Back in GRIT this month…. Just to add to everything already on my plate. It is all about accountability though. Keeping me on my toes, but also keepin’ it humble and authentic. 

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #1 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Reach for the Peach (Pyramid) F3 Finisher 5K steps
CONTEXT: “StoryAthlete Finds a Way…”
“The more you do, the more you can do”. A mentor said this back when I was 18 and juggling high school, marriage, teen mom, managing a motel and decided to take on a sales type side job. The concept means that we learn to adapt and play Life Tetris with our responsibilities.
That motto has stuck with me all these years and got me through many times of juggling responsibilities when I felt like I had no idea what I was doing or how I would get things done.
I have participated in GRIT sporadically throughout my entire 3-year SA membership. I jumped back in this month because… Holy F…. because I don’t seem to have enough on my plate at the moment?
I am organizing training courses for Reiki and Black Pearl trauma release technique. Tax sh*t and bookkeeping is weighing on me. I am in the midst of a heavy-duty deep healing certification course that is taking me through ocean depths of healing the past and upleveling my energy. I have amazing clients to work with and more booking in. Radio advertising that has proven a great ROTI. Home and family obligations. Let’s add in accountability to a team with a daily workout and context writing…
My brain feels fried and yet it certainly is not with all the energy healing work I have been doing.
I have a steps challenge going with Joe which is fun because I am dancing with fun music to get steps in every day. I did great for a week and tanked yesterday. But today is a new day. I will get things done in Divine Timing. I will find a way 😊

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #2 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOD- Charged with X-cessive Force
(12) Hand Release Pushups (12) X-Crossed RB Rows G2G (Optional): Spinal Mobility (Holy crap I did all of it!)
CONTEXT: “I Hunt My Audience…”
Men have such a fuck it or kill it mentality, but that is what runs their testosterone. I have kinda gotten used to the aggressive terminology within the SA GRIT community, but that does not mean I use it for myself as much.
I do not feel I “hunt” or otherwise “prey” on my audience.
Ya, I do put myself out there way more these days, but just as my authentic, and hopefully most of the time, Heroic Self.
Further than that, I have learned to balance my own attracting frequencies and the frequency of my business which is the most effective form of following the manifesting Law of Attraction.
I am super blessed that I have a spectacular list of clients and followers who are also on a personal growth path and seem to appreciate what I have to offer in the way of energy balancing services and mentoring with all my experiences and acquired knowledge in the energy healing realms.
I’ll leave the hunting to ethical hunters and moose steak dinners. I work on myself first and then attract my most ideal clients.

Jackie Rioux: image of text that says ’10:42 Wed, Apr 5 Samsung Health 6,422 steps You’ve achieved 101% of your step goal.
Joe Tedesco Jackie Rioux HUNT💪 😁
Jackie Rioux This is what I did today. Went to voice my radio ad and brought the boys some eggnog bread 😛
https://youtu.be/3xFGKcZBFvk
Eggnog debate on local radio 94.3 The GOAT | Ladybug Wellness Ep 36
Jackie Rioux
https://youtube.com/shorts/IVq57_s7BNo
Eggnog debate 2. The Verdict on local radio 94.3 The GOAT | Ladybug Wellness Ep 37
Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux that’s why the male bee continues to mate even after the female rips his head off……Focus.
Jackie Rioux: Brett Wininger I always have to laugh at FOCUS … I had a supervisor years ago that always said that to some people… I found out why.
F*ck Off Cuz Ur Stupid 😛
Jackie Rioux: Brett Wininger Oh and apparently ladybugs do that too.. lil necro’s

JACKIE RIOUX
Day of GRIT: #3 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOL (FoF) Finisher- Don’t Forget to Bring a Towel (Hub-Spoke) F2, 5K steps
CONTEXT: “I Embrace 37X Growth…”
Within SA GRIT this concept of 37% growth basically means we are doing a little each day, taking baby steps which doesn’t seem like much at all, yet over time, our efforts compound into this 37% growth.
I am always applying these analogies and concepts to my own life on an energetic level, integrated with my experiences as an energy balancing practitioner and a business owner.
Sometimes I feel like I am so behind in life, like I am no where near any of my goals, and everything seems so far away.
A mentor told me years ago to trust Divine Timing, that as soon as we take a step towards our life’s purpose, the universe will conspire for us. It will, and it does, feel like a world of synchronicity and miracles. Now I am the one always saying “Trust Divine Timing”.
Maybe we’re not really for the next level just yet. Maybe there is something else that needs to be in play first.
Flylady taught me the importance of just taking baby steps. So many inspirational leaders promote just keep moving forward.
I tend to try and see the whole staircase at once and get overwhelmed. But when I can just focus on the first step, then the next, and the next, I will soon reach the top or my destination or goal and it will seem like nothing at all in this compounded journey or growth when in reality, I have come 37% farther than if I had not taken that first step and kept going.
Trust Divine Timing and just know that mentors and information will come into my life as I am ready and when I look back on my life, I will be able to see the compounded efforts and the beautiful tapestry of my life.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #4 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Gravity Chamber F2 Finisher- 4MOD- Hip to Be a Square annnnd G2G (Optional): “Shoulder & Spine Mobility”
CONTEXT: “I Seal Up Energy Leaks…”
Of course as an energy balancing practitioner, I am going to have my own different perspective on anything energy. I seal up energy leaks? Oh hell ya I do. Well, most of the time. I am human, you know.
Energy healing is all about embracing and enforcing our energetic boundaries so we can be sovereign in our own bodies and energy fields. In Court of Atonement, we call this “energy encasements” and these can have “drafts and drains” which can leak our energy and make us feel out of sorts or lethargic.
Any time I go out of my own home boundaries, I try to remember to “shields up” my boundaries because there is some crazy sh*t out in our world and I don’t want that in my own energy field cocoon.
The full moon happens to be a great time for energy clearing and releasing low vibrations. Ever notice how the full moon brings out all the crazies and our first responders are run off their feet on those nights? Last night was no different. I heard sirens all night. I slept with my blinds open so I could soak in the healing and purging energies of the full moon.
I have been working my way through an intensive Court of Atonement certification course which is a rabbit hole like no other in deep energetic and spiritual cleansing. I have been sleeping so deeply this past week.
I hardly ever dream these days, but last night I had a really messed up dream. Sleeping is healing time, like a human defrag where our daily memory files sort into our long term memory. This can get pretty weird if you happen to remember dreams because sometimes our subconscious mind gives us messages in attempts to sort out life issues as well.
Anyway… In this dream, I drove my vehicle into a department store doorway, then realized too late that I went backwards through a car wash. My SIL Mike was there and just shaking his head at my stupidity, embarrassed for me. (My kids do that sometimes…).
I was so upset, completely embarrassed beyond belief and trying to get myself out of this predicament somewhat gracefully with onlookers staring at me.
Once I got out of the whole area, I pulled over on the side of the road crying over what just happened. I feel like I am supposed to set an example for everyone else in keeping it together all the time. To be a mentor and a teacher. I sure didn’t feel like it in that moment.
Then, realizing that I am human and the best way to get out of a bad situation is to turn it into a story and highlight your own failings before anyone else has a chance to turn it on you.
I called my fave people at the radio station and told them what I did… owning up and making a funny story out of it even though I was crying out of sheer embarrassment. I gave a shout out to the nice manager at this car wash and laughed at myself.
Pretty f’ked up dream, eh?

What am I learning from this?
~ Well, I did actually go into the radio station the other day to voice my next radio ad. I had to do several takes because I got so tongue tied on the “with subtle shifts” part of the script. I love my radio people because they can edit and make me sound professional. I wish we could do that in real life!!
~ I am human and even though I am a mother, grandmother, mentor, teacher, and energy balancing practitioner, I can still have days where I totally F up everything and embarrass myself.
~ Every day we wake up is a day to be thankful for, and a chance at a new beginning.
~ I have no idea if the car wash place in my dream was a real place, but if a manager at a place like this was ever nice to me in a situation like this, I would definitely give them a shout out. (Actually, maybe this was a twisted memory of a real life situation years ago where my antenna got ripped off in a car wash… hmmm…).
~ Better to own up to our failings right away and be able to learn and move on.
~ Always remember “shields up” when I leave the house.

Joe Tedesco: That dream isn’t that bad… kinda sounds like fun except the feeling like a like a fuck up part
Jackie Rioux: I am a very nice person until I am behind the wheel. Redhead road rage on anything that interupts my highway Zen. And I am the first one to bitch out stereotypical female drivers… so when I do a dumbass move, … ya I feel like a fuck up lol

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #5 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Globetrotter Tryouts F2 Finisher (4MOD) + 5K
CONTEXT: “I Control What I Can Control…”
My favorite quote ever:
God grant me the grace to accept the things I cannot change
and the power to change the things I cannot accept.
Dr. Richard Bartlett, Matrix Energetics.
I can control what is within my boundaries. I cannot control what is outside of my boundaries. I can change my perspective of anything outside of my boundaries.
In energy healing, I establish my respectable boundaries, then shift my energy to control whatever is in the way of me being my most authentic self and creating my best life.

Jackie Rioux: May be an image of text that says ’10:48 Today 6,293 steps 4.58 km 332 Cal
Jackie Rioux: Keeping up with most days 🙂
https://ladybugwellness.ca/calling-my-shot-steps-challenge/
Calling My Shot Steps Challenge | Ladybug Wellness
Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux the third line of that prayer is…. “And the Wisdom to know the Difference…”
Jackie Rioux: Brett Wininger yes, I know the original. This is the energy healing version. We are way more powerful than we are led to believe.
I love Raymon Grace’s philosophy as well. How do you know you can’t do something if you don’t try.
Wisdom to know the difference in this case could mean hidden beliefs holding us back on some level of consciousness.
So… I do my best to change anything I cannot accept.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #6 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza + 5K steps
CONTEXT: “I Give Back to Create the Future…”
Back in February 2020, it was weighing on me that I need to give back somehow, like a form of tithing, to show appreciation for my successful business and such amazing clients. I offered a free remote group energy balancing session on my Ladybug Wellness FB page.
I had such incredible feedback that I decided to offer it again on a more regular basis. Then the world shut down and I realized, omg! This is what I am supposed to be doing in offering a general “bulk” type session where I can address several clients/ participants at once. Well, three years later, this is still a popular session choice for many people. Its kind of a general energetic maintenance for those who would like to keep on top of their self care in this way.
Business-wise this is my “loss leader” in attracting all sorts of new clients and my business has flourished in this karmic exchange as well.
Participants in this free remote group do write in often enough to let me know how their lives have changed both subtly and profoundly, giving credit to this weekly group session.
This is my way of giving back to create a better future for myself and for others.

Jackie Rioux
https://ladybugwellness.as.me/LBWgroup3
Jackie Rioux: May be a screenshot of text that says ’10:24 Sun, Apr 9 Samsung Health 6,340 steps You’ve achieved 100% of your step goal. 3 Samsung Health 10:17a.m. Workout detected Automatically recorded 49 minutes of walking.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #7 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOL (FoF) Finisher- Shell Shock O’Clock F2 + 5K
CONTEXT: I’m Persistent When It’s Inconvenient…
My high school friend lost her mom just days before Christmas. They are having a celebration of life next month in my hometown, which is a 6 hour drive from here. It is not really convenient for me to take off then as I have a practitioner retreat already planned the following weekend (my birthday weekend) which is an 8 hour drive in a different direction.
I have blocked my client calendar and have confirmed that I will show up to support my friend through this final goodbye.
I love long drives and I will get to see other family and friends for this trip, so I am making it a few days away.
The rest of life can wait til I return. Priorities, baby.
Jackie Rioux: screenshot text that says 12:31 Mon, Apr 10 Samsung Health 6,363 steps You’ve achieved 101% of your step goal.
Brian Trainum Yeah sounds like the right place to be Jackie…
Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux its interesting that funerals, celebration of life, etc so clearly remind us how fleeting this world is and when it’s done, it’s done.
Especially for that person, it takes priority over everything.
No more To Do lists, no cleaning out the Inbox.
My co-worker just lost her Mom over the weekend and the Showing was today, all around Easter but this is when it happened and its being dealt with this week.
Jackie Rioux: Brett Wininger, ya… celebrations suck after losing loved ones.
My SIL birthday, April 9, passed Canadian Thanksgiving. Buddy Andy DOB April 7, passed Dec 13, grandma passed Dec 28.
So, my favorite holidays, Easter and Christmas, Thanksgiving are all screwed with memories. My mentor passed while i was on holiday in 2012. Came home to her funeral on my birthday.
We can get caught up in the dates, or just carry on and honor them regardless of convenience.
This celebration of life will be Mother’s Day weekend. But also, right in between my mom’s birthday and my birthday. So… celebrate one way and the other.
Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux that the challenge with loving others, often they end up leaving for good.
My wife is big on dates of love ones passing away, its the good and bad of what makes her tick

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #8 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Reach for the Peach (Pyramid) F2 Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Know Word Choice Matters…”
Everything is energy and everything has a frequency vibration. I find in my work as an energy balancing practitioner that word choice matters in describing what a client needs to release within their balancing session. Anger, rage, wrath are all variations of a similar emotion, but they all vibrate and affect our energy differently. Sadness, sorrow, forsaken, are all variations of emotions as well.
When we work with energy, we are always working with what is activated in the moment. So to release certain emotions, sometimes we need to identify and acknowledge the corresponding vibrational word.
Other times we don’t need to know much and we can just go ahead and balance.
It is beneficial to understand the reasons behind why certain imbalances clear easily and other imbalances require knowing that word choice matters to bring the mind and body into peaceful balance.

Sharing Joe’s context for reference:
Joe Tedesco Day of GRIT: 9 of 28
METRICS: 5K + 4MOD Finisher
CONTEXT: “I Operate with Transparency”
I was reading Dennis’s context on this morning and he said something that stood out to me. Something I felt I did for a long time too…
He wrote this about sharing his journey in his emails, “I think you can also show too much struggle, for a few years I went on and on with my struggles from years ago in my newsletter and it came across as I was looking for pity. Social media has a fair share of those people. Thank God for my wife she constantly argued with me about it, she said come down from your cross we need the wood. Everyone gets it, now start writing about how you are coming out of it.”
I laughed when I read the comment his wife would make to him, “…come down from your cross we need the wood. Everyone gets it, now start writing about how you are coming out of it.”
That’s one of the reasons I used to struggle to write and share my story. It always came out with a sad undertone.
I mean, it was all truth based on where I was at in my life at that time.
But I would routinely get comments from people reaching out about the negative aspect and not really picking up on my overall message.
I guess that’s just human nature too. We like to latch on to the bad stuff. Like looking at car wrecks as we drive by.
Good or bad, I’ll share my shit.
It’s like my good friend Jackie always says… “I have no brain filter… always have the twisted view.”
Yep, me too Jackie!
Some will resonate, some won’t, and I’m good with that.
Jackie Rioux: Joe Tedesco shine a light on that f*cker and turn it into your gift of assisting others to overcome their past as well.
Love this. Love the cross reference too. So relatable!

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #9 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: I Operate with Transparency
Following up on Joe’s context on how we can share too much struggle and not so much of the overcoming aspect of our journey.
Through my time in this SA community and participating in daily writings, I have realized that I had kept sharing the same old story. I was a teen mom, I busted my ass raising kids alone, I suffered through a toxic exhausting environment in what had been a good job at one time… blah blah blah.
Or, the other part is I how endured childhood sexual abuse, I was extremely naïve with no boundaries because… let me tell you all about all the times I have been violated, r*ped, coerced, betrayed and subjected to derogatory abuse. Cry me a f*cking river. Oh woe is me…
Does anyone want to continue hearing that sob story? Probably not. There are enough victims and drama queens out there and I don’t need to add to that melting pot.
No. Share the story once. Write it out with all the gory details. Then I will shine a light on that f*cker and I will call myself out on anything before someone else tries to judge me on my past.
Instead… let me tell you how I overcame that past. Let me tell you about all I have learned and how I have turned that pile of sh*t into the gift of fertilizer that has blossomed into the beauty of my life now.
Let me tell you about energy healing and specifically what I have looked for in spiritual and energetic imbalances that contributed to those patterns of the past. Want to hear about ancestral trauma patterns and miasma that can affect our lives now? Or how to get our deflated spirits encouraged to face another day? How about the scientific and biological connections in our every day world that can contribute to our imbalances, or to our own healing?
Let me introduce you to my extensive website that has been my inspirational outlet for 20+ years. This is my online corner of the world where you will find a plethora of information that you can use for your own self empowerment or book in appointments to work with me personally to overcome the tragedies of the past, where you too can be a thriver and an overcomer.
You will find ME being my authentic self with writings from my own thoughts, not some computer or robot generated disingenuous sh*t talk. I operate with transparency and a somewhat twisted view of life, because laughter really is the best medicine. Come join me and let’s take on this journey of life with gusto and enthusiasm by becoming our own Heroic selves.

Mila Sharma: You’re an inspiration Jackie 💗
Jackie N. Rioux: In good company!! I have shared your book lots 🙂
Mila Sharma: Jackie N. Rioux well if it can help others like you helped me then yes!!
Yvonne Marie Wittke: “The beauty of my life now” ….. Jackie you are an amazing person. What an overcomer you are! What a positive person and someone who can be an “ear” and an inspiration. May God bless you dear friend 🤗😘❤️ Love you!

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #10 of 28 April 13th
METRICS: 12MOL (FoF) Finisher- Don’t Forget to Bring a Towel F2 + 5K steps
CONTEXT: “I Can Deal With the Shit…”
Yeah, I can deal with shit…. But do I really want to??
A friend several years ago, owned a cleaning business. She told us an experience that relates to the power of words. Her go to phrase when people asked what she did for a living was “shoveling shit, just shoveling shit…”. Well, turns out her words manifested. She took on a clean out rental job, as this was a usual task for her company. She showed up at the location only to find that the tenants had left a nasty mess with dog feces and damages. So, she ended up “shoveling shit”.
This was a lesson to all of us to watch our words and I have taken this story to heart in watching my words in what I want to manifest.
I much prefer to live life and handle life’s challenges with “grace and ease”.
So, yup, I can deal with the shit, but I will turn it into fertilizer for my life’s garden.

Jackie Rioux: May be a screenshot of text that says Thu, Apr 13 Samsung Health 6,402 steps You’ve achieved 101% of your step goal. 3:02p.m. Workout detected Automatically recorded 44 minutes of walking.
Glenn Forman: Jackie Rioux True for oh soooo many people.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #11 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Gravity Chamber F2 Finisher- 4MOL + 5K steps
CONTEXT: “I Connect to the Burn…”
I had been just doing the minimum required daily workout throughout any of the months I participated in GRIT. Normally, there is one 5K day per week.
A few weeks ago, I “called my shot” in support of Joe signing up for a marathon. I offered to get in 5 K in steps per day. I have been wanting to get back into walking regularly, or dancing or whatever to have some fun for me kind of exercise. I started off sporadic in March as I was away and had company visiting too. Since March 26 tho, I have only missed 3 days of not getting my steps in.
I have a selection of upbeat tunes and have been dancing/ walking around my house every day. My legs and butt are feeling the burn a bit now, but I am getting more used to it every day. I bought some fancy boots to splurge on myself and my legs and butt are getting in shape to show off my boots. GO ME!!
Jackie Rioux: May be a screenshot of text that says Fri, Apr 14 Samsung Health 6,458 steps You’ve achieved 102% of your step goal.
Jackie Rioux: Laura Vita boots 😛 May be an image of boots
Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux that’s a good burn- do you do your steps in those boots…….

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #12 of 28 SATURDAY April 15th 2023
METRICS: (FoF)- Globetrotter Tryouts – EMOM F2 Finisher 4MOL KB Press + 5 K Steps
CONTEXT: “I Know Laughter is the Best Medicine…”
We are on the last week of the 6 week Court of Atonement certification course. Since I have been there from the beginning and am a bit experienced, it seems that some of the new participants are apparently somewhat intimidated working with me. While I appreciate the compliments, I have been keeping it humble and letting them see some of the dark issues I have overcome. I also have been sharing two of my hilarious stories shared in my website.
How appropriate that today’s context is about laughter lol.
Sharing here so you can laugh along with me, or at me… Enjoy 😛

Jackie Rioux: I warned you….My Garlic Cleanse Adventure | Ladybug Wellness
https://ladybugwellness.ca/my-garlic-cleanse-adventure/

Jackie Rioux: The horse story, and my own naivety…
https://ladybugwellness.ca/the-horse-story-and-my-own-naivety/

Jackie Rioux: May be a screenshot of text that says Sat, Apr 15 6,326 steps You’ve achieved 100% of your step goal. & Samsung Health 8:53 a.m. Workout detected Automatically recorded 55 minutes of walking.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #13 of 28
METRICS: April 16th, 2023 Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: I Work Hard AND Smart…
I used to always complain that I busted my ass raising kids eons ago. I was in the rat race of a corporate hourly wage at that time. Fast forward through all sorts of education and leadership courses, I learned to amplify my skills and to work smarter, not so much harder – I had plenty of that in the former exhausting “Just Over Broke” capacity.
Through my time in this SA community and gleaning all sorts of useful information through our open-source forum, I have learned more about leverage in my business.
Although I have had a website for 22 years, I have now been adding more pages of information there to reduce so many direct questions from clients and followers. I have found ways to leverage my time and writing assets so that the clients that do actually book in are my own kind of “5%” cream of the crop type people that I really do want to work with.
This makes my life and my business so much more rewarding and, I think, prosperous as well.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #14 of 28
METRICS: April 17th 2023 12MOD (FoF) Finisher F2 +5K steps
CONTEXT: I Am a Problem Solver…
Some advice from a leadership conference years ago: Life is all about overcoming challenges. You’re either going into a challenge, in a challenge, or coming out of a challenge. It is the rhythm of life, just like the chaotic rhythm of a heart beat – and we never want to flatline.
The key to life is adaptability. My experiences in life have given me a toolbox full of skills to be an effective problem solver for most issues in my life. Get ‘er done.
For the things I cannot overcome completely by myself, I am thankful for a network of other effective problem solvers with which I can collaborate and get ‘er done as well.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #15 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Reach for the Peach F2 Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Put in My Reps…”
Reps for me right now is getting 30 case studies client sessions done and submitted for my Court of Atonement certification course. I have 13 of 30 done as of this morning and receiving wonderful feedback from those ones so far. YAY!
My other reps is my steps challenge with Joe. I am committing to 5K in steps every day and have been keeping up with that commitment almost every day. Out of 23 days since March 26, I have only missed my target on 4 days. For me this is just a fun challenge, so I am not beating myself up for those 4 days, rather I am seeing the 19 days of continuous reps that are firming up my little chicken legs. (More like thunder drumsticks, but whatever…).
I am getting my reps in and making progress in a few areas of life.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #16 of 28
METRICS: April 19th 2023 5K Day Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “Discipline Is a Skill Not a Trait…”
Oh hell ya discipline is a learned skill and not a trait because I sure as heck wasn’t born with it. I am kinda amused that clients and friends seem to think I get so much accomplished but I fully admit that some days I just stare at the wall in a state of dumbfounded freeze mode. I get just as overwhelmed as the next guy.
Then, when I get a hold of my errant brain that left on holidays without me… I can gather my wits, clear my energy, and get moving again.
Right now, my discipline is keeping up with a personal steps challenge of 5 K per day. I tanked the last 2 days and today is 5K in GRIT so I best get it done and get this posted as I have a Reiki 2 class to teach today.
Discipline is all about organizing priorities and executing the plan of action. This is something that I work on each and every day as I am a work in progress.

Joe Tedesco: Get to steppin girl!!
Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux its all about getting the brain back on track 1% faster today than yesterday…..

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #17 of 28 April 20th 2023
METRICS: 12 MOL (FoF) Finisher F2
CONTEXT: “I Master Situational Strategy…”
Every time this context prompt comes up, I get a deer in headlights look. Apparently, I am a Master in some things I do, but I am more of a Jackie of all trades, energy – wise.
Honestly, I often feel like my nickname Scrat in that I just bump along in life and wing it for most things like road trips. I adapt and align with “whatever works” to get things done. I rely on my intuitive senses heavily and find that when I do that and trust my spirit guides to lead me along my path of life, I do tend to live in a world of synchronicity and miracles.
There are many amazing things in life that I just cannot explain logically but I can trust spiritually, if that makes any kind of sense here.
So, my version of mastering situational strategy is alignment with my intuition and Source and taking the higher vibration road of life.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #18 of 28 April 21st 2023
METRICS: (FoF) – Gravity Chamber F2 Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Commit to Do Hard Shit…”
Thank God I love my chosen career path now as an entrepreneur energy balancing practitioner. Do I want to get up every day and tend to the every day boring necessities of chores and all the paperwork etc that comes with running a home business? Do I want to have difficult conversations or put myself out there to the world completely vulnerable and exposed?
Nope, not really. I love connecting with clients and living my passion, but there is always a flip side when I run my own business.
I need to address my own issues to set an example regularly for my clients and family. I need to keep on top of everything else as well whether I like it or not.
An entrepreneur must commit to doing hard shit because it is the only way. Analyze, adapt, pivot when necessary. Just get ‘er done.
A wise quote to live by: Zen and then the laundry.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #19 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Globetrotter Tryouts F2 Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “My Emotions Are an Asset…”
This is another one of those context prompts that although I understand where CJ is going with his context, the phrase “My emotions are an asset” invokes a string of profanities from me right now.
All the work I do is all about finding the roots of trauma and then balancing and releasing low vibration energies and emotions. Ryan Fletcher said it best in his writing quite a while ago which I constantly defer to:
“Those who fail to control their emotions are massive liabilities. Uncontrolled emotion is the equivalent of being drunk. Irrational. Totally exuberant in a negative way. Caught up in their own drama. Have you ever tried to speak rationally to a drunk person? It’s painful. There’s no conscious thought. Just spewing of emotion. Everything they feel just bursts out. Visually, it looks like a Jackson Pollock painting. So, if that’s what’s happening in your head. All that chaos. How can we possibly be productive? Focused? Or strategic?”
I know too well this reactive state from in myself from years past. Those kinds of emotions were definitely NOT an asset. There is a definitive difference in the wonderful high vibration emotions of enlightenment, happiness, joy, etc. and the low vibration negativity type emotions.
While it is nice to feel the high vibration emotions, overall emotions are not an asset.
My asset is my intuition that forgoes emotion and relies on clairsentient knowingness to navigate my life.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #20 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza + 5K steps
CONTEXT: “I Commit to Move…”
I have been slacking on my steps challenge a bit this past week. I got all my certification case study sessions done and submitted. My next project is getting tax sh*t done and submitted in the next 5 days before my appointment with my financial advisor. I have been doing the bare minimum required for GRIT workouts, but not getting steps in every day.
I find it makes a HUGE difference to get moving with dancing and steps. I have more of a Get ‘er Done! Kind of attitude and although I despise paperwork and filing, my mood can be lifted and just dive in to get it done.
Got my steps in this morning and back at ‘er…. Let’s DO THIS!!
(And add a monthly appointment with myself to keep on top of this sh*t in the first place….).

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #21 of 28 MONDAY- April 24th 2023
METRICS: Helped a friend move allll day + 5K steps
CONTEXT: I Cede No Power to My Haters…
My best example of not giving away my power is a lesson learned from a friend years ago who got mugged on the way to work. Although pretty shook up, she did her due diligence in reporting and dealing with the police etc. Then she showed up at work. We were surprised she didn’t take the day off to gather her wits after that experience.
She explained that if she changed her day because of some dumbass who tried to ruin her day, then she had given him her power.
Harsh but poignant lesson I have always remembered.
Who has my power?? ME!!

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #22 of 28 TUESDAY – April 25th 2023
METRICS: FoF) – Reach for the Peach F2 Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Answer the Call to Become Heroic…”
In this day and age where society is full of entitled lil sh*ts, I figure any day that we wake up and, more importantly, show up is a good day. Showing up is the key element that sets apart the 5% of the population that are actively taking control of their own life and narrative.
Any time we show up is answering the call to be heroic for ourselves and those around us. I may not always feel like showing up, but I do anyway because I would like to continuously become Heroic 😊

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #23 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Am Hyper Observant…”
When I first moved to Prince George, I had transferred with the post office. I didn’t have much for support from the kids’ dad to raise our 4 kids so I took on a second job in a nightclub as a beer girl for 2 years.
Looking back, I was SO naïve, like you cannot even imagine how naïve I was then. I was so oblivious to so much and probably a good thing actually.
I managed through that job and made some friends — who still tease me to this day of how naïve I was lol.
Yet, I did learn how to watch the crowds for any fights brewing and could alert security with my signal of tossing ice up in the air towards the floater doorman so we could contain issues before they started.
It was an interesting experience in my life and I learned to be somewhat hyper observant. Then there are still days that I have Scrat brain and miss details of something that should be important.
I am always a work in progress though and I seem to have more wins than losses these days.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #24 of 28 THURSDAY April 27th, 2023
METRICS: 12 MOL (FoF) Finisher F2
CONTEXT: “I Am the Stabilizing Force…”
When the going gets tough, the Tough get going. Earth energy is rising and has been steadily rising for many years. Many people study this Schumann Resonance phenomenon. Vibration is rising and not all humans can handle this increased pressure on our carbon meat sack bodies. Our energy is transforming into crystalline. This shows up as headaches, nausea, feeling ungrounded and out of sorts.
No one is immune to the process of nature. But we can balance our own energies and align with the earth frequencies to lessen the uncomfortable effects. As an energy balancing practitioner, I have been, and continue to be, a stabilizing force in this increasing unstable and chaotic world.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #25 of 28 FRIDAY April 28th, 2023
METRICS: (FoF) Gravity Chamber F2 Finisher 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Evolve the Machine…”
I am learning more and more about business assets and leverage, and I am more aware of opportunities to put this knowledge to good use.
I have had to get over my fears of talking on camera, making videos, and posting to my YouTube channel. I have added several more pages to my website on topics of interest to my clients and followers.
I have gained several more followers in the last two months, and a lot more feedback on my website content etc. It seems to have been well received and has attracted more clients for me.
Change, growth, movement, and adaptation are continuous elements in the evolution of my business and myself. Just like a well oiled machine, I continue to work on myself energetically to create the best life for myself and to encourage those around me to do the same for themselves.

Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux isn’t higher vibration better than lower ones?
Jackie Rioux: Brett Wininger yes very much. But it is coming in intense, Schumann has been off the charts numerous times.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #26 of 28 SATURDAY April 29th 2023
METRICS: (FoF)- Globetrotter Tryouts F2 Finisher 4MOL +5K
CONTEXT: “I Value Ability Over Experience…”
I am all about relieving stress. It’s just what I do in my business with energy clearing. A few months ago, I realized that it can be quite stressful to find good hired assistance service workers. Once I find a good one, I like to hang on to them dearly and promote them to my circles of contacts.
I finally added a page in my website to list my go-to people, those hidden gems that have proven themselves to have the ability and integrity to provide good effective service in their chosen field and skills.
This turned out to be a great idea as it seems many people have been visiting this page and hiring these wonderful gems as well. I think experience and ability go hand in hand but, integrity and ability will always be first choice.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #27 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Reflect on My Results…”
The past eight weeks have been intense for me in completing this Court of Atonement certification course. The material itself is not intense at all. The course is laid out well with a video, some reading and an exercise or assignment each day. The reason it was so intense for me personally is because I was away and had some other responsibilities going on in March and got myself 2 weeks behind everyone else in the course. I aligned myself with Divine Timing, did some manifesting work and got myself caught up quickly.
However, that is where things got intense for me. Court of Atonement is a spiritual and soul level energy balancing technique, so it is energy healing on a much deeper level of consciousness that anything else I have ever worked with throughout my healing and personal growth journey.
The progress through this course had me unexpectedly revisiting some past upsets, connecting the dots, and realizing just how those upsets had affected me and my life path in detrimental ways.
I am so grateful for having been able to work through these issues. I have met and connected with some amazing people within the course, and some new clients as well. I love synchronistic connections!
Another bonus in doing this deep healing work, is that it will bring up other imbalances that can affect my physical body and my life. Do you know anything about “mitochondrial cell water production”?. I didn’t. I do now. Mitochondria are the energy centers of the cell. Well, they need to be hydrated sufficiently and if they are not, you can get body aches which I have been experiencing lately. Apparently, that is an age-related issue. I had energy blocks in this process, thankfully now addressed and cleared.
I have been keeping up with my step challenge with Joe most days. Although I have had some issues with my phone not recording data properly the last few days. Keeping with this daily challenge and having my body consistently in this kind of motion has made GRIT workouts a little easier for me as well.
I have added more pages to my website, written more, organized more. Maybe not more, but more continuous. Taxes stuff has been an issue for me this year, but I had an appointment with my accountant the other day and that eased some of the pressure I have been feeling with organizing data and paperwork differently this year to accommodate my growing business.
Overall, a great progressive month.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #28 of 28
METRICS: Expect the Unexpected- Count-Up Workout F2 Finisher
CONTEXT: I Expect the Unexpected…
Yes, I expect the unexpected. This doesn’t mean I handle it very well sometimes. Today I am about fit to be tied. Just frustrated.
I do a weekly free Reiki energy clearing session as a client appreciation offer. I have been doing this for 3 years and it is wonderfully received.
Everyone around me seems overwhelmed with something going on, so last nights session was focus on this and astro influences such as Mercury Retrograde and full moon etc. I sent out lots of Reiki, lots of intentions and have been running clearing audios all night.
FYI, I wrote an article on Mercury Retrograde: https://ladybugwellness.ca/mercury-retrograde/
Today there was a global portal of light activation of sending energy and healing to the entire world and humanity. All sorts of good stuff. I have already had several messages from last night’s group participants saying they slept well and feel refreshed this morning.
So why am I fit-to-be-tied pissy today?
I think I dozed a bit last night but woke up about 1 am to a “person” in my room, not just a sensed presence. Young man shoulder length wavy hair. I actually yelled “get out” a few times, then didn’t sleep til 430 am, meaning I got about 3 hours sleep total. I got up twice to eat some cheese and nuts because my tummy was hunger hurting. Apparently, I didn’t eat enough yesterday?
I had done all sorts of bedtime intentions for the group and myself so I am kinda freaked out about “who” was in my room last night. Someone I know? Someone recently passed? Some wandering soul needing assistance in some way? I am NOT fond of night time visitors and that is why I do bedtime intentions for dream time soul work.
What else has got me so rattled? I tried to do my newsletter on Saturday. Mailchimp site keeps glitching and kicking me out saying session timed out, error pages, pages missing. Just piss me off OMG!!! I did their survey a few times with nasty messages, could not get through to live person. I even called this morning, only to get a sales rep on their support line. Apparently, support is only available thru live chat and email. “Live chat” is a bot sending email to support. FFS!!!!!!!!!!!
And all this glitching is only since I started paying for an account 3 months ago. It used to be free for 2000 email list, recently reduced to 500. So, because I have 750, I have to pay $30 per month. I have wasted time being frustrated with Mailchimp because it is an issue completely out of my control.
Mercury Retrograde is in full swing with triple whammy full moon and Pluto retrograde this week as well. Mercury Retrograde affects communications, electronics, and relationships with misunderstandings and planetary energy pulls that affect humans similarly to how the moon affects ocean tides. Best to have awareness and take time to rejuvenate. For me right now, this feels like a full-blown unexpected upset and no I am not handling this well. Lack of decent sleep is just aggravating me as well.
Time to go work on myself energetically and try to figure out wtf kind of imbalance is creating this reality for me right now. Or go crawl under a rock for the rest of today. Tomorrow will always be a better day.

**** Note: It is super frustrating when I get in a bad mood because I have all the added guilt and resentment of feeling like I should be setting an example for others in keeping myself balanced and positive all the time. Instead, I show you here my authenticity in allowing myself to feel frustrated and upset… but then I do “put on my big girl panties” and deal with life. I am looking into a new platform to keep in touch with my clients through… 

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #1 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Trigger Happy Guns (Ignition Sets) F2 Finisher (4MOD)- Fireman Phobia (Ladder Up Reps)
CONTEXT: A Story Athlete Finds a Way…
I ended January GRIT on a pretty sour note. To be honest, I have not been sleeping well for months on end. My phone app shows an average of 6 hour 19 minutes per night for the last year. I have tried everything of my energy balancing skills and still sleep eludes me most nights. Sleep time is healing time, it is restorative time, like a human defrag. So, when I don’t get enough sleep, I tend to get cranky. I do cope through most days just fine, and I think most things in my life are going ok, so there is no justified reason for these sleep issues.
We have had the “usual” Prince George Northern Canada weather with some deep freezes and dumps of snow. Not a big deal when I don’t have to go out or work in this mess, but when we need to get our driveway plowed, and I have not been able to find someone reliable with decent business ethics… ugh!!! In SA GRIT I am surrounded by entrepreneurs with ethical and effective business standards. I hold similar standards in my every day life so dealing with the average world out there can be downright disappointing.
Over three days we had almost 20 inches of snow dumped, and with our long narrow driveway, there is nowhere to shovel it. The city plows are overworked and all the roads in town are treacherous right now.
Yes, I got cranky, and this redhead went full tilt ragey the other day with all the lack of sleep and easily triggered frustration. I should be setting good examples with being an energy healer, but I am human and I get some low days too.
Turning this experience into a positive lesson, here is my example:
Any time we do energy balancing, we are always working on what is activated in a person. When there are imbalances and upsets trapped from the past, we can get easily triggered, but this is also opportune time to get to the root of the activated issues! Also, we PROJECT energies whether we understand that concept or not!!
Meaning… If I was so pissy the other day, and so frustrated with not finding a reliable plow service, it is not likely I would find anyone when I am projecting such angry vibes. Kinda counter productive…
I allowed myself to feel the rage for a little bit to let it out, trying not to take it out on anyone else around me, except for my rant filled GRIT post. Then I got busy and did an energy balancing session on myself releasing and transmuting all that anger and frustration into more positive calming energies.
I balanced my hormones which makes a HUGE difference in wellbeing because hormones run everything in the body. I actually slept 8.5 hours that night and felt much better and more productive the next day.
Then, I took some time to just veg out reading the past months GRIT posts from everyone else. I find that quite encouraging to reset my mental wellbeing.
Guess what? Lo and behold, we did find a great guy who seems pretty decent and reliable to plow the driveway regularly.
Do I want to jump into GRIT again this month. Meh… not really, to be honest. I am not fond of the daily commitment but I also know I need the comradery of my SA GRIT community and the daily accountability to keep my personal and business progress on track.
I am committing to check my hormones every night before bed from now on because it really makes that much of a difference in my mental state. I have some projects I have been meaning to get done so I have an Atomic Habits tracker template to keep track of daily progress.
I may keep my GRIT posts short and sweet with more focus on the projects til I feel more caught up. I will find a way…

Lisa Tucker: Jackie Rioux, at my age the sleepless (or near sleepless) nights were becoming the norm. I’m finding magnesium pre-bed and DIM (diindolylmethane) are making a world of difference, better than the OTC sleep aid and melatonin combo I was trying before. Glad you’re feeling better and got a solid night’s sleep!
Jackie Rioux: Lisa Tucker yes magnesium makes a huge difference. I balanced melatonin hormone along with thyroid and stomach hormones.
Energetically I still need to balance more to have consistent restful sleep. This is just part of energetic self care.
Linda Ipaye: Lisa Tucker Jackie Rioux Ladies, Love that you got some sleep Jackie and Lisa! I muscle tested both of you. Your bodies would like you to put 2 drops of lavender oil on the bottoms of your feet when you get into bed! Sweet Dreams!
Jackie Rioux: Linda Ipaye Thank you. I may have some lavender around here.
Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux we don’t mind the rants in here especially if it helps to bring you to center. center.
Just like when a toddler throws a fit on the floor of the store, they have completely forgotten about it five minutes later…..
Jackie Rioux: Brett Wininger My inner child was definitely having a tantrum LOL 😛
Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux heck I still have an Inner Adult trying to get out…….
During my daughter’s Archery flight today, I managed to extremely embarrass her.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #2 of 28
METRICS: “I Operate with Transparency…”
CONTEXT: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
I always say I am good for entertainment and after all I have been through in life, there is not a heck of a lot that embarrasses me anymore.
My website has been my outlet since 1998. Everything that has ever helped me in life is in there.
As for transparency, I am pretty sure taking a couple of my most embarrassing moments, turning them into stories and sharing them in my website for all the world to see, qualifies as transparency.
Come on, laugh with me 😛

https://ladybugwellness.ca/the-horse-story-and-my-own-naivety/

https://ladybugwellness.ca/my-garlic-cleanse-adventure/

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #3 of 28
CONTEXT: I Choose a Different Path…
At age 23 I got a good government job at the post office. I had been on welfare too many times as a single mom and with a husband that could not hold any decent job to support us. I had it made! Or so I thought.
It was a great job with a steady income that supported me and my kids through two divorces and a move away from our home town to the big city for more opportunities to expand our horizons.
In my home town, my coworkers were like family. My job was the only stable thing in my life when the rest of my world was in shambles. After moving to the big city 6 hours down the highway, management was different, and toxic. I kept my nose to the grindstone and made the best of it. Then I had a breakdown April 23 2008. Yup, the former doormat quiet Jackie unleashed the simmering redhead. I woke up and got busy on Plan B going back to school, getting edjumacated and S-M-R-T. It took a few years but on June 22 2016, employee 1704664 walked out of the building for the last time and never looked back.
Take one step in the right direction of your dreams and the universe will conspire FOR you in miraculous ways. I chose a different path and now live my passion as an energy balancing practitioner. Life is Beautiful!
JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #4 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Balls to the Wall- Accumulation F2 4 MOL Modified
CONTEXT: “I Identify My Lies…”
Yes, hidden beliefs are lies that can detrimentally affect us. I learned how to address that issue years ago energetically and I continue to find those pesky lies and balance regularly.
What other lies do I tell myself?
I don’t have enough time. I definitely have an issue with time management but that does not mean I don’t have enough time. Did you know it takes under two minutes to unload a dishwasher? I remember reading about that years ago. Time yourself. It is true. Time yourself with other menial tasks and you’ll find the same that necessary menial tasks are not a time waster if you organize yourself effectively.
So what is my problem? Social media. A few weeks ago, my phone notified me of time on social media in the past week. Embarrassing number of hours. Yes HOURS. I have been consciously reducing that time and my last notice this past Sunday recorded a significant reduction. (YAY!).
I have managed to get some other projects done this week as well.
But… I do still allow myself some mental breaks especially for funny animal videos and jokes. Laughter is the best medicine.
I watched a funny video last night and … although funny, it was calling me out as well.
Procrasti-working means doing all sorts of other work except the project you are supposed to be doing.
Yikes. So me. Time to address that issue too. Identify then conquer.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/597107252240913/

Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux just seen a clip today that mentioned a “5 second rule”
When you think of a thought, you have 5 seconds to take action on it which in turn helps to rewire the brain.
Jackie Rioux: Brett Wininger Yes I know allll about Mel Robbins and 5 second rule. I am still training my Scrat brain. Ongoing process… 🙂

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #5 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Know It Takes What It Takes…”
Life is full of challenges. That is all part of the human experience and our soul evolution. At a leadership conference, a point was made about challenges through life:
We are either going into a challenge, in a challenge, or coming out of a challenge.
That has stuck with me and this is the reason I know anything in life is just doing whatever works to get through the current challenge.

Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux very true and the challenges make for better stories…….

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #6 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOL (FoF) Finisher- Rear View Mirror – EMOM F2
CONTEXT: “I Know How to Sell…”
My entrepreneurial skills started early with a paper route, selling Regal and Avon, and being the neighborhood babysitter all by the time I was 15 years old. More recently, I was involved with an MLM type jarred spices line of products which honestly, I did more for myself than trying to sell to others.
Despite all this, I have never considered myself “good” at “selling” anything.
I am not really fond of writing advertisements for anything or trying the usual marketing tactics to sell anything.
However, I have had many times someone compliment me on my writing skills. When I get in the mood for writing, or get passionate about a topic, that can easily come out in my writing. Key point: when I am in the mood.
In school, I would often leave essays to the last minute because my mind would be blank and useless.
I like the SA GRIT philosophy of writing to influence, and in that way a roundabout, more authentic way of selling my ideas and invitation to my business services.
I “know” how to sell. I have taken many courses and followed many leadership influencers. I just need a lot of work on my application of sales.
It does help that I was in Girl Guides eons ago and our motto was “always be prepared”. I do my best to make sure I am at the ready for unexpected events because you just never know what may come up.
Last night my daughter let me know that we had an appointment today for some project a friend is working on. Turns out that I had an impromptu video interview for a commercial project showcasing small businesses. I was nervous and put on the spot, but I talked my way through it and they said I did fine.
This evening, I led a webinar on overcoming childhood sexual abuse. That is a pretty heavy topic. I just shared my story and some resources, and how I overcame this abusive past to become the person I am today. I have turned tragedy into triumph.
I may not think that I am very good at “selling” but I am very good at sharing my stories and assisting others in their life journey of healing the past.
I know I do know “how to sell” because I already have a couple appointments coming through from the webinar attendees.
(Thank you!!)

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #7 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – King Kong’s Revenge (Hub Spoke) F2 Finisher- 4MOD- Achy Breaky Butt
CONTEXT: “I Hunt Leverage…”
Quite often I have felt like a broken record repeating the same things to each and every client. This takes up time, and honestly is kinda boring. I also run the risk of seeming and sounding too complacent and detached in my work.
As I have become busier with more clients and more appointments, time is a precious commodity. Time is always a precious commodity though. We only have one life to live.
One of the most important lessons I have learned within this SA entrepreneurial community is all about leverage and creating reusable assets. ROTI: Return on Time and Investment, a conscious awareness is so important to success.
My website has been a valuable asset in attracting clients and offering a plethora of appreciated information for many years.
I started a YouTube channel back in 2020 which has proven to be a valuable collection of video assets.
I can easily direct clients and others to these videos to explain aspects of energy balancing that previously I would have had to repeat constantly. This has freed up so much time for me and made room for more clients and appointments.
Most recently I now have 2 webinar videos to share on heavy topics of interest.
Also, I have been working with a local radio and other production type personnel that have been assisting me in creating more reusable assets. I am learning to appreciate this kind of leverage that brings more exposure to my business.

Brett Wininger Jackie Rioux sounds like you have the makings of a great email series where people get to learn more about your Journey as you document it
Jackie Rioux Brett Wininger, I have a peeve about emails piling up, so I only do a monthly email newsletter. I post a lot to my website and always direct everyone there so they can choose to read what interests them.
I am in the process of collecting stories to create a memoir book for my kids. We’ll see if that ever gets shared publicly.
Jackie Rioux Brett Wininger Adding to this though, I do have auto emails from my scheduler that have some directive information in each one that I can update and clients get those as reminders and follow ups to their appointments.
This often includes links to read more in website.
Brett Wininger Jackie Rioux glad to heard you are using tools to increase your impact.
Jackie Rioux Brett Wininger That has been my biggest benefit being in SA GRIT community: open-source mentors

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #8 of 28
CONTEXT: I See the Advantage in Simplicity.
******************
A tourist visited a Sufi.
He was astonished to see that the Sufi’s home was a simple room. The only furniture was a mat and a kerosene lamp.
Tourist: “Sufi, where’s your furniture?”
Sufi: “Where is yours?”
Tourist: “Mine? But I’m only a visitor here.”
Sufi: “So am I!”
Rumi
************
Considering that everything is energy, and everything carries a vibration, I am selective as to what or who I allow in my personal environment. I prefer to keep things simple, minimal, and practical.

Brian Trainum: love me some Rumi. Can’t find it now but something like “when you feel your feathers burning, he is opening your wings”

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #9 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Know There Will Be Pain…”
The other day, one of our local radio stations had an engagement type post asking “What do you take for pain?”.
My comment: Jackie N. Rioux: I balance my hormones and do energy balancing. Works like a charm and weirds out my doctors.
Of course, outside of my practitioner forums and energy balancing groups, some people get a little curious on how easy I deal with pain with my energy balancing skills. From this comment, I did have a few inquiries and someone signed up for my free Sunday sessions.
The thing to realize with pain, is that it is a messenger to alert us of danger zones and imbalances. I have learned that all the “Cort” type hormones indicate pain somewhere in the body. When I can find the imbalance and correct that, then we can alleviate the pain by balancing the hormone flow as well. Life is all about challenges, and yes, some pain as well. But when I learn to recognize the messenger, I can then address the issues and alleviate the pain.

Bob Saadai: Jackie Rioux wish you were closer to me so I could use your skills for my wife.
Jackie Rioux: Bob Saadai i have clients all over the world. Just like Glenn, i can work distance. Its amazing!
Show wife my site ladybugwellness .ca

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #10 of 28
CONTEXT: I Never Count Myself Out…
Self improvement is really the new niche these days. There has been quite a surge of couches, counselors, and practitioners springing up for every kind of modality out there.
Because this is the new niche, there are greedy people who want in on the action, thinking that they can just put up a sign and start a business in helping others.
The issue I have with this, is when people are in a position to want and need help especially when it comes to wellbeing and wellness, they are often in a vulnerable position.
So…. Do you really want to work with just anyone for such personal issues? I always promote working with someone that you feel comfortable with.
Someone with some experience and knowledge in key areas is essential. And someone who walks their talk.
Do you really want to work with someone who hasn’t got their own shit together?
One of the most important factors that I look for in working with another practitioner, is someone who takes care of themselves in booking their own wellness appointments.
Personally, I have a few trusted practitioners that I work with for myself to keep me in a good frame of mind to be able to work with my own clients effectively.
I never count myself out on my own self care, and I expect the same of others that I place my trust in to work with me.

Scott Mendell: This is so true for every industry where there is a growth spurt. Real estate from 2008 to 2011 was just he professionals because it seemed hard to make money. Then the ramp up came in 2013,14, & 15 and suddenly every real estate school in the area was sold out for 18 months. That created a bunch of untrained and unethical agents flooding the market. It never changes anywhere and people are still gullible sheep if they think they can save a dime, or they are promised a miracle. As P.T. Barnum said, “There’s one born every minute…”
Jackie Rioux: Scott Mendell I’ve been at this enough time to have some of my own experiences and then i really notice some doozies out there.
Yes I am sure every industry is like this… and when it comes to your industry turn it is sooo frustrating.
But people make their own choices and learn…
Scott Mendell: LOL I finally got so fed up with mine I quit, and started my new path. 🙂

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #11 of 28
CONTEXT: “I’m Willing to Ask for Help…”
“If you’re going to do something, just make sure to do it right the first time”.
“If you’re gonna complain about it, you might as well do it yourself”.
“Do it once, do it right”.
OR…
“There’s no ‘I’ in ‘Team’”.
“If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself”. Henry Ford
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Helen Keller

I was raised having to do a lot myself. It has taken a long time for me to realize the benefits of delegation and asking for assistance when needed. It has also taken a long time for me to be able to attract reliable people into my life that I can count on to give me a hand. Whether it is just to lighten the load or to share their skills and expertise, I am becoming more willing to ask for help.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #12 of 28
WEDNESDAY – February 15th, 2023
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOD- AMRAP (More Sh*t No One Wants outside today so tunes and dancing around the house to get my steps in).
CONTEXT: “I Embrace the Suck…”
I have gotten awfully bitchy and particular in my old age. I spent enough of my life busting my butt to get where I am today. Life sucked for a long time, but I got through it to embrace my life now as I created it.
These days, I know I can get through pretty much anything life throws my way. (Dear Universe: That is not meant as a challenge!). I know I can consciously choose to not place myself in those situations anymore unless some lofty goal requires some not so fun steps. I’ll make that choice when I get there and bring out my redhead determination if need be.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #13 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOL (FoF) Finisher- Rear View Mirror – EMOM F2
CONTEXT: “I Know Happiness Is Not a Future Destination…”
I have had many milestones in my life and learned through my years that there is no big fanfare arriving at any perceived destination. It is up to me to make the journey worthwhile, to embrace the happiness and fun along the way.
Celebrating mini milestones and small accomplishments makes like worth living.
Swimming with dolphins and stingrays, driving a race car, learning to play drums, riding an elephant, holding snake, scuba diving, zip-lining… These are just a few accomplishments I have enjoyed crossing off my ongoing Bucket List.
Tomorrow is never promised. As long as I wake up on the right side of the daisies each day, I am going to enjoy happiness here and now.

Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux that’s quite a list of accomplishments, well done.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #14 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – King Kong’s Revenge (Hub Spoke) F2 Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Learn From Every Experience…”
I have learned that many of my poor choices early in life were just repeated patterns of dysfunctional behavior. Once I learned how to find and heal those patterns, many of those poor choices were no longer an attraction.
Everything we do is a choice. Sometimes a choice works out well. Sometimes it doesn’t. We can blame a poor choice on lack of knowledge the first time. After that, it becomes a conscious choice. Some conscious choices become lessons, and some are fun to repeat just because they add to the zest of life in new experiences.
These days I do try to be more conscious of any possible detrimental outcomes of my choices. Other times I close my eyes, say a prayer and jump! Life is much more interesting and enjoyable when I grab my Taurus self by the horns and live life to the fullest. The more experiences I have, the more learning I can add to my life’s knowledge bank.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #15 of 28
CONTEXT: “My End Game Is True Fans…”
Effective communication makes life so much easier. But, just like a radio dial frequency, if someone else is not on the same wavelength, on the same energetic radio dial type frequency, communication will often fall on deaf ears with rampant misunderstandings.
Energy balancing and personal growth services is not something you can just cold call people to offer and make yourself known. People tend to get a little weirded out and or offended when they have no understanding.
For this reason, I just live my life purposefully like an open book sharing myself through my website and forums.
I am blessed to have a wonderful list of clients who are authentically “true fans”.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #16 of 28
METRICS: February 19th 2023 Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: I Decide What’s Realistic
My son is a gamer. He has graphics on his games that look so real that it looks like a real life movie. I have often shared with him my experience in Grade 7 when my best friend’s brother got a new Atari game system. We had been so excited to play Space Invaders which was a series of little icons and a shooting mechanism of lines for bullets to pop the icons.
Having had this as my first impression of video games, it is hard to wrap my head around how far graphics have come in making games look so real life.
But this is the way of the world now with CGI graphics and unrealistic stunts in movies. Everything looks so real that it is easy to fool any untrained eyes.
With social media being the new MetaVerse where real life experiences are duplicated online, it is even more appealing to gullible people.
Some days I am one of those gullible people. I have had a bad habit lately of getting caught up in watching silly animal and comedy videos altogether too much. I know I am consciously avoiding a pile of tax paperwork with these mindless distractions.
It is only me, though, who can take responsibility and accountability for these unnecessary habits. Procrasti-working doesn’t serve me well. I am a work in progress though. Some mindless distractions are ok as my form of meditation and brain reset breaks, but I also need to curb it and get back to reality more often.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #17 of 28
METRICS: TUESDAY – February 21st 2023 (FoF) – Balls to the Wall- Accumulation F2 Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Don’t Let My Intelligence Get in My Way…”
I have gone through phases in my life’s development. At one time I am sure I came off quite abruptly as a know it all. I have learned that this is a stage of trauma recovery. It was also because I was projecting energies.
Since I made a point of particularly clearing that energy from myself a few years ago, many people interact with me differently, and better.
I had a client a few days ago tell me that when I connect on Zoom, she says that I exude a quiet, humble “master” type energy. A confidence that appears that I know my stuff yet not overbearing about it.
It is nice to know that I come across that way to her, and apparently to others as well. When I get out of my own way, I can work more effectively with my clients.

Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux we shall now refer to you as “Jackie the Wise……”
Jackie Rioux: Brett Wininger oh dear….. you know that wisdom comes from poor experiences… and poor experiences come from stupid decisions….? I’m more a wise a** than a wise

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #18 of 28
METRICS: MONDAY- February 20th, 2023 12MOL (FoF) Finisher F2 (got my days backwards… posted after 7 pm last night, after new post was up).
CONTEXT: I Think Like an Investor…
Math and numbers are not my strong suit at all so “investor” hasn’t always sat right with me either. Through my time in this Story Athlete community, I have become more acutely aware of ROTI (Return on Time and Investment).
While most may still focus on monetary wealth and investing, I leave that up to my awesome financial guys.
For myself, I refer to Fletcher’s ideas about how his bookshelves are his most valuable resource because this represents his mindset.
In my minimalist collection of possessions, I have the most in books, and rocks. I go through phases of reading books through my life. Each time it is like I level up in knowledge and gained shared experiences. This is my kind of thinking like an investor. I invest in myself because this brings the greatest returns.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #19 of 28
METRICS: WEDNESDAY – February 22nd, 2023 5K Day Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Eliminate Inefficiencies…”
Email overkill and repetitive marketing is a huge peeve for me. I just cannot keep up with it and I actually shut down and delete instead of even attempting to read a mile long marketing campaign. I appreciate client emails and personal communication. Marketing emails are the bane of my inbox.
For some advertisers, they seem to say the same bullet points in every email, just slightly different each time they bombard you with another reminder or whatever program, product or service they are conniving you to purchase.
With AI becoming the way of the future, I am pretty sure I will be unsubscribing from more and more newsletters. I appreciate the Story Athlete method of just sharing our stories and attracting an authentic audience with engaging and interesting personal content.
This is my way of eliminating inefficiencies that are an unnecessary distraction and inconvenience for me.

Tim Kelly: Jackie Rioux I couldn’t agree more. Like most people, I get more junk email than actual correspondence.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #20 of 28
METRICS: THURSDAY– February 23rd, 2023 12MOD (FoF) Finisher F2
CONTEXT: “I Don’t Negotiate…”
One of my favorite quotes representing todays context is “If a man stands for nothing, he will fall for anything”.
It is super important to keep my boundaries strong especially when I work with clients so much. I am human though and I still have times that I fail, but overall I keep my circles small and in high vibration integrity.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #21 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Am Willing to Pay the Price…”
Raising kids on social assistance and then on limited income, I learned to be awfully resourceful. Also learned quality over quantity. Sure, buying in bulk or on sale may be a way to save some dollars, but quality lasts longer and is a better purchase in the long run.
I do compare prices and read the fine print for warranties and extras as well. Consumer education back in high school classes taught us about the supply and demand concept. Marketing strategies target human nature and the masses. I am not one to run out and buy every new fangled item on the market. I will wait until the glitches are worked out and get a better deal later.
I am willing to pay more for quality and customer service is a great bonus as well. I am to offer my clients a little more value in my services in going the extra mile with attention to their needs.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #22 of 28
METRICS: Reiki class then shoveling and more shoveling Snowmageddon yet again.
CONTEXT: “I Commit to My Everest…”
I had to laugh at “Everest” today. Sometimes we think we’re doing just great and other days we take a tumble down the mountain in a hell of a reality check showing where I still need to balance myself. Reiki class was great today. Student wonderful. Just other things gone sideways that I really hope will pan out ok in the end. Everest seems a little far today.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #23 of 28
METRICS: February 26th 2023 Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Build a Strong Foundation…”
We have several levels of consciousness: Physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, etc. Everything in our lives manifests first in our aura, then emotions, and then down to the physical reality.
Unresolved traumatic events repeat as dysfunctional patterns. Through energy balancing we can erase the patterns and create happier healthier lives for ourselves.
For me, balancing my energy daily is like a personal hygiene shower each day which continuously builds a strong foundation overall for my life.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #24 of 28
METRICS: MONDAY- February 27th, 2023 12MOD Finisher: Shoveling, still….
CONTEXT: I’m Not Afraid to Raise Expectations…
Back home there are two main bridges that cross the Skeena River. Many people “walk the bridges” in a huge loop around town. Years ago, a friend invited me to go walking. I quite enjoyed it and wanted to go more often. But that friend and other friends were not always available. I finally resorted to going walking alone and it became quite an enjoyable habit for me. I soon learned to not count on my friends for company and went solo on these walking excursions.
Soon I was taking road trips and going to events like concerts alone. I learned to dance to the beat of my own drum which means I don’t have to be concerned of anyone else’s expectations and I can set my own bar to any height I choose.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #25 of 28
METRICS: TUESDAY – February 28th 2023 (FoF) – Balls to the Wall- Accumulation F2 Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Pursue Non-Consensus…”
“Be in the world but not of the world”. I don’t even remember where that phrase is in the Bible, but it is something that has stuck with me all my life since church youth group days.
The idea here for me in understanding this concept is that Jesus ate with the tax collectors. These people in today’s terms would be called low life’s, and general consensus people you don’t associate with.
I tend to shine my light and be my bubbly little self no matter where I am or who I am with. Maybe someday I will inadvertently influence someone else to see life in a more positive way and maybe even change the course of their life towards something better and more positive for them.
I seem to be doing ok with this philosophy. Sometimes fate allows people or situations to come into your life to be able to see the influence I had one someone many years before.
This is probably one of the most gratifying feelings in all of life and I am grateful for those who have allowed me to know that I was a “forget me not” for them.
Forget me not flowers are part of my logo for this reason. A dear friend years ago told me I am a forget me not flower in that I leave an impression on everyone I meet.
This is part of my logo because in the work I do, we do not forget the past, but we can release the emotional charge to the upsets of the past and move forward with the soul lessons we were intended to learn in our human experience.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #26 of 28
METRICS: WEDNESDAY – March 1st 2023 5K Day Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Seek to Understand…”
One of the signs of emotional maturity is to seek to understand those who have hurt you in the past and to embrace diversity of opinions in the present.
My interest in behavioral psychology and human nature is rooted in my past experiences. It is only when I could understand the other side and the reasons behind the actions of the perpetrators I have had in my life, that I could finally let go and forgive them. Forgiveness and moving on into my own emotional maturity does not make any of their actions acceptable, right, or less hurtful, but it does disconnect the emotional charge of the upsets which allows me to move on.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #27 of 28
METRICS: THURSDAY– March 2nd 2023 12MOD (FoF) Finisher F2
CONTEXT: “I Reflect on My Results…”
Time to look back on the month and see where I progressed and where I need to continue to improve. Honestly, I thought things were going well this month but the last few days went sideways and I am feeling scattered and panicky. I am often too much in my head because working with clients and keeping myself energetically balanced requires that I am in tune with myself at all times. I need to work on balancing my priority tasks. This is an ongoing issue with me. I have courses to do, content to write, stuff to organize, books to read, home responsibilities, business responsibilities, etc. Sometimes I write a list and then just shut down and freeze not knowing where to start. So many friends think I have accomplished so much. Maybe I have but I am still human and, yup, I freeze and go do something else to procrastinate. I love that word “Procrasti-working”. I do continue balancing myself continuously and then get spurts of getting things done. That is the important part, continuous progress in the dance of life. Two steps back and then move forward more steps.
We had a little fiasco here the other day. My son noticed the washer drain wasn’t draining properly. I called one of my go to guys who does some plumbing work for me but this wasn’t his area of expertise so I called Roto Rooter. The bill was $280.35 for the approximately half hour this guy was here to snake it out.
This pissy part is that when my son came home from camp two weeks ago, he had ordered a gamer bean bag chair on recommendation from a friend. Amazon delivered 2 huge boxes of mini styrobeads, one cracked opened and omg everywhere. He had used a plastic cup to fill the chair then we figured out a more efficient filling system. Unfortunately, that plastic cup had ended up in the sink and some of those godforsaken beads got flushed down the sink.
Jared loves this chair. It is nice, but the beads experience was atrocious. My daughter is always washing towels for her reflexology client care, so I imagine some towel fuzz got in the drain too. The plumber said there was Styrofoam, hair, and debris in there. Anyways… it is all clear now, but that bill. Holy F. I was not expecting quite that much for a service call.
My son feels bad and initially paid for it, but we’re splitting between us three.
I just had my van in for an oil change and inspection. $260. Now I need to get front and back brakes done asap before my Vancouver trip March 20 week. The shop estimated about $2500. Yikes. Praying it will be less cost somehow. Feeling I should do the FCOA money book again…
I also talked to my accountant yesterday. Looking over 2022 taxes totals, I am going to have to register for a GST number and start charging clients this stupid Goods and Services tax because I went over the threshold income. Blessing in disguise I am hoping. This means a helluva lot more paperwork (did I mention I despise paperwork?) but it also means I won’t have a ceiling on my small business income anymore.
We got yet another dump of snow yesterday… only a few inches but may need another plow before daughter’s Sunday clients. Thankfully I have a new reliable plow guy now.
Some good news is that the Court of Atonement certification program finally launched and as Amy Jo’s original promoter, I am in the six-week program. I need to buckle down to get through the videos and homework this month.
I led two webinars recently and having completed those, I now have some ideas for more videos for my own YouTube channel content.
Those gastrointestinal scans and probes I did recently all have come back healthy and fine. Thankfully no stressors there.
Relationships this month. Not even gonna go there. Suffice to say I need to do some more work on myself to handle unexpected surprises.
As always, I know I can handle whatever comes my way and I have the skills to balance my energy and manifest a better future for myself… it is just that some days feel like they suck until I get my bearings again.

Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux you’ve had a very busy but allover productive month.
Often when we heard other’s challenges, we realize ours isn’t so bad……
Jackie Rioux Brett Wininger very true. Thank you.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #28 of 28
METRICS: FRIDAY– March 3rd 2023 FEB 2023 Final Workout
CONTEXT: “I Expect the Unexpected…”
I usually pride myself on being able to handle the unexpected, but when some unexpected things pop up in life, I can still get thrown for a loop until I get my bearings. Each unexpected event is an opportunity to level up.
I got triggered recently and a whole lot of dormant feelings came up. I think I have gotten my bearings again just in time to go through the FCOA certification. Already just going through the first day module, I am noticing some spectacular energy shifts.
See, when we work with energy balancing, we are always working on what is activated… so.. this recent upset was actually a blessing in disguise preparing me for what is to come. All good now.
I had an expected invitation to do two webinars recently that has now given me the confidence to do more of that kind of thing. Perhaps that will be my signature talk.
I just had some feedback last night from someone who watched those videos. She said I “easily light up a room and make a difficult topic seem easy to talk about”.
Quite humbling, yet so appreciated to have confirmation that I really have turned my past into my gift to assist others in their soul journey.
Another unexpected invitation is that I am going to be co-hosting admin on a large meeting webinar for the Tucson Dowsers tomorrow. They had noticed my participation and support in past meetings from the sidelines and have asked me to step up to assist in a greater capacity.
Here’s to learning more and leveling up my skills which will in turn assist me in upgrading my own business as well.

I am sitting out of March GRIT challenge as I am going to focus on FCOA certification, and will be out of service area/ closed during March 20 week for a road trip with my mom. I am manifesting having my brakes done less expensively than what was quoted to me last week… to be taken care of before my trip. *Prayers*
Maybe back in GRIT for April, we’ll see what happens before then… Thank you for reading this far, I appreciate you.

Guess who’s back, Jackie’s back… in GRIT!

SA-Name:// JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #1 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – “Stallion Battalion” Complex Workout F2 Finisher- 4MOD- Shoulder Sizzler (Modified standing push ups)
CONTEXT: “StoryAthlete Finds a Way…”
After a restless and broken barely 6 hour sleep due to an overdose of laxatives, I am rethinking my choice to jump back into GRIT this month. But I keep my word… Last month I said I would be back in January after a unintended 6 month hiatus.
I sat out of July 2022 GRIT knowing I would be out of service area a few times over the summer. Sh*t hit the fan in a big way soon afterwards though, and continued for several months. In short, since July 2022, our family knows of almost 25 people who have passed away under various circumstances. Extended family, friends, and friends of friends. Just a continuous landmine of grief. Of my three closest girlfriends from my hometown, 2 lost a child and one lost her mom.
I have been working on my own death related triggers and feeling helpless to assist others in processing their grief. All the while praying for my own children to be kept safe from too early a fateful exit.
I actually created a grief page in my site with resources to manage and cope through the grief process. Death is really just another cycle of the journey of life. Many clients and others have expressed appreciation for this resource compilation page.
On top of all this grief stuff, four of our five cats disappeared in a short time. I know they are alive through my energy balancing skills, but I just cannot find them. It is heart wrenching missing our beautiful furbabies and praying for their return.
I have been meaning to jump back into GRIT because I miss the connections with my team mates and the benefits of GRIT all around on my own personal well being. I have always appreciated this SA open-source community membership, but GRIT is where the magic happens.
As with many others, the months out of GRIT, I got lazy and uninspired. I cannot bring back any of the loved ones lost and it is up to me alone to make the best of my life while I am still here.
I appreciate Scott Mendell’s words of wisdom to me, “Just remember you are lucky when you have many around you dying. It means you have lived a longer life and are blessed to be where you are”.
And CJ Thomas hit the bullseye with, “it makes a massive difference which question you focus on: Is my suffering the worst? VS. Who am I going to become in the aftermath?”.
Who am I becoming? My heroic self! I know I am constantly improving and evolving. This is quite evident in the humbling feedback I have received from numerous clients.
I have learned to turn crisis into opportunity, and pain into freedom. I have learned to take awful experiences and turn those into my gift of wisdom to be able to assist others in their life journey. For that, I am truly blessed.

So why the overdose laxatives last night? Ryan’s scare a few weeks ago was a serious wake up call for me to get some medical issues followed up. Issues I should have taken care of 2 years ago. Yes, I constantly work on myself energetically so I have not really needed to go to the doctor much in many years. My small intestine has been coming up as an imbalance for a very long time now. I need to take my own advice in seeking medical assistance for serious issues.
I am booked for a top to bottom internal scope this coming Friday so, yup, need to flush out the system completely over a 3 day prep. From past experiences with hospital procedures, I have usually been pretty weak afterwards.
I am intending to be able to still participate in GRIT along with my team, for the full 28 days.
Because a Story Athlete always finds a way!
Jackie Rioux
Because you can always count on me for twisted humor: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1566708547088728/?s=single_unit
And if you dare read this, It is not an exaggeration:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/366370344212821/posts/633314080851778/
CJ Thomas: Thrilled to have you with us Jackie! Hope it’s all good news on the health front.
Sean Tjia friend of ours, airtag’ed their cat. location always known!
Jackie Rioux Sean Tjia Ours are microchipped. Unfortunately, too little too late on airtags here 🙁
Scott Mendell More power to you, my friend. The tough workouts are a laxative for the mind. It helps flush out all of the crap hold up in there. 🙂 Now both top and bottom can be clean.
Jackie Rioux Scott Mendell Good point LOL
Neil Sekol Jackie Rioux Hope everything comes out alright!
Jackie Rioux Neil Sekol Thank you. Right now like a freight train lol.. after Friday I am praying much better tho 😃
Brett Wininger Jackie Rioux glad you are back, I’ve missed your insights.
My wife lost her mother back in July so this holiday has been tough on her.
We have been walking thru it, step by step and day by day not always gracefully but so what
Life still gets done.
Jackie Rioux Brett Wininger I missed my GRIT buddies and your insights too.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #2 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Decide What My Name Stands For…”
Sharing a previously written context that is fitting for today.
https://ladybugwellness.ca/names-and-labels/

Joe Tedesco: Jackie Rioux I always enjoy your perspective, Jackie. It’s unique, piques curiosity, and is peppered with wisdom!

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #3 of 28
METRICS: 200 bicycle crunches, 100 wall push ups, all in intervals.
CONTEXT: “I Play for High Stakes…”
Although I could probably log 5K steps within the continuous “trots” I have had in the last 48 hours, today’s workout is modified since I feel like the shell of a plumped-up raisin with only 3 hours of restful sleep. Ginger ale has been my best friend the last 3 days to combat nausea.
I do so much of my own energy balancing and holistic wellness techniques that I really don’t go to the doctor very often. I have always had a “Go big or go home” kind of attitude.
Now that it has come time to get some medical intervention, we’re running the whole gamut of tests. In talking to the gastroenterologist, we decided to do everything at once rather than have to go back for a second procedure. I kinda wish they would put me out completely, but apparently, I will just be heavily drugged up and still need a babysitter afterwards.
I can’t remember the last time I was in the hospital for any sedative type poking and prodding procedures. Probably back in the 90s. I do not like being sedated/ drugged/ not in control. I did have some morphine for a kidney stone back in 2013 but it passed without invasive intervention. I seldom take any kind of medications so I have a very low tolerance for effects. I am a little apprehensive, but I have been working through in psyching myself, so I should be fine.
My “high stakes” today is on a metaphysical level as I did not realize when the specialist booked todays appointment that today is full moon in mercury retrograde.
Several years ago, my son was in emergency overnight. We spent hours upon hours waiting as there had been a major trauma MVA taking resources. Twice we witnessed someone in the nurses’ area lose their sh*t, psycho style. I realized then it was a full moon and mercury retrograde as well. The crazies come out in droves especially in hospitals and first responder situations, or anywhere severely energetically imbalanced people congregate.
I am praying for peaceful experience today. Here’s hoping the drugs wear off fast and I’ll be back to normal tomorrow. See you then!

