Hand Over the Shoes

“Hand over the shoes, and no one gets hurt.” This statement, from one of the most passionate Christian women I know, made me laugh hard.  And it’s my favorite from my social media posts. I purchased green shoes to match the emerald ring my husband […]

Prison or a Passport?

“Your perspective is either a prison or a passport.” I pondered these words throughout my workout this morning. Somedays we interrupt the music at the gym with a motivational recording. Today was one of those days. As I prepare for my next competition, the quality […]

Eat

Nothing Like the Real Thing

For the past 11 years, I’ve lived without daily bread. Being gluten-free in a developing country means making it yourself, or going without. So, I’ve gone without. Pancakes, waffles, or corn tortillas served as temporary replacements. In the beginning, I told myself that I didn’t […]

Oops, I Did It Again!

My deadlift shoes and those I wore to the gym that morning are on the floor before me. Looking down at my feet, embarrassment overwhelmed me. Oops, I did it again. My socks don’t match. And it’s not even close. I grab a deadlift shoe […]

Sanctified Reasoning

I deadlifted 295 lbs with no problem. It took effort, of course, and the five lifts leading up to it, 135, 185, 225, 250, and 275, were crucial to my success. It moved so well that my coach suggested that I go up. 305, 310, […]

The Sin of Not Praying

I don’t even know her. She’s a friend of a friend. Each time she messaged me, it was to provide an update on her physical, emotional, or financial situation. Her “pray for me right now” arrived in my inbox at strange hours. I’ve heard that […]