I can do whatever I put my mind to...
Hi everyone, Ash here 🌈
Last week we set you a challenge to take some time to reflect on your highlights of 2019. Were you able to do it? If you didn't, try to take some time over the festive period to give it a go. We promise it will likely put you in an even more positive mood, as well as set up some foundations to consider your intentions and goals for 2020 (if you plan on setting some!).
2019 has been an incredible year for me! It hasn't all been smooth sailing, and let me tell you that there have been weeks where I've wanted to sleep like I've never experienced before, but overall it's a year to remember! So, here are my highlights...
In March I left my full time job as General Manager of Fitness First to become a self employed Personal Trainer! I did this so that I could focus more of my attention on growing and strengthening SMASH London. This leap of faith was a huge one for me. As someone who grew up in a very low income household, and someone who's been working since I was 11 years old, not having a guaranteed salary each month was nerve wracking. However, I trusted my gut and allowed myself to take that step into the unknown. I knew I was prepared to work hard, I had faith in my positive outlook, I had my husband's support and I had Sam beside me to ensure that SMASH London could be as successful as we imagined. We've achieved so much more than we predicted! Some of my personal favourites are -
* Being selected to create the training plans for the 2019 Cancer Research Shine Night Walks. Being at the London walk was an experience I will never forget!
* Creating our first corporate workshop! This was very exciting for Sam and I as it's something we want to do a lot more of in 2020 - helping people in the workplace nurture their mental health, as well as creating safe spaces for employees to discuss their feelings and emotions freely and without judgement. Look out for more news on this in the new year!
* We launched 4 new SMASH classes. The Burn, Lucky Dip, Affirmation Station and Beet the Beep! The latter two were created by some of our awesome SMASH London community to celebrate our 20th and 21st SMASH classes! Seeing these members brainstorm, practise and present their final ideas for these classes was inspiring, and quite emotional for Sam and I! We always have faith in you guys, but the dedication this crew put in to creating these amazing classes exceeded our expectations and we couldn't have been more proud!
* The feedback we get from our community allows us to take time to reflect on what SMASH London is achieving. 2019 brought us more feedback and kind comments than we have ever had before. To know that we have helped just one person feel stronger in their body and mind is enough to make the very early starts and late finishes worth it, but to know that we have helped many more creates a feeling I can't put in to words! We are all in this together and our community is growing by the week!
* My personal training clients achieving goals and intentions inspires me every day, every week! Whether it's learning to do a pull-up or a handstand, mastering compound lifts, getting personal bests, becoming more mindful of our relationships with our bodies and mind or just learning to like (or even love!) working out, I can confidently say that every single one of my clients has achieved something this year. I'm very proud of them, and extremely grateful for their dedication and support!
Another huge highlight for me was running the London Marathon! Some of you will have read my previous emails on this but, for those who are new, in a nutshell, I wasn't a runner until 2 years ago! I couldn't run further than 1km (I later realised this is because I continuously told myself that I wasn't a runner- once I started and had the right attitude, I could do it!). When I was signed up to a 10km race by my husband (that felt like a marathon at the time!) I was convinced it would be my first (and only!) race. Fast forward two years to April 2019 and there I was, at the start line of the London Marathon. Running that event is breathtaking and inspiring and my highlight was definitely seeing friends and family along the route, cheering me on! I loved this day so much that I have selected a photo from the end of the marathon as my favourite photo of 2019. As I suggested in last week's email, I will be printing it and framing it to remind myself that I can do whatever I put my mind to 😊
Other highlights this year would be spending quality time with family and friends, my holiday in November where I fully switched off for the first time in a long time and not giving up when I became anxious and, at times, pretty exhausted.
When I review my highlights there is a common theme. People. Everything I have listed involved, in some way or another, other people. People supporting me, inspiring me, lifting my spirits, motivating me to chase my dreams and offering opportunities to SMASH London that Sam and I could only dream about this time last year. I'm strong, dedicated and have worked hard, but it's the people around me who have helped to make 2019 a year I will never forget! So, here is my top tip for 2020...
Spend time with the people in your life who inspire and support you. People who will tell you the truth, share in your joy and silently offer a shoulder to lean on when you need it. People who make you smile and who motivate you to be the best version of yourself. Think of these people now... they are the ones you should be around most often. Just like our SMASH London community, it's the people around us who bring joy, smiles and positive energy to our lives. Choose wisely and make time for those who make you happy.
I wish you a very merry Christmas and an incredible 2020 💙
Sam and Ash
