Institute and began diving headfirst into nutritional research, specifically geared towards healing foods. Flashing forward to present day and the (thankfully) healthier Alexandra, she shares the story of how she met her husband, Morgan, and the film they produced together, that not only changed their lives, but the lives of the millions viewers who have ever watched “Super Size Me.” (And if you haven't, I HIGHLY recommend it!) Listen in as Alexandra shares the science behind cravings, the power of healing foods and her extensive amount of nutritional knowledge, that I believe is vital for a healthier happier YOU!

“You cant just take away sugar, you cant just take away the foods that give you that dopamine hit. You have to also add in fun and play and pleasure in equal amounts.”

Going off of what Alexandra said, it’s about taking away AND adding in…it’s called a balanced life!

• Sugar addiction
• Eating healthy
• Food awareness
• Diet
• Wellness
• Self care
• Cravings

• Alexandra's 3 FREE Meditations
• Super Size Me

See more from the lovely Alexandra at alexandrajamieson.com and make sure you download her AMAZING & FREE meditations, through the link above! Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com

Before the holiday storm arrives, if it hasn't already, I'm here to help you recharge!

It's important for your own sanity and for those in your company to set a daily recharge, for yourself, to really be able to live in the present and enjoy the most beautiful time of year!

Set agreements for your holiday company, don't be afraid to ask for help when you're feeling overwhelmed, but the key is to remain grateful that you even have this family/friends/things on your agenda! Could you imagine your life without it?! It would be so boring without the chaos!

"We want to wrap every memory in awesomeness!"

• Agreements
• Permission
• Recharging
• Making a set plan
• Gratefulness

• My Holiday Survival Guide

Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com

Shawn Stevenson is a bestselling author and creator of The Model Health Show, featured as the #1 Nutrition and Fitness podcast on iTunes.

A graduate of The University of Missouri – St. Louis with a background in biology and kinesiology, Shawn went on to be the founder of Advanced Integrative Health Alliance, a successful company that provides Wellness Services for both individuals and organizations worldwide. Shawn is also a dynamic keynote speaker who has spoken for TEDx, universities, and numerous organizations with outstanding reviews.

As an aspiring athlete, Shawn had a bright future in football and other sports. Staying active and playing sports was a way of life, until a tragic incident at the age of 15. Breaking his hip while running on the school track, Shawn came to later find out that he had Degenerative Bone Disease and Degenerative Disc Disease.

“My physician at the time told me I had the spine of an 80 year old, when I was only 20 years old.”

As the years went by, due to lack of motivation and ability to be as active as he once was, Shawn began packing on the pounds. Not only was this disease effecting his body, but also his sleep. The pain it brought on from switching comfortable positions in bed, was unreal.

“I would take a special cocktail of medicines before bed, just to knock me out. But it was pseudo sleep, not the high-quality type of sleep.”

With the hopes and all of his trust of his future solely in the doctors hands, it didn't take long before Shawn realized that it was up to HIM to get HIMSELF better. “I cut away the possibility of anything else, besides me getting well.” And so the journey began…to where Shawn is now! Fast forwarding, and healing (Spoiler alert!) Shawn has become a Best Selling Author and a health/sleep genius! His joy became being of service to those around him, to sharing his story and helping heal those in need. Whether it be love and relationships, health and nutrition or even just the advice to become your own leader, Shawn holds a space to help us all! With absolutely, amazingly insane health and sleep tips, Shawn’s interview on todays podcast is one that I highly recommend you tune into! Did you know you could lose fat while you sleep? …count me in!

• Relationships
• Love
• Abundance
• Diagnosis’
• Optimizing nutrition
• Movement
• Sleep
• Heath tips
• Willpower
• Helping others

For the ultimate guide to maximizing your sleep and your heath, head over to theshawnstevensonmodel.com or follow him on social media @shawnmodel Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com

"Living in worry invites death in a hurry.”

There’s a reason it’s called “disease.” It is living in a state of dis-ease. Worrying creates certain toxic chemicals which are then sent out to our body, putting us in a state of despair. Crazy to think, but choosing positivity over negativity can actually add years to your life!

“Worry does not take away tomorrow troubles, it takes away todays peace.”

I’d love to share the 5 things you can start doing NOW, to switch your mindset:

1. Setting aside a “worry time”
2. Pray
3. Except what you cannot change
4. Workout!
5. Meditate

And now that I’ve gotten your attention, I’m really just here to turn all your worriers, into WARriors!

• Worrying
• Living in the future instead of the present
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Disease or Dis-Ease
• Switching your mindset

• loriharder.com/challenge

Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com

Health and fitness expert Mark Sisson is the Best Selling Author of The Primal Blueprint and one of the leading voices of the Evolutionary Health Movement. His blog, MarksDailyApple.com, has paved the way for Primal enthusiasts to challenge conventional wisdom’s diet and exercise principles and take personal responsibility for their health and well-being.

Mark’s efforts to promote primal living extend to a line of nutritional supplements, a book publishing company, a Primal Kitchen line with healthy mayonnaise, salad dressing, and other functional foods, and the burgeoning Primal Kitchen Restaurants fast casual restaurant chain.

Mark is a former elite endurance athlete, with a 2:18 marathon and a 4th place Hawaii Ironman finish. His latest book, Primal Endurance, applies the primal eating and lifestyle principles to the challenge of endurance training—helping athletes overcome the common conditions of burnout and carbohydrate dependency.

With the combination of Evolutionary Science and Modern Genetic Science, Mark shares his overflow of knowledge with us, in the field of health and wellness.

“It’s all about the food you eat, the types of movement you choose to do, your sun exposure, the amount of sleep you get and even the amount of play you give yourself.”