Jackie Rioux: Follow up: Home now 330pm. Wasn’t anywhere near as bad as I expected albeit super uncomfortable for the last bit. Apparently, no kind of blockages found but they took a bunch of biopsy samples.
I am legally impaired for the next 24 hours so just taking it easy and catching up on sleep.
Another cool thing was that 2 nurses and another patient knew of Reiki and energy healing so intriguing conversations and not awkward 🙂
Brett Wininger: I agree with the Full Moon bringing out the craziness in people.
One of our Associates flipped out and made so many threats that we had to call the cops on him…
Jackie Rioux: yikes. Yup it really rattles the imbalances and brings them out in the open for all to see.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #4 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- “Heisman Hurdler” Hub-Spoke Workout F2 Finisher (4MOD)- “Sally Up Squats”
CONTEXT: “I Learn from My Mistakes…”
I learn from my mistakes, or do I? I can fully admit I did not usually learn from my mistakes early on in life. School of hard knocks here. I repeated many dysfunctional patterns because I honestly did not know any better at some points in my life.
And I fully admit that some “mistakes” were just fun to do again, but then they are not mistakes but poor choices.
Now, with age, awareness, and (hopefully?) some maturity, I wonder if it is prudent to call our past choices “mistakes”. They are more learning lessons. If we accept the theory of Divine Timing, we are always where we are meant to be in following our soul’s advancement and growth. This means that poor choices have given us a human experience that has built our character and followed our soul’s evolution.
What I have learned through my own experiences is:
1 we carry ancestral DNA memories and beliefs. These can be detrimental to our lives path now. We’re carrying “mistakes” and crap that isn’t even our own!
2 underlying non beneficial beliefs can wreak havoc on our whole lives and be a huge factor in the poor choices we make. Figuring out “who made our rules” and releasing these beliefs can be a game changer in stepping into conscious awareness.
3 We project energy, which can be from our own insecurities (negative) and or from our conscious awareness (positive). These energies as projected can highly influence our interactions with, and our perceptions of, the world around us.
4 we have access to all sorts of energy balancing modalities and knowledge to overcome our past and to create better choices for a more enlightened future.
Taking full accountability and responsibility for our all of choices, both great and poor, is the key to improving our lives on all fronts to a point where we can confidently say “I have learned from my mistakes”.
This is not to say we will never make “mistakes” again, but that we’ll have a new skill in being able to discern poor choices before they become a problem or a harsh life lesson.
Those who never make mistakes have never tried anything new and have not taken steps out of their comfort zone. This is truly a boring and soul sucking place to be, and not where I want to be.
I prefer to push the limits of my own comfort zone, to keep my own energy in check and to continuously raise my vibration to enlightenment.
Follow up: They weren’t kidding about “legally impaired”. Although I felt ok, I apparently was not very coherent for a while. (Apologies for any confusing messages to friends LOL).
The drugs wore off this morning and my insides were feeling awfully violated. I don’t even have pain killers in my home so I am thankful that some targeted energy healing has resolved the pain issues and I am feeling much better now. I managed to get through today’s workout slowly and only slightly modified. Looking forward to more sleep and stretch day Sunday.

Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux “Its All in Your Attitude” that was the slogan on a poster I seen at my daughter’s school.
So “mistakes” can be terrible or valuable learning lessons, just depends on perspective….
Mila Sharma: Jackie N. Rioux you are such an inspiration and thank you for sharing your journey! You definitely came into my life for a divine purpose 💕
Jackie N. Rioux: Mila Sharma Ditto! I am grateful for our connection!

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #5 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “Sometimes I’m Terrified…”
I do NOT like the feeling of not being in control of my faculties, being “out of it”, ungrounded, etc. Some people with deep trauma issues take mind altering substances to escape reality, to dull their inner pain. Others, like me, are hyper aware of our surroundings, always having an escape route at the ready.
Through many years of counseling, I faced those fears, but it has only been through energy healing techniques that I have truly been able to overcome many of the fears I previously had as a result of childhood trauma.
Sometimes medical procedures require being heavily sedated so you don’t have to feel the invasive pain and discomfort. I have only had a handful of these heavy sedation procedures. Tubal ligation, kidney stone surgical interventions, deviated septum correction, and dental surgery. Those operations were all over 20+ years ago.
This past Friday, I went in for an endoscopy and colonoscopy. I had been told that I would be sedated but not completely asleep. I was so thankful that each and every medical professional I interacted with throughout the day was compassionate and just wonderful.
I had been psyching myself for days beforehand knowing I would be sedated. My concern was that a tube would be going down my throat. After having deviated septum surgery years ago, I still have some breathing issues.
As I was rolled into the procedure room, the doctor was introducing himself and explaining a few things. I must have looked absolutely terrified when I asked if I would still be able to breathe. They all reassured me all would be ok. They must have given me a good dose of anesthesia because I don’t remember much of the hour-long examination until I came to just as it was almost over.
I suppose this is a great example of my severe trust issues. I am grateful the medical team was so awesome and took good care of me.
I have overcome many fears in my life. Trusting my wellbeing to another human being in the absence of my own conscious awareness is still something that terrifies me. But this also drives me to take my own health and self care seriously.

DAY 6 – January 9th – StoryAthlete Principle – I Win Over a Long Enough Timeline…
In a world obsessed with instant results, most people lack the vision, dedication, and imagination to pursue massive goals, long term. And because they can’t see past the next hour, week, or month, they settle for dopamine hits any way they can get them. The StoryAthlete understands that there are volumes to this saga. It doesn’t mean we’re passive, waiting for things to fall into place. But we’re not deterred knowing that we must stay committed for years. Instead, we’re excited about the high price of achievement. Because it ensures the kinds of results that will remain out of reach for others.
CJ Thomas Context:
“Throwback 3rd Century…”
About a week ago, fellow StoryAthlete, Glenn Forman, guided me through an energy healing session that I found truly beneficial.
During our session he commented that I had trauma in my lineage that had been passed down and dated back to the 3rd Century A.D.
3rd Century!
He told me there had been a curse placed on one of my ancestors at that time. And it had followed every generation thereafter for almost 2,000 years right down to me.
Now, before you scoff and dismiss this premise, I’ll admit that my rational brain is throwing flags on the play as well.
But, as Glenn explained, like everything else on this plane of existence that we’re all a part of, a ‘curse’ is nothing more than energy.
Everything from rocks, to daisies, to wombats, to humans has energy.
Vibration is energy.
Sound is energy.
Thoughts are energy.
Emotions are energy.
Spirit is most definitely energy.
And depending on the frequencies of those energies (which are measurable and provable data points) they may be contributing to your thriving status or responsible for you barely surviving.
Can Glenn really see that far down my family tree’s lineage by sensing my energy through a Zoom call?
You’d have to ask Glenn.
Some people can read sign language, Morse Code, braille, or hieroglyphics when I’m unable to do the same. Who’s to say Glenn hasn’t deciphered the language of energy in a way that seems impossible to others?
But what I find fascinating is that traumas and bad energy can be passed on to offspring in the exact same way as eye color, or jaw lines, or height.
It’s true, most people think of DNA as the blueprint for physical features and attributes. But that double-helix strand of building blocks also carries energetic elements that you can’t see (or maybe Glenn can) just by looking at a picture.
So, what if it actually is true that my family’s legacy from 200 AD to present comes with a hearty helping of bad juju in the form of a “curse”?
Does that mean the next 2000 years in my genetic tree have to play out the same way as the prequel?
Or can I be the linchpin that finally purges the energetic sludge and frees up my progeny for eons into the future?
I personally subscribe to the latter line of thought.
I can be the one who starts a new financial legacy.
I can be the one who starts a new physically dominant legacy.
I can be the one who starts a new energetically uplifting legacy.
I can be the one who’s done what nobody else in my line has done.
Because genetics are merely your prequel.
Epigenetics is where the game-changing magic happens.
The ability to grow a muscle rather than accept the default anatomy you were born with.
The ability to generate wealth and prosperity rather than continue the streak of poverty.
The ability to alter your mind, your thoughts, and your beliefs rather than accept the family heirloom of misfortune and mediocrity.
You too have to choose to release the traumas, offenses, and trapped energies from when you were eighteen years old, six years old, or even carrying a 2,000-year-old burden.
It’s less important the myriad of miracles and atrocities that got you to this day.
It’s only important that you decide from this day forth what kind of energy you want to write into the script.
Many thanks to my man Glenn for helping me clear the slate.
Here’s hoping you too will release whatever’s been holding you back.
Because together, I truly believe, we can co-author a grand masterpiece that blows the past chapters away.

Jackie Rioux: Sorry Scott Mendell I am stealing your first spot…. but I just have to say, I LOVE THIS POST!!!!!!!!!!!!
CJ Thomas This is so awesome you had a session with Glenn. I am doing a little happy dance here for you. Now wait til you notice how life changes around you now that those energetic blocks have been cleared. This is why energy balancing is my passion!!
CJ Thomas Jackie Rioux thank you!

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #6 of 28
CONTEXT: I Win Over a Long Enough Timeline
My newest book acquisition “Atomic Habits” arrived in the mail yesterday. I started reading it before sleep last night as a great choice for sleep time manifestation.
According to author James Clear, setting goals is a futile effort of setting us up for failure. Goals are all about striving for a destination and often we fall off track once attained, lose motivation, and fall into a slump. Goals also set us up for failed expectations if not attained.
The better method is to create and build onto tiny habits over the long term. Another good point to consider is that we can have good habits or poor habits. Over the long terms, good habits will seem to catapult us into a whole new level of upgrades in life, while poor habits will result in a much lower trajectory.
So, “winning” over a long enough timeline is highly dependent on our choice of habits.
When I look back over the course of my life, I can see where I made progress to a better place in life, and also where I seemed to flounder as well. I am not sure if I really had particular goals. I mean, I definitely wanted to be in a better place from my beginnings as a teen mom on social assistance and busting my butt to make a stagnant marriage work. Thankfully I am far from those days behind me. At this point in my life, I am quite comfortable. I have crossed off many accomplishments and bucket list checkmarks. I am constantly learning and evolving in my self empowerment path. To some this may seem like winning at life. Maybe it is. To others, my life may seem pretty average. Maybe it is.
The important thing is my own opinion because it is my life. My heart is an open highway and I am living while I am alive!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx2u5uUu3DE
Jackie Rioux Btw, I did see Bon Jovi Live and screamed along to this song.
Richie Sambora was a pretty nice highlight

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #7 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – “Arm & Hammer” Rounds for Time F2 Finisher- 4MOD- “Hangman Challenge”- the original GRITTY finisher (with many modified burpees since my middle aged bat wings are way out of shape :/ )
CONTEXT: “I Am Nobody’s Victim”
Fletcher has said many times that he would rather hear his kids say an exasperated profanity than to ever say “can’t”. I fully agree with this philosophy. “Can’t” is a cringeworthy term that screams victimhood.
Another philosophy regarding the word “can’t” is to replace it with “won’t”. This changes the dynamics from something victimizing to not doing something by choice. Whether that means laziness or empowerment depends on the circumstances.
Personally, I have a peeve with anyone who is too prissy and entitled for their own good that they won’t get down n dirty with taking responsibility for their own life and actions.
I fully admit there have been times that I just don’t want to do something and I will grumble through getting it done just because it is either my responsibility or there is no one else to step up.
I have survived much in my lifetime. I have turned victim into victor. I encourage interdependence with others rather than dependency that forfeits my dignity.

Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux yes, I agree the 4MOD O.G. was brutal. Also, I like the reminder of prohibiting the word “can’t.”
Joe Tedesco: Jackie Rioux HEY!!! I’m prissy and entitled 🤣🤣🤣
Brett Wininger: Joe Tedesco dancing GIF

Jackie Rioux Day of GRIT: #8 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Control My OPN…” (Own Personal Narrative) 
“Who makes your rules?”. This is the first thing that I rhetorically ask myself when I hear someone expressing some sort of limiting belief.
I grew up with all sorts of rules. Totalitarian rules. My father’s way, or the highway. Once I left home, I still subscribed to many of those former rules and realized that many did not work for me anymore. Maybe they never did. It was just a way to control me.
At some point in our personal growth development, we need to realize that our parents did the best they could with what they had, including knowledge. It is imperative that we unlearn everything we have learned up until that point. We need to relearn how to tune into our own soul intuition and align with Divine Truth so we are no longer so gullible and susceptible to outside influences that may, or more likely may not, be beneficial to our wellbeing.
Once I realized that many of the rules I had eons ago had influenced so many limiting beliefs I still carried, I was able to finally let go of some of them. Slowly I felt so much freer and truly inspired to create a better life for myself.
Ya, I am still human and yes, I still screw up royally sometimes, but for the most part, I am able to discern what is best for ME. I make my own rules now and my life is light years away from what it used to be.
So, who makes your rules?

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #9 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Break Free From Old Patterns…”
I am not fond of all sorts of distracting apps on my phone. I know that I have an addictive quality in my psyche, whether that is an ADHD trait or what, I am not sure. I know I get sidetracked easily so I don’t even have games on my phone. I can easily spend hours on Tetris, Maj Jong, or Solitaire so I don’t even install them on my phone.
I run a business though, and my phone is always with me. I am a mom and although my kids are all grown, I just find it comforting to have the availability of instant connection as a sense of security and peace of mind. For business though, it is not necessary to be available 24/ 7 so I do set my scheduler with respectable hours for booking clients, and direct all business communication through email.
Through all my time in this Story Athlete community, I have become more acutely aware of ROTI (Return On Time and Investment). I have realized that I have time management issues. I have taken measures to build new habits and to become more efficient in my time management, but this is still a problem for me.
My issue is with social media and “doom-scrolling”. I have a huge peeve with FB these days with all the completely arbitrary censoring and restrictions, yet, because I have a business and because many of my practitioner forums are on FB, I am still on there. It is a great way to keep a connection open with clients, friends, family… just everyone.
It is also a main source of practitioner information in my favorite forums.
I have most notifications on my phone shut off. A new notification popped up last week and showed me that I had spent 19 hours on FB in the past week. WHAAATTTTTT???????????????? That is like part time work hours!
I know exactly what the problem is….
My phone is also my wake up alarm, so it is beside my bed when I sleep. Learning about EMFs, I KNOW this is a bad habit to have my phone on my bedside table. Worse yet, those nights (too often in too long a time…) that I cannot sleep, or that I wake up in the middle of the night, I check the time, then get distracted with a sleepy one eye mindless FB scroll.
I could say that everyone has some sort of vice. Drugs and alcohol are obviously super detrimental habits, so scrolling social media isn’t that bad, right? I follow inspirational people, and my practitioner forums. I unfollow news and drama.
But when I am on a path to Becoming my Heroic Self, ya these silly mindless addictions are still just as detrimental to my wellbeing. Taking a periodic break to read something encouraging and uplifting can be a form of meditation, as long as it doesn’t lead to doom-scrolling mindlessly.
That pop up notification was a wake up call that I need to do better. This week I have been more consciously aware and noticing this habit to reach for my phone. Then choosing differently.
A much better choice is that I have James Clear Atomic Habits book beside my bed. Breaking old patterns works better when there is a better choice to focus on while I leave behind the old patterns that no longer serve me working towards a better future.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #10 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day
CONTEXT: “I Make Power Moves…”
I have an amazing list of clients that are just wonderful people to work with. I am super blessed! I often get messages of appreciation and feedback that clients have had profound and unexpected shifts in their energy since their energy balancing session.
My website has been created as a self empowerment resource, a gift to all who visit there. I often receive messages from all sorts of people all over the world who have found my website and who are grateful for all the information provided within this site.
My work is my passion, and the majority of people I work with have been incredible.
Every now and then I get a doozy. I am human, and I can sometimes still have some poor experiences and miscommunication.
A week ago, I went for a medical procedure and was kinda loopy with the sedative drugs. That is to be expected. However, energetically, the drug after effects can be detrimental to my energy vibration. With a lower energy vibration, it is likely that I can attract other low vibration situations such as trivial drama and other people projecting their insecurities on me. Knowing this, I have been working on myself to get my own vibration back in check. I have also worked with other practitioners as well in getting me back to normal.
I have had a great week working with clients again… Until last night.
A new to me potential client connected via messenger last Sunday. I had offered my website as a resource tool and suggested a few particular pages. This person was appreciative and seemed thankful for the information. She had some questions and I politely directed her to more pages in my website where information would be found to answer questions. Then she started sharing details of her situation. I suggested booking a session. She did… for her son. I offer sessions via Zoom and phone so clients can have the opportunity to ask questions and get more personal attention during their booked time.
This person opted for email only. I did the session and sent notes along with another suggested link to website to explain notes and inherited trauma.
Now, anyone who goes into my website knows quite quickly that my main niche is working with trauma, abuse including sexual abuse, and PTSD etc. I have quite a straightforward tone throughout my site encouraging self empowerment. Kinda like Fletcher’s filter of working only with the 5% of the population who align with our values and are a good fit to work with, beneficial for all.
There is a clear disclaimer in several pages saying I am not a counselor, I am a facilitator.
Well……. no sooner had I emailed session notes when I was bombarded with both emails and messenger messages – 26 of them!!! Repetitive questions asking for explanations, that she was having a panic attack, she wont sleep til I reply, having body convulsions, more questions and details.
In the midst of these message missiles, I politely replied that my answering questions outside of a booked sessions time, especially for information provided within my site, is a courtesy. I highlighted the explanations sent in the original email.
She wrote back apologizing for her inappropriate behavior, then accused me of being insensitive to vulnerable people and that I should consider how shocking my notes can be to someone so sensitive.
I am usually pretty upbeat and happy. I can usually handle a fair bit. This whole diatribe was upsetting to be on the receiving end and I felt personally attacked and upset. I was actually close to tears which is not at all usual for me in dealing with clients. I cleared a bunch of my own energies before bed. Thankfully I had my own session booked this morning with a trusted practitioner friend.
As a fellow practitioner, my dear friend can understand my upset. She was able to find and clear all sorts of back stabbing energies from this client situation, and just a few imbalances to correct from my recent scope procedure.
I am feeling so much better and now able to take my reins in again.
My “power move” today is acknowledging that this is NOT normal behavior from a client and sometimes you just have to fire your clients when things are not working out. Thankfully my scheduler has a way to ban certain people from booking in again. I did not deserve this kind of backlash when this person clearly did not do her own due diligence in reading through provided information.
I provide value and service to my clients. This is my passion and I refuse to allow someone to project their insecurities and misunderstandings on me and to attempt to derail my own progress. I am sticking to my 5%, thanks.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #11 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- “Heisman Hurdler” Hub-Spoke Workout F2 Finisher (4MOD)- “Sally Up Squats”
CONTEXT: “I Know Motivation Comes AFTER”
Mel Robbin’s has made her mark promoting, “The 5 Second Rule is simple”. The concept is that if you have an instinct to act on a goal, you must physically move within 5 seconds or your brain will kill it. The moment you feel an instinct or a desire to act on a goal or a commitment, use the Rule.
I watched her TED talk several years ago and this concept has stuck with me. No, I have not always implemented this rule, but awareness is a key start.
Case in point, yesterday was 5K day. I had not slept well so I did some morning intentions. I knew I had an early client appointment, then my daughter had clients all day as well. It was icy out so inside 5K it is. But when to fit it in?
5K takes about 50 minutes of loops around my house. I put on some tunes and got half in before my first client, then the other half in before my daughter’s clients showed up.
I did not feel like getting busy, but using that 5-minute rule and just getting moving before my brain can argue actually stirs up the motivation centre and feels pretty darn good.

Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux that’s being GRITty, once its was a stormy 5K day so I did “laps” in a one car garage….
I think I did a gazillion of them but it got done.
Jackie Rioux: Brett Wininger Try and sit still playing this…. 🙂 This was my tunes selection.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI13onszZAs
Workout Music Source // Club Night Workout (130 BPM)
Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux thats definitely some “toe tapping” beats you have there….
Neil Sekol: Jackie Rioux Found one that was really good. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRzWRZahOVU
Use This To Control Your Brain – Mel Robbins
Jackie Rioux: Neil Sekol a good to revisit for sure. Thank you
Neil Sekol: Jackie Rioux Thank you!!!

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #12 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Execute to Become Formidable…”
Since April 2020 when I first joined this Story Athlete community, I have sat out of the monthly GRIT challenge a few times for various reasons that seemed acceptable to me.
But, as many other of my SA member friends have reiterated, GRIT is where the magic happens. Sitting out of GRIT just means missing my friends, and losing any semblance of discipline to get moving, to get writing, and just getting things done. Execution for me means getting my sorry butt back into the monthly challenge and getting these workouts in so my body can handle life to the fullest.

Brett Wininger Jackie Rioux in here suffering together is where the magic happens.
Just like a honeymoon, this isn’t a spectator sport….

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #13 of 28
CONTEXT: I Define What a Hero Is…
I received a client email this morning, subject “Update”. There was a long story of all the amazing shifts and little miracles that have happened for her in the last few weeks.
The closing paragraph was:
“So! Stay tuned! I am doing so much more of my own energy healing now that I have so much of the info printed into my binders. I think I’m really getting the hang of “what works for me”. And you and Amy Jo have provided the most inspiration and resources for that. Thank you SOOOO MUCH! I am grateful to be learning from you and working with you. Hope we get to chat before too long”.
This is exactly why I do the work I do, why this work is my passion. Now, I could get all puffy chested and a swelled head boasting pride over this email feedback, but I know that I am just a facilitator. A healer is someone you go to that assists in bringing out your own healing skills.
The real Hero here is this client who is stepping up and upleveling her own abilities to empower herself and her family.
This is my definition of a Hero: someone who tunes into and embraces their own abilities, and takes responsibility their own healing journey. I am just grateful to be a part of their path for a time.

Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux it is a good feeling to see someone make changes in the right direction and have that front row seat, well done

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #14 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Pursue Peak Energy…”
I love that I have life hack skills with energy balancing techniques. Emotional baggage feels “heavy” and with this energetic weight, we can feel “depressed” and sluggish. The mind and body love to hide and bury upsets, to keep us in the familiar past. A way to keep us safe, even if that past in detrimental to our progression and growth. With all the training, knowledge, and experience I have behind me, there is not much that can hide from me. Energy always shifts somewhere, somehow, even if it is subtle changes.
The first noticeable shift when doing energy balancing techniques, is that I feel lighter. Quite often this is the first thing my clients notice as well. Lighter means more energy and focus.
To this end, yes, I am always pursuing peak energy. However, sleep is also a huge component in experiencing peak energy. Sleep time is healing time. For the most part, I have a get ‘er done kind of attitude, but when sleep is elusive for whatever reason, I find myself dragging butt badly through the day.
I am always a work in progress and this is my current issue to address. I am doing my due diligence in checking iron and mineral levels, getting blood tests done to make sure I look at all factors of why my sleep has been so messed up for several months.
God put me on earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now, I am so far behind I will never die. :/

Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux it’s amazing hearing stories of people that had some “inbalance” in their life.
Be it a contaminate from food or their home or work environment and until it tracked it down, they just stayed sick.
Jackie Rioux: Brett Wininger Yup. I see little miracles every day with the work I do. Find the imbalance and correct it, and everything flows better again

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #15 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Operate to Maintain Respect…”
I loved Toastmasters. I was in a local group for 3 years until I was sick for over a year and could not keep up with any of my obligations. After a multitude of tests, my doc finally realized I had an ulcer. That is another story…
My time in Toastmasters had set the stage for some time management awareness. I made several friends and I still maintain some of those friendships all these years later.
I have been in the Story Athlete community for the past 2.5 years. I appreciate the friendships and connections I have made through this community.
The common denominator in these two memberships is a level of respect and integrity. I know that if I make plans with any of these friends outside of our membership connection, they will show up on time. There is respectful communication which is the basis of good friendships.
I have brought these qualities forward within myself to all I do in life. From family to friends to clients… If I give you my word, you can count on me. I am also discerning in where I give my word. Time is a valuable commodity and I would rather not waste my time or yours.
There is a healthy dose of blunt straightforwardness throughout my website. I am not a counselor. I am not a fixer. I am a facilitator. Those that visit my website and are interested in energy balancing will find all the information they need to decide if we are a good fit to work together, and to decide if they are willing to do their own work as well.
I operate to maintain respect, and I appreciate my incredible list of clients who operate under similar philosophies that make our work together effective and rewarding.

Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux just like Fletch espouses …..”I like the way they think…..” that helps to repel the wrong people also and attract the right ones.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #16 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Take Ownership of the Outcome…”
Freedom means I make my own choices. I have come a long way to realize that I can makes my own choices and my own rules. But whatever those choices are, I also take responsibility for the consequences and outcome.
For me, this goes back to me being a teen mom.
I knew better. I dared fate and the result changed my life’s trajectory. I had to grow up fast and face life head on.
I could have taken the easy way out getting an abortion, or giving my child up to someone else to raise.
Maybe those choices are warranted for some situations. Not me. I took ownership and I made life work in my favor.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #17 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Share My Religion…”
Religion is for those who fear hell. Spirituality is for those who have been there.
I was raised in the Pentecostal church religion. I went to Alliance private Christian school until I got pregnant at age 16 and transferred to the public school system. It is not proper to have an unwed teen mother in a Christian school with all grades in one room.
In Philosophy 101 class, I shared what has become one of my favorite words of wisdom phrase “Religion is for those who fear hell. Spirituality is for those who have been there”.
The ensuing discussion decided that “religion” is a set of doctrines while spirituality is a more direct connection to God. In any religion, if you want to be in any chosen group, you have to follow the proposed doctrines. Looking back in history, religion vs state, and all sorts of deaths have been in the name of a church or religion. A method of overt control, influence, and indoctrination.
Religion is man made, and man will always fail at some point. Having a more spiritual direct connection with Divine Truth, with God, I feel, is the best way to navigate life.
While I understand the context today in “sharing our religion” being a way to share our stories and encourage others to follow our journey, I take issue with the word “religion” as I have explained here.
I am quite open to sharing my beliefs, morals, and my life’s journey in stories. I do not call this my “religion”, and I refuse to extort or influence over anyone to follow me or any set of beliefs.
I fully promote freedom of choice, whether I may feel that someone else’s choices are to their own detriment, it is still their choice and their consequence.
I do hope, however, that others may choose to follow me and be encouraged by my ‘light’ in the world to make better choices for themselves.
“Be in the world, but not of the world”.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #18 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Call My Shot”
There have been many times I have “called my shot” with a particular date to complete some sort of goal. I have failed to meet that goal date almost as many times.
I have come to learn that although I may fail on meeting deadlines on a physical date calendar, I am always in alignment with Divine Timing and those goals that are best for me to accomplish will get done when they are good and ready to come to fruition.
I am like the turtle and the hare story. Others may pontificate their lofty goals, some may even attain their goals. I am really only loud and proud when it comes to screaming at my rock concerts lol.
otherwise, I often just state my intentions with certainty then watch miracles unfold around me as I take steps towards my goals.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #19 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Create the Perfect Timing…”
How do I create perfect timing? By tuning into my own mind and body to balance out any hidden beliefs and energetic blocks that are interfering with my progress and optimal health.
I am certainly no medical expert, but I have some knowledge and experience under my belt that I can bounce off my medical professionals to make sure that we are taking care of my health in the best way possible.
I actually only go to the doctor when absolutely necessary. A few years ago, during a routine check up, my regular doctor discovered I had a fibroid. The specialist was awfully confused that I was not experiencing symptoms according to what the subsequent ultrasounds and tests showed. He was even more confused when I explained that I balance my hormones naturally.
Recently I went in for a colonoscopy and a round of blood tests. I have not received results from those tests so far. In my own energy balancing work, I have been working on thyroid issues. I put some of my knowledge together and confirmed my suspicions with my chiropractor. All those years working as a mail carrier, I always seemed to absorb stress in my shoulders and upper back. I figured out that C7 spine is connected to thyroid. My chiropractor confirmed that is exactly where most of my misalignments have been in all the 20+ years I have been going to see him. Now we are both curious to see what my medical test results show.
How does this all apply to creating perfect timing?
Thyroid symptoms are (according to Mayo clinic and Google):
• Tiredness.
• More sensitivity to cold.
• Constipation.
• Dry skin.
• Weight gain.
• Puffy face.
• Hoarse voice.
• Coarse hair and skin.
• Muscle weakness.
• Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness.
• Menstrual cycles that are heavier than usual or irregular.
• Thinning hair.
• Slowed heart rate, also called bradycardia.
• Depression.
• Memory problems.
I have every single one of those symptoms. Particularly, I have been feeling “behind” for so long that I cannot remember when I ever felt caught up on anything. That does not work well for planning or achieving goals. I can do all sorts of self care routines, but until I address the root issue – which I suspect is my thyroid – nothing will change much.
This is my priority right now to get this issue addressed asap so I can get back to creating perfect timing in a world of synchronicity.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #20 of 28
CONTEXT: I Choose Intensity…
I am feeling a little put on the spot with today’s context. There is a tiny voice screaming at me saying “I am cold, I am tired, and I just don’t want to!”. Whether that is considered my Lesser Self, my inner child, or a residual trapped energy from too many years of being forced past human exhaustion in a dead end job…. I am not fond of that voice, but it also has a point. Going back to yesterday’s writing about thyroid issues, I am very much looking forward to the 26th and the 1st when I get doctor results and feedback.
I have been slacking for far too long. I have been choosing the path of least resistance. I am freezing most of the time. Very low cold tolerance. Tired, blah… This is not like me at all.
Understanding that my issues are probably imbalanced hormones rather than just Lesser Self is somewhat of a consolation.
So, yeah, for now I am not choosing much for intensity, but I am choosing to address issues and get myself back to my normal Go Get ‘Em attitude sooner than later…
Press play and get at it…. Even if it is just F2.

Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux consistent movement over days and months even if its just a little is more productive than not doing anything at all.
Plus its doesn’t allow the Lesser-Self to “justify” not doing under “certain situations”……..
Someone will benefit from the stories of this journey in your life.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #21 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Don’t Harbor Anger…”

“If we knew the secret history of our enemies, it would be enough to disarm all hostility.” Longfellow
https://ladybugwellness.ca/the-secret-history-of-our-enemies-disarming-hostility/

Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux that’s very unfortunate situation for a 6 year old to have happen to them.
It seems that broken people have more empathy and understanding for other peoples brokenness.
You are taking your mess and turning into your message.
As Old Timers frequently shared, “we either get bitter or we get better,” and I’m glad you are choosing the latter

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #22 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Create Memorable Scenes…”
I have come to a point in my life where humor really has blossomed as a coping mechanism. Laughter is the best medicine. I was just having a conversation yesterday catching up with an old high school friend. It seems in our middle age, many dark secrets have surfaced from our childhood traumas. We have overcome that past in our own ways, now often surprised at the things that have come out about childhood friends.
The one thing we all have in common now is a twisted and dark sense of humor. I pulled out my high school year book and reminisced of days gone by with cherished memories. It is crazy now to think that what was once upsetting, is now a tale of memorable proportions and the source of our shared humor.
I have been writing more and more of these memories into a memoir. The yearbooks and late night chats with old friends are creating memorable scenes worth cherishing and sharing.
(By the way, I heard from doctor today. All recent tests are within normal ranges).

Neil Sekol: Jackie Rioux Great news about the normal ranges on the medical tests.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #23 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Inspire Through Progress…”
It sucks monkey balls in the worst way to lose loved ones to premature death. What is premature death? Was it really their soul time to leave the earth plane or are we hanging on to the idea that human life must be decades long to fully enjoy the human experience?
It sucks to lose our older generations and their wisdom as well. Did they document any of their stories for future generations to have any kind of manual and instructions for life?
I have lost way too many loved one in recent years. Every loss is unique just as each relationship with these individuals was unique. I have learned that I am just not good at losing loved ones. Each experience in the landmine of grief has thrown me off kilter and often heart wrenching tears for quite a while after the loss. It doesn’t matter that I had gone through this process a few times. It doesn’t matter that I have all sorts of experience and education in psychology, human nature, overcoming trauma. That all goes out the window when I have suffered through the shock and process of grief and loss.
But, I have learned coping skills. I have learned about the process of death, which really, is a fact of life. None of us are getting out of this life alive. So now it is my time to share what I have learned so I can inspire others to LIVE life after loss.
I have been invited to speak this evening on a Mastermind Class, to lead a discussion on the grief process.
I am looking forward to inspiring others through my own progress through these inevitable life experiences.

Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux a mentor of mind often shares the quote of……all great love-givers have scars….
Its those hurts and losses plus how we process them to gain the wisdom and insights to help us to better serve others

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #24 of 28
CONTEXT: “I’m Willing to Suffer for Others…”
With my interest in psychology, I am keenly aware of the power of words and grammar. I have learned that whatever we decide to place behind “I AM…” will create our life.
I have learned throughout my time in this Story Athlete community that I appreciate when my friends are accountable WITH me. We keep our word to the best of our abilities, and have clear communication if we cannot keep our commitments within reason. Life happens. We adapt.
I do not expect anyone else to suffer on my behalf, and I will not put myself in a position to suffer for others. I will however continue to be accountable to the best of my abilities and in that way I will suffer alongside and with my teammates.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #25 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Am Insanely Strategic…”
My first glance at this context prompt, my untamed Scrat brain thought, “Oh hell no I am not!”.
But then reading CJ’s context, I feel a little better admitting that I too rely on this SA community to keep me somewhat aligned with being grounded and business focused enough to progress forward with a little more grace and ease, and not my previously usual “blind elephant on a tightrope” dance with life.
I certainly don’t feel like I am insanely strategic on my own, but when I align with like minded souls, I can manage to keep some focus on the future and always creating a better life for myself, my family, and my business.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #26 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Live with a Sense of Urgency…”
CJ’s intro: “If I live to be 80 years old, that means that as of today, I have (80 – current age (37) = 43 years x 365 = 15,330 days left to live into my purpose. That number forces me to be strategic about how I invest my time”.

Holy molitas!!! I have kinda lived life with a sense of urgency up until now, but holy crap what a frying pan to the noggin when I put it in a matter of days left!
I am going to be 56 in May 2023. If I live to see 80 years old, that means 80 – 56 = 24 years x 365 days works out to 8760 days left!! Ermagawd!!!!!!!
I think my fight, flight, freeze, fawn response just kicked in.
I have got way too many things left on my to do list to just sit pretty and do nothing. Time to prioritize and get moving!

Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux at 80 years or 120, there will always be a “to do” list or that’s a bigger problem to address.

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #27 of 28
CONTEXT: I Reflect on My Results…
It’s been an interesting month here. I started off with a series of blood tests and a colonoscopy to address some medical concerns that I had ignored for the past two years. Bloods tests came back all within normal range. Nothing of concern with scope initially, however, I do have a follow up appointment for that this week.
I have not been sedated in over 20 years. This experience was interesting in that I realized just how badly my energy was affected with some weird stuff happening in the week following. Thankfully, I have the skills to balance my own energy and a few trusted practitioner friends to get me back on track.
Although blood tests came back normal, I am finding in my own holistic testing that I still have thyroid issues, this stubborn weight in my middle, and some other concerns. I am looking forward to what the specialist might have to say on Wednesday.
It has been good to be back “in the fold” as Nick said, (Thank you!!) participating in GRIT this month. It is good to feel obligated to my team to keep some sort of regular movement daily and to keep up with reading my team mates writings. However, I also find I carry a lot of guilt when I just cannot keep up with daily readings on top of my usual client emails and other communications etc. I know I need to time block and prioritize more. This is definitely an issue. I read Bob’s writings and others who talk about ADHD and I can relate to many of the traits but I refuse to get a diagnosed label or possible medication. I am searching for holistic methods in energy balancing to overcome this feeling on being constantly behind and scattered. I am in the midst of reading Atomic Habits and gleaning some baby step ideas.
As for the daily work outs, I find myself modifying the movements a lot and getting super frustrated with this abdominal bulge. It is worse than being 9 months pregnant, and this has been an issue for much longer than 9 months. Again, looking forward to what the specialist might say because not much else is working. I honestly am concerned about a tumor or cyst or something. This is what I have expressed to the doctors. I do have a family history of this kind of thing. My maternal grandma had a football sized ovarian cyst removed at about my age.
This SA community and the monthly GRIT challenge has made me much more aware and conscious of my habits and actions. My phone has been sending me a weekly app usage report. I am embarrassed at the time usage on Crackbook! I have been consciously aware and attempting to reduce that horrid addiction. However, I do find myself easily sucked into cute animal videos quite often. Animals are such innocent souls. I envision the sheer happiness of working with animals and how appreciative they can be with universal love. On the other hand, these cute videos also bring up memories of our missing kitties and that brings a whole other level of frustration with it.
In my work with some other intuitives, we know my kitties are alive and we are certain something nefarious happened with someone taking them away.
I love my clients, I love my family, I love my GRIT community, and so many like minded souls around me. However, there is a distinct division in this world which is so apparent with regards to animals and other innocent soul humans as well. There are people out there who are absolutely cruel and ignorant shidiots that cause issue for others.
I can tune into my cats’ energies and I know my furbabies are not happy, they are missing home here. I just do not have the skills to find them and that in itself is heart wrenching for our family.
Mind, body, business, relationships. Yes I do have some very apparent frustrations surfacing and continuing, but I also have some wonderful and continuous progress in each of these areas in my 1% journey. Onwards and upwards….

JACKIE RIOUX Day of GRIT: #28 of 28
METRICS: JAN 2023 FINAL GRIT WORKOUT Finisher: Shoveling Sh*t.
CONTEXT: “I Expect the Unexpected…”
We got a fresh dump of Sh*t No One Wants (SNOW) so no running outside today. My steps were modified with shoveling the driveway. I have left my writing til later because I had to calm myself down from my earlier resentment filled personal context prompt “The word for today is F*CK!!!!!!!!”.
Ya. I was pretty pissy this morning. I worked outside for 12 years in all kinds of weather. I have worked through so much resentment yet snow still triggers anger in me. I fucking hate winter snow and ice. Period. Sure, it looks pretty from the window. It is great if you’re into cold weather sports with fluffy snow out in the wilderness.
Snow and ice on our highways cause multitudes of accidents and fatalities every year with treacherous conditions (ya, I know lots is drivers’ fault…).
When it is everywhere in the way of our daily life, like driveways and walkways etc….
I spent enough years busting my ass carrying mail through deep snow and had my fair share of slips and falls and injuries due to icy conditions where cleats can’t save you….. This raises a level of ire and wrath in me that I still am trying to tame.
I had too many years of being broke and having to deal with this kind of thing with not much help. It is my one retirement luxury to be able to pay someone else to do some of this kind of dirty work.
But nope…. Cannot seem to find a reliable snow plow service in all my years living here. What ever happened to business ethics and effective communication with service workers?
The thing is, our driveway is long and thin. With nowhere to pile the snow. It needs an actual plow to pull it all down to the road and over out of the way. We can only do so much with a shovel. Even a snow blower isn’t really helpful with no where to blow the snow. And then we get another dump of snow.
I was born in the wrong part of the world. Warm heart, but very low cold tolerance. I get super cranky. (Now I am realizing that may be a thyroid issue?).
My kids have been doing the driveway a fair bit lately. We managed to find one guy with a plow last year, and once this past Christmas, but he ghosted me after that even though he loves when I bake goodies for him as a tip. He was great, but too many times broken equipment and now got a day job so unavailable.
This morning, with no one else around, I got out there to start moving snow before daughter’s clients showed up. When my daughter arrived, she jokingly said “I don’t remember ever seeing you shoveling”. Her comment pissed me off even more. She also never really saw how I busted my ass all those years raising kids.
Actually, she did see some. The year I retired, she was looking for work and I suggested putting in a resume with my previous job. I didn’t even get the words out when I was met with a string of profanities because she saw me after work enough times to know the sheer exhaustion I dealt with, not to mention the office politics…

I have put out ads and asked in groups about a reliable snow plow service but still nothing. So, until then, ya, I am super pissy about having to do our driveway with shovels.
I obviously need to spend some time clearing my energy on this whole topic, but this is where I am right now.
It is still coming down but I don’t have to go out til tomorrow so hoping I only have to shovel once again tomorrow, or by some miracle someone with a plow will come along.
I am hoping my “expect the unexpected” might be a decent reliable plow service popping up for us.
Tomorrow will always be a better day…

Stephen Nedd: Jackie Rioux I remember the 6′ drifts growing up in Cleveland and using the snow blower sometimes 3x/day and the wind would just blow the snow back to the driveway and after taking a shower I would look out and scratch my head wondering what the hell just happened!
Jackie Rioux: Stephen Nedd Yup. We get that here too. I am just done with it. But then… Warmer climates have all sorts of creepy crawlies and bite-y creatures. Can’t win 🙁
Stephen Nedd: Jackie Rioux I’ll take the little critters and warm sunshine any day over the windshield ice scraping, the nose hairs cracking when you breathe in the sub-zero temperatures, the icicles forming on your contacts, and the many days of dreary cloudy skies with no sun in sight. 🌞
Jackie Rioux: Stephen Nedd I have had the corners of my eyes frozen together with icicles on my eyelashes. Honestly, the only thing holding me back from moving way south is that I love my home, the cost factors here, and FAMILY. 😢
Anything could change though…
Jackie Rioux: Before i started… May be an image of car and snow
Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux I agree, being out in this crap on the farm makes it unappealing to me also.
Tractors don’t start, gates frozen to the ground, too many layers to take off going into the hog houses, hog poop freezing on your coveralls and many more….

***********Ended this month on a pretty sour note… I worked on myself lots of turned it around… See Feb Grit for more details 🙂 ****************

Day of GRIT: #1 of 28
CONTEXT: “StoryAthlete Finds a Way… ”

I am trying to think of ways to wake up with a smile. Not just a grin from ear to ear but a spring in my step, take on the day kind of S.M.I.L.E.
Here is what I have come up with as an acronym, but not necessarily in this order:

Sustenance: I have tried intermittent fasting, restricting myself on foods etc. I get cranky and nauseous. What I have found is that getting some protein in my body first thing seems to help regulate something in my body that gets my brain engaged rather than slogging through the morning and dragging butt the rest of the day. I have some supplements as well like magnesium, Vitamin D, chlorella, oregano, and ACV gummies that I take fairly regularly and those seem to assist in my overall well being.

Movement: Whether it is just some stretching, or doing the leg flutters part of workouts before I get out of bed. It is best to get my whole GRIT workout done first thing so I don’t have that “frog” weighing on me all day and then post late. I would like to continue getting more walking in this month as well, not just on 5K days.

Inspiration and Integration: Inspiration for me is in the form of reading all of my Story Athlete teammates posts and practitioner forum posts. Then Integrating what I have learned adds to my knowledge and skills as a energy balancing practitioner and this is my business as well.
I am a self proclaimed Ladybug Cheerleader. Honestly though, I have been falling behind on a few things. I need to find a way to get my own stuff done every day by shutting off notifications instead of allowing myself to get distracted all day.

Lavish: Shower and lavishing myself with self care. I do not function well until I have had my morning hot shower to wash off all the sleep and energetic dirt I have picked up through the night. Taking care of self first means I have a full cup with which I can better serve others.

Energy: The best way to handle anything is to keep my own Energy in check and balanced so I can fully be present and functional to be look after myself, my family, and my clients.

Of course, this is all in my own ideal world. As a Story Athlete, I strive to keep SMILE-ing but I also must be prepared to expect the unexpected and still SMILE each and every day. Always a work in progress…

Joe Tedesco: Great post! And I love that acronym!!

Day of GRIT: #2 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Know the Importance of a Tribe…”
I definitely know the importance of a tribe because I am the one who sticks out like a sore thumb in most circles.
As an energy balancing practitioner, I am blessed with a network of amazing practitioner friends and several forums where we can talk shop and understand each other with all the terminology of the world of energy healing, biology, psychology, and everything to do with holistic health.
Outside of those circles, I need to watch what i say because I get some pretty “deer in headlight” kind of looks along with rolled eyes from those not accustomed to daily miracles and taking charge of our own health and well being.
In a similar way, I have this beautiful community in Story Athlete where we strive for interdependence, personal growth, accountability, and responsibility in our journey to become our Heroic Self. Outside of SA, I get similar rolled eyes and misunderstood looks from those who would rather live a stagnant unproductive life of whining about their lot in life.
I appreciate the like minded souls I have found and continue to connect with in these circles. These are my tribe and soul family.

Day of GRIT: #3 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOL (FoF) Finisher F2
CONTEXT: I Know How to Differentiate…
Today’s context is about WHY anyone would want to work with ME over someone else. I think this is more of an important principle in generalized careers such as sales where the market is flooded and you really need to promote your “why” to stand out from the crowd because there is so much competition. The factors there are that a client will be more attracted to authenticity rather than a greedy snake oil salesman.
There is no competition in the field of energy healing. We all have own our unique gifts and skills even when we work with the same techniques. Clients are attracted to the energy practitioner that feels most comfortable to work with.
The Law of Attraction applies in all careers though in that the clients who most resonate with a particular person’s energy will be moved to work with that person.
This is my reason for continuously working on myself to project the best attracting energies so clients can find me and choose to work with me. I do find that since my background is overcoming trauma and I have several years of experience and skills in this field, that this a differentiation factor in why someone would choose to work with me.

Day of GRIT: #4 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Win the Day…”
To be an effective energy practitioner, the healer needs healing too. First thing this morning, a family friend who is also a Reiki student, came for a visit to “play” with energy. We did Black Pearl Technique sessions for each other. Super deep healing that processes for two weeks. My awesome plumber guy stopped by to install the new toilet which has never been replaced in my 16 years in this home. He’ll be back tomorrow to install a new furnace that has been on a lengthy waiting list. Also never replaced in all my time in this home. Looking forward to a more energy efficient model.
Next, my son’s daily thing is to go biking but his bike is in the shop so he came along with me for a more than 5K walk and played Pokemon Go along the way. Good time to chat and spend time with him and his game breaks along the way were great for small rests for me. It was a beautiful sunny day and +21C here.
Now I find out the context for today is I win the day. Oh heck yes!
Healing/ self care, movement/ body, relationships, writing/ mind, and my evening can be spent working on business stuff.
Got a new throne and new heat coming. I would say YUP I definitely won today.

Day of GRIT: #5 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Challenge My Beliefs…”
As we go through life, we learn life lessons through our experiences. We cannot possibly learn everything there is to know in one lifetime. Sometimes life lessons are pretty brutal and leave an indelible mark our lives in the form of hidden beliefs. These hidden beliefs are not always conducive to living a good life. It is much easier to learn through the experience of others by reading books and watching documentaries. Sometimes we can learn something new that challenges a previously held belief.
I love learning. I love collecting quotes, sayings, poetry, etc. Tidbits of wisdom that resonate with me, that challenge my beliefs and create a new way of thinking that can make my life better. My website is full of these kind of shared quotes etc. This was the original reason I started a website many years ago.
Through my own life experiences, I developed many beliefs and I have been quite strongly opinionated. A little bit of my German heritage coming out there in being unwavering in my indignant righteousness.
As I have matured, and as I have cleared my energy including releasing detrimental hidden beliefs, I have become more open to the idea that I am not always right.
These days I tend to align myself with Divine Truth constantly and to trust my intuition before accepting any new information as facts and new beliefs. Intuition is God Consciousness speaking from within.
More recently, I found a quote here in the Story Athlete community that I absolutely love and it is a good one to apply to life: It is from Ryan Sloper “I have strong opinions that are loosely held.”

Day of GRIT: #6 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Lead By Example…”
I used to tell everyone that I was a great example of everything to not do in life because I did it all backwards. I had a child at age 17, got married age 18, then graduated at age 19 when I was 6 months pregnant with the second kid. Then I went back to school for a degree in my 40s.
But did I really do everything backwards? Or did I just do things MY way and still led an interesting life.
I wouldn’t recommend having a child in teen years. I do recommend vetting out a life mate much better than I did jumping from frying pan to fire. Graduating wasn’t all the hype it was made out to be but I did learn a lot that has been beneficial to my life lessons and knowledge.
These days I prefer to lead by the example of just being genuine and living an authentic life of becoming my best self.

Day of GRIT: #7 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Pursue Non-Consensus…”
Of all the courses that I was required to take to earn my Associate of Arts degree in Psychology, the “Research Methods In Psychology” was probably the most influential on my life. We learned that absolutely any data can be skewed according to the narrative of who is paying for the research. Always look at the fine print.
I come from a background of walking on eggshells, watching for ulterior motives, anticipating “the other shoe to fall”. This was not necessarily a good thing through the first part of my life as it adds to anxiety and paranoia. Once I worked through personal healing and overcoming trauma, these traits become skills in critical thinking, and I am truly grateful for what is now a gift.
Critical thinking means I do not necessarily follow what everyone else is doing, but look for what is going on behind the obvious before I blindly follow along. I am human, I still can make mistakes in judgement and poor choices, but for the most part I feel like my life is in a good place because of looking beyond the smoke and mirrors for other solutions and ideas which would be considered “non consensus” in today’s world.
I love the quote, “Be careful when following the masses. The “m” may be silent”.

Day of GRIT: #8 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- AMRAP Gun Show Palooza F2 Finisher (4MOL)
CONTEXT: “I Don’t Have to Wait… ”
You may or may not know that I am a rock concert fanatic. Years ago, I hear that AC/DC had been in Vancouver but I missed that show. I was determined to make the 10 hour drive the next time they got any where close to British Columbia where I live.
Tickets went on sale in May for an August show. Sold out immediately. I missed it again yet I was determined to go. My shifts at work had changed. I was on rotating afternoon shifts which doesn’t allow for much planning ahead.
I kept hearing the radio playing AC/DC and promoting the upcoming concert, taunting me constantly.
How would I get there? How could I get tickets? Who would go with me? Nothing seemed to look like I would be able to get there.
I had given up on counting on any friends to accompany my last minute excursions. No one was quite as determined or as crazy as me.
The date was coming ever closer and I had all but given up on getting there. I was working until 1030 Friday evening. One of my coworkers knew about my plight and how upset I was. She asked me if I had heard that 200 more tickets were released that day. NO????? As soon as I went on coffee break, I was on the phone with Ticketmaster getting a single ticket. Just get me in the building!!
I let my kids know I was off and running with my plans and they made some calls between themselves. When I got off work at 1030, I picked up my 3 year old granddaughter, went home to sleep just a few hours, got up and showered and was on the highway by 4 am. Granddaughter got to sleep most of the ride until we got to my other daughter’s place near Vancouver. She got to visit Auntie for a few hours anyway. We took in the Science Centre, then I went off to the concert by myself.
My last minute ticket was an “obstructed” ticket since there was a huge speaker hanging down but I still had a pretty good view, and a better seat than our local radio guys who were also at that concert. Ya, one of their songs is “highway to hell”, but I was in heaven! I got my wish and the concert was awesome with pyrotechnics and drums!
After the concert, I picked up my granddaughter at almost midnight and gunned it home through the night. I was back in Prince George by 8 am in time for my next shift at work.
Yeah that was one of my crazier road trips only spending 11 hours in Vancouver and flying on limited sleep but the adrenaline was high and I had fun. I proved to myself that sometimes waiting can get last minute awesome tickets, but I don’t have to wait for anyone’s approval or anything else. This is the way the best memories are made!
For those about to rock, I salute you!!!

David Brown: It’s a long way to the top……
Jackie Rioux: David Brown one of my fave highway tunes!

Day of GRIT: #9 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Optimize My Environment…”
I keep ongoing spring cleaning rituals so I keep clutter at bay and my house appears fairly clean.
I try to keep my office tidy so I can work efficiently.
I keep my bedroom cleared of clutter so I can maintain optimum sleep.
Everything is energy and physical clutter and belongings can, and absolutely do, affect our energy.
But do you know what is the bestest way ever to optimize my environment? My INTERNAL environment.
Sh*t, Shave, Shower as my main morning routine.
Sh*t: Yup. There’s that old adage that you should always bet on the horse or dog that does its business at the starting gate. Know why? Because when you dump all the excess garbage and lighten the load, you can focus on full speed ahead!
According to Chinese medicine meridian charts, our bodies process through certain organs during specific times of the day and night. Sleep time is healing time and this is when our bodies go through a “defragmentation” in a human sense. Our energy is at rest time and not being used up for motion or thinking etc so it can focus on cleaning up all the accumulated toxins and purge them in the morning. This is why that morning dump feels SOOOO good.
Toxins in our body can contribute to lethargy, brain fog, and general listlessness. Fat cells also form around toxins to protect our body, so all the more reason to purge all that garbage. Including fiber and bone broth in my regular diet, and a dollop of coconut oil in my favorite hot drink always assists with the process.
Shave: well, professional swimmers shave every bit of hair on their bodies so they glide through water easily. In a similar manner, either getting defuzzified regularly or at least getting my hair tied back so unruly curls are not flying in my face as constant distractions is me getting down to business.
Shower: This is a non negotiable for me. I need my hot shower in the morning to wash off all the sleep, and energetic and physical “dirt”. This gets my mind and body in optimal shape for my day ahead. When I optimize my self-care environment, everything else just flows better, including all the internal sludge purge.

Day of GRIT: #10 of 28
CONTEXT: I Flex My Imagination…
Back when my daughter was in high school, she thought she was being pretty smart playing a psychology trick on me that usually ends up one way due to human nature. Unfortunately for her, my brain didn’t play along properly.
Name a European country that starts with D.
Name an animal that starts with E.
What color is that animal?
Normal people usually choose Denmark, elephant, and grey. My answers were Deutschland, ermine, and brown. I guess my imagination and brain processes don’t work as predictably as “normal” people.
I have since found out that there is more to this mind trick, but at the time I thought it was pretty funny when I dashed her expectations inadvertently.
This is just one of the many examples where I flex my imagination and think critically beyond the obvious. Who wants to be “normal” anyway?

Day of GRIT: #11 of 28
METRICS: 5K day Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Nurture an Abundance Mindset…”
I learned years ago that tithing opens the floods gates of heaven in abundance in ways you cannot even predict or fathom. It really is better to give than receive, and karma does come back to you in wonderful ways.
I remember being on social assistance with my kids as a single mom. I tithed my meager monthly cheque and I never had to go in for end of month food stamps. We always had food, shelter, and paid bills. Ok well maybe the bills I juggled a bit many times in my life.
The post office job was paycheck to paycheck but still, we had enough. I do remember though the first time I bought school clothes for my kids from a department store. I also remember the first time I took them for haircuts in a salon rather than “Mom’s snip and flush barber shop”. I learned to stretch a dollar sufficiently and our basic needs were always met.
Thankfully those days are long behind us. I have cleared all I can find of ancestral poverty issues and other money issues. Abundance mindset is much closer to me now.
I do tend to bitch and moan about rising gas prices along with everyone else concerned about global issues, but honestly, I do not look at the price of gas when I go fill up because I know I can afford it anyway and it is a necessity for my independence. I do my part to give back and pay forward where ever I am able to keep in the flow of abundance. I have the knowledge and skills to nurture an abundance mindset and I am ever grateful.

Robert Bell:  Jackie Rioux amen to that sister!

Day of GRIT: #12 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Total Body Accumulation F2 Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Take Advantage of Flow…”
Energy healing is all about addressing the blockages that impede the flow of life. I am so glad I am a energy practitioner because I definitely take advantage of my own skills to get in the flow for myself, my family, and my clients.
Being in the flow allows for unexpected miracles. It is a great way to live life.

Day of GRIT: #13 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOL (FoF) Finisher- Hub-Spoke F2
CONTEXT: “I Have Not Begun to Peak…”
Eons ago I used to keep a daily journal, from my teen years to early married years. Go to school, go to some activity, nap, watch TV. Then it turned to mundane daily married life. At one point I looked back through and realized it was the same boring stuff day in and day out. I tore up and burned most of those journals. Then I got divorced and went out and lived life. I was the DD in party days, the one everyone counted on to get them home safely after dancing the night away.
I went on road trips with my kids and created some fun adventurous memories.
I wrote a beautiful poem for the man I loved when I had to let him go because of outside factors keeping us apart.
I have had an extensive bucket list: rode an elephant; drove fast in a race car around a track; held a snake; swam with dolphins and sting rays; married and divorced twice; raised 4 kids to be productive adults; went on 3 cruises; went to a long list of concerts; I went back to school and earned a psych degree; retired after 26 years and now live my passion running my own wellness business; I have amazing stories of energy shifts with clients. Just so many things that could be considered a peak in my life.
For my recent birthday, my mom and kids teased that I am now considered senior for the Denny’s menu. We have flamingos decorations out in the yard.
Next week is Darrel’s birthday. I am having a hard time with that because for years I have always either at least thought of him or sent a message. Last year for his birthday, he was almost in tears with my endearing birthday wishes and reminding him of the poem I wrote for him. Little did I know that just 3 months later he would transition and my soul would want to leave too. I had felt like my life was over then and the last several months I have been trying to find my way again to see a future without him on the physical plane.
I have had so many peaks in my life. They are all now just treasured memories. I am still trying to find another peak to see the light in the future. It will come…

Day of GRIT: #14 of 28
CONTEXT: “I See Cause & Effect…”
Have you ever heard of the Darwin Awards?
According to Wikipedia: “They recognize individuals who have supposedly contributed to human evolution by selecting themselves out of the gene pool by dying or becoming sterilized via their own actions. The project became more formalized with the creation of a website in 1993, followed by a series of books starting in 2000 by Wendy Northcutt. The criterion for the awards states: “In the spirit of Charles Darwin, the Darwin Awards commemorate individuals who protect our gene pool by making the ultimate sacrifice of their own lives. Darwin Award winners eliminate themselves in an extraordinarily idiotic manner, thereby improving our species’ chances of long-term survival”.
Now, we all have done some “stupid” things in our lives in moments especially when our brains were not fully engaged to intelligence mode, but the Darwin awards are cases were someone did not see the cause and effect of their actions and ended up dying because of it. Ya, it’s unfortunate that people died, but if you read through some of the posts in their website, you cannot help but laugh. Many of the stories were people caught up in emotions of anger or revenge and reacted in ways that ended in tragedy. Many of them were “instant karma” kind of situations. Some were just plain stupidity.
I have always said that lack of knowledge isn’t necessarily ignorance, but I also agree that you can’t fix stupid.
I do my best to see the other side of situations before taking any regrettable actions. Part of my learning is sometimes reading through the Darwin Awards and learning from others’ mistakes so I can add to my knowledge of extreme cases of causes and effects.

Day of GRIT: #15 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Know Quit is a Parasite… ”
I have never been a quitter. Always pushed through when I needed to keep my word. There’s been times that I have changed course and not necessarily finished a particular trajectory, but I still kept going no matter what. If I quit one thing, it might turn into a pattern of quitting other things. That is not my character!
I remember dropping a course from my psych program schedule, but the career counselor told me I didn’t “quit”, I only audited the course so it didn’t count against me as a quit. That made me feel better.
Right now I am kicking myself though. Last summer I signed up for an Akashic Records Reading course with a fellow Emotion Code practitioner. I listened to a couple videos and honestly, her voice was not resonating with me right then. But I had already signed the contract for an $800 CDN commitment. It is a self study course and looks like it covers a fair bit. Just days later, another Akashic course came up. This one was all bells and whistles. A 12 week interactive course with a member portal that tracks progress and a deadline date. I contacted the instructor and explained I already signed up for a course and spent lots, but this course looked more extensive. There was a retreat that was quite promotional explaining the benefits of this course. The instructor sent a few personalized videos saying, “well, see if you can get out of the other contract”. I told her that is not my integrity to back out of a signed contract, but I signed up for this new course anyway to the tune of $2700. CDN!
I figured both these courses would add to my already extensive toolbox of energy modality skills as a benefit for clients. On a personal level though, I wanted to learn more about my soul connections with my soul mate. This instructor told a few stories about things she has learned about her own life purpose and how this new knowledge improved her life.
I told Darrel about this course in what would be our last conversation as he passed away just a couple weeks later. I was a wreck for a while and didn’t touch anything with either of these courses.
About half way through the live calls part of the course, I figured I better get back in the saddle. I realized in the private group there were some vocal victim type people. I actually blocked one person as I could not stand the energy resonating there.
I got on a couple calls and listened in at least. There was a lot of repetitive promotional talk about the courses offered and how to start your own business. Great information for beginners, but a lot of what I already know.
Over Christmas I again put everything on the back burner and got busy with everything else but these courses.
In January they announced an actual deadline for certification June 30 2022. I worked with some of my practitioner friends on my own resistance to completing this course. Interesting imbalances came up. The biggest one being the resentment of paying so much for this course when so much of it is so repetitive. They do have great marketing and all the bells and whistles. I guess I have been feeling gullible yet trying to find something in this course to learn and put to good use.
I ended up starting from the beginning several weeks ago and getting my nose to the grindstone in getting it all done. The member portal is great to track progress, but the content… I am still having a hard time with aligning value to cost.
There is not much for meat and potatoes, and there is a whole lot of fluff and promotional talk. I now realize that those original stories that enticed me to sign up for this course are actually part of the second level in this program, not this beginner level. I am not willing to pay another few grand for the second level though.
I am not quitting, as I only have days to completion. I know I can get it done and over with. I’ll try to find some nuggets of wisdom and at least the certification means I can offer a new paid service to my clients. I have my practice sessions lined up and the finish line is on the horizon.

Day of GRIT: #16 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I’m Not Afraid to Get Dirty…”
Years ago I did a lot of local fashion modeling shows just for fun. I grew up in redneckville though, and I also love mud bogging, trail riding, camping, etc when I get the chance. We used to joke around that we’re make up to mud in 60 seconds or less.
I am not afraid to get dirty cuz that is where all the fun is!!
Sharing a fave video from years ago. I am NOT that kinda girl 😛

Day of GRIT: #17 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOL (FoF) Finisher- Countdown Workout F2
CONTEXT: I Identify My Lies…
How many of us were told that if we swallow gum, it will take 7 years to break down in our tummies? Or that our eyes will get stuck that way if we cross them too many times looking at our siblings? Or that we’ll go blind if we sit too close to the TV?
Our parents did the best they could with the knowledge they had, but as we grow up and often use these same mistruths on our own children, we realize the lies we tell out of frustration are from repetitive programming from our own childhood.
Then we realize that we have been programmed by society into believing all sorts of things about the food we eat, the environment around us, our bodies, just everything. What is the real truth?
I have found that the best way to discern truth and what is best for ourselves is to remove the energetic blocks to our own progress. Yeah we can remove physical things from our environment but the energetic imprint is still there and until that is fully addressed, the issues will still be festering under the surface.
Energy balancing is the method I use to identify hidden detrimental beliefs I have acquired through my life that no longer serve me. This method makes way for clearer thinking in releasing brain fog and confusion which in turn gives me better discernment skills to know what is truth and what is not good for me.

Day of GRIT: #18 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “My Preparation Pays Off…”
The other day, I was pretty choked and resentful that I signed up for this course and it really seems like a beginner course more suited to people that are new to energy healing and are just starting business service offerings. So choked about spending so much money. Just not in a good head space about it all.
I am almost at the finish line though, just need 15 practice sessions to submit for certification. I got quiet, went within and kept asking why, what for, and what am I supposed to be learning or getting out of this process and this course? There are energy activations for practitioners and then the fancy certification at the end as well. Apparently, that is what I am supposed to get out of this course.
I resolved to get down to business with it and get ‘er done. Yesterday I had the first 2 practice sessions. I have worked with all sorts of clients for several years, but this is a different process and I was quite apprehensive of what would come of it all. My intuition has been pretty on point for a while now, but I have never been particularly visual. Our spiritual gifts are called “clairs”. My gifts have always been claircognizance, a sense of knowing and clairsentience, a sense of feeling. Clairaudience (hearing) has heightened in recent years, but clairvoyance (seeing/ visual) has never been a skill for me.
With both of these practice clients yesterday, visuals came through in flashes that surprised me and were spot on for these clients. One of my regular clients yesterday told me that something with me has definitely up-leveled. Today, I feel much more accepting that despite my impressions the other day, this course must have done something to shift my energy vortex in miraculous ways for others to notice this much.
I guess my preparation thus far in all my other trainings and finally getting through this course has paid off in bigger ways than I imagined. Onwards and upwards!!

Andrew Cline: Jackie, this is so interesting to read. I’m happy for you that there is another level you are achieving.

Day of GRIT: #19 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Total Body Accumulation F2 Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Optimize the Process…”
I have realized and healed many poverty patterns through my family lineages. Early on through childhood, I learned to be very resourceful which was a skill needed when I raised four kids on a shoe string. I also learned that Quality is so much more important than Quantity. This means that I am willing to pay a little more for a product that is well made, functional, and won’t need to be replaced in the near future. This philosophy extends to caring about the global environment,
wildlife, and our personal impact on others as well. Disposable items affect our world detrimentally.
I despise clutter. I know too well that everything holds energy and our environment can affect us energetically so best to keep our home, sleep, and work environments optimized as a important part of self care.
We often talk about optimizing our environment already, but what about processes? Our environment is thought of more as tangible, but we can have other kinds of clutter as well. Digital clutter, brain fog, toxicities within our bodies, excess body fat, etc can affect our processes as blockages and hindrances and can hold us back in the bigger picture in the process of life as well.
During my time in this Story Athlete community, I have learned and solidified the reasons that systems are crucial to amplifying our Return on Time and Investment. Having an organized and efficiently condensed work space using effective systems can optimize not only our environment but also our processes.
Paperwork, finances, and my penchant for hoarding extensive energy healing and personal growth information can be a mundane project to keep optimized. I am so glad I have finally learned to use Excel docs to my advantage to optimize the process of keeping my business running smoothly and being able to serve my clients more effectively. Yes I have extensive information, a Quantity. By optimizing my environment, my processes, and my systems, I have created condensed Quality that I can easily share with others to assist them in their own journeys.

Day of GRIT: #20 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOL (FoF) Finisher- Hub-Spoke F2
CONTEXT: “I Don’t Need Permission…”
For 26 years, I booked my holiday time by weeks available on the work calendar. My life revolved around being a corporate slave. It took me several months to finally let go of that “jump when I say jump” feeling once I retired. I felt lost quite honestly. Yesterday was the 6 year anniversary of my retirement date.
I lived so many years of having to plan my road trips, family activities, just everything around my work shifts and schedule.
Now I look back and wonder how the heck I ever held a job for so many years. Now I am free from that prison of a life. I make my own rules and my own schedule and I don’t need permission!

Day of GRIT: #21 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Leg Day Complex-Palooza F2 Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Commit to Do Hard Sh*t…”
I have been coasting along making my own schedule and enjoying life for a while. I love my scheduler. It takes care of time zones for me and my clients can book in wherever they like according to the parameters I have set up to allow me to have my own life and take care of other responsibilities.
Normally I only allow for four appointments a day so I can give each client my full attention for the time slot allotted for their session choice. Thankfully all what I do with energy balancing benefits me as well.
Some energy practitioners get severely drained in working with clients. They call themselves empaths. I say they have bad boundary issues. The methods I use in my toolbox benefit my clients tremendously, and I have respectable boundaries for myself so I do not get energy drained.
I left this Akashic course to the end and close to the deadline for certification. I am kinda kicking myself on that now as I have 15 practice sessions to complete and submit by June 30th in between other booked appointments.
To accommodate, I opened up my schedule to allow for 6 appointments a day, which I know from past experience is a busy heavy day for me.
Thankfully this work is so rewarding and encouraging. My scheduler this past week, and next week is full of pretty colors and booked solid with different appointments.
I have committed to a lot of other versions of hard sh*t in the past. I am so grateful that my life has come to a point that a full schedule is my “hard sh*t” for today, and it is more intellectually exhausting than energy draining. A restful sleep is in order and back at ‘er tomorrow. The course finish line is in sight. Goodnight!!

Day of GRIT: #22 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Celebrate Small Victories… ”
I remember reading in a John Gray book years ago how he explains that men and women “keep score” differently. According to his philosophy, men tend to give massive points for one effort of action, while women tend to add up points for all sorts of little things. This is apparently why there are so many jokes about how some men brag about taking out the garbage as there big effort for the day that allows them to put their feet up for the rest of the day, while women tend to have a lengthy list of chores before they feel they have earned the luxury of ever putting their feet up.
Of course these are all stereotypical generalizations, but I find the psychology of it all intriguing. This philosophy did make sense of my marriage 30+ years ago.
I still take to take on a fair bit of responsibilities, but I make it fun by celebrating small victories when I cross items off my to do list or complete a goal.

Day of GRIT: #23 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Diligently Document the Journey…”
There’s meme going around social media that says “I am glad I was born before the time of internet and video so there’s no record of all the stupid sh*t we did”.
I can agree with that sentiment in that there are some things we may want to leave in the past, but when we have kids and grandkids, some of those stories become family legends. Reminiscing of those times are reasons for belly laughs way into the wee hours of the morning. Some things were written down back then, other events weren’t. I am not one for too many techie things and apps but I found Otter app that transcribes conversations so when I decide to tell one of those tales again now, I can add the transcription to my ever evolving memoir that my kids can cherish as my legacy long after I am gone.
Thanks to my time here in Story Athlete, I have become more aware and more diligent with recording my stories effectively.

Day of GRIT: #24 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOL (FoF) Finisher- Countdown Workout
CONTEXT: I Trust Myself…
Years ago I read a book called, “The Gift of Fear” by Gavin deBecker. This was my first realized that my inner voice was an innate truth detector. While the book doesn’t talk about intuition and energy particularly, it describes this innate safety feature we all have but most people ignore.
It’s that vibe when you make a last minute turn in a different direction but not sure why and later find out there was an accident along that path.
Or, for me, it was sensing something very wrong when I was in the company of certain people and I didn’t feel better until I removed myself from their presence. Only to find out later there was some deceitful or otherwise harming towards other kind of behavior they were involved in.
Energy doesn’t lie. As long as I am grounded and tuned into positive energy and Divine Truth, I trust my inner voice to navigate my life and to keep me safe.

Day of GRIT: #25 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Learn From My Mistakes…”
I am about at the finish line here. After 2 weeks of fully opening my schedule to accommodate 20+ practice consult sessions along with my regular client schedule, I am finally ready to get 15 of my practice consults together for submission. This has been an interesting process and not at all what I expected to learn from this course. The member portal is set up wonderfully to track success. There are all sorts of bells and whistles with lots of videos (which honestly are a whole lot of repetitive fluff, and all sorts of fancy PDFs you can download, nice music etc.
But where is the “meat n potatoes” I was led to believe was available in this course? I now understand that what I was hoping to learn is in the next level choices of three different courses with promotional propaganda that is reminiscent of the QVC shopping channel. Special deal for you for an assortment of prices, act now and save more except for these hidden costs, but you’ll get bonuses as well.
A whole lot of double speak.
Yup, I am frustrated and pissed at myself for signing up for this course. Where the hell was my head? Being gullible to the fancy and enticing promos obviously.
I am blessed with a wonderful network of experienced energy practitioners, proficient in several modalities. I have connected with several of them in the last few weeks and each one has reiterated that I should have tested for the level of truth and benefit I would get from this course. Yes you can do that with energy and being intuitive. I didn’t do that process, even though I KNOW I should have. But here we are, and “should” is a low vibration guilt ridden word in itself. This goes back to my original early reading of Power vs Force where it is explained that a business focused on money and greed is a very low vibration.
Of all the trainings, courses, modalities, books, memberships, etc that I have ever paid for, this is by far the most expensive course ever. The value of return comparatively, in my opinion, is almost nil. I know a fair bit about marketing: Creating urgency, exclusivity, etc. But how they calculate the value of courses, I have no idea. This one was on steroids though in their claims of value.
What am I going to learn from this mistake? A repeated lesson of listening to my intuition and inner guidance rather than allowing my head to be swayed by fancy bells and whistles that amount to a whole pile of fluff.
To find the silver lining here, I do think this course would be great for an absolute newbie that has no experience whatsoever to compare experiences to. It would be great for someone who loves sales and marketing and excessive promotional work.
For myself, at least a course is a tax write off for me. There has been some interesting information develop with some new clients, but the best thing of all was that I got to work with several amazing potential clients and many of them were interested in becoming clients for other services I offer. So that is a win for me.

Day of GRIT: #26 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Total Body Accumulation F2 Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Supply My Character with the Needed Tools…”
I took an Excel course eons ago but obviously didn’t retain much. It was only two years ago thanks to ideas I have picked up from entrepreneurial business minded friends that I figured out how to use Excel to my advantage. Have you got any idea how beneficial this has been for me and my business, and my personal digital files? Ya, I know I have mentioned this before, but OMG what a life changer having everything organized, easy to find, and easy to share.
it really is true that when you have the proper tools that life can be so much more efficient in all areas freeing up my time for more important things… like enjoying summer!!!!!!!!!!

Day of GRIT: #27 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOL (FoF) Finisher- Hub-Spoke F2
CONTEXT: “I Reflect on My Results…”

My focus this past month has been getting this course completed. Today is the deadline to submit all my practice session notes. I feel like all the stress is coming to an end. Like Alice Cooper’s School’s Out song lol.
Ironically this course is all about quiet and meditation and tuning into our inner guidance.
The last two weeks, I have opened my schedule full on to accommodate everything I needed to do for this course plus my regular client and family obligations. It has been a good reminder why I usually have my scheduler set to much less responsibilities in one day and why it is always best to get things done much earlier rather than cramming at the end.
I have been like a loaded freight train the last few weeks with a 1000 watt headlight heading for today.
Now the load is being lifted and I feel like I can enjoy freedom a little more for the summer.
I know I can just drop everything and go have fun, but I also know that fun will be weighted with guilt if I don’t prioritize my goals first then have some freedom and fun as my reward.
So, while this load is lifted, it is time to take on another goal/ load and keep on track to whatever new goals pull my heartstrings.

