The best ideas are the honest ones born out of personal experience. Join me.

On October 8, 2016, just after watching my 76-year old mom take her last breath, I, just like anyone else would have, entered a deep reflective state; questioning my values, what I stood for, who I stood for, what I loved, disliked, wasted time on, wanted more time for, wanted more of, and what I've become and wish to be. 

You see, my Mom was the queen of optimism, she believed in the greater good of everything. Fortunately, instead of leaving a huge dark hole in my heart, since her passing, I feel the characteristics of my Mom are a part of me more than ever. And how my mom lived was how she died. She chose her own way: at home, comfortable, and surrounded by loved ones. 

But the fact of the matter is, my Mom was dying, you hopefully aren't, and you have the opportunity to choose what's best for you now. 

So in my reflections since Mom's passing, as I’ve thought more about Mom's life, her decisions, her outlook, my life, my family and my community, I made a list of the things that I love and asked myself how I could do more of those things on a regular basis. 

One of the "things” was writing: writing about and sharing my experiences, stories, and takeaways with others. 

To be honest with you, I love coaching; it’s my life’s purpose. But writing about why you should deadlift, the right way to do a push-up, how to accomplish your first pull-up, or your optimal protein to carbohydrate and fat intake post-exercise doesn’t interest me much. If I'm going to be talking health and fitness, I’d much rather make time to coach and work with you personally.  

So I started writing vigorously about what interested me, and soon I had a collection of "Thankful Thoughts", with gratitude paving the way to future writings. 

These Thankful Thoughts became the Midweek Mindful series - a collection of ideas, stories, quotes and more centered around living and spreading a less stressful, more present, energized, focused, and grateful life. 

At my gym, Ambitious Athletics, we eat, sleep, breathe, and coach "better together". Regardless of the relationship, understand that "better together" only works with transparency, and the only way that happens is through communicating and sharing ideas, experiences, life lessons, and core values. 

That's the first thankful thought - appreciation for the opportunity to share, explore, and discuss the unifying life lessons we all face. 

Here's to growing better together. 

w/ gratitude,
Carmen Sturniolo