The FITSPRO Podcast

While this episode might not be directly about fitness or business, those things were certainly effected by our year of world travel. And with that coming to an end, I thought it would be fun to dive into what I actually missed while living abroad.

Maybe you’ll be surprised by some, or maybe by what’s NOT on the list. Either way, that's what today's episode is covering.

People asked us what we were missed about home most often early on in our trip. At that point, we didn’t miss anything. Aside from the limited food choices in Santiago, Chile, we were fairly content enjoying our new lifestyle.

It is fair to say, however, that I missed various things in different areas of the world. There are a few things that I missed nearly everywhere we went. And there is an over catching theme for most of them.

You'll have to tune in to hear what they are and the stories behind WHY I missed these six things.

Might I just add in here that missing these components of life back home is a complaint in any fashion about how hard our life was while traveling the world. These are simply things I missed during our time away; and that was to be expected.

Again, I am not giving them away here, but it was certainly interesting to see what we thought we’d miss, and what we actually did.

Oh, and I of course missed family but I figured that was a given. And I tried to FaceTime my mom and sister which honestly helped a lot with that. So these six aspects of my old life are very personal in that they ONLY apply to me, and my old "normal."

I hope this is an interesting episode for you if nothing else. I think when we remove MOST of the things and western luxuries were used to, we quickly find out what we value most. And it would appear that I don’t need much for contentment, but I definitely enjoy life with these six things in it.

If you listen or listened, THANK YOU for tuning into this one and I appreciate that you choose to put me in your ears.

Make sure to subscribe, rate and review The FitsPRO Podcast over on itunes. You duh best.

Today's episode goes out to all humans who have every experienced a change in their "normal." For those times when you graduate, move, start a new job, enter a relationship, end a relationship, change your lifestyle, bring a human into the world. You know, the times your "normal" changes and becomes a NEW "normal."

This particular episode was inspired by my current life events (or soon to be). At the end of this month (May), Nate and I will return to the states after one year of traveling the world. Just over 365 days abroad.

And several humans may think we are returning to our old "normal" way of life. But that would be a false assumption. While we are returning to our old home, family, and SOME aspects of our old life, there will be far more that is NEW to us.

Nate won't be working, I'll be self employed (which I've never been AT HOME before - more on that inside the episode), we will be a one car fam, and there are A LOT of unknowns in our future. So it will without a doubt be a NEW normal for the Millers.

But this episode goes far beyond my new norm and it's potential stressors. This one is for you as well. If you've ever had a new normal (which I think you have), if you're in one now or you'll have one in the future, then you need to give this one a listen.

New normals are rarely a smooth transition, and that's so so so important to note, be aware of, and properly plan for. I should have gone deeper into this on today's episode but just know that it's okay to change your normal, transition periods can be hard, and you have the power to change your current norm at any time + the power to set realistic goals for yourself during that time.

Your norm now, won't be your norm forever. That's inevitable. Hopefully today's episode can shine some light on that fact.

If you tuned in, please subscribe, rate and review The fitsPRO Podcast over on itunes! Y'all help me get into more people's ears, which is right where I want to be. THANK YOU.

There is a lie in the industry of health and fitness that might be more relevant than ever before. That is that your body is your value as a trainer. If you don't look a certain way, your voice is not valuable, your brain is not valuable, your experience is not valuable and perhaps you have no place in this industry.

Well friend, I call bull shit. You stop believing that TUH-DAY. And you start stepping into who you were meant to be as a fitsPRO. You have a brain and expertise that your ideal client is literally waiting for, searching for. And quite frankly, you're doing them a disservice by keeping that to yourself.

In the world that is social media, it can be hard to see past the belfies (butt selfies) and bimbos selling programs with nothing more than their bodies as a marketing tactic. "Do this and you'll look like me." I believe this breeds an unhealthy relationship with fitness, both as a trainer and for the trainee.

I dive deeper into what can go wrong when trainers use their bodies to sell products and why it's a dangerous game to play, inside today's episode.

People who do it right:

@megsquats

@iamchrissyking

@faithandfit

@activeliferx

@kbfitbritt

@kenziefitcoach

Bottom line is that you are more than your body, and your value doesn't change (as a trainer or a human being) even if you do get smaller, or more fit, or WHATEVER. That was never where your value lied, and it never will.