Day of GRIT: #28 of 28
METRICS: June 2022- FINAL GRIT Workout
CONTEXT: “I Expect the Unexpected..”
Today is Canada Day! After a hiatus for obvious reasons, we are now back to celebrations in the park. My daughter has, for many years past, participated in the vendor fair at our local LTM park. This has always been wall to wall people, music, food trucks, and a whole lot of opportunity for visiting and networking.
This year, daughter is now offering mini reflexology sessions so she needs someone to man her creative artisan side of the booth while she spends time with clients. That is usually my job. We have learned in the past that I am a really good chatterbox that keeps potential customers around long enough that they’ll usually buy something just because they didn’t skim by the booth.
Well, the other night, I received a message from a family friend coming into town and their family needs a place to hang out and sleep for the night. I have always told my friends that where I live is a hub that they need to pass through to get anywhere. Our home may not be five star lodging, but it is great for a pit stop, potty stop or overnight. We’ll make room and have a great visit too.
Time to juggle responsibilities again to accommodate vendor fair and company coming. Getting Vitamin M completed and GRIT posted first off is #1 priority today. Integrating Mind, Body, Business, and Relationships. I wonder where I learned that concept…
Got ‘er all done earlier and forgot to post…

Day of GRIT: #1 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) –Pyramid Sets F2 Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “StoryAthlete Finds a Way…”
I love when information I already knew is put into a different perspective and explanation where it just hits home and makes so much more sense. This past month I came across a YouTube channel where Dr Tracey Marks discusses all sorts of traits of ADHD. Now, in energy work, we do not work with labels and diagnoses. We work with the underlying causes and the resulting symptoms.
Personally, I do not like psych labels and I refuse to have a doctor tell me I have an ADHD label. Labels are just the opinions of a professional based on a set of traits observed. However, I am intrigued with all things psychological relating to human behavior.
Watching these videos and taking in a new twist on previous knowledge along with new terminology gives me a new focus to play with in working on myself and also with clients.
One of the traits discussed in the videos is procrastination and the time crunch deadline rush. That is a frying pan over my head! I have been targeting, energetically, the associated brain regions that operate executive decisions in order to overcome procrastination and lack of motivation.
So far so good. I feel like I have newfound optimism to get some of my goals done. Such as the Akashic course I wanted to complete by May. In real time, I have a deadline of June 3 2022 to complete 10 modules and get certified. I have gone into our private group and called my shot there. Accountability. Turns out there are a few others in the same delayed time frame as myself so my post may have given them a needed push as well.
I am going to have to bump up the 1% journey idea on this project this month. But I will find a way!!

Niki McCormick: Jackie I will have to check your YouTube recommendation out. I’m fairly certain I have ADHD as well and I for SURE have procrastinating. I live in a chronic state of stress and I’m finally at the age I can feel it.
Jackie Rioux: Niki, This was the first one I watched

Why People with ADHD Procrastinate
Bob Little: Jackie, that is a good way to light the wick for others and to keep yourself moving forward.
Joe Tedesco: Jackie Rioux What is Akashic?
Jackie Rioux: Joe Tedesco soul records reading. Being able to go into soul records helps figure out life patterns so we can make better choices for our future. Kinda an amped up version of what i do already with more details.
Joe Tedesco: Jackie Rioux ah… I see. Sounds cool!!

Day of GRIT: #2 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOL (FoF) Finisher- Countdown Workout F2
CONTEXT: “I Partner With Complementary Strengths…”
I have previously discussed a time in my life when I seemed to attract all the wrong kinds of people around me and those days were not very fun. Quite stressful actually. These people were unreliable, lacked integrity, and were generally unsupportive. This really sucks when I didn’t have a whole lot of my own skills. I had many poor experiences with service people like mechanics, contractors, etc, but I also did not have reciprocal and empowering friendships either.
Once I started taking control of my own life, I learned that I had projecting energies of low self esteem and shame which attracted all this turmoil into my life to highlight what I still needed to heal within myself.
As I continued my life journey, I learned how to identify these negatively charged projecting energies and to clear them away to make room for good things in my life, to uncover my authentic true self.
Then I began to attract some amazing people into my life. I have managed to find and keep a wonderful mechanic, an appliance repairman, and a plumber that are skilled in their trades and also most importantly, reliable for me.
My career as a postal worker came to an end when I transitioned to living my passion through energy healing modalities and empowering clients to heal their past experiences as well.
in energy healing, I do not feel there is competition between practitioners as we each have our unique gifts and strengths. This is an area of my life where I definitely partner with complementary strengths in having a spectacular network of other energy healers I can count on if I ever feel the need to refer a client to someone else with a different specialty needed.
Life can be wonderful when we connect with and are surrounded by like minded souls.

Day of GRIT: #3 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher 4MOL “Bear With It”
CONTEXT: “I Earn My Reputation…”
My reputation is the sum of other people’s opinions of me, merged with my aligning actions that may or may not support their impressions of me. Technically, other people’s opinions of me are none of my business but when it comes to putting myself out there in running my business and attracting clients, what do I want to be known for? What is my character that shines through?
Of course I want to be known as someone trustworthy, approachable, compassionate, and effective in my work. Someone who leads my own life with self responsibility and integrity. Have I succeeded in earning that kind of reputation? Thankfully I do have some wonderful testimonials from clients that assure me that I must be doing something right. I also have many stories from friends and clients that are connected to Ladybugs and my sentiment I am known for in saying “Ladybug Hugs!”. Ladybugs are a symbol of hope, freedom, and prosperity.
I have mentioned previously that I often clear my own energy of anything that may be detrimental to attracting good things into my life, energies that I may be projecting that may give an adverse impression and a poor representation of my character otherwise known as my reputation.
These projecting energies are like a neon sign on our foreheads that others “see” energetically, and they treat us accordingly.
In working on myself the last few days, I cleared a broadcast message of “others are threatened by my power”. This got me wondering what may have created this projected energy within me.
Today’s context prompt got me thinking of what may have been my previous reputations.
I was once known as a shy and naive “loser” back in school days, then as a teen mom. I was known as a “barefoot and pregnant wife” for a while, then as struggling single mom. When I cut loose from all that stagnancy, I was known as the designated driver. I “partied on air and water” then got everyone home safe.
My children’s father started judgmental rumors that created a less than stellar reputation for me for a while in our small home town. Did I earn that scornfully misunderstood reputation? I hope not.
I was known for being “your friendly neighborhood rockin’ postie” with the weather report when I called the local radio to chat with the radio guys when I was out walking my route.
I took on a second job at a local nightclub to support my kids. I was known as the “Genny beer girl”. Working two jobs for two years, I was so exhausted that Ozzy’s “Crazy Train” song became my wake me up theme song. With all I handled then, my kids and friends started calling me “the captain of the crazy train”.
My friends know I have a silly and twisted sense of humor and I am always saying “At least I am good for entertainment”.
In Toastmasters, they taught us to introduce ourselves with something memorable that people would remember later on. I often joke about being a Taurus redhead, German, Irish, and a (former) postal worker. I have become known for last minute road trips and rock concert excursions. With these reputations, I started introducing myself as “the crazy redhead”, and it stuck.
Years ago, a dear friend told me that I am like a forget me not flower, meaning that when people meet me, I leave an unforgettable impression on others. (I hope so!).
When I started learning all about energy work, my mentors told me I had a very strong energy. I appreciate being able to make an undeniable impression on others, but I would like it to be a good one so I have had to learn to temper my energy and particularly address any projecting energies.
One thing that particularly stands out for me in this moment, is remembering a guy I dated almost 10 years ago. He seemed to love so much about me in the months we were dating, but his parting words to me were “do you really want to be known as crazy? Grow up”. (Ironically, he was younger than me!). I figured out he was really not a nice person and I saved myself some grief there, but you can bet that I worked hard on clearing my energy from everything associated with him and his horrible impression of me.
These past experiences all have formed an impression and created opinions in others that in turn becomes my reputation. In various ways, I have earned each of these reputations. Past experiences have given me the gift of wisdom and knowledge. I trust that now my character and my reputation have evolved to a point of being a person of integrity that leaves an unforgettably good impression on all that interact with me.
Ms Ladybug at your service!

Day of GRIT: #4 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Protect My Time… ”
Is CJ a bug on the wall somewhere with the choices of contexts that kick my ass?? Do I protect my time? Yes and No.
No, because I have always taken on new things, mostly courses and then I need to create another 10 hours a day just to devote time to getting the courses done. Is that a priority? That all depends on my interest.
No, because I can so easily get distracted with memes and videos. We have a family chat that is quite busy between us with all the shares and chatter. That is besides the communication from friends and clients. or well meaning friends who send me “this is really important” kind of videos. You know, the ones that get accounts hacked. Ok, those get deleted, not opened, all good.
No, because I am known to drop everything and rearrange my schedules to take off on road trips and concert excursions. Is that a bad thing? I don’t think so. I stay prepared and ready to go so I do “save time” there and can live on the fly. I also prioritize time for visits with loved ones. I think that is my biggest priority these days. Having lost a few loved ones so far when they were in the prime of their lives has given me quite the mortality check. Loved ones come first for everything these days. I just found out yesterday that one of my trainers “dropped dead” of heart attack after a walk with her husband. Her most recognized legacy is an amazing energy balancing modality she created. Life is just way to short and when life gets snuffed out like that… Yes I protect my time and my priorities.
Do I ever protect my time otherwise? Yes, definitely. I choose to ensure that those around me are well aware of time when it comes to errands and self responsibility. We can’t control waiting times but I can make use of times like that for reading GRIT contexts on my phone or other useful tasks. I remember reading something not long ago about being late or inconsiderate of time is actually a disrespectful theft of time.
I have created some systems in my business for filing and efficiency which also protects and saves my time. I have shut off notifications on so many things. I do not like or need all sorts of bells and whistles and apps. Keep it Simple and Sovereign, thank you.
My time is still an area that needs a lot of work, in my opinion. I do protect my time, but this is also according to my own priorities, not anyone else.

Day of GRIT: #5 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Am Hyper-Observant…”
I went through a lot of years of calling myself scatterbrained. I figured it was inherited from my mom who also had 4 children. I remember so many times trying to talk to mom for whatever reason, and she would be off in la la land. We’d have to catch her attention first.
My kids have many similar stories of me as well. As a single mom of four, this can backfire when I asked the kids what they were doing and they would say “but you said we could”. No, you little monsters misunderstood my delayed reactions and responses.
Looking back on these experiences with all the knowledge I have now, I understand that stress and trauma can cause a person to disassociate and become energetically ungrounded.
I always had an interest in observing others, people watching, human nature, and most of all, psychology.
I am thinking this interest came from trying to figure myself out!
Fast forward to now when I think I am somewhat hyper observant when it comes to human behavior. I tend to lean a lot of my intuition to pick up energetic vibes, but I also love crime shows where behaviors, motives, and after effects are the key focus. My favorite psychology classes were social psych, abnormal psych, and operational psychology which focused on behavior and interactions as well.
Where this applies for me in real life is understanding what is not said in my client sessions. When a client explains their concerns, the hamster wheel in my head is churning with ideas of what to look for as energetic imbalances.
For the most part, I have addressed my past and have not referred to myself as scatterbrained in a long time. I work on myself regularly to keep myself grounded, and therefore aware of the environment around me. But, if I get stressed out for any reason, or otherwise distracted I can still have some moments where my adult kids tease me relentlessly for missing the obvious in front of me.

Day of GRIT: #6 of 28
CONTEXT: I Am the Stabilizing Force…
I am the eldest of four girls in my birth family. I was a single working mom juggling kids and life. Because of all my previous experiences, I was the one my friends turned to for a shoulder when needed.
Years later, ironically, I have become and energy balancing practitioner. I am the stabilizing force in many ways, for the benefit of myself, my family, friends, and clients.

Day of GRIT: #7 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Pass the Test…”
Me in school days: “What test? There’s a test? I haven’t studied! I’m not ready! What is the test on? OMG I am so screwed!”.
Even if I did study, quite often I would get what I now know to be called “test anxiety”. My mind would go blank, I would stare at the questions and second guess all of my answers.
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Some quotes on tests:
“In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson”. Tom Bodett
“Life has many ways of testing a person’s will, either by having nothing happen at all or by having everything happen all at once”.
“This life is a test-it is only a test. If it had been an actual life, you would have received further instructions on where to go and what to do. Remember, this life is only a test”. Jack Kornfield
“Life is a test. It is only a test–meaning that’s all it is. Nothing more, but nothing less. It is a test of our convictions and priorities, our faith and faithfulness, our patience and resilience, and in the end, our ultimate desires. It is a test to determine if we want to be part of the kingdom of God more than we want anything else”. — Sheri L. Dew

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When my kids were growing up, life was so hectic and I honestly thought I failed my kids because I was always working, not really involved with the parents groups, etc. I remember my kids bringing me request forms for driving for field trips. I could never participate because I was working to support my kids. I was guilt ridden most of the time.
We never went without though. Bills were paid, food on the table, and a roof over their heads. Years later, I realized when my kids had their first jobs that I managed to instill in them some good work ethics and independence. Maybe I hadn’t failed after all.
My journey of life has had my fair share of trials and tribulations, as we all have. Life itself is a “test” as the above quotes suggest. I don’t think we ever know if we passed the test until we face the Pearly Gates and meet our Maker. When He says “Well done, my good and faithful servant”, then and only then will I know if I have passed the test.

Day of GRIT: #8 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) –Pyramid Sets F2 Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Commit to Move…”
Vitamin M(ovement) is probably the most important vitamin our bodies need, especially as we age. Muscles will atrophy when not used. It is like with everything else in life, change is the only constant so if we are not changing, evolving, growing and MOVING, we die. Simple.
Through my experiences as an energy balancing practitioner, I have come to understand that we have physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual bodies. We have more than that actually, but that explanation is for another day. We can have energetic blockages preventing us to commit to our goals. These are like hidden beliefs we have developed due to past poor experiences.
I have had past experiences where I was forced to work to the point of over exhaustion in inclement weather conditions as part of my job for several years. I had experiences from childhood where I was forced to walk to school in nasty weather as well. Understandably, I developed quite a sense of resentment and resistance to exercise. Thankfully those days are long gone in the past, but I carried forward many of the trapped energies. This is something I have had to work through continuously to re commit regularly to moving and getting some exercise into my days.
Ironically, I have often said that I have nomad blood because I have a hard time sitting still. Funny thing because I do all this energy healing stuff but I cannot sit still to “meditate”. Not my thing at all lol. I would rather clear my energy and then just get moving.
Ian McLeod shared today some advice suggesting to get 5-10 minutes of sunlight within 30-60 minutes of waking.
Interesting… I have a blackout blind in my bedroom as the sun shines directly on that side of the house. I have been “trying” to get my butt moving earlier so last night I made sure the blind was a bit open so I woke up to sunlight this morning. Yes it did encourage actually getting up. I am re-committing daily to get moving and keep moving.

Day of GRIT: #9 of 28
METRICS: Long walk with mom and son, stretching
CONTEXT: “I Strive to Be Indistractible…”
I read our context prompt last night and my inner Scrat was feeling awfully singled out. Scott has his daily CJ ribbing and that gave me quite a laugh. Nick posted this morning his context and my inner Scrat just loved his post as I can so relate to distractions everywhere. Bells, whistles, notifications, well meaning friends sending funny videos, FB news feed showing everything of the latest global distractions like the Depp trial and whatever is going on in Europe area, clients sending messages for “just one thing please”. Students having questions that cannot be answered succinctly through text…
I signed up for that Global summit back in March and inadvertently got added to several mailing lists which crammed my email with spam and repeated information to the point that some of my important client emails got missed for several days until I got the email list curbed. OMG!!!!!! One of my biggest peeves is email overload mailing lists with backasswards sneaky sales tactics.
I have signed up for at least 6 courses in the last while. Five are self paced and untouched. I cannot seem to juggle my time to devote to these courses in between all the rest of everything going on with family and clients and home.
I glean all sorts of ideas from my entrepreneurial friends here in the SA community. What I have realized is that many have a wonderful system they have built to handle a client load and then put their business out there. I have had my business bumping along well enough for years but only developed better “Return On Time” and “Return ON Investment” systems in the last two years all while running my business. So I feel like I have been completely behind with revamping so much to better serve my clientele and students, yet I have actually come so far as well.
I love to read all my GRIT mate contexts, all of them. But I keep falling behind on that as well. These are inspiring and meaningful, and I get ideas as well. But honestly I often wonder how anyone else handles daily things like cooking, cleaning, errands etc all while running a viable business and all those responsibilities. I have had chats with my daughter because some days she does absolutely SFA, yet other days she has full day of clients, gardening, courses, reading, and promoting her business on social media with cute personally made videos and memes.
I wonder what is wrong with me that I get completely overwhelmed and shut off to stare at the wall a few minutes here and there and feel like I haven’t accomplished anything comparatively. Then my daughter reminds me that I worked full time while going to school and raising kids and now have a wall of certifications to show for it. I had 4 kids in extracurricular activities several days a week. I worked two jobs for 2 years, seven days a week at one point all while having an errant teen that stressed me to the gills. (She is a wonderful mom now, all these years later). Yeah those days were stressful and the laundry often got behind until I delegated the kids to be accountable for their own chores.
What happened to that brain I had that handled so much just 15 years ago? That is about how long it has been since I started taking courses, and running my business… and getting buried in the details of paperwork and filing, and computer techie stuff. Maybe I am not doing too bad after all.
I sat out of GRIT back in March 2022 because I just got so overwhelmed and needed to recoup. I re-evaluated all my sources of continuous information, my social media groups etc. I pulled back on everything and turned into a hermit in cocoon mode for a month only addressing the basics of family and client needs. I shut off ALL notifications and anything that was a distraction.
That all helped tremendously to get myself back on some semblance of feeling in control again. But I still feel “behind”. I am taking baby steps now, otherwise known as the 1% journey of a little bit each day towards focusing on my goals and projects.
I come by this all honestly though as it seems to run in my family. (The buck stops here with my energy healing skills though!!). Yesterday morning my mom posted in our family chat message board “will be coming to visit either tomorrow or Thursday”. That was at 1050 am. Then there was a message “leaving town now”. We were all confused as to what the plans were. Mom arrived yesterday evening after a 6 hour drive. Apparently she forget to hit “send” on the first message the day before.
All good, we have learned to expect the unexpected and accommodate. Instead of the usual Thursday GRIT videos, my son, my mom, and I went for a long leisurely walk for an all inclusive Vitamin M. I am getting this posted now, as she is leaving in the morning to go see my sister 8 hours away then will be back next week.
While I do strive to be indistractible for the most part, some days I win and some days I scrape by. My inner Scrat is still alive and well while I am hanging on for dear life.

Day of GRIT: #10 of 28
METRICS: 5K day Finisher- 4MOL- “Bear With It”
CONTEXT: “I Am a Marketer…”
I have an absolute peeve of marketers that use the vague MLM style tactics to entice gullible and vulnerable customers and clients to pay fortunes of money they don’t have for services and products they really don’t need. Not only that, sign up and get bombarded with millions of emails of useless and repetitive information. I absolutely abhor these spiels.
Because of past poor experiences with sales pitches and falling for some myself, with huge regrets, I have had resistance to calling myself a marketer. However, I am learning more and more through our SA community that sales and marketing are an area of psychology as well. I love psychology and human behavior. I just don’t like how the aforementioned sales people take advantage of human behavior.
SA community is much different. Like Ryan says, MLM’s are the fastest way to lose friends. Here, we have a much different approach of sharing our stories, becoming our true heroic self and filtering out those followers who do not resonate with us. That leaves room for those who do have a keen interest in our stories and inspiration.
In that way, yes, I am a marketer. I am tired of my past story though. Struggling teen mom is so behind me. I want to reinvent myself and reinvent my story as well. Then I will be more on board with putting myself out there even more.
Day of GRIT: #11 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Gun Show Complex-a-palooza F2 Finisher (4MOL)- AMRAP
CONTEXT: “I Investigate My Doubt… ”
Eons ago I had no idea what intuition was. I didn’t understand the cautious voice within me. Over time, and after a lot of poor choices, I started to understand these inner warnings. These vibes that felt like doubt.
Sometimes it is great and necessary to forego the butterflies and follow our dreams to achieve our goals, but it is also wise to question the doubts to discern whether they are just butterflies that need to be trained to fly in formation, or actual bad vibes of warnings to avoid that path ahead.
I am still human, and I still fail once in a while. Thankfully life has become much more synchronistic as I investigate my doubts before responding to a situation or opportunity.

Day of GRIT: #12 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Don’t Break the Chain…”
“I think I can, I think I can, I think I can….”.
I may be dating myself as “The Little Engine That Could” is a timeless American folktale published in 1930 and one of the popular stories from my childhood. The story has been used to teach children the value of optimism and hard work.
This positive affirmation is just the right encouragement I need to keep going day by day, little by little, the 1% journey towards becoming my Heroic Self. With all my past experience though, I keep telling myself “I KNOW I can…”. Just keep moving forward and don’t break the chain of daily progress.

Day of GRIT: #13 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOL (FoF) Finisher- For Time Sandbag Over the Shoulder Throws
CONTEXT: I Create Memorable Scenes…
“Unlike most in society, when I think of the word “legacy” I don’t think in terms of monetary assets or public recognition. I think about memories created and preserved. My life, and therefore my legacy, is a collection of my experiences. Money comes and goes but memories backed by stories are priceless. A legacy asset means – should my kids decide to read my stories to relive my memories, they will be there waiting. From beyond the grave, I will be there to encourage and inspire. Uplift and push”.
My grandmother used to keep a journal, then at Christmas time she would send off update letters to all her friends. I continued with this sort of memory keeping ritual through my life. Much of this time capsule of my life is in hand written notes in a treasure box. With the age of internet, many of my writings were shared via a website, social media, and email.
My time within the SA community has inspired me to gather all these writings into one organized memoir. Some days I feel like I have accomplished much on this monumental mission. Other days I just want to cry thinking why bother and what for. Having lost loved ones early in their lives, seemingly with their music still in them, has given me a sense of mortality check. That our time is so finite. What are my priorities? How should I be juggling documenting my life while still enjoying the present with loved ones to create future memories?
Then I receive a message from a client or follower and realize why I do all that I do. I realize that there are people out there who have stumbled across my website and have found some inspiration and encouragement through my writings and stories.
It makes it all worthwhile. Even on those days when my inner Scrat has been flung off his hamster wheel and is desperately hanging on for dear life. I have systems in place now. It is just a matter of organizing everything into these systems.

Day of GRIT: #14 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Accumulation F2 Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Refuse to Box Myself In…”
I got out of a stagnant 10 year marriage, then a two year marriage, and never looked back. Back then I started to believe that men were just speed bumps in life. Maybe, maybe not. I just know that I have never let anyone box me in since then. I live life on my own terms.

Day of GRIT: #15 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) –Pyramid Sets F2 Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Am Brutally Honest…”
I grew up in redneckville where there was a whole lot of bartering and horse trading type deals. On one hand you might find someone who came from the era of “my word is my bond” and sometimes you’d get stung with a shady “I’ll be honest whit-cha” type character.
I’d like to think I have always been the honest type. I mean, according to one birth chart reading I had years ago, I am the type of person that treats everyone the same whether a prince or a pauper.
I have learned that you cannot “put lipstick on a pig” or “stick a flower in an a**hole and call it a vase”.
I also learned in Toastmasters the “sandwich” idea of constructive criticism where you offer an area of improvement between two or more encouraging compliments.
I seem to have lost my brain to mouth filter sometimes and I know I can come across as abrupt and super sarcastic most of the time. Yet, I have many clients who have expressed that they appreciated my compassion in energy healing and assisting them to heal their past upsets.
There are definitions of tact that I love: “telling someone to go to hell in such a way that they consider the trip”, or “lighting a fire under someone’s butt in such a way that they feel comfortably warm”.
I used to be super sensitive to criticism years ago, probably due to past experiences of bullying in school days. I have absolutely no patience whatsoever for cruelty and outright stupidity, but I am also compassionate enough to understand where someone might be genuinely hurting emotionally and showing outward effects of that pain.
I would like to think that I am honest but not exactly brutal in my delivery.

Kelly Robb: I love the criticism sandwich!
Jackie Rioux: Kelly 3 years of TM taught me a lot about connecting and conversing. The sandwich idea is super beneficial among peers.
Jackie Rioux: Kelly 3 years of TM taught me a lot about connecting and conversing. The sandwuch idea is super beneficial among peers.
Kelly Robb: Jackie Rioux I was able to do TM for about 4 months and then my pregnancy got too hard and I was too sick. Turns out though I’m pretty decent at public speaking! Maybe I’ll get back into it.
Jackie Rioux: Kelly I dropped out because I was sick for over a year til doc found ulcer. But that experience was a blessing in disguise that brought me to what I do now.

Day of GRIT: #16 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOL (FoF) Finisher- Countdown Workout F2
CONTEXT: “I Struggle Well…”
I appreciated a post from Sean the other day regarding not being boxed in according to sun sign. I agree with the post whole heartedly that we should get to know someone first through communication rather than the limits of sun sign traits. Then there’s me always promoting myself as a redhead Taurus and completely embracing my sun sign traits. Taurus is known to swim if given the option of sink or swim.
To be honest, I am not a good swimmer actually. I can scuba dive with fins and a tank, and I can frantically dog paddle to keep my head above water.
But figuratively, I am a survivor through and through.
Again on CJ’s choice of words for our contexts, I am not sure I “struggle well”. I am a redhead after all. I have one hell of a long fuse, and I can figure my way out of situations, but if I ever blow my lid, it ain’t a pretty sight.
Settle down… No getting your knickers in a knot over there. A redhead eruption has not happened in years.
I now have the skills to find and release trapped energies and upsets from the past that previously have triggered some wretched demon within. I would like to think that I have matured and grown to be able to handle life in a much more calm manner and to now struggle well.

Day of GRIT: #17 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOL “Bear With It”
CONTEXT: “I Am an Expert at Gamification…”
I didn’t have any brothers, and being the eldest I got to stack wood and do all the tough chores my parents would shoulder on me. I could have secretly resented this time of my life, which honestly I did at the time, but the only way through was to make games of my chores. Challenging myself to get a certain amount done in a certain time frame.
When my kids were little, I bribed them with games to clean up their rooms. Make small piles and time them to clean up only that pile. Or who can pick up 15 things the fastest.
Years later, I learned Flylady techniques to clean any “hot spot” for 15 minutes.
When I sorted mail and parcels, I would time myself to get one container sorted. Or I would secretly time myself against a nearby co-worker. Union safety rules meant that we had to ask for assistance to pick up and move heavy or large parcels.
I’d move a parcel or do any other joint task, then say “Cooperation, just like on Sesame Street”. I got some weird looks and laughs, especially from newbies.
I guess I have always had this thing in my head to make a game out of any menial tasks just to get through it.
How does this apply to my business these days? Have you heard of Matrix Energetics? This was an energy modality I was introduced to several years ago. I read books and watched videos but didn’t go further with certified training. I did, however, work with some practitioners certified in this playful and profound modality. The idea is to drop into heart space, laugh a lot and let go. Laughter is a high vibration and this is where the magic happens.
I have since learned that this concept is the basis of any energy balancing modality. High vibration, enlightenment, happiness, and laughter!
In working with clients now, finding imbalances is kind of like solving a puzzle. When I can keep myself in a curious light hearted space of wonder, all sorts of interesting things can come up.
In this way, yes I am an expert at gamification!

Day of GRIT: #18 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Gun Show Complex-a-palooza F2 Finisher (4MOL)- AMRAP
CONTEXT: “I Cultivate Strong Relationships… ”
Humans are social beings. There are studies that show that when particularly seniors and babies lack human touch and connection, they die. This is how important connection is to our well being and livelihood. Sure, some of us want to just be introverts and shy away from the world when it gets too “people-y” out there. I have learned much in my time on this earth.
As anyone else, I often had hurt feelings growing up when I lost friends due to misunderstandings, or just didn’t have any friends to begin with. To this day I still feel badly when friendships fall apart for various reasons. It comes as some form of solace to realize though, that people come into our lives for a reason, season, or lifetime and our relationships with others are all based in our own vibrational attraction.
We can learn something from each and every person who crosses our life’s path, whether a complete stranger or a romantic partner, an associate or a family member.
As we learn and grow, some of those relationships can and will fall away if that person is no longer on a similar path of growth.
This means that many friends from my past are no longer in my life, but I also realize that we no longer resonate and this is ok. I wish them well.
This also means that as life ebbs and flows, and as I mature in my own personal growth, I now have many new relationships that are wonderful and exhilarating because they really are like minded souls.
Yesterday was my birthday. Many friends and associates posted on my FB timeline, sent messages and texts, called and showed up. Each one gave me a fond memory of the connections we share whether they are from childhood, my home town, business connections, clients, former co-workers, SA GRIT team mates…
I am surrounded by like minded souls and strong relationships. I am truly blessed!

Day of GRIT: #19 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Seek My Blind Spots…”
We often think of “blind spots” when driving a vehicle. We can adjust mirrors and do our shoulder checks to minimize the possibility of accidents. The bigger the vehicle though, the bigger the blind spots. And there is always some dumbass driver who doesn’t understand blindspots and tends to drive right in the area where we can’t see them. This is why huge trucks have signs on their back end alerting drivers to blind spots. “If you can’t see my mirrors, I can’t see you”. I have driven the same minivan for 14 years. I love my van, but the design of the vehicle does have a few more blindspots. Usually I am fine, but there are days when for whatever reason I am having an off day and miss seeing someone sneak up out of nowhere. It is frustrating!
This is good reason to keep myself in check at all times and to particularly take time for self care on my off days. As an energy balancing practitioner, I look within myself for any projected energies, and hidden beliefs, and any resistance anchors that may be contributing to my emotional blindspots which could manifest into physical blindspots and issues.
I am always a work in progress though.
One thing that is particularly weighing on me this past month is one of Fletcher’s philosophies “the primary reason most people never experience maximum ROT + ROI and never realize the life they desire, is a failure to prioritize assets over activities. The bank of assets is one that pays tremendous dividends over time”.
I have realized that this is a huge blindspot for me. I have long promoted my website as a self empowerment resource. I have numerous clients and other practitioners asking questions, asking me to mentor them, etc. I do share a lot of content in my site, but I also seem to be answering the same questions over and over in email and social media interactions.
I have been focused more on creating some new posts and pages to answer frequently asked questions. I already have had some FAQ addressed, but as the world changes, and as energy shifts collectively, I need to keep up with providing answers that my clients can understand.
This ties into my dislike of digital clutter, or any clutter for that matter. Clutter is distracting, and it can create huge blindspots as well. I am a hoarder of good information, but I also like to keep that information organized, concise, effective, accessible, and most of all applicable and relevant.
I am putting more focus on my own time management to make sure I am removing distractions, clutter, blindspots each and every day, while organizing and applying new knowledge and creating maximum ROT + ROI assets as well.

Joe Tedesco: Jackie Rioux HAPPY (late) BIRTHDAY
CJ Thomas: Happy belated birthday Jackie!
Jackie Rioux: I trust Divine Timing, never late, always on time and thank you for extended birthday week

Day of GRIT: #20 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOL (FoF) Finisher F2
CONTEXT: I Reduce Everything to Code…
Quite honestly, it seems that a code of ethics is severely lacking in today’s world of an easily offended generation. I fully admit that I am human and far from perfect. However, I would like to think that I live by a code of ethics that is beneficial for myself and others. As a Reiki Master Teacher, I feel that I particularly have more of an obligation to live authentically as an example to others.

The 5 basic Reiki Ideals as taught by Sensei Usui are:
Just for today, I will not be quick to anger.
Just for today, I will not worry.
Just for today, I will be grateful.
Just for today, I will live authentically and be honest in my work.
Just for today I will show kindness to myself and others.

Do I uphold these ideals? I do my best to live in the moment and to keep these ideals close to my heart. These ideals are great to use as affirmations each day to keep me grounded and living in the present. Whenever a potentially triggering situation occurs, it is beneficial for me to pause and look at the situation from a different perspective and to choose a response that is kind.
These are ideals, yes. Honestly, I still have my off days and ya I can get pretty pissy at times as well. But, when I reduce everything down to this Code of ethics, I can resolve situations much better and be able to sleep at night knowing that I have done my best, just for today.
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These are the Reiki Ideals used by Reiki masters in Japan. It was provided by a Japanese Reiki master, Toshitaka Mochizuki in conjunction with his Reiki book, “Iyashi No Te” (Healing Hands). The following is a line for line translation starting from the right.
The secret art of inviting happiness
The miraculous medicine of all diseases
Just for today, do not anger
Do not worry and be filled with gratitude
Devote yourself to your work. Be kind to people.
Every morning and evening, join your hands in prayer.
Pray these words to your heart
and chant these words with your mouth
Usui Reiki Treatment for the improvement of body and mind
The founder
Usui Mikao

Day of GRIT: #21 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Am Solution-Focused…”
Everything outside of ourselves that annoys, angers, or otherwise triggers us is a reflection of what is unresolved and unhealed within us.
My course of action is to look for the energetic block and projections within me that is creating an uncomfortable imbalance outside of myself in my field of perception.
I am always a work in progress as I still have some days where I react rather than respond. Taking time to pause and reflect, then resolve through an energy balancing method, is in my opinion, the best way to focus on solutions.

Joe Tedesco: Jackie Rioux – This is a great observation and something I’m going to work to remember when I feel like reacting — “Everything outside of ourselves that annoys, angers, or otherwise triggers us is a reflection of what is unresolved and unhealed within us.” — I always appreciate your insight!
Jackie Rioux: Joe Tedesco it took me a while to understand this concept.
I remember going to a counselor in tears. I was upset because a guy i was seeing then ” made me cry”. Nope…
Counselor explained that everything outside us is a gift. Or think of a baseball.
Do i accept X event as a gift or baseball? Do I catch it and choose what to do with it, or let it hit me and knock me off kilter?
Event happened. I choose to get upset and cry.
He didn’t “make” me cry. I gave away my power.
So next question. Who or what has your power?
These days… ME.

Day of GRIT: #22 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Know My True North…”
We are in the age of many false prophets in our world today and an over abundance of information overload. The world has become severely divided between the critical thinkers and the ones who trust the powers that be to have their best interest at heart.
There are those who are self reliant, self accountable, working towards the betterment of others by becoming their own heroic self.
My True North Star is to always find the Divine Truth in every situation. To have an omnipotent perspective in seeing more than my own side of a situation.
I have been naive and too trusting in the past and I have suffered dearly the consequences of poor choices. I have found that the more I focus on my own self respecting boundaries, the more I am able to focus on my True North of Divine Truth.
I have a much more keen sense of intuition in feeling the energy vibes around me. Words and actions can speak loudly, but energy doesn’t lie.
I choose to surround myself with like minded souls who are aligned with my True North as well.

Day of GRIT: #23 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Harness the Who…”
I have owned my home for 16.5 years. I love my little oasis, but I have never been super handy in the way of repairs. Unfortunately, I have had some real doozy experiences with contractors and handymen I hired years ago. Interestingly enough, once I learned more about energy healing and how we attract people into our lives, I was then able to adjust my own projected energies to attract much better people as well as service people into my life. I have a wonderful mechanic and a reliable handyman that are my go to gurus.
I used all this knowledge of projected energies on myself and… lately it feels like I am the “who” that is being harnessed. I am not sure how my name is getting out there but I have had numerous messages from all over asking about my energy healing methods and new clients booking in often. Quite humbling because I am just me.
Personal growth and self empowerment is the new niche out there though and I am honored to be able to share my knowledge accumulated over years of experience with those who are committed to their own self empowerment.

Day of GRIT: #24 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Use Story to Escape the Trap…”
I am reminded today of a writing assignment back in grade school. I cannot remember what exactly the assignment was, but I do remember the gist of my story then.
A young boy sitting around the fire with his grandfather was admiring the wonders of the setting sun while pondering life. The boy had asked where does color come from. The explanation was that “cull” means “to gather” and “lore” is stories and culture.
The idea here is that legends have been passed down the generations in the form of stories that fire up our imagination, bring connection, and “color” our world in beauty. Of course, the spelling of the word has changed over time, but the origin here is interesting.
When our imagination is dull and depressed, the world looks grey and lifeless. When our imagination is fired up, we can see the prisms of rainbow colors all through our world and beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.
Stories cultivate connection with others. They are relatable and social. Humans need connection and affection.
Stories can bring analogies and lessons to life in an understandable way.
Stories can generate laughter or tears, or both.
In my work as an energy balancing practitioner, I often use stories and examples to explain to clients what they may be experiencing, because quite honestly, energy healing is full of unexplainable miracles. Although every experience is unique to the individual, stories can bring some understanding and comfort. Emotional baggage is “heavy” and many people who have never experienced energy healing, are at first completely confused when the fog is lifted. Through testimonial stories and encouragement we can escape the traps of the past and color a whole new world!

Day of GRIT: #25 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Care… ”
By the time anyone decides to enlist outside assistance in their well being and personal growth goals, they are often in a place of extreme vulnerability and confusion. Personal growth is the new niche these days. But who do you trust with your innermost feelings and failings to empower you to take the steps necessary to bring yourself back into balance?
Whether you’re looking for counselor, a coach, a doctor, or an energy balancing practitioner it is best to find someone who you feel comfortable with.
This is a huge peeve for me. There are so many “false prophets” and money scamming soothsayers out there. Anyone can put up a store front sign and go into business to “help others”. They are not the ones that are good to work with.
I am so blessed to have such an amazing network of practitioner friends in various wellness capacities that actually care about the clients they work with. These are the people I call my like minded soul tribe. These are the people I recommend to my own clients as well. All because I care.

Day of GRIT: #26 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Know Pain Is For My Good…”
“Don’t kill the messenger” is a phrase we use whenever delivering bad news. No one likes bad news, no one likes pain. Today’s current culture is rampant with all sorts of pain lessening remedies, band aid solutions, and bubble wrap — both literal and figurative, etc.
Pain is a necessary messenger though. If we just take a pill or cover up a wound with a bandage, these imbalances will become way worse to deal with resulting in chronic issues.
Did you eat something that upset your stomach? Learn about the PH balance in your body and the acid/ alkaline properties in your foods that aggravate your natural gut flora.
What is that pain in your bones or muscles? Is there a broken bone or torn ligament that needs a medical doctor’s attention? Ignoring this kind of pain can lead to more severe crippling and muscle constraints when these injuries heal out of alignment.
Do you have a muscle pain caused by a spinal misalignment that could be corrected by a chiropractor?
Is your heart racing? Are you dehydrated? Dizzy? Brain fog? Were you exposed to a toxin?
Do you have painful and traumatic memories that create sleeplessness and nightmares? Book an appointment with an energy balancing practitioner that can find the root cause of these issues without having to re-live the past.
Don’t kill the messenger of pain and bad news. These are just necessary warning signs so you can take action.
When you kill the messenger, the chronic becomes acute and just buried. Out of sight is not out of mind. Letting pain issues fester can kill your spirit, and eventually kill you as well.
Pain is a good thing. It is the check engine light giving you fair warning to take responsibility to avoid tragedies.

Day of GRIT: #27 of 28
CONTEXT: I Reflect on My Results…
End of May already. OMG. Lots of things mulling through my lil ol’ brain here as our “reflect on results” day becomes more of a habit to take notes of progress and points for improvement.
Sleep: This is a huge issue right now as I seem to have gotten my circadian rhythm messed up yet again with getting to bed almost 1 or 2 am some nights. I go to bed by midnight usually but then my brain is on overdrive going over all the things I want to get done the next day.
I am intrigued with Ian M. and Ryan F. with their idea of paying teammates actual money if they default on getting up at 530 am. First off, I learned years ago that my body does not operate well before 6 am. That is my set point. Second, until I get my circadian balanced, I am too broke to pay teammates for failing my targets. The good news is that I know how to reset my circadian so that is calling my shot for June GRIT.
I really appreciated those GRIT team mates who have posted their own daily itinerary. I am working on prioritizing a schedule of my own.
My hold up is that I often feel my inner Scrat has spun off his hamster wheel into the oblivion of rabbit hole abysses and distractions. What is up with all those stupid FB reels, and the Depp trial? Engagement for gullible folks… and me too when my brain feels fried enough already. UGH! Definite point for improvement!!
I find it quite encouraging that Fletcher and others admit to staring at a computer screen for hours on their off days and that lack of sleep causes brain drain in the worst way.
I am taking more to heart the idea of creating assets every day. And the concepts of Return on Time/ Return on Investment. I haven’t quite got to the point of using leverage to my advantage, but I am getting there.
While I feel humbled that my name is out there and I have many inquiries about energy healing, I know I need to work on my website way more to answer frequent questions rather than taking time to answer repetitive emails that are not leading to an actual booked client.
Another thing I am realizing: I have been “trying” to stick to somewhat of a goal list each day, but I get started on one project then before I know it, several hours have passed. I KNOW how to prioritize a to do list. I KNOW how to break it up into manageable bits so I can get a little bit done in each goal every day and therefore be way farther ahead collectively. My issue seems to be with actually implementing this knowledge. I have a lot of “shelf help” apparently.
Body: I got out walking a bit more this past month, not just on 5K days. I would like to get back into this as a daily thing. Another “point for improvement” for June. We do have some more sun and warmth here lately, but Spring has been extremely wet and cold. Poor excuse, I know. I just do not work well in cold. I still need to work on the trauma of past working days in frozen tundra conditions, six years later this is still an issue. I am taking Vitamin D3 to combat the external factors and pump up my inner mood and motivations.
Relationships: It was my birthday 10 days ago. It is quite humbling to realize just how many people take the time to reach out through various methods of communication to send best wishes. I am truly blessed.
Today is 8 months since Darrel passed. His birthday is coming up June 23rd. I have always thought of him, and/ or sent messages for his birthday. I am feeling lost and alone. Not many people around me understand the soul connection I had with him so my feelings of loss and grief have been mainly internal.
Some days I have a mortality check wondering when my time will be up. Other days I wonder if I will live for many years more and if so, will there will ever be someone else in my future that I could ever feel quite the same way about?
Lots of pondering thoughts. Lots of points for improvement. Lots of items to cross off on my to-do list. Back to work…

Day of GRIT: #28 of 28
METRICS: May 2022- Final GRIT Workout
CONTEXT: “I Expect the Unexpected…”
As a mail carrier, I had one route for about four years. It was a very nice upscale neighborhood and I quite enjoyed chatting with some of the people who lived along my route. I got to know one particular lady just because their dogs had figured out how to escape their yard and find me along my route. Friendly critters they were!! They would tag along then I would put them back in their yard when I got to their house.
Around this time, I had joined Toastmasters and I was in a wonderful group for about 3 years. This lady and her husband were part of my TM group so whenever we had our intermission break during the meetings, I would always chat with Sandra any chance I got. We always had the best intellectual conversations as she had done a lot of traveling that added to my intrigue of listening to and learning from her.
At one point, Sandra gave me a gift. I was a little surprised but she said this was something she thought I needed to have, it had made her think of me. It was Wayne Dyer’s latest book “Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life”. I remember that I squealed in delight and was equally but happily confused because I had just seen that book advertised recently and had intended to purchase the book myself.
Fast forward several years. I was no longer in that TM group as I had gotten ill with an ulcer. I moved to a different route closer to the office because of being sick at that time. I lost touch with Sandra and many others but I still would run into them around town now and then.
The last time I remember seeing Sandra and her husband was when I was out walking a local hiking trail a few years ago.

In the summer of 2020, I finally got on the techie bandwagon and got a YouTube channel going. By December 2020, I had a few videos up. To go with my theme of energy healing, I started a series of videos of recommending books. Because that Wayne Dyer book was so instrumental in my personal growth journey, I had made a video recommendation of it and mentioned that a dear friend gave it to me.
Sandra has been on my mind since then and I have contemplated reaching out to her to let her know about my video. I am not sure if I ever did tell her how much she meant to me and how that book changed my life at that point as well.
This morning one of our local photographers posted a pic of Sandra and her husband, a memory from several years ago at a local park. The caption was “a fond memory of a dear friend passed”. WHAT????? I Googled and found an obit from March 2020. I didn’t know!!
Maybe this is one of my intuitive knowings and why she has been on my mind for so long? Now I kinda feel bad that I never sent a hand written note to tried to find her online a while ago. Even more strange was finding a requested donation recipient in the obit, and I just donated to that cause a few weeks ago.

I am not sure how this all ties in with “I expect the unexpected”. This was unexpected for sure, and it was what has been on my brain today. Just another lesson in always speak up and tell people what they mean to you whenever you have a chance.

Glenn Forman: Jackie Rioux Thank you for being here.
Neil Sekol: An Attitude of Gratitude reaps a great ROI, yet that is not the only reason for it. It’s because it is the Right Thing that is often too easily overlooked. I need to continue to lean into this, too.
Jackie Rioux: Thank you. I really appreciate my SA family. Warm fuzzy group hugs!!

Day of GRIT: #1 of 28
METRICS: 12MOL (FoF) Finisher- Countdown Workout F2
CONTEXT: StoryAthlete Finds a Way…
Back in the saddle again. I took a month off GRIT for what I called “cocoon time”. I had been feeling awfully scattered and overwhelmed with life and the constant go, go, go. Time to just honor my body, my mind, and my Divine Feminine in taking a pause break on life. I just needed to shut off the world and focus on me, my family and my clients. I shut off notifications on messages, deleted groups on social media, and went through emails and social media posts, being acutely aware and conscious of what I have “put out there” over the years and what I have taken in. Yes it is all digital clutter in a sense, but it is still energy.
Having lost loved ones over the past few years, I am too keenly aware that some social media has been used for endearing sentiments and a timeline journal, but when people pass on, sometimes their profile, and all those sentiments disappear. Ok, maybe I am too sentimental that way. Everyone has a vice, and this is mine. I cherish my loved ones and want to keep those sentiments tucked away in my heart. So, I have also painstakingly found much of that cherished content and found ways to save it other than on social media. Yes, I am having serious issues with social media peeves, but I am finding effective ways to deal with all that personally.
I read an article about mental health fairly recently where someone accidentally had deleted over 10 thousand emails, but then realized later that most of the “drama” in their life had subsided and disappeared. I took this to heart and realized that energetically, this is kinda where I have been at. I just needed to declutter my mind, my body, and effectively, my soul too.
I am a spirit in a human meat sack and as such, this meat sack is prone to too much yucky energy, especially when I work with clients so much and put myself out there to the world as a energy healing facilitator.
Am I ready to get out and face the world again? Honestly, not really. I have two main goals that I “called my shot” on back in December. I have made some progress, but not enough to get that unfinished guilt off my chest and move into the completed accomplishments phase.
I have been all excited about Spring. Rebirth. Renewal. Freshness. Breathing easier. And then Mother Nature loves to pull her PMS mood of Northern “Sprinter”. I had raked up the yard a few days ago. We have been enjoying +10C weather fluctuating for about the last 2 weeks. Today we woke up to 4 inches of snow. The damp sticky kind of s***. Ugh.
Forecast is for rain this afternoon. Funnnn… That means treacherous driving hazards. Well, I do still have more inside projects to complete. And just say a prayer for those out on those roads…
I have been consciously aware of my fuel intake this past month and trying out intermittent fasting some days. I am not consistent with it just yet, but finding clarity on those days when I consciously stick to a time frame of intake. I am also being consciously aware of the power of words and how that creates in our lives. One little step I am making is to call our “12 minutes of death” 12 minutes of LIFE instead. Ya okay we want to conquer the lesser self, and our workouts can knock the wind out of us some days. Or most days when you’re still overweight like me… BUT, movement is Vitamin M. We need that for our bodies because it brings LIFE and makes life better. It felt good to move this morning along with CJ rather than the random and inconsistent stretching I have been doing this past month. A Story Athlete finds a way to make LIFE better and more Heroic. Here is to 28 days of April 2022 GRIT. OOORAH!
Yes I am back in GRIT. I have realized that some of the original people I knew back when I joined SA in April 2020 are no longer in SA anymore. I need to refresh my personal cheerleader list, so if you want me to tag you daily, please let me know.
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Joe Tedesco: Jackie Rioux You’re back!!!
Sean Tjia: what I’ve observed: energy workers/healers, may too much be open to the exchange of energy between them and the world, whereas others, myself included, are oftentimes, too guarded/shielded, and only exchange energy when necessary/required. I’ve had to learn to be more open, and yet sometimes, I have to SHIELDS myself up again! (due to TOO MUCH energy exchange back and forth with the world…)
Jackie Rioux: YES!!!!!!!!! Very much so. I am always aware of my personal boundaries and I know too well that when I get overwhelmed, it is a sign to step back and work on myself in earnest to get those boundaries back where I can function effectively in my role as a healer and facilitator and keep my personal boundaries strong as well. I love your insights.

Day of GRIT: #2 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Accumulation Workout F2 Finisher 4MOD
CONTEXT: “I Am the Inspiring Character…”
I cannot even count the numerous times that I have made a comment on a friend’s post that either inspired some laughs or caused some deep thought, and then my added comment “Well, at least I am good for entertainment”. Numerous times I have been told “You’re so wise”. Mhmm… you know where wisdom comes from? Experience. And a lot of experiences comes from poor choices in life.
At some point in my healing journey I have learned to laugh at my past, albeit with a sense of dark twisted humor at times. I have also gained some wonderful insights that can assist me in encouraging and inspiring others in their life’s path.
Here in GRIT, I admire so many others and their stories. I intend to read each and every post every day because this brings so much inspiration to me. I didn’t realize that some people find the “hearts” from me encouraging until Danny DeGrie mentioned me in one of his posts last month.
In my own eyes, I feel like I just bump along in life and share my anecdotes along the way. I am humbly surprised when I realize that in doing so, I have been, and still am an inspiring character.

Day of GRIT: #3 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOL 30 Seconds per move
CONTEXT: “I Raise My Standards…”
Why am I bothering to go back through all my Facebook activity log and clean it all up? Well, I have been realizing the FB platform is not what it used to be. So much division and trolls now, or just maybe more noticeable. I have had these forums and groups where a ton of relevant energy healing information has been discussed and I don’t want to lose that in an unstable platform. At least 5 of our knowledgeable practitioners have passed on, and a few others have left that forum for various reasons. If by chance their profiles disappear, all that contributed knowledge disappears with them. I contributed a fair bit as well and it is quite amusing and enlightening to find things I shared even a few years ago in ideas for others to try in their practice.
That is the main reason.
Secondly, with all my time in the SA community, my “legacy” is that much more important to me now. There is a ton of that kind of content on my personal FB so having it all saved differently is important to me for my personal memoirs for my family.
There is another reason I am finding….
How long have I been on Facebook? Since April of 2007. That is a few years before I started my energy healing business. While I was still working that exhausting day job….
While I was still connected somehow to several people from my past who are in that group of people that do not do much for themselves. Non starters. Dependent on whatever system that will carry them along and keep them stuck in that daily grind of nothingness and going nowhere.
That is where I used to be as well until I fell apart in 2008 and realized there was more to life if I got Plan B in place and took a leap of faith into a better future for myself and my family. Thankfully I am no longer connected with some of those people who are still to this day stuck in the past daily grind. I now have an amazing assortment of friends and associated that are on a similar personal growth path.
What does that have to do with Facebook. Well, I like many others, used the platform as an outlet. I put my frustrations out there to illicit comments and engagements from my friends. Now in going back through some of the things I wrote and posted back then, I am having some serious “WTF was I thinking” moments. I sure complained a lot about the weather and that exhausting job. Holy crap. Interesting to realize how far I have come anyway…
I am also having some “holy crap I wrote that?” moments as well. That kind of insightful content is getting moved to my website instead.
Whether good or bad, this is all energy I have put out there into the great abyss of the internet. Maybe it’s a bit like gathering pillow feathers, but it is still all energy and I have become acutely aware of it all. I am no longer the person I was even just those few years ago. I have raised my standards and no longer want to be associated with some of that past. I mean, what happens if you get into politics and that past gets dug up?
No, I am not leaning towards that profession. And no my past is not that corrupt. It is all still energy though, and I want to clean it up to align more with my raised standards now.
This digital journey has been both distressing and enlightening. Ironically, I was just telling my daughter yesterday that even though this is all digital garbage to clean up, my physical body and mind are also feeling much “cleaner” and “lighter” in a strange but wonderful way.
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Jackie Rioux: “Your need for acceptance can make you invisible in this world. Don’t let anything stand in the way of the light that shines through this form. Risk being seen in all your glory” Jim Carrey
Mallory Antonello: I love Marie Condo-ing my texts, emails and Instagram- if it doesn’t spark joy then let it go
Jackie Rioux: I’m in between Marie Kondo and flylady. I love routine and organization. Practical mostly but weirdly sentimental about some things. I accept that as my vice

Day of GRIT: #4 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOL (FoF) Finisher- AMRAP F2
CONTEXT: “I Increase My APM…” APM= Actions Per Minute.
Multitasking is the art of screwing up several things at once. This has been my motto for many years. I am the type of person who needs to focus on one task at a time to get it done efficiently. My second husband always cracked jokes about me in the department store looking like a scene from the Exorcist because I was so scatterbrained in juggling too many things at once back then. My kids nicknamed me Scrat when Ice Age came out. I am not a gamer so I feel completely lost on the idea of increasing my actions per minute.
When I started at the post office eons ago, I had to learn all the streets in town and the breakdowns of which carrier got which streets so I could sort efficiently. I seriously thought my brain would explode in the first few months. But, you know what? After a while, I got to know the routes and could sort mail almost mindlessly in my sleep, so to speak. My factory line type job was great for years because I could “sleep” at work, go home for a nap, then have the rest of the day for myself. WIN!
So how does this tie in with actions per minute? Well, in the book Power vs Force by Dr David Hawkins, there is analogy about baseball that is quite fitting here. Picture this: Someone like me who doesn’t know much about baseball goes out to hit the ball. I am likely to give it my all and just whack that ball with all my might and that ball may end up foul or God knows where it may end up on the field. This is an example of Force.
Now, let’s look at my son in law who is an avid baseball player. If he goes out on the mound to hit the ball, he is more versed in the aspects of the game and how to hit the ball with not so much force but with the Power and knowledge needed to have a hope of that ball heading to where ever he aims it and for the purpose intended towards the score of the game. This is an example of Power.
See the difference? How does this apply to me? Or to you? What I have learned is that when we gain a base of knowledge and put it to use, we can “master” the task and it becomes easier for us. When it is easier, we can go faster.
This is a concept discussed in the book Mastery by George Leonard. The book is about Akido which is a highly disciplined martial art. The concepts in the book can apply to our personal growth as well. This was a recommended reading in my early energy healing courses.
When you want something done right, it is best to hire a professional. Much more cost effective than making our own mistakes and taking forever. Or we can take that somewhat long road to learn skills for ourselves and become that much more self sufficient. This has been my choice in energy healing and owning my home. Why pay someone rent when I can invest in myself? Thankfully I have some amazing handymen when I need repairs done.
In energy healing, and many other areas of life, I have found that when I gain knowledge, get organized, let go of unnecessary stuff, then get out of the way and let things flow… this is when I can say that I increase my APM/ actions per minute. Life is so amazing when I am in the flow of life and synchronicity.

Day of GRIT: #5 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Complex-a-Palooza Finisher F2 4MOL- 3 Sets of 10 Reps/side
CONTEXT: “I Build Resilience…”
Trauma repeats itself in many ways until we heal the underlying root cause and dissolve the triggers. Ever notice that when you stub your toe, the rest of the day doesn’t go so well, and soon you quite likely stub that same toe all over again? That is an example of muscle memory. We could get into all the symbolism and metaphysical reasons for injuries in different parts of the body, and that would give clues as to the root cause behind your toe miscalculating a step in the direction of getting stubbed.
The easier example of triggers and patterns is to look at relationships as a common ground that most people have experienced and can understand.
We all know someone who should have “unstable” listed as their relationship status on social media. Off and on with a significant other, or leaping from relationship to relationship without taking time to figure out why they are so unstable.
For myself, I had a couple long term relationships but I had poor patterns that attracted a poor marriage, twice.
Our early experiences and examples can shape our choices later on in choosing “the familiar” whether we realize it or not. If we come from a dysfunctional past in witnessing our parents choices, then factor in various types of childhood and young adult abuse and or poor experiences, this can all be a recipe for a chaotic home life, poor choices in a partner, and a repeated pattern of dysfunction.
Pretty much everyone has some level of this chaos in their past either directly or witnessed. Triggers can be abnormally strange. For myself, certain words, certain circumstances, and certain items would set me off when these same things were completely innocent to someone else. All because it related to past trauma and repeated patterns.
Thank God for my path leading to energy healing. Without needing any details, we can find the root issues of abandonment, helplessness, powerlessness, shame, grief, and loss of control which are the most common imbalances that come up regularly for pretty much everyone. By releasing these imbalances, we dissolve the triggers and even eradicate the patterns. This can build resilience and create a world of inner peace no matter if the outside world is chaotic.

Day of GRIT: #6 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Hub-Spoke F2 Finisher (4MOL)- AMRAP
CONTEXT: “I Am Fueled By Purpose… ”
“Accomplish at least one thing a day, no matter what”. This was drilled into me growing up. I won’t get into all that past, but this was one of the mantras that carried me through a lot of low times in my life.
I have mentioned previously that I have been cleaning out my computer files. This past week, I found some journal notes from back in 2008 to 2010. Note here that April 23 2008 was when I had a breakdown at work and it turned into a blessing in disguise because after taking some time off work, I started back to school to earn myself an Associate Degree.
These journal notes were pretty interesting to go back through. This was when Facebook had short sentence status updates. I posted a lot of quotes, sayings, jokes and rock music lyrics. I also bitched a heck of a lot about work and being sick and exhausted.
Surprisingly, I still had a go-get-’em attitude in getting my mail route done, getting essays done, and getting frustrated with teenagers but still getting home life done as well.
My purpose in life is to encourage others and to make a better life for myself and my family. So far so good, I think. The last few years I have taken a few low blow hits in losing loved ones and this has knocked me off kilter quite a bit. I am just not good at losing loved ones. Is anyone?
I feel too much? I care too much? Or I am just normal caring human. Who knows. What I do know is that Andy’s birthday was April 7th. I got a memorial page done for him and as soon as my son is home next week we’ll put the finishing touches on a new tribute video for his sister.
Today is my son in law Larry’s birthday. Last December I “called my shot” in saying that I would have a memorial page done for him by today. I have called that shot a few times in the last couple years since he’s been gone. I end up in tears every time I start on that project.
Know what? I have gotten so many other things done!! I have managed to collect a whole bunch of writings to put into his memorial page, but it is not posted as of yet. I spend a few hours today going through files and finding scattered pictures to align into a posted album. I *might* get that posted tonight or tomorrow. Today I found two videos of Larry singing karaoke. I had no idea I had those videos!!
I haven’t completely broken down in tears so far, so I am hopeful that I will complete this personal goal soon. Next up is getting my butt into getting my Akashic course done this that one is an expensive goal. Supposed to be by May. I have an appointment next week for taxes so all that needs to get done too. And I have a Reiki class scheduled on Tuesday.
Right now I am driven by a purpose of completing these goals in a reasonable amount of time. Some of these serve to make my life better, some are to celebrate loved ones lost, and others are to make my clients lives better as well.
I am accomplishing at least something every day towards these goals, the turtle wins the race, right?

Day of GRIT: #7 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Know Discipline Is a Skill Not a Trait…”
Despite thinking that I had a rough childhood with my childhood innocence being stolen abusively at an early age, and growing up with a totalitarian father, I now understand that there were many things from my childhood that shaped my character in positive ways and I am truly grateful for that.
One particular thing that has been triggered in reading CJ’s context today is that I went to a private Christian school for grade 10 and 11. Well, to be honest, I was actively there for Grade 10, but worked from home for Grade 11 because teen moms were not a good influence in that environment with all grades in one room. Oops.
This Christian school was great for me in that I failed miserably with algebra in public school, but I had a mentor in this private school that helped me grasp some concepts to actually improve my grades.
We worked out of books called paces, on our own, in our singular cubicles. If we needed help for anything, or permission to go to the bathroom, or to get up to mark our paces at the central marking station, we had to put a flag up and wait for a monitor to come answer our requests.
The trigger thing here is that when we got up from our cubicle, we had to push in our chairs. If we failed in this little rule, we got demerits towards disciplinary measures.
After high school, a friend and I would go for lunch now and then. I remember one particular time that we caught each other pushing in the restaurant chairs when we got up to leave. Arrghh!!! Cursed again with that horrid school rule!
But really? It is actually a good skill to have. Who wants to trip over chairs that someone else left out? Or who wants to clean up leftover messes from someone else? No wonder this drilled in rule is something that triggers me to this day? It drives me absolutely bonkers when someone else doesn’t push in their chair or pick up after themselves.
I guess it is unfortunate for them that they did not acquire this skill I was blessed to learn in my teenage years. Maybe I wasn’t born with it. Maybe I was made as a teen. (Kudos if you get that play on an ad jingle lol).
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Neil Sekol: Jackie Rioux I was in drug store management when that ad jingle was popular, so I heard and saw that one and L’Oreal’s “Because You’re Worth it”, quite often.

Day of GRIT: #8 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOL (FoF) Finisher- Countdown Workout F2
CONTEXT: I Make Time to Laugh…
“A Comedy of Errors”
When I was in Toastmasters years ago, part of the evening program was a joke master slot. This was usually a placement on the schedule right after introductions. The point being that this was a great way to lighten up a rather boring “business meeting” and an icebreaker to allow others to connect with some humor.
Laughter really is the best medicine. It is a light vibration of happiness.
There are times in life that things go so wrong that the only thing left to do is laugh.
I had one of those days a few years ago. At the time, the day was exhausting and frustrating. Now it is a hilarious memory to look back on.
November 2014: I had forgotten to plug in my vehicle the night before so my battery was dead when I headed out to work. Thankfully my daughter was home so I was able to grab her old car to go to work before daylight set in. I had a rough day through the freezing temps and snow. Finally done work and so ready to head home and hibernate. Daughter’s car does not have auto lights like my vehicle so her car was now dead battery as well. We both have roadside assistance so I called and explained the situation. They had to send out two trucks to both locations. One arrived and got me going. I got home just in time to meet the other truck jumping my vehicle in my driveway. I explained the whole mishap to this driver. He suggested I go turn off my daughter’s car, then turn on again while he was there. It started again no problem but he suggested leaving both vehicles running for a while to charge the alternators and batteries.
All good. I went inside and finally relaxed for a while. About an hour and a half had passed when my daughter had to go out for a class. She asked where her one set of keys were. Probably out in the still running car?
I had my spare set of keys beside me and went out to turn off and plug in my vehicle. She found her car locked. And still running with the keys inside! I have a really good habit of locking my vehicle. Unfortunately that habit did not serve us well in this situation as I had locked her car after restarting it and had left the keys inside.
Well, she needed to get to class so she took my vehicle, while I called roadside assistance again to unlock her car. THREE emergency calls in one day!!
The rescue truck showed up with the same guy that had been here earlier that day. I went out to meet him. He got out of his vehicle and started shaking his head trying to stifle his giggles. I playfully got frustrated with him and mocked him for laughing at my predicament. But what else can you do but laugh.

Day of GRIT: #9 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Accumulation Workout F2 Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Finish What I Started…”
Taurus sun signs are known for being stubborn bulls. I can vouch for that. I am one. If I get an idea in my head, get out of my way because it will get done come hell or high water.
This is not a trait that has served me well though. Sometimes i have found that whatever hair brained idea I had set course on, wasn’t really in my best interest. Sometimes I have had to find a different course to the same end, or to forfeit my goal for various reasons. Not for lack of trying though.
What I have learned in my older and sometimes wiser years (I hope?) is that “determination” is a different and more positive mindset than “stubborn bull”.
These days I prefer to be determined in my goals, to see them to fruition in a good way. Some upsets in life have really thrown me for a curveball and knocked me off course. Sometimes my goals may be delayed, but I have come to trust Divine Timing that everything happens for the best in its due time.
I remember many years ago when I was going through some rough court years with my children’s father, someone left a poem on my desk. It was called “Don’t Quit”.
It is a good motto for life. I do finish what a started, eventually, and if it in the best interest of myself and others.

Day of GRIT: #10 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOL- 30 Seconds per move
CONTEXT: “I Welcome Your Rejection…”
A friend I have known since childhood responded to my latest newsletter saying that she needed an appointment and catch up tea time.
Sure, book in any time and I’ll block some more time for a visit as well. It’s been a while. Again.
She did book in, and I did block off some more time, but I was doubtful she would show up as this has been an unstable pattern for her for many years.
Sure enough, she didn’t show up this morning. I messaged but didn’t get a reply until a few hours later. The latest drama is a dysfunctional and abusive relationship for the past few years. Anyone else receiving those text messages might want to call police or some other intervention. I know damn well she has resources around her that could help in an emergency if only she would stick to letting them help. There have been many interventions that I know of and she always sneaks back into that hell.
I kinda feel like a uncaring b*tch now because I told her straight up I can’t help her until she helps herself. Thankfully I have a wonderful list of clients who are accountable and responsible when they book in an appointment and take up a time slot in my calendar. I could be pissy about a no show appointment today but got busy on some other projects like my tax stuff that needs to be done.
I don’t want to make time for dysfunctional drama just because she has been a friend for so many years. That is not what friendship is to me. I only hear from her now and then, and each time she swears things are going to get better. But they don’t. I am just fine with this kind of rejection because it filters out what I don’t need dragging me down in my life.

Roman Alvarado: Awesome, Jackie Rioux

Day of GRIT: #11 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOL (FoF) Finisher AMRAP F2
CONTEXT: “I Practice Gratitude…”
Energy balancing and the laws of the Universe all operate as the law of attraction. One vibration will always attract a similar vibration. Gratitude has a very high vibration, so if I want good high vibrations things in my life, I must put out a high vibration which includes gratitude and being grateful of all I currently have in my life.
Quite fitting that today I came across a meme that says “Gratitude is the vitamin of the soul”.

Day of GRIT: #12 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Complex-a-Palooza F2 Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Win the Day…”
Some people post “engagement posts” that are intended to illicit a response of making you think and offering your input to the conversation. Quite honestly, I have been limiting my “engagement” comments on social media just to avoid trolls and a slew of notifications, but this was a friend and she has been promoting her coaching business so I engaged and offered my comment.
The question: What is a productivity hack you live by?
My answer: Jackie N. Rioux: 2 item rule. If I get up from the couch to go to another room, I grab 2 items to take with me to the kitchen or wherever. When it comes time to tidy house there is usually just vacuuming and polishing left to do.
There was quite a feminist movement years ago, which I agree that it brought some rights and equality to women, but in my opinion the whole movement went too far in that it is almost expected that women these days are shamed for choosing to stay home and be a mother to nurture our next generations. Then there was a phase that men have been shamed for choosing parental leave while their wives went back to work. I can fully appreciate women and men being completely different, and we should be unique. But why all this division of genders and stereotypes?
Life coaching now seems to target helping women “do it all” to counteract all the inadvertent damage of the feminist movement. I was the stereotype of a single mom struggling to make ends meet in a corporate job to support my kids. Thank God I got out of that scene! I didn’t hire a life coach though. I couldn’t afford their fees no matter how they prompted that they are worth it and so am I.
Yes I am worth it. I am worth taking matters into my own hands. How did I move my life forward from those days? By doing a little bit every single day towards my own life goals. Keep it simple and Sovereign. Take care of what I can take care of and never mind the neighbors. Well, unless I decided to be friendly and bring over a plate of homemade cookies…
We can “have it all”, but as I have learned through my time in GRIT, having it all isn’t a work life balance. It is a work life integration and it works for men and women alike. It is a SELF empowerment journey.
This is what I love about the 1% journey. I am slowly but surely moving forward in my life, day by day, just doing a little bit each day towards my goals.
My simplest productivity hack “two item rule” is just one way that “I win my day”, every day.
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Mallory Antonello: Jackie Rioux plus your two item rule also helps optimize your environment to win that day!
Jackie Rioux: yes!! Everything holds energy so clutter makes me feel really scattered. My two item rule is a super hack in many ways.
Joe Tedesco: I think it’s more important than ever to have a parent stay home and be a mother or father to nurture our next generations. Might knock some sense into all these little crazy kids running around! 🤣
Jackie Rioux: totally agree there. I see a lot of the “damages” in and around my clients.

Day of GRIT: #13 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Hub-Spoke F2 Finisher (4MOL)- AMRAP
CONTEXT: “I Have Endurance… ”
I am writing my context today AFTER my workout because I was yawning like crazy and feeling like a steam roller backed over me. I did sleep last night but apparently my body is still feeling fatigued. Vitamin M(ovement) workout done now, got the oxygen flowing and now my brain can engage. Vitamin M and Vitamin G(ratitude) are necessary every single day.
Every Sunday I look at my calendar for the week and see sporadic appointments. By the end of the week, I have had a full calendar. I am grateful for such amazing clients and to be able to assist them in their energy healing journey. By the end of the week, I need some R and R for myself. That is the plan for the rest of today. I have endurance, as long as I take care of my own needs first.
Happy Easter Weekend to those who celebrate!
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Day of GRIT: #14 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I See Food As Fuel…”
Up until about 15 years ago I was on a see-food diet. I see food, I eat. I love trying new things, new tastes, I guess I am a foodie at heart. I could eat pretty much anything and not gain an ounce. Skinny mini and the bane of every woman around me with weight issues. Stupid me, I often wondered how and why, and what it would feel like to be as miserable as some of them who were so jealous of my no effort see-food diet.
I learned. Oh boy I learned…
My second husband would brag about his model wife, then chide me behind closed doors on any bit of weight I gained. After that divorce, I was sick for over a year and a half going through a plethora of tests to figure out why I lost more weight than the average divorce diet. I had lost weight like that after first divorce as well. When I get stressed, my appetite shuts down, completely. I learned that banana smoothies are a way to get fuel into my system in the form of potassium needed to jump start my appetite and digestive system.
But I was still sick. The doctor finally told me I had IBS. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a wonderful blanket diagnosis when they can’t pinpoint anything else. Not a great situation when I was a mail carrier at the time and my route was a 15 minute drive to the depot.
I hardly ever drink, but I indulged in a rockaberry cooler and shared the drink with my daughter for a St Paddy’s day dance out with friends. What I learned is that alcohol aggravates H. Pylori, a stomach bacteria that causes ulcers. 60% of the population have this bacteria with no symptoms so doctors don’t automatically test for it unless you show symptoms. Doc and pharmacist also explain that no one knows exactly how H. Pylori is contracted. Finally a diagnosis.
I was sick in bed for days on end. Then, the medication caused me to just want to die then and there. Excruciatingly painful. I was on low acid pills for months afterwards and learned about inflammation and other imbalances.
This experience was a blessing in disguise because I learned so much that eventually led me to energy balancing and all that I do now in living my passion.
I took biology courses, I learned about body functions both physically and energetically, with the emotional implications that made sense of everything I had been through and the results of those experiences. I have read through the SA FUEL component and the coal vs. nuclear composition of food, which I found super interesting.
Despite all that I know, I honestly have not been disciplined enough to take on my weight issue like the bull that I am. I have an awareness of food as fuel. I am aware of the effects of certain foods on my body. I am very aware of the chemical and toxicity influences on my body so I am super conscious to avoid that for sure.
I don’t think my regular diet is “that bad”. I am not fond of alcohol. Carbonated drinks upset my stomach. But I do indulge in milk chocolate nuts and a slice of pie or cheesecake now and then.
I see food as fuel and I have an awareness, but I don’t exactly treat food only as fuel.
</End-of-GRIT-Post>

Wayne Purser: Jackie Rioux ” I have an awareness” This is important to understand. Our bodies react to what we eat. Cheers…
Jackie Rioux: Wayne Purser yes, awareness is key. Knowledge is only useful when we implement and make better choices.
My knowledge and awareness does influence my choices and then some days there is pie lol

Day of GRIT: #15 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOL (FoF) Finisher- Countdown Workout F2
CONTEXT: I Know I Can Make a Difference…
I have had a website since 1998. It began from sharing my collection of quotes and sayings I had gathered over years at that point. Having gone through being a teen mom then kids and divorce, I was the one my same age peers turned to when they went through similar experiences. I had saved my collection in a Duo-Tang booklet and often had a hard time retrieving it from lending it to friends. When the internet came along in 1998, it all went into a website. Just a few years later, I had had many people write to me to say that my collection made such a difference for them in highlights bits of wisdom they needed for their life.
Next up, I found energy healing and turned this into a business of living my passion. I am blessed with a wonderful list of clientele and their feedback from our time together assures me that I am making a difference for them as well.
In 2018, I had an angel carding reading and the first thing I was told is that my angel team calls me a “very good conduit” because I network people and information very well. Yup, that is me!!
I have raised 4 kids alone for many years. I have 5 grandkids. I can proudly say that my children have grown to be successful each in their own ways. That is itself is my contribution to humanity in a few ways, not just adding to the population, but in adding good citizens of the earth.
Here in GRIT, I am a self proclaimed “Ladybug Cheerleader”. Some days I kinda feel way out of my league with such intelligent “Asset Control Specialists” in real estate.
I am my own Asset Control Specialist in finding ways to encourage others here and by “heart”-ing all the posts I read.
I know I can, I will, and most of all, I AM making a difference.
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Day of GRIT: #16 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Accumulation Workout F2 Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Digest My Emotions…”
Prior to all my education and experience in energy healing modalities, I was just as reactive to situations as the next unbalanced trauma survivor. Then I learned about triggers and how to find and release the root cause of trapped energies and emotions to neutralize the emotional charge behind upsets. Life became much more peaceful and pleasant, and much less reactive.
Now I can choose to respond to situations instead. Ideally. Am I perfect? Hellll no. Honestly, there are still times that I can get upset and caught up in the moment before I take a breather and realize that I have the skills to neutralize situations quickly.
I have this weird thing that when people talk to me, my brain is churning in analyzing what is going on behind the scenes in their inner world. Great skill when working with clients, not so great when talking with strangers if they are not interested in energy healing. It’s like I can pinpoint imbalances for everyone else quickly, but when it is me going through the upset, I realize I need support for myself as well. This is why I have a network of trusted practitioners I can book in with to work on ME regularly.
As for “digesting” emotions, as our context suggests today, I prefer to find and release through energy balancing techniques. Words are important here. Our gut is actually our first brain and I do not want to swallow any emotions that should be released instead. “Swallowing pride” is an example. Energetically, this just causes all sorts of digestion issues, and throat chakra/ thyroid issues if we cannot speak and let it all out. That’s just the way I see it. I am thinking that CJ means to “process” emotions rather than to digest. In that case, yes I definitely process emotions more often than not.
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Day of GRIT: #17 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Can Take It…”
My first thought is “Take What?”. Our context prompt today relates to being able to handle the entrepreneurial side of being bigger and better, more popular. CJ’s context was about being able to rebound effectively after having the rug pulled out from under him with his projects and some things going awry.
So, what can I “take”, or handle? Lots, but do I want or need to take it? I have survived a lot of life’s curveballs but why should I continue on that path? I want to thrive not just survive. I have the skills now to figure out why I have attracted certain upsets and patterns in my past according to my vibration. I can figure out whether it is mine or ancestral, and to release all of this so I can move forward in peace and in a higher vibration. Life becomes more in the flow.
It is not so much a matter of being able to “take it”. Everything that comes to us in life is a gift. We can choose whether to accept that gift or not. These gifts can come in the form of upsets and life lessons, or they can be abundance in some way as well.
An analogy my pastor shared with me years ago is that these gifts are like a baseball. Are you going to catch the baseball and choose what you will do with it, or are you just going to let it hit you and deal with the damage afterwards?
No one can make us feel inferior without our permission.
No one can cross our boundaries without our permission.
For someone who has such a background in trauma survival, I completely understand how hard it is to comprehend that we attract good and bad into our lives according to our vibration. Everything on the outside that triggers us is an unhealed part within us.
Sure I can handle a lot in my life, or “take it”, but I choose not to. I choose to raise my vibration, heal whatever is within me that is unhealed, and to be in the flow of life, living in synchronicity. It is a wonderful place to be.

