I promised myself I wouldn’t cry. And I did OK. Well,  sort of…but as our son wheeled himself across the stage to accept his graduation certificate, I could feel them fill my eyes. Then when he received the Spirit Award for Courage, the tears started to spill over. Then his Valedictorian speech…well, we were all a wet mess by then! 

On Wednesday evening, over 100 young adults received their Dogwood Certificate at the Parkland’s Graduation Ceremony at UVic. The room was filled with parents, siblings, friends and supporters, all working hard to hold back the tears. I was in good company.

Thirteen years ago when our son was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, the thought of him graduating seemed incomprehensible….I simply couldn’t contemplate it. I was awash in grief and fear, wondering what the future held. Then as we saw our son’s abilities diminish year after year, and as we struggled to create yet another ‘new normal’ every year, we faltered in our resolve. Who wouldn’t? But the journey continued, despite our silent protests and prayers.

But Wednesday night, when we watched Tristan cross that stage wearing the widest grin on his face, I said a silent thank you to above, for allowing us to be right there, right then, in that moment. And a sense of peace flowed through me: this is why we’re here, to enjoy the now. It was enough.

Our family has learned that it is a choice of where we put our attention: on future fears, the ‘what if’s, and the ‘why’s. Useless, really. There are no answers. And do we need them anyway? Searching and wondering is wasting precious time. So we learned to accept what is, and to live in the light of the moment. It has been my greatest lesson, and the greatest gift of all. No resistance. Let go. Accept what is…and move on.

None of us knows that the future holds, but a select few of us, our family included, has the inside scoop on things, and we live it every day. We no longer live in fear or grief, because it is simply a waste of time. Time waits for no one. So stop looking for answers. Stop pointing to the negative. Start now, today, and look to the light. Because darkness is not its own entity, it is merely the absence of light. It cannot co-exist when the light is on. So make that choice: turn on your own light in your own lives.

This, and other simple things, is what our son has taught us.

Love Karen, Neil and Tristan

It’s always sad when my 10-Week Best Shape Challenge finishes up. After 10 weeks, I feel like I’ve really come to know each woman in her own unique way, and they all bring something different to the Challenge. (My favourite part of the Challenge is when I do our one-on-one coaching calls, and I really learn just how different, yet the same, we all are!). 

What are the reasons women dive into the Challenge? Some women have fallen off course with their health plan and really need a structured program to get them back on their feet again. Others are confused about all the information out there and want to clear the air. Still others can’t commit to a set time in the gym and pay the fees of a trainer, and so an on-line program suits their time constraints and their pocket book. And others are trying to reverse the signs of ageing (yes, you CAN reverse it!) and reclaim their health and their bodies once and for all.

Regardless, what I know to be true is this: no matter where you are in life, no matter your challenges or health issues, there is always a different road available to you. Maybe not now, but somewhere, out there, on the distant horizon, lies your chance. And in that moment, when you say, ‘yes’ to re-claiming your life, the Universe will conspire to bring it on!

Many thanks to all you brave women who broke out of your comfort zone and dared to step into your potential! And you’ve found a new tribe….and we’re waiting in the wings to help support you. Because we all know that the world is not set up for healthy living, and  we must take the reins ourselves and carve out a new way.

And that’s why we call ourselves Warrior Women!

Karen

PS Challenger ladies, don’t forget to test-drive your free Healthy Living Program E-Workout for June, and check out the HLP Lesson tabs (along the top of the page) that includes your monthly coaching call, interview, Tips video, recipes and more!  Because getting to your fitness goal is one thing…staying there is another! Let’s keep the momentum! (If you didn’t get your June HLP Workout Card, email me!)

“Thank you Karen. I had no idea what an on-line program was all about. I assumed it was just getting a workout card and emails from you…so much more! And tons of support, and always from you directly! I am lighter, brighter and feeling great!”  – Melissa M, Alberta

“The Challenge was just what I needed! Down 11 pounds and loving the skin I’m in! Finally!” – Sandy B, Vancouver.

The next Challenge starts in the FALL! See you then!

In Week 8 of the 10-Week Best Shape Challenge, we are looking at the Law of Attraction and how it works in your life. What does this have to do with physical fitness and health, you ask?

In a nutshell, everything. Well, almost everything (you still gotta lift that iron yourself…you can’t manifest muscle!). But this is where some women get stuck – life happens to you, some things are not within your control, some things just are.

Sure, this is true, but I don’t believe we are in a position to say which events this is true for. But I do believe that the concrete world – your finances, your earthly possessions – all fall under the rule of the Law. So for me, when I thought about building a small fitness studio on my yet-to-be home on Vancouver Island, I called in The Law.