So if you're a trainer or human, today's episode is for you. Let's chat about how we can show our value and be an example in this industry without selling our bodies. Because THAT does not have to be a part of the plan. And in my opinion. It should never be a part of your plan. Not as a professional, service minded individual.

Tune in and let me know what you think.

If you like it, please subscribe, rate and review The FitsPRO Podcast over on apple podcasts. It means the world to me my friend.

If you've followed me on social media for any period of time, you've likely heard me talk about the practice of ESSENTIALISM. This idea of essentialism is not something you wake up one day and have mastered. It takes a deep understanding of what it is, what it demands, and the determination to practice it daily.

I have been at this for three years, and still haven't mastered it, BUT it is something I refer to weekly if not daily in my decision making process. And you'll find that the more you practice essentialism in one area of life, the more it turns up in other areas. You'll get closer to closer to becoming "an essentialist."

So the basis of essentialism is to take your energy and focus it in one area rather than 300. When our focus is not ACTUALLY focused on something, we make minimal progress right? So stop working on and thinking about ALL OF THE THINGS, and learn to choose only the ESSENTIAL.

This is not easy. And that's what I dive into with today's episode of The FitsPRO Podcast. What I believe to be the hardest part of practicing essentialism. I won't give it away here, but if you are interested in using your time more wisely and getting the most out of your effort on this planet, you need to pick up on this whole essentialist deal.

If you haven't already, make sure you purchase Greg Mckeown's book called Essentialism. Visit my amazon page and snag it. Just remember to read it with the INTENT to IMPLEMENT. Don't you dare just breeze through it without actually taking the time and effort to apply the knowledge. There is no point in reading it if that's your aim.

Lastly, I teach both these concepts of essentialism and the intent to implement inside FitsPRO Foundations (my online course for online fitness professionals). You can join the waitlist here, as the doors will be opening soon and the waitlist gets first dibs.

IF YOU LOVED THIS EPISODE OF THE FITSPRO PODCAST PLEASE HEAD OVER TO APPLE PODCASTS, SUBSCRIBE, THROW UP FIVE STARS FOR YA GIRL, AND LEAVE A REVIEW IF YOU’RE FEELING EXTRA GENEROUS. YOU DUH BEST FOR REAL.

Having an injury sucks. We have likely all been there. If you have played a sport, are any level of adventurous or you're human, you've probably experienced pain and wanted it to go away.

Today's episode is AAALLLL ABOUT that. What it really takes to get through an injury and recover FULLY. Because we don't want to have pain forever right? I call those perma-injuries. The injuries that just nag, go away for a time, come back and annoy the sh*t out of you. We want to avoid those my friend.

In episode 17 I get REAL with you. A bit more soap boxy than I was hoping, but ya girl can't help herself. So, we dive deep into my lumbar disc injury (from squatting) and what the road to recover REALLY took. It's not easy, it's boring, and often monotonous but SO NECESSARY.

Fact of the matter is that there are too many practitioners out there who are what I call "cookie cutter." Really they just do what they learn in school - give you a paper with one size fits all exercises at 3x15-20 reps for 6 weeks and then you're done. It's ludicrous and I'm not about it. Which is why I share a different option with you inside today's podcast. You'll have to tune in to find out. Just know this...

I feel you and your injury sister. Which is why I give you some "must do's" if you find yourself in an injured state. So, if you've ever been injured, you are injured or you might get injured sometime in your human life, today's episode is for you.

If you love it, or if you support The FitsPRO Podcast, please head over to Apple Podcasts. Make sure to subscribe, give ya girl five stars and leave a review. You are so so so appreciated!

Episode 16 of The FitsPRO Podcast is all about my first experience with quarterly planning in regards to my business. Although I've technically owned a business for four years, I NEVER did quarterly planning. In fact I'd never really heard of it until November 2018 when my friend Paige brought Amber McCue's Fresh Start Workbook and Planner to my attention.

I always did Hilary Rushford's yearly review + planning workshop and LOVE IT. But this quarterly planning sounded like just the thing I was looking for heading into 2019. Which would be my first year FULLY self employed.