Day of GRIT: #18 of 28
CONTEXT: “I Eliminate Inefficiencies…”
Go ahead, ask my kids what I am like when the housework gets behind and I am feeling cluttered, scattered, and overwhelmed. Not a pretty sight when redhead Medusa unleashes her wrath to get everyone scrambling to clean up after themselves…
The is still an area of myself that I need to work on. I mean, I have gotten better over the years not letting things get to that point. My kids have grown and they generally pick up after themselves, the two that live with me anyway.
The bottom line of this frustration is inefficiency. And now in my later years I understand all the energy aspect of clutter. Everything holds energy. Absolutely everything. Eliminating inefficiencies and cleaning up after ourselves translates into so much more as well. Self respect. Respect for others. Integrity. Efficiency. Progress. Reputation. Character building.
My kids often hear me say “laundry dishes garbage”, because as long as that is addressed daily, things don’t get too bad at home. In my working years at a union job, it drove me bonkers that no one adhered to OHIO method. Only Handle It Once. Nope, we had to stretch out the work for everyone. Inefficiency at its finest I tell ya.
I have often mentioned my “two item rule” as well. Take two items any time you move to another room.
These are all some examples of inefficiencies. But what about business? Having organized clients files and records allows for me to serve my clients more effectively. Having organized paperwork takes the pressure off my bookkeeper/ accountant.
Everything has its place. By eliminating inefficiencies at home and in my personal life, I can also eliminate inefficiencies in my business which just makes everything work better and be more in the flow.

Joe Tedesco: Jackie Rioux I need you to come to my place and break out redhead Medusa on me and my wife (my wife’s clothes)
Jackie Rioux: Joe Tedesco Actually I have figured out that if I clear “clutter energy” on all of us, we seem to get into blitz mode. Also did this for my mom’s partner and he started cleaning out age old closets. Fun stuff for me seeing energy shifts MUAHAHAHAHA

Day of GRIT: #19 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Complex-a-Palooza F2 Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Create My Own Rules…”
It is coming up on six years since I retired from being bound to someone else’s schedule for way too many years. I think I have finally got to the point of healing the residual trauma from the later experiences that got pretty toxic.
The last 6 years have been continuous and steady personal and business growth with no looking back and no regrets.
The main reason I can now say I have been living my passion is because I create my own rules. I can push forward and learn for a while, take a break to enjoy the “plateau” as George Leonard says in Mastery, and then push on ahead again. I can choose my challenges and decline what does not resonate with my intended path of growth. I hold my own pen to create my life and I make my own rules as well.

Day of GRIT: #20 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Hub-Spoke F2 Finisher (4MOL)
CONTEXT: “I Am The Traveler… ”
Many people have told me over the years that I should write a book about my life. I have always been a writer of sorts, taking after my maternal grandmother who kept a diary of her travels and adventures.
I have kept numerous notes and writings, but they have been scattered everywhere. This past two years I have been in the SA community, and reading Ryan’s book has prompted me in mad panic style to get all my writings and notes aligned into a memoir. I have made some serious headway, but I have 55 years of adventures and experiences to gather up, and then fill in the blanks.
It is coming together nicely and sure feels great not having it all scattered everywhere. Disorganization makes my energy feel scattered as well, so this is a worthwhile project in many ways to put diligent effort into for my own benefit.
Childhood trauma, 2 marriages, 2 divorces, coming from a small town redneckville to the city, raising kids, hundreds of road trips…. Yes my life has been quite a journey. I am the traveler…

Wayne Purser: Jackie Rioux “This past two years I have been” writing my journey in GRIT. From Being Jackie to Becoming Jackie. Pick a Date, then you’ll get it done. Cheers
Jackie Rioux: Wayne Purser yes… all my grit writings are nicely organized. It is all my former stories and writings that I’m now aligning. Interesting to look back and see how far I’ve come.
Jackie Rioux: I’ll be more inclined to set a date once I get everything in one place. Tedious right now. But making progress

Day of GRIT: #21 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Get Started…”
Many from my era of growing up were instilled with the premise of “Do it right, do it once”. While this is a wonderful idea to follow, this has also instilled a sense of perfectionism. Perfectionism is just procrastination in a fancy dress. Feeling like there is no use to even begin if you can’t get it right the first time.
But how can anyone get any task “right” without some practice runs? What if someone else criticizes us for failed attempts? Whose, or what, idea of perfectionism are we following anyway?
I came upon the Flylady.net website about 20 years ago. The website looks like it is about housework, but FLY actually means Finally Loving Yourself. There are some wonderful concepts presented there in taking baby steps, doing a project for 15 minutes at a time, and just getting started by leaving the idea of perfectionism behind. I wish I had had that knowledge eons before, but I have instilled these concepts into my life in the last 20 or so years.
This is still a work in progress for me. Just a few days ago, I came across some videos on YouTube that explain executive function difficulties in those with ADHD traits. Having taken psychology, this is an area of interest for me in adding terminology and knowledge to my energy toolbox in order to work with my clients more effectively.
I would rather not succumb to a label, but I do possess some of the traits of ADHD talked about, including procrastination. With this knowledge behind me, I know that the best solution is just to get started on whatever I decide to do.

Day of GRIT: #22 of 28
METRICS: 12MOL (FoF) Finisher- Countdown Workout F2
CONTEXT: I Lead the League in Effort…
“I lead the league”? I feel like this is a comparison to the league around me. I know too many people who don’t do much to enhance their life forward. Many of them think I am a go getter in getting things done and progressing in my life.
Yet here in the GRIT community league, I feel so behind and overwhelmed that I am sorely lacking in effort compared to others. There is that saying that we should strive to be surrounded by those who we deem smarter than ourselves so we can learn and grow from the experiences and interactions. Perhaps the same applies to effort in my wanting to be surrounded by those who inspire me to do and be more.
We talk about pace cars here in Story Athlete as well. I may be a pace car for some, and many others are pace cars for me.
As long as I am striving to be my own best, I am leading myself in some sort of effort every day. This is the 1% journey.

Glenn Forman: Jackie Rioux You lead in your own way, just like each of the others does in their ways. Comparison takes energy away from what could be accomplished.

Day of GRIT: #23 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Accumulation Workout F2 Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Maintain My Composure…”
I read this context prompt and immediately got a case of the giggles. Who me? I am the one who has described myself as a Taurus redhead, half German, lil bit Irish, and an ex postal worker. Most people aren’t sure how to take that and back away slowly until I crack some sort of joke with my lack of brain filter.
I mean, if I am in a business meeting, I can manage to pull myself together enough to get through a meeting and maybe even contribute some sort of wisdom to the discussion. I am also the friend that you can dress up but you’re in for some surprises if you take me out anywhere. There is not much that embarrasses me and I have a twisted sense of humor.
When it comes to anger, well, I am a feisty redhead. I have absolutely zero patience when it comes to outright stupidity, yet I also understand that lack of knowledge is not necessarily ignorance. I have a really long fuse but if I ever lose my cool, everyone around me stands back wide eyed. Then I can’t stay mad because I find it amusing that anyone would get alarmed by my actions. I am only 5 foot 4 and not much more. I may spout off frustration with someone’s lack of integrity or crossing my boundaries but my “bark” is worst than my “bite”. I tend to just blow off some steam in words or writing and maybe slam some cupboards but it has been many years since I have lost my cool quite like that. The last time I remember, it was a situation where someone pushed my boundaries way too far and got too see redhead unleashed. Oops.
I tend to lean more towards silly jokes when it comes to losing my composure though. Laughing so hard that someone snorts, or pees a little. Laughter is the best medicine.
I don’t do stoic or poker face very well. I feel a lot of everything, whether it is anger, humor, grief… it all comes out. I do generally consider my actions but that is about as far as composure goes with me.

Day of GRIT: #24 of 28
METRICS: 5K day Finisher – 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Am a Problem-Solver…”
I could go with “Multitasking is the art of screwing up several things at once”, or I could go with all my experience of raising four kids with four different personalities and issues. Either way, I have been and always be a problem solver.
Could be my Taurus nature, or could be survival skills learned through the years. Maybe it is a combination of all of the above. I just know that I have always been one to get ‘er done come hell or high water.
I may screw up royally along the way sometimes, or even seem to be completely scatterbrained until I catch on to an idea and put a solution into practice. Things get done here. I will even delegate someone else to get it done, if need be.
At a conference several years ago, I remember a speaking saying that we are either going into a challenge, dealing with a challenge, or coming out of a challenge. This is the waves of life. Life is full of ups and downs. if you think of life as a heart monitor reading, you never want to flatline.

Glenn Forman: Jackie Rioux I always think of a Ford Taurus sedan each time you mention Taurus. Maybe that’s a guys brain re vehicles.
Jackie Rioux: Glenn Forman same reason men like leather lingerie… smells like a new truck lol
Glenn Forman: Jackie Rioux ohhhh…. you got that right!!!!! lol!!!

Day of GRIT: #25 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOL (FoF) Finisher- AMRAP F2
CONTEXT: “I Aggressively Pursue What I Want…”
My mom has sent me variations of the same meme a few times. It says “God knew I needed a warning label so He made me a redhead”. I am also a Taurus. (as in the bull, not the sedan). I prefer to think of myself as determined rather than the outright stubborn bullish mule, although I have been known to be like that in years past as well.
I also do not think of myself as “aggressive”. I am pretty good at manifesting what I want in life, leaning heavily on Divine source and intuition. Some may think that is kinda airy fairy and more like pipe dreams.
There’s a couple jokes about how God works.
One reference is a young boy wanted a bike but it wasn’t coming fast enough so he figured he would steal a bike and then ask God for forgiveness as that is always available.
Another reference is a fellow who prayed to win the lottery and it didn’t happen. When he asked God why, God told him, “Well, you didn’t buy a ticket”.
It is one thing to have some faith and trust Divine source to bring about our desires that are aligned with our highest good.
It is a different story if you jump the gun and get what you want through methods of less integrity, yet we still need to actively participate and take action ourselves.
I would like to think that I do pursue what I want actively, not so much aggressively and I re-evaluate along the way to see if my intended goal is still what I want and if I need to adjust my sails now and then.

Day of GRIT: #26 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Complex-a-Palooza F2 Finisher- 4MOL
CONTEXT: “I Am a Monster…”
I love Jordan Peterson’s philosophies. I have watched many videos and read lots of quotes. All great stuff for the critical thinker. I also appreciate the idea behind becoming a monster and then taming that monster. It comes down to the same idea of power vs. force. We need the force behind us to get things done, to accomplish our goals, yet we also need to temper this with knowledge and wisdom that we put into practice to empower ourselves.
I tend to lean on my Taurus redhead traits and I suppose that would suffice as being a monster. However, I also know that being a bull is not the best way to get through life. Rather than stubborn, I prefer a determined mindset.
I am a bit of a monster on the inside, in a good way.

Day of GRIT: #27 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Hub-Spoke F2 Finisher (4MOL)
CONTEXT: “I Reflect on My Results… ”
I appreciate that Day 27 in GRIT is always reflecting on the past month and our progress. This had never been a regular practice in my life until joining the Story Athlete community. I used to look back over my life at some points and could not believe things that had happened or how far I had come in my own personal growth. When you come from not much, any progress seems significant.
Having a practice of regular reflection the past 25 months whether I participated in the Monthly GRIT challenge or not, has assisted my growth in a whole new way of conscious awareness.
I feel like in many ways I have come forward, and in other ways I feel completely behind. Some days I stress over getting things done, other days I seem to be in synchronistic flow. Some days I get lots done. Other days I want to sleep the days away. Some days I feel scattered, other days just get outta my way cuz I am laser focused.
That may sound like I am all over the place, and maybe I am. I am a kind soul in a human meat sack. A spirit having a human experience.
What I am realizing more and more is that I just don’t like being around people that are not on the same page. Maybe that sounds rude. I just don’t care anymore. I am super blessed with a wonderful network of clients, practitioner friends, and this Story Athlete community. Outside of that, I tend to withdraw and protect my energy. People who are not on a personal growth path, those who just ride the waves of the Lesser Self life, those who have shut off their critical thinking abilities… these are the ones I adamantly refuse to interact with now. They are a poor investment of my Return Of Time of my life.
In reflecting, I am wondering why I have so little patience with these types of people. Perhaps because I have been having one hell of a “mortality” check. Having lost loved ones, and supporting many clients who have lost loved ones, the finiteness of our mortal time here seems to take front row seating in realizing priorities. What are my priorities? Wellness and meaningful relationships with like minded souls. What is there beyond that? Pretty much anything else is just fluff. Good things are a bonus. Not so good things are lessons.
I feel that one good thing this past month is discovering a new YouTube channel and learning some new insights and terminology related to the ADHD traits. I refuse to get a diagnosis with some sort of label, but I am intrigued with the underlying causes and symptoms which I can integrate into my energy balancing toolbox. As I am always a work in progress, this is another angle and focus to work on myself first.
I thought I had most of my tax stuff done, but realized I had missed a whole section of ledger entries so I spent several hours rechecking everything before submitting at almost 2 am last night. The good thing is that business has been busy, the trade off is more paperwork. Ugh. I am still a little over stressed about that and then self-recriminating that I should have been more on the ball with all of it.
Vitamin M(ovement) helps get the mind and body in a better space. Tomorrow will always be a better day with a fresh start.

Day of GRIT: #28 of 28
METRICS: Stretch a Palooza
CONTEXT: I Expect the Unexpected
Adaptability is the absolute key to thriving in life. There’s a quote “I make plans and God laughs”. I think I must have learned that one early on because I do not make plans for much at all. I have known certain people who were so rigid in their plans of anything that when the unexpected happened, as it always does, their lives were turned upside down until they learned how to be adaptable… if they ever learned.
Yes I make to do lists. I have goals. I keep an emergency kit in my home and vehicle. I take steps towards my goals but not in a linear way. It is more of a dance and moving to the music of life, the highs and lows all add to this musical scale that some refer to as a tapestry, or a roller coaster.
I prefer to stay in the synchronicity and flow of the dance. I had such a fascination with roller coasters when I was little. When I finally went on one, I screamed bloody murder thru the whole ride. That is no longer a fascination in a literal or figurative sense. Music and dancing, now that is more my thing!

Rex Hunter: Jackie Rioux Dance that dance.

Toploader – Dancing in the Moonlight (Official Video)
Jackie Rioux: Rex Hunter Thank you! I always love your music selections!
Neil Sekol: Jackie Rioux I saw the word “dancing” and I reflected on a song that I had heard when working in retail management. I looked it up and after finding the wrong songs, finally found it. Mind you it is out of my typical genre, but I thought of my lovely bride whenever I heard it. I had many times intended to look it up and to share it with Lori, but never did. Now I was sparked to follow through. I am sharing our content (SA Principle, CJ’s, and your post) with this reply and an attached video of the song to my Forever Love, Lori.
Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Vv-BfVoq4g
Ed Sheeran – Perfect (Official Music Video)
Jackie Rioux: Neil Sekol I love it! Thank you!
Jackie Rioux: Follow up? Lori is a pretty lucky lady
Neil Sekol: Jackie Rioux She has been so swamped. I asked if she saw the emailed clip Monday morning, then Monday night. She finally was watching it this morning…She loved it.

Day of GRIT: #1 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Hub-Spoke F2 Finisher- 4MOD
CONTEXT: “StoryAthlete Finds a Way…”
After CJ’s context today, I am at a loss for words on “no excuses”. What really do we have as any kind of excuse when there are people out there who are such an inspiration in overcoming obstacles that would be insurmountable to the best of us.
In all my close circles and forums, there is a theme brewing for 2022 in a global consciousness sense. The earth energy is changing and raising in vibration. Not everyone will be able to handle this transition to the new earth. There has been a huge division in the world in the last several years and this divide, as I understand, will become much more prominent as each of us stands in our own truth. I keep “losing” friends who are so stuck in the past and who are not shifting to stand in their own power. They are passively compliant and I just cannot handle being around them anymore.
The bright side is that I am gaining an army, multitudes of more like minded souls coming together in Divine Truth.
Some days I feel sad and want to cater to excuses. And some days, I put on my rockin tunes and get in the zone of standing up for myself and others.
I was so inspired earlier with a new Canadian convoy song. Blasting it and dancing around my living room.
Then this evening, I family friend from childhood spewed her left leaning complicit views towards me yet again. I don’t usually block people, but I need to protect my own energy from that kind of passive aggressive drain.
GRIT community is where I want to be for inspiration instead.

Joe Tedesco: gotta protect that energy at all costs!
Mallory Antonello: protect the positive vibes! We got each other’s back. I’m in the same boat, had to set a lot of “healthy boundaries” until this is over ❤
Jackie Rioux: I joined our local convoy today. Blasted that song on repeat. Took some video. I’ll see if I can put on YouTube. Done being quiet and complacent. This friend thinks democracy voted him in properly. Not when I look around to so many people who didn’t vote for him.

Day of GRIT: #2 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Complex Workout F2 Finisher- 4MOD- Tabata Style
CONTEXT: “I Execute to Become Formidable… “
I usually don’t get involved with protests. What we resist persists and like Ghandi said, I would just prefer to BE the change I want to see. He also said he would never attend an “anti-war” rally, but gladly attend a peace rally. “Anti” means against, and energetically, the negative connotation is a lower vibration. Fight is another lower vibration type word. We see all sorts of things says “f*ck cancer”, or whatever similar sentiment. Well, giving energy and recognition to what we don’t want is still giving it energy. Energy flows where focus goes. That does NOT resonate with me at all.
I was at a conference several years ago and I remember a speaker saying “why would I want to send my children to a ‘hospital for sick kids’ when I want them to get well?”. Yes there is a Toronto hospital with that name, and this speaker was on a quest to have them consider a name change.
In learning about these negative connotations of words, I resolved to never support any charity with the disease name in the title. I will gladly support anything wellness, but not particular named disease charities. Side note, I have learned that these charities actually have so much admin costs that your dollars do not necessarily go fully to the intended purpose of the charity.
The past 10 days there has been a Freedom Rally 2022, started in Canada with all truckers. Many went to Ottawa to stand up for Freedom for all, to end all mandates (which are not laws, by the way). This is not anti V. It is not violent. It is meant to be a peaceful standing up in our power. To speak up when our cowardly PM is not speaking for us, but instead censoring many of us speaking for freedom.
I have been in hibernation mode for far too long. Not really rocking the boat much. I have supported the nurses movement from home in my own way. I knew people that went to those rallies. The media interviewed people I know personally and when the newscast came on, we realized that all those interviews were clipped and twisted to something that it was not representing, but more aligned with the biased media.
I am frustrated and have been quiet far too long. I have lost loved ones. I have known within just a few degrees separation many cases where the current global crisis has been the cause of death, loss, grief, and hardship.
Today I blasted the newest Canadian Convoy song on repeat in my vehicle and joined the local trucker convoy parading around town. Yes, we were loud honking all the way with our flashers on. Many had signs and flags.
Good people can only take so much and we have been forced and pushed to our breaking point. It is time to stand up for the human rights of everyone, globally. To let our voices be heard. The unacceptable minority fringe is what we have been called by those who obviously have not come out to see the integrity and organization that these wonderful people uphold for the benefit of all. Yeah, I will probably lose some more friends, but I know I will gain many more like minded souls in my path. The powers that be want us divided, but together when we stand in our power, promoting love, we will be a formidable force of citizens of the New Earth, AKA heaven on earth.

Glenn Forman: Jackie Rioux standing up for what you believe

Day of GRIT: #3 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Know Motivation Comes AFTER…”
There’s that theory about a object in motion will always be an object in motion, and a stationary object stay stationary. So what makes a stationary object move? Supposedly a push of some sort, which we would call motivation. An inanimate object needs a external physical force to move. I haven’t quite got the kinetic telepathy skill down pat yet.
As humans, we can develop an internal motivation when we engage mind over matter. Reading inspirational literature of any sort can motivate me, but I still need to take the first step on my own.
Back in my years as a mail carrier, I had some days that I just did not want to go out on my route. But with the obligations of my responsibility, and the promise of a paycheck to feed my kids, that was a forced form motivation.
I went through a phase of “walking the bridges” back in my home town. About a 5 km walk through a loop around town. It started with a friend inviting me out for a walk. Then, once I got used to walking every day, there were times that my friends were not available, so I started walking alone. My body had gotten used to the daily motion and stretching. Some days I didn’t really feel like going out walking, but my body would feel tense in craving some Vitamin M. I needed that movement. This was an internal motivation. Now with GRIT, my body needs Vitamin M daily again.
There are lots of days now that I just don’t feel like doing things, but I know that once I get moving, the motivation will come and I will feel a sense of accomplishment. I’m not lazy, I am just in energy saving mode… but that feeling of accomplishment to conquer my goals is a feeling that is worth getting moving for.

Joe Tedesco: When you get that kinetic telepathy skill down, share the secret with me!!
Jackie Rioux: Joe Tedesco, I think I watched too much Jetsons when I was little. I used to have dreams of kinetic telepathy, lol

Day of GRIT: #4 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Ladder Workout F2
CONTEXT: I Care…
Ya, I care, but what do I care about? Eons ago, I sacrificed everything and busted my ass raising my kids. I remember so many times my friends would tell me I needed to do something for me, to be a bit more selfish.
Back then, selfish was a god-awful word to me.
Years later, after much energy healing, I have learned that I carried all sorts of martyr energies. Loyalty beyond abuse and neglect. Empathetic towards others, and to my own detriment.
Fawning is now recognized as a trauma response along with Fight Flight and Freeze. Fawning is a form of over compensating people pleasing.
No more of that these days. Some people may mistake me for being a bitch. That is really only if you get on the wrong side of me when the scorned redhead comes unleashed. Thankfully that does not happen often at all these days. The more I keep my self-respecting boundaries and the more I care about myself, the more I have the capacity to care about other important things like my loved ones and my commitments and all the things that are important to me.
Yes I do care about my clients within reasonable limits. Yes I do care about others, and about global issues, within my own reasonable limits.
But if there are things that are none of my business, things that are out of my own control that do not affect me and my loved ones directly, then, I reserve my caring cup to focus on rejuvenating my own time and space for the benefit of those things most important to me.

Day of GRIT: #5 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Accumulation Workout F2 Finisher- 4MOD- EMOM
CONTEXT: “I Am Solution-Focused…”
I was not a good union worker. They promote equality across the board. For the most part that is admirable, but when i just want to get the job done, their philosophy of stretching out the work into our 8 hours shifts, I went stir crazy trying to go slow.
One of my biggest peeves is just to do the job right the first time and only handle things once. When I was trained eons ago, this is how we worked. In a small office we had a pretty efficient system and a ton of mail back then. As communication went more online, paper mail dwindled. When I moved to the a city four times the size of my home town, things were much different with 3 offices instead of one.
At the processing plant, there were containers that mail came in. There was a cage where these containers were tossed haphazardly and then sorted and piled later. Why not pile them right the first time like I used to? I was the new person and I spoke up about this concern only to be shot down and shunned by my coworkers.
The magazines came in plastic wrap or zap strap bundles. I would keep scissors handy and cut and sort as I go. I got in trouble for doing things too efficiently. They wanted to give someone else the job of cutting open the packages and piling neatly into a rolling cart, and then another person to sort them.
I remember having to find something to do a few times because we had very low volumes some days. Once I was assigned to roll up plastic bags and to stack them neatly in a cupboard. Another time I sorted elastic bands to take out the flimsy and broken ones. Thank God I was getting paid good money for this job, but I also understood this was an inefficient waste of time and resources from a business standpoint.
Thankfully, after 26 years, I retired and now have my own schedule. I can be as efficient or inefficient as I want to be on any given day. I prefer to find the most efficient solution. I like the idea of giving a job to the laziest genius to find the best solution. I wouldn’t call myself a genius, nor am I lazy. I just like to conserve my energy for the best reasons.

Day of GRIT: #6 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOD Tunes and dancing around my house to get steps in
CONTEXT: “I Make Power Moves…”
As I read through CJ’s context today, I thought back on several times in my life when I took steps towards my future, but I had never thought of it as “power moves” previously.
I coasted through life at one point, or so I thought. I was a really good barefoot and pregnant wife in a stagnant marriage for a long time. Then, once I realized that life was just not going anywhere and I wanted to grow when he didn’t, I started taking steps.
Now I am thinking I understand why so many people thought I was such a tuffy for all I endured and went through in taking steps through the legal system, moving homes, taking care of kids, making sure kids needs were met.
Up until now I just thought my inner redhead was pissed off and making a life for myself.
I like the thought of me just making “power moves” towards my future. I have owned my little home oasis for 16 years. I retired early. I run my own business now. Life is grand for the most part, because I have made power moves.

Day of GRIT: #7 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher F2
CONTEXT: “I Never Chase Shiny Objects…”
BUSTED!! I am looking around here for CJ as a fly on the wall because this context prompt sounds like he has been watching me again. You do know that my nickname has been Scrat ever since Ice Age came out? This isn’t so much because of always buying “shiny objects” but because I have been so scatterbrained and easily distracted in the past.
I will admit I have gotten better at focusing and getting things done, but I still have my days when I have no idea where the time has gone or what exactly I accomplished in the previous few hours.
I grew up resourceful because of my parents backgrounds and their influences. Then I raised four kids on a shoe string. Even if I wanted to take advantage of a marketing upsell, I had to count my pennies for the best deal so I was keenly aware of value and quality over quantity theory.
I am reminded also of a dear older gentleman who would come into the post office and spend the last bit of his pension money on expensive registered mail to send off entries to the Publisher’s Clearing house sweepstakes because he was convinced he was the next winner. Having witnessed sad situations like this affected my own thoughts of shiny object syndrome.
I hardly wear any jewelry other than a few sentimental pieces. Anything else gifted to me just hangs on the wall gathering dust. I am a minimalist and I don’t like clutter.
My shiny objects are more in the form of time wasters like cat videos, or playing Tetris or solitaire. I could counter that these distractions can serve a purpose sometimes of just a meditative brain drain moment, or me time.
But the truth is I still need to work on my own focus to not chase Shiny Objects in any form when I have other important tasks on my to do list.

Day of GRIT: #8 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Hub-Spoke F2 Finisher- 4MOD
CONTEXT: “My Heroic Self Has Different Tastes…”
I have always loved food. A see-food diet is for me. I see food, I eat. That wonderful trait has not served me well in my later years though.
I started gaining weight right about the time that my mom said I would past age 38. I now understand there is a whole emotional component to my weight gain and I have been addressing that through energy balancing. But there is also a whole aspect of food composition.
We learn about proteins and sugars etc and the effects on the body in any biology class. Proteins are building blocks, sugars are usually instant high energy and then crash and burn effects.
What about cravings though? Through four pregnancies, I learned a bit about cravings that carried forward for me. Interesting side note, each food that I most craved in my pregnancy is the favorite food of that adult child years later. Spaghetti with meat sauce, pickles and cheese, chocolate, and seafood /shrimp. I could not get enough of ice chips through all those months. What I didn’t know early was that I would experience many years of being anemic/ low iron. Ice chips are actually a symptom of low iron.
Being female adds to the low iron issue each month, so my doctor often prescribed red meat. I happen to love steak, so that was fine with me. Chocolate is not high on the healthy side though. I learned that when I crave chocolate, I am actually low in magnesium.
Having this knowledge now, I can choose better options than the immediate unhealthy craving. Ya, I still cave often enough to my milk chocolate with nuts, but it is more of a choice. I can also choose to eat particular food choices that address magnesium and iron levels. The bonus is that the more consistently I keep more healthier options in my regular diet, the less I crave the unhealthy items. Even more than that, I have become super sensitive to food additives and know to avoid those items so I can enjoy fully my real food choices rather than feeling ill and compromised for a day or so after ingesting offending foods. I am no longer fond of carbonated drinks, alcohol, or sugar in my tea. I love fruits and vegetables and still eat my favorite steak regularly enough.
Milk chocolate almonds are a treat these days rather than an outright weakness. Eons ago my best friend and I spent over $300 in one month on the youth group fundraiser to console our broken heart after divorces. No more of that these days. I can make better choices because my tastes, my energy, and my mindset have changed since then.

Mallory Antonello: Jackie Rioux haha I feel ya! Chocolate almonds are my weakness
Jackie Rioux: Mallory Antonello, we were so bad with that one month. 6 kids between us. One box for each of us and one box shared among the kids . Crazy days back then lol

Day of GRIT: #9 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Complex Workout F2 Finisher- 4MOD V1
CONTEXT: “I Break Free From Old Patterns… “
I could go on and on about how I have broken past dysfunctional patterns in my life and that my life has changed for the better in so many ways. But no, today I proved yet again that I miss some lessons in life and keep repeating them.
Today’s lesson was regarding my nemesis garlic. Most of my friends remember my experience with baked garlic back in October 2020. What I learned then is that baked garlic does take the pungentness down quite a bit so you can eat way more and get much more of the cleansing effects. I had overdone it then and paid the price of fumigating myself inside out.
A few months later, I had someone gift me a jar of canned pickled garlic. Oh my gosh that stuff was yummy. But again, it does cleanse your insides like a scrub brush. I am sucker for punishment apparently.
Last week, my daughter was cleaning out the fridge and found we had quite a stash of garlic bulbs in there. She baked a few for herself, but I didn’t indulge this time. However, I did suggest putting some cloves in a jar with pickle juice, since I loved the pickled garlic previously.
Today my daughter and I went on a blitzing rampage through our home, cleaning the nooks and crannies and clearing out any fornicating dust bunnies in the corners. Our day was going well. We had pulled out the fridge and stove to clean behind there. That’s where all the cat toys were hiding!
Next we moved on to cleaning inside the fridge. There was the pickled garlic! I was sure it had been marinating long enough over several days so I pulled out a huge clove and munched it down quickly. Yum! Down one gullet, past one lung, hello tummy, here I come!
Within mere seconds I felt that hauntingly familiar burning sensation in my ear canals. OH NO!!!!!!!!!!!! Make it stop!!
Too late. That clove was now sitting in my belly and the fumes were radiating all the way back up to my nostrils. My eyes were watering too. I had burned a passage from my mouth to my belly. A point of no return… I started swearing a blue streak and trying to breathe through it. I actually sent a message to my other kids to start preparing my eulogy.
My gosh I was feeling warm from the inside out. Melissa looked up home remedies to lessen the burning sensation and offered a banana. I settled to chug a glass of milk. It took probably half an hour before I was ready to tackle the house again. Melissa says I still reek like garlic. Good think skunks aren’t bothered by their own scent?
I have learned that canned pickled garlic must lose some of the sting of the fresh cloves. Have I broken free of old patterns? With lots of other things in my life, yeah. But not garlic. There is a full jar of fresh pickled garlic in the fridge, with my name on it, still waiting to plan my demise at any time. I have always told my kids I want to go out with a bang so please cremate me with some popcorn or firecrackers. I am not fond of this idea of burning myself from the inside out though.
I guess the bonus here is that Valentine’s day is in a couple days and I won’t be attracting any vampires.

https://ladybugwellness.ca/my-garlic-cleanse-adventure/
My Garlic Cleanse Adventure | Ladybug Wellness
Cathy Fortin: OMG fornicating dust bunnies
Jackie N. Rioux: Cathy Fortin wellll.. they do multiply..
Rhonda Martinez Montanez: This was / is hysterical
Lee Mackenzie: Good story! Makes me feel a bit better about looking at my patterns! ❤

Day of GRIT: #10 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Control My OPN…”
OPN = Own Personal Narrative.
I retired from the corporate world back in 2016 when I finally got my Plan B into place and could fully focus on Ladybug Wellness and my new career as an energy balancing practitioner. I had been taking courses and was already running my business on the side serving clients sporadically over a few years.
Sporadically though. I had some wonderful clients, but not consistent appointments. What was wrong here? I learned how to clear the energy of my business and that improved a lot of things, but still something felt off, like I just wasn’t making the right impressions to keep clients and referrals coming in.
Everything that is “wrong” externally, is an internal imbalance. Hidden subconscious beliefs are a horrible block that we often don’t even realize we have. I mean, we learned all sorts of things growing up from our parents, our peers, and society. But at some point we have to realize that all we have learned may be wrong in the greater scheme of life. Our educational sources have taught us all along with what they knew best at any given time. Toss in a dose or two of various traumas and we’ll have recipe for dysfunction.
So what was wrong with me internally? In Body Code, there is a term called “broadcast message” , which is a projected energy imbalance. The way I describe it, it’s like a neon sign on our foreheads that projects our fears and insecurities and particularly these hidden beliefs out towards others and others end up unintentionally treating us the way we are projecting.
For myself, I had one command type message of “mistreat me”. Kinda like that sign that bully kids put on another kids back in grade school. Then I had many variations of beliefs of not being good enough, unworthy, etc. Once I cleared much of those energies, life sure shifted for me in many ways. It seemed I was more visible to others and in a good way. I attracted many clients and followers who wanted to learn from me as well.
I get messages from clients that are compliments and appreciation for the work I have done with them. I just received a message this week from a young lady I have known for about 2 years. Reading her email, I must say I got pretty choked up with humbled tears as she wanted to confirm with me that she wants to mention me by name as one of her mentors in her upcoming book.
I took control of my own personal narrative, and she has taken control of her life as well. You just never know what kind of influence you will have on others. I am so grateful for being able to share my passion authentically and to make a difference in someone else’s life.

Day of GRIT: #11 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Ladder Workout F2
CONTEXT: I Find the Root Cause…
With all my energy healing knowledge, yes I generally find the root cause and eradicate the issue from before the creation of the issue. No band-aid solutions here. Just get ‘er done.
However, some issues seem to be elusive in finding the root cause and completely addressing and eradicating the problem. It really is a sleuthing game.
This past week I participated in a healing group run by a practitioner friend, and focused on Body Image and Weight Release. I felt great through the week. My body seemed to be detoxing and releasing. At least that is how I felt. Unfortunately the scale was not in alignment with my supposed progress and I actually gained 5 more pounds according to the scale reading. Pretty discouraging.
The interesting thing was that we tested my physical vs emotional weight and my physical weight, energetically speaking, is only a few pounds off of where I want to be as my ideal weight. The rest of my weight is all emotional and energetic weight that is showing up physically as a sign that I have not yet found the root cause. More work to do here.
The main things that showed up for me emotionally was a fear of losing my kids and other loved ones, and a resistance to letting go of the past. Given the events in my life the last several years, this totally makes sense. Whether this is the root of my weight issues, and whether I can fully address and release these fears so that the scale physical weight aligns more in my favor, all remains to be seen. To be continued…

Day of GRIT: #12 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Accumulation Workout F2 Finisher- 4MOD
CONTEXT: “I Am Nobody’s Victim…”
“Suck it up or I’ll give you something else to cry about”. Pretty cruel words to hear from a parent. Or is it really? Depends on the circumstances. Stupidity should hurt so you don’t do it again. If I legitimately got hurt, of course there was some sympathy. Have a cry then get back at life. If I did something stupid and got hurt… well, that was on me. Most likely I had been told not to do it in the first place. Or I should have used some common sense to avoid stupidity in the first place.
Is it really that harsh? Or are the philosophies today gone soft to the detriment of all of society? How many victim mentality people do you know that ride the social systems, content on just being lazy?
Someone somewhere has to “pay”, whether it is time, money, or other form of energy currency. When a person is an energy vampire, or just plain lazy with a victim mentality, this creates Karmic Debt. And Karma does not forget an address. No Karma isn’t all bad. There is good karma too.
We’re talking bad karma here though. To be a good earth citizen, a good human we need to be accountable for our existence and our actions. Misery loves company so when you have someone with a victim mentality, it attracts otehr energy vampires as well. Most often this would be imbalanced empathic “helpers”, the do gooders that wear their heart on their sleeve in caring too much about others. Why is this a bad thing? These bleeding heart types have no respectable boundaries or self worth and this over compensation of helping others is another form of victimhood.
Why am I so confident in these theories? Because I have been in these various shoes at different times in my life and I can tell you that it did no good to be a victim. Not for me or anyone else.
Being told to suck it up and stop crying and whining, because that just annoys everyone’s ears, was a blunt idle threat way of telling me to stand on my own two feet. To figure out how to get myself out of situations. It taught me resilience and forced me into critical thinking. Yes we can do without the idle threats part, but the sentiment is still the same. Suck it up Buttercup, I ain’t nobody’s victim.

http://universalspirituallaws.blogspot.com/2010/09/spiritual-law-of-karma.html
Joe Tedesco: Great post. “Or are the philosophies today gone soft to the detriment of all of society?” — this is spot on, too! Now I just need to get a shirt that says…”Suck it up Buttercup”
Jackie Rioux: Joe Tedesco thank you. I was having an off day, and I think my bitchiness came out in my post. Oops lol

Day of GRIT: #13 of 28
METRICS: 5K Finisher- 4MOD
CONTEXT: “I Light the Wick of Possibility for Others…”
I was really having an off day yesterday and I am sure my bitchiness showing in my writing context. I find inspiration in reading my GRIT mates contexts. Two from yesterday particularly stood out for me.
Michelle was speaking about how she has noticed a distinctive difference between those of differing political affiliations. I have actually noticed this myself. One being very self sufficient and accountable, the other showing a lot of disrespect for others with their victim mentality.
Joe also spoke about a distinctive difference he has noticed between the victim mentality attitude of one area of town versus another that is more accountable and respectful.
These two have put into words what I have been feeling very strongly, particularly in the last while.
For so many years I have been sought out by friends and clients for advice and stories of how I have overcome my past and made something of myself. I own my home, I run a viable business, I assist others in their healing journeys, I pay my bills, I am a mother and grandmother and enjoy my family. I have had a past, but I have not let that define my future. I am nobody’s victim. I am honored to feel I have been a shining light of hope for those around me.
In recent months the divisive nature of global events has hit too close to home. I am finding that mentors that I have previously respected as my own shining lights have now highlighted their opposing political affiliations. They have seemingly, in my opinion, lost their connection to God consciousness. This is so discouraging to me in how they are blind to what is going on in the world in how they have inadvertently become victims to the elitist agendas.
I have lost several childhood friends recently as well. So much for being mature enough to play in the sandbox together even if we have differing views. No, they do not like my truth especially when I have adamantly stood my ground in my own power and opinions. They have cut off and denied connections to me.
What I have come to realize is that there is no reason to try to change anyone’s mind. They have their truth, and I have mine. Divine Truth will reveal itself and come out in the end. Only at that time will we see who has been “right” in their views.
Until then, I will continue to stand in my own truth. I will continue to speak my own truth and to shine my light. I lean strongly on the concept of vibration. If I keep my vibration high and in alignment with Divine Truth, my vibration will influence positively any lower vibrations around me. It is the law of the universe. This is the only way I know to light the wick of possibility in others.

Day of GRIT: #14 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher F2
CONTEXT: “I Win Over a Long Enough Timeline…”
Twenty years ago, I would have never believed then what my life looks like now. I went through about 4 years of tears with family court custody and maintenance issues. I was left with a mountain of marital and other debt. Rock bottom and broker than broken trying to make myself into something. Anything. I got out on my own with a tarnished reputation before I could even build a reputation thanks to his connections in our home town. Small town rumors just added to my plight at that time.
I had a dear friend who became my Big Sis. She still to this day is my genuine shoulder when I need her. She kept telling me to hold my head up and live my life so that those who didn’t know me had nothing on me. Her advice, “Give them enough rope and they’ll hang themselves” rang true over time.
Karma comes around in good and bad ways, and never forgets an address. Sometimes you even get to hear about it. Not that I wish anything bad on anyone, but I did get some relief hearing about karma backfiring on some people who tried to make my life hell at that time.
I have tried to live my life authentically and over time, this has become a “win” for me in what I consider a pretty good life all these years later.

Joe Tedesco: Jackie Rioux Karma don’t mess around!!

Day of GRIT: #15 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Hub-Spoke F2 Finisher- 4MOD
CONTEXT: “My Routine Kills Indecision…”
Back in working days, I was often on a 6 am to 2 pm shift, which I actually liked because I could do my monotonous job half asleep, go home for a power nap and then have the rest of the day for me. I had my morning routine down to a science. I could do my shower, breaky to go, and be out the door within 20 minutes of crawling out of bed. I am still like that. Low maintenance there. Back then I didnt go to bed early, cherishing my ME time after kids were settled, so I was often groggy in the morning until my hot shower woke me up. Blasting AC/DC and other 80s rock also helped waking me up for work.
However, my kids will never forget one morning when someone had moved both my keys and my hair pick. They knew to not touch mom’s stuff. If they needed to use anything, that was fine, but it goes back exactly where they got it from. Or else.
That Or Else happened one morning when redhead medusa mom came unleashed and woke up four sleeping kids at 5 30 am because I needed to get to work. I don’t remember anyone ever moving my stuff again quite like that.
Thankfully those days are long behind us. Now I am retired from that corporate world and happily living my passion running my wellness business. I still have some routines that are now so engrained that it messes me up if I miss something. Thankfully, because of these routines, I can get myself back on track much quicker.
I still need to work on consistency for something and a regular earlier time do get my GRIT commitments into my day.

Day of GRIT: #16 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Complex Workout F2 Finisher- 4MOD- Tabata Style V1
CONTEXT: “I Pursue Increasing Levels of Clarity… “
Through each of these daily contexts, I look back on my life for examples to share of the lessons I have learned that may be applicable and insightful to inspire others.
In reflecting back, I often realize that that was then and this is now. I have come so far in my life journey’s that I hardly know that shy naive girl from eons past. Yet I have brought forward experience, and some well earned wisdom highlights and wrinkles as well. Knowing my past, I can either predict a similar future or I can gain clarity from the rear view mirror and adjust my life’s course to create the future I want instead.
In this refection back to the past, I have realized a detrimental cause of the current global division and confusion. When I was young, we had investigative journalism programs such as W-5. We got to see a seemingly unbiased and informative look at the behind the scenes of certain events and situations.
I love my country. I am a proud Canadian. But I am sorely ashamed of our government and particularly the spineless jellyfish excuse of a national leader we have here. I am sure his legacy will be the most embarrassing leader in all of global history. There have been leaked videos circulating of him saying he paid off the media to support him. So much for investigative journalism. The fear based, left leaning, victim based lies are unfortunately apparent in those who trust and watch these news sources.
Personally I am left with too many unanswered questions. When I have friends and network connections globally, I hear things from those who bear witness with their own eyes to some events. The media seems to taken their news tidbits out of contest to weave a completely different story to what is actually happening. I personally know 3 people who were interviewed but when their piece aired, it was clipped and made to sound opposite of what they stood for. This ads to my distrust of these media sources.
When something seems to be controversial, I prefer to know why and to be able to form my own opinions. I would like to hear opposing views so I can weigh my own views and the pros and cons of information, to draw my own conclusions. This brings clarity and confidence in my decisions for my own life and the lives of those I influence, particularly my family and loved ones.
I saw a meme today that succinctly expresses my thoughts on biased media:
“Education means to bring out wisdom. Indoctrination means to push in knowledge. Beware of false knowledge. It is more dangerous than ignorance”.

Day of GRIT: #17 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Implement Good Advice…”
Back in July of 2019, I received a Facebook friend request from a young fellow. Being the super wary person I am on social media, I checked out this guy’s profile.
I was checking to see if he was a military brat with tons of female friends and pics of him with a child or a pet, and a fairly fresh profile. You know those ones, they’re looking for a sugar mama and they are usually fake profiles.
My spidey senses are usually on high alert cue to my naivety back in 2001 when my sister introduced me to a guy she had met on an online chat group. Thanks to that whirlwind romance and eventual divorce experience, I learned a lot about online security and refuse to go on any dating sites as well.
Back to this friend request… I have my security settings set to “only friends of friends” can send a friend request. I checked out Greg’s profile and saw that he was married, and Glenn Foreman was a mutual friend. Glenn is a fellow energy balancing practitioner from some of my forums. Seemed safe enough to accept this new friend request. Plus, I noticed this guy posted a lot inspirational and personal growth kind of things, which I quite liked.
Greg sent a message asking about business and entrepreneurial endeavors. I wasn’t really on the same page there, but I appreciated his insights. Fast forward to around Christmas 2019 when Greg invited me to participate in an accountability chat where we would post our aspirations and accomplishments over a few weeks. It was in that group chat that I met Heather. Between Greg and Heather, they kept on me about joining Story Athlete. I finally checked out their website links in January but decided that I couldn’t afford a membership, especially with the exchange rate, and I wasn’t ready to jump in with a bunch of seemingly overzealous creatures that would torch my butt and leave me in the dust.
In April of 2020, they told me there was a free month offer and to get inside to at least give it a try. Ugh. Greg also told me that my elliptical machine was better off as a clothes hanger and this community was way better. I was so confused trying to get in to a new social media platform. Adam was so helpful and patient with me. Then I learned that Adam would be my partner and he worked at the post office. A common ground sufferer!! A crazy critter just like me! I am so thankful that Adam was so patient and encouraging with me as I navigated my first month in GRIT.
I sold that stupid elliptical machine and put those funds to my membership in Story Athlete. I found my tribe. I actually started a YouTube channel and implemented all sorts of ideas from my entrepreneurial team mates. I keep renewing my membership because this is my daily accountability now. I think I have grown as a person and my business has definitely grown exponentially thanks to being in GRIT. Some friends come into your life for a reason and I am sure glad I accepted that friend request from Greg.
Glenn Forman: Jackie Rioux and here you are :))

Day of GRIT: #18 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Ladder Workout F2
CONTEXT: I Protect My Reputation…
Bryon Katie says, “All stress comes from being in the wrong business. There is God’s business, their business, and your business. Whose business are you in?”
My “reputation” is based on what others think of me, their perceptions. Their opinions of me, really, are none of my business. We cannot possibly please everyone and it would be too stressful and futile to even try. On the back of my vehicle I have a decal that is a quote from Dr Seuss, “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who matter don’t mind, and those who mind, don’t matter”.
Quite often if you hear something derogatory about someone else, it is often from a jilted lover, or a jealous insecure competitor. It could also be someone who is not in your close circles that really doesn’t have a clue about your character up close. Their words are based on their own perceptions and judgments.
The best I can do is to live my life authentically and to serve my clients in the best way I know how, then leave the rest alone. There is a whole other aspect and topic of working on myself regularly to clear any projected energies I may have that would inadvertently give someone else a skewed perception of me, but other than that, I have no control over my “reputation” as perceived by others.
I just had an experience recently where someone in a local questions group was asking about Reiki practitioners. My name was tagged so I responded to the original poster in the comments with my website and contact information.
Someone else jumped on the thread under my comment to ask me directly if I knew about or offered “raindrop technique”. I actually had not heard of this technique so I looked it up.
I responded to this person’s inquiry by saying that it appears to be a controversial technique promoted by an essential oils MLM company where undiluted oils are used directly on skin, and no, I would not be offering or promoting this technique to my clients. Now, in my experience and knowledge I know that you are never to use undiluted oils unless specifically trained by a certified aroma therapist, and preferably not a biased proprietary representative.
I thought my response was professional and explanatory. Since this was a public forum, I suggested that others do their due diligence in researching before trying this method. My daughter has much more contact with information in her apothecary and aromatherapy practitioner forums, so she also commented reiterating her concerns with this proprietary and controversial technique.
This person responded that we must be completely uneducated and blocked my daughter. Then, several hours later, after I had all but forgotten about this post, I received a private message from this person blasting me for her disappointment in my response and how I should be more supportive of women in not tearing them down. Whaaaat? Where did she confuse my response to her inquiry about a controversial technique with being degrading to her or to women?
I looked at her profile and found that she is a distributor for this MLM oils company.
This is just an example of how someone can completely take me the wrong way than intended. This exchange reminded me of Ryan Fletcher’s comment that MLMs are the fastest way to lose friends!
Then just days later, I received a message from a dear client who is writing a book and wants to mention me by name as one of her mentors. Quite humbling. So which one of these scenarios is my reputation? Both can be, based on different perceptions.
This is why the only way to protect my reputation is to live authentically, speak my truth and stay close those like minded souls in my tribe who appreciate me. I can only trust that my authenticity will shine as a light for others who are willing and ready to see me in what I feel is my true light.

Day of GRIT: #19 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Accumulation Workout F2 Finisher- 4MOD
CONTEXT: “I Push Beyond 40%…”
One of the first times I remember pushing myself beyond my limits was back when I was 18 and was in the first few months of marriage. See, I was a teen mom. My daughter was born 17 days after my 17th birthday. I married her father the following summer, against my parents advice, but that is a story for another time.
Now, I had gone from my parents home to living with a husband who was hardly ever home. Always out partying with his buddies. I had been in Christian private school then transferred to public school 2 months before her birth. Because of this transition, I was delayed to graduate from high school.
Once we were married, we took on managing a local motel at the outskirts of town. We could not leave our management position together, so while I was at school during the day, he stayed home to manage the motel and look after our daughter. As soon as I was home, he would leave for the evening. I did not have a drivers license until I was 23, so I was taking the school bus each day. The only problem was that the pick up and drop off was about 2 km from the motel. Not a problem in the summer time, but winter with regular blizzards was quite trying. I was already accustomed to long walks and long bike rides previously, but again usually in summer and not with as many responsibilities in my life as I had during this time managing the motel with family and school obligations. I remember one particular time that I got off the bus and stepped into a full on blizzard. I was walking in a fairly open area with the highway and river side me so the wind was blowing snow was icy cold and cut through to my bones.
I didn’t dare cry because that would just create icicles on my lashes and more problems trying to see my way in the white out conditions. I had nowhere to duck in for any kind of shelter. Just one foot in front of the other, pushing my way against the wind til I got home to the motel. Only two kilometres, but it felt like eternity that day.
I had no choice but to keep pushing myself beyond what I felt I could. I just kept trying to think warm thoughts of getting home to my daughter. By the time I did reach home, I was so stiff and frozen, and I had to pee so bad!!! You know you’re cold when the porcelain toilet seat in winter was warmer than my butt cheeks!
I survived. I pushed through. I gained the knowledge that I could push myself beyond my limits and I took that knowledge forward to many other situations in my life where I also survived.

Day of GRIT: #20 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOD
CONTEXT: “I Pursue Peak Energy…”
The Levels of Consciousness from Dr David Hawkins is a chart that many energy healers use. This chart explains the levels of vibration of emotional states from shame and guilt at the lowest, to happiness, love, joy, peace, enlightenment at the highest
Through energy healing we release the lower vibration upsets and trauma and in turn we raise our overall vibration. While this explanation can makes sense to the average person, it is not until you actually experience energy healing that you’ll fully understand the feeling of how emotional baggage is actually “heavy”. This is why we feel “depressed” when we’re feeling lethargic. All this is lifted through the energy healing process and can bring a feeling of peak energy, happiness, and vitality.
This is why I am quite willing to pursue peak energy in this way and to stay high on a happy vibe!

Day of GRIT: #21 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher F2
CONTEXT: “Sometimes I’m Terrified…”
I have been up Mount Robson three times. There are 7 camping sites along the 23 km stretch to the top. My first time up, I went with a friend and I made it to the cave. The second time, my daughter and I went up and made it to the cave again. The cave is on a stretch beyond the 6th campsite, almost straight up. Beyond the cave there is Mumm’s basin, which we had never been to before and wanted to try to get there. Well, we did venture over that way but there were not very many visible trail markers along that stretch so we’re not sure we actually made it. It was getting late. We were on top of a mountain, and the sun was going down. Yikes.
We decided it would be wise to get our butts back to our campsite. Unfortunately, the camp we registered for was almost 13 km back. We had planned to camp and leave our stuff at the Whitehorn camp so we could take only day packs and not have to carry our tent and overnight gear through 4 kms of switchbacks.
There are some flatter areas and we made good time there, but it was dark by the time we got to the switchbacks. Switchbacks are a zigzag trail down a steeper area of the mountain. Trees and boulders everywhere. We had heard there had been a bear sighting the day before, so we were on alert more than usual.
We had bear bells and head lamps but going through those twists and turns, scurrying as quick as we could down the mountain, every shadow looked like a bear. We managed to get back to camp and were quite relieved to settle in our tent knowing there were some other hikers settled in their tents around us.
When we went up the next year, we registered our campsites a little better according to our hiking plans, even to carry our gear further up the mountain. This was one of the most terrifying experiences I endured in quite a while.

Day of GRIT: #22 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Hub-Spoke F2 Finisher- 4MOD
CONTEXT: “My Preparation Pays Off…”
Proper preparation prevents piss poor performance….
I realized eons ago that I need somewhat of a routine to keep me prepared. Keys are always in my pocket, in the ignition, in the side pocket of my purse or on the hook at home. If they are not in those places, God help me they are lost. Thankfully hasn’t happened too many times unless I had a really sidetracked stressful day. Then losing keys just puts me over the edge. ugh.
I like to be organized. If I am not organized, nothing seems to go right. Am I OCD? Maybe a little. ya. Old Cranky and Demented.
I keep an emergency kit in my vehicle and an emergency kit in my home. I don’t think we can ever be fully 100% prepared for the unexpected tragedies, especially when our world has gotten so crazy, but at least I have a pretty good head start for my own peace of mind.
Proper preparation is super important when I am a single woman who likes to take off on roads trips or go to rock concerts alone. Being prepared has saved my ass a few times over the years. I guess my years in Girls Guides paid off throughout life.

Day of GRIT: #23 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Complex Workout F2 Finisher- 4MOD V1
CONTEXT: “I Don’t Harbor Anger… “
When I explain that I am a redhead Taurus, half German, lil bit Irish, and an ex postal worker, I get some wide eyed wary looks. All my traits are against me on the anger topic. However, the Jordan Peterson quote has been shared before here, “You should be a monster, an absolute monster and then learn how to control it!”.
I have been a monster a few times in my life and probably scared the beejeebies out of a few people. I can be so calm and collected most of the time and then sometimes redhead medusa comes unleashed and my inner volcano bubbles over. Not a pretty sight. My children’s father had an unpredictable volatile temper. As did my father actually. I was used to walking on eggshells for years. In the ten years with my children’s father, there were only a few times when I blew a gasket. He scurried the kids away from me those few times. Not something to be proud of at all, but I learned my limits. I learned that when I am overtired and under slept, I have an extremely thin line of patience. That is not a good kind of anger.
What do you mean a good kind of anger? Well, that would be an example of bad anger. Unnecessary, uncontrolled anger.
There is a good kind of anger when it comes to the compassion of humanity such as abuse of children particularly. Pedophilia is something that incites instant rage within me. What to do with that anger though? I do my part with working with survivors of abuses. Thankfully with energy healing, I do not need to know the upsetting details yet I can help survivors overcome that atrocious past.
Energy healing and balancing is a way to release all kinds of anger by addressing the root causes of anger and rage. By releasing anger from the root cause, we can control that inner monster.
These days I take care to get enough rest and sleep so I am not so quick to anger.

Glenn Forman: Jackie Rioux Righteous indignation is a proper form of anger, which is what you talked about.
Unfortunately there are too many with self-righteous indignation.
Jackie Rioux Glenn Forman, yes, very true. Not everyone chooses energy healing, which can bring discernment.
Kelly Robb Jackie Rioux maybe you could channel healing toward Putin
Jackie Rioux Kelly Robb trust me we’ve been doing the whole situation. I’ve got a dowsing group that meets 3 times a week last few months and all working on global stuff. Thongs are shifting whether we recognize it or not.
Kelly Robb Jackie Rioux bless you

Day of GRIT: #24 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Celebrate Small Victories…”
It’s tax season now. I had always despised tax time and having to organize receipts and ledgers. I am not at all fond of administration aspect of business but it is a necessity.
Now that I have a much better organized system, it is just a matter of entering data regularly. I still may not be fond of this work, but I celebrate that I have data to enter because that means my business is running well.
My bonus is that I have the most amazing clients to work with and often receive feedback on their successes in overcoming their issues. These are small victories for me as well because it confirms that our time together in energy healing sessions is bringing results for them in a happier healthier life.

Day of GRIT: #25 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Ladder Workout F2
CONTEXT: I Learn From My Mistakes…
I have come from a school of hard knocks. Grew up in redneckville where the main industry was logging. We lived 15 minutes out of town. My father was a totalitarian. There are a lot of factors I could blame for me growing up in survival mode. Actually, having this upbringing, there were some things where you only made a mistake once. Like touching a hot stove. You learned fast that stupidity hurts. These days we have warning labels on everything and look what has happened to society. Personally, I think we should not have warning labels and just let society sort itself out.
There are some things though that were what could be considered mistakes in my past, such as two failed marriages. But were they really mistakes, or learning lessons?
What I have come to learn through energy balancing is that my previous hidden beliefs and negative emotions kept me trapped in a repeated pattern of poor choices. The subconscious mind wants to keep us in the familiar past rather than forging a new unpredictable path. It is a survival mechanism designed to keep us safe. But what is “safe” when these patterns are detrimental to our well being?
Through energy balancing and releasing these trapped energies, we raise our vibration, become more in tune with our intuition and discernment so we can make better choices in our lives.
In this way I have learned much from past mistakes, but I also have come to recognize them as lessons instead of mistakes.
Some mistakes repeated, like when I succumb to my occasional Coffee Crisp treat, are actually choices, not mistakes anymore. Then again, in whose opinion is a chocolate bar a mistake?

Day of GRIT: #26 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Accumulation Workout F2 Finisher- 4MOD- EMOM
CONTEXT: “I Diligently Document the Journey…”
So many people have told me to share my stories, to write about my life. As I look back on my life and remember some particular events, I wonder how the heck I ever managed to survive and to come to this point in my life.
I used to keep a diary when I was a teenager. I continued into my first years of marriage. At one point I read through some of those old notes and realized how boring my life was. I burned much of those boring notes, and focused on living life instead. At some points I have written about road trips or other events, but all these notes have been scattered through my computer, through paper files, and all sorts of unfiled papers as well. I have documented my journey, just not diligently or efficiently. Now that I have figured out a system of recording and organizing, I am gathering all those scattered notes to align into a more legible form of documentation so I can more easily share with my family and anyone else interested to read about my life.
This is definitely a worthy but time consuming project. With diligence from this point on, I trust this journey will become even more worthwhile.

Day of GRIT: #27 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher 4MOD
CONTEXT: “I Reflect on My Results…”
Mind Body Business Relationships…. Reflecting on the last month.
I think I did ok through most of the month, well at least at first. I have been doing my energy healing and things are going quite well with business and clients. I am so blessed to have amazing contacts and clients that way. I have some amazing practitioner friends as well.
I was awfully frustrated when I participated in a weight release group for a week and gained weight instead of shedding. Super frustrating. I have heard enough about intermittent fasting that I decided to try that method after the gain frustration. I got back down to the weight I have been holding for the last two years. I did manage to keep at the intermittent method for several days, just having an eating window between 12 and 8 pm each day. My problem is consistency. I did great for several days then caved and ate a bag of chocolate one evening. I felt like crap and chided myself on that stupidity.
Relationships: I think I am going through another phrase of losing friends. I mean, I know that if we lose friends due to their rigidity and opposing opinions, they weren’t really friends to begin with, right? But these were childhood family friends. It is so disappointing to realize they are on a completely different path in being followers rather than standing in their truth. I know I just need to accept that others choose a different soul journey and there is not a damn thing we can do about it other than let them go. Then I have to face my own attachments and reasonings in why this upsets me so much. On the opposite of this, I have had some well meaning friends who constantly bombard me with “really important, you gotta see this” videos and articles, which have been shared in other groups and channels repeatedly. It is like the online version of spam and chain letters. This is just simply information overload. I cannot keep up with any of it. I end up turning off notifications and deleting all of it, then politely, or maybe sometimes not so politely, telling certain people to STOP dammit!! Some people just don’t get it that some channels are the reason they get hacked.
I have been encouraging myself and others, as I feel is my purpose in life. I have stood in my truths and yet the last few weeks have spiraled into feeling so disappointed and alone. In the last probably a year or so, I have come to find out that at least a dozen people I know have been “diagnosed” with ADHD issues. I absolutely refuse to go get a label for having a list of traits. I took psychology and I despise labels that way which are really based on a doctors perceptions. You cannot study the mind. You can study a physical brain, but the mind is open to interpretation. However, the list of traits with lack of focus and feeling overwhelmed and stuck are something that I seem to feel in myself at times. The last few weeks is one of those times.
I just want to shut off the entire world and take some much needed quiet time away from distractions. I would like to obviously keep some channels open to clients, certain close friends, and family of course, but that means I need to keep on top of shutting off notifications and settings for all other distractions.
I am trying to stay positive but not really feeling it today.
Business YAY!
Body, is still a work in progress.
Relationships: feels like a shifting roller coaster right now.
Mind: Took a vacation without me. I am a good egg, just slightly cracked. But that is ok cuz that is where the light gets in.

Day of GRIT: #28 of 28
METRICS: Feb 2022- Final Workout Count Down Workout F2 Finisher
CONTEXT: “I Expect the Unexpected…”
Continuing from yesterdays context, I have been feeling super overwhelmed lately. I do my own energy healing but I also have my go to lady in England every few weeks for a tune up for me so I can keep myself in the best shape to work with my clients.
This morning I had a session with Sue. In energy healing, anything can cause anything. This is a quote from Dr Brad at Discover Healing. We know this. I always go into my client sessions detached from the outcome and just facilitating. In this way, we just never know what comes up.
Sue works like this as well. My session this morning was quite instrumental in getting me grounded and back on track today. YAY!! But the imbalances that came up for me were quite surprising in confirming just how overwhelmed I have been lately. Interestingly, there were two imbalances that I have been carrying since age 3 and these were quite significant blocks. Although I feel much better, my mind and body are needing some spiritual maintenance and cocoon time. As much as I love being in GRIT each month, I feel the need to respect my needs right now to shut off the outside world and just concentrate on me, my family, and my clients for a few weeks.
I am trusting that all my friends here in GRIT will reach out for April GRIT to put a huge bon fire under my butt and get me back in GRIT then. I will check in to the main community now and then for sure. This is Ladybug taking some cocoon time so I can come back with new wings fresh with the rebirth of Spring.

Jackie Rioux ‘TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR SPIRITUAL MAINTENANCE’
Bob Little: Jackie, take care while you get some much needed “you” time. We will see you as a butterfly when you emerge from your cocoon.

Day of GRIT: #1 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOD- 15-Second Intervals Superman/ Banana
CONTEXT: “StoryAthlete Finds a Way…”
Sometimes we may think something is “beneath us” to take on to further our goals. I think it is good to see opportunities as rungs on a ladder and sometimes you need to start at the bottom to work your way up. This is kind of an old school philosophy that should be brought back. It was darn frustrating in a union environment when rules changed at some point. Instead of learning the ropes and working your way up to management, they could bring in someone from another field or even off the streets, so to speak, to take management positions. I lost a lot of respect when we had to explain our job roles just so the supervisor could make directive decisions and even then things got screwed up royally.
I had a management job at age 18 running a motel. Although many years later I have had lifelong friends with the owners, I never ever wanted a management position again.
I remember my mom saying early on that a waitressing job, according to the philosophies when she was growing up, was the lowest kind of job you could take. Not very respectable. I have a different point of view thankfully as my daughter took on server jobs for many years to pay for her traveling and it really is a personable skill across the globe.
When I moved to this city back in 2001, I did not have much, if any, child support. Even though I had a good job, I was struggling to make ends meet providing extras for my four kids. I said a lot of prayers first, then took a resume downtown to the local night clubs and pubs. My “other mom” was a religious pillar in my life and was so worried about this venture so I know she prayed lots too. Well, two of the pubs were closed. I walked into the Generator and Johnny hired me on the spot. I was put on beer tub so I didn’t have to move around serving drunken customers in the crowds. I worked there two years and only two nights I covered a server. I came home in tears those night. However, my somewhat protected position behind the beer tub served me quite well in providing just enough tips and income to get by through that time in my life. Thankfully I was pretty naive back then and blind to a lot of things going on there. Things I found out much later. I am grateful for the doormen who seemed awfully protective of me then and are still good friends years later.
The networking and friends I made then were instrumental though the rest of my years here since then.
I think that nothing is “beneath us” to take on some way to make our plans succeed. You just never know the hidden benefits that might come out of it much later.

Sheryll Mairza: Jackie Rioux I FULLY agree! There is NOTHING beneath us!

Day of GRIT: #2 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Hub Spoke F2 Finisher- 4MOD- AMRAP
CONTEXT: “I See Failure as Data….”
At one point in my life I kept telling my friends that I am the prime example of what NOT to do in life. Most people graduate, get married, then have children.
I did that completely backwards. I had a baby 17 days after my 17th birthday. I got married over the summer when I was 18, continued with high school and graduated at age 19 when I was 6 months pregnant with my second child.
Thank God I managed to land a job with the post office at age 23, since we were so broke and my then husband was not very good at holding a job or holding onto money.
Most people work in a lifelong career or job and retire age 55 then try to travel and enjoy their nest egg until they kick the bucket soon or later.
I got the travel bug, and a bucket list, and went on lots of road trips, with or without kids or friends. I got my plan B in place with a good accountant and taking courses towards a different career. I retired age 49 and now live my passion serving clients.
Most people go on to college and start a career after high school. Well, I was kinda busy being married and “barefoot and pregnant”, literally. I went back to school at age 42, and graduated with an Associate Degree Psychology concentration, at age 52.
What most people would see as a life of failures and disappointments, and back-ass-ward-ness, I see as a life of intrigue, interest and accomplishments despite the obstacles. I ain’t “most people”. I am not weird, strange, or odd either. I am unique. I am fun loving, and I have built a life of knowing what I do and don’t want in my life.
I still may not recommend having children so early. I do recommend vetting out a life partner much better than my choices of two marriages that ended in divorce.
I find it quite amusing to explain to strangers that I have 4 kids ages 37, 35, 30 and 29. My five grandkids are 18, 12, 10, 8, and 4. I retired early. By this point their hamster wheel has spun out trying to figuring out my real age. The kids’ father used to get mad at me for not acting my age. Well, I don’t know how to “act my age” if I have never been this age before. I just live my life as best that I know how, collecting my stories and adventures along the way.

PS: Do you know how to catch a unique rabbit? U-nique up on him. Know how to catch a tame rabbit? The tame way.

Sheryll Mairza: love your PS!!! And your message today is fantastic!!! You are absolutely amazing!!!
Neil Sekol: I think you are just splitting Hares.
Mallory Antonello: put on your crown

Day of GRIT: #3 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Accumulation Workout F2
CONTEXT: “I Know How To Pivot…”
The first thing that came to mind with “I know how to pivot” is my ex-husband explaining me in a store when we were planning our wedding. That was my crazy time of a whirlwind romance. My sister had met this guy on a chat group when I was home alone at Christmas, as my kids had all gone with their dad. Sister introduced him to me and 4 months later he moved here from New York. Less than a month later he proposed, and we got married 11 days after that. Whew.
Yup, that was my crazy time. Lonely and fell for his humor and charm. Eleven days to plan a wedding. I actually pulled off a really nice small wedding, just with the wrong groom, again. Oops.
Anyways, he did have quite the sense of humor and we had a lot of laughs for the first few months until his lies started unraveling. The funny part of pivot was how he described me juggling two jobs, four kids, and a young husband (he was 12 years my junior) all while planning a wedding in 11 days.
I had been in a department store buying a few things and he said I was spinning around like the scene in Exorcist trying to get my bearings and find everything I was looking for.
That marriage only lasted 2 years. I was so scarred from that experience that I didn’t date anyone for more than 5 years afterwards. The real pivot came during that super lonely time of my life when everything seemed to be crashing down around me with my jobs, my friends, my kids. Just everything.
But that is also when I found myself and stated re-evaluating life. I started back to school and turned my life into something way better in following my passion. I also learned to love my own company. Alone and single does not have to mean lonely. My life has been fulfilling in so many other ways because when the going gets tough, I know how to adapt and pivot.

Sheryll Mairza: Jackie Rioux you are amazingly resilient!
Jackie Rioux: Sheryll Mairza now ya..lol. i wasn’t so much thru the process lol

Day of GRIT: #4 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Leg Day Complex-a-Palooza C2 F2 Finisher- 4MOD -5x5x5
CONTEXT: “I Know Answers Reveal Themselves…”
I had a new client ask me the other day if I needed anything more than her name and birth date as she had expected to fill out a long form for a session. Nope, I don’t need any more details than what you are willing to offer within a session. Your energy will tell me everything I need to know to find and release trapped energies so you can uncover your authentic self.
This is the beauty of this work. My clients do not need to share any deep dark secrets or re-live past traumas. As an energy balancing practitioner, I only need permission to tune into a client’s energy field. I am a facilitator that just steps out of the way and allows the answers to come on their own.
In working this way, most clients experience a shift towards feeling much lighter, more focused, and happier in a higher vibrational frequency. A simple process, yet profoundly effective for my clients. Incredibly rewarding yet humbling for me.

Mallory Antonello: Jackie Rioux that’s beautiful work Jackie
Sheryll Mairza: Jackie Rioux absolutely fascinating!!
Kelly Robb: Jackie Rioux you found your purpose
Jackie Rioux: most days I am just as mind blown as my clients as to what comes up for them. Doesn’t always make any sense to me but usually bang on for them lol
Joe Tedesco: I enjoyed my session with you the other day, Jackie! It was fascinating and I did feel lighter and even more so over the following days. It’s funny that you mentioned my Texas accent in the follow up email you sent me. Obviously I don’t think I have one, but I’m reminded when I talk to peeps from the north. I look forward to another session!
Jackie Rioux: Joe Tedesco thank you ❤ you got to see firsthand how and why this work is my passion.
It wasn’t until years after leaving home that I finally noticed my father’s heavy German accent. I have noticed accents and voice tones much more since then. Fascinating.

Day of GRIT: #5 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Deck of cards F2 Finisher- 4MOD V2
CONTEXT: “I Raise My Standards… ”
Many years ago an incident happened that I now forget most of the details, but the lesson still sticks out to this day.
I had called a customer service line with a complaint of a technical issue that really screwed things up for me and affected my reputation and service to my customers at the time. It was a downright stupid issue that the company had failed to deliver. I was mad and super frustrated in how their screw up affected me and in turn, my customers.
I was NOT on my best behavior that day. I seriously failed as a human being. I was reactive and so irate that I shared my upset with this customer service agent. I didn’t swear or get mad AT this poor lady, but it was quite evident that I was fit to be tied and nothing was going well. The matter didn’t even get resolved as the time frame had passed and it was an error in company policy and technicalities. Nothing I could do, nothing she could do other than take notes to pass on to management to maybe look into changing their policies.
After that phone call, I felt horrible though. I had acted inappropriately and that was not ok. I should have been a better human. While I can’t take back what was said, or erase how I had acted in that moment, I could at the very least raise my own standards with offering a sincere apology.
I called back the next day, and this was where I learned a valuable lesson, and probably she did too. I asked for that particular customer service representative. I explained who I was and I sincerely apologized. This woman was floored. She thanked me, and we at least resolved our human aspect even if the issue could not be resolved from either end. She explained that she had NEVER, in all her years, had someone apologize to her for being rude, and as a customer service rep, she just took that as part of her job.
Seriously? Are people so rude and entitled in this day and age that they cannot be mature enough to realize when they made a mistake and to offer a sincere apology for their actions? Apparently not. I resolved than that I would do better in first not allowing myself to get to that point of frustrations, and two, if I fail again because I am that human, I can at least be accountable for my own actions in offering an apology.

Neil Sekol: Jackie Rioux Way to take Ownership!
Sheryll Mairza: Jackie Rioux a lovely lesson indeed.
Lanay Stockstill: Jackie Rioux Good on you! Absolute respect for owning up and tracking the agent down. You redeemed the human race that day -imo.

It is one thing that fail at being a decent human. It is a whole other story to ever not be accountable for poor actions. I do my part in raising my own standards.