The above is what Mark likes to call, our “Primal Blueprint.” Looking for ways to live your healthiest and happiest life while enjoying every bit of food you eat? Mark’s life hacks and tips allow us to do so without the feelings of regret and/or sacrifice.

“I want people to arrive at a space where they are intuitively making the kind of choices they feel good about in real time, but that don’t compromise their health long-term.”

Mark helps us understand that we in fact CAN have it all. The great foods, the fit bodies, the healthy heart etc..Our one life to live shouldn't have to revolve around sacrificing the food and things that make our mouths happy.

“It’s also about the movement. It doesn’t have to be something we dread. I like to find ways to move that are fun, so it can become something you look forward to, and enjoyable experience.”

Getting rid of all processed foods and “sweets” is on the top of his tip list. Re-wiring our brain to curb these cravings will help substantially. Listen in, to hear what Mark substitutes in, when he has those sweet cravings. (I’ve never even heard this one before!) With the most positive outlooks on intakes, Mark’s great advice will have you amped to be the healthiest version of you!

• Shifting metabolism
• Peak energy
• Fat loss
• Health tips
• Diet
• Optimizing fitness
• Food choices
• Reduce cravings
• Body input

For more healthy and sustainable tips, you can find Mark at marksdailyapple.com. Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com

Happy Thanksgiving!

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity. It makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.” -Melody Beatty

Although I truly believe that every single solitary day should be filled with an abundance or thankfulness and gratefulness, it is important that today, before the hustle bustle and family/friend fun that you take a moment to sit in gratitude. You can not attract more of the good stuff, without already being grateful for what you have!

“Be thankful for what you have and you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you DON’T have, you'll never ever have.” -Oprah Winfrey

Before eating tonight (just another thing to be grateful for,) go around the table and have everyone name one thing they are “thankful for.” Creating bonds and family traditions are my favorite, so join me! Stop. Drop & Get GRATEFUL! Have a happy and healthy holiday!

• Thankfulness
• Gratitude
• Family tradition
• Celebration

• loriharder.com/challenge

Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com

Lisa is the creator of the I AM Initiative: a self-defense through self-empowerment curriculum for pre/mid teen girls and the author of ‘I AM: A Girls Guide To Harnessing Superpowers’.

The purpose of her workshops and book is to empower girls and demonstrate the necessity of self-love in relationship to self-protection. Lisa Van Ahn is a professional boxer and kick boxer. She found her way to the sport after being exploited as a child, years of believing she was unworthy, and living as a victim. Once she began kickboxing, her self-esteem soared and she was able to heal the wounds that were inflicted in her younger years.

She started her fighting career in 1996, and quickly rose to the top of her sport with a regional Championship title and moved on to fighting professionally winning a national Kickboxing title in 2000. After winning her kickboxing title Lisa found fights difficult to procure and decided to take on the world of boxing. She boxed professionally in Las Vegas from 2001-2004 and fought on many prestigious cards and arenas including the Arco Arena SAC, and the Philips Arena, ATL. She also appeared on ESPN’s Friday night fights. Lisa still fights for the U.S. kickboxing team and won a bronze medal at the Pan Am Games in 2012. In 2015/16 she also participated as a competitor on the popular NBC show, American Ninja Warrior. Lisa’s passion for finding her inner superpower stemmed from her difficult childhood of being exploited. By the young age of 15, Lisa started having unfortunate suicidal thoughts after feeling like all her darkest secrets had been exposed. Coming from a place of deep salt-blame, Lisa struggled as a child, teen and young adult. Playing the “victim role” was all she knew, which again led her to making poor choices. At only 19, Lisa found herself in an abusive relationship with a much older man.

“I remember specifically one day as he kicked me out of his Bronco, I landed in the front entrance of a kick-boxing studio and had two options…I can sit here and cry or I can walk myself into that studio.”

Sometimes, it’s in our darkest moments that we find our truest selves. Lisa knew that was the perfect time to stop playing the victim, stop saying “I cant do anything about this,” and decided to turn her life around!

“Very often the world is going to put you down or give your mixed messages. You have to be able to recognize yourself!”

Young or old, still in search of your inner superpower?! Let Lisa be the one to help dust off the cobwebs on your wings, and if you're not even sure where to begin, recite the following with me:

“My thoughts guide my attitude. My attitude guides my actions and my actions create my reality.”

Don’t let anything fool you, the universe is always on your side of the ring! (Pun intended)

• Finding your superpower
• Being mindful of your thoughts
• Self love
• Positive action
• Empowerment
• Knowing your worth
• Protecting yourself
• Boxing

• http://www.iaminitiative.com/

Find out some more BADASS inspiration at lisavanahn.com or iaminitiative.com. Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com

“We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather recognizing and appreciating what we do have.” -Frederick Conan

Do the “expectations” of the holidays sometime’s bring you down? You aren't alone! We are inundated with commercials and TV shows/movies of the most perfect holidays, but let’s be honest…life happens.

First, it’s important to recognize and appreciate what is in you OWN home, right under your nose and secondly, if you do want more of that “commercial feel” you need to plan for it. Planning some games and/or quality time is the perfect way to add more happiness to your home. Accepted or rejected, it doesn’t matter! Haven't you always heard, “it’s the thought that counts?!”

Accepting everyone and anyone who joins you at the table this year, is a sure way to have the most perfect holiday. In fact, it is all of your differences, that make you a “family.”

Let us not forget, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”

• Thankfulness
• Expectations
• Acceptance
• Holiday chaos
• Being present
• Planning

• loriharder.com/challenge

Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com