I believe Amber's workbook is $37 or it was at the time. But there are TONS of options when it comes to quarterly planners. Amber's was downloadable which worked perfect for me as we were traveling the world. But if I was stateside I'd 100% get a pen and paper 90 day planner for entrepreneurs. So if you too love putting your pen to physical paper, I would either get Amber's workbook and PRINT IT OUT, or do some research and find on that suits your fancy.

The planner itself is of less importance than your intent and ability to IMPLEMENT the actual planning. This is where the magic happens. This is where MY MAGIC happened in quarter 1 of 2019. I reached goals, I didn't reach goals, I realized A LOT of things, and I'll get better and better each quarter.

I even use 30, 60, and 90 planning inside FitsPRO Foundations because it was so effective for me, I couldn't possibly keep it from my students. And I truly believe if I would have started quarterly planning earlier on in my business journey, I would have grown faster + learned a lot about myself. So whether you've been in the world of business for a hot minute, or you're a newb...I highly suggest you give this episode a listen, and start quarterly planning NOW.

If you loved this episode please head over to Apple Podcast, subscribe, rate and review The FitsPRO Podcast. It means the world to me. For Real.

We've all been there. You're in a rut, stuck, stagnant, or unmotivated to do the work you know you desperately need to get done. Whether it is in life, your business or your fitness journey, this rule of momentum applies.

In today's episode we dive into what these ruts, and unmotivated seasons look like and HOW to get the frick out them so you can start making some long term progress.

We break down the thought process into tiny pieces. Because, often, when we are stuck, we are also overwhelmed, things have piled up or we have a laundry list of things we could have done better running through our brains. We need to STOP, get that all out of our heads, and take baby steps.

In episode 15 I take you through three steps for your business and life as well as my tactic for being more consistent in the gym. It is all about momentum my friend. You have to get the semi started before we can get it rolling. And that is often the hardest part, but it is so so so worth doing.

Dive into today's episode and let me show you the way. You will relate I am sure + get some seriously helpful mindset tools so you can slay your life, biz and fitness gains.

If you like this episode or any of the FitsPRO Podcast episodes, please make your way over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe, rate and review. :) This gets my message into the ear of those who need it most. Thanks love!

Should You Hire A Coach - The FITSPRO Podcast

Hiring a coach is a tough decision. And it’s likely a pretty hearty investment, of both your time and money. Which make . hiring a coach a hard decision.

This can be in regards to any aspect of life - business, fitness, spiritual, relationship, a tutor, whatever you might need.

So today I bring you three simple questions you can ask yourself to determine whether it’s time to hire a coach.

You'll need a pen and paper for this one my friend.  We are helping you determine if now is the time to invest in help, or start searching for some.

Three simple questions to help you GET REAL with yourself. Maybe you don’t need a coach. But maybe you do and you’re making excuses or using finances as a road block. Finances are not a road block. I’ve seen people come up with the money like it was magic when they understand the value and change they are going to experience through a given program. I’ve seen cheer moms come up with thousands of dollars literally overnight in order to keep their kid in the sport they love.

So, do you need to hire a coach? Listen to today's episode and answer the questions in total honesty. You should end up with a pretty clear decision.

That’s all for today, if you find this episode helpful or insightful, please share it with your friends, subscribe, rate and review The FITSPRO Podcast. That is how I get my message in front of all the humans who would otherwise not know who the hell I am or what I am doing in this world. You is the microphone. Love you long time.

Until next Tuesday, thanks for tuning in to the FitsPRO podcast. You duh best.

The Truth About Your Trainer - The FITSPRO Podcast

This is fueled by a bit of a rant but I hope it doesn't sound like one. We’ll see. This really goes out to the trainers feeling guilty, not good enough or like the need to do xyz to reach some epitome of being a trainer.

You share your salads but hide the sour patch kids you ate for lunch yesterday, feel like people are judging if you haven’t posted a workout in 7+ days and like if you admit to any of the REAL shit that happens that you will no longer be credible and people won’t want to work with you. YOU can’t even be perfect why would they trust you?

All BS, I’m calling it.