Day of GRIT: #6 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza My “stretch” today was dealing with 18 inches of snow so I could get out of my driveway to go pick up necessities.
CONTEXT: “I Hunt Story…”
When I’ve got 4 kids, 5 grandkids, and a life like mine peppered with all sorts of twisted humor, I don’t need to hunt for stories, I just need to get writing. And collecting and organizing. I have tons of stories in my head and tons written down, scattered all over. Thanks to Story Athlete, all these stories are finally coming together. Many are in my website now. Lots are piled up in my computer waiting to be organized into a memoir of some sort.
Some stories blow up in the most humorous ways. Like when I decided to try a baked garlic detox. My friends got some belly laughs at my expense because I shared the details of my experience in the most politest way possible. I was so not a lady those nights…
Or when I posted a picture of my new dryer balls several years ago. They were blue and spikey. Guess where that conversation went.
I posted a video of the new cat tree we purchased the other day, with 5 adventurous cats going crazy with their new toy. Surrounded with more cat toys. My caption surmised that we’re just a cathouse here.
I have such a wide variety of friends on social media and they have been warned that if they are friends with me, they will likely get scarred at some point. I am that friend they introduce to their other friends with a whispered caution. I don’t need a warning label though, I am a redhead.
Too many times in my working years there would be a conversation where the supervisor or someone would say “Jackie, just don’t say it”, because they knew the most innocent of conversations would have someone putting their foot in their mouth when I started snickering.
Today I needed to get out and pick up some necessities. We just cleared our driveway last week but have another 18 inches to deal with again. In exasperation I posted pics in a local “shit parkers of Prince George” group. My caption was “I’d like to lodge a complaint with Mother Nature for parking this much snow in my driveway. We just cleared this a few days ago. There is no room to put any more s***”. At least I am good for entertainment whether it is a caption or a full length story.
No, I don’t need to hunt for stories other than collecting all the ones I have. There will always be new stories unfolding around me as well with a little bit of awareness and a different perspective on life.

Day of GRIT: #7 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher F2
CONTEXT: I Strive To Be a Superior Communicator…
My grandmother kept diary type journals for many years of her traveling adventures. That trait passed on to me with my road trips years later in collecting stories of my life. Grandma also loved Scrabble and crossword puzzles. I have many memories of sitting on Qualicum beach enjoying these past times with her.
Despite my father’s faults, there were some good things I gained from him in my fascination with language. Is it any wonder that English was my best subject all through school? In grade 7, our teacher insisted on peer reviewed papers before she would mark them, so I often had a pile of papers on my desk to proofread for my fellow students.
Writing has always been my preferred form of communication. I suppose that is something with visual learning styles. I tend to get tongue tied and jumble my thoughts when I speak, especially when I am put on the spot to speak. However, having writing as foundation has given me a better vocabulary to work with when I communicate with others.
There are a few things that come to mind in how I have strived to be a better communicator. Because of being a teen mom and getting married over the summer, I graduated with a credit short. To make up for that credit, I took a presumably easy correspondence course in Business Communications. It still took me two years to complete with babies underfoot, but I did complete the course. The only thing that I remember from that course has carried through my life with me.

There are 6 stages of verbal communication and it is wise to understand each stage to be able to avoid miscommunication.
1. The speaker thinks of a message
2. The speaker uses words, symbols, tones, and gestures from their personal vocabulary to convey their message
3. The speaker conveys the message
4. The receiver receives the messages
5. The receiver translates the message from their own personal vocabulary
6. The receiver acts on their interpretation of the message.

As you can see, this leaves a lot of room for miscommunication, so it is imperative to strive to be a better communicator for the simple reason of having better relationships and interactions with others. Every aspect of life requires better communication.
After my second divorce, I went through a period of really trying to find myself and to build my own confidence that had been severely destroyed with two failed marriages. Part of that journey was joining Toastmasters where I learned about different aspects of communication. As a member we go through workbooks and give mini speeches to our peers for practice. I earned a Competent Communicator award in my time there.
Although I loved Toastmaster and the group that I was involved in, I was the worst with Table Topics where we were given a context and had to speak on the spot for hopefully 2 minutes. I was inadvertently the “ah” and “um” champion.
Since then I have read a few books on being able to read people. Being able to take visual and auditory cues on a person’s accent or mannerisms can be helpful in determining the vocabulary needed to communicate well.
These days, I rely heavily on my own intuition to read the energy of others around me. I can then determine if a conversation is worth pursuing, whether I need to adjust my approach, or if the whole endeavor is futile. I am always a work in progress.

Day of GRIT: #8 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher 4MOD
CONTEXT: “I Protect My Time…”
Do you ever get the feeling that CJ Thomas is like a fly on the wall watching and waiting to choose the daily contexts by giving us a severe kick in the hiney?
I have already previously mentioned that I need more self discipline to get up earlier in the morning, and to get more focused on actually accomplishing things on my to do list. I mean, it’s not like I don’t have time. I haven’t gone on my road trips and last minute concert excursions for the last 2 years. I have been feeling very scattered though, I suppose some might call it “cabin fever” or stir crazy, but I know that’s not it.
I love my home oasis and I hardly notice when I haven’t left the house in days on end. I have everything I need here and really only go out for necessities. I work with clients online, and I talk to people a lot. We do have some friends and clients come to visit.
Where is all my time being wasted? Why does time seem to fly by in a blur?
Time flies when you’re having fun, or when you’re busy. Or maybe even when I catch myself daydreaming, or admittedly “doomscrolling” social media.
How do I protect my time? I set my alarm and convince myself that the day is wasting awake when I lay in bed too long in the morning. I had been getting up for a morning tinkle then crawling back under the covers because I was cold and not quite awake.
I have been clearing my energy, and I set the programmable thermostat so that the house is bearable when I get up. Also, I am not allowing myself to go back to bed after my morning potty run, even if that means my kidneys start floating. All five of our felines are helping with this morning routine. I swear they can hear my eyelids open. They have figured out they can encourage earlier feeding time by gathering on my bed and purring loudly until I move. Then it is stampede for the kitchen.
I really have no excuses other than what my Lesser Self comes up with for excuses. Stressed about Tax time? I shouldn’t be, now that I have a great system in place. It is just a matter of continuing my organization projects.
Feeling scattered? Clear my energy and buckle down. I have the tools, skills, and knowledge to clear my energy and just get ‘er done. Prioritize and execute. I appreciated Bob’s context today and I think I would like to borrow his idea for my 2022 word of the year being FOCUS.
I do mean concentrated focus, not the acronym from my former supervisor, “F*** Off Cuz Ur Stupid”. Although these days in some situations that could be fitting.
I am just a work in progress here…

Day of GRIT: #9 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Hub Spoke F2 Finisher- 4MOD- AMRAP
CONTEXT: “I Master My Emotions…”
As an energy balancing practitioner, I should be saying that I am a master of my emotions. For the most part, yes, I do master my emotions. I am not as reactive as I have been in years past. However, I am human and a mother, grandmother and I work with clients. I have enough exposure to the world around me to be in situations where I could get triggered. Yet I also have enough respectable boundaries to avoid such situations, if at all possible.
I have done enough energy balancing work over my years on myself that I can easily release trapped energies quickly. I have opened my heart fully to feel all the good things in life and to fully feel loss and grief as well.
Being an energy balancing practitioner is like being an detective sleuth in figuring out the underlying cause of the reactive and negative emotions we experience.
One thing that was extremely interesting to figure out, and actually a little embarrassing to admit as well, was that we can have an emotional and mental age as well as our biological age.
This past year, I was trying to figure out a poor experience I had just a few years ago. I was shocked to realize that my emotional age then was 6 years old! My biological age was 48, but my emotional age was 6. Wow. No wonder I didn’t handle that situation very well.
Thankfully I have worked through the underlying causes of why my emotional age was 6 years old and have now aligned my emotional age with my current biological age. I am trusting that if I am ever faced with a similar situation, I will have mastered my emotions and handle things much differently.

Glenn Forman: Jackie Rioux That’s a good one – emotional and mental age. Logical age is another. Even when those ages now show up at current age, then taking it deeper, asking for specific events and seeing if those are at the current age or can use a little effort. The subconscious is so fascinating.
Jackie Rioux: Glenn Forman ugh.. my logical age is 23. I have some work to do… Thank you.
Glenn Forman: Jackie Rioux When I did those, I was probably around 4 years old. hahah
Joe Tedesco: Jackie Rioux Fascinating. Having an emotional age much lower than our physical age makes complete sense. I’m sure it takes a lot of work to increase that number.
Jackie Rioux Joe Tedesco we get stuck at the ages of unprocessed trauma. We know this psychologically. With energy work tho we can find imbalances quickly and easily if we figure out the right questions to ask to uncover the answers. 🤩 For me, although drastic difference, it was just a few imbalances to correct.
Glenn Forman: Joe Tedesco Each person will be different: some may have a lot of imbalances and others not so much. It all depends on what each has gone through and how each reacted and what got stuck.

Day of GRIT: #10 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Accumulation Workout – modified elevated planks :/
CONTEXT: “I Know How To Lead…”
Through my 26 year jail time in a corporate career, I had many supervisors. I was so fortunate that in my first 10 years in my home town, I had an amazing supervisor that was so encouraging and supportive. I was going through hell in my personal life with family court issues and I was often in tears. My country music loving coworkers dedicated the song “Earl” by the Dixie Chicks to my ex husband, just to give you an idea how bad things were then.
This supervisor gave me space when I needed to cry, and I remember coming back to my work station one time to a poem she left for me saying “Don’t Quit”. My workplace became my solace.
That is until I transferred to a larger center. Things were never the same and my work space became toxic due to poor management tactics across the company and due to the company turning to big business and greed rather than customer service.
When I started back to school as a mature student, I took a “Operational Psychology” course which covered corporate structure and management. I figured out how and why my job had become so toxic with poor management and leadership.
Then I read a book called “The Gift of Fear” by Gavin deBecker. It has a chapter about hiring employees and how to determine those that might be a problem to your team. It actually has a reference to a postal office tragedy. I learned more about trusting intuition and about reading character.
What really made a difference for me in understanding effective leadership was reading through Straightline Leadership my Dusan Djukich. Get from Point A to Point B in a straight line. No beans about it. “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie is another timeless reference.
When I got into energy healing work, I read the most important reference book to ever understand vibration and everything energy, Power vs Force by Dr David Hawkins. It is a law of nature and energy that a company that runs on greed and money will not succeed, but a company that focuses on employees and customers has a much high vibration and will succeed.
What great leadership entails, is understanding that a leader is also a servant, and that a servant can be a leader. I have always tended to be someone who looks out for the best interest of others, and I do my best to serve my clients in the best way I know how. I find it quite humbling that so many people seem to look to me for encouragement and advice on direction in their lives. I do not like leading though. I prefer to show others how to lead for themselves and in doing so, they find their own self empowerment and sovereignty.

Day of GRIT: #11 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Leg Day Complex-a-Palooza C1 F2 Finisher- 4MOD
CONTEXT: “I Know the Importance of a Tribe…”
I have a few tribes. They are my lifeline in an otherwise crazy world.
I have had many friendships and acquaintances in the past but I find that the more I heal my past upsets, the more those past connections have fallen away. I also tend to protect my energy more now, and keep my circles small and meaningful.
I have my family members who have been all my soul and biological connections throughout my life. Those relationships have changed over the years, but for the most part the ones of us that are still close in heart, are my family tribe.
I have my holistic practitioner network tribe. Many have become my close friends. These are people who get me. They understand our unique take on life and all the holistic practitioner language that we all use like it is second nature to us. I fully admit keeping very close to those in this circle who recognize the current global consciousness in an awareness that is not mainstream. This tribe spans the globe and they are the ones who confirm my intuitive senses in working with clients, and navigating our world as it is now.
Then I have my Story Athlete GRIT tribe. I honestly don’t know where I would be without these like minded entrepreneurial souls. It is coming up two years that I have been connected with this tribe and they are my daily support system. I have grown in my business and in my personal life thanks to all the incredible connections and friends I have here.
I am truly grateful for all of these connections, because I know the importance and the immeasurable value of my Tribes.

Joe Tedesco: Grateful for you too, Jackie!

Day of GRIT: #12 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Deck of cards F2 Finisher- 4MOD V2
CONTEXT: “I Use My Past to Improve the Future… ”
I read the context prompt early this morning so I can mull over my thoughts before posting later in the day. I had been thinking of explaining how I have used my past to improve my future. Through energy balancing and finding non beneficial familial patterns, I can release and heal my past.
Today, thinking about my past, my thoughts traveled to Darrel. My soul mate passed away just a few months ago, September 30. My gawd, my gut wrenches just realizing that. Early last year I had been telling him all about GRIT and how my connections here have improved my life so much.
I read through several of my GRIT mates contexts today, many referring to a past similar to Darrel and how they have overcome that past. Darrel was just at a point last year of realizing many things of his tumultuous past and moving forward with his future, when his life was just snuffed out. He was only 42 and left behind two kids 15 and 13.
My bud Andy was 38 when he passed back in 2014, leaving behind two young sons. He was in the midst of training for a new career. My son in law Larry was 37 when he passed in 2018, at the peak of his life. He left behind my grandkids then aged 5 and 7.
I suppose being left alone with my thoughts today regarding my past made me realize how far I have come, and also reiterating why we need to live in the NOW and make it the best we can because we never know when our time is up. We only have today to improve our future.

Day of GRIT: #13 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “You Don’t Know Me!…”
It is said that when you live in a small town, if you don’t know what you’re up to, just ask around. I grew up in a small town and at one point, I found out that this sentiment was true, unfortunately.
It is also said that you should not always believe anything derogatory about a woman because it often comes from a jilted lover or jealous rival. Yet again, unfortunately true.
I had grown up pretty sheltered with a totalitarian father. Just going to school, church, and church activities mainly. I tried to escape that life and ended up being a teen mom, married early and then a stagnant emotionally abusive marriage for 10 years.
When I escaped that life and finally stood up for myself, I was 28 years old with 4 small kids. Thankfully I secured a good paying job. I also seemed to make a lot of friends when my sister and I started going out on the weekends to the local night club. Really the only social scene in a small town.
Now I was out and about, and my ex husband despised me. Now, those who knew me well, knew I was usually the DD that got everyone home safe as I didn’t drink much at all. I was just the one who got everyone else on the dance floor having fun. That didn’t go well with some jealous girls around town either.
Soon I realized there were some horrible nasty rumors going around town. Apparently I had 4 kids with 4 different guys, got into drugs, neglected my kids and was “well known” among men. Thankfully I did have enough friends to be able to trace some of these rumors back to my ex husband and many of his friends and relatives. It was also to the point that there was a social services lady who took complaints regularly and got to know me well enough to know the complaints were not true, they were just originated from some nasty people who seemed to have nothing better to do with their time than to make my life a living hell.
Did I mention that I had a pretty low self esteem coming out of that marriage and did not handle these rumors very well? Ya… Oh, and there was about 4 years of court with family maintenance and custody issues and a whole lot of tears. I can only Thank God now, looking back and realizing there were a few key people put in my path that saved my ass and my reputation a few times. My Big Sis kept telling me to hold my head high and to just go on living my own life. Karma would come around at some point.
It took me a while to build up my own confidence in knowing that it is only my own opinion of myself that really counts because the rest of those people who spread nasty rumors don’t know me. In fact, their rumors say more about them than they do about me.

Day of GRIT: #14 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher
CONTEXT: I Have a Moral Obligation…
Do I really have a moral obligation? I think this theory is the reason for so much division these days, especially on social media. Morals and values seem to be different for everyone, and there seems to be quite a divide on the idea that I “must” do things for the benefit of others, even if it is detrimental to my own well being. There is a general idea of what we “should” be doing, yet that is the philosophy of a follower who doesn’t question their leader.
I grew up with the Golden Rule. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. Unfortunately, that philosophy seems to have gone out with common sense back in the dark ages.
I have more of an entrepreneurial spirit that believes that I need to look after myself and my needs first before I am fit to offer anyone else assistance in life.
Do I have a moral obligation to save a life if at all possible? Generally I would say yes. But there is an analogy that not everyone understands:
If someone is drowning in a rushing river, would you jump in to save that person? Now, many people would not think twice and just jump in not realizing that there is a high chance that they will drown too. Not a very smart choice, is it? Sure there are some miraculous dramatic rescues that worked out, but those cases are few and far in between with disclaimers on news reports to not try this yourself.
In wilderness rescue, the members are taught to protect themselves first by throwing a life saver to the person drowning while they secure themselves on stable footing and guide and or tow the person to safety.
You cannot help a person who does not want help, no way no how. I do feel ethically that I have an obligation to be a good human and to be considerate of my fellow man, but I do not feel I have a moral obligation that fits the general public’s views these days.

Day of GRIT: #15 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOD
CONTEXT: “I Make Time to Laugh…”
Early on I learned that laughter can be a coping mechanism due to past trauma. I think that may have been true at one point in my life. My father could be dead serious about something things, and yet a jokester at other times, and God help you if you didn’t realize the difference. I walked on eggshells a lot back then.
Once I was away from home, my humor started coming out more. Silly humor, or twisted humor seem to get me most. Dark humor too. Pretty sure that anyone who is so interested in psychology, human nature, and science ends up with humor like mine.
Things like my mom forgetting that she had a wrench in her purse from a gas station promotion, and airport security found it. Thankfully it was funny then and many years ago before 2001.
Or a conversation with a friend on social media who realized that Costco sells caskets, and openly wondering about their return policy. (Her friends though we were nuts). Maybe…
Or maybe just the private family chat I have with my adult kids where we share all sorts of memes and jokes. I am not sure if I should be proud or scared of their humor.
We recently found a home video that had me and some friends playing with helium. I had no idea we had that footage but hilarious to look back on. The priceless one was finding the clip of my daughter drilling for gold during the Christmas story being read back when she was about 2.
What I do know for sure is that the more I have healed the trauma of my past, the more I am able to see the happiness and humor in daily life all around me. And we always find reasons to laugh because laughter really is the best medicine.

Day of GRIT: #16 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Hub Spoke F2 Finisher- 4MOD- AMRAP
CONTEXT: “I Know It Never Ends…”
The day that we stop learning, growing, moving, speaking our truth, standing in our own power etc etc, is the day we die. Whether that is an emotional death, a mental death, or an outright physical death, change and growth is the only constant. It is a law of nature.
So far I think I would like to keep on living and enjoying life to the fullest as we never know when our time is up on this Earth plane. I know my personal growth journey never ends so I choose to live the 1% journey in taking steps each and every day towards my life goals and my legacy.

Day of GRIT: #17 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Accumulation Workout F2
CONTEXT: “I Am Brutally Honest…”
Growing up I could not get away with much at all. It seemed my father could see right through. No poker face here. He read me like an open book and called me out on everything. Why bother even trying to hold secrets? Might as well be up front about everything anyway. I actually didn’t speak up much in those days, my face usually showed everything.
There was a lady who came into the post office regularly who happened to read birth charts as a hobby. My coworkers convinced me to let her read my birth chart. She only needed my birth date and time, and the location of my birth. Severla days later she came to my counter and said, “What you see is what you get, eh?”.
Huh?
She explained that most people have a “mask”, meaning they show one aspect of themselves to family, one to the world, one to strangers etc.
She explained further that my birth chart lines show that I hardly have a mask at all, meaning “what you see is what you get”. This reading was probably around age 29 shortly after my first divorce when I was still awfully naive.
As time has gone one with all my life experiences, I seem to have lost that “brain to mouth” filter that most people have. While I try to be compassionate and caring with my clients, in other situations the eye rolls are imminent and sarcasm abounds.
I am old enough now that I just speak my mind most of the time, and I have grown quite an opinion on some topics due to my experiences and education. This has ended up being a “friends filter” of sorts. I seem to have lost several extreme left leaning, liberal, and woke generation type people off my social media friends.
I would like to think that most people are mature enough to be able to remain friends with those of differing opinions, but it social media and world events are showing the true colors of many people these days. My true colors are shining brightly as well because I am brutally honest with everyone.

Joe Tedesco: The other day I read something in a behavioral engineering book that reminds me of the “Masks” you mention. The author wrote about how we all play different roles. From the time we wake up to the time we go to bed, we are shifting from role to role. Most of the time it’s not even about the role, but how we precieve ourselves in that role.

Day of GRIT: #18 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Leg Day Complex-a-Palooza C1 F2 Finisher- 4MOD
CONTEXT: “I Am My Own Therapist…”
How many times in the last while have I said, “Thank God for energy healing”. Talk therapy is so dark ages. Why bring up and re-live the past when energy healing can find the imbalances and just get the crap gone for good?!
I am extremely grateful that I have learned to do so much energy healing myself. It is a continuous fascinating journey, yet I also understand the value of working with another practitioner with fresh eyes to find what I happen to miss. We all have the same goal, yet with so many different energy healing modalities out there, we all have unique experiences and methods of how we work with clients.
This work is absolutely fascinating as it has been said that “Anything can cause anything”. That is an open door of all sorts of curiosity.
My latest target imbalance this past week was finding an old post in my practitioner forum discussing “clutter energy” in the cerebellum and other areas of the brain and body.
After revisiting this discussion a week ago, I have been targeting this imbalance in a whole new way for myself and my clients this past week. The shifts have been amazing and has translated to my physical environment as went. Getting the crap and clutter out and doing a happy dance here.

Joe Tedesco
That was one thing I found fascinating when reading E-Code. How there’s no need to “re-live” past trauma. You can heal, with the right guide, without ever bringing those hidden emotions to the surface. I love the work you do and I’m grateful there are people like you and Glenn in this would to guide us with your passion.

Day of GRIT: #19 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Deck of cards F2 Finisher- 4MOD V2
CONTEXT: “I Live the Path… ”
Holistic healing and self development is the new niche these days. Pretty much anyone can put up a store front sign and say they are now helping people to find their path and to find inner peace etc. Pretty simple. Make lots of moola too right? Wrong.
Well I mean, yeah, you could make lots of money, but are you really helping people? Do you know what you’re doing?
We just had this discussion yesterday in Story Athlete about how there are business men and there are healers. Which one do you want to assist you in finding your path?
Truth be told, the business man type can still be helpful to a point. Take a number and get ‘er done.
Most people who seek the assistance of a holistic practitioner are usually at a point of vulnerability. There are multitudes of choices out there of experienced practitioners, newbies that just put up their store front sign, and the business man type just out to make a buck off your sorry ass.
There are even more choices when it comes to different energy healing modalities. The end goal is to create balance within the energy system to give the body a boost towards healing itself, an innate quality far too often dismissed by conventional medicine techniques.
There are many techniques that promote stepping into your client’s energy field to be able to assist them. Or to “become” them as a surrogate. Pretty invasive if you ask me. Personally I like to connect with my clients through a Divine Filter to protect each of us from the invasiveness of mixing energies or inadvertently taking on someone else’s crap.
So, who do you trust when you need to choose a practitioner to work with? First off, always listen to your guts. If someone or some thing makes you uncomfortable, choose differently until you feel okay with your choice.
Honestly, most people who have walked this path of becoming a holistic practitioner or gotten into any other psychology and healing related professions most likely have had a pretty messed up past, or a major trauma they have, or are in the process to, overcome. The real question is, how far along are they on their own journey to be able to assist others effectively?
I have had the unfortunate experience of working with a few inexperienced practitioners. Inexperienced in both education and personal experience. This is not at all helpful, trust me. Plus, energy healing can be profoundly intimate and insightful. Do you really want just anyone working near or within your personal energy field? I think not.
Your decisions should be your decisions alone, without coercing or convincing which practitioner or what techniques are best for you.
I am truly grateful for being blessed with a number of amazing clients who have placed their faith in me to assist them in uncovering their true selves through the energy balancing services that I offer. I am especially thankful for those who have expressed their reason for working with me is that I have walked and lived the path of healing past trauma. I have overcome my past. I continue to work on myself and face my own trials and tribulations head on, all while gathering knowledge and experience to share with others to find their own unique path as well.

Eddie Masters: Thanks for sharing!
Laurie Niedermayer: Well said Jackie N. Rioux ♥
Cheryl Hannah: At best, we make space for change to happen. People still need to make the choice to change after the way has been cleared.
Ladybug Wellness: Cheryl Hannah exactly. I often say I am not a fixer; I am a facilitator.

Day of GRIT: #20 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Am an Athlete…”
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of athlete is, of course, sports. I was never into sports in school days. In physical education class we would play murder ball with those god-awful weighted balls that you better be good at catching or you’re gonna get bowled over. Not allowed that kind of sport these days, someone might get offended. I was usually the last one picked for any team games anyway.
We used to have Particip-action Olympics and I did get a few badges for that. I got a gold badge for the top girl in the school for the chin up bar. Again, none of that competitive stuff these days. Good memory though.
I was briefly allowed to take part in a Grade 7 grad Mexican hat dance presentation. Totalitarian father, remember… that was a special allowance, once.
My form of anything sporty or exercise was riding my 10 speed bike and walking lots. Two feet and a heartbeat to get anywhere. I rode my bike almost 10 km every day to school, even when I was 9 months pregnant as it was safer for me to be at school and nearer to the hospital than at home out of town limits.
Raising children for so many years, I am sure chasing them around was my main exercise for a while. As they got older, I took to “walking the bridges”, a 5 km loop around our small town. Then a mail carrier for 12 years of my 26 year career.
When my sister lived with me after our break ups, we socialized by going out dancing. I wasn’t much of a drinker so I just partied on air and water and got everyone else on the dance floor with me.
I have hiked Mount Robson to the top 3 times. That is a few days hike and camping as it is 23 km up to Berg Lake Glacier.
Now, I have been a Story Athlete member for almost 2 years, joining in GRIT for 16 of those months.
I have never really thought of myself as an athlete, yet now looking over these personal statistics, I can see that my forms of exercise have been more than just running circles in my head, although I still do a lot of that some days.

Day of GRIT: #21 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher F2
CONTEXT: I Investigate My Doubt…

I am a lot further ahead in life now because I learned how to find energetic blocks within myself to propel myself forward. Whenever I feel unsure of anything, I check my own energy. Is it bad vibes? Something not good for me? Or, is there a block within myself preventing something good in my life?

If it is a block to something good, then I check if I have any hidden non beneficial beliefs within me, or any kind of energies I may be projecting that are creating an invisble external barrier to anything good coming my way.

I can also check if I have an energetic allergy to pretty much anything, and that can create a block as well as a sense of doubt.

Doubt is somewhat of a protection mechanism that keeps us from doing stupid and hurtful things, an evolutionary trait. However, it can also be a pain in the butt source of procrastination that holds us back from the good things in life.
I am grateful to have the skills and knowledge to determine if doubt is beneficial in certain situations, with a lesson to be learned; or if my lack of certainty comes from an energetic block that needs to be taken out with the daily trash or flushed down the drain in my morning shower so I can move forward and make decisions that will enhance my life goals.

Joe Tedesco: Jackie Rioux – I never thought of doubt as a protection mechanism but it makes total sense. And a handy excuse for procrastination – never thought about that either, but damn it’s so true. Great insight here!
Jackie Rioux: Joe Tedesco to be honest, I never thought of it before either lol. Funny how a context prompt can spur deep thinking.

Day of GRIT: #22 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOD
CONTEXT: “I Master Situational Strategy…”
Thank God for Google these days when my mind goes blank on a context prompt. What the heck IS situational strategy? How can I master something if I have no clue what the term means? This is what came up for a definition of “situational strategy”:
“What are the 5 main components in situational analysis?
A situational analysis should include the internal and external factors that affect a business, and a 5C approach may be the simplest. The 5Cs are company, customers, competitors, collaborators, and climate (or context)”.
Now how do I apply this to ME? Yes, I have a company name, Ladybug Wellness.
Customers? Well I call them clients, and I have an amazing list of clients who are on their own personal growth journey and are willing to do their own work which makes my position as a facilitator so much more rewarding.
Competitors? In this field of energy healing, I do not feel that we have competitors as we are all unique in our gifts, skills, and experiences.
Collaborators? For me and my business of holistic wellness, collaborators would be the incredible network of other energy healing practitioners that I can easily call on for myself or as a referral for one of my clients.
Climate or context, I would think applies to the atmosphere of my business, which in energetic terms means a high vibration and viability to serve my clientele. The entire basis and purpose of energy healing is to raise our energetic vibration to the level of love, peace, joy, and enlightenment. Pretty sure that one checks a box here.
Considering these aspects of situational strategy and realizing that I know that I have built my business to a place of viability with a wonderful network of clients and practitioner friends, I AM a master of situational strategy.

Joe Tedesco: I had a tough time with this one, too

Day of GRIT: #23 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Hub Spoke F2 Finisher- 4MOD- AMRAP
CONTEXT: “I Work to Predict Trends…”
As much as logic puzzles intrigue me, I have never been very good at figuring them out very well. I was much better at crossword puzzles. Human behavior and psychology intrigue me as well though, and although I am no expert in that field either, I do think I am able to pick up on cues of sorts and to “predict” behavior in some sense.
This skill is not reliant solely on science. I rely heavily on intuition. I am always learning though and adding experiences to my data bank.
My son and I watch crime and behavioral science type shows. I must say that I am usually pretty good at figuring out the perpetrators. That is about as far as my predicting trends skills go.

Day of GRIT: #24 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Accumulation Workout
CONTEXT: “I Never Stop Learning…”
In the school of life, the day we stop learning, is also the day we die. We’re learning life lessons constantly in our biological evolution. Whether those lessons are an easier path or not, is up to us.
If a child touches a hot stove after being told repeatedly to not touch the stove, they usually learn pretty quick through experience. But why would we want to continue harsh lessons like that?
In pretty much every leadership skills course out there, it is recommended to find a mentor to follow. Someone who has walked the path you want to emulate. Someone who can show you the obstacles in the path and how to get around or go through them.
I have several people I like to follow to learn new and different skills. I have a selection of books and websites to glean information as I go. There are many people in the Story Athlete community that I follow. We call our mentors “pace cars”. I am always checking to see who my mentors and pace cars follow as well.
All this because learning is a continuous path for me in my personal growth.

Day of GRIT: #25 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Leg Day Complex-a-Palooza C1 F2 Finisher- 4MOD
CONTEXT: “I Want Something More…”
The entire world has been in various stages of lockdown the past 2 years. Why? because of global leaders falling to the whims of “science” and the idea that there is a threat to humanity out there. All the regulations of the past two years are confusing and not across the board.
If this was really about a bug and true science, there would not be quite so much confusion. Real science can be questioned and duplicated. Why are some areas subjected to one set of rules and time frames while another area is not? Bugs don’t care about limitations, don’t you think? One set of rules over here if you are standing, another rule just a few feet away for those sitting.
And don’t get me started on hearing about “glory holes” in the regular new broadcasts.
Psychology suggests that the way to gain control over masses is to divide and conquer. Why is this theory not part of common sense? Oh yeah, common sense went out with the dark ages.
So many minority groups want to be inclusive across the board. How can you possibly be inclusive when everyone is unique in their views, their personalities, and experiences? No one wants another person or group shoving their views down someone else’s throats. Live and let live. So why join any kind of groups that encourage this feigned “inclusiveness” when it really is divisiveness? Sure, have your groups, but keep it unique for yourself.
The only group that is inclusive across humanity, is humanity itself. After that, please celebrate differences and acceptance.
Today I am finally proud to be Canadian again. This last week, a “fringe minority with unacceptable views” has risen up to support a convoy of truckers travelling across Canada to stage a peaceful protest in Ottawa. Unfortunately our sad excuse of a country leader (which I personally did NOT vote for!) has conveniently been exposed to the offending bug and is in isolation now.
None of the regular main stream news broadcast are covering this convoy properly. If they are, they are downplaying and twisting the facts. Why is that? Bought and paid for a different agenda is my guess. Always follow the money…
Yes, I want more. I want freedom to choose. I want freedom to live peacefully. I want to support this Canadian Convoy that is now being joined with our neighbors to the south. Go ahead and call us the fringe minority with unacceptable views.
I know the energy of global consciousness is changing for the better and this convoy is just the beginning.

Jackie Rioux: Warning strong language:

Freedom Convoy 2022 – Don’t Tell Me How To Live – Kid Rock ft. Monster Truck
Mallory Antonello: Jackie Rioux yes lady!!! My “fringe” buddie haha. We were on the bridges yesterday as they came through Ontario, just incredible ❤
Jackie Rioux: Mallory Antonello I wish I had gotten out 7 am to see them off from here a few days ago. I have a few energy healer groups all sending energy healing and positive vibes to the whole convoy though.
Mallory Antonello: Jackie Rioux beautiful!! I love that ❤
Jackie Rioux: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlkjuvnE8Bw
FREEDOM CONVOY CANADA 2022 – MUSIC VIDEO COMPILATION
David Brown: I thought Turdeau had been jabbed like 3 times? Hmmm maybe that stuff doesn’t actually work….
Joe Tedesco: Fringe minority my ass. It’s great to see ya’ll pushing back up there!! And yeah, Turdeau is a POS.
Jackie Rioux: He’s not very popular. He caught the Coward 19.
Erin-Dail Plunkett: Jackie N. Rioux Thank you for sharing this!

Day of GRIT: #26 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Deck of cards F2 Finisher- 4MOD V2
CONTEXT: “I Live With a Sense of Urgency… ”
I learned many years ago that I seem to go in spurts. I still seem to accomplish something each day, even when I have been deathly sick a few times. Rest up, read a book, keep the brain going, write, fuel my body… Then get outta my way when I want to get up and move to go somewhere or do something. I have learned to roll with these spurts.
However, when I have now lost three dear loved ones ages 38, 37, and 42, all in the peak of their lives, I have a sense of urgency in the form of a mortality check. How much time do I have left? My children are now ages 37, 35, 30 and 29. My oldest granddaughter is now 18 and graduated. The others are 12, 10, 8, and 4 years old. What kind of memories and legacy will I leave for them. What have I accomplished in my life and what will they remember of my existence?
Some days I feel like I have been through so much in my life that I should be 80 years old by now in experience. Some days I feel like I have missed out on life. Or I grieve for what could have been with the passed loved ones leaving at a young age.
There are a few sayings about life and death:
that we should live like there is no tomorrow.
that we should skid sideways into the grave having lived life to the fullest.
The world rejoices when we are born. Live in such a way that they will cry when you leave.
My kids have been lectured many times on my thoughts of death. I want to be cremated, preferably stuffing me with popcorn and firecrackers first so I can go out with a bang. I want a eulogy that is full of crazy laughs and memories. I want them to spend money while I am alive and then party and have fun when I am gone rather than spend money on fancy funeral costs.
But first I need to live my life preparing those crazy memories for the stories they will tell by telling my stories now.

Day of GRIT: #27 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Reflect on My Results…”
I never used to reflect on the past month before GRIT. Now I go through the month with a sense of what the hell did I accomplish today that I can earn my feathers by the end of the month?
Honestly, today I am feeling like my inner Scrat has taken over the past week with Shiny Object Syndrome AKA the Canadian Convoy for Freedom 2022. I am kicking myself that I did not get out there for our local send off at 7 am last week. I taught a Reiki class yesterday but my two daughters joined the local convoy just a few blocks away. I have been glued to videos and social media posts. I have two dowsing groups that have been focused on global healing issues. For the first time in the past two years I finally feel proud to be Canadian again. I feel like there is hope to squash all this overt control of the masses, all the forcing of things that I know our souls are screaming against.
I have been sharing and posting on Facebook lots this last week. Even though I have been continuously pulling off any other personal content for a while now. I feel this sense of hope finally. Yet I also realize that some of my friends that I have previously held in high respect, are just not on the same page. They are unaware and disconnected from Divine Truth. I care, yet I am so beyond trying to convince anyone of why I continue my opinionated stance. I have a global network of energy healer and intuitive friends. We see things that the average person doesn’t on spiritual, emotional, and physical levels. It seems I have had many “friends” delete me in the last while. Kinda silly to be upset over that when I find that if they are not mature even to stay friends with differing opinions, then why would I want to have such a draining friendship?
As for results of the past month, I have mentioned a few times that I have been organizing my computer files. This is translated to much more efficiency and access to previously buried information that I can now use in client sessions, and those sessions now have been incredibly fascinating!
On one hand I feel like I have made so much progress looking back over the past month, and over the past few years actually. Then I open another folder and want to cry.
I have so much scattered notes and information to create and memoir, and to update more pages in my website. Dont even mention all our family pics that I am trying to organize as well. Having lost loved ones gives this project so much more sentiment and urgency.
But, I am treating all these projects as I do in GRIT. Baby steps. The 1% journey. In that sense I am so far ahead. Then why do I feel so far behind? Self discipline. I know, I know. I know I need to focus more. To work on my squirrely distractions. Giving myself a swift kick in the hiney for next month to be even better…

Joe Tedesco: Jackie Rioux One of the hardest things for people to do is admit that they’re wrong. Sadly, especially with all that’s going on, and people discovering the Truth, they’ve double down on their stance as attempt to protect their ego. Sorry you’ve lost friends over this, but good on you for speaking your Truth and standing your ground!
Jackie Rioux: Joe Tedesco I’ve lost some yes, but I’ve gained my GRIT family

Day of GRIT: #28 of 28
METRICS: JANUARY 2022- FINAL GRIT WORKOUT Rounds for Time F3!! 4 rounds in 8:43 minutes. Modified squat burpees.
CONTEXT: I Expect the Unexpected…
I was not expecting that our dreaded month end workout would not be a Spartan style killer. I have been holding to an F2 level for so long and figured I might as well do an F3 for the last round. Not too bad at all. I appreciate the 1% journey this way, but I know this too shall pass lol.
Following on yesterday’s context where I mentioned losing friends… It seems that just as with any other energy shift, when we release something, something new and better always comes in as we raise our vibration with each shift.
Yes I have lost some friends who, for whatever reason, are just no longer aligned with my personal growth path. As I continue to stand in my truth, those that are not “like minded souls” seem to fall away, often by their choice to disengage with me.
While I could feel sad about this shift, I now must let them go on their journey. Instead I look forward with gratitude and appreciation to inviting in my true soul family as they continue to find me. I have been blessed beyond measure to find many within the Story Athlete community. Unexpected blessings.

Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux: I appreciate you recognize the helpful energies and not helpful energies in your life then importantly you make the necessary changes and take the needed actions to change it. Too often people aren’t willing to make those difficult changes for the better.

Day of GRIT: #2 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Investigate My Doubt…”
What are we supposed to believe these days? We are constantly bombarded through advertising, pop ups, commercials, news channels, internet, books, billboards, and a million sources of media no matter where we turn.
We have the information super highway all around us and any normal person can get overloaded and stressed even when they try to avoid the endless visual and auditory harassment.
Growing up, we just take our parents word for everything. Or our education. Or our peers. There comes a time in our personal growth on the path of maturity that we often find that those around us have done the best they could with the information they had at any given time. That leaves a heck of a lot of or human error, misinformation, and misunderstandings.
Stepping away from all this, we may be disappointed to find we’ve been inadvertently indoctrinated. Or is it inadvertently? Regardless, there is always reason for doubt, especially when our world have become so divisive these days.
I often recommend a book called Gift of Fear, by Gavin De Becker. It talks about survival instincts, but in my terms it really is about tuning into your innate knowingness, your intuition.
When in doubt, search it out. I get quiet and tune into my inner knowingness and let that lead me to what feels right in truth about information and the decisions I need to make. Energy doesn’t lie.

Lanay Stockstill: Jackie Rioux That’s a great book. I tell my girls all the time to trust their instincts. I don’t care if it means being rude or hurtful. They can apologize if they’re wrong.
Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux: Fletch had a recent emails describing how many marketers are just simply manipulating their customers was to make sales. Then multiple those techniques out to other institutions and yes we do have a huge lack of trust. So it’s more critical than ever to ask like little kids often do…..Why??

Day of GRIT: #3 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Pyramid F2
CONTEXT: I Demand Clear Goals & Feedback…
I really appreciated CJ’s context today about reading books. Yes I have read many books in my time, but I have fallen off that wagon and only read one here and there these days. This brings me to two thoughts on this topic.
First, one of my recommended reading selections for a course years ago was called Mastery, by George Leonard. It is about Akido martial arts, but it has a wealth of wisdom applicable to life. It talks about plateaus as well. We learn a new skill and strive for a while before hitting a plateau where we just settle into our new skill before taking on something else.
Second, when I published my story in an anthology book in 2017, I participated in an author interview. I referenced something I learned from a counselor around the time when I retired. She had told me that some people are book smart / life dumb, and some people are life smart/ book dumb. She complimented me that I seem to have a good balance between the two, meaning I have had a heck of a lot of life experience in trauma and overcoming trauma, along with raising kids and just navigating life. But I also have some formal education and plenty of energy balancing courses that help me make sense of my experiences so I can use that wisdom to assist my clients now. By the way, wisdom is just healed trauma.
Putting this all together, I have few possessions actually. Kind of a minimalist here, except for books. I collect those and rocks. Now whether I chose to fill my head with book knowledge or rocks remains to be seen. Better to make use of books rather than leave them as “shelf help”. However, it is even better to read a book then apply that knowledge in my life for a while as the plateau. For now, all my books are holding up my numerous bookshelves. I tend to allow my intuition to lead me to the next one that would be most beneficial for me to read next.
To be honest, lately, my most cherished reading selections come from all my GRIT community context posts. There is such a variety of perspectives for each days prompts and I find the best ideas, encouragement, and clarity here.

Day of GRIT: #4 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Push-Pull-Palooza-Countdown F2 Finisher- 4MOD V1
CONTEXT: “I Don’t Need Permission…”
Although I had got married at age 18, my father still controlled me for years afterwards with his totalitarian rule and my fear of him. I got out of that stagnant marriage and starting standing up for myself, including standing up to my father. That didn’t go over well, but it gave me all the more reason to find my footing in life and find my grit.
I remember after both of my divorces, my father trying to have a talk with me and explaining that the marriage failures were all my fault, that the woman is the one who is supposed to hold it all together. He didn’t like my string of four letter words in response.
Fast forward to these days when I have created my life by following my intuition and my heart. I have crossed off many bucket list goals and made something of my life.
Once I realized that I am the only one who controls my life, regardless of the impositions and expectations others try to place on me, life got a hell of a lot easier. I do not need someone else’s permission to make the majority of the decisions in my life.

Mallory Antonello: Jackie Rioux: when we reflect on a lot of the decisions in our early life it’s amazing to see how much influence our parents had over what we do or say…even as adults. I guess that’s where self-awareness and understanding comes into play
Jackie Rioux: Mallory: yup. Ever read Celestine prophecy book? There is a movie too but the book covers some stuff about parental influences that make sense of how we turn out.
Kelly Robb: Jackie Rioux: that’s one of my favorite books!
Mallory Antonello: Jackie Rioux: too funny! It’s one of the books I’m reading right now!
Kelly Robb: Mallory: there’s no coincidences
Jackie Rioux: Kelly: in manifesting there are no coincidences, only “God correctives”.
Sean Tjia: “…that the woman is the one who is supposed to hold it all together. ” — emotional labour and onus on the woman. Instead of shared responsibilities between both people. ugh.

Day of GRIT: #5 of 28
METRICS: )-> 5K Day Finisher- 4MOD- AMRAP V1
CONTEXT: “I Eliminate Inefficiencies…”
Being a redhead Taurus, I do not have a heck of a lot of patience. Apparently there are many people out there who think I am patient and calm, but trust me, my kids have a different take on that.
I wasn’t a very good union worker all those years because I always found ways to get things done way faster and not “stretch out the work”. Efficiency backfires there.
I always defer to a theory that if you want a job done fast and efficient, give the job to the laziest genius. Now, I am not suggesting that I am that lazy, or that much of a genius, but a Taurus is known to swim instead of sink, given the option.
I have not been getting out much the past two years thanks to all the BS in the outside world. Thankfully I can work from home, and online. What else do I do with my time? Well, as an energy balancing practitioner, I have taken numerous courses, gone to conferences, and gleaned tidbits of wisdom from all sorts of sources.
As a redhead Taurus, I also don’t follow rules and protocols very well, finding my own way to do things in ways that work for me. I have several certifications under my belt, yet I do not work with my clients according to any of the certification protocols. I am much more fluid in my approach and it seems to be very effective for me and my clients.
I tend to use a lot of charts and lists to bring up energetic imbalances and to correct these imbalances for my clients. I have saved tons of information and charts etc from my practitioner forums and from other practitioners directly. This has created a horrendous rabbit hole in the bowels of my computer. I have been running with my new organization skills using Excel this past year.
Three weeks ago I started exploring this rabbit hole and found a plethora of information I forgot I had. So I started organizing into one place as a master chart, and soon I realized it was the wee hours of the morning. Time flies when you’re having fun.
I have been using this new chart with clients the past few weeks with amazing results. Four different clients in the past few days have absolutely raved about what came up for them and how it shifted their energy in a whole new way.
Everything is energy, even clutter, and more so digital clutter. I cannot explain how wonderful it feels to have eliminated inefficiencies in my work and how I now feel I am on a whole different playing field in being able to serve my clients effectively.

Day of GRIT: #6 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Total Body Accumulation Palooza F2
CONTEXT: “I Ask Clarifying Questions…”
The body loves to hide things. I mean, who really wants to face trauma and deal with it? The most popular therapy is talk therapy. Analyzing and reliving through the upsets of the past, then figuring out how to process what ever came up. That is a long and tedious process, and can often re-traumatize clients.
So our body and mind hides trapped energies in fear and/ or dread of ever facing those upsets again. Thankfully we now have non invasive energetic tools these days that can find these trapped energies and release them. Figuratively, it is like exposing flesh wounds to pure air and sunlight for healing. No Band-Aids. No cover ups. Just pure divine transformation.
Part of this process is being able to ask the body’s energy system to reveal the upsets without digging or invading the client’s space or privacy. Clarifying questions, in an energetic sense, may not make much sense to the logical mind, but it is spectacularly effective with the energy system. No need to get into the details, or the drama of past events, just find the basic direct information needed and viola, gone. Never to bother the client again. Amazing. This is why I love this work. I get to see miracles every day in myself, my family, and my clients.

Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux unfortunately in our current state of medicine we’ve come to rely on either surgery or medications. Sounds like a helpful alternative.

Day of GRIT: #7 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Leg Day Complex Palooza F2 Finisher- 4MOD -AMRAP
CONTEXT: “I Win the Day…”
I feel like I have a new lease on life today! Why? Well, a few months ago I came across a demonstration video that shows how to clear muscle memory using applied kinesiology. This has intrigued me for a while and I really wanted to try it myself but needed a partner to help me. My daughter Melissa and her friend Barb are both yoga teachers (aka flexible? lol). They watched the video too and were just as intrigued. We finally aligned our schedules and did this demonstration last night on each other. Both Barb and Melissa gained about 18 inches of range of motion through the process.
Then it was my turn. I have had 3 mammograms, many slips trips and falls over my years as a mail carrier working outside, and although I have not had a root canal done, I have had dental surgery. I am 54 years old and have just accepted that my body was stiff from all those years of exhaustion, and some of the “snap, crackle, pop” age settling in.
Despite being in GRIT and getting my Vitamin M, I still have always had problems with squats particularly. I could get down, but had to have something to lean on to get up. My legs have just had a stiffness to them.
We remembered to get somewhat of an amateur phone camera video to share what we did. The difference in the range of motion with my legs is miraculous for me. This is the first time in years that the “stiffness” has finally subsided. My workout today was not quite as frustrating and slow as in all my previous time before. I definitely win the day today!

original demo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fI3MaInxMlM

our video demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wbe_Y81qY4

Kelly Robb: Jackie Rioux ❤❤❤
Scott Mendell: Very interesting
Jackie Rioux: Scott Mendell If you have someone that can do this with you, try it!! I seriously feel like someone took the restrictive bands off my body.
Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux again it demonstrates that our bodies are more resilient than we think.
Plus age is just a mindset of limiting beliefs. My daughter is studying Cells in school and it reminded me of the fact that the Cells in our body today are not the same ones we had on January 1st 2021. The body keeps making new ones as the old ones slough off. So is our bodies really as old as our age or not…..

Day of GRIT: #8 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Hub-Spoke Sweat Fest F2 Finisher- 4MOD- AMRAP Sprint Ladder Up
CONTEXT: “I Am the Inspiring Character… ”
Several years ago when my granddaughter was about 5, my daughter and her family were in the process of cleaning up the yard at the home they were renting. There had been an old couch off the side of the driveway and it was time to get that moved out to the dump. Only problem was that there was a wasp nest hidden up inside underneath.
Two of my sons in law were there, but no one wanted to get near those wasps. Now, I am a redhead Taurus and sometimes in the moment, I may not be the brightest crayon in the box…
We had an open space though, so I flipped over the couch and took a long stick to knock the nest out onto the cement. Then I threw a flaming rag over it.
All the production happened within seconds with a lot of adrenaline flowing. Problem solved quickly and only a couple bites I noticed once it all settled down.
I remember my granddaughter watching in awe from a distance while my daughter told her that “Grandma is scarier than bees”. I am not sure this is the best inspiring character I have ever been, but the job got done and no one really messes with Grandma much anymore lol.

Joe Tedesco: Jackie Rioux – No one messes with Grandma much anymore…Love it! I’m a Taurus too. What’s your bday?
Jackie Rioux: Joe Tedesco May 20. On the cusp supposed to mean I’m more intuitive. Grounded. Family oriented. Stubbornness is amplified with redhead and German lol. I prefer “determined” tho lol.
Someone once asked me if i was Gemini when talking about my spontaneous road trips. Apparently that part of me is Gemini
Joe Tedesco: Jackie Rioux Determined, love it! I’m April 28th!
Adam Davidson: Jackie Rioux GIF
Neil Sekol: Jackie Rioux Love it!
Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux thats funny. Usually as its turns toward evening they tend to be less active and easier to pull those kind of maneuvers. Well done.

Day of GRIT: #9 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza (Love stretch day!)
CONTEXT: “Perspective Is My Game-Changer…”
Narcissist is a word that instills an instant repulsion in so many people. Why? Because in my opinion it is a overused psychology label. Then there is the other half of that dynamic with the word “empath”.
Narcissist is the abusive, no remorse, horrible person that damages an all feeling empath beyond repair and makes life hell. Right?
Wrong. What if this dynamic is all wrong?
See, years ago, I was pretty damaged from childhood trauma and I attracted all sorts of the wrong people in my life. If given some details, I am sure any one of my past relationship partners could be labeled as a narcissist, and I would have been labeled an empath.
Through all my life experience and formal psychology education, I have gained an entirely different perspective.
First off, truth be told, every single one of us could be labeled both an empath and a narcissist. After all, psychology is just about giving a set of traits a label that fits neatly in little checked boxes.
You know what, it really is about respectable boundaries, and healing past trauma.
Secondly, there are victim empaths, and empowered empaths. There is a HUGE difference between the two. Again it is about boundaries and healed trauma.
Next, when we label someone a narcissist especially without proper psychology education behind it, we can damage and hurt them even more. Many of the traits of a narcissist are just a different way of coping with trauma. And I certainly would not take the word of a victim empath in this type of labeling.
Once I overcame my past and became an empowered empath, my perspective changed drastically. An empowered empath is more compassionate and not as easily sucked into psychotic drama.
A true narcissist is a very damaged soul. Grandiose and unremorseful. They can damage many others in their path.
Those that are more commonly and mistakenly labeled as narcissists are better labeled as jerks, assholes, and cowards. Not narcissists.
But why use labels? Why not see every other human through their heart and soul so you can see the trauma they hide in navigating this broken world. When we take steps to heal our own inner world, we can gain a whole other perspective that is a game changer in being able to forgive those in our pasts that have hurt us.
After all, we learned our lessons, haven’t we. Let them alone to learn theirs.

Adam Davidson: Jackie Rioux ironically enough the way I see some self-identified empaths act, I question whether they know what true narcissism is lol
Jackie Rioux: Adam Davidson they dont. Both terms drive me bonkers lol. Its all unhealed trauma and blaming.
Jackie Rioux: Adam Davidson https://www.chicagotribune.com/…/ct-wml-narcissist…
Column: So, you think your spouse is a narcissist? You might not want to be so quick with the label.
Jackie Rioux
https://www.elephantjournal.com/…/no-theyre-not…/
No, They’re Not Narcissists (& We’re Not Empaths). | elephant journal
Jackie Rioux: I have many articles supporting this theory of these overused and damaging terms. 🙂
Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux part of “labeling” stems from the desire of our brains to simplify everything it encounter, reduce or eliminate open loops. So then labels help that identifying process and keeps everything tidy. That is until it isnt….
Jackie Rioux: Brett Wininger Yes exactly. Brain organization is great.. until it uses detrimental labels.

Day of GRIT: #10 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) Finisher- Pyramid
CONTEXT: I Optimize My Environment…
Being a minimalist, I would like to think that I optimize my environment. Get rid of clutter. Keep things tidy. Make my work and home spaces efficient. Check. Check. Check.
I have been working on optimizing my business and computer files. Much more efficient and better to serve my clients. Check.
I am an energy balancing practitioner. My granddaughter once called me a body computer hacker in how I can find and balance energy within the body to raise our overall vibration. No I don’t read minds lol. But I do manage to clean up brain fog and mind clutter by balancing these energies.
So where do I still need to optimize my environment? Time. Time blocking. Which goes hand in hand with self discipline. Yup, this is my biggest issue. I can get sucked into a rabbit hole and lose track of time easily.
Whether it is chatting and catching up with an old friend, running over time on client appointments because I am answering questions and chatting again about my passion for energy work, or maybe the rabbit hole time sucker is when I start a project and get sidetracked on one topic and follow through to the end. Maybe there is no end.
Yes that is it. There is no end so I need to create my own time block “ends” so I can optimize my environment and my time more effectively.

Brett Wininger: I believe the modern day obsession with time came out of the need for trains to follow a strict schedule and keep running on time. The Native Americans and other older cultures had simpler ideas about time- daytime and nighttime.

Day of GRIT: #11 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Push-Pull-Palooza-Countdown F2 Finisher- 4MOD V1
CONTEXT: “I Celebrate Small Victories…”
I saw a meme recently that had a pic of an old style playground with those god-awful merry go rounds and a tether swing. The caption said “I died once. My parents told me to shake it off”.
That is the way it was growing up. If Dad said to do something, you did it. Not now, but yesterday.
With this as a background, I always felt I needed to accomplish even one thing every single day. This ended up being to my advantage much later on when raising kids and then going through a divorce and depression. Or times when I was sick at home from work.
One of the suggestions when dealing with depression is to do even just one thing every day and to celebrate that small victory.
Whether that one thing was having a shower, making food for our family, or reading a book. My kids have often heard me say “Laundry, Dishes, Garbage” as our family chores inspiration chant. As long as those things get done every day, the house won’t get too bad of condition.
Thankfully most of those overwhelming days are long behind me, but the lessons have come forward with me. These days my small victories are crossing off checks on my bucket list, or completing a course. Even a single step towards those goals counts.
When I look back over my life, it is sometimes hard to comprehend how far I have come and how much I have accomplished. Then I realize it was all because of small progressive steps each and every day. I have driven myself forward with self encouragement by celebrating small victories along the way.

Brett Wininger: even the mightiest oak tree can be felled if the termites persist long enough.
Mallory Antonello: love this! Little wins every day

Day of GRIT: #12 of 28
METRICS: 5K day Finisher- 4MOD- AMRAP V1
CONTEXT: “I Am the Traveller…”
The gist of CJ’s context today was about how we travel and move forward with our life skills. I have written and talked about so much of my past as a tapestry of life in how far I have come and how much I have accomplished.
I have told many stories of my travels in the way of road trips and that kind of travel.
Today, my thoughts are on time travel. It is Ryan’s birthday today and he wrote context about documenting our lives for the sake of our kids.
Eons ago the kids’ dad had some fun with a video recorder. A Beta video recorder. Remember those ancient things? Well, time went on and the beta went the way of the dinosaur. At one point we did find a way to put these family videos on a VHS. Now those things are ancient as well.
Christmas is coming quick. I remembered last year I had promised to find the family video for this Christmas. See, we have a family tradition that the Bible Christmas story is read out before anyone touches gifts. My father had that honor and then I continued with my family.
Now as an adult, we know that bible passage is only a paragraph long. But as a child, they thought it was a whole chapter of boredom and it also seems to be tradition that the kids get bored and fidget through the story.
Now with everyone grown up, I wanted to find that one memory where my then 2 year old daughter was drilling for gold while curled up next to grandpa reading the Christmas story.
I found the VHS and we managed to transfer 3:40 hours of videos into digital format. There were a lot of laughs watching the whole thing today as we time traveled back 30+ years to that particular Christmas and more. There are six relatives in those videos that are now passed, and my granddaughters first day in the hospital when she was born.
This is the best kind of travel. Down memory lane.

Robert Bell: awesome idea!

Day of GRIT: #13 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Total Body Accumulation Palooza F2
CONTEXT: “I Call My Shot…”
Sometimes it is great to set a goal, tell everyone and then reach that goal, come hell or high water. Being a redhead Taurus, I usually do accomplish what I set out to do, but I don’t always call my shot first.
I had been a mail carrier when I got extremely sick for over a year. All sorts of tests, and the doctors finally suggested I had IBS. Irritable Bowel Syndrome. That does not go well with working outside all alone on my route, 15 minutes out of town. It was several months after that when the doctors finally concluded I had an ulcer. I was determined to get better.
That ulcer turned into a blessing in disguise as I met certain people who introduced me to a ladies business network and then to energy healing courses.
I found my happy place when I took Psych 101 class. Then I took Psych 102 and decided to get a degree, a Bachelors degree, which means 40 courses. As a mature student in my 40’s while working full time and raising teenagers. It was a lofty goal, but I was determined at first.
Taking these first steps starting the ball rolling with my soul purpose. I took a few more courses, all psych related, according to the degree program, filling in required boxes as I went along this learning path.
Then things changed. I had been juggling mainstream psychology alongside taking holistic energy healing courses. While I loved psychology, I leaned more towards energy psychology than mainstream in what resonates with my internal knowingness.
I decided to change my projection towards a Bachelors degree and settle for an Associate of Arts degree with Psychology concentration. I completed my 20 required courses and focused more on energy psychology instead.
Some people might think I was shooting for the moon and gave up, but really, I am sure I landed among the stars. Sometimes I think a course correction on the original goals is wonderful when you are following your soul purpose and have used previous goals as steps towards what makes our soul sing.
I am still taking energy type courses in whatever direction my heart leads me. Right now I am super behind on an Akashic records course. I have 6 months to complete it so I can get certified.
My son in law passed away October 13 2018. A year ago I wanted to put together a memorial page in my website and wanted to be done for his birthday April 9 2021. Every time I started on this project, I ended up in tears.
I know if I call my shot in my Story Athlete community, I WILL get it done. So I am calling two shots today.
1. I will complete my Sacred Awakening course within 4 months time, by May 15 2022 to get certified.
2. I will complete Larry’s memorial page in my website by his birthday April 9 2022. My grandchildren deserve to have something special within my website for their daddy that is a more stable platform than social media.

Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux I agree, it wasn’t falling short, you have discovered your true path in the Healing field.
I empathize with your stomach challenges on the road, I did some FedEx on rural routes and I had many corn fields “marked”….
Joe Tedesco: Jackie Rioux – I look forward to seeing you hit these deadlines. I took a screenshot so I don’t forget …

Day of GRIT: #14 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Leg Day Complex Palooza C1 F2 Finisher- 4MOD -AMRAP
CONTEXT: “My Action Determines the Value of My Time…”
Time is one of those things you can never get back. Reflecting on my context the other day where I mentioned that I was raised to accomplish even one small thing per day, that one small thing is still an investment in my future. Whether that is a clean home, less clutter, a new tidbit of wisdom to add to my ever expanding repertoire, it still is forward motion.
What I am learning more and more through my time in Story Athlete community is the return on time factor. I can’t go out much these days so I have a lot of time at home. I have been cleaning out my computer files which is a great return on time investment because it means I am more organized to work with my clients.
I spend some time with my son watching our crime shows, and then time with my daughters and granddaughters as well. This is investment in family and relationships, the best kind of investment actually.
I spend time with my GRIT commitments and keeping up with my teammates, also investing in relationships, but gleaning entrepreneur knowledge as well.
And then there are some times that I take brain drain defrag moments when I take a power nap or zone out staring at the wall for a few minutes. Computer runs better after defrag, and so do I. My actions determine that yes, I AM valuable.

Day of GRIT: #15 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Hub-Spoke Sweat Fest F2 Finisher- 4MOD- AMRAP Sprint Ladder Up
CONTEXT: “I Create My Own Rules… ”
I grew up with my father’s totalitarian rules. Then got married at age 18 and seemed like I was under my husband’s rule for 10 years. In the midst of this I had a 26 year career at the post office. There we were under union and management rules.
Rules everywhere. Some rules are great to keep the masses aligned. Sometimes rules just keep the masses “in line”.
Generally the idea of being ruled creates resistance. It is so much better when we can make our own rules and have that sense of freedom.
I retired from the corporate world 5.5 years ago. I thought that my newfound freedom would be so easy to embrace. Nope. So many rules had been programmed into me at that point that I felt very lost for several months.
It was a bit of a process over time to figure out what rules were mine and what rules were everyone else’s. What I needed to keep and what to let go of. That whole idea of unlearning everything you’ve learned… Break ’em, then make ’em.
Thankfully I have had a wonderful network of energy healers to help me sort out my own boundaries and to establish new boundaries. It really is a whole new world of freedom now that I can make my own rules for my life.

Day of GRIT: #16 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Am the Variable…”
Two thoughts here:
One: The only way to get through life is to become adaptable, to be able to roll with life’s punches. When you can handle variations in your life’s path, you are more likely to see miracles come about than someone who lives with too much rigidity.
Two: It is just plain old human nature to be reactive to events around us. Especially when we are imbalanced. As we gain emotional maturity, we are more likely to respond rather than react. Responding means to observe a situation and then make rational choices on our next steps.
I’d like to think I have reached a point in my life to be a variable, but sometimes I can still be a little firecracker.
When it comes to global issues these days, I am a firecracker. But I am also the control group pure blood as well.

Day of GRIT: #17 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Pyramid F2
CONTEXT: I Enhance the Experience for Others…
When I decided to have a logo made for my business, of course there had to be a ladybug, but I also wanted a forget-me-not flower.
My reasons were two fold. With energy work, we don’t lose our memories, we just disconnect the emotional charge to past upsetting memories so we can focus on the good things and not be stuck in the past.
The other reason was that eons ago a dear friend told me that I am like a forget me not flower, that I make an impression on all those I meet.
At the time I didn’t think much of that compliment, but over time I have started to realize that maybe that person was right.
Sometimes some poignant memories stand out more than others. To note here, I used to be quite the wallflower and never spoke up much. (Yes, honestly that was me. To all those who know me now, quit laughing!!)
I remember many years ago I was walking my postal route. in my zone and just cruising along the street between my points of call. I was on the street with a stretch before the next address. There was a young lady walking towards me. I noticed she was wearing a very unique and pretty skirt. When she was close enough, I nicely blurted out “I love your skirt, it looks great on you”.
This girl had such a surprised look on her face, and almost seemed that she might cry. She stopped in her tracks and her voice cracked as she said thank you. I just had to stop my cruising gait to chat with her!
She explained that she had some really crappy things going on lately, just so low in life. She had put on that skirt that morning in some effort to cheer herself up. Having someone notice and compliment her, she said, brightened her entire day and probably her whole month.
That small gesture was no effort whatsoever for me, yet the impact of what she related to me has stuck with me for years. Since then I have made every effort to speak up and say something any time I notice things. A simple kind word and a smile can mean almost life and death to someone in such a low level of doldrums. I want to be that shining light that enhances another person’s life experiences.

Glenn Forman: there are stories of where even a smile made the difference between life and death for someone, and perhaps what you said made a very similar difference for her.
Jackie Rioux: Glenn Forman, Like this? I have had that poem in my website for eons: https://ladybugwellness.ca/smilehugslittlethings/
Smile ~ Hugs ~ LittleThings | Ladybug Wellness
Glenn Forman: Yes, exactly. Very nice.
Brett Wininger: the tongue has the power of Life and Death. We either build up or tear down with it. Plus words can have a long term impact on those that receive it, be it good or bad.

Day of GRIT: #18 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Push-Pull-Palooza-Countdown F2 Finisher 4MOD V1
CONTEXT: “I Hunt My Audience…”
I am not sure I quite resonate with “hunting” my audience. I just put myself out there on my website, social media, YouTube and through my published story and newsletter.
Energy balancing services are something that a person would have to choose for themselves. Certainly not something to be pushed on anyone. I much prefer to work with clients that are willing to do their own personal growth work and just have me as a facilitator and guide. I do not fix them or cater to victim mentality personalities.
In this sense, I do not “hunt” my clients. Alternatively, what I have done is to clear my own energy of anything that might deter potential clients from working with me.
If I have a low self esteem, or a sense of unworthiness, I won’t attract clients that value my services either. Therefore, I routinely check my own energy field for any hidden belief systems and detrimental energies that would interfere with my visibility and effectiveness of being an energy balancing practitioner.
I know something must be working because I seem to have made quite a name for myself with ladybugs. I get the most random messages from people who have thought of me or connected with me, all because of ladybugs. I let the ladybugs do the hunting for me.

Glenn Forman: Jackie Rioux, You have the bait out there to attract those that are looking for what you have to offer.

Day of GRIT: #19 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher: 4MOD shoveling a foot deep driveway
CONTEXT: “I Play Offense…”
In January of 2017, I was at a Theta Healing course. On the third day we had an exercise to pair with a partner and practice intuitive readings. I wasn’t so sure about myself, but my partner was encouraging.
When it came time for her to read for me, I was blown away. This lady knew nothing about me yet she described the interior of my home like she was walking through it.
Then she predicted a few things: I would be working with soil a lot. I would need to rearrange my books. Well, although I am not much of a gardener, I did end up re-landscaping my back yard 4 months later. I also moved my healing room, so I did rearrange my books.
The one that really unsettled me is that she saw me in a few years on a stage with a large audience. At that time I had said “NOW WAY NO HOW!”. There was no way you were going to get me on a stage. I mean, I had done modeling on a runway, but not being center of attention speaker. Nope.
Oddly enough, several months later I connected with her again and she again confirmed this was still on my horizon. I also had a few other intuitive readers say the same thing.
While I don’t put a lot of stock in psychic predictions, because we can change our life course any time by making a different choice, I have come to accept that this prediction might be a good thing, and I am ok with it now.
I did speak on a stage in 2019, but apparently that was not her vision.
For now, I have been putting myself out there more online with my stories and my business. Who knows if that prediction will actually come true, but working towards it is my version of playing offense.

Day of GRIT: #20 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Total Body Accumulation Palooza F2
CONTEXT: “I Don’t Break the Chain…”
When we say “ALL IN” on the next month’s GRIT invitation, what are we committing ourselves to? Twenty – eight days of a daily workout and a context writing. Almost always unexpected surprises each and every day. It’s kinda like life, isn’t it?
Every morning we wake up, we have no idea what the day has in store for us. GRIT prepares us for the unexpected, and we have an amazing support system with our team mates and the whole Story Athlete community.
There’s a philosophy out there that our character is the sum of the five people closest to us. Personally, I think I have come a long ways all through my time in this community. The way things are going in the world these days, my GRIT team mates are pretty close to me, even if they are online. I look forwarding to connecting each and every day, so I keep up my end of our chain, day in and day out. This is the 1% journey that has spilled over into every other area of my life.
Just a little bit each day builds and strengthens this chain of life where we are all connected.

Day of GRIT: #21 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Leg Day Complex Palooza C1 F2 Finisher- 4MOD -AMRAP
CONTEXT: “I Know Ego Is the Enemy…”

My friend David lost his ID… Now he is no longer instinctual, with only his super-ego left. Is this a psycho-babble joke? Yes, I’m a-Freud so.

An ego and a superego walk into a bar.
The bartender says “I’ll have to see some id”
….You know it would be fake. Then they’d get convicted of identity freud…err…fraud.
That’s a Freudian slip. You know, when you say one thing but you mean your mother

What? Another Sigmund Freud joke? Here Ego again…

What did Sigmund Freud say when his patient wouldn’t unhand his waffle? “Leggo my ego!”
********************
Ok, ok… what did you expect from a psych major when the context is about ego? Is ego the enemy? Or is this redhead punster in the bad books now?

I am pretty sure I had way too many embarrassing moments in my early years to ever develop much of an ego myself. I mean, I know I have one. My first ex-husband used to tell me I was “holier than thou” and could do no wrong. He also used to tell our kids that I was so full of shit that my eyes were brown. And he is an EX. So there’s that…

Through all my learning of life, I have come to believe that the Ego is an aspect of immaturity when left unchecked. There’s that saying that when a man can conquer his ego, he can conquer the world. I think insidious pride is often confused with confidence in our day and age.

When we can distinguish the differences in these concepts, we can mature to a point of realizing that the ego has its place in our psychological development, but it also needs to be kept in check so as to not become the enemy that derails our lives.
*********************
Merry Christmas from my heart and home to yours and all you hold dear!!

Day of GRIT: #22 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Hub-Spoke Sweat Fest F2 Finisher- 4MOD- AMRAP It’s below -20C outside. Used stairs inside instead.
CONTEXT: “Free Space… ”
OMG there is no actual context prompt today? What is free space anyway? Where does my mind wander when left to its own devices? Where does anyone’s mind wander to at any time?
Is our reticular activating system stuck on a loop somewhere? Do we revert to resentment of old traumas? Reminisce of past good memories? It’s the holiday season when we are supposed to focus on the reasons for the season, and all the good things in life while trying to forget the chilly temps outside. Maybe we’re thinking of those less fortunate who do not have a warm meal or bed to appreciate. Or those who have chosen a career that prevents them from taking a day off while the rest of the world enjoys their festivities. Maybe some think of the current global situation with varying beliefs and conclusions.
Maybe someone paid it forward in the coffee line up and we’re the grateful recipient.
I can tell you from past experience, that when left to my own devices, my mind used to go to the worst case scenario while trying to appear to have it all together. Energy healing disconnects the emotional charge to past upsets, quiets toxic fears, and recalibrates hidden detrimental beliefs. Everything is energy, so there is not really anything of ‘free space’ or nothingness. Even air takes up space in that sense. Our thoughts are energy and can clutter our minds with negativity, or positivity. Which would we choose? What is our default?
For me, I choose positivity and always have chosen positivity, yet that has not always been my default due to past unhealed trauma. Life is not perfect in my world, I am human and still have life lessons to learn. But I can tell you that the mind clutter and brain fog I used to unknowingly carry for much of my life has now become my free space where I can chose to create a better reality. This free space is expansive and much lighter with the ability to see the higher vibration good things of life.
I only had one teary moment yesterday morning when the reality hit of passed loved ones, especially the most recent loss I experienced. We had our Christmas festivities yesterday evening, as is our family tradition. Turkey dinner with trimmings, then the Bible story and gifts. Small and quaint is all I need. I think we broke a record for the shortest time to have a tree up thanks to five curious felines who thought it was their new toy to climb through. I may have to find a few misplaced decorations yet…
We have a family tradition that the Bible story is read out before gifts are distributed. We did it differently this time as we found a home video from 1988 where my father was reading the story with my daughters curled up next to him. We were just about to start watching when there was a knock at the door. The kids’ father dropped into town sooner than expected. We all watched the home videos for a while. There are at least 7 loved ones in that video that have passed on now. Endearing with a lot of laughs and “Oh my gawd what was I wearing?”, “Look, dad had hair!”, “Who is that? That doesn’t even look like them”.
The kids have been gone to my daughter’s home to visit with their dad all day, so I have had a free space day to myself all day. I worked with some very appreciative clients, and curled up with sleepy kitties lots. Turkey soup is ready to go for tomorrows meals. Right now, I am connecting with my GRIT warrior friends because that is my tribe that fills my soul with a supportive and encouraging environment. A good day! Merry Christmas!

Day of GRIT: #23 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “My Priorities Eliminate Indecision…”
I heard a quote eons ago that said “The more you do, the more you can do”. This has been a recurring theme for me through my life juggling kids, cats, critters, working, kids activities, and home responsibilities. The only way I could keep anything straight was to make a list and start crossing things off. Years later that is still my modus operandi.
In the Emotion Code chart, there is a negative emotion of “wishy washy”. I’ll admit I have had to clear that emotion from myself a number of times as I have definitely had times of being indecisive. I understand that something that is a peeve for me is also something unhealed within myself. When I see and hear all these jokes about people (women particularly) who are indecisive about which restaurant to eat at, my inner redhead starts twitching psychotically. Just pick something dangnabit!! I cannot handle being around someone who is that indecisive over a simple choice. I’ll leave and come back later thanks. I will probably have found something to eat by then anyway. This is probably why I hate shopping too. I have owned 7 cell phones since 1998. When it breaks I get a new one. I call the store, tell them I want simple to suit my basic needs, and to have one ready when I get there.
Sure I can procrastinate sometimes. I can even stare at the wall sometimes and zone out. But when I get a priority in my head, get outta my way. Whether I write a list on paper or in my head, my priorities eliminate indecision.

Day of GRIT: #24 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Pyramid F2
CONTEXT: I Say No…
Emotional energy balancing and clearing can affect the physical and manifest as detox symptoms. In the field of German New Medicine theories, a shock can manifest as cold and flu symptoms a few days later. Knowing this, we can usually find the root behind symptoms and target specific issues to clear the physical problems.
I have a network of wonderful practitioner friends that I work with regularly to keep myself in top shape to be able to work with my clients effectively. Yesterday I had a horrible day of “processing” which is unusual for me, but if I am healing something deep rooted, this can happen. I was super bitchy all day, I was stuffy, and had major sinus pain and feeling dehydrated. I went to bed early with a massive headache — also highly unusual for me. A practitioner friend had worked with me a few times through the day to clear my energy and each time these symptoms would subside then come back. She was picking up a lot of “blackmail” energy with regards to my ex.
I mentioned that the kids’ father dropped in unexpectedly the other night during our Christmas gift opening time. At MY house. I am kind enough to be nice at Christmas and open my home, even to him, for my kids’ sake. He is not so reciprocal in kindness. See, for the last almost 6 years, one of my daughters has been estranged from me. The issues there have been acerbated by her father’s influences. Her unfounded accusations of me stem from his perspectives of me from our marriage before she was born, meaning over 30 years ago. Talk about unhealed issues and emotional immaturity!!
Just a few months ago, I found out that my daughter has an online subscription account “modeling” through Only Fans. Since I feel this is a bit of a risqué job for a mother of three, I sent some picture proof to her father a few months ago asking if he knew about her online venture, since she has always been “daddy’s girl”. No reply. That is, until a full month later when he messaged back blasting me for creeping HIS daughter. Then he blocked me and she sent a mile long nasty text that started “To my disgusting excuse of a mother…” with all sorts of accusations that are obviously influenced from her father’s perceptions of me.
Obviously, all my physical issues yesterday were emotionally triggered in the last few days and brought up yet more healing for me. I politely declined dinner at my oldest daughter’s home yesterday knowing he would be there. I don’t need to expose my energy to him any more than necessary.
Instead, I stayed home and tried my best to address the physical sinus pain issues I was experiencing. Metaphysically, there are all sorts of reasons for issues in different areas of the body, but that is too extensive an explanation for right now. By bedtime, I still had pain and stuffiness, along with a god-awful headache. I have some specific energy clearing I do at bedtime. Sleep time is the best healing time!
While laying in bed, I read through a whole bunch of my GRIT teammates contexts and CJ’s “I say no” context for today as well. I fell into a deep restful sleep… that is until I woke up at 2 am in absolute tears!!! Now, I have mentioned many times in my life story that I lived with nightmares for many years due to childhood trauma. These days, thanks to so much energy healing, I hardly ever dream, much less have nightmares. I often sleep quite soundly and deeply so if I wake up like this, there is something much deeper and unhealed going on.
Why was I crying and why did I wake up so upset? I realized I had been having an awful nightmare about my GRIT family. In this dream, Ryan had left us “leaving on a jet plane”. He had sold out Story Athlete to some random guy in a gi (karate suit) to turn it all into a neighborhood dojo facility. This guy was weird and had a “scream” mask.
You know how dreams flash around in weird scenes? Next, CJ was wearing a Mexican sombrero and blanket wrap riding a burro. He apparently owned a villa motel where I was renting and there were all sorts of bathroom facility problems that were not being addressed.
I was reaching out to my GRIT teammates but they were just as lost and betrayed as I was. Everyone was just disbanding. Ryan and CJ have been our Story Athlete pillar pace cars. Ryan recently had said “mark my words” that Story Athlete would be the biggest and best program ever, and now he just ditched us all.
Thank God that was only a nightmare. I did manage to clear my energy some more and go back to sleep. Dreams can be a way of our subconscious bringing up issues to heal. Maybe this whole scenario is to make me realize how much I am leaning on my GRIT family for support and encouragement. Or how different my life is in being accountable and responsible for my own healing, and not allowing myself to get dragged down with my ex husbands blackmail energy towards me.
Whatever the reasons behind all this, I am so glad to have woken up realizing that my GRIT family is still intact, and at least they can all have a laugh at my wildly messed up dream. CJ riding a burro was pretty funny actually.
Oh, and for the record, all the physical symptoms I had yesterday have dissipated today. All is well in my world…

Jackie Rioux: CJ Thomas Ryan Fletcher #WeLuvCJ #WeLuvRyan
Robert Bell: Jackie Rioux wow what a dream that was!!!
Glenn Forman: Not sure which icon to use on this one… laugh, like, etc. Last sentence is great after – ‘All is well in my world…’
Jackie Rioux: I was just as confused when I woke up. Writing helped sort it out, but still just as confusing.
Glenn Forman: This too shall ‘clear’. hahahaha After all, that’s what we do!! hahaha
Jackie Rioux: Glenn Forman: yes i know lol… MUCH better day today.
Jackie Rioux: Joe Tedesco This was my messed up thoughts yesterday
Adam Davidson: Wasn’t sure how to react to this one – CJ in a sombrero sold it for me
Jackie Rioux: this context is proof that my mind needs a filter. Yeah, I was stuck on CJ, too. lol.
I suppose the end result here is realizing that no matter how much healing I’ve done, I’m still human, and things can bubble up and rattle me. Saying no to dinner invite and taking care of me was the best course of action.
That dream, I think, is subconscious fears. My loss of loved ones. They were pillars in my life. GRIT and my family here are my pillars now. I guess I’m afraid of ever losing that.
Adam Davidson: gif agreed

Day of GRIT: #25 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Push-Pull-Palooza-Countdown F2 Finisher- 4MOD V1
CONTEXT: “I Know the Journey Pays Dividends…”
“Invest in yourself, you’ll get the best returns”.
As I look back on the tapestry of my life, I can now see that I have always have an inner knowingness. Whether you call it conscience, inner voice, intuition, God’s direction, or the Universe’s compass we are born with, it is there when we need it. Through the first part of my life, I didn’t always follow this innate GPS, and I often paid for it dearly with harsh life lessons. Get burned a few times, or more in my stubborn case, and you start learning to listen when those spidey senses go off.
Once I stepped into my own power and really tuned into that inner knowingness, life took a way different turn. It is the world of synchronicity and full of miracles. My life is full of unexplainable examples of synchronistic miracles, or “dividends”.
One such example is that I decided to really invest in myself and go back to school as a mature student to get a psych degree. I had certain course choices to fill in the blocks of my chosen program. I wanted to take Philosophy 101. I was hesitant because the regular instructor for that course was reputed to be an atheist that would publicly refute any student who mentioned God in his class. Being a Christian, I just didn’t want to face that, but I signed up for the course anyway. It turned out that the very semester that I was in that class, the regular instructor was away. The instructor covering his absence was an amazing man who had grown up in India, but had just come to Canada recently after spending 7 years as a pastor in England. Somebody Upstairs must have been pulling strings in my favor!
I loved that class! I couldn’t always wrap my mind around some of the philosophical discussions, but I loved it anyway. We had term papers to write. We were given a list of about 30 philosophers and the associated reading choice to base our papers on. What to choose??
I tuned into my inner knowingness and chose Machiavelli the Prince, and Thomas Hobbes Leviathan. I immediately regretted those choices, but pushed through “knowing” those were my right choices. Heavy in-depth reading. I don’t think I got a very good mark on whatever I turned in for papers, but years later there have been repeated times where I have reflected on what I learned from those readings and put to use in other areas of my life.
One year I didn’t get my courses chosen in time because of other events in my life that thankfully did not pan out. I signed up for Art History 101 thinking I am not very creative, but it filled a block on my program. Turned out that that class was an instrumental part of my learning about ancient culture, societies, symbolism, and art. The knowledge gained from that class continues to serve me daily when working with clients and understanding generational and ancestral trauma.
Whether we chose to invest in ourselves, or in others through our life’s journey, there are often benefits. I do know that once I started investing in myself, I started receiving dividends in the form of unexplained miracles. It’s the best form of returns.

Day of GRIT: #26 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOD- AMRAP V1
CONTEXT: I Pursue Peak Energy….
Leave it to CJ to jolt us back to reality with this context after many of us admittedly succumbed to holiday nourishment choices of comfort foods and home style baking. Holidays go right along with afternoon naps and late night visits with family. The lull after Christmas is often when we lose track of time and our diurnal cycles.
Generally speaking, there is a lot of hype around New Year’s resolutions where people swear profusely to give up addictions and bad habits of all sorts. This euphoria lasts only a few weeks until the realization that the Christmas food after effects have not been diminishing, the bills come in, and the resolutions fall by the wayside. Back in 2005, a theory began that stated the third Monday of January was calculated to be the most depressing day of the year. All the hype doesn’t last.
A better resolution is committing to a sustainable change through the 1% journey with Story Athlete GRIT. This program is designed in such a way that although we can fall off our own wagon of personal growth now and then, we build a firm foundation so that jumping back on the wagon isn’t quite so harsh.
The best ways to pursue and to achieve peak energy is through proper fuel nutrition. Understanding how our bodies work, and how foods affect our functions, goes a long way in encouraging us to stick to better foods. Getting back on the wagon right away, rather than waiting for a particular date is also the better choice. Mel Robbins has a whole explanation of “activation energy” where she promotes taking advantage of that first thought and just move! As soon as you get past that 5 second mark, your brain lets the Lesser Self flood you with excuses. And that is just depressing…
As an energy balancing practitioner, I like to take this a step further in understanding how the energy composition of foods and other substances can affect our personal energy, and in turn our physical bodies. Imbalanced energy can block absorption, and can cause foods to negatively interact with our energy no matter how healthy it is for someone else.
Beyond foods, emotions can be heavy as well. Sadness, grief, shame are just a few examples of some low vibration emotions that can affect our overall well being and plummet our energy levels.
Yes, I do pursue peak energy through Story Athlete principles but also through my own methods of energy balancing. I know I am highly affected by music, so throwing on some tunes and getting at ‘er is a great way to pique my energy as well!

Day of GRIT: #27 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Total Body Accumulation Palooza F2
CONTEXT: “I Reflect on My Results…”

Mind Body Business Relationships…
Time to look back over the month. I never used to do this before GRIT, not in the sense of looking back at progress over the past month. It’s usually just an exasperated “OMG where did the time go?”.
It is good to reflect though.
Mind: I am feeling amazing today actually. A few days ago I had one hell of a messed up dream and was off kilter for a day or two. Thank God for energy healing because I was able to address the upsets and get myself back on track quickly. What I realized through that experience is that I have an underlying fear of losing my Story Athlete family. I have lost loved ones and this last one really did me in. I have been leaning heavily on the encouragement from my GRITmates to get me through these past 3 months. That messed up dream was a manifestation of those fears of losing this community. Thankfully I know that Story Athlete is not going anywhere any time soon and the connections I have made here are long lasting with accountable and responsible friends.
Body: Ugh. I am still at just an F2, not really pushing myself as much as I could. Earlier this month, I used a muscle memory clearing technique and that has made a huge difference in being able to move more. I had so many falls and injuries back in working days and my whole body has just been stiff no matter what. Clearing this muscle memory has made it so much easier for me to bend and move and just everything. I am not having to modify GRIT moves as much now as I had up until that point. Body is definitely a point for improvement through the next year. At least now I don’t feel like I am walking like a constipated penguin every time I exert myself.
I really need some self discipline to get myself moving in the morning. It takes me a bit to wake up and get my bearings. Quite often I do a one-eyed Crackbook scroll to wake up. I have been swapping that to read my teammates contexts from the day before instead. Much more encouraging and a better start to my day. I have also been doing some “bicycling” first thing as well. Kick off the covers and kick my legs up in the air a bit. That seems to get the blood flowing as well.
Business: I am on a tenacious mission with cleaning up paperwork and digital files. I am making serious headway and becoming more efficient in this process which has translated to much more interesting sessions with clients. Efficiency and effectiveness just makes everything better. I have not yet settled into a routine of getting my Akashic course work done. I did call my shot on getting certified by May 2022 though. On the horizon…
Relationships: Today is now 90 days since Darrel passed and left this physical plane. Still surreal for me. There are still some nights I check my phone to see if his number comes up. Some nights I am just mad at him for leaving because I lost my hope for the future as well. I am working through that though. Thank God for energy healing. Having my kids’ dad show up at my house Christmas Eve triggered a whole bunch of past stuff for me as well as issues about my estranged daughter, so that is another focus for me to address through this next month and ongoing. Thankfully things with my other three kids are just fine.
I am grateful for this 1% journey and for being able to look back over this past month. Yes there have been some upsets, but I am much farther ahead than I was in previous months. Little by little I am Becoming my best self.

Day of GRIT: #28 of 28
METRICS: FINAL WORKOUT DECEMBER 2021- Extended Interval Workout 45/15 Interval Format (45 seconds work, 15 seconds rest)
CONTEXT: “I Expect the Unexpected…”
About the only way to get through life is to learn to roll with the punches. If there is one thing the upheaval of the last two years has taught us, is that those who have learned to expect the unexpected are about the only ones that have been surviving and even thriving through it all.
I am thinking back to a book that was significant in changing my mindset about life. Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life by Wayne Dyer. In this book he takes each stanza of the Tao Ching and breaks it down into laymans terms.
The very simplest short review of the book and the Tao Ching is to be like water. Water can be soft or hard depnding on the circumstances. It can flow, or it can rush. It can flow around obstacles, and over time erode those obstacles as well.
It is a good analogy for thriving through life.

November 2021: Jackie: In April of 2020 I joined Story Athlete, not having a clue what I was getting into. I have continued to renew my membership because this is the best program and support community ever! My tribe inside are the reason that I have progressed so much in my personal and business life. This page is to introduce you to my favorite Pace Car, Ryan Fletcher, the Founder of Story Athlete. 

See Jackie’s daily context writings here:  https://ladybugwellness.ca/story-athlete-grit-jrioux/

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The Story Athlete Way is also known as, “The Way of the Heroic Self.” It is not a fitness program. This is a program for people who keep quitting on themselves. Lesser Self vs. Heroic Self.

“If I’m a weak foundation, I can’t possibly build a strong Business, Life, or Family. And a weak foundation is the person who lacks GRIT, has a Default-NO mindset, and is dominated by the Lesser Self. Time to change that.” ~ Story Athlete GRIT

THIS COMMUNITY Is One Of The Most Transformative Programs Ever Devised.

MIND * BODY * BUSINESS * RELATIONSHIPS
Hard(er) To Kill; Mentally, Physically, Financially
Story Athlete GRIT: The Destruction of the Lesser Self. 28 days of Transformation.
“I am defined by the story I tell myself. I play the game of IODs (Impact of the Day). I travel the 1% journey. I am on a mission to defeat my lesser self. I choose to live a challenge-based life. I am becoming harder to kill every day. I AM A STORY ATHLETE.

Story Athlete is the community, GRIT is the monthly game challenge.
Join me in the next monthly challenge of GRIT! Go Here: : https://www.storyathlete.com/opt-ty-grit-start-now?affiliate_id=2381884

Ryan wrote a book!  The Code of the Heroic Self. Get yours free, just pay shipping: https://www.storyathlete.com/code-of-heroic-self

The following are a few posts from Ryan Fletcher himself to show you how Story Athlete started.

January 23 2022
SA-Name:// RYAN FLETCHER
CONTEXT: “I Am An Athlete…” –> The reason I named my company StoryAthlete, Story = the sport, Athlete = Elite performance, is because I believed that “behaving as an athlete” is what makes a person successful. Stories create Beliefs. Beliefs decide Behaviors. Behaviors determine Actions. Actions are what dictate our Results. You can be a mental athlete. You can be a physical athlete. You can be a spiritual athlete. It doesn’t matter. Athletes are focused on greatness. Athletes are focused on improvement. Athletes train with focus and intensity. There is always a clear goal and definite-ness of purpose. Athletes seek out coaches and mentors. Athletes maximize their improvement by designing a deliberate regimen. Ask any athlete, at the top of their game, practice alone doesn’t create greatness. Only proper practice creates greatness. Lots of non-athletes, practice all the wrong things. These folks are called amateurs or hobbyists. Certainly, they are not professional athletes. They don’t think like it. They don’t train like it. Not all athletes, though, are great performers, either. That is the myth. There are lots of folks, with “natural ability,” that perform better than athletes. So, what is an athlete really? It’s the person who deliberately strives to maximize his potential, through a strategically designed feedback-based regimen that aims to achieve a defined outcome. If you’re striving to improve your speed, then you would execute a regimen designed specifically to achieve that objective. If you were striving to become a great storyteller, you would execute a regimen designed to strategically achieve that objective. There would be protocols to follow and feedback mechanisms. There would be a scoreboard and metrics to keep track of. Athletes measure progress. Athletes track performance and inefficiencies. An athlete, in his quest to maximize his performance, in order to reach his potential, tracks everything. Athlete = Elite Performance. This singular mindset and corresponding behaviors, that make this objective possible, is what separates the amateur or hobbyist who isn’t striving to maximize his potential, from the athlete. A true athlete is a person who strives to squeeze every last ounce of juice out of his potential. And when you do this, you never have to ask, “What if…” For this reason, at the end of their lives, most people have regrets. I could have done better. I could have been better. Because, while they knew they had inside of them the potential of greatness, they never trained to maximize it. I assure you, that won’t be me.

Ryan Fletcher
April 20 2020
Does Being Physically Fit Make You A Better Father?
For years, I didn’t believe that being in good physical shape mattered.
My name is Ryan Fletcher.
I have two kids.
I’m 38.
This is the tale of two fathers. One man.
My story goes like this:
• I married my high school girlfriend at 24
• We started our life together
• I was deadset on succeeding in business
• At 26, I moved 3,000 miles away, from Vancouver, WA, to Delray Beach, FL, for the opportunity to study with the best direct-response marketing company in the world
• At 28, my wife (Melanie) got pregnant with our first child
• In 2009, our son Jackson was born
• That fall, to be closer to family, we moved back to Vancouver, WA
• In 2010, I started my company
• My obsession was to grow that business to 7-figures
• I failed in year 1
• I failed in year 2
• I failed in year 3
• I started to question and doubt my abilities
• So, I doubled down on business
• In 2012, my daughter Zoey was born
• Melanie raised our kids while I worked
• In year 4, I failed again
• I continued to focus on business
• No work-life balance
• I neglected my health
• I got fatter and fatter
• My pants went from a size 36 to 40-inch waist
• Putting on my socks became a chore
• I started to hate stairs
• At the pool, I didn’t want to take off my shirt
• My kids were 4 and 7, at this point
• Jackson would ask me, “Dad, do you want to play basketball?”
• “Dad, do you want to wrestle?”
• Zoey would ask me, “Dad, do you want to play soccer?”
• “Dad, do you want to wrestle?”
• Each time they asked, my reflexive response was “No.”
• “No”
• “No”
• “No”
• I said no because I didn’t want to be revealed
• I was embarrassed
• I was ashamed of myself
• How did I let myself get so out of shape?
• I used to be an athlete
• All my kids wanted was some of my time
• They just wanted me to play with them
• For me to kick the ball or play basketball with them
• To wrestle with them
• Physically though, that caused me pain, so I said “No.”
• “No”
• “No”
• “No”
• In year 6, I did finally build that 7-figure business
• But at what cost?
• I had neglected my health
• My relationships were in shambles
• I was lethargic all the time
• I had no energy
• I didn’t like the person I saw in the mirror
Then one day, I overheard my kids talking to each other. This was 2018. Zoey said to Jackson, “Ask Dad if he wants to play with us?” The next sentence out of my son’s mouth, I will never forget, because it almost broke me as a father.
He said, “Why even ask? He doesn’t want to.”
• On that day, I vowed to make a change
• It’s not that I didn’t want to play with my kids, I love my kids!!
• It just hurt me, physically, to play with my kids
• I was that out of shape
• I had become 40 lbs overweight
• I would get winded in 2 minutes
• So, to avoid that embarrassment, “Fat Ryan” said No.
• “Fat Ryan” put himself first
• “Fat Ryan” was a bad Dad because of that
• Not to mention, a tired and irritable husband, too.
So, the decision was made. “Fat Ryan” has to go. Fast forward, through GRIT + FUEL, I’ve lost all that weight. I have more energy than I ever imagined was possible. I’m a better husband. A better father. A better businessman. My mind is more clear.
By committing to improving my physical health, every part of my life improved.
The other day, I asked my little man, “Which Dad do you like better?”
That old “Fat Dad” or this new Dad?
He said, “This new Dad.”
I said, me too!
So, there’s my story.
A tale of two fathers. One man.
===
#IODcommitted #ImpactoftheDay #PoweredbyImpactClub
#StoryAthlete
#DefinedByTheStoryWeTellOurSelf
#BeingVsBecoming

How Story Athlete ties it all together:
November 2021
Ryan Fletcher
CONTEXT: “I Cultivate Strong Relationships…” –> In reference to the prompt, “We may list it fourth, but it’s just as important as all the rest.” No, it’s far more important. But we list it fourth because to best serve the relationships in our life, first, we have to become hard(er) to kill mentally, physically, and financially. Someone who is easy to kill financially isn’t much of a provider for their family. Someone who is intellectually weak is certain to be an inferior mother or father. And someone who is physically weak will pass that tradition of poor health on to their loved ones. As the saying goes, “You can’t pour from an empty cup. So, to serve our relationships, first, we must become mentally, physically, and financially, harder to kill. Those who have amazing relationships are those who have the energy and capabilities to serve them. I learned this the hard way. If you read my book, The Code of The Heroic Self, you know my story. With knowledge, though, comes the chance to improve. And with the consequences of making mistakes comes the internal conviction to not want to repeat them. I no longer focus on my Mind, or my Body, or my Business, to serve me. I did, at one time. Now, I focus on these things as the means to serve my RELATIONSHIPS. A fat, out-of-shape father doesn’t have the energy to want to play with his kids. A tired, exhausted mind doesn’t have the capacity to be a loving spouse. And while I love building businesses, what good is that income if I don’t have the time freedom to do what I want, when I want, with my Relationships. I could easily work 16 hours days and not think twice about it. But, it’s not solely about me. It’s about my RELATIONSHIPS. It took almost losing my relationships before this realization hit me.

Jackie: This is one of my favorite posts from Ryan. It directly applies to my work as an energy balancing practitioner. This is exactly why we need to disconnect the emotional charge behind our trauma and upsets so we can move forward and be a productive citizen in society, for the benefit of our loved ones, others and most of all, Ourselves! BECOMING our Heroic self!

September 18 2021
Ryan Fletcher
CONTEXT: – “My Emotions Are an Asset… ” –> Emotions can be an Asset. Or, a liability. Mostly, I believe, they are a liability. Productivity goes where the mind is focused, there is no denying this. When I was in real estate, back in my first year, and struggling. I spent more time focused on getting out of real estate than figuring out how to grow the business. At my desk, in my office, I would be looking at job ads in the classifieds. I was so caught up in the “emotion of fear,” and so stressed, that my ‘fight or flight system’ was constantly triggered. So, “flight” was my norm. Run to the next opportunity. Avoid the problem at hand. Search for a greener pasture. The antithesis to problem-solving is emotion. Emotions are the opposite of being level-headed. I’ve worked with many employees and team members over the years. Those who fail to control their emotions are massive liabilities. Uncontrolled emotion is the equivalent of being drunk. Irrational. Totally exuberant in a negative way. Caught up in their own drama. Have you ever tried to speak rationally to a drunk person? It’s painful. There’s no conscious thought. Just spewing of emotion. Everything they feel just bursts out. Visually, it looks like a Jackson Pollock painting. So, if that’s what’s happening in your head. All that chaos. How can we possibly be productive? Focused? Or strategic? The emotion has to go. Emotional stress. Emotional excitement. Emotional fear. None of it is good. Excitement, you say? Of course, you want to be excited. No, you don’t! Excitement blinds you to everything you don’t want to see. Subconsciously, excitement acts like confirmation bias. It seeks to reinforce more of what we already believe. And works to hide what we don’t agree with. Much, of which, might be the actual truth. The less emotional one is, from the perspective of problem-solving, the better. Where people really run into problems is by not being able to compartmentalize their emotions. Meaning, the fight with their spouse carries over into work. The financial stress of not being able to pay the bills robs them of being present with their kids. The nasty comment on their last IOD post, from some schmuck on the internet, steals focus from everything. Revenge. Hurt. These two emotions are like Everclear to the mind. 190 proof. One shot of these f*ckers and you’re emotionally drunk instantly. Hurt and revenge also behave like viruses. Give that hurt to the Lesser Self and he spins that hurt into a victim story. He did this to me. She did this to me. It’s not fair. I don’t deserve that. F*ck him. No, f*ck her. That f*cker is dead. No, I’m going to kill him first. Anger, rage, revenge. Uncertainty, fear, distraction works as a similar cascading wave of dominoes. Either the Heroic Self controls the emotion. Or the Lesser Self controls him.

Jackie: Another great post! I love that Ryan is so blunt. Absolutely no filter. Raw and real. There is no room for misunderstandings. He makes several great thought provoking points here:

Ryan Fletcher
November 9 2021
The Reason I Resigned – (Careful: Thought Required)
• The Great Resignation
• Why Racism/Sexism might be good
• The 50-Year Truth Revealed
I’m a firm believer that business and life, health, fitness, family, and relationships, are one and the same. They are not different. They are not separated from each other.
If you lack in fitness, you will suffer in relationships. And if you suffer in relationships, you will suffer in business.
For many years, prior to 2018, I never understood this interconnectedness and, as a result, I paid the price and suffered the consequences.
“Fat Ryan” was one-dimensional.
And increasingly my family became “broken” as I put business above everything else.
In 2018, after 2 years of research, I started to practice Work-Life Integration.
Not… work-life balance.
I started writing my Character Script not as it was, but as I wanted it to be.
In other words, Who I was vs. Who I wanted to become?
Today, this concept of Being vs. Becoming is a foundational principle inside of the StoryAthlete community.
On Friday night, Melanie and I enjoyed our weekly date night. We tasted wine. Grabbed some grub and a beer at the Thirsty Sasquatch in downtown Vancouver.
It was fun.
One of the things we talked about was how I, as the one-time “workaholic” as everyone called me, today, in 2021, work fewer hours than she does as a teacher.
Teachers, and people with jobs, don’t get the luxury of practicing work-life integration.
Their time is NOT leveraged.
Nor is it balanced.
Their job aka “the business” aspect of their life dominates their schedule.
They wake up early.
Get to work.
Are required to put in 8-10 hours serving others. (traffic/commute)
They rush home.
They’re tired.
Drained.
People feel like they should get in a workout or something that upgrades their health or fitness but don’t because they don’t feel like they have time.
Their kids have soccer practice in 30 minutes. Or have to be dropped off at baseball in an hour.
So, they forgo the workout or self-care for a quick snack. Or throw together a quick meal because there’s no time to have a sit-down meal as a family.
They rush out the door.
Mom takes daughter to practice.
Dad takes son to baseball.
Then, 1-2 hours later, they have to rush back to pick them up.
Now it’s 7:30 or 8 pm.
• No real family-time has been had.
• No time has been focused on health or fitness.
• There has been no time for each spouse to connect with one another.
The price you pay, the consequences you suffer:
No time for fitness = Declining health and plummeting energy levels.
…Rising obesity rates
…Rising diabetes rates
…Rising death rates due to heart disease
…Rising cancer rates due to the “fake foods” we put in our bodies
People are so worried about Covid as a public health threat, but what about all those processed foods that kill 100X more people, daily, than Covid will ever kill. Instead of focusing on injections, maybe public health propaganda should focus on getting people to move their asses.
Of course, there are no “political dollars” to be made in that arena, so no politician will be backing that message.
But as a society, where do you think all of this depression is coming from?
It’s damn hard to be proud of who you are when you look in the mirror and see a fat person looking back at you.
To be clear, that dissatisfaction with self is not because you’re fat.
It’s not a weight issue!
You’re dissatisfied because you know you’re capable of not being fat.
You… let yourself go! – (been there myself)
It’s damn hard too, to feel deeply loved and connected to your spouse when you look in the mirror and see a person that runs themselves ragged.
As a SOCIETY, we have become that rat on the proverbial treadmill.
Brainwashed by the media.
In debt – (that keep us being a slave to our creditors)
So busy, we can’t think.
So disconnected from each other, we struggle to see anyone that disagrees with us politically, philosophically, or spiritually, as even a human being.
On our date night, my wife said, “teachers are exiting the profession left and right.”
By the way, so are healthcare workers.
So, too, are tons of labor workers and skilled tradesmen that serve as the foundation of the American workforce.
Most of these folks in the “Great Resignation” are between the ages of 30 and 45 years old.
Still young enough to reinvent themselves.
But old enough to remember what the “Good Times” used to be like before the world went batsh*t insane.
My cousin just bought a 37′ foot travel trailer to live in, to lower their expenses, so their kids could have a stay-at-home mom.
• People want their LIFE back.
• People want their SANITY back.
• People want their HEALTH back.
• People want their CONNECTION to their spouse and kids back.
At higher rates than ever before, finally, people are opting out of the nauseating ‘super-Woke’ society that America has become. Even democratic advisor James Carville has stated that Wokeism is the problem.
His words:
“Wokeness is a problem and everyone knows it. It’s hard to talk to anybody today who doesn’t say this. But they don’t want to say it out loud,” Carville, said in an interview with Vox this spring. When asked why his party won’t admit the wokeness problem, Carville responded bluntly: “Because they’ll get clobbered or canceled.”
Which is interesting – the fear of getting “clobbered or canceled” – because we, “As The People,” don’t cancel people.
That is NOT our idea.
That is not “OUR way” of doing things.
Canceling People is a POLITICAL idea and tactic that “We the People” have been brainwashed to execute as a strategy for politicians to gain power through fear, coercion, and intimidation.
CANCELING PEOPLE is what Bullies and Tyrants do.
No thought-leader, EVER, has canceled a person because they disagreed with them.
Conflict is good.
Debate is good.
Different political, socioeconomic, etc., perspectives and opinions are good.
Different values are good.
I would argue that respectful racism is not a bad thing.
I could argue, too, that sexism is good.
Life isn’t f*cking fair.
And life will never be f*cking fair.
The best part?
Every time we’re thrown into the fire of adversity, our Character gets to be forged stronger. Inequality will always be at the foundation of self-improvement.
Idealists want you to believe in a Utopian world.
• Fair.
• Equal.
• Controlled.
• And mandated kindness.
But the reality is, we are human beings. Human beings are flawed. What makes one person a racist makes another person a freedom fighter. If not for racism and social inequality, we would not have the words and legacy of MLK.
If not for tyranny and oppression under British rule, we would not have the rebellion that gave birth to the United States of America.
If not for poor people, we might never figure out how to do more with less. And without the rich, it would be impossible to have the money to fund that innovation.
If you’re black, you don’t have to like white people.
If you’re white, you don’t have to like black people.
If you’re Asian, you don’t have to like black or white people.
And visa-versa.
If you’re poor, you don’t have to like rich people.
If you’re rich, you don’t have to like poor people.
And if you’re one kind of religious person, you don’t have to like the other kinds of religious people.
This is the beauty of the human race.
We are different.
We have consciousness of thought.
We are free to choose.
Not liking someone, though, is very different than being mean, hateful, and disrespectful.
Politicians want us to see good vs. evil, but different doesn’t mean good or evil. It just means different.
RESPECT = the single universal principle I can get behind.
I don’t have to like you.
You don’t have to like me.
But…
No matter who you are, I can RESPECT your choice to be different.
Of course, choices have consequences.
Consequences can be legal.
Consequences can be social.
But whenever we try to manufacture fairness for some, we automatically create unfairness for others.
People, frankly, are sick of it.
Black people.
White people.
Asians.
Rich people.
Poor people.
Hispanics…
And everyone in between, including all of the people of all of the different religions.
Everyone is waking up!!
• Woke-ism is bullsh*t – aimed to divide/dehumanize people.
• Cancel Culture is bullsh*t – a fear/intimidation tactic used by bullies and tyrants.
• Fairness is bullsh*t – a tactic to justify theft/manipulation.
The Great Resignation isn’t about people not liking their jobs or substandard corporate cultures. Or because their pay is too low. People are resigning from society.
Resigning from conditioned beliefs of media propaganda.
Resigning from government rule.
Resigning from state-mandated education curriculums that erase history, which is the greatest teacher we all have to learn from.
Resigning from “higher education” at any cost.
Resigning from debt.
I can’t wait until college campuses are giant f*cking ghost towns because people have finally learned the truth about the value of their 4-year degree.
Sadly, though, it takes 50 years before people realize the political promises made to them were never promises of truth, but have always been LIES.
Politicians can only kick the can of a ‘utopian society’ down the road for so long before people lose faith and stop believing it, prior to pursuing a massive revolt.
We are at that inflection point.
Things are worse today than they were ten years ago.
…Greater depression rates.
…Higher obesity rates.
…More suicides. (especially amongst teens)
…Higher addiction rates.
…Higher divorce rates.
…More broken families.
…Greater animosity and division amongst races.
People are opting out because they’re finally realizing they have been misled.
People (of all races) are OPTING-OUT!
People of ALL socioeconomic backgrounds.
F*CK YOU politicians!
F*CK YOU for using us, the PEOPLE, as your pawns!
F*CK YOU and your bullsh*t (not so HIDDEN) agendas to grab POWER!
= OPT-OUT.
The Great Resignation – (by the millions)
I resigned, of course, a long-time ago.
Maybe you did, too.
It’s time, “We The People,” got back to living our lives as people rather than government-influenced pawns.
And it’s my job, as I see it, to show more people, those newly opted out, how to live a different kind of life where they are paid to become their best selves.
• No clients.
• No employers.
• No censorship.
• No walking on eggshells.
Where there’s nobody to answer to but to yourself and those you love, with the freedom to say whatever the f*ck you want, when you want, because you’re not dependent on anybody’s approval but your own.
For example, lots of people disagree with me.
And, in my world, as I’ve designed it, they CANCEL themselves by opting out of receiving my content.
It’s perfect.
And I don’t care when they leave because I know how to replace them through marketing and messaging, to upgrade those readers with smarter ones who aren’t offended by a “difference of opinion,” and instead, see it as the opportunity to better understand their fellow humans.
Btw, those who are ‘easily offended’ are by far the weakest f*cking people on earth.
They are the stupidest.
The dumbest.
Not to mention, they are the least confident and most insecure people in our society.
So, don’t argue with them.
Just laugh.
Go about your day.
They don’t deserve your time or attention. (So don’t waste it on them).
Ok, back tomorrow.
Remember, if your Character fails in life, it’s because you wrote for your Character a sh*tty script.
You have nobody to blame but you!
===
#StoryAthlete
PS: I’m guessing this post gets censored through limited distribution by FB. This is why, if you’re in business, you need to own your distribution channels and use ‘big tech’ channels as supplementary.

“Most entrepreneurs don’t want to admit this, but entrepreneurial depression is a major problem.
It stems from pouring our hearts and souls into our businesses.
Working long hours.
Having a great idea, but then, not having that idea gain any traction.
Not enough clients.
Not enough customers.
Not enough sales.
Not enough income.
Always trying different tactics and strategies, only to have them fail or come up short.
Spending money on marketing without getting any return.” – Ryan Fletcher.

Ryan Fletcher <Ryan@ImpactClub.com>
September 18, 2020 2:17 PM
Subject: Don’t Be Afraid to be Hated – [Do This…]
THE Mission: To Be Loved. Or Hated.
Hey Team,
With all the hate and venom that is spewed on social media these days, I’ve witnessed a lot of marketers and entrepreneurs start to create messaging from their heels…
Timid, scared, operating out of fear…
Fear of being judged.
Fear of being attacked.
Fear of creating controversy and having to defend themselves.
And worse?
I’ve noticed tons of people – never do this – create messaging that panders to the current circumstances, saying, basically, “See, I’m one of the good people.”
Here’s the general rule of thumb…
If you have to go out of your way, trying extra hard, to make it clear, that you’re one of the good people. Then most likely, you’re not one of the good people.
I knew a guy once, not a friend but an acquaintance who, for years, cheated on his wife.
It was none of my business, so I never got involved. But I would witness how this guy, right after cheating on his wife, would go above and beyond to be extra loving to her.
I also noticed this trend when I watched American Greed, how con-artists, would go to great extremes to portray a double life, to prove they weren’t snake oil salesmen.
Whenever somebody publicly overcompensates like this, in their actions, or in their “speed” to jump on a bandwagon, it almost always comes down to one of two things:
1) A guilty conscious.
Or 2) A massive level of insecurity.
As you can imagine, I’ve been called every name in the book. If you’re a public figure; podcast host, book author, large scale advertiser, publisher, etc., judgement comes with the territory.
I’ve been called a racist.
I’ve been called a sexist.
I’ve been called a scammer and a con-artist.
I’ve been called an a$$hole.
I’ve been called a motherfu#ker.
And to quote Gary Halbert, as he once said, “If I believed everything good that people said about me, I would try to walk on water. And if I believed everything bad that people said about me, I’d be too depressed to crawl out from underneath the covers each morning.”
Then said, “Mostly, none of it is true.”
His message was. “Don’t let the love and praise inflate your ego. And likewise, don’t let the hate and venom destroy your spirit.” Because that is what happens to most.
If you’re a person with a message that gets heard, people are going to judge and label you…
Hero.
Or Villain.
Right vs. Left.
Heaven vs. Hell.
And, as a marketer and entrepreneur, the only thing worse than being loved by some, and hated by many, is being ignored by all. Nothing is worse than being ignored…
People who desire to be liked by all, tend to be ignored by all.
So, don’t fear being hated.
And don’t strive to be loved.
Just be you.
Speak your message.
Your values.
Your beliefs.
Your convictions.
And if you authentically stand for something of meaningful significance. Then automatically, half the world will love you, while the other half develops a hate for you.
If everyone seems to like you, though, be worried. Because at that point, it means, you’re not perceived to stand for anything. It’s easy to like white walls.
Because white walls don’t invoke a reaction.
They’re just there.
Nothing to love. Nothing to hate.
Don’t strive to be that person – to fit in or stand out.
Just be you – (that’s enough)
Keep up the fight,
-RYAN
PS: I’m proud of the fact that the reviews for my podcast, and for my book, both show the same trend. The two categories with the most reviews in each, are:
The 5-Star Reviews!
And the category of 1-Star Reviews!
“Good.”
I’ve always said, I write and create content for me and my kiddos, to pass on life lessons. I just allow other people, like you, to read it. I don’t write for you.
I write for me.
When you operate this way, you have nothing to prove to anyone.
It’s quite freeing.

*****************************

Another solid point kick in the butt writing for the New Year!

My Split Personality
By Ryan Fletcher | December 24th, 2023
In exactly 7 days, the New Year will be upon us. Tens of millions, interestingly enough, have been waiting for this day. To make a big promise to themselves.
Most spent the last year lying to themselves.
• Putting off goals & procrastinating.
• Not taking action.
• No consistency in their execution.
This became their trend…
…their habit.
Hell, it even became their Identity & reputation!
That’s who these people ARE!
They Start… & then Stop.
Then say, “I’ll start again on Monday.”
I’ll start again “Next week.
Or “Next month.”
Before you know it, it’s 2024 & the day is here, the one they’ve been waiting for. THE NEW YEAR… because goddammit(!) this day is different.
This isn’t just another “Monday”…
Or “Next week.”
This is my “New Year’s Resolution!!”
$50 bucks, though, says it won’t matter.
Any takers?
People who put shit off by waiting for the New Year to initiate their transformation are practicing the very set of behaviors; delay, procrastination, & lying to themselves, which makes New Year’s Resolutions meaningful to tens of millions in the first place.
Ironically, January 1st this year is a “Monday!”
So probably, in their minds, they REALLY mean it this time…
….I’ll start on “Monday.”
As if that Monday is any different than the last 52 Mondays or the next 52.
How about this?
STOP FUCKING LYING YOURSELF.
Here’s how we do it:
Inside of StoryAthlete, we create a Split (dual) personality. We make our Lesser Self the character in the script. The character in the script is not the writer of the script. Not the author.
The character must OBEY the script.
He has ZERO decision-making power.
…& NO free will.
“Fat Ryan,” my Lesser Self, all those years back. Before losing 40 pounds, was a bucket of excuses. Like most people, for different areas in his life, he always “put it off…”
Then, one day, I’d had enough of that shit!
He wasn’t just my Lesser Self.
He represented everything I hated about who I was/had become.
• A procrastinator
• An excuse-maker
• A liar
• A justifier…
…& rationalization engine
Etc.
The list went on…
So, I took away his power!
I created a Split (dual) personality: Heroic Self vs. Lesser Self:
• Lesser Self = The Character (in the script)
• Heroic Self = The Author (of the script)
Read my book
In this arrangement, the Lesser Self (me, the character) no longer held any power to put shit off. He didn’t write the script. He could only obey the script.
Whereas my Heroic Self (the author of the script), knew the purpose of the plot, to force character-change, was to punish the Lesser Self, to strengthen him.
The moment my Heroic Self heard the voice of my Lesser Self, trying to “put something off…” He stepped in, immediately, & wrote it into the script…
“FUCK YOU!”…
…&, to punish the Lesser Self…
Whatever he was trying to “put off…” became the next item of action in the Character Script.
That’s why, in case you didn’t know, I end every email, after saying…
“OK, back tomorrow,”
…with the following two sentences:
Remember, if your Character fails in life, it’s because you wrote for your Character a shitty script
You have nobody to blame but you!!!
These two sentences ^ serve as my constant reminder – to write a purposeful character script.
===
PS: Here’s a little inside baseball: People who make New Year’s Resolutions are Lesser Self-dominated people.
…Or “LSDs!”
If they were Heroic Self-dominated, January 1st, the New Year, would be just another Monday, no different than the last 52 Mondays or the next 52!
To the Heroic Self-dominated person, New Year’s Resolutions are as fake as Elf on the Shelf, Santa Claus, & the Easter Bunny.
Best reserved for children.
Not adults.
Building our ideal life is a lot easier than people think. It’s not magic. It’s discipline & consistency. Living the Challenge-based life. Building flywheel assets.
And traveling “The 1% journey!”
Starting December 26 – coming to an Inbox near you – I start my ‘6 Days of GRIT’ series.
Until then, though, Merry Christmas to ALL! …
…and to all…
STOP PUTTING SHIT OFF! 😉 …Ho, Ho, HO!
Keep up the fight,
…against all odds!
-RYAN

Day of GRIT: #2 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Volume Sets F2 4MOD
CONTEXT: “I See Hardship As Opportunity…”
I had only just received my certification in Thought Field Tapping Techniques when my mentor approached me offering a “Master Course”. I was so new to any kind of energy work, and no confidence in my skills or in working with clients at that point. She insisted that I would greatly benefit from this course. How much? $2000. I had already had to scrape together funds from my paycheck to paycheck lifestyle to pay for the other course I had taken. I was raising four teens alone. There was just no way….
She offered a payment plan and kept on me. I managed and yes I took this 5 month course that introduced me to some other modalities, a new network on resources and course content that changed many things for me in my personal and business life.
My previous life had been a lot of hardship and I was learning to turn all that into my gift and an opportunity to empower others.
The course was about Explorations in Transformation. The final workshop weekend, we were instructed to bring some thought and opinions to discuss. I opted to put out a question on social media and turned all my findings into a web page.
That course transformed me and changed the way that I had previously viewed hardship and turned it all into opportunity for growth and gained wisdom. https://ladybugwellness.ca/how-people-change/

Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux our Mess can now become our Message when we surrender often thru some sort of brokenness.
However when journey with other like minded individuals we can gain that insight which can then be shared with others.
Just like a pearl started as a small irritant and the clay changed it into something beautiful.
Jackie Rioux: Brett Wininger love that. Thank you

Day of GRIT: #3 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Hub Spoke F2 Finisher- 4MOD- AMRAP V1
CONTEXT: “My Routine Kills Indecision… ”
The idea of being an free spirit is appealing to anyone who has lived a life of being forced and or trapped into the responsibilities of life. I spent many years under my father’s thumb, then a career of 26 years of working in a corporate environment. Good job yes, but high class slavery to be honest.
Life is so much better being an entrepreneur and making my own schedule. But this is also where my problem lies in not always having self discipline. For several months after retirement, I was quite “lost” in my own sanity of feeling free yet not quite taking on my own reins quite yet.
Then I stepped into my freedom of being able to go on road trips whenever I wanted to. Notsomuch this past 2 years though with outside factors. Still, I do have my freedom in my own humble abode and thankfully able to work online with amazing clients.
Where does routine come in? Routine is actually what brings the best kind of freedom. Did I just take off randomly on road trips? Yes and no. I keep my vehicle maintained and I keep an emergency bag ready. Routine helps in running my business from home as well. I need my hot shower every morning. I do my best to keep my home tidy, and clutter at bay for when we have clients come by. I keep my client files organized so I can work with my clients effectively.
These are just simple routines of my life, yet they make a huge difference in being prepared for the unexpected events of life. Routines do kill indecision in just knowing what needs to be done to stay in a relaxed and prepared flow of life. I am always a work in progress though and while I do have some routines, I know I can always do more to improve.
I came across flylady years ago and that helped tremendously in learning that “shining your kitchen sink” is really a psychological beginning to setting up simple routines in life and having much more freedom as well.
http://www.flylady.net/d/control-journals/

Day of GRIT: #4 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Do It Now…”
My inner Scrat is feeling awfully picked on right now with this context. I saw a meme just yesterday that fits me perfectly. I honestly do try to get things done… then I get distracted with another seemingly more important item.
“I needed to do the laundry, but then I realized I was out of detergent, so I went to write a shopping list and realized how unorganized the junk drawer was, and started checking pens for ink. When I went to toss all the junk, I saw that the trash was full but before I took it out I wanted to get rid of old food in the fridge. That’s when I realized a juice jug had leaked so I needed to clean it up but when I went to grab a rag, I saw that the pantry closet was a nightmare so I started organizing it. And that’s how I ended up on the floor looking at my old photo albums from 1990’s and not doing laundry.”
My “do it now” is on point, it is the “disciplined follow through to finish in one swoop” that is broken. Working from home, this is a problem. I mean, it all eventually gets done, but I am more of a zigzag and enjoy the scenery type gal.
My other issue is that I like being organized but didn’t always have a “system” in place. Or, like when my hard drive crashed, everything got scrambled. I constantly feel behind in trying to achieve my previous level of organization where I can actually find things in seconds. Plus, trying to work in new information and client files etc.
Then, as what recently happened, a significant loss in my personal life threw me for one hell of a loop. All my “do it now” became more of a “f*ck it all, why bother” in my futile sense of life and a mortality check of my own life’s priorities.
I am slowly getting back to “do it now”. A few days ago I decided to get rid of an antique dresser in my bedroom. I inherited it from my great Aunt back in 1989. I have a funny memory of Darrel associated with that dresser though and now it just makes me cry so it needs to go. I also moved his pictures out of my room and into my treasure chest. Lots of tears today.
The most important “do it now” is to speak our truth and that is my only real consolation in knowing that I did speak up all this past year to him in speaking my heart every time I talked to him.
I am always a work in progress here.
</End-of-GRIT-Post>

Day of GRIT: #5 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Posterior Palooza Pyramid F2
CONTEXT: I Care…
Do I really care? Some days I wonder. I came from a small town mentality where I grew up with church potlucks and family dinners every Sunday as well. That is the good side of caring. Small towns also have bored and broke people who end up homeless and into the drug and alcohol scene with all the drama and dysfunction that goes along with it. Now I live in a small city and I have found that the more I take care of myself, raise my own energetic vibration, the less I see or experience of the lower vibration drama and dysfunction.
I care about my family, my clients and my responsibilities. I care about my friends too, of course. But I also keep my circles small with my tribes of like minded souls.
So often these days we hear people say “I care”, and then add, “I am such an empath, I feel everything”. This is where I need to draw a line and make my opinions more clear from all of my own experiences.
What I have come to learn in all my years is that the word “empath” seems to have gained popularity along with and as the opposite of “narcissist”. Basically what I understand is that there is a dysfunctional dynamic between narcissist and empath. Both are attracting their unhealed aspects. So when someone complains to me about the narc in their life, my first question is ‘what is within you that is unhealed?’. “Empaths” in this case have a serious lack of boundaries and unhealed issues. You can have empowered empaths that are compassionate healers that have overcome their challenges to the point of being able to assist others without drowning in the mire of another’s problems. It is the victim type empath that attracts narcs.
On the other hand, I have known several wonderful people who have been labeled narcs. They have a similar unhealed trauma and a bully/ power-over type of coping mechanism. I do believe that both sides of this dynamic can be healed, but they both need to recognize their side and their trauma, and take steps to heal and empower themselves.
This is where I can say that “I care” and that I prefer to define myself as a compassionate healer rather than an empath who “cares”.
These are some definitions I found online that I appreciate to explain my thoughts on caring and compassion:
PITY says I acknowledge your suffering. SYMPATHY says I care about your suffering. EMPATHY says I feel your suffering. COMPASSION says I want to relieve your suffering.
Pity says: It makes me feel bad inside to see your situation and I’m sorry you’re going through such a hard time. It’s really awful to look at your life and I can’t imagine it happening to me.
Compassion says: I see you, and I see your challenge. I have every faith that you can handle this situation. Let me know how I can assist you. I love you.
In the end, I do care. But I also have my own respectable boundaries.
</End-of-GRIT-Post>

Day of GRIT: #6 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOD- Extinction Abs
CONTEXT: “I’m My Own Hero…”
Most of the girls my age growing up had their bedroom walls plastered with Teen Beat heart throb posters. I wasn’t allowed to have any of that stuff in the house. The boys had rock concert and movie posters. I wasn’t allowed any of that stuff either. In fact, I had one Joan Jett cassette and one from Steve Millar band. I doubt my father knew about those. I had alllll the ABBA LPs though. Our other music selections consisted of country, gospel, and German classical. Yay. Not much for music heroes here.
I don’t remember having any celebrity heroes either, I didn’t really follow much of Hollywood drama, which is probably a good thing.
Some young girls think their father is their hero. Well… although my father did provide for our family, he was not my hero or my protector. In fact, if you know my back story. Ya well… that is another story. I got pregnant and married young to escape him. My husband certainly wasn’t my hero at all either. I had to learn to stand on my own two feet. Two feet and a heartbeat. I had to learn to protect myself and speak my own truth.
My grandma was someone I was close to and I thank God that I had her for some sort of religious pillar of sanity in my young life. But hero? Not really. I remember being quite pissy with her strictness in not letting me watch “I Dream of Jeannie”. Such a silly memory now. I got married at age 18 and I got to see her at my wedding. She passed away just a few months later.
So who else do I have that can be my hero? I am sure as a Christian I should say that Christ is my hero, and in many ways that would be true. But, you know that thing about asking God why I haven’t won the lottery and He says because you didn’t buy a ticket? Ya well…. God definitely has been a force in my life and the source of my inner voice and intuition. But ultimately it is ME who has to follow through and take steps to make my life anything worth living. So in that way, I am my own hero.

Brett Wininger: much like Joseph with his years in prison, Moses 40 years in the desert or Jobs “undeserved” afflictions, we don’t always see our full journey ahead of us.
Many of my friends find comfort from the “Footsteps in the Sand” poem.
They and myself realized that when our journey seemed the loneiest, it God actually carrying thru those valleys.
Like the grain of sand in a clam, with time and perspective, adversity can be transformation for empathy and change in oneself.
I know it’s been true in my journey and others that associate with.
Jackie Rioux: Brett: I have at least 4 books with the footprints poem. That’s been a standard poem in our home. Thank you for your words of wisdom. ❤
Brett Wininger: Unfortunately too many people don’t take the time to embrace the lessons in life’s journey.
They often ask for less challenges instead of asking to become more themselves to overcome the obstacles.
Jackie Rioux: Brett: I prefer to surround myself with the latter group. My gritty friends.

Day of GRIT: #7 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Upper Body Complex-a-Palooza C1 F2 Finisher- 4MOD- AMRAP
CONTEXT: “I Believe in Open-Source…”
“Be in the world but not of the world”. This was a bible concept drilled into us in Youth Group. The idea was that we were to go out into the world as an example and a light to others, yet not fall into the dark areas of life. We also joined up with other church Youth Groups. It was explained to us that if any religion or religious group cuts you off from the outside world, it is not healthy, and it is most likely a cult.
This concept has stuck with me for years in other areas of life and taught me to be open to others thoughts and opinions while being steadfast in my own. Through critical thinking and being open to others thoughts, we can influence positively our own and others opinions. I mean, what if I am wrong? Does that make someone else wrong? Or vice versa? It all boils down to perspectives and experiences.
When I first took some of my energy balancing courses, I had a lot of questions trying to make any kind of sense of Quantum Physics and the concept of shifting energy. I took more courses and learn more things. Then I learned that many courses were similar concepts but different techniques. None were “wrong”, they were just a different way of doing things. I learned to take what resonated with me and to create my own energetic toolbox of things that worked for me. I am constantly learning new things with following several different forums. In my circles, I find that the best practitioners are those who are open to a variety of techniques and modalities.
It has been said that the wisest man recognizes how much he doesn’t know. There is nothing worse than trying to have a conversation with someone close minded and fixated on limited thinking.
When we can be open minded and critical thinkers, we have a much better chance of learning something new and to progress in our own personal growth and wisdom.
This is the best way to be able to be of service to others, and in my opinion, the best way to live life to the fullest.

Brett Wininger: being in this Community has definitely expanded my thought process and given me a bigger vision of what is possible.
Jackie Rioux: Brett: exactly why I feel it’s important to make time to read every writing context every day. I get behind but feel better when i get caught up. Such valuable information from each and every person. Of course i have some faves tho and you’re one of them
Brett Wininger: appreciate that and I do enjoy your support and encouragement.
I view these replies as another opportunity for me to put down thoughts and make deeper connections.
This isn’t my natural personality strength I have to discipline myself to do it, I tend to be more Task Oriented.

Day of GRIT: #8 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Isometric Accumulation (for time) F2
CONTEXT: “I Believe in the Power of 1%…”
The power of 1% otherwise known to me as baby steps. I have been running my business for several years and learning many things as I go. I had never been able to grasp technology quickly. So my early days of working with clients was a mass of email exchanges that tried desperately to organize.
In the last two years, thanks to working with other practitioners, and gleaning ideas from my Story Athlete entrepreneur community, I have figured out some better ways of organizing client files, emails, and allll of my courses, and practitioner information. Whew.
Baby steps and a long time of keeping busy hibernating while I could not go on my usual road trips and rock concerts for so long. That 1% everyday has brought me to now. I have had a few newer clients this past year that expressed that they were impressed that I remembered details of their last appointment. To be honest, not really. I just got organized enough to be able to look back on details quickly. My accountant said I have become a master at Excel with my business ledger organization. (Oh my gawd, if he only knew the stack I have backed up right now).
The point is that just a little bit every day is how this turtle swimming in frozen molasses will win the game of life eventually.

Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux moving forward is still moving forward no matter how seemingly slow it might appear.
Usually its stuff between our ears that creates the bottlenecks
Jackie Rioux: Brett Wininger too many rocks and blocks in the noggin some days… good thing I can do energy “washing ” and unblocking lol

Day of GRIT: #9 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Volume Sets F2 Finisher- 4MOD
CONTEXT: “I Want Something More…”
Years ago I did want something more. I had finally come to the realization that my 10 year marriage was completely stagnant. I wanted to grow. He didn’t. I made something of my life and was quite busy for many years raising kids, and working at a “good corporate job”. But I still wanted more so I went back to school and took a ton of other courses, read books and retired early.
Now I run my own business and I own my own home. My vehicle is 15 years old, but it runs well and it is paid off. My kids are grown up, although 2 still live with me for cheap rent that helps me out with mortgage. Son is in camp all the time and daughter works out of home office, so this arrangement works for all of us.
What more do I really want? I wanted a certain man in my life and I was leaning towards that the last several months. But we know where that ended up. My heart is raw and healing so that idea is definitely low on priority list now.
My life is comfortable right now. Ya, there is always more I could do, but do I want to right now? In time, perhaps.

Brett Wininger: its definitely good and natural to desire more otherwise society wouldn’t progress forward.
However, there are those seasons on our life where it appears that nothing is happening but circumstances are being lined up for something amazing like those weeks in later winter/ early spring before the trees start blooming again.
Embrace and buckle up during those seasons of preparation.
Jackie Rioux: Brett: thank you. I love and appreciate your wisdom and insights
Jackie Rioux: Brett: Have you read Mastery by George Leonard? About Akido, with lessons for life. And talks about the plateaus in life.

Day of GRIT: #10 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Hub Spoke F2 Finisher- 4MOD- AMRAP
CONTEXT: “I Cultivate Strong Relationships… ”
Having had my personal boundaries violated at a young age, I grew up with not much sense of respectable boundaries and I seemed to attract all the wrong people into my life. Fast forward through a lot of personal growth and maturity, I have let go of a lot of people in my life. Some painfully, others just fell away. As I heal my own past and raise my energetic vibration, I no longer attract detrimental people, and I am much more aligned with wonderful like minded souls. I am actually really blessed with some amazing people in my life.
How is this possible? Well, the more I raise my own vibration, the more my intuitive senses kick in and alert me with bad vibes around people I should be avoiding. That doesn’t mean I always listen to those bad vibes, considering I like to give people the benefit of doubt to prove themselves. Intuition proves right more often than not though.
Actually, a book I read years ago was the catalyst for me realizing how my intuition can sense another person’s character. That book was The Gift of Fear by Gavin DeBecker. (Highly recommended for anyone in a hiring position, by the way).
Those people who pass my spidey senses are the ones with whom I do my best to be my authentic self, and to forge compassionate relationships.

Brett Wininger: as we strive to become our best selves we are less attracted to those not putting their best effort forward.
That’s my goal for my daughter, I’ve heard to many stories of women so desperate for male attention they grab the first boy that smiles at them.
Just striving to be a good male example for her and love her mother intensely.
Jackie Rioux: Brett: I know that background too well. I latched on to the first boy who said i was pretty, and got pregnant right away trying to escape my father. Ironically he was also a boy that picked on my in school so the 10 marriage was not good other than 4 kids.
Your daughter is lucky to have you, and lucky to have the example of you loving her mom.
Brett Wininger: thank you, is there anything that you wished your Dad would have done in those early years that he didn’t.
My daughter is now 10 years old and starting to spread her wings so any insights are appreciated.
Jackie Rioux: Brett: my father did provide for our family, but due to his own dysfunctional past, his examples were very skewed. He was totalitarian and emotionally abusive.
From what I can see, you are doing very well just being aware of your fatherly influence and by loving her mother. That is the best example right there.
Jackie Rioux: Brett: This is my father: https://ladybugwellness.ca/final-words-with-my-father/
Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux amazing journey, glad you have been able to keep your heart tender thru it all.
A book I often read talks about suffering from a delusion and unfortunately it appears that your Dad had his owns delusions and he wasn’t open to anything else.
This has given me gratitude cause I’m striving to be a Dad that preparing my daughter to become an overall healthy adult.
And you keep smiling and being you, thanks.
Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux appreciate the kinds words. Just don’t want to miss any of the subtler areas of parenting, definitely aware with long term impact, good or bad.

Day of GRIT: #11 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I …”
Who am I without my story? Who am I with my story, and do I want to follow that story or create another? Our past experiences and life lessons are what make us unique.
Our story is like a double edged sword though. On one side, if we are in an immature state of mind where our story is just an ongoing stream of negativity and complaining, this story can keep us stuck in the past with continued commiserating with all the wrong people. Misery loves company, you know. This story can push away and repel all the more positive people who would be the ones that encourage and support our personal growth.
On the other side, when we come to a point in life of awakening to shine a light on our past and a choice to learn life lessons, this story is the one that can build relationships with like minded souls. Our heroic self’s story of becoming our best self. The encourager. The leader. The way shower.
The human experience is a series of trials and tribulations. Do we choose to succumb and stay stagnant in misery, or do we rise above and overcome obstacles to fuel our inner drive to become our best self, to mature in our own personal growth?
I choose the latter. And I choose to share my stories with you. If even one person can say that my stories made a difference and encouraged them, then my life purpose has been a success. If I can do it, so can you!

Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux I’ve learned to embrace my past cause I’m no longer that person today and my past no longer has bondage over me.
Jackie Rioux: Brett Wininger exactly ❤. Not a heck of a lot scares me or shocks me these days. A few raised eyebrows maybe lol

Day of GRIT: #12 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Posterior Palooza Pyramid F2
CONTEXT: I Calculate Return on Risk…
I don’t know about this one. For most things I prefer to keep it low key and safe. Then again, I have been known to take off on road trips alone. What is risk anyway? I mean, some of my friends freak out when I say I have gone on these road trips alone. In the past, others tried to encourage me to drink all night. No thank you. I was always the DD and got everyone home safe instead.
Risk can be considered crazy, or it can mean taking a bold chance on an opportunity with the option of stretching the limits of personal growth and abundance. In my opinion, and from my own experiences, I think people avoid risk due to past bad experiences.
Example: Today, November 15 2021, is the anniversary of me being in my home. This is one purchase that I was so hesitant to go ahead and purchase that it almost didn’t happen. I am happy to say that this house is probably the best investment I have ever made for myself and my family.
Background: My first marriage was already stagnant, but I was a good little wife and just went along with buying a home when we were so freaking broke. He couldn’t hold any kind of decent job. We got my parents to guarantor the purchase of a shack of a home that was an unloaded estate sell off. There is a long long story behind all this but for now, just a few points. My father was the type to fix anything and even try to remake this dump into a home. My husband was a perfectionist. You can guess how the house renovations went. In the midst of this, I had enough and got a divorce so we sold the shack to the first guy who made an offer. He tore it down and turned it into a parking lot. Yes it was that bad.
Long story short, I got screwed over on a lot of things financially with that home, with the divorce, and even with the carpet cleaning business we had. My ex was NOT business minded at all!
I took my share of the sale and used it for a down payment on a townhouse. Long story again, but my ex was part of the reason I got screwed over selling that place at a loss after a year.
I had four kids and a “good job” that kept me in the class of the working poor. Made too much to qualify for any benefits, but not enough to pay for benefits myself. I managed to find a few decent places to rent, at least until I moved to the city. The housing market went crazy and the houses we rented sold and we had to move again and again.
With all this as my background on owning property, you can only imagine my hesitancy to purchase a home in my own name. I couldn’t even qualify for a while, I just didn’t have any good credit or any money.
I have always said that Someone upstairs is looking after us because at work, we lost some benefits in our contract and had to be paid out at my 13 year mark. It was because of this blessing in disguise that I qualified with a small down payment to finally buy a home. YAY!! I went house shopping with a realtor. She showed me home in my meager price range. I was in tears most of the time trying to comprehend how some people live like that and the decrepit state of these homes that were the only ones in my range.
At the point of almost giving up, we looked at this home. Apparently it had been on the market for almost 2 months, yet this was the first I knew of it. I took one walk through, asked a few questions and signed papers in the driveway.
Every one of my friends who came to visit after I moved in were so impressed that this place is so ME. Good energy, clean, well laid out and perfect for my family. It is only listed as 918 square feet, but it was above average on the inspection, and the property is a little bigger and nicer than other duplexes on the street. This home has doubled in value since I bought it, and has served me very well.
I had been so scared to take the risk of buying, and I am not sure how well I calculated that risk, but I am pretty proud of myself all these years later.
Happy Anniversary my humble abode!

Glenn Forman: Jackie Rioux Home sweet Home…Good for You.
Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux life is just an accumulation of attempts, some mistakes, some readjustment and then some more attempts. That why we comfort our kids letting them know this “devastating” thing in grade school will one day just get a casual mention cause life keeps unfolding.
Cool thing is we in here take more time to document the incidents and glean lessons from them.

Day of GRIT: #13 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOD- Extinction Abs
CONTEXT: “I Opt for Integration…”
This is a super interesting context for me today. I do understand the whole Story Athlete philosophy of work – life integration rather than trying to juggle work – life balance. But right now “integration” has had a whole new concept for me lately.
Back in August 2021, one of our Body Code practitioners discovered a new technique that has been absolutely incredible in creating shifts for our most “stuck” clients. Energy balancing is all about asking the right questions to trigger the trapped energies to come to the surface to be released. Now, we know that the body loves to hide everything. This is a trauma survival response to keep us in the familiar safe zone, even when the energetic bomb shelters of the past are no longer needed.
Our imagination is limitless, and our subconscious mind is quite literal, like a toddler. All this adds up to quite a puzzle to solve in finding, releasing and balancing energy so we can disconnect the emotional charge associated with past upsets.
So, back in August, this practitioner simply got a bright idea to ask “can a person have more than one subconscious mind?”. The answer was YES! We know that trauma can “split” the psyche, but this appears to be a different kind of split. We have been working through all sorts of ideas and discoveries in using this new protocol to integrate the subconscious mind. The results so far are spectacular in that many clients are feeling a difference right away and noticing huge energetic shifts. For myself, I felt “hyper focused” for several days after the first time I used this technique. Of course I have still have some life upsets recently out of my control, but overall, thanks to this technique, life is getting better and better!
I definitely opt for integration in this context!

Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux this just reminds me that as much as we know about the human body, it’s still just scratching the surface of what’s still to be discovered. It’s like God has hid “Easter eggs” and He delights when we find them.
Jackie Rioux: Brett Wininger He gives us alllll the tools. But the keys are hidden inside us. It is only when we truly tune in to Him in our heart space that the door and floodgates open

Day of GRIT: #14 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Upper Body Complex-a-Palooza C1 F2
CONTEXT: “I Depend on Me…”
Thank God I depend on me. Thank God I grew up learning how to be resourceful and how to use basic survival skills. Today I am so ashamed that I have let myself scroll Crackbook for our local and regional news. This past summer there were some forest fires in the Southern part of our province. On a road trip in August, we saw some of the devastation of a small community completely wiped out. Those forest fires destroyed much of the undergrowth of tree root systems. Now with fall rains, there is nothing to hold up the mountainsides of dirt and rocks. This has created mudslides. The past two days there are some really devastating pictures of the 3 main highways connecting Vancouver metropolis to the Northern part of the province where we are. I have travelled those highways many times. The pictures I have seen are atrocious.
Now, being the resourceful person I am, I have always been ready for emergencies as best I can. We keep a reasonable amount of food stocked up so we can depend on ourselves and not have to go out for dinner every night.
Common sense has gone out the dark ages here in the north. Now people are posting all sorts of victim type and shaming type posts. People are panic buying and the store shelves have been picked clean everywhere.
Then there are posts shaming others to leave enough for the social assistance, mental health and pensioners that are too broke and or immobile to buy anything until their government cheques are received.
The energy of all this mad panic is draining and, stupid me, I allowed myself to read some of these posts. We went to Costco today just to grab some work pants for my son. Looking around, the produce cooler room was the emptiest I have ever seen.
Yes this is an atrocious situation for some people in the southern part of the province. I called some family and friends. My SIL’s home is on higher ground. He is fine and still working. Another friend, where he lives is cut off on both sides of the community. Their home is beside a creek that is rising the banks, but again, they are higher ground, resourceful and just fine. Some other family friends are all on higher ground and stocked up sufficiently. Other than losing power for a few hours, they are fine as well.
So why all the panic in the northern part of the province where I live? People seem to think that Vancouver is our only supply option. We still get supply trucks from Alberta. We still have supplies right here locally with farms and industries.
I posted a meme today “You’re about to see many highly intuitive people go into hermit mode or just not willing to be as open as we used to be. Spirit is calling for us to be very selective with whom we share our gifts and visions. Something big is happening”.
Many of my friends loved this meme and commented in agreement. One, however suggested this creates division instead of unity. I do not agree. I think we need to look after ourselves FIRST before we can be of any service or assistance to others. We cannot reasonably create with or align with lower frequency imbalanced individuals that are hell bent on letting themselves get caught up in the amplified drama of the media.
Time to get a cup of tea and settle down this evening without Crackbook drama, secure in knowing that my family and friends are safe. There are emergency crews out there taking care of things where they are needed. All is good in my world. Because I depend on ME.

Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux one rule I have always remembered from my Soil Judging days in High School FFA class, “If potential homesite is judged to be in a floodplain, do not build,” (and stop evaluating it as one)
Many of the people in flooded areas shouldn’t have homes in those areas.
Look at the older generations and their homes were always on some sort of hill or at least a rise.
It’s unfortunate when people are involved in those bad decisions.
Jackie Rioux: Brett: it says right in the Bible to build your home on a rock.
Ironically the flooded area is the Bible belt area of Vancouver suburbs

Day of GRIT: #15 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Isometric Accumulation F2
CONTEXT: “I Never Stop Learning…”
The wisest man readily admits that he really doesn’t know everything, yet a fool proclaims to know it all. The more I learn, the more I realize that I don’t know much.
That is why I can say that I am a Jackie of all trades but a master of none.
The human body is so complex and so fascinating. The human mind is limitless in its imagination. When you combine these concepts, the possibilities are endless. I have been an energy balancing practitioner for many years. Sure I received my certifications in many courses, but the learning continues through years of experiences.
Just this morning, I signed up for yet another workshop that had a specific focus on resistances to healing and moving forward. Fascinating, and I look forward to playing with another technique and a round of new questions that can uncover more of our true selves for myself, my family and my clients.

Joe Tedesco: Jackie Rioux I’m sure the opportunity to learn in your field is limitless. Energy work always fascinated me!
Jackie Rioux: Joe Tedesco In Matrix Energetics, the idea is to drop into heart space and let go. Laughter is a high vibration state where miracles happen, so they call it “playing”. I integrate this into all I do and love to “play” with energy. 😃
Joe Tedesco: Jackie Rioux that’s so cool!
Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux its remarkable how limitless our mind and body truly is.
People can be active way into there 80s and 90s plus stay mentally sharp as a tack.
Unfortunately I’ve seen people way younger that get around like they are old men and women.
The human body is an amazing machine.
Mallory Antonello: Jackie Rioux this is beautiful, thank you for sharing. I’ve recently started to read more about energies and our impact on them too, any good books to recommend?
Jackie Rioux: Mallory Antonello power vs force David Hawkins.

Day of GRIT: #16 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Volume Sets F2 Finisher- 4MOD
CONTEXT: “I Am a Chameleon…”
Years ago a lady read my birth chart and told me that I don’t have a “mask”. This isn’t the current definition of a face covering. What she meant is that most people have a face they put on for different situations. We tend to act one way around our family and act differently around friends or formal social gatherings.
She had told me “What you see is what you get”, and that I treat everyone the same. At the time, I quite agreed with her. For the most part I am still like that. I tend to treat a homeless person with the same dignity and respect as I would a famous person. After all, we’re still human.
I do seem to have an issue with a lack of brain to mouth filter though. And this issue tends to make for some interesting situations sometimes.
Chameleon takes a different connotation with me, in meaning adaptability. I grew up learning to be very resourceful and that skill came in handy raising four kids for many years.
I learned to be adaptable in stretching a dollar to keep my kids fed nutritiously. Then I learned to be adaptable in juggling family, full time work, a part time job, and going back to school while taking outside courses as well. All this while keeping myself and my kids in extracurricular activities. (oh my gawd, I get tired just thinking of those days!).
Out in public, people would recognize me and I would have to figure out if I knew them from my mail route, from fashion show modeling, from the nightclub where I was the beer girl, or from kids activities. I wore many hats back in those days.
Of course, these days I always need to tie something to my current passion as an energy healing practitioner. I have changed and adapted to a much higher vibration than in days past making way for a much brighter future. A chameleon changes colors to adapt to their environment. I have changed my chakra colors to a balanced beautiful rainbow.

Joe Tedesco: Jackie Rioux Love this. You were a chameleon out of necessity. Shifting and changing to meet the challenge at hand! Sound like it served you well!!
Brett Wininger
Jackie Rioux I agree, its more about the adaptability and making adjustments. Since the Chameleon has no physical defenses against predators it has to use other resources.

Day of GRIT: #17 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Hub Spoke F2 Finisher- 4MOD- AMRAP V1
CONTEXT: “I Seek Clarity, Not Perfection… ”
Through all I have learned so far, I have realized that procrastination is a form of perfectionism. It is an energetic block that quite often has its roots in some sort of past event where we didn’t live up to expectations and now feel like we’ll never get there, so we’re not even going to try and face failure yet again.
These energetic blocks are no match for an experienced practitioner though. The human body loves to hide these blocks to keep us in the safety of the familiar, even if that familiar is detrimental to our future of inner peace and a happy life.
I think of a quote I have had in my website for years from Michael J. Fox: “I strive for excellence. Perfection is God’s business”.
I am not even going to try to be perfect because that is a next to impossible feat. Instead, I find clarity through finding and releasing energetic blocks and then get busy with the task at hand. Energy balancing is a form of spiritual laxative. Remove the blocks and the Energizer Bunny comes alive.

Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux I’ve read somewhere that the mind preferably the path of least resistance.
So in general to learning something new or doing what it already knows, it tends to pick the familiar.
Just as Fletch so wonderfully describes as the Lesser-Self.
Jackie Rioux: Brett Wininger

Day of GRIT: #18 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Am Fueled By Purpose…”
I was a teen mom and got married before I was even done high school. Then I got a “good government job” because, you know, that was the thing to do. Family, career, marriage, etc. That life purpose can work for some people, but when you have trauma in your past, it can rear its ugly head in the midst of life and throw everything to the wind.
Personal growth is about unlearning everything we have ever learned through our upbringing, and through all other environmental exposure through our lives. Our parents raise us in the best way they know how, but if you look back at history of the world overall, you can see all the dysfunction they grew up with as well. Then we have our societal and cultural programmings.
Back to my early days of being “bare foot and pregnant” for so many years. I found meager ways of bringing in some extra cash through product rebates, coupon use, and entering contests. My then husband could not hold a decent job for any length of time and the business venture we took on fell apart since neither of us were business minded.
I particularly remember winning a Dr. Mario video game while I was on maternity leave. It is like a version of Tetris. This is the time when I realized that maybe I have some traits of ADHD and addictive qualities. I spent too many hours on that game, forgoing my own responsibilities and even decent sleep when I had small children to take care of.
Thankfully, at some point around this time, I realized my life was not going anywhere. My marriage was stagnant, I struggled to juggle my responsibilities of this “good career” while raising my children, and life was just blah and boring.
I broke away from that life and started to life MY life in making friends and socializing. There were a lot of harsh lessons then in figuring out my own respectable boundaries, but once I started facing my past and shining a light on those old wounds, I found my footing and my purpose. You see, our worst trauma is often the key to our life purpose. Why the heck would I take those walks through hell otherwise?
I started taking courses, and building my book knowledge since I already had plenty of life experience. My previously wonderful became toxic. I would work on myself energetically, and that job would become more and more uncomfortable. I would have a wonderful restful sleep, wake up in the morning and look at the ceiling thinking “Ah, F*UCK, I gotta go to work”. It wasn’t long before I left that career to venture out on my own with Ladybug Wellness as an energy balancing practitioner. My life is now fueled by purpose in knowing that my previous experiences are now put to good use as my gift in being compassionate in assisting others to find their own life purpose by overcoming their past traumas.

Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux well done, thats quite an amazing journey and I know you just hit some of the highlights, I’m sure there is alot more details to the journey
Jackie Rioux: Brett Wininger My published story is here on YouTube. I have tons of notes and stories piled up to put into a memoir of some sort. Thanks to my time in SA this is becoming more of a priority now to get that all organized into a book.