For 8 years, I envisioned my studio. Heck, I even have the small brown napkin I penned my plan on 8 long years ago, while living in Ottawa, Ontario. I was sick, depressed, and my son had just been diagnosed with a devastating disease. I couldn’t work, no family around…very tough times.

I knew that I needed to move forward in some small way, to start to create a hopeful feeling in my body, to feel excited about life again, amidst terrible odds. So one night, I sat down and drew out what I wanted for my work future, on a brown napkin (I’d show it to you but there is a 4-part plan on it, and well, I’d just as soon leave it private…helps me to stay more focused). I had no idea how it was to transpire, given our dire circumstance (I’ve learned that it’s not my job to have the ‘how’ figured out. In fact, that halts the whole magical process.)

Here I am, 8 years later, with an active online health and fitness business (Part 1), and a great new training facility that I have opened up to small groups of women on my amazing property here, on Vancouver Island (Part 2). Parts 3 and 4 will also unfold…it can’t NOT unfold, if I keep the focus…

Studio 8 is rockin’! And I’m loving it. And so are my clients! It’s a true testament to the envisioning process, and to the continual action of focus and faith, and yes, there was hard work involved (these things don’t just fall out of the sky, you know!). You gotta meet the Universe half way, I always say.

With over 100 women on my on-line fitness programs, I’m living proof, and so are they, that online CAN be a great way to train (and emailing a workout and email support is NOT what I call an on-line program…sorry, I call that an email program. For our HLP gals, we have audios, videos, recipes, seminars, webinars and more!). And now I can branch out to those women that would prefer the in-gym experience, because for those women, they want and need the in-class continuity. So now I’ve reached both types of clients. Cool!

Whatever your goals, know that you need to start the envisioning process, and take action on it every second of every day. Don’t just wish for it (that’s a sure-fire way to NOT get what you want), walk and live like you already have it! And voila! In time, you will (let go of the ‘how’ too. It’s not your business!). Me and the clients I have in my Women on Weights classes are living proof of that!

Many thanks to Menuccia, Nancy, Brenda, and Alison (pictured above), and to my evening class mates- Christine, Heather, Samantha and Liz for showing up every week to our new digs here at Studio 8! Let’s keep on rockin’!

Karen
PS For more info or to inquire about our classes, please CLICK HERE!

This past weekend, 3 lovely clients of mine graced the stage at the Kelowna Figure and Bodybuilding Show. It was the first-ever show that offered a Grand Masters (over 45) category. And they rocked it!

After 5 months of hard work (we work hard year round, but the pre contest months are toughest!), these ladies shed the fat, and toned and tightened their 50+ physiques into their best shape yet! Their stage presence and posing was spot on! They simply radiated!

As older mature athletes, we are building in numbers. There is no mistaking the energy when a mature woman steps on stage…there is something intoxicating and real about it! (No offense to you younger gals, but you have age-related bonuses that come with being young that you won’t understand until you are older!). And each of my competitors did it the Warrior Woman Way – without drugs, fat burners or estrogen blockers….real, organic, and honest.

As older women, we have come to honour our bodies, to respect its yearly changes and work within this moving landscape of ours, and to know that we stand proud as a tribe. We work hard. We eat plentiful and clean. We train with intention. We are focused and committed. 

Many thanks to Francesca McCallen (center, 2nd place), Sherry Findlay-Russell (left, 3rd place) and Lynn Willard (right, 4th place) for putting their faith in me. But more importantly, thank you for believing in YOU! You are a moving, gaining force and you are parting the waters for other mature women to enter through a door once thought to be closed to us older gals. You are redefining what over 50 is….

Because 50 is not the new 30. Fifty is the new 50!
Rock on ladies!

Coach Karen

I love teaching fitness and wellness, but running all over the place – from gym to gym – isn’t my cup of tea any more. I want to spend more time at my oasis I call home, a home we’ve been building and adding to for over 10 years. I want to spend more time with my family, rather than travelling, and to provide clients with an intimate setting in which to train, learn and grow!

So I built a fitness studio. I’ll be offering small fitness and nutrition classes for women, and I’ll be teaming up with various practitioners in the field. (First up, my Spiritual Intuitive teacher, Cheryl Forrest of Kelowna. Look out Universe! More info to come!) 

Studio 8 is here. Funny, I still have the tattered napkin that I first scribbled out its plans on (as well as a few other things I want to accomplish), because creating is about envisioning, and putting it out there to the Universe. But it’s not magic: we had to work very hard to make it happen, but happen it did!

Please take a tour of my lovely space (video below). I think you’ll agree that it’s a pretty cool place to hang out and get healthy. Once I get my feet wet and start getting a schedule of classes and programs in place, I’ll put it out on this blog or on my McCoy Fitness Facebook page at …So stay tuned! We’d love to have you join us!

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