And I am not above this by the way. There are plenty of days that I make a decision to do "x" when I know I should have done "y."  But you know what. That doesn’t make me a bad or unworthy coach. That makes me a RELATABLE one. And yes, those times get further and far between. Which is the goal right? PROGRESS is the goal.

Share those times with your people! Let them know in fact you DO NOT have it all together - that you eat chocolate and miss workouts and choose to nap instead of lift or whatever.

Use that to relate to and teach your following.

I BELIEVE so hard that coaches need to walk the walk. You should 100% be striving for the lifestyle you preach or following the philosophy you teach. But that doesn’t mean you will be or need to be perfect all the time. The struggle is part of REAL life. It’s part of the process. And the feelings of shame need to be removed from both parties. The coach and the trainee.

And to the trainees out there.

Your trainer or coach is a H U M A N. They are a human. Humans who just know more than you. They are educated in a specific area of science and the human body. But they have bad habits and struggles. Yes, they eat gummy bears, and cookies and miss workouts, and feel like shit sometimes. The good ones keep showing up, are honest, and don’t change the value of their service based on these habits and struggles and truths. That’s what you need to look for. Mmmmk?

And to those holding ridiculous and meaningless standards of fitness professionals, stop it and check ya damn self. Know what to look for and what ACTUALLY matters when searching for a valuable coach.

That's really today's episode in a nutshell. Tune in for a quick FITSPRO Podcast today. If you dig it, please subscribe, rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts. It truly means the world to me!

Best Personality Tests + A word of advice - The FITSPRO PODCAST

Personality tests are amazing. I personally love them and think they provide insight to the individual to help them better understand themselves AND others. In my opinion the more we can learn about ourselves, the more grace we can have for other humans.

Today I want to share a few of my favorites, and address a potential issue with using personality tests in our quest for personal development.

Personality test can be incredibly useful for all aspects of life. In relationships, in the workplace, as an entrepreneur or coach and even as a client. I in fact have my clients take a personality test upon applying for one on one training with me because it helps me understand what type of person I am working with upfront without having to go through trial and error.

We cover each of these in today's episode, but my favorites are:

Myers Briggs

I am an ISTJ while Nate and my good friend Page are ENFPs. There are twelve possibilities and you'll find out what those letters stand for if you tune in to the podcast. You do have to pay $47 to take this test.

The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin

There are free and paid versions as well as a book that goes along with this one. You’ll find out whether you’re an upholder, questioner, obliger or a rebel. I am a questioner with upholder tendencies. I need to know why I am doing something or why I’m being asked to do something. If I trust someone and their philosophy I will literally do whatever they say. I’m loyal AF. And I don’t need any outside accountability to do something I want to do. That’s the upholder portion. If I say I’ll do something or set my mind to something, you better believe it’s happening. I think that’s where my mantra “make it happen” comes from. And someday that might just be the name of my book. We’ll see.

the flag page test

Nate and I took this test in our premarital counseling, and it’s one of my favorites to this day. It is quite an extensive test and does cost money, but at the end you figure out what country you are from (perfect country, control country, fun country or peace country), what words make you feel appreciated, loved, and motivated, and which words tear you down, make you feel unloved or un-appreciated, and demotivate you. You’re also told your top five personality traits, and how your personality shows up in different areas of your life. So you can see where this one would be highly beneficial for the partnership of some kind, in our case it was marriage.

I was from perfect country, with control country as a close second. This means I like things done MY way and I 100% think my way is the best way. I have a really hard time doing something someone else’s way if I think i have a better way.

Nate was like 75% fun country and control was his next one.

My words were loyal, dependable, courageous, hard worker and something else.

Nate’s were caring, friendly, hard worker, relationships and Humor. clearly people, relationships and fun are his gifts.

Like I said, we got a straight ebook at the end with the breakdown of all these sections, so it’s well worth the cost.

the enneagram test

This is a relatively quick test, there are free and paid versions, and you get a number one through nine with an exclamation of how your personality functions in life.

Not super surprising I am a number 8 on the enneagram -  the challenger. The description is very similar to that of an upholder and questionnaire from the for tendencies quiz.

These are my fav and most impactful personality tests. In today's episode I also dive into a potential issue with personality tests and...