Jackie Rioux’s Published Story: Transforming Pain into Freedom | Ladybug Wellness Ep. #6
Joe Tedesco: Powerful story, Jackie. Makes me want to give you a hug! Last week I was thinking about asking you if you’ve ever heard of the Emotion Code. Sounds like ya have
Jackie Rioux: Joe Tedesco I’m certified in EC. I have the BC app. Several other emotion and trauma release certifications plus an associate of arts in psych concentration. Then I have plenty of personal life experience too.
Ladybug hugs!!
Joe Tedesco: Jackie Rioux That’s awesome! I’ll keep that in mind as I move forward in my journey. I think I could use some EC work.
Jackie Rioux: Joe: I have a free Sunday rest and receive session that has been wonderful for energetic maintenance until you decide to book in.
Joe Tedesco: Jackie Rioux perfect. I’ll check out your site!

Day of GRIT: #19 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Posterior Palooza Pyramid F2
CONTEXT: I Prioritize Asset Creation…
I am so grateful to the Story Athlete community for all I have learned in my time here since April 2020. Asset creation and leveraging was not something I really understood previously but now I have learned that it is of utmost importance in my professional and personal growth journey.
I have always collected my stories with the intention of creating a proper memoir some day. I share a lot in my website so far, and I did published a short version of my story a few years ago.
Thanks to SA and all the encouragement and insights I glean here, I am much further ahead in my goals than I was 18 months ago.
I am still working on turning it all into actual leverageable assets, but as a work in progress, I will get there.
</End-of-GRIT-Post>

SA-Name:// JACKIE RIOUX
Day of GRIT: #20 of 28
METRICS: 5K Finisher- 4MOD- Extinction Abs
CONTEXT: “I Light the Wick of Possibility for Others…”
I was two years ahead of my peers with life experiences. While most people graduate, get married, then have children, I did that process completely backwards.
I had been in Christian private school and got kicked out being a teen mom. Not a good example there so I transferred over to public school and graduated there.
While in private school, we worked out of booklets. Many had Bible verses and quotes in them, similar idea to the old famous Reader’s Digest magazines.
Many of these little sayings were inspirational to me so I collected them in a hand written duo tang binder.
When my peers started to go through life experiences, I was the shoulder they turned to. I would just lend them my binder… but then I would have a hard time getting it back. Thankfully when the internet came along, I painstakingly typed out everything at the local library on my lunch breaks and transferred it all to a website.
That is how my website came to be back in 1998. And I have been sharing Jackie’s Compilations and my own stories and experiences ever since. It is my corner of the World Wide Web and my way to light up someone else’s path. If just one person out there finds the inspiration to progress in their lives, then I have succeeded.

Joe Tedesco: Jackie Rioux That’s so cool!

Day of GRIT: #21 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Upper Body Complex-a-Palooza C1 F2 Finisher- 4MOD- AMRAP
CONTEXT: “I Set Public Deadlines…”
Last week I listened in on an energy balancing workshop on resistance. Today’s context has given me a new focus for my own resistance. Public deadlines? Oh hellllll no. Not this chickie. I spent 26 years on an employer’s clock with deadlines through the day and the stress of pressures to meet those deadlines. Then I went back to school and had deadlines for essays and exams. I loved learning. I hated deadlines and essays, often cramming on the last night to try to assemble something worthy of a meager marking system.
Nope, I hate deadlines. LOTS of resistance there. Sure, I will make a to do list and cross off my accomplishments for a sense of being productive. I will “put it out there” in the form of vision boards and manifesting methods to achieve my goals.
But public deadlines right now are a no go in my world. I think I must like my own method of surprising myself when something gets done or something happens in my favor.
I am putting on my to do list “work on releasing resistance to public deadlines. I’ll get back to you on that one. Soon.

Sean Tjia: I’d start small, like instead of a deadline, start with “this amount of time for this task, then move on, task finished or not.” next, private time to complete, just for yourself. finally, you could share to just 1 or 2 people a deadline. then an official public deadline. start with something you’d have less resistance against, instead of challenging the 900 lb gorilla.
Jackie Rioux: Sean: That is kinda what I do already, for myself. PUBLIC is the real issue lol
Sean Tjia: share it with your cat first!

Day of GRIT: #22 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Isometric Accumulation (for time) F2
CONTEXT: “I Am Thankful…”
As in CJ’s context today, I too have lost loved ones. Holidays are never the same without them. My grandma was Christmas to me. She passed when I was 18, 3 days after Christmas. I still have a handwritten letter from her saying “see you at Christmas”. Christmas ended up being a juggle between families each wanting their celebration on the specific day.
My dear friend Andy passed December 13 2014. I was such a wreck that I barely made it through Christmas.
My son in law passed away on our Canadian Thanksgiving weekend 3 years ago. That is never the same now. Recently, my soul mate passed Sept 30 2021. Close enough to our Thanksgiving too.
What the hell do I have to be thankful for now? Lots. First, even though it has been downright painful to lose these loved ones, especially close to holiday dates, I have the consolation that my last words to each of them were kind and loving. They knew beyond a doubt what they meant to me.
Next, who cares about holidays and specific dates? Seriously. Everything is way too commercialized and marketed these days. Family is important, the first priority actually. Yes we have lost loved ones, but we still have other family and reasons to live for. Nothing will ever replace the ones lost, yet those losses sure give us a mortality check in cherishing the time we have with those still here.
In times of loss and tragedy, you find out who your real friends are, and you find out who has been there only because of certain people. When those certain people are lost, sometimes others are inadvertently lost as well. The real friends and true soul family are the ones who step up and support us though our grief process to find some renewed hope in life.
I am thankful for my home that provides for our family. I am thankful for being resourceful enough that we always have food in our home to sustain us and to share as well. I am thankful for all the basic comforts I have in my life that keep me feeling safe.
I am thankful for my chosen career in following my passion to serve others as an energy balancing practitioner.
I am thankful for my family still here with me, and for my faith and spirituality in knowing that our loved ones passed are just beyond the veil and always still with us in heart.

Wayne Purser: Jackie Rioux “I have the consolation that my last words to each of them were kind and loving. They knew beyond a doubt what they meant to me.” As they should know. Death hurts, but knowing that they knew how you felt about them…Priceless.

Day of GRIT: #23 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Volume Sets F2 Finisher- 4MOD
CONTEXT: “I Optimize the Process…”
If you have known me for any length of time, you have probably heard me bitch about my disorganized computer files, particularly since a hard drive crashed years ago. And the last two years I have been spending time cleaning out and organizing files.
One reason is all our family pictures and loved ones lost and cherishing those memories with keeping those files accessible, duplicated, and safe.
The bigger reason is that being more organized helps me to work more efficiently, and to serve my clients in a much better way as well.
I have taken many courses. I have many practitioner forums where we share information, charts, and experiences etc. I have tons of files in my computer all related to energy healing. Some charts I have printed off. Some information is printed off. I have a huge binder that I can reference during client sessions. Body parts and regions, metaphysical relationships, hormone lists, brain parts and regions. Some of this is in an app. A lot of what I use is in random and similar charts. Frustrating and inefficient when much is duplicated and scattered.
Since I have figured out how to use Excel to my advantage (Thank you to Ulrich by the way!!), this past week I went down the rabbit hole of my computer files and starting clearing out stuff. I started an Excel Master list for all these files and charts. I actually found a bunch of old files that would be super beneficial to use and implement in my work now.
Even though I have taken so many courses, I don’t often follow one protocol from any modality. I take what works for me and my clients and run with it in my own way. This way, I do not need any details from my clients. They do not have to answer any questions or re-live and experiences. Their energy tells me all I need to know to find and release past upsets so they can raise their vibration to happiness and inner peace.
I have optimized my client session process and already I am seeing wonderful shifts with my clients because I have been able to find information and descriptions and words much more efficiently.
Bonus: Since everything is energy, having those files cleaned up and having my computer that much more organized, just feels clean and fresh with renewed enthusiasm for all I do.

Day of GRIT: #24 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Hub Spoke F2 Finisher- 4MOD- AMRAP V1
CONTEXT: “I Create My Future… ”
I am pretty sure that years ago I lived on blind faith. I sure prayed a lot and somehow things worked out for me. I do remember a time when I checked my bank account on payday, after all the auto payments went through. I had 37 cents left to last me 2 more weeks and to feed 4 children. Thankfully I had been resourceful enough to stock up on case lot deals and bulk purchases so I managed through those times when the paycheck didn’t quite stretch enough.
Yes I had plenty of poor experiences and dysfunctional relationships back then too, but still we always had basic food and shelter. I managed to secure a good job that lasted a while in supporting my family. I managed to find rental homes that lasted a while for us as well.
Once I started taking control of my own life rather than just coasting along the whims of external circumstances, things began to change drastically in a much better way.
I started to learn about energy and how everything, absolutely everything, has an energetic vibration. Now I can create the future I want because I can figure out the energetic vibration of whatever I want in my life, remove the energetic blocks in my field and align with the miracles of possibility.
I have a home that is just so ME. I love it so much that I have been here 16 years. I implemented plan B many years ago in a plan for retirement from that previously great job and love live out my passion in assisting others as an energy balancing practitioner. My bills are paid, my family is healthy, we have plenty of food in our home. Our needs are met because I create my future. </End-of-GRIT-Post>
Day of GRIT: #25 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Work to Predict Trends…”
Having lived most of my life on a wing and a prayer, I am not sure I qualify on “predicting trends”. Sure I was a local fashion show model, but I was a walking clothes hanger. I don’t even have much fashion sense.
Business? All of that stock market stuff I leave to my accountant or my brain will glitch endlessly or my head will start spinning.
In my world, I focus on energy and vibration. If the vibration is a match, things will magnetize. If not, no amount of super glue or duct tape will bring it all together.
As for predicting trends in energy balancing, I have noticed that most of everything I have been doing with clients the past two years has been ancestral healing. Our DNA has been scientifically proven to carry memories. In energy work, this translates to ancestral trauma issues.
It is absolutely fascinating to realize that we now have the tools to heal the energetic patterns passed down to us through our lineages so we can create our best life now.
With all this in mind, the “trend” I see out in the world right now is a whole lot of turmoil and upheaval. But I have a lot of hope in knowing that we can individually and collectively heal these traumas and to create a previously elusive sense of World Peace.

Jackie Rioux: On another note… I figured out Canva today!!!! Lil miss non techie is on a roll and pretty proud of herself making a few social media promo memes. Ya ya.. Its not a big deal to techies, but to me it is.
Joe Tedesco: Jackie Rioux Canva is fun! Glad you are figuring it out. It’s a great platform to create!
Jackie Rioux: Joe Tedesco did i mention I hate shopping? Same with having too much selection. Omg fonts are frustrating!! Just want simple and nice but there’s millions in there

Day of GRIT: #26 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Posterior Palooza Pyramid F2
CONTEXT: I Know Fear Is an Illusion…
Years ago I took a Master course to enhance my skills and to introduce me to some other energy healing modalities. The course was called Explorations in Transformation: How People Change. I put out a question on social media to glean some public insights for our final weekend class. A young fellow who had been through a detox counseling program told me about the acronyms for fear. Either Face Everything and Rise, or F*ck Everything And Run. That was the first time I hear those acronyms. I have since learned a lot from my own experiences, and from training courses, and from extended reading as well.
Fear can be an illusion, but it often results from some sort of trauma and develops into triggers. I wrote about my own fears and triggers a while ago (referenced below). A red sleeper is a silly thing to be scared of. I know that now because I have overcome those previous fears. But years ago, the associations and triggers were debilitating and seemingly very real.
Fear can also be a gift. How so? I highly recommend a book called The Gift of Fear by Gavin De Becker. It is all about our innate intuition that alerts us when bad things are about to happen. You know, that “gut feeling” when vibes and energy feel wrong and you need to get away from whatever is causing your spidey senses to go off. There is even a chapter in there about hiring employees and a reference to a postal incident years ago just 5 hours from where I live. Fear in this case activates our natural “fight, flight, freeze, or fawn” response so we can protect ourselves sufficiently. Fear can be a good thing.
Back to fear being an illusion though, as this is the focus of this context. When we have those unresolved past traumas that create delusional fears, we can disengage the emotional charge behind the upsets and therefore resolve the illusionary fears as well.
I lived with nightmares and irrational fears for many years of my life. There is not much these days that scares me unreasonably. I choose to rise up and face fears head on rather than run.

Fears and Phobias

Day of GRIT: #27 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOD- Extinction Abs
CONTEXT: I reflect on my results…
Mind Body Business Relationships… The four wheels of my pace car.
Through all the years of my life, I hadn’t really thought of reflecting on my progress much. I mean ya, I could look back over my life and see the changes up to where I was at an given point. I kinda referenced this as the “tapestry of life”. When we go through crap and upsets in life, it really sucks. There is a analogy though that the tapestry is woven together with the good times bright threads with the bleaker times or dark thread accentuating the picture of our lives. The sucky part is that you can’t really “see” the beauty of the picture until you’ve come a ways through life’s ups and downs.
It wasn’t until I joined GRIT that I understood the benefit of reflecting on the past months progress and how much the 1% journey can make a difference in 28 days. It is encouraging and inspiring especially when I can see how far my team mates have come as well.
Drum roll….then in no particular order, the good and the bad…
Business: I have been on a purging spree! Last week I went down the rabbit hole of my computer files, particularly all the courses with energy healing stuff. It is not very efficient to have a million files with only a tidbit of wisdom in each. So I have been revisiting all sorts of stuff, gleaning what I need and can use, to file and organize into something useable that I can actually use. This project has already shown its benefits this past week in a few client sessions. YAY!! I have been reorganizing my website and those files as well, realizing that these are my “assets”. Not to mention that “clutter” is energy as well, so everything is just feeling cleaner and more efficient. Win win on all fronts there. Oh, and last night I got in a fukidal mood and did some more videos for my YouTube channel. No worrying about “ums” and “ahs” or edits, just get it done and uploaded.
Mind: well, all my energy balancing stuff is my passion. Having my files more organized and making things efficient is affecting my mind as well in more inspiration. I did learn a lesson (again) this past month reiterating my own needs to listen to my intuition on who to work with in my network of practitioner friends. I had had a problem with this person in the past and against my better judgement I gave this person another chance and paid for it. This connection has now been severed for good, and I feel much better for it now. Not all healers are as reputable as they seem. Thankfully much more energy balancing with trusted friends has got me back on track from being so blocked.
Body: Ugh…. This tire is still a little off kilter. Still keeping to an F2 workout each day, sometimes modified. Not really putting my full attention here as needed, BUT… with my mind doing better, the body naturally follows along and I really feel a NEED to move each day. Vitamin M.
Relationships: Taking a moment for more tears here. Today is now 2 months since I found out my soul mate passed away. I wrote a long heartfelt letter to his parents, including the poem I had written for him years ago. His mother sent me a sarcastic message and blocked me on social media. No, I am not the least bit surprised, she has not changed from all I knew about her in years past. She was the reason things didn’t work out between us years ago, and no different now apparently. I have continued to write in his page in my own website as my personal tribute to him. I have been stunted again on continuing with the Akashic records course, but I am hopeful for more spiritual connections soon. I still have my days where I find myself in tears, triggered by a song or a memory. Getting better though.
My purging spree started when I needed to get all my lingerie out of my bedroom and also get rid of a dresser that held his memories. I have not gone through my prayer intentions box. Not ready for that yet. But I have cleared out my bedroom of some memories that just make me cry now, and moved some things to a treasure box instead.
All of those things aside, another relationship I am quite proud of right now is my daughter Melissa. Three years ago she started taking training in yoga, then teaching yoga, then reflexology and Reiki and Ayurvedic head massage. She has grown personally and has taken some flying leaps in her progress as a holistic practitioner and launched her marketing in ways that have inspired me as well. Remember I figured out Canva the other day? That was influence from her. She is operating her business out of our home as well. Ladybug Wellness and Honeybee Inspirations.
I kinda had a thought for a tagline for our front fence: “If you have issues in your tissues, we’ll get the bugs out”.
It’s getting late here.. my brain must be fried by now…
Another 27 days of GRIT in the books. Thankful to my team for all sticking through to the end. OORAH!!

Day of GRIT: #28 of 28
Smackdown- (AMRAP- As Many Rounds As Possible) F2 Finisher F2 modified some elevated
CONTEXT: “I Expect the Unexpected…”
Sometimes I just keep bumping along and doing my thing and then something just floors me. Sometimes in a good way. I guess most of the time we think of being prepared for the unexpected as being something horrible or inconvenient. I have my share of those unexpected events and have managed my way through it well enough.
I have been posting in Darrel’s page, sort of like a blog of my feelings and thoughts, while I process through grieving these last two months. I have referenced these writings in my newsletters. I have been through deep loss a few times, each uniquely different. I finally decided to put all my suggested resources for managing grief into a separate page in my site. I have long promoted my website as my little corner of the world wide web where I share Jackie’s Compilations and Resources, along with all my energy healing services.
I sent out my December newsletter today. I wasn’t quite expecting the feedback I received today. Apparently my heartfelt words in my last 3 newsletters have elicited some bittersweet tears for my readers and I few wrote in with some really nice comments that got me all choked up too.
Just before sending out my newsletter today, I was on a call with a dear friend who is an intuitive angel reader and has helped me through the loss of my son in law 3 years ago. During our chat, she told me that Darrel came through with a message for me. He sent flowers and thanked me for loving him unconditionally, and for setting him free. He kept saying he is so thankful to be free. I had a whole lot of tears in realizing he will always be nearer to me now that he ever could be in physical form.

Jackie Rioux: https://mailchi.mp/cbe7fd4d…/ladybug-wellness-news-4821818
Creating a Delightful December
Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux it’s been quite a journey reading your items this month. I’ve not been able to read them and reply, so I attempting to catch up during the In Between time. Keep staying GRITty
Jackie Rioux: Brett Wininger thank you. Yes I try to catch up reading everyone’s contexts as well. I really appreciate you and your comments. Thank you so much.

21 years ago I dated a man that I had known from childhood. Little did I realize the soul connection we had then. There were factors against us in keeping that relationship and we parted but have connected many times over the years. I had written a poem for him when we broke up. That poem has been in my website many years and I have referenced his poem any time we connected. Events have happened in the last few years that led me to believe that we might rekindle that lost relationship at some point soon.

I cannot explain soul connection, but I have had it before in other ways with a dear friend and a son in law. I lost Andy in 2014, and Larry in 2018. It is only after they passed that I realized the soul connection as it was, although in life we had an uncanny spiritual connection we could not explain, but we knew it was there.

Although we were connected all these years in our own ways, I had lost touch with his family several years ago. In January 2021, I connected again with Darrel, and again, I cannot explain the urgency I felt to tell him I loved him any time we talked. I had even said many times that our soul connection transcends time space and dimension, and that I love his soul. (Who the fuck says that??? But yes I did).

My energy healer and intuitive friends knew about Darrel and my soul connection with him as he often came up in my own energy healing sessions. Many were sure that this soul connection was bringing us together at some point soon. He also loved my energy healing any time I shared that with him.

We had some good chats in the last few months. I had hoped that he would come out to see me as he lives a few hours away. He promised to call next time he was here, but with restrictions and borders, I wasn’t sure that would happen any time soon. The last time we talked was August 14th. It was in that phone call that I reiterated my feelings for him and bluntly told him I wanted a relationship with him again. Since that call, we missed each other’s calls a few times. The last two weeks, that urgency to call him intensified, but again, we missed each other’s calls.

Last Thursday, September 30th, through mutual connections on Facebook, I found out that he died that morning after being in a car accident several days before. He had had 2 simultaneous heart attacks while driving.

When I lost Larry and Andy, I was a wreck for a couple months afterwards. Inconsolable tears, but I managed to still live my life as best I could. The connection with Darrel, since we dated, was so much stronger as a cherished soul mate. I feel numb, empty, and dead inside. I was going to sit out of GRIT this month, but I am here because I need my GRIT warrior team more than ever right now.

I had told Darrel about my involvement with GRIT and I am sure he would want me to continue right now. We never know someone else’s soul journey or the exit points we will take. I just know that the other side is Heaven and they do not want to see us sad and miserable. So I am trying to find my way through this emptiness and tears.

I have turned his poem page into a memorial page and have been sharing some musings and memories there to let the hurts out of my aching heart. I am grateful to my energy healer friends who have been supporting me through this the last few days, because honestly, when I heard this news, my soul wanted to leave as well. My kids still need me. So I am here in GRIT again.
< End of GRIT post>

Neil Sekol: Jackie Rioux Praying for you at this very difficult time of loss. May God’s Grace be with you and keep you.
Jackie Rioux: Side note: Grief diet has had me not eating solid foods for a few days. Lost 8 lbs.
Niki McCormick:
Jackie so sorry your heart is breaking.
Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux I’m honored that you are letting us grieve with you here in
GRIT.
Yes, its going to hurt, let it hurt here with us.
Yes, there will be crying, we can cry here together.
Everything we do for you or say to you is about taking the next step forward in this journey.
What has happened or didn’t happen is in the past and its unchangeable.
My Dad wasnt by any means a spiritual man but he often said to be more concerned with the ones still left here on Earth than the one that is gone.
Their problems are over, we still here stuck dealing with life.
This is a powerful reminder to draw closer to our loved ones cause there is a day for all of us that will be the last.
You are not alone in this walk, we are here for you, one day at a time.
Jackie Rioux Brett Wininger Thank you. I was such a wreck from the news that my soul wanted to leave asap too. Thankful for support when I really need it.
Divine timing that a friend sent me a video a month ago meaning for the cats we lost, but I just watched it today.. lots of tears from this bittersweet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bF8UTZgFKc
Life After Death with Dawn Hayman
Brett Wininger
Jackie Rioux you will have a powerful story to share when someone else goes thru a similar loss.
They might not have the support, resources or insights that you have and they will really need you experience.

Day of GRIT: #2 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Accumulation Workout F2 Finisher- 4MOD- Continuous Shoulder Pain Train version 1
CONTEXT: “I Master Situational Strategy…”

I used to love crossword puzzles years ago. My grandmother and great Aunt and I would do the daily newspaper crossword together and also play Scrabble often. That was about as far as my strategy skills ever got. As a teenager and young adult. I would by the combination Crossword books that had other mind puzzles in them. You know, the ones with logic puzzles in them. I would wrap my brain around most of the other puzzles in the book, no problem. But I had such a fascination with logic puzzles. Probably because I also loved two minute mystery books as well. I would read through logic puzzles over and over again trying to figure out the clues until my brain hurt. Sometimes I would be so proud of myself figuring out everything. Other times I would go look at the answer then kick myself that the clue was staring right at me.

I am not sure if this is where my juggling skills came from all those years raising kids by myself and working full time. How to keep the bills paid, go to work, get the kids to school on coffee breaks and make sure everyone was fed nutritious food and had clean clothes to wear.

Now years later I can still manage to juggle life where needed and sometimes do a crossword here and there. I have a shelf full of old crossword dictionaries that seem to be just a treasure of memories.

Day of GRIT: #3 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOD- Relentless Reps
CONTEXT: “I Seek Empowering Opinions…”

This is why I stayed in GRIT this month. My GRIT warrior friends are set on personal growth, and reading others contexts is empowering.
I am so grateful for my network of energy healer friends that are in tune with the energetic and spiritual realms, who are just as unique as me and they don’t think I am a nut case for feeling the way I do right now. To get through this grief process, I am leaning heavily on them and spirituality and faith. My emotions are all over the place in going thru the heartache of the “what ifs” and the “if onlys”. Yet I am actually doing ok, and I do feel better. Still lots of tears earlier today, but I had a few calls with certain trusted friends and some spiritual discussions.

I watched a second video after the one I watched yesterday. Fascinating yet bittersweet and hopeful.

We cannot change the past but we can empower our future.

Day of GRIT: #4 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Kettlebell Tabata Version 1 F2
CONTEXT: “I Strengthen My Connection…”

There is not a damn thing we can do to change the past or to bring back loved ones from the dead. I obviously did book off a couple days and moved appointments ahead to this week, then blocked the rest of my calendar for the whole week. The wonders of energy healing have me feeling much better now. I am ever so grateful for my network of healer friends.

I realized from watching that video yesterday that I need to keep my vibration high to be able to connect spiritually. Laughter and good memories shared. I am pretty sure that he was getting a good laugh from my stories as well.

Today I had a 5 hour long Zoom call with an energy healer friend in Scotland. Sometimes it is just good for the soul to write off a day here and there for our own healing and connection time. Benefited both of us and strengthens our connections and friendships.
_________________
Brett Wininger: Jackie Rioux must have care for the Caregivers also otherwise we are all screwed.
Wayne Purser: Jackie Rioux Loss is not easy. “Benefited both of us and strengthens our connections and friendships.” Having someone to release energy is a blessing.

Day of GRIT: #5 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Leg Day Complex F2 -> Finisher- 4MOD- Ascending Reps
CONTEXT: “I Don’t Let My Talent Cheat Me…”

I have been doing energy balancing since 2009. There are many others I have met along my journey that have been doing this work many more years than me. I was quite unsettled about 2 years ago when another practitioner expressed her admiration for my work and that she was a little intimidated to work with me. WHAT???
First off, I do not feel that there is competition in this line of work. We all have unique gifts, personalities, backgrounds, and experiences. Second, I always stress that the client’s comfort is the utmost important factor, so they are welcome to choose me or another practitioner to work with.

Thankfully this practitioner got to know me as quite approachable and we have been working together for over a year. She has different experiences that make her work unique as well. There are some energy healers and spiritual gurus who promote themselves as better than the rest, or untouchable. I feel this is a disservice to their clientele.

While I appreciate that my clients and friends admire my work, I prefer to keep myself humble enough to realize that I am a facilitator and that I only shift energy. Their body does the actual healing.
_______________________
Wayne Purser
Jackie Rioux “I am a facilitator and that I only shift energy. Their body does the actual healing.” There’s a lot more to it than this. They need to feel your bedside manner before their body can do the work.
Way to Go and keep inspiring others to heal themselves.

Day of GRIT: #6 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Hub Spoke F2 Finisher- 4MOD- Jump Rope + Burpee Ladder
CONTEXT: “I Refuse To Be an Extra… “

I used to be such a wallflower but after my first divorce at 28 years old, I needed to build up my self esteem and confidence somehow. I saw an ad for a boudoir photo shoot. What I have got to lose? No one but myself to impress either. Turned out that this husband wife team was branching out on their wedding photography business. With nothing to lose, I went all out with the lingerie in fun evening of experimental pics.
Considering this was a new endeavor niche of photography, and a first time for me as well, many of my pictures turned out so well that they asked me to do another shoot for them. My pics were used in promotion for their business in the local newspaper and in local bridal store as well as the wife’s salon. With some newfound confidence, I got involved with a local modeling agency and had a lot of fun being a walking clothes hanger model in local fashion shows.
Not too long after that experience, I got involved in Toastmasters for three years.
For a long time it seemed I have had a neon sign on my forehead “pick me” to put myself out there. In a lot of ways I still do with running my own business.

Funny thing though, with the past modeling experiences, and high school drama class behind me, I did put myself out there to be an extra in a movie filmed in our city. The really funny thing is I don’t watch many chick flicks, but I found out later that this movie is a Hallmark movie lol. I am in the trailer in one scene at :47. Watch for the purple coat in the background. I am curious if I will show up in the market scene when the movie comes out next month. I was wearing a red coat in that scene.
Jackie Rioux :46 purple coat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH42EEZoApw
Princ Films presents A Great North Christmas
YOUTUBE.COM
Brett Wininger Jackie Rioux you wore the purple coat well

Day of GRIT: #7 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I’m Persistent When It’s Inconvenient…”

I prefer that people see me as approachable and friendly, but when I list off my traits as a redhead Taurus, half German, lil bit Irish, and an ex postal worker, most people start to back away slowly. I am only 5 foot 4 inches tall, so this is quite amusing to me.
Taurus is known to be a stubborn bull, and yes that can be me at times. As I have matured though, I prefer to think of myself as more determined than stubborn. In my opinion, stubbornness was in my years past when I would get some idea in my head and plow though any blocks to achieve my goal, but sometimes to my own detriment.
Determination, to me, seemed like a more focused goal, but still persistent enough to accomplish whatever I set out to do.

Day of GRIT: #8 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- AMRAP F2
CONTEXT: I Trust Myself…

My trust in myself is all out of whack right now. Sure, I keep my word when I give my word to others. My energetic connection with my clients seems to be spot on with listening to my intuition and giving them pretty accurate and effective energy balancing sessions.

What is out of whack right now is my keen sense of soul connection and my intuition that way. In the past I have had dreams that turned out to be premonitions. I “knew” of a couple accidents of close family and friends before they happened, or when they happened and had confirmation soon afterwards. That is downright freaky, I tell ya!! I had nightmares in June of 2018 of various ways of having my neck broken. A few months later, that is how Larry died.

I had such a sense of urgency to tell Andy and Larry certain things from my heart the last time I saw them and somehow “knew” I would not see them again.

Right now, it is really messing me up how many times in the last few years that I have said “I love your soul” to Darrel. It’s like our souls “knew” before we knew that his time to go was near.

For the most part yes I trust myself, but right now it is really messing me up in how “right” I was before I really consciously knew.

Day of GRIT: #9 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Accumulation Workout F2 Finisher- 4MOD- Continuous Shoulder Pain Train version 1
CONTEXT: “I Know To Use Models…”

Years ago I participated in several local fashion shows as a model. I have never had much fashion sense so I made a really good walking clothes hanger for the stores I represented. The outfits that got the most compliments were the ones I bought for myself.

Years later I now own a business and use different “models” to make life easier for me. One of my mentors recommended an accountant that has been an absolute godsend for me in taking care of my finances. Numbers are not my forte so they are my angels that have taken very good care of me over the years. I wanted to be more organized and in bringing my paperwork in to them so they gave me an Excel ledger template. It took me a while to figure it all out, but now I am flying and found other ways to organize my digital data and lessen my paperwork using this model.

Day of GRIT: #10 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOD- Relentless Reps (No breaks) Version 1:
CONTEXT: “I Explore the Edges…”

There’s an old saying that there is a fine line between genius and insanity. I started life being such a wallflower, but as I matured in my personal growth, and gained wisdom and knowledge through life experiences and education, I got more comfortable pushing my limits. I have crossed off many things on a lifelong bucket list, some of which some people may thing of daring, other things just for fun, and some things have progressed my success in both my personal life and in business.

Yes there is a fine line between genius and insanity. Life gets pretty interesting when we decide to dance on that line.

Day of GRIT: #11 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Kettlebell Tabata Version 1 F2
CONTEXT: “I Practice 4-Dimensional Transformation…”

I understand the idea of today’s context being the balance between mind, body, business, and relationships like the four wheels of a car needing to be balanced equally. My take on this context is much different. Energetically we are living in the third dimension of patriarchy, war, greed and strife. Earth energies are transcending to a new world of 5th dimensional peace. Strangely, the fourth dimension is a very unstable place of transition where some people get stuck.

Getting to the 5th dimension is a journey of healing our past and balancing our energies through releasing past trauma and all the third dimensional garbage. The lighter our energy, the more balanced we become. And the more inner peace we can achieve.

Re-reading all that, I feel like my brain is somewhere in la-la land.

I am still going through the grief process here and today is triggering with memories of my son in law’s passing 3 years ago. I am not liking social media very much so I am in the midst of transferring all of my SIL’s memories to my website instead.
I suppose that somewhat of a balance between mind, body, business and relationships.
My mind is focused on memories. My body still is reacting with grief and no appetite. My website is my business. And my relationships are shifting in ways I am not liking in losing loved ones but cherishing their memory.
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Bob Little: It sounds a lot like quantum entanglement.
Jackie Rioux: yup. Working thru that…

Day of GRIT: #12 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Leg Day Complex Complex 1 F2 Finisher- 4MOD- Ascending Reps Version 1:
CONTEXT: “What I Focus on Expands…”

In all the manifestation type techniques, the idea is to focus on what we DO want in our lives, and to not focus on the things we do not want.
This is so hard for me right now. For the last several years, I have been focused on the man I do want in my life. I have had a couple friends encouraging me to rekindle this relationship all along as well, knowing all the soul connection we have shared through the years. I talked to him several this past year and it seemed not much standing in the way anymore. I was hopeful and the last time we spoke, the word “relationship” was said as a possibility.

There were several missed phone calls after that, and then a social media post that he had died in an accident. I still have not found out any more details. My heart died that day and it has been hard to focus on anything. Thankfully I have a wonderful network of energy healers and I am slowly picking up the pieces. I am focusing on the good memories but I am not sure that can expand once someone is passed.

Day of GRIT: #13 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Hub Spoke F2 Finisher- 4MOD- Jump Rope + Burpee Ladder
CONTEXT: “I Won’t Restrict My Vision… “

Being a Taurus redhead, and having the upbringing that I did, I have always found some way to swim rather than sink. Always have a Plan B, always have an escape route. Just get ‘er done no matter what.

Thanks to this attitude, I have quite a list of accomplished bucket list cross offs. Concerts, road trips, adventures, hiking, traveling, earning a psych degree, and I have a mean set of resourceful survival skills from my days of single handedly raising four kids while working full time.

What happens when the finality of death rears its ugly head and takes away my main focus and vision for the future of my life? My humanness does not see much future or vision right now. Everything feels mechanical and futile.

Thank God for energy balancing and a network of healer friends and GRIT warrior buds that are keeping me grounded while I find my bearings in life again. The future looks awfully bleak and black but I still have family that needs me to find a new vision and purpose for life.

Day of GRIT: #14 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza — much needed kind of Vitamin M
CONTEXT: “My Preparation Pays Off…”

I learned a lot of resourcefulness growing up. My mom grew up on the prairies, and my father in Germany during the war, so we learned to not waste food. I learned my chores and housekeeping, cuz well, you don’t cross my father. Ever. I learned to turn off the lights or I would come home to smashed bulbs. I learned to put away stuff or it would get smashed.

Not a very nice way to learn survival skills or “preparation”, but the lessons stuck. Thank God I don’t have to walk on eggshells anymore from those days long past.

“Proper preparation prevents piss poor performance” is still a good motto to live by though. Always prepare for the worst case scenario, but live and hope for the best. That way when miracles unfold, you’re ready to jump at a moment’s notice.

Keep bills paid, keep house stocked with food and necessities, keep gas tank full, keep emergency supplies handy, keep paperwork caught up, keep clutter at bay. Rules for my simple life that keep life running smoothly.

Day of GRIT: #15 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- AMRAP F2
CONTEXT: I See Everything As Motivation…

I can so relate to CJ’s context today as I have had a “screw you” attitude many times through my life when i was told I couldn’t or wouldn’t do something I had my sights set on. In more recent years, I know to just clear my energy of any blockages holding me back and then things usually work out and I get the oomph I need to keep going and accomplish my goals.

These last few weeks though, everything feel mechanical, just going through the moves. Life feels futile and pointless. I am finding “motivation” has taken a holiday for a while. I am still getting things done. But how has 3 weeks passed since that shocking life changing news? Just keeping myself busy and trying not to think too much through the tears and triggers. I have been writing in one memorial page for Darrel as a blog of memories and musings.

This past week was the third anniversary of losing my SIL. As FB memories come up each day, I am putting together a memorial page for Larry as well. My motivation there is my grandkids having something to remember their daddy.

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Adam Davidson: Jackie Rioux You got this girl! ❤
Niki McCormick: Jackie stay strong on your hard journey.

Day of GRIT: #16 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Accumulation Workout F2 Finisher- 4MOD- Continuous Shoulder Pain Train Version 1
CONTEXT: “You Don’t Know Me!…”

Very true. You don’t know me. I am certainly not the same person I was many years ago. But there are still days that I don’t even know myself. Such is the path of personal growth and energy healing. I find blocks in my life, find the root cause of these blocks and shift my energy to release the blocks. In doing so, I am continuously uncovering my own true authentic self. So far I love the person I am uncovering. Me, myself, and I. We’re a nice bunch of girls.

Day of GRIT: #17 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOD- Relentless Reps (No breaks) Version 1:
CONTEXT: “I Seize Control…”

What to do in a 10 year stagnant marriage, when I went from teen mom at home to marriage and no time to grow up in between…
It took me a while to realize I wanted to grow and he didn’t. So I took control of my own life, got a divorce, and started raising my kids on my own. Thankfully I had a good job and some resourcefulness under my belt. It wasn’t easy for many years. Back then, I had to get my ex husband to sign over the utility accounts to my name and then prove my own credit. I went through a credit counseling program to pay off all the debt he left me with when he let our carpet cleaning company go down the drain. I was young and naive for sure. The loan company had made me sign papers to guarantor my husband with my job security. Ugh!

But, as the years went by, life got better and better, all because I took control of my own life.

Day of GRIT: #18 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Kettlebell Tabata Version 1 F2
CONTEXT: “Healing Is My Nature…”

When you start off life at rock bottom with a childhood trauma, the only way to go is UP. Sure there was a lot of first time poor experiences in forging my way through life, but at some point when you take that first step towards real healing, the universe conspires in your favor.
I floundered aimlessly for many years and went to several counselors. Nothing helped until I had a breakdown at work in 2008. I was sick for over a year until my doc finally figured out I had an ulcer. These horrible experiences were a blessing in disguise.
I started taking psychology classes which led to some connections with business networking and then into energy psychology and energy balancing. I often say that all my knowledge and skills are second nature now. But that is not really true. I am pretty sure that healing is my first and foremost nature.
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Jackie Rioux: CJ Thomas I completely agree with your context today. What we are finding as energy healing practitioners is one hell of a nasty energy signature with that poison. And worse yet, I still don’t have any confirmed details as to why a 42 year old man would have a heart attack other than he got forced after the last time I talked to him a few weeks before. That just cements my hatred for all this BS. I lost my soul mate.
CJ Thomas: Jackie Rioux I lost my dad to the cancer industry this year as well. It’s tragic what they take from us. But strengthens the conviction and moral obligation of those of us still living to push back, speak out, and strengthen ourselves.

Day of GRIT: #19 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Leg Day Complex Complex 1 F2
CONTEXT: “I Edit With Intention…”

How does this context apply to me today? My heart and brain are still frazzled with grief and tears here and there. What the hell kind of good can come from losing a dear loved one?

If I apply “editing” to energy balancing, then yes I do edit with intention. In very big ways. And quite honestly my healer friends are the only reason I am still here right now. In fact, I feel a little bit guilty that I am not an inconsolable wreck these last few weeks. I mean, I am inside still grieving terribly, but I am still functioning and even happy and clear headed some days. Why? Because I have “edited” my energy with intention to keep the good memories.

I just found out today that a client’s husband passed away recently and she is surprised that she is coping fairly well so far. She feels it is also because of energy balancing and being able to let go of and process the grief in a more intentional way.

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Day of GRIT: #20 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Hub Spoke F2 Finisher- 4MOD
CONTEXT: “I Built This Motherf*cker… “

In an ideal world, children have their parents to protect them from the outside world and to guide them to be well balanced and functional adults. In an ideal world. How many people have had such an upbringing? Life is full of less than ideal circumstances.

Sure, we looked like the perfect family sitting in church every Sunday morning. But it was not until later in life that the secrets that happened behind closed doors came to light. Childhood trauma has a way of exploding at some point if not effectively addressed.

I was the oldest of four girls and although I thought I could lean on my father to protect “daddy’s little girl”, my experience was far from protected. Violated would be more the word…

Violated and unprotected carried on through more experiences in my life until I finally realized I need to protect myself. To stand in my own truths.

It was only then that life took an uphill swing for the better.

I am at a point in life now that some people confide in me that “this will probably sound weird and or scary”. Nope, not to me. Try me. If I haven’t experienced it myself, I am pretty sure I know someone who has. Not much surprises me or scares me anymore.

I have stepped into my own truths. I have embraced my character. Redhead Taurus, half German, lil bit Irish and an ex postal worker. Most people back away slowly with that list, but I assure you that I am quite approachable, fun loving, and compassionate. I am five foot four and not much more. Just don’t cross me.

Day of GRIT: #21 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Live My Life Free of Regret…”

We can’t change the past, or can we? Theoretically, no. Time passes by and if we miss that moment in time, it is unlikely that opportunity will pass by again. At some point in my life, I looked back at my past and I did have some regrets of the times where I did not stand up and speak my truths. I felt these were mistakes and missed opportunities.

I have realized though, that life unfolds according to Diving Timing. We are always right where we are supposed to be to learn our life lessons, even as crappy as some of those life lessons may be. Our lives are an incredible tapestry of varied and wonderful colors accentuated with dark threads. As Nikki Sixx says “Life is Beautiful”. We can only know and understand the good times when we also know the contrast and opposite experiences as well.

Regret brings with it many unresolved energies that can hinder and unsettle our future. Thankfully, with energy balancing we can disconnect and resolve those non beneficial and detrimental energies to pave the way for a brighter future.

Each time we resolve and heal events of our past, we gather the lessons learned to bring forward and we also forge our inner strengths to be able to stand in our truths much more wholeheartedly.

For the most part, I no longer have any regrets about my past. All those events, event the traumatic ones, have made me the person I am today. And She is a pretty awesome lady, if I do say so myself.
Day of GRIT: #22 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- AMRAP F2
CONTEXT: I Track the Inner Scorecard…

I am a work in progress. It weighs heavily on me when I think I screw up on anything and don’t meet expectations. I have learned to let go of others expectations and just do my best. I keep my word as best I can to others as well. When it comes to me though, I do accomplish a lot, or so my friends seem to think. We are our own worst critic though. Still, I know I can do better. Sometimes though, like this past month, getting myself on track and processing grief are enough. For now, minimum required effort is plenty enough to keep up with. I have accomplished much in the past, and I will again. That statement is progress from 3 weeks ago when I just wanted to close my eyes and not wake up.

I am thankful for my GRIT warrior friends and my practitioner friends who keep me accountable to continuing life right now. I will keep working on my accountability to myself.

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Day of GRIT: #23 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Accumulation Workout F2 Finisher- 4MOD- Continuous Shoulder Pain Train V1
CONTEXT: “I Commit To Do Hard Shit…”

My kids went to see Ice Age at the theatre with their friends. When they came home they told me “OMG Mom, You’re Scrat!!!!!!!” . Who the F is Scrat? I called my bestie who happened to work at the video store and was up on the latest movie releases. She laughed so hard, then explained who Scrat was, and yes the name fits.
See, I was working full time, raising 4 kids alone and God help me if I could ever multitask and juggle anything keeping kids in extracurricular activities, keeping them fed and keeping the bills paid.
I was ever chasing the acorn of life and only grasping at straws most of the time. But I did make it. I survived and my kids survived as well, with a crazy amount of endearing unbelievable memories.
I went through more tough-it-out times working outside for 12 years through tundra winters of deep snow and -40 C below.

Thank God those kind of hard times are long behind me.

My hard times right now is surviving through the blows of lost loved ones and the grief process. Right now, hard shit just means one foot in front of the other, in baby steps most days but still making progress.

I have not done anything with my Akashic course because my reason for signing up died, literally. My last conversations was telling him that I wanted to figure out our soul connection in the Records. I finally posted an introduction in the course group. Our teacher wrote back with an inspiring message:
“I am so sorry for your loss Jackie N. Rioux. We are not separate from one another so you can have a loving relationship with him in the spiritual realms and not in human form. I would suggest asking more questions in the records about how you can connect with his High Vibrational Soul in his whole form. I would also ask how his passing is impacting your bodies and how you can support all aspects of yourself in this stage of grief. ❤ Sending you a big hug and lots of love and light”.

Right now this is my hard shit, to get myself in a headspace to get immersed in this course in a whole new way.

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Kelly Robb: Jackie Rioux You are an inspiration and I see and hear you! Your teacher sounds very wise,

Day of GRIT: #24 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOD- Relentless Reps V1
CONTEXT: “I Am Accountable…”

“I’m too busy to book in a session right now”. I hear this statement from some people who are stressed to the gills with life and busy schedules. They understand the benefit of having an energy balancing session, but they have a hard time wrapping their mind around the idea that they do not need to be physically present for their energy balancing session.

Energy is everywhere and also connected everywhere, so yes it is possible to have an energy balancing session via email while you go about your other obligations, or even sleep through your appointment.

How do you know that I have done your session then? Quite often, most people can feel a difference in their energy after an energy balancing session. Some people even feel different during their session. The most common reaction or feedback from sessions is feeling lighter (emotional baggage is “heavy”), clearer, more focused.

When someone books a session via Zoom or phone, they can see what I do in a session or hear me talking and explaining the details of the session. Whether you choose to be present for your session or not, I am accountable to my clients in that I provide notes and an opportunity to follow up with questions as needed.

This arrangement works wonderfully for working professionals, parents who are constantly surrounded by toddlers and home obligations, or clients who are in conflicting time zones. My clients know they have me as their quiet secret weapon in their corner addressing the stresses of life so they can more easily connect with their own inner peace when they are ready. They have the benefit of a more peaceful home life and much more relaxed and refreshing sleep as well.

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Glenn Forman
Jackie Rioux pretty much sums up what we do in energy balancing. Good text. Thanks.

Day of GRIT: #25 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Kettlebell Tabata V1 F2
CONTEXT: “I Optimize My Environment…”

Did you know that anything can carry energy? And non beneficial energies at that?! Yes that means that any time you bring second hand furniture into your home, you could be bringing the energy of previous owners as well. Even “new” furniture can carry energies from the manufacture of the materials, and the creators and handlers of the final products. Ewwww right? Ya. Good news is that we can clear these energy signatures so that items in your home are cleared and aligned with your own home environment.

Don’t even get me started on clutter. That is just overwhelm central and icky poo nasty in the energy sense. Clean that up and let your environment breathe freely with fresh air and much more positive energies.

For as long as I have been an energy balancing practitioner and learned about this kind of energy misalignment, this has been my take on cleansing our environment to optimize our living and working space.

The positive integrations of energy into our environment often include air cleansing plants, crystals, and other such positive and cleansing items.

Sometimes this also includes vision boards, posters and post it notes of affirmations and prayer intentions. Sentimental and meaningful items especially. We create our world though these methods.

I have a Reiki box full of affirmations and prayer intentions for myself and my loved ones. My children have acquired suitable employments, vehicles and other material things. They have achieved goals as well as I have over a number of years and I have realized what in my Reiki box has come to fruition. I have a treasure box of pictures, memories, hand written letters. My computer contains digital format emails and sentimental letters as well.

What happens when a loved one passes away? That is where I am at right now. Looking around my home and my treasures to realize how many pictures and items I have here that are memories of Darrel. His number is under faves in my phone yet I will never see his number come up again that always made my heart skip a beat to hear his voice. All our texts…
Its been 3 years since my SIL passed and I still have his texts in my phone as well. Is this optimizing my environment in holding fast to these cherished memories in this way? I dont know, but I am nowhere near ready to let any of it go.

This past month has been sadness for me in losing my soul mate. I am doing better now and moving forward with some renewed hope of spiritual connection still intact. We will always have that at least. A few of my clients have suffered some losses as well. While that is not “my problem”, humanely I still share a collective sadness with them in trying to assist them through their grief while I process my own. I have been writing in Darrel’s page in my website to process my grief and to hopefully inspire and encourage others to grieve as they need to.

Earlier this year we lost our 19 year old feline furbaby to old age. In July when the tenants next door moved, we lost two of our cats within days of each other. No leads, just gone. Not sure if commotion next door was a factor or not, but they are still gone. (Dear Universe: Enough with the blows!!!). I needed some real happiness around here so a few weeks ago we kinda “put it out there” to get some new furballs to liven up our home space. No ads, but I did take note of some FB posts and messaged a few tagged people. Wellllll…. One messaged back with 3 males that are 4 weeks old. Long story short, this young mom asked us to take momma too as she cannot afford them anymore. Yup, we have a very sweet momma reminiscent of a sweet kitty we had 20 years ago, her name is Linda. The babies are Max, Meeko, and Diamond is mine. Darrel’s page explains the reason behind Diamond’s name. We have some happiness, some entertainment and a whole lot of fun distraction in our home now. Whether this is optimized for productivity or just plain happiness remains to be seen 🙂

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Bob Little: Jackie Rioux Linda is so beautiful. Thank you for giving them a new home. I love animals because they love you unconditionally and likewise. Plus, their energy is raw and natural.

Day of GRIT: #26 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Leg Day Complex V1 F2 Finisher- 4MOD- Ascending Reps Version 1:
CONTEXT: “I Get Paid to Solve Problems…”

What does a client receive in benefit when booking a session with me? Whenever a client says they feel “stuck” or otherwise hindered in some way, we know to look for energetic blockages. Many of my clients are on their own healing path and do a lot of their own energy balancing as well. But we are all unique in our gifts and experiences. For this reason, it is always wonderful to connect with an experienced practitioner for some “fresh eyes” to find energetic imbalances.

So, yes I do get paid to “solve” problems, but there are two things that stand out for me here. One, I am just the facilitator that shifts energy so your body can heal itself. And two, when we balance energy, that energy in GONE. This is not a Band-Aid solution to “solve” problems. We resolve issues completely.

According to good ol’ Google: “What is meaning by solved and resolved? Solve usually refers to the process of finding a correct answer to the problem, where resolve refers to bringing the problem to an end or conclusion”.

Clients pay me for my time, education, and experience to facilitate their own innate healing to Resolve problems.

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Glenn Forman: Jackie Rioux I like it best when whatever we are working on doesn’t have more angles to address. Though when there are more angles, it can get very interesting.
Jackie Rioux: Glenn Forman Very true, I always intend to go straight to the most important root issue. Seems to work well. But there can be more angles to address for the next session if they choose to book in again.
Glenn Forman: Jackie Rioux Exactly. That’s what I do also.

Day of GRIT: #27 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Hub Spoke F2 Finisher- 4MOD- Jump Rope + Burpee Ladder
CONTEXT: “I Reflect on My Results… “

GRIT is all about balancing Mind Body Business and Relationships like the four wheels of a car. This past month I feel like I have been driving on four deflated and damaged wheels. I was going to sit out of GRIT this month, but jumped in last minute realizing this is the time that I need my Story Athlete tribe more than ever. You see, September 30 I found out my soul mate died, just weeks after a phone call where the words “rekindle relationship” were said. We have been soul connected for more than 20+ years. Any time we have connected in all these years has been just as intense as when we dated back then. Just pick up where we left off. He has always been the one to call and reach out. Life has taken many twists and turns between us though. This past year I felt such an urgency to speak from my heart and be super clear on what he meant to me. I honestly thought my “wish” might come true soon. And then my world was crushed in the worst way possible. Abruptly sidelined. I wanted to curl up and go to sleep and not wake up. I have been through the grief process before in losing loved ones, but not as intimately as this. He was my safe space, the one I could say anything to. His heart beat felt like home. And now it stopped.

Reflecting on this past month:

Body: the grief diet shut off my appetite for several days and I shed 8 lbs just drinking bone broth for days on end. I have been posting in the evenings because my Vitamin M workouts have been slow, heartless, broken into small bits through the day. Just an F2 minimum effort, but the movement was needed to regain strength from my deflated dead inside feeling. I have training and experience in trauma and grief release techniques. That all goes out the window when it happens to ME.

Relationships: Well, obviously one ended abruptly, yet we are always connected spiritually. Trying to wrap my mind around the spiritual and soul aspects while grieving my human sadness of never connecting physically again is downright crushing. I feel scared to ever love someone quite like that ever again because they just die and leave. 7 billion people in the world yet I had my heart set on one. (I told him that in the last several phone calls too). Writing is cathartic, so I have been writing in my website memorial page for him, letting my thoughts and emotional struggles out for all to see. Trusting that someone may relate and connect, and be inspired with my journey through hell. I am SO grateful for my network of energy healer friends who have been essential in assisting me in processing all this sh*t pile of grief and sadness to get me back on life’s track. Realizing too late how important it is too speak my truths no matter what, I have been very vocal on my thoughts and opinions, especially on global issues. The friends and contacts who are mature enough to be critical thinkers and open minded enough to appreciate differing views are still around. Some have blocked and/ or deleted me. You really find out who your true friends are when the rest of the world walks out.

Mind: Again thankful to my energy healer friends who have helped me disconnect the pain and emotional charge of sadness and grief so I can still function and live for the rest of my loved ones. I have also realized how much I NEED my GRIT community. Having been a Story Athlete member since April 2020, I have been paired with several people on each months teams. I have always tried to at least read my teams contexts each day. But I find that there are more and more people I have connected with and I want to follow their writings too. I got behind on reading each day the past two months. So, this past week, I have made it a priority to scroll through each day contexts and “heart” every one that I have read to keep my placeholders.
Brene Brown had an article about the 6 types of people you should never confide in. This has been forefront for me this past month. I need and want to be surrounded only with my like minded souls. These are my GRIT warriors and energy healer friends. Through reading GRIT contexts, I can be much more inspired with relating to the solutions of everyday struggles and some have also suffered through losses recently as well. My GRITmates that are aligned with the heroic self philosophy of personal growth through thick and thin. MUCH more inspiring than the unpredictable drama fueled poison soup of Crackbook.

Business: Thankfully I have managed to move forward and still do client sessions with a clear mind. I get to see miracles with my clients and that in itself is encouraging. I do have systems in place, but my receipts and paperwork have piled up yet again. Always an area of improvement here, but again thankful to GRIT community friends and all the ideas and processes I have gleaned here, I am so much farther ahead than I was in April 2020.

While my 4 wheels have been way out of alignment this past month, GRIT is definitely my Pit Crew and Pace Cars. Thank you to each one of you.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/brene-brown-advice-vulnerability_n_3392414
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Day of GRIT: #28 of 28
METRICS: October FINAL GRIT Workout 10 Moves, 31 Reps of each; Finisher: Hill Sprints F2
CONTEXT: “I Expect the Unexpected…”

My month started off with about the shittiest form ever of “I did not expect that kind of unexpected”. I have been working towards a more positive end to the month…

So, my unexpected today was working with Glenn Foreman to uncover some detrimental energies that had to go in order to find some happiness again. HUGE thank you!!!!!!!!!!! I also find it unexpectedly amazing that we can do the “same” work, yet do it differently in our own unique styles and fresh eyes and a different technique can be mind blowing in what comes up.

My other unexpected this morning made my day. This was an email from a client I worked with yesterday that has had some body aches and mobility issues.
” Holy cow!!! Our session was short but…. SO POWERFUL. I shifted a lot of energy. The knife in kidney pain went away. I went for a short walk afterwards and my walking, is getting considerably much better. The honor and privilege and gratitude with working with you is all mine. Our session was so short that I would like to consider having our next session by email. I will email my issues a day ahead of time, if I may.
Thank you so much!”

Those are the kind of unexpected I would love to expect more of in my life!!

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SA-Name:// JACKIE RIOUX
Day of GRIT: #1 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Deck of Cards F2 Finisher- 4MOD
CONTEXT: “StoryAthlete Finds a Way… ”

Back in the saddle: I took August off GRIT knowing that I would be off grid a few days and not able to post. I had the intention of also catching up on some courses I had signed up for and continuing my computer organization project. We had a external hard drive crash years ago and I am finally facing that task to organize over 70 K mixed up files. I am finding treasures from passed loved ones so this project is both worthwhile and bittersweet.

I went on two road trips this past month to visit family. One was 10 hour drive south, the other 6 hour drive west. I got in a couple hikes and some precious time with loved ones.

As for the courses… well… I am always a perpetual student and yes I did get some things done but I also signed up for a few more courses and haven’t touched the original ones I intended to work on. See, two of these courses are a self study with no deadline. They are related to psychology but they are not on the forefront of what I need for skills at the moment.

Two of the courses I signed up for this past month were on the whole brain and on trauma care for clients. They were short courses, just a few days so I completed those quickly. I just signed up for 2 other courses, one regrettably because it is also a self study, no deadline course and honestly, the instructor’s voice grates on me. I intend to get through that one anyway as it is a short version of the 14 week interactive course I am very much looking forward to.

These courses are not including several other learning opportunities at my fingertips that I am slowly inching my way through to glean new information I can use with my clients and to add to my own life skills.

I jumped back into GRIT this month because I am feeling so scattered and alone. The world has gone crazy out there and I find myself sticking very close to like minded souls while shutting out the rest of the world. This is my form of self care and keeping my sanity.

My sanity has been on edge yesterday and today for another reason. Since 1998, I have owned 6 cell phones, until yesterday. The last time I upgraded my phone was in 2015 I think. I am not so materialistic and techie as to want the latest and greatest upgrades in technology. Thank God my gamer son is home from camp and has been helping me to shut off all those darn notifications and alerts and all the bells and whistles that send my inner squirrel into a nutbar frenzy of confusion. I cannot fathom the apparent appreciation for all these distractions. I want my functionality and inner peace back lol. Yet, I am also appreciative of the upgraded functions of my “simplistic” phone, as my son teases me.

I am grateful for my GRIT warrior buds and this community of like minded souls that are my accountability partners in this game called Life.

Day of GRIT: #2 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Am Willing to Pay the Price…”

There is a Spiritual Law of Karma and there is a Law of Reciprocity. Energy must flow, whether that means positively or negatively.

Money is an energy and it can be used to pay for goods or services. Sometimes we can barter with an exchanges of goods and services. The laws still apply that energy must flow.

Personally, I like to invest in myself because I get the best returns that way. Whether I am paying for practical goods and necessities, or splurging on my hearts desires, or paying for all the courses and knowledge I glean from others who have traveled the path of life before me…

I am willing to do whatever it takes to reach my own personal goals and dreams, and to support my loved ones in achieving their goals and dreams as well.

I am intrigued that CJ mentioned impromptu camping as a GRIT activity. I have camped in -35 weather and in pouring rain a few times. I am resourceful and that idea sounds more fun than threatening, even though I am not fond of cold or rain lol.

I am willing to pay the price to make my dreams come true.

Day of GRIT: #3 of 28
METRICS: 12MOD (FoF) Finisher- Countdown F2
CONTEXT: I Commit to My Everest…

My grandmother got a teaching degree at age 52, my mother went back to school in her 40’s to get a medical steno designation. I might as well follow in their footsteps and go get a degree as a mature student too. After all, the first born women in our family line have always overcome years of hardships in childrearing before taking life by the horns for our own gain.

So I did go back to school taking university transfer courses to earn a psych degree. This venture was more out of interest and a bucket list challenge for myself to get a degree.

What my mother failed to mention was that I seemed to have inherited her foggy brain syndrome. While I loved the lectures and all the fascination of learning new knowledge, my brain went on holiday to never never land when it came to tests. Details escaped me.

I remember one course, Human Anatomy and Physiology, I had signed up on recommendation from the career counsellor when I wanted to take more biology type sciences. Loved the instructors, loved the knowledge. In the second lab, the instructor explained that we would be better off to take a first level Russian language course than to learn the terminology required in that course. I was crushed. I was in tears. I forfeited the course and dropped out of that program.

An associate degree is only 20 courses, with specific requirements for psych concentration. I still wanted that degree. That god forsaken piece of paper that said I had accomplished something. So, after a two year hiatus, I went back to complete 5 more courses within the 10 year time limit. I had been working full time and raising kids, and only take 2 courses per semester.

When I went back to arrange my courses, feeling ashamed of “quitting” and dropping a course, I found out that I hadn’t dropped the course. I had switched to audit within the timeframe so that this course correction did not affect my grades or standing. What a relief!

I had left a required stats course til the end though. Math is not my strong suit. Give me English, grammar, energy, quantum physics, biology and especially psychology. Not MATH aka Mental Abuse Torturing Humanity.
I was determined though, and although I scraped through that course, I made it. I passed and graduated in June 2018 at age 51. I set out for my Mount Everest, and I made it.
Day of GRIT: #4 of 28
METRICS: 1) -> 5K Day Finisher- 4MOD
CONTEXT: “I Build a Strong Foundation…”

I grew up in church so I was well aware of the verse that talks about building your home high on the rocks rather than on the sandy beach. The analogy applies to pretty much everything in life.

Our feet are our “great understanding”, or so my mom calls them. She loves telling the story of how I was the baby with skis in the nursery. But seriously, our feet hold up our entire body. If you don’t wear proper fitting and supportive shoes at an exhausting weight carrying job, you get plantar fasciitis. I learned that one the hard way.

If you don’t build a solid friendship with your partner to support your marriage, it is likely not going to stand the test of time when our bodies fail physically at the end of life. Beauty is only skin deep. Character is more long lasting.

What about our childhoods? We can wish in an ideal world that our childhood is filled with loving examples and guidance of a productive and enjoyable life. As we grow up though, we often find that our childhoods were less than ideal with many upsets and trials of life spattered throughout the poignant good times. How do you build a solid foundation on the wreckages of yesterday?

This is why I was so grateful to find energy balancing along my life path so I could heal my past and build a better solid foundation for my life. And then I can turn around and use my newly built foundation to encourage others to heal their pasts as well.

Just like the way a beautiful home built on a sandy beach can wash away with the tide, so can our lives when we have not built a solid emotional foundation to cope through life’s inevitable ups and downs. Better late than never to create life with a solid foundation.

Day of GRIT: #5 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Chest & Back Complex F3 (holy crap, I did F3!) Finisher- 4MOD- Resistance Band Interval Abs and G2G too!
CONTEXT: “I Improve Through Immersion…”

I just taught a Reiki class today, so my energy vibe must be pretty high with me completing an F3 today. YAY!! Go ME!

Eons ago, I was on some local events email list and received notice of an upcoming workshop on learning styles. Turned out there was no age limits, so I brought all 4 of my kids and filled up a corner of the class. This workshop turned out to be quite instrumental and useful in my further understanding years later.

There are a few different learning styles. Visual, auditory, tactile are some, but the one I found most interesting was kinetic learning. This is when you have a child that fidgets while in class. They need that movement to activate their learning centers in their brains.

Over my years, I have concluded that I tend to use a combination of these learning styles, depending on what I am learning. The most useful learning style for me is the tactile style where I appreciate hands on learning, or immersion in whatever new skill or knowledge I am adding to my toolbox.

You can tell about something, I might take in and learn a bit.
You can show me some pictures, and I may get more ideas to understand and learn.
But when you show me and let me practice and feel my way through learning, then I can fly.

Day of GRIT: #6 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- HUB-Spoke
CONTEXT: “I’m Not Afraid to Raise Expectations…”

I am a rock concert fanatic. I have been known to take off last minute to concerts and still get great seats. I am thinking that my success with this started way back when my expectations were pretty lofty.

I had heard that ACDC had been in Vancouver a few years before, and I was determined to go see them the next time they were on the western coast. Even for a 10 hour drive. Tickets went on sale in May and promptly sold out. I still would not give up. I had 3 months for a miracle to happen.

Ads were all over the radio at work. My coworkers knew I wanted to go. Still no luck. I was on afternoon shift. It was Friday afternoon. The day before the concert, and I was scheduled to work Sunday morning 8 am since I was on a turnaround shift that week.

One of my coworkers asked if I had heard that more tickets went on sale that day. On my coffee break, I was on the phone with the ticket office. Just get me one ticket, just get me in the building, that’s all I ask.

I texted my kids who then got busy conversing and asked if I would take my 3 year old granddaughter on the trip to see her auntie. Sure.

I got off work 1030 pm. picked up my granddaughter and explained my plan. Alarm was set for 3 am. We slept a few hours, I rolled my granddaughter into my arms and strapped her in to my vehicle.

The 10 hour drive uneventful. I was on a mission. We arrived in Vancouver suburbs about 1 pm. Met up with my other daughter, her auntie and went to the science center. Then I left them to go to the concert in downtown Vancouver. The concert was amazing and I realized later that I had a better/ closer seats than the local radio boys from my home.

I left the concert 1130 pm and followed the traffic. I managed to get off course briefly without a GPS but soon found my way back to pick up my granddaughter and head home to arrive back in Prince George before 8 am.

Mission accomplished. Now, I am not afraid to raise expectations in saying I will get ‘er done come hell or high water.
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Scott Mendell I saw ACDC way back in the mid 80s for their “For Those About To Rock” tour. They had huge cannons on stage that fired during the song. it was awesome. Now I wear hearing protection when I go… LOL. I think my favorite live event was Pink Floyds(Roger Waters) The Wall concert. It incredible to see that wall built across the stage.
Jackie Rioux Scott Mendell i have a long list of concerts. Haven’t seen actual pink Floyd. But i did see an amazing light show at a planetarium set to pink Floyd. I wasn’t even stoned and it was kool.
I worked in a nightclub years ago. Beer tub girl next to speaker. I kinda deaf on that side lol
Miryam Finkelberg Scott Mendell I saw Pink Floyd The Wall Concert in L.A. in 1980. It was pretty amazing how the wall was built.
Scott Mendell Jackie Rioux Too funny, I used to own a night club after DJing and bartending my way through college. In my club we had the tail end of a 57 Cadillac as a beer tub. Served’em right out of the trunk. That sucker would hold 500lbs of ice.

Day of GRIT: #7 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Pyramid F2 Finisher- 4MOD- AMRAP
CONTEXT: “I Optimize My Universe…”

I am way farther ahead now in life and business than I was before joining Story Athlete. I have learned a lot from my team mates. I have gotten ideas and implemented those ideas in both personal and business life.

I am still working on juggling everything I chose to take on in projects and goals and responsibilities. I always manage to get things done, but I still feel behind and somewhat disorganized. My accountant insists that I am way more organized than many of his clients, so there’s that.

I suppose this does mean that I optimize my business organization and my home. I still feel I am a work in progress though.

I used to have a poster on my locker at work. It said “God put me on Earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now I am so far behind I will never die.

I think this has become my life motto in some ways. In good ways. I am always taking on more learning and more courses. I figure as long as it is a benefit to me especially, and hopefully others, I am doing a-okay.

Day of GRIT: #8 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Deck of Cards F2 Finisher- 4MOD
CONTEXT: “My Ambition Is an Asset… ”

When I realized my station in life as a bare foot and pregnant wife in a stagnant marriage, my ambition was an asset to dive into my own personal growth and to make something better out of myself.

When I had no one else to depend on while I had 4 young children depending on me, my ambition to bring home a paycheck was an asset.

When I wanted to go to rock concerts, or go walking, or go on road trips, or whatever else ideas I got in my head for fun or growth, my ambition to go solo and make my dreams happen was an asset.

When I wanted to complete a bucket list goal of earning a degree, my ambition was an asset. Foggy brain was not an asset at that point, but ambition is what pushed me through to complete that goal and graduate with a psych degree.

The only way to accomplish anything in life is to make sure we get good restful sleep, then hit the ground running in the morning to get our life goals and family responsibilities taken care of. Ambition is the asset that brings the best rewards.

Day of GRIT: #9 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Optimize My Environment…”

My parents were pack rats. Mom got her resourcefulness from early life living on the prairies. Dad grew up during the war so he always saved stuff for a rainy day.

Growing up as the eldest, supervising cleaning and chores was on my shoulders. I hate clutter, yet I still have some sentimental collections of Precious Moments figurines and tons of books. Oh and ladybugs. Everything ladybugs lol.

Back in 1989, we had to travel an 18 hour road trip to clean out my grandmother’s home. Three little old ladies from the depression era had lived there. The story of that clean out job was a story in itself. One I would rather never repeat as long as I live. I got ruthless in my own possessions after that. Yes I am still resourceful and have an extremely practical side in what I choose to have in my home.

I have been in my home for 16 years now. 918 square feet duplex with a finished basement where two of my adult children reside. We have cleaned out the corners many times over the years. Last weekend though, we got in quite a frenzy and flurry of cleaning out crevices and crannies. We cleared out any remnants of dust bunnies fornicating in the corners.

Then we had a garage sale. This is the art of moving stuff from our house, to another home. One man’s junk is another man’s treasures. I have no idea where most of this stuff was hiding in our home, but it sure feels nice to clear it all out. The energy feels different in here. Clearer, lighter, and definitely a more optimized environment.

Day of GRIT: #10 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Countdown F2
CONTEXT: I Increase My APM… APM= Actions Per Minute.

If you want the job done, give the task to the laziest genius in the bunch.

I had to learn all the streets in our city, and the breakdowns of long streets as to which section went to which route. Truth be told, I never did learn it all and I used the overheard directory a lot more than I should have which slowed down my sorting skills.

When I started my career at the post office, I was in a town one-quarter of the size of the city I transferred to 10 years in to my time with the corporation. We did things differently there, more efficiently I might add, but the bigger center had no interest to streamline anything so they could keep their jobs. This is the only drawback I found with union work. Drag everything out to keep the jobs going. It backfires in the end though.

Back to sortation skills. There is a form of physical mail called addressed ad mail where addresses are on a mailing list and the originating mailers can sort mail mechanically into bundles according to route. Then the mail carrier only needs to sort their section. It reduces the middle man sorting at the processing plant more efficiently. However, there are often bundles that missed the main sortation and are individually marked with XXX and the number of the route. In my original town, we would just grab the bundles and sort them. In the bigger center, they had one job of cutting open the bundles and arranging them nicely on a trolley before sorting, which in my opinion was double handing and inefficient.

I remember being left alone to my own devices a few times. I could process and sort an entire trolley in no time. The new employees called me the XXX queen as they did not understand my methods of efficiency.

I have yet to become quite so efficient in my own personal and business life, but I am getting there with finding small methods of efficiency to implement. A work in progress.

Day of GRIT: #11 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOD
CONTEXT: “I Commit to Move…”

I like to move it, move it!!! Back in party days, this Reel to Reel song had just come out in 1994. It was one of our party dance songs for quite a while. Catchy tune, and it gets the vibes going in all the best ways. So catchy and popular was this tune that some movies took it on for theme scenes and even Crazy Frog made a remake.

I was never one for drinking much alcohol, if at all, so I was always the designated driver who just got everyone on the dance floor. I partied on air and water. And I moved a lot, dancing the night away just having fun.

There are so many benefits to moving regularly. As I understand, fat cells are released more through breath than through other detoxing methods. Moving creates much breath.

Moving gets the blood and lymph moving and allows our bodies to function properly. Muscles atrophy when not in use. Movement keeps muscles functioning properly, and avoids the seizing up that is a common “old age” belief.

I commit to moving and keeping my youth in natural ways while enhancing my physical health thru dance, walking, hiking, and GRIT workouts! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLPYnw17GTY

Day of GRIT: #12 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Chest & Back Complex F2 Finisher- 4MOD- Resistance Band Interval Abs
CONTEXT: “I Know Nothing’s Permanent…”

April 30 1993: My then husband’s birthday. I was 7 months into nursing my 4th child. I wasn’t feeling so well, but we had tickets to a dance party in another town 2 hours away. I had taken a couple pain killers and left my kids with my parents for the weekend so we could have this little get away with some friends. The party went well all evening and we had a lot of fun. There was a huge spread of food at midnight.

Several people from this party had a quiet after party in a hotel room til all hours of the night. I was tired so I went to sleep for a while. When I got up to go to the washroom about 2 am, there was a lady in the hotel room that started freaking out to get me to the hospital asap as I was white as a ghost and not looking well at all. I was tired and brushed off this lady’s concerns, but thankfully a few other people took her seriously and arranged to get me to the hospital.

Within two hours I was writhing in excruciating pain in the hospital emergency room. There was one kind nurse that rubbed my back, but the doctor ignored me for a while thinking I was a domestic abuse case. We tried leaving the hospital to get back to my home town and familiar surroundings, but when our vehicle broke down, we were back where we started.

They gave me morphine for the night and I was transferred home the next day. I was so grateful to be back with my own doctor who ran the appropriate tests to realize I had a large kidney stone lodged in such a way that I needed emergency surgery. I spent 10 days in hospital on morphine and seemingly in and out of consciousness.

I am super thankful that I had family support to look after my kids, nurses to help with my after surgery care and my post partum body issues as well. I am so thankful my doctor was able to take care of surgery quickly.

This whole experience seemed like a lifetime of pain in the moment, yet I knew nothing is permanent and this too shall pass. Sometimes it may pass like a kidney stone.

Day of GRIT: #13 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- HUB-Spoke F2
CONTEXT: “I Don’t Break the Chain…”

Raising four kids while working full time, it was not unusual to have a pile of dishes or Mount Washmore on any given day. I suppose the way I was raised in cleaning up every night after dinner and being responsible for my own laundry is why I tried to instill this responsibility in my kids as well.

Otherwise you’re likely to have dust bunnies fornicating in the corners, kitchen cutlery forking and spooning and creating more messes than you can handle!

It only takes one step to start a 100 mile journey. It only takes moving 2 items every time I get up to move to another room in the house.

Even those days when I was deathly ill and home from work, I managed to at least wash some dishes or fold some laundry.

Just a little bit of movement is all it takes to keep going. In business, at the very least I can file some papers or computer work on a slow day. GRIT workouts are a small commitment with a huge payoff as well.
I remember being four months pregnant with my second child and I decided to go biking with a toddler on the back and rode up a hill. I had biked everywhere even at 9 months with my first one. I hadn’t been quite as active through the winter the second time around so this refreshing bike ride ended with me on doctor ordered bed rest for 4 days. Talk about downright frustrating to not be able to move off the bed for 4 days.
I learned my lesson to never get quite that inactive ever again.
Just a little bit each day is all it takes to keep moving forward.

Day of GRIT: #14 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Pyramid F2 Finisher- 4MOD- AMRAP
CONTEXT: “I Eliminate Inefficiencies…”

Technology has brought the world of entertainment up close and personal. I know several people who are addicted to Candy Crush and it consumes their time exponentially. I refuse to sign up for that game.

I am embarrassed to admit though that several years ago I had a solitaire game and a Mah Jong game on my phone.

Wake up in the morning and play a few games. Pull out my phone in the waiting room, or in a line up to keep myself occupied. Maybe just a game or two any other time too. No problem, right?

No problem until I was checking out settings in my phone and saw the “time spent” total on those games over that past year. That was a wakeup call. No wonder I was behind on paperwork and running my business efficiently. I was still working at a day job then, but still no excuse.

I resorted to removing these game apps off my phone and resolved to use my time better. I found that I transferred my addiction to Facebook instead. I am still on that social media platform, mainly because of my practitioner forums and client connections.

I have figured out settings though and have unfollowed and deleted much of anything “non beneficial”. I endeavor to check these settings regularly and revise as needed. I also have been cleaning up my profile of past irrelevant posts as they come up in memories. Much better energy all around.

Two years ago, I invested in an online scheduler. Although reluctant to figure out more technology at the time, this investment has been an absolute Godsend in eliminating inefficiencies in my business with booking clients in several different time zones.

Sometimes technology can rob us of valuable time which we can never get back. And sometimes it can create a much better life and business through streamlining mediocre but necessary tasks.

Day of GRIT: #15 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Deck of Cards F2 Finisher- 4MOD
CONTEXT: “My Emotions Are an Asset… ”

Ya gotta feel it to heal it!

When we do energy balancing, we are always working on the activated layer of whatever is presenting right now. Yet we are also looking for the root of the upset to “pull the bottom out of it” so to speak. Trauma repeats itself until we heal it.
One example I use with my clients is that I can have someone come to me and say they are upset because their boyfriend broke up with them last week and ran off with their best friend. That can be an awfully triggering and upsetting event.

When we go into their session to find the root of this upset, we may find betrayal, loss, grief, shock, and heartache. The date is not from the week before though. It is from a date in Grade 3 and they associate the date with an event where someone stole their lunchbox and ate their lunch.

Now, a boyfriend and a lunchbox are not the same. The best friend and the lunch are not the same, but the resulting emotions from these events are the same and maybe even amplified as it is a repeated trauma of emotional resonances.

When we release these non beneficial and detrimental emotions, we can uncover a person’s true self where they can feel the good emotions of love and happiness without the heaviness of hurts and past upsets.

Emotions are an asset to feeling and navigating the wonderful and not so wonderful parts of life. Through emotions we can feel and make better choices of what we want in life and what is best for our highest well being.

Day of GRIT: #16 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Don’t Fear the Haters…”
Having been the loser picked-on-kid in early school days, I had a lot of insecurities and always felt scrutinized by my peers. Everything was wrong with me, or so it seemed. I was such a wall flower.

Through my healing journey many years later, I have realized that there was nothing wrong with me at all. I was quite “normal” considering developmental and abnormal psychology philosophies. I had all the human nature traits of a child that had been traumatized, and now, with that knowledge, I could finally heal.

Energetically and spiritually, I now understand another aspect of how those early traumas shaped me for greatness. I love the lyrics and the story behind Johnny Cash’s song, “A Boy Named Sue”. This boy grew up tough because of defending his given name which was not a common name for a boy then. Kids can be cruel in their misunderstandings. When this boy finally had a chance to confront his absent father about his given name, he finally understood why he was given that name, and that he was tougher because of it.

In my own life, I had a childhood trauma that caused me to have a low self esteem, and like an already wounded animal, I was picked on. I grew up tougher because of it and I know I can handle many things that the average person just can’t. For that reason, we end up with jealous haters later in life. People who have not yet matured and come to understand their own life path.

Yes words can hurt, but I know I have the resolve within me to shed a few tears now and then, and then I put on my big girl panties and deal with life head on.
Never kick a ginger, cuz then you’ll have a ginger snap. I think I am more the sweet kind of gingersnap, but I’d rather not push the redhead buttons…

Day of GRIT: #17 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Countdown F2
CONTEXT: I Pursue Freedom of Relationships…

When we are lonely or desperate, we’ll take any attention we can get. It’s human nature. Misery loves company, and we attract similar frequency vibration in the environment around us. In this immature and desperate state of mind, we’re like a frog in boiling water that can’t even see the trouble we’re in.

As we grow and mature, we start to realize we are never really alone. This is just our mind’s illusion. There are billions of humans on our planet that we can connect with. But do we want to?

Of course we wouldn’t want to keep company with someone who drains our energy, who is abusive to us, or who lacks basic human morals. Most of us though, have had some experience through life with a connection to someone who falls in these toxic categories. Someone who is a “victim” to their circumstances. These are often life lessons.

We cannot experience fully happiness if we have not fully experienced sadness. It’s the paradox of life.

Through our own personal growth, we strengthen our own personal boundaries and raise our vibration as well. These victim and abusive type people have a low vibration and if they choose to not grow and mature, then these relationships will fall away from us energetically and physically.

It is then that we can begin to consciously choose our relationships and have more freedom and respect in our lives. I am grateful to be at this point in my life than I can choose who I allow into my energy field and also have the freedom to choose and walk away from those people and situations that do not serve my highest and best. I appreciate like minded souls along my life’s journey.

Day of GRIT: #18 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOD
CONTEXT: “I Am a Writer…”

Writing comes naturally in my maternal side of the family. My grandma and great Aunt kept journals of their travels, I have done the same with writing of some of my adventures, more so of late. As a teen, and into early adult hood as a teen mom and young wife, I used to keep a daily diary. That was until I realized just how boring and monotonous my life had become. Then my life got busy with kids and my reading pastime and journal keeping fell by the wayside.

I used to have pen pals as well, many friends from church summer camp. Remember physical letter mail? We would write silly things on the outside of envelopes to catch the postman’s attention in hopes that we might speed up the snail pace of the mail system.
Postie, postie, don’t be slow, be like Elvis, GO GO GO!!!

Is it any wonder that I had a 26 year career at the post office?

At some point my passion for writing came around again. Not always in good ways. While I have had many compliments over the years for some of my adventure writings and accolades I have given to wonderful friends and deserving service workers, there has been a dark side as well.

A few times I have had my morals and or boundaries crossed in such a way that my passion for writing comes out in pointed anger. Writing helps me formulate my thoughts and get my feelings out. Some of those letters have been sent to abusive perpetrators or dishonorable acquaintances. I seem to have a polite way of making them feel like less than pond scum in my words of frustration in putting them in their place in no uncertain terms. I know they must have read the letters because they seem to retreat out of my life rather quickly. Thankfully there are some who took my words as constructive criticism and shaped up quickly instead, with gratitude for me not mincing words.

I am grateful that I have not had any reason to write those kinds of letters in many many years. My writing these days are more encouraging. I published my story in 2017. I wrote and share experiences with friends and clients in hopes of being an inspiration to them. And most importantly, I write to record family stories in somewhat of a biography that my children and grandchildren can keep as cherished memories of days past.

Writing can be an art form, or cherished memento. Whatever the reason behind the purpose of writing, it is a wonderful form of communication and a hardcopy record of thoughts from the heart.

Day of GRIT: #19 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Chest & Back Complex F2 Finisher- 4MOD- Resistance Band Interval Abs
CONTEXT: “I Work When No One’s Watching…”

One of the childhood traumas I experienced that has come up a few times for healing was an incident in about grade 2 where I “inadvertently” skipped school.
Our house was at the base of Copper Mountain. We had a trail through the neighborhood that I would follow along and pick up my friends on the way to elementary school. I had two best friends, Suzanne and Lucia. They were the middle girls in a family of 10 kids. We were inseparable buds and I was always over at their home.
One morning on my trek to school, I had stopped in to pick up the troops there. The next door neighbor stuck her head out the window form her home and told us there was no school that day. Really????? COOL!!
I don’t remember any reasons why were didn’t confirm this information with anyone else, but we had a grand time all day long playing out in the dirt piles making trails with cars, making mud pies, and just having fun.

That is, until I went home before 230 pm when school would normally have been let out. I think I must have blocked the resulting events when my parents found out I had “skipped school”. Suffice to say that I was terrified of ever screwing up quite like that ever again. I actually never skipped school ever again, not even through high school. I always felt like Someone was watching. I suppose it didn’t help having Sunday school drill it into me that God is always watching me too.

This all comes up in energy healing as a trauma for me, and I suppose it is to a degree. I have healed my past to the point that the incident doesn’t bother me anymore, it is just an awareness of where my life lessons have come from.
The silver lining is that I came away with a necessary life lesson of integrity and honesty.

Day of GRIT: #20 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- HUB-Spoke F2
CONTEXT: “I Recognize & Correct Patterns…”

This is a wonderful context prompt in the world of energy healing. There are scientific studies these days that show that our DNA carries memories from our ancestors. We can correct these energy imbalances from trauma through our body and thru our family lineage. Fascinating and absolutely amazing work!

In particular, a “miasm” is described as a “family pattern weakness”. This means that if I am working with a client and they have a miasm of, example, disappointed love, they may have had an experience that created this imbalance, and they may have family members who also have had some disappointed love experiences. We can find the root cause behind that imbalance and pull out the whole web of imbalanced energy to release this pattern.

Someone may have poor relationship patterns and we can find unresolved vows or trauma bonds from their ancestral line. Once corrected, they may find a wonderful relationship on the horizon. While we may think that these issues are on the outside affecting us, it is what lies within us that we can work on to create a happy healthy life. BE the change you want to see.

Energy balancing recognizes and corrects patterns and imbalances so we can uncover our true self, and to live our best life.

Day of GRIT: #21 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Pyramid F2 Finisher- 4MOD- AMRAP
CONTEXT: “I Venture Into the Unknown…”

So many people are surprised to find out that I was such a wallflower doormat eons ago. But, yes. I was. Could not pull me out from behind a curtain.
There have been some events in my life though, that yanked me out from behind that curtain and put me on center stage a few times, more figuratively at first, and then a few times I have been on a real life stage in various ways. Exposed for all the world to see. Or at least for the immediate audience.
Through those experiences, I have learned to lean on myself more and more.
I am not sure quite where it started, but I used to go walking with a friend, or go on a road trip with others, go to a concert with others. I got the adventure bug implanted quickly.
But then where were my friends? That one has another obligation. The other one has an excuse, whether valid or not, they aren’t coming with me. I got tired of waiting, and then getting disappointed because I missed an opportunity. How frustrating!
At some point I gave up on asking my friends for company and just went solo. I ended up making friends along the way instead. New friends that had the adventure bug too!! YAY!!!
Do I always have a reason or a destination? Nope.
I have over 300 road trips under my belt with the vehicle I have now, that I have had for 12 years. Should I mention that I have no sense of direction? lol
I have a couple stories of road trips that I ended up going on the scenic tour several hours off course due to a missed road sign or just me immersed in my highway Zen state.
My kids have learned to just say a prayer any time I head out somewhere or take on a new course or project. Sometimes destination unknown, but always a fun learning experience.

Day of GRIT: #22 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Deck of Cards F2 20 cards Finisher- 4MOD
CONTEXT: “I Stay True to My Character… ”

For the most part, yes I stay true to my character. Years ago a lady read my birth chart and told me that I hardly have a “mask”. At that time she explains that most people have a mask, or persona they show under different circumstances. Whether they are in the company of loved ones, their party buds, co-workers, or a public setting, humans show a side of themselves under each scenario.
This lady explained that I have so little mask that I present myself pretty much the same to anyone I meet. I had not thought of it much before then, but since this explanation, I can see this trait within myself. I have nothing to hide.

However, I was feeling awfully called out today with CJ’s context regarding baking and cookies. Yes, I am very much aware of nutrition and health and wellness with food being our fuel. We need to make conscious choices of our intake. I do avoid chemical laden and processed foods. I am not much for alcohol or soda, at all. But my weakness is home baking, made with love from grandma’s kitchen. I have carried on that tradition, and I have certain home baking items that I give as gifts and make for my family.

In Louise Hayes book, “You Can Heal Your Life”, the metaphysical reason for diabetes is “missing out on the sweetness of life”. Yes, I can be aware and conscious of food choices. But I can also be aware and conscious of enjoying some of life’s sweetest moments now and then, even when that means partaking of Grandma’s cookies, made with love. Because that is my true character.

Day of GRIT: #23 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza (Much needed and appreciated)
CONTEXT: “I Choose the Third Door…”

“If all your friends go jump off a bridge, are you just going to follow them?”. This was a question drilled into me early on. Do things differently, find a better way. Be resourceful.

The skills I learned through times of struggle have served me well later on. I raised 4 kids alone on a shoe string. But we were never without food. We always had a roof over our heads. I’d say fairly comfortable for the most part considering some of the circumstances we faced.

Because of my resourcefulness, we also created some amazing family memories going on road trips and hitting up tons of attractions like science centers, concerts, and parks and museums.

The world has seemed so focused on materialism for years and now all that greed has taken a global toll on our earth. These days the adage “Renew, Reuse, Recycle” has been promoted worldwide with all sorts of education and advertising to train humans to do their part.
What I find amusing is that I had to be resourceful to survive for many years, and these days that resourcefulness is the “in” thing. In the end, it pays to think outside the box and choose the third door that not everyone knows about.

Day of GRIT: #24 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Countdown F2
CONTEXT: “I Refuse to Waste My ‘Down Time”

I retired early five years ago with the intention of living life and focusing on my business, while enjoying life as well by going on road trips and adventures. So far so good until the whole world shut down.

What the heck am I supposed to do locked up at home for months on end?

I am glad I listened to my intuitive guidance to create a Sunday evening energy healing and balancing session. This started just as a thank you to my current clients, but expanded to be a public invitation to all. After 18 months, this group is still going and is the highlight of my week. From all the wonderful feedback, I have realized that this is the highlight of the week for many of the participants as they write in to say they are sleeping better and their homes are more peaceful.

Ok, so what about the rest of the week? Well, I have been much more busy with clients this past year. People have been stressed. Energy healing relieves stress.

My time as a member of Story Athlete has given me inspiration and ideas to better myself and my business.

I have always been one to share encouragement and inspiration with others. I mean, that was the basis of starting my website long before I got into energy healing and offering this as a service to others.

Back to the sharing. I realized I was sharing tons of information with my clients through individual links. Science based articles, business resources, suggested information for further learning. Basically all the shared information I have gleaned from my practitioner forums over the years. I figured out how to save and organize it all into an Excel document and also to offer this document as download in my website.

Ya it has taken some time to organize it all, but the returns are wonderful! Several of my practitioner friends have appreciated these efforts of having resources all in one place. My clients have appreciated the e-learning opportunities to expand their knowledge and understanding of energy healing.

I organized all of my own 170+ website and YouTube links into this document as well on the first page, so clients have a go -to resource that they can find for reference conveniently. This has saved me tons of time in answering questions as I can just direct to my website kind of like a FAQ of extensive information.

For the most part I don’t waste my downtime, and I get ‘er done. But I also listen to my body these days and quite enjoy naps and spending time with my family. It’s all about balance.

Day of GRIT: #25 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOD
CONTEXT: “I’m All About Those Assets…”

In joking with my friends, I am often called a “smart ass”. My retort is “Yup, and smart ass with a cute ass”.

I was quite fortunate to purchase my home 16 years ago. This has been a wonderful asset for me financially to support my family and enhance my life.

As for assets in business, this is an area that I still need to work on in being able to offer something tangible that brings returns repeatedly. So far, I have created YouTube videos and I published my story in an anthology book a few years ago.
I find a lot of encouragement from my Story Athlete community and I hope to create more assets in the near future.

Day of GRIT: #26 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Chest & Back Complex F2 Finisher- 4MOD- Resistance Band Interval Abs
CONTEXT: “I Implement Good Advice…”

“You always have such great advice and wisdom, you should be a counselor”. How many times have I heard that phrase from friends many years ago? Too many times.

Do you know where great advice and wisdom comes from? From crappy poor decision experiences. Once you feel the effects of a stupid move, you’re pretty guaranteed to not make that mistake again. Stupidity should hurt in some way to drive home the lesson, because humans are naturally complacent. We call that the Lower Self here in GRIT. He/ she needs a swift kick in the hiney sometimes.

Nope, I never became a counselor. I didn’t want to listen to a strangers troubles and drag myself down to that level. I know too many counselors that have had mental breakdowns after years of focusing on others plights and not focusing enough on their own. Lack of balance topples anyone at some point.
Instead, I managed to find a path and purpose in energy healing and balancing which gets to the root cause of issues without having to dig into details or uncover secrets. All the heaviness of the past can be lifted and create space for a future of happiness and balance.

No that is not Polyanna thinking. I still get my down days and upsets depending on the events around me. But now I have the tools to get myself back on track a little better and sooner than previously when I would react inappropriately in some situations with anger and frustration. (No I am not perfect and I still do react sometimes, E for effort though, okay?)
These days, I do my best to implement the better advice of taking care of my own needs first. If that means sitting in sadness for a little bit, so be it.

I appreciate my GRIT warrior friends for the encouragement that surrounds me each day. A little but of Vitamin M(ovement) gets the endorphins going and can dissipate the sadness so I can get out my warrior helmet again.

Today has been a crappy day and yes there have been tears. The world has gone to sh*t and it is hard to see what is happening too close to home around me, and how this is affecting my loved ones, and myself.

Tonight is a “me time” recharge to re-evaluate and regroup my own energy so I can stand firm in my truths again tomorrow

September 30 2021
Jackie Rioux
I am sorry, I cannot do today…. I am done.
Soul connections:
Andy Senger April 7 1976 – Dec 13 2014. I babysat him so much when he was little. Later in life, we had this uncanny connection that any time we would think of each other, we would run into each other within a week. THe last time I spent an evening with him was 2011. At the end of the night he gave me a hug goodbye. I asked him for a second hug. I realized too late that our souls knew that was the last time I would see him in person.
He was always my guardian angel, now he is my spirit guide. It took me 7 years to create a webpage for Andy. It just hurt so much. https://ladybugwellness.ca/andrew-senger/
Larry Nizio April 9 1981 – Oct 13 2018 Larry was my son in law. We had a strong soul connection too. I seemed to always feel when he needed me to clear his energy. He loved and appreciated this connection and loved calling me Mom. I remember reaching out to a friend in June 2018 to ask for help getting rid of these awful nightmares that I kept feeling like my neck was broken somehow. When I saw him in July 2018, I had a chance to tell him that he will always be my son in law and that I loved him dearly. When I pulled out of the driveway, my heart sank. I “knew” I would be back in Abbotsford in October but didn’t know why. I missed call from Larry October 11 2018. Larry died of a broken neck in a motorcycle accident. I have a page started for Larry but again I am in too much pain to finish it properly just yet. https://ladybugwellness.ca/larry-lazer-nizio-memorial-page/
Darrel Koehl June 23 1979 – Sept 30 2021 We always had family connections. We dated 21 years ago and had so many other soul connections since then. I had written a poem for him when we broke up and always wished he would be back in my life at some point. He knows that my poem for him has been in my website for years. Yet I don’t think many other people knew how strong of a connection we shared. Any time I have seen Darrel in my dreams, I have seen him in person within a week later, no matter where we were. The pic on his page from 2015 was the last time he stayed the night with me, a 6 am photo.
Some of my intuitive friends had said we were twin flames. This past year we talked on the phone several times. I called him for his birthday and told him I wanted to see him soon. He appreciated that call. A month ago, in our conversation August 14 2021, I told him straight up how I felt about him. Since then we kept missing each other’s calls. I had left him messages of all my favorite things about him but missed his calls. Yesterday September 29, I was in tears all day from some other distressing events, or so I thought. I had been thinking of Darrel all day, and wanted to call him but I didn’t because I was so upset already. Last night I cleared more energy between us, and cleared my energy. I woke up 4 am with more ideas to clear energy between us.
Today I found out that he died in a car accident this morning.
With each of these special soul connections, I think I intuitively “knew” time was not long, yet I hate that kind of intuition and have always denied it then realized too late that my intuition was right. They each KNEW how much they meant to me in their own unique ways: an angel, a son, and a cherished soul mate.
Darrel was my last straw. I loved him so much and today I am numb in shock. I didn’t want his poem to become a memorial page, but now it is. https://ladybugwellness.ca/i-wish/
Sean Tjia: Jackie, I have no words. Only love, care, and concern for you and your loved ones.
Michael Wilson: Very sorry for your loss, Jackie. Sending thoughts and prayers.

My legacy to leave for my kids…

I am a sentimental saver. Not in a materialistic hoarding kind of way. I do not like clutter actually, and I prefer to be organized. My form of sentimental saving is letters and stories. I have stored away the last hand written letters from some dear friends and relatives now passed on.

Now that we are in a digital age, I have all sorts of saved emails, conversations etc. Having lost a few dear friends, and my SIL at a young age, I am grateful that I saved those things. It won’t bring them back, but these mementoes are cherished dearly.

Many times I have been told to write about my life’s adventures, and now after reading Fletcher’s book, the big thing that hit home for me was about the legacy I am leaving for my kids. I have all sorts of notes scattered in digital form throughout my computer. You see, it used to be more organized, but several years ago I had no idea that a hard drive could crash. That is where all my data was stored. Harsh lessons learned. Thankfully I had a computer nerd friend that managed to recover most of that data, in the form of 70,000 scattered fragments. It has been a slow process of sorting through all of that to reorganize everything coherently again. I am making serious progress now and I have learned more effective ways to organize too. YAY!!

Recently I found a cache in my computer where all sorts of emails and memories are stored. I have been finding lost emails from a few dear people who passed now, and all sorts of my pending biography tidbits. This morning, I found some saved notes from a Facebook post from 2008. I had had an old Aerostar minivan that had a ton of memories over 10 years. Friends had commented about our party days adventures, and my kids have memories of numerous camping trips. What a laugh and a half!!!!!!!!!

This renewed my excitement to get my notes together even more. Some of these memories are so cherished and I need to get my legacy in order for my kids.

I am super thankful to Story Athlete and GRIT and my teammates for so much encouragement this past year. I honestly think it is because of Story Athlete that I have come so far with this project this past year. I have found a way!!

Day of GRIT: #2 of 28
METRICS: 1)-> 12MOD (FoF) Finisher- (EMOM) Every-Minute-on-the-Minute F2
CONTEXT: I Pursue Progress…

I have always been a perpetual student. Perhaps that comes from my past of always trying to have an escape route, a trauma coping mechanism after-effect. Through years of healing that past, I have turned this into a vital skill of always wanting to find a better way. A new trick. A new lesson to make life easier. Anything.. just keep moving forward and learning. Because when we stop learning, we die.

Progress, otherwise known as personal growth in my world, is an essential human need.

Years ago I had a decal placed on the back of my vehicle. It says “If you’re not living on the edge, You’re taking up too much space. No Fear”. Yes it is a 90’s slogan, and a good motto for life.

Day of GRIT: #3 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Countdown Workout Option 1 F2, Finisher- 4MOD OMG.
CONTEXT: “I Improve Through Immersion…”

I remember when I first started the job at the post office sorting mail, I was so slow. Population 20,000. 14 routes to memorize which street and which breakdown of streets went to which route, which mail carrier. I thought I was gonna die from my poor brain exploding. Carriers, retail and operations all in one building. They do give you three months probation time, and other than management figuring out a week AFTER probation was over that I was pregnant, my sorting skills were fine. We used to have CPC Olympics and I actually scored some recognition for my sorting skills. It became second nature, and as with many factory line monotonous jobs, I could almost do my job in my sleep some days. You know you’re been too immersed when you start dreaming about box mail and use the name/ box number sequences instead of counting sheep.

Then after 10 years, I transferred to a northern hub 6 hours down the highway. Population 100,000 and almost 100 routes to memorize breakdowns and carriers. The sorting station was out in the industrial side of town, no where near the carrier stations. Again I went through the turmoil of feeling my poor brain would explode, but I settled in well enough in time.

When I started all my energy work courses, and psychology courses, I admit I probably took on too much at once having kids at home and still working full time, but I immersed myself in learning and caught on quickly. Yet again, I had a tough time wrapping my head around concepts, but years later, I live and breathe energy work and psychology. It is second nature to me.

These days I have had some people tell me they want to get to where I am in my knowledge and wisdom. My answers is always the same. My progress was not overnight. Ya gotta get in and get dirty if you want to get anywhere.

Day of GRIT: #4 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOD- Continuous Reps
CONTEXT: “I Re-Shape My Mindset…”

Years ago, in trying to escape my father, I latched on to the first boy who said I was pretty and soon became a teen mom. My head was so in the clouds thinking that I found the man of my dreams and he was going to rescue this damsel in distress. I now call that the white picket fence theory, thinking life would be perfect with him. I also thought that he completed me like a puzzle piece fitting together. Oh how wrong I was jumping from the frying pan into the fire.

It still took me many years of naivety to realize that we need to be whole on our own before attempting a relationship. Two brokens certainly attract, but they don’t make a whole. In fact they make a dysfunctional mess of life. Lots of harsh life lessons later, and two divorces behind me, I started on a true healing path with energy balancing. I have been able to find and correct many non beneficial and detrimental beliefs acquired through my life and many from that time period in my life.

I have learned about respectable boundaries and standing up for myself rather than being a doormat. Re-shaping my mindset has improved my life to the fullest so I can live my passion. Improving my mindset has allowed me to mature and to provide a better life for my family and loved ones around me.

I also continue to learn daily as I work with clients and assist them in reshaping their own mindset to improve their own lives. In doing all this, I am doing my part in shifting global consciousness positively as well.

Day of GRIT: #5 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- AMRAP F2
CONTEXT: “My Emotions Are an Asset…”

Dr Brad Nelson, the founder of Emotion Code, explains that his most significant finding is that we can have “heart walls”. Basically this means that when we have an upset of any sort, unprocessed emotions can build energy balls around the heart into a wall or other form of energetic blockage. When we have these energetic blockages, our emotions cannot flow properly and this means we cannot give and receive love properly because we become numb and don’t feel the emotions as they are designed to be felt.

One analogy he used was that most of us go through heart break at some point. These upset emotions build around the heart like a bomb shelter of sorts. Time goes on and we think we are ok and are not really aware that we’re still “protected” by this sheltered wall. Along comes a new person and we get butterflies and want to project those butterflies towards this person as a signal that we’re interested. Now think of those delicate sweet butterflies trying to push through a steel bomb shelter wall. By the time those butterflies get through the wall, they look war torn and spent, maybe they even look like gargoyle! This is what the other person “sees” or picks up in energy vibes from us. Not very conducive to setting the romance stage.

We have all learned much more about energetic blockages since Dr Brad’s discovery, but this is a basic understanding and explanation here. Through energy balancing and our own personal growth, we can break down and remove those energetic walls and then be able to feel emotions properly and to live authentically.

Now for a personal application of these theories having learned through my years and experience: I used to be a wallflower with extremely low self esteem. I was a teen mom and then doormat in my first marriage. After my divorce, I was bitter, resentful, and still very naive. Much like a wounded animal. Then I was bent on revenge and wanting to take on the world and everything in it. I remember being quite adamant in proclaiming that “I am not a sap!”. I would not cry. I was tough.

It is like the pendulum swings one way then another before settling into centered peace.

As I matured and healed, and released my heart wall blockages, I began to feel my emotions much more. The uncomfortable emotions surfaced and caused me to move away from situations and people that were not good for me. I was more able to recognize situations and people who were much more healthy and happy connections. All our emotions are an asset to help us navigate our lives. If and when I get angry, it is most likely when respectable boundaries are crossed, or my morals are challenged. I am able to feel sadness and grief when I have lost loved ones. I now know how to process through those less than happy times. But the greatest feeling is to be able to feel love, respect, and happiness in the fullest way possible!

Day of GRIT: #6 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Pyramid Workout Finisher- 4MOD- 4 Corner Workout
CONTEXT: “I Commit To Do Hard Shit…”

Does anyone want to do hard shit? Truthfully, hell no. Much easier to just coast along through life riding others’ coat tails. Do we really want to be that dependent on outside forces for our own survival though? Who else is gonna be there for us through every step of life? Family? Loved ones? Partners? Society? Government? (had to throw that one in there, that one is a big hell no).

Nope. The only person that will be there every single step of the way is ourselves. Best we start learning resilience and self sufficiency.

Who grows our food? Who makes our clothes? Who invents new mechanical items to advance our human evolution or to just make life easier? Who defended our country boundaries and freedoms during the wars? Do you think all these things came about by just magically appearing? No, this all comes from someone who committed to do hard shit. We should be eternally grateful for those who have made our lives easier, but also commit to our own ways of supporting ourselves as well.

I remember hearing about a young adult who had no idea that a Christmas turkey originated anywhere prior to the grocery store. I know of people who blindly support some charity because it makes them feel good, but they have no idea the roots of that charity or if it is even legit or efficient in supporting the given cause. Yes these people live in our midst. There are people these days who feel so entitled because they have no idea what it means to do hard shit or to look beyond the obvious to find the root causes or original sources.

I remember many times in my mail carrier days that some stranger on the street would enthusiastically say “that must be a great job getting paid to exercise every day”. Sure… in the summer, with manageable mail volumes and no transportation delays. They have no idea of the frustrations of being out in -40 C weather, when circumstances beyond anyone’s control create delays with delivery trucks, flights, and cab drivers, etc that in turn affect the daily volumes and time values of the day. Magically mail just shows up in your mailbox, right? Sure….

These days I have many clients and newbie practitioners admire my skills and life experience saying they hope to be like me one day. Great!! I whole heartedly invite you to take this incredible journey as well. But only if you too are willing to commit to doing hard shit. I thoroughly enjoyed all the courses I have taken, even though I juggled regular life through it all. I didn’t get here overnight, and neither will you. Go all in, and get dirty.

GRIT is all about Guts Resilience Initiative Tenacity. Through my past year in GRIT, I like to think of GRIT as “Get Real with your Inner Truth”. But really, GRIT is all about committing to Do Hard Shit. And I am ALL IN.

Day of GRIT: #7 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Complex Workout F2 Finisher- 4MOD– Sandbag Beatdown
CONTEXT: “I Have Situational Awareness… ”

Back in 1995 my sister and I lived together for almost a year. Around this time, I seemed to have a heightened awareness that I really could not figure out, but it was downright freaky. Several times I would get a god-awful ominous feeling in my guts and sometime soon afterwards we would get news of a loved one mishap or accident. My sister was pretty wary of my for a while there. I even had a dream and foresaw a friend fall off a bridge at work a week before it actually happened.

Fast forward a few years to when I came across a book called “The Gift of Fear” by Gavin de Becker, a man who runs a security firm that has catered to several celebrities. This book explains how we have a innate fear of danger and when we are in this state of awareness we can avoid some preventable tragedies. There is even a whole chapter dedicated to hiring employees and being able to read their character.

We hear of school shootings and disgruntled employees that take revenge on their workplace. So often interviewees say they didn’t see it coming. But this book explains that human nature leaves many clues and this innate fear can pick up on it before we are consciously aware of a detrimental situation.

These days I now liken all this to reading energy through intuition. I have learned to trust that little voice, that feeling in my guts when something doesn’t feel right. Having an awareness can and does give me a chance to assess the situation I am in and act accordingly.

Day of GRIT: #8 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “Discipline Is a Skill Not a Trait…”

I think we all admire those around us, or celebrities that seem to have it made, that get things done. Heck, I have had many times that my friends and clients have verbally admired my accomplishments, praising me for always being busy and getting things done.

Through GRIT, I have started to realized that I am a pace car for some people, and others are a pace car for me. I often laugh and tell my admirers that I seriously stare at walls doing nothing sometimes. I figure this is my form of meditation as I do not concentrate well, but I can zone out easily.

Taking into account my own humanness in sometimes doing nothing, I also look to my pace cars and realize that they are human too. It takes discipline to get out of bed in the morning at an early hour. Or to write a to do list for the day and actually accomplish and cross things off that list. We’re certainly not born with this trait. Look at how unruly kids can be without some form of guidance. Discipline is something either taught, or a skill that is acquired through adversity and self reflection of finding a better way.

Personally I seem to do fine with discipline to get things done most days. My issue is consistency of discipline. I suppose that is an aspect of discipline, and something I continue to work on in myself. Thank God for our 1% journey.

Day of GRIT: #9 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- (EMOM) Every Minute on the Minute Option 1 F2
CONTEXT: I Put In My Reps…

Dang it. CJ must have seen my comment yesterday about lacking consistency.

This is definitely a point for improvement for me. It all depends on what the project at hand is. An obligation, a responsibility, or a fun thing like a road trip or a rock concert. What I do know is that rock concerts and road trips don’t happen unless I take care of obligations and responsibilities first.

Otherwise, I often need to clear my energy and balance my hormones before I can get any kind of motivation and enthusiasm going. If I don’t have my mental, energetic, and physical health in check, not much will be happening anyway.

Priorities matter. Health and self care, responsibilities, then fun stuff. The only way to get it done is through repetition. Like my daily shower. Start fresh and clean every day: wash, rinse, repeat. Zen, and then the laundry.

Day of GRIT: #10 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Countdown Workout Option 1 F2 Finisher- 4MOD
CONTEXT: “I’m a Master of Positioning…”

I am not so sure I am a master of positioning myself. My friends might disagree. It took me a heck of a long time after two divorces to get myself in a position of being able to buy a home suitable for myself and 4 kids. When I finally did qualify, there was a stroke of luck being paid out a severance package at work (we had lost that in the latest contract). The way the housing market has fluctuated over the last 15 years, I am grateful that I bought my home when I did.

I have managed to score last minute concert tickets and some pretty good seats, only because I had the intention to go, but didnt get in on the marketing flurry of purchases as soon as tickets go on sale.

Maybe I am just good at listening to my intuition and manifesting what I want. My Story Athlete membership is coming due soon. I have to take into account the US exchange, and be able to put out a small chunk all at once. GRIT means a lot to me, so I kinda put out the intention that I need to renew this next month. And I had enough clients book in the last week that I can now pay that membership with ease and grace… as I intended. That is my kind of positioning.

SA-Name:// JACKIE RIOUX
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOD- Continuous Reps
CONTEXT: I Display My Integrity…”

A few of my friends have commented that my website is kinda like an online biography. In a way, it is. Behind all my business energy healing pages is the back end of many years worth of compiled poems, quotes etc. And a whole lot of personal experience writings as well.

I come from an era where my word is my bond. If I say I will do something, it will happen. If by any reason I cannot fulfill my obligations, I will own up as soon as I am able. I am sure that anyone who looks through my website can get a pretty good idea what kind of person I am.

However, I am still a work in progress on keeping promises to myself. I am much more committed to myself than I have been in years past when I could pass off excuses with work and family obligations and leave myself on the back burner. I have also learned that self care is essential to my own well being, and to keeping myself in top shape to be able to work with clients effectively. I appreciate the 1% journey and realizing that we can start we a clean slate every morning.

Day of GRIT: #12 of 28
METRICS: )-> 12MOD (FoF) Finisher- AMRAP F2
CONTEXT: “I Am a Problem-Solver…”

Here’s a problem, here’s a solution. Sometimes it is that easy. Sometimes we have to search for the blocks that are repelling the solutions.

In energy balancing work, we can have a client that presents with anxiety, stress, trauma, insomnia, digestive issues, chronic pain, grief, depression, and or a multitude of other symptoms. They may even have a medical diagnosis for their issues. As energy practitioners, we don’t diagnose or claim to heal. We address symptoms, and in doing so, we can find the root causes that manifest into physical issues.

Is there an energy blocking the flow of hormones? Is there a misalignment somewhere in the body? Is there an unresolved inherited energy coming down the lineage that is now wreaking havoc in your present life? Is there something in your home environment that is vibrationally out of balance and affecting you? Or an upset with a loved one that is keeping your brain on repeat with alternative scenarios?

What ever the imbalance is, it is beneficial to understand that the entire body is connected top to bottom, side to side. There are meridian points through the entire body. Your teeth are intricately connect to every part of your body. As are your feet. The human body is a fascinating masterpiece.

I find it even more fascinating that I can problem solve and find the imbalances with my clients and once corrected, their lives can drastically shift in positive ways. This is my passion.

Day of GRIT: #13 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Pyramid Workout F2 Finisher- 4MOD- 4 Corner Workout + G2G
CONTEXT: “I Challenge My Beliefs…”

Cognitive psych class was pretty interesting. Our instructor showed us a picture of a dog and asked us what is it? We all said “dog”. Well, how do you know it’s a dog? Why is it not a cat, or an elephant, or a desk? What information have you put together to arrive at the conclusion that this is in fact a dog? Think back to a toddler learning shapes and words. Or go back to caveman days and how they might have formulated information into identification of objects.

That class was all about challenging our beliefs and understanding how our brains function and sort information. Why do you believe what you do? Did your information come from your parents, passed down legends, media like TV or books, friends?

When you break down information in this method, it is easy to start questioning everything around us. Everything. Why? Where did that come from? Who said or did that? How did they come to their conclusions?

Then you can get into spiritual, metaphysical, and quantum theories and really expand (or explode) your mind. Add in life experiences and by the time you get to middle age, your perspective on life and your beliefs can be really challenged, and changed. Or you can end up with a twisted sense of humor like me in looking at things from all sorts of random angles.

I was a mature student in cognitive psych class. Aka meaning lack of brain to mouth filter sometimes. There was one day that our instructor showed us a series of pictures of a pumpkin. This is a pumpkin, a carved pumpkin, a cartoon, pumpkin, and a smashed pumpkin. They are all still pumpkins, he explained.

I spoke up from the back of the room and suggested that “well, actually, if you smash a pumpkin, it becomes a rock band”. My comment got quite a few snickers around the room and quite a rolled eye glare from our instructor. Oops. I challenge my own beliefs, and sometimes the beliefs of others.

Day of GRIT: #14 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Complex Workout F2 Finisher- 4MOD– Sandbag Beatdown
CONTEXT: “I Choose To Be Proactive… ”

It took me a long time, well into adulthood, to realize that my necessity to always have an escape plan in place was actually an after effect of trauma. Once you heal trauma, you can turn these after effects into gifts and skills for the future.

I figured out that when my house is cluttered, I get really antsy. Why? Well, what happens in a zombie apocalypse, or Y2K? Ya ok, those things didn’t happen, but I remember my father preparing the cellar in case of Y2K predictions coming true.

A more real threat these days is forest fires and evacuations. These things have happened, and some very close to me and my home. I have friends that actually experienced a worst case scenario. It is very real as to thinking how much time will I have to grab my most sentimental and necessary belongings? Where is everything I need to grab quickly? I choose to follow many of the evacuation check lists and to be prepared.

Further than that, I choose to tune into my own intuition daily and feel the energy around me in making decisions. When I am proactive and take care of the small things, the bigger things will take care of themselves and I can focus more on the important things in life.

Day of GRIT: #15 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Know What’s Lost Can Be Found..”

Babies are born innocent and dependent on their parents for survival. In the process of development to adulthood, they are subjected to whatever teachings their parents, their school, their peers, and their environment instill in them. All that teaching is dependent on the sources of learning passed down the line. This opens up a whole range of learned character traits, whether deemed good or bad.

At some point in our life’s journey we may learn that our sheltered upbringings were not that common, or maybe they were, but not in a healthy way. The important thing to learn, is that much of what we have learned, needs to be unlearned in order to find our true selves. That true self that was lost through the human development process.

Emotional upsets and trauma keep us stuck in life at whatever biological age an event happened, our emotional development can get stuck there. Emotional baggage is heavy, that is why we get “depressed”.

Through healing our past and balancing our emotional being, we can uncover and rekindle our spirit. Dreams are wings for the soul. Let your dreams soar.

Day of GRIT: #16 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- (EMOM) Every Minute on the Minute Option 1, F2
CONTEXT: I Know Laughter Is the Best Medicine…

When life gets rough, about the only thing left to do to get out of that funk, is to laugh. Even through trauma. I am sure it was about 4 years that I was in tears so often with all the crap that happened after the divorce from my kids’ dad. Four years of hell in repeated court appearances over maintenance and custody issues because he would not speak directly to me, he just dragged everything through court.

During this time, my sister lived with me, and living in a small town, our entertainment was socializing at the local night club. But I am not much of a drinker, so I was always the DD and I was always the one with the jokes to keep everyone else laughing. Whether it was puns, or silly innocent pranks, or twisted sarcasm, we made everything funny. It was a great coping mechanism.

I had little ways of making humor out of my situation. I remember once I recorded an audio clip off of a Beavis and Butthead CD onto my answering machine. It was their intro to a Cher song that said “we need a chick that’s been around the block and was married to an idiot for a long time”. Since everyone used to call me often back then, every one of my friends got such a kick out of that message. It was so perfectly fitting.

Thank God the upsetting memories are over with, but the humorous stories and jokes will live on with all of us forever.

Day of GRIT: #17 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Countdown Workout Option 1, F2, Finisher- 4MOD
CONTEXT: “I Can’t Outsource GRIT…”

If you want something done right, you gotta do it yourself. We can outsource many things in life, like hiring a mechanic, a hairdresser, a yard care keeper, or various other service workers and trade laborers. In those cases, we are at the mercy of their unique training and experience to do a good job or to do a job up to the standards of our expectations. Sometimes you can get a great person and other times it is hit and miss. Hang on to the good ones!

When it comes to our own personal care and personal growth, it doesn’t work very well to have someone else eat our dinner and expect our own bodies to benefit from that nourishment. We can’t expect someone else to take a course, read books, and have a conversation on our behalf and expect to receive the full benefits either. Ya, ok you can get the short notes, but you’ll miss out on the full experience that instills knowledge and wisdom to the core of your being.

Most of all, we cannot expect someone else to do exercises and expect our own bodies to benefit. It just doesn’t work that way. When it comes to GRIT, why would I even want to outsource that experience? This is my tribe. My daily encouragement, and my daily self care of an exercise routine and a context writing that challenges my thoughts to bring out the best in me. Overall balance between Mind, Body, Business, and Relationships. Like the four wheels on a car. If one blows, the whole car is screwed. Yeah, I may outsource some things in life, but when it comes to my own self care, personal development, and GRIT, I am driving that bus myself thank you!! (and get outta my way, redhead coming through, ALL IN!!)

Day of GRIT: #18 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOD- Continuous Reps
CONTEXT: “My Actions Speak Louder Than My Intentions…”

Integrity is when words and actions are aligned fully. Anyone can promote anything through words. Their goals, their dreams, their ideas for future plans and growth. The frustration happens when people do not live up to their words.

I have had my share of these frustrations. Trying to hire service workers that promise everything then ghost messages when the time comes to make good on their word. Society just seems to be full of self entitled people who think nothing of breaking their word.

I come from an era that our word is our bond. That our words are aligned with the integrity of our actions as well.

The most I improve myself, the more I attract more like minded people into my life. I remember having friends eons ago that would bail on plans on a whim of lame excuses.

Years later, I made some new friends in Toastmasters and also through business networking. When I made plans for even just a lunch date outside of these events with these particular friends, I knew they would show up exactly when they said they would.

This is how I feel about my Story Athlete connections. I KNOW beyond a doubt I can count on the words, and actions of each and every person here. And in turn, I know that my efforts to have my actions speak louder than my intentions is fully appreciated as well.

Day of GRIT: #19 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- AMRAP F2
CONTEXT: “I Create My Reality…”

Eons ago, I just bumped along through life, dodging life’s curveballs in survival mode. Then I learned that I was actually inadvertently attracting these low vibration events, through my own unhealed low vibration. Like attracts like.

Get on a true healing path and life changes drastically as we heal our pasts and raise our own vibration. In energy psychology and quantum physics we learn that matter is defined by the observer. So when we change how we observe our world, our world does change. In this way, I do create my own reality.

Day of GRIT: #20 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Pyramid Workout F2 Finisher- 4MOD- 4 Corner Workout
CONTEXT: “I Am Nobody’s Victim…”

On the front cover of the binder I received for a Master Course about Explorations in Transformation there was a Byron Katie quote “Life happens FOR you, not to you”.

Along the path of our Soul Journey, yes there are many ups and downs. The whole point is to teach us survival skills. We could take the path of the Lesser Self and just coast through life. I mean, it can be darn scary forging your own way. But what is that alternative? Allowing our bodies to waste away parking our butt in front of a one way communication of TV programming? Wallowing in the “poor me, life sucks” mentality?

Or setting out to learn everything there is to know in any area of interest.
I prefer to take the bull by the horns and LIVE life to the fullest. Road trips, rock concerts, getting a psych degree, hiking and taking in nature in God’s country, crossing off my bucket list, building my business serving others and being my own boss… Sure I may screw up once in a while. But I own my sh*t and adjust course accordingly. Live and learn.

Why the hell would I want to succumb to anyone else’s agenda?

Once you realize that everything worthwhile in life is just on the other side of fear, you can conquer anything. It is all in the mindset, and I am nobody’s victim. Get GRITty on the path of the Heroic Self!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day of GRIT: #21 of 28
METRICS: (FoF)- Complex Workout F2 Finisher- 4MOD– Sandbag Beatdown
CONTEXT: “I Embrace My Inner Child… ”

Many years ago, I had met a lady who took me under her wing as my mentor when I was first starting out with energy work. She kept telling me that I had a very strong energy and that I would go far with this work. At the time, I was so unsure of myself, no confidence in my skills or newfound abilities.

I was also very emotionally and mentally immature. What I learned is that unresolved trauma can keep you stuck mentally at the age of the events. This mentor guided me through a visualization process where I had to go to a bridge deep in my mind to find that little girl inside me that was trapped in trauma on the other side of that bridge. She was a fragile 3 year old.

I had to explain to her that we were now safe, and it was ok to grow up. I embraced my inner child and brought her forward to the present and provided her the security and safety she so desperately needed. That evening was a profound experience that opened long closed doors to healing that past.

Yes we need to mature into adults, but we also need to embrace that inner child and keep the curiosity and innocence of youth alive.

I had a friend years ago that embraced this idea fully. Our birthday gift exchanges were meant to cater to our inner child. Lego sets and night long tea chats with snacks were our favorite past times.

One advantage of keeping my youth alive is that I was a teen mom and although my kids are technically all adults, we can all embrace the grandkids for some silly fun and memory making. My granddaughter Abbie reminds me often that the volcanoes were so much fun. (Vinegar and baking soda in the sink or outside).

Life is all about making memories. Embracing the inner child produces the best memories.

Day of GRIT: #22 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Experience 37X Growth…”

Give me English, Biology, Psychology, or pretty much any other subject and I can formulate some coherent conversation. Math though? I get deer in head lights look. You know that saying about having all your ducks in a row? Well, math and number are like scattered ducks for me.

When I joined Story Athlete back in April 2020, I could understand the 1% journey in that we do a little bit each day in taking steps toward our own self empowerment and personal growth. But the compounded interest explanation eluded me then.

After being part of this community for the past year, I now understand much more about how the GRIT monthly challenge works. I’ll take their word for it being “37% growth”. For me personally, my mind, body, business and relationships have transformed exponentially over the past year. That is better than good enough for me!

Day of GRIT: #23 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- (EMOM) Every Minute on the Minute Option 1
CONTEXT: I Protect My Reputation…

After my divorce in 1995, I had a heck of a time rebuilding “me”. He had been my first boyfriend, I had been a teen mom, and I left my childhood home to go straight into a marriage of 10 years. I wasn’t even sure what I was rebuilding, as I really was starting from scratch.

There is a saying that you should never listen to gossip about a woman because it usually comes from a jilted lover, or some jealous of them. I unfortunately experienced both of those situations in my naive navigation of the single world. A dear friend who became my “Big Sis”, was quite a shoulder through a lot of tear filled times.

She kept telling me, give them enough rope and they will hang themselves. Just live your life and those who are important, those that know you the closest will know your reputation and character the best. You cannot please everyone, so quit trying and just live your life the best way you can.

I lived in a small town, so when an ex spreads nasty rumors, it is hard to not hold your head high. But I did learn that I am stronger than any man’s thorns of betrayal. I know my own worth, I do my best in life to have an honest character, and to live in authenticity. Walk away from the rest…

Day of GRIT: #24 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Countdown Workout Option 1 Finisher- 4MOD
CONTEXT: “You Don’t Know Me!…”

Following with yesterday’s context about my tarnished reputation, I started to realize that my Big Sis was right. I had no choice but to just go on with life and to learn to hold my head high regardless of what I thought other people thought about me. I mean how was I to know who had heard these rumors. I have no control over what anyone else Perceives of me. That’s right. Perceives. Everyone has their own perception of life, and so does the person spreading gossip.

It took a long time to understand that it takes an awfully unhappy or angry person to stoop as low as to drag anyone else’s reputation through the mud. And it often has nothing to do with me!

Besides, no one knows me quite as well as I know myself. And those in my closest friends circles know most aspects of me and are still around so, am I really that bad of a person? Then there are those who are acquaintances and their impressions of me are based mostly on brief interactions. I can tell you right now that I am not that great at first impressions and some of my bestest friends admitted that their first impressions of me was that I was either a flake or a bitch. (Nice friends, eh? lol)

But it goes to show that no one really knows me, or you, or anyone. Our cognitive brains need to quickly file information and that is how misunderstandings and wrong impressions can come about from brief encounters.

This is why there is a decal quote on the back of my vehicle: “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those that matter don’t mind, and those that mind, don’t matter”. Dr Suess.

Day of GRIT: #25 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOD- Continuous Reps
CONTEXT: “I Know to Use Models…”

I was raised with a very resourceful mindset when it comes to making meals for a large family. Not much processed foods, as those were really expensive. We had a garden and raised chickens. We had a ready supply of fish as well. Mom always had a way of making a meal that stretched to feed many people since we had regular boarders living with us, and many drop in friends. Good old communal style 70’s.

I never really thought of meal making as a model though. While raising kids on a shoe string and working full time, I soon figured out there was somewhat of a method to the madness.

Baking was a good way to stretch food for the neighborhood kids. I thought of it as a chemistry experiment of balancing the wet and dry ingredients with a leavening agent.

I had basic recipes but nothing in my kitchen ever turned out quite the same as the last batch when I resourcefully used up whatever cereal crumbs, yogurt, mayo, and fruit combinations that were available at any given time.

You see, there is a particular method to making cookies, cakes, or loaves of banana breads etc. It is all a model of sorts when you balance and mix ingredients according to what the end product is supposed to be. The leavening agents and oven temps are different for each method too.

But as long as I stick to a given model for the baking I am doing, I can also stretch the outcome to feed either 6 or 20 kids as needed. Just make sure I turn on the timer because kids are distracting and grandma’s scone recipe can turn into grandma’s stones quickly.

Day of GRIT: #26 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- AMRAP F2
CONTEXT: “I Find The Root Cause…”

After two failed marriages, and several failed attempts at dating as a mother of four kids aka a package deal, I finally started to look in the mirror at the real problem — ME!

I could easily blame all sorts of experiences as the reason for my naive thinking that a man in my life was the missing puzzle piece to complete me, that I just had to marry the right man for my life to sort out and become blissful.

I get quite a gag reflex remembering that I actually believed this at one time. The fresh chemistry of a new dating experience can be exhilarating. But once that mating dance of initial lies wears off, you often find that you’ve just been following a roller coaster pattern of dysfunction.

It was only when I looked in the mirror and starting finding the root causes of my naive and distorted beliefs that life started to change. While I have done extensive personal growth work over many years, Mr Right has not yet materialized. Or is there really a Mr Right out there?

Am I really a Mrs Right for someone? What is “right”? From all I have knowledge I have gained through all those missteps / not right attempts, I have learned more what is “wrong” and what I do not want.

And what I do want is a like minded soul who is also on a personal growth path and willing to collaborate and create life with me.

The key is to find my own root causes of what is preventing or repelling a man in my life. It takes a whole individual to come together with another whole individual to make a viable union. Hook ups and drama need not apply. I know that two brokens don’t make a whole. Finding a worthwhile relationship is like pulling all sorts of weeds and saplings to get to the roots of a good oak tree, then to cultivate the best one into Mr Right for me.

Or, as a meme I saw recently says: Dating after forty is like shopping at a second hand store and taking home the one that smells the least.

Day of GRIT: #27 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) – Pyramid Workout F2 Finisher- 4MOD- 4 Corner Workout
CONTEXT: – “I Reflect on My Results…”

Time to reflect on the past month 1% progress. In some ways I feel behind, in some ways I feel way farther ahead, but the biggest thing is realizing just how grateful I am for this GRIT/ Story Athlete community in keeping me somewhat sane.

There is so much division and cognitive dissonance in the world today. I find myself increasingly just sticking to my networking circles of wellness practitioner forums and Story Athlete friends where I can speak my truth freely. The outside world does not seem to understand the difference between “woke culture” and being “consciously awakened”.

Apparently the “woke” term came from many years ago and has to do with the realization of social injustices and racism. Sounds all well and good, doesn’t it? What this term has seemed to evolved into is a whole cancel culture of advocating for every minor feeling hurt. From my understanding it is a focus on “everyone out there” and everyone else’s rights. Still seems good thing, right? Martyrdom is not a virtue as some seem to think. It is a sacrifice of self to the detriment of all.

Now, awakened consciousness is different as it is more focus on the self and then on the whole. Wow, we seem so selfish now. Wrong. It is about respectable boundaries. It is alll about boundaries. You do you, and I’ll do me and in doing so we can then respect differences and come together for the good of the whole. The woke culture has this whole philosophy confused with the psychological term of narcissism because they cannot bear to face their own fears. They prefer to be martyrs for everyone else they don’t even know and it results in mass confusion. That is what is looks like to truly awaken ones. I liken it to having a nurse in a maternity ward who has never had a child and is only going by the book in telling a birthing mother to breathe thru the process. (hint: that is a good way to get yourself strangled in the brain fog induced frenzy of a woman in excruciating pain). You cannot understand the effects of childbirth unless you experience it yourself. There is just no way around that. Period. It is an experience that shakes you to the core of your being. Go ahead and explain love, heartbreak, marriage, and intercourse without having personally experienced it first.

In a similar tone, you cannot understand rape, racism, childhood sexual abuse, domestic abuse, or any of these awful social injustices unless you experience it yourself and go through the process of healing and overcoming. Only then can you truly be an advocate to assist others in their healing. So who are these vocal advocates hell bent on protecting feelings and rights while stepping on everyone else’s boundaries? Either clueless people with a serious martyr syndrome, or people who have experienced injustice, but have not yet healed to the point of being productive in their chosen advocacy. These are the ones who are so easily offended in their fragile state, and also easily manipulated. This woke culture means well in their own way, but are sadly and sorely mistaken in their capacity of understanding consciousness as a whole and the long term effects of their confined thinking. I really wonder how many of them really know the backgrounds and hidden agendas of some of these charities they support. Have they really faced those shadows? The cognitive dissonance is very real for those who do some digging.

When we focus on self, to gather our own strength as warriors in our own mind and body, we become “harder to kill” as the GRIT mantra states. We have a solid connection with our own body and mind, and more importantly, a solid connection with God/Source, as well as a more omnipotent view of human consciousness as a whole. The awakened understand Earth consciousness and the long term effects of their actions now. They understand the importance of experience and life lessons to grasp the true meaning of life. And they are not willing to rob others of their life lessons, even if that means witnessing some hardships in loved ones as they find their own strengths and truths. I love the caterpillar story for this one. When we mean well and help too much, we rob others of the chance to strengthen themselves, and they end up crippled for life.

Back to my personal results.

My Mind: My philosophies and views are becoming more and more solidified through what I see and experience firsthand in my immediate environment. This gives me more reason to focus on my own self and family to make sure we are survivors of anything that may happen in this world, that we can be self sufficient as well. Mentally I have become much more firm in my own boundaries in recognizing what drains my energy and what brings me fulfillment. I choose where I want to be.

My Body: I do feel behind in this area only for the fact that I have been staying at a F2 level and doing the minimum required for workouts. The flip side to this is that I am getting more done in the way of errands and family obligations, so I am moving more and feeling stronger in that sense.

Business: With a clearer mind and body, I can better serve my clients and run my business more efficiently as well. That may not always be evident in a daily 1% journey, but looking back over the last year being involved with Story Athlete, I am in a totally different and much better space business-wise.

Relationships: Well this goes back to my more solidified philosophies. Some days I want to crawl under a rock and let the world pass me by rather than face having a conversation with yet another “woke” individual in this big ol’ world. Then again, I feel exhilarated and chatty with speaking my truth among my practitioner and GRIT warrior friends that understand me and my heart behind my intentions.

I look back over the last year, and I honestly don’t know where I would be right now if it was not for the connections, acceptance and encouragement I feel among my tribe here.

Comments:
Wayne Purser: Way to go Jackie….one year, Congrat’s
Chad Blecha: Huge accomplishment! Love your take on the rest. You’re writing reminds me of one of my favorite writers Mark Manson. Great job this month, proud to have you as a partner! Bring on August

Day of GRIT: #28 of 28
METRICS: Expect the Unexpected- “The Murph” F2
CONTEXT: “I Expect the Unexpected… ”

Mother nature needs a serious dose of Midol. Just a few weeks ago we had record breaking heat. I actually took a freezer pac to bed with me for 3 nights! (never in my life have I ever done that!). Then we had several days of sporadic rain showers. Much appreciated to quell the dryness, but unpredictable enough to put off yard work for several days. Now we are back into a heat wave and the smoke from surrounding areas of British Columbia have drifted here making the atmosphere ominous with a red sun. Living in Northern Canada surrounded by mountains, we are quite used to the unpredictability of the weather. Constantly. The joke here is that the weather man still keeps his job when he gets nothing right.

My daughter was supposed to leave on a weeklong trip yesterday. She has been busy planning this trip for weeks. I have been preparing for her absence. Well, all those plans got sidetracked and cancelled when she ended up in ER the other night, and back again tonight. Doc can’t figure out the source of the pain and discomfort. Ultrasound showed the gall bladder is fine, and so is the appendix so far. Energetically, I managed to help reduce some pain for her but that is about it.

To really throw a wrench in things, TWO of our 3 cats have gone missing this week. They hardly ever leave our yard, preferring their own lazy oasis and dirt pile out back, or their specific perches inside the house sleeping the majority of the day away. We spent a few hours today going door to door with flyers in our neighborhood. Ebony and Niko are both very skittish with the dog next door. We are hoping now that the dog has moved, they may return home. We are really hopeful. Midnight, our other cat, has been acting very strange missing his siblings.

We did have some amazing news that the rental next door has sold after 7 years of bad luck and bad energy that echoes into my house and is the fodder of Quentin Street drama. The previous landlord allowed a series of less than reputable tenants including a crack shack from 2016 to 2018. These current tenants have been ok, but a rambunctious alcoholic family that does not seems to parent very well. They have been extremely noisy in all their moving this past week taking truckloads out slowly. Thank God that is finally quiet tonight. This has been seemingly more disturbing with my daughter feeling ill on the couch for a few days now.

After a year and a half with only 2 road trips under my belt, one for a funeral and one helping SIL move, things have finally opened up so we have two trips planned in the next few weeks, and will be off grid a bit.

I wrote yesterday how much the Story Athlete community has kept me sane this past year. My membership was to come due this week. I had been hyperventilating waiting for the notice of renewal. All good, I am still here. I will be taking August off from GRIT though since I am preparing for the unexpected going off grid for several days mid month.

I love Ryan Powell’s list for the month. So, to keep me accountable this month “off” GRIT, I plan to:
1. These two road trips and going off grid with family is priority this month. We have not done this in a while. I am looking forward to shutting off life and having a better connection in nature.
2. Get out walking and hiking more. I used to walk an hour a day many years ago back in our home town. I have a loop here I use for 5K days, but I want to get out doing that more than once a week.
3. I signed up for yet another energy healing course. I spent enough for it that I plan to get it done and earn the certification asap. I have another practitioner doing the course too so I have an accountability partner there.
4. I have developed methods and models for all my business bookkeeping, and I plan to keep up on that as it really helps me feel less “scattered” and disorganized.
5. I have another 3 courses that I signed up for last year that I still have not touched. I want to at least get those underway if not finished.
6. I plan to follow up with my progress report for September because a Story Athlete finds a way to deal with anything unexpected and still get er done. OORAH!!

Oh, one more thing unexpected this week. I was stressing about getting my newsletter out a couple days early with time sensitive suggestions for my readers. I have had NINE messages in the last two days of appreciation for everything I put in the newsletter, plus a suggestion to do more YouTube videos. Adding that to my list as well.

I joined the Story Athlete community in April 2020, not knowing what I was getting into. There was a lot of swearing in the first few days while I settled in to this new transformative way of life. While I did take a few months off, I missed the camaraderie with my Story Athlete tribe. This is my daily form of self care, it has become a way of life and this program has changed me for the better in all areas of life. I am so grateful for the networking and business connections I have made through connecting with each and every member of Story Athlete. I look forward to expanding my own perspectives and knowledge by reading my team mates’ contexts each day as well.

Story Athlete is the community, GRIT is the monthly game challenge. We have a whole section on FUEL which is CJ’s nutrition section. There is also a whole section of Asset Specialists investing coaching.

Join me in the next monthly challenge of GRIT! Go Here: https://www.storyathlete.com/opt-ty-grit-start-now?affiliate_id=2381884

The Story Athlete Way is also known as, “The Way of the Heroic Self.” It is not a fitness program. This is a program for people who keep quitting on themselves. Lesser Self vs. Heroic Self.

“If I’m a weak foundation, I can’t possibly build a strong Business, Life, or Family. And a weak foundation is the person who lacks GRIT, has a Default-NO mindset, and is dominated by the Lesser Self. Time to change that.” ~ Story Athlete GRIT

THIS COMMUNITY Is One Of The Most Transformative Programs Ever Devised.
MIND * BODY * BUSINESS * RELATIONSHIPS
Hard(er) To Kill; Mentally, Physically, Financially

Story Athlete GRIT: The Destruction of the Lesser Self. 28 days of Transformation.
“I am defined by the story I tell myself. I play the game of IODs (Impact of the Day). I travel the 1% journey. I am on a mission to defeat my lesser self. I choose to live a challenge-based life. I am becoming harder to kill every day. I AM A STORY ATHLETE.

Who is Ryan Fletcher?: https://ladybugwellness.ca/2-who-is-ryan-fletcher-story-athlete/

We have a targeted workout each day, and then a context writing. This process, along with the no excuses philosophy is what keeps us encouraged to keep going each and every day. Our only competition is ourselves. It is the Lesser Self that is likely to give up on ourselves, but the Heroic Self won’t give up on our team mates!

This is the 1% journey of doing a little bit every day, continuously. In this way. our progress is compounded drastically over time. I am investing in myself, because that way I get the best returns!

Why do I share such personal stories and put myself out there for the world to see?

Life is a journey to becoming our true authentic selves. Do we choose to coast along through life at the mercy of external events, reacting as we go. Or do we take the bull by the horns so to speak, step into our own power, and encourage others to do the same?

I learned many years ago that my life purpose is to inspire others through sharing how I overcame the traumas of my past. The more I have stepped into this role, the better my personal life has become with miracles unfolding around me. This has been the original purpose of the Ladybug Wellness website.

I had no idea what I was getting into when I joined Story Athlete in April of 2020. I continue to renew my membership there because the connections made through this self improvement program have been integral to my own personal growth and well being.   

We create an integration between Mind, Body, Business/ Personal Growth, and Relationships. Like the 4 wheels of a vehicle, if one aspect is imbalanced, the rest do not work well. We correct that balance through the challenge of BECOMING our Heroic self!

Again, why do I share my personal stories so publicly?

Accountability: By sharing my musings with you, I am driven to remain accountable to my own goals and writings. 

Personal Growth: By sharing publicly, I shine a fog light on myself to show me where I need to grow and to address my own issues. If you have followed my daily GRIT writings, you may have noticed that my writings and my outlook have improved from my first day until now.

Connection: Through sharing publicly, I am able to connect with kindred spirits. If I can overcome and triumph in my own life, others may feel that they also can step into their own power as well. My musings also serve as a filter for those who may not feel they resonate with me. Nonetheless, I cherish each connection I make. (See words of encouragement above).    

My daily context writings have become somewhat of a blog during the time I have been in the Story Athlete community. Please see the Ladybug Wellness site map for my collection of daily context writings, categorized by the months I participated in the monthly GRIT challenge. https://ladybugwellness.ca/site-map/

Jackie’s Testimonial:
May 24 2020
Most of you know that I joined StoryAthlete GRIT April 4 2020.
Many of you also know that I have managed to get over my camera fears enough to work with clients on video, and to be on camera on webinars, but I still have been frozen in trying to do “selfie” type videos.
Well, Ryan requested some testimonials for GRIT, with video! I managed to step up and do a selfie type video. This is the unedited video that I submitted, along with a written testimonial as well.
If you are interested in joining, please message me!!! It is amazing!
“What does StoryAthlete mean to me? Community! I am likely to give up on myself, but with my GRIT warrior tribe, I have felt encouraged, inspired, and driven to come through for my team! It doesn’t matter our age, weight, or background; as long as we have GRIT integrity, we’re all in! The diversity in our experiences brings different perspectives to our daily context writing, and I find this is a valuable source of encouragement and learning.
What Body transformation are you most proud of? Although I have not shed any weight yet, I have gained muscle tone and a better feeling of myself overall in being hopeful that this is the right track for me to get back to my ideal weight. As an energy practitioner, I have already extensively worked on the emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of myself. My physical self has been severely misaligned since retiring from a physically exhausting job four year ago. I am a work in progress and I am appreciating this 1% journey. My physical well being had fallen behind, but I am now in my second round of GRIT and loving the transformation so far.
What Mind transformation are you most proud of? Renewed hope. I had been so down on myself when I first started GRIT that my first day was a whole lot of swearing and berating myself. I now have a renewed sense of hope that I can and will return to my ideal weight!
What Business transformation are you most proud of? As an energy practitioner, I am my own walking testimony. To be an example to my clients, I want to be fully aligned on all levels of my being. Story Athlete GRIT addresses Mind + Body + Business + Relationships in a balance that is sustainable for the long term and this makes me feel much better about the example I am setting in my wellness business.
What Relationship transformation are you most proud of? Realizing I found my tribe in the GRIT community. These are people who are dedicated to their own personal growth and are dedicated to encouraging others through their stories of becoming their Heroic Self. This has been my path, and now I have a community of dear souls on the same path!

Beth Foley: Looking great xxx
Kim Wilkin: Love you , your looking beautiful ❤
Nataša Martinec: Yaay Jackie, well done!!!
Kirsta Scranton: Beautiful.
Carmen Der Kinderen: You go girl! I’ve been on the same page as you, and just starting on a program today!💜
Lesley Hill: You go girl! So happy for you, well done!
Brenda Lainof: Excellent Jackie!
Jeana Locke: powerful…inspiring…great post.
Janet Riganti: Go girl!!
Ruth Kent: So very pround of YOU. Bravo Sweet Lady
Judy Anaka: good on you hun !! motivation is the toughest!!
Marsha Greene: Awesome Jackie
Barbara Loutzenhiser Goggins: Awe you are so pretty Jackie! Love you!
Paula Hamer: Good job girl!
Denise Homer-Goodwin: Yea.! You go girl❤ You’re Awesome!
Jill Tracy Sutter: Great job, Jackie!
Ad Dav: GIF BOOM!!
Jackie N. Rioux: Perfect! Gettin er DONE!!
Lana Eide: Even more beautiful than you were in high school Jackie ! Miss that face !! ❤

May 26 2020
Guadalupe Guerrero Haselmeyer
Who remembers Lou? This is his oldest daughter Jacqueline
Marissa Bretado Guerrero: Si se parece a el./ If it looks just like him.
Guadalupe Guerrero Haselmeyer: Si se parece mucho , aunque a Lou lo conocimos sin pelo, había sido pelirrojo como ella./ If it’s much alike, even though we knew Lou without hair, he had been a ginger like her.

Laura Guerrero: Se parece mucho a él, en sus gestos sobre todo/ Looks a lot like him, in his gestures above all
Guadalupe Guerrero Haselmeyer: Es una gran persona/ He is a great person
Vanessa De Ruiz: Si está igualita a el/ Yes it looks just like him

********************************************
November 29 2021
My very first video was a testimonial for Story Athlete GRIT. I have been in this amazing program membership since April of 2020. I have grown and changed in that time, so here is another video testimonial.

This program is an integration of Mind, Body, Business (personal growth) and Relationships. Like four wheels on a car, if one tire goes flat, the car is screwed. Your only competition is yourself. You may give up on yourself, but having an encouraging team to cheer you on team keeps us accountable. A story athlete finds a way.

This truly is an incredible community and I have determined I will be ALL IN for the long haul!

In a conversation with a childhood friend this morning, she said I have always been a go-getter. I always get so amused that people think that of me. Ya ok, I get stuff done. My Taurus redhead, get the heck outta my way attitude. But no one seems to understand that I also zone out and stare at the wall sometimes, or take a power nap in the middle of the day. (I call them defrag naps now actually). I have come to understand that these down times are my form of meditation and listening to my body to take time to recharge.

Otherwise, if I get an idea in my head, not much stands in my way. This is one of the biggest reasons I love GRIT and my Story Athlete community. No excuses, just get ‘er done. I have always been able to find some resourceful way to accomplish my goals. Romans 8:28 has always been a fave verse. Within this community though, I feel like I have am surrounded by a supportive warrior community and that verse has become very real. My life has changed for the better in the past year. I love and appreciate every one of you!!

Day of GRIT: #2 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) Total Body Sandbag Circuit F2 Finisher- 4MOD- Max Pullup Challenge
CONTEXT: “I See Pain as Opportunity… “

A client recently asked me if I have ever had a mental or nervous breakdown. My reply… Which one?

When I was 16 years old and 7 months pregnant, feeling abandoned and alone, staring at my father’s razors?
The one when I was 20 with 2 small kids and on the verge of divorce because all my childhood trauma surfaced?
Or age 24 when I found out I was pregnant about the same time I found out my husband had had his ex girlfriend in the back of my car?
Or when I was 28 and definitely getting a divorce, having to take on life alone with 4 small kids?
Maybe the one when I figured out my second marriage was a sham and all the events after that trying to get myself back on track.
Or the mother lode most poignant breakdown April 23 2008 when the kids father was taking me back to court yet again to get out of paying maintenance; my daughter was moving to Europe; and my previously wonderful job made some cutback changes that took a toll on my already exhausted and injured body…
That was the day I flipped out at work, in front of everyone and broke out in hives hyperventilating.

Actually, that one wasn’t the mother lode really. In a span of six months back in 2016, I dealt with 4 attempted suicides close to me, and a whole lot of disruption in family relationships. Then more changes at work. I had already submitted my retirement notice but a few hours later I walked out after 26 years.

Yeah, each one of these events was pretty painful to go through. But I am a survivor and each one of these events was a opportunity to grow and change for the better. When you’re at rock bottom, the only way to go is UP. And there is truth to the balance idea that the further you are down, the further you will go up.
I am not sure I would be exactly where I am today if I had not gone through each of those experiences.

Life is pretty awesome these days. Because I turned pain into opportunity!

Day of GRIT: #3 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Make It Right…”

It’s my daughter’s 37th birthday today, so this story is an old family fave now. It wasn’t at the time lol.

When Chantelle and Melissa were about 12 and 10 years old, it was somewhat of a rite of passage in our hometown to be able to go to the mall alone on a Saturday afternoon. Off they went with a friend. It got to be about dinner time and mall closing time and I wondered where they had got to. Soon enough they came in the door.

I was busy in the kitchen, and the 3 of them were sitting in the living room, noticeably fidgety. Curious, I finally went in the living room and asked what was going on for them to be so uncomfortably fidgety.

All three of them kept saying “you tell her, no you tell her”, until a hand shot out to me with a piece of paper and a phone number. I was told I had to call that number. I did. It was the manager of the mall drug store who informed me that these youngsters had been caught with pockets full of shoplifted items from the drug store, and from the dollar store.

Because of their age, and a first time offense, the manager had decided not to call authorities but just require the kids to get parents to call them and acknowledge the offense.

I was grateful for the notice given, yet also mortified. What do I do to make this right?

Restorative justice. I told my girls that they must write out an apology letter to both managers, and hand deliver the letters after school on Monday before going to their dad’s place, or I would tell their dad about the incident. I also required a phone call from the manager. That instilled enough fear in them to complete the task.

On Monday afternoon, their dad called me to ask if the kids had gone to my place as they hadn’t got to his place yet. I said they weren’t here and were probably just taking their time.

I received a call from the manager, quite appreciative of my taking responsibility to have the girls own up to their mistake and rectify the issue with a written apology.

I am not sure what ever happened with their friend about this incident. I don’t think she got in any trouble with her family as she got into some more bad situations through her teen years.

I did learn more details years later that their dad still found out about the incident because they ran into their grandpa on that Monday when they were supposed to be going to their dad’s place.

Although my girls may have had some other upsets later on, that restorative justice experience stuck with them all their lives. It is still brought up as family stories. Chantelle admits that she has never had any inkling to ever steal anything again. And she has raised her girls with good morals as well.

Day of GRIT: #4 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- AMRAP Sandbag Ladder Palooza
Sandbag Carry 10-20 yards down and back + “Ladder” Circuit F2
CONTEXT: I Believe in Alchemy…

Of course I believe in alchemy. In several modalities of energy balancing work, the absolute base concept is all about releasing hidden beliefs that keep us stuck in the past, in pain, in dysfunction. Once we let go of the blocks holding us back, miracles can and will happen. It is the most fascinating thing to notice subtle and ongoing shifts in my life, in the world around me, and to hear about these similar shifts with clients giving feedback.
We can create our future life by transforming our present by letting go of the past. The essence of alchemy.

Day of GRIT: #5 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) Total Body Complex Palooza F2 Finisher- 4MOD (AMRAP)- Core Crusher modified
CONTEXT: “My Ambition is an Asset…”

There are some days I listen to my body and get some extra sleep.
There are other days that I make a list and get er done.
Yes some days I can stare at a wall and zone out, my form of “meditation”.
But you can always rely on my redhead Taurus determination, AKA ambition.
If I get an idea in my head, get the heck outta my way because things are gonna get done.

Day of GRIT: #6 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day, Finisher- 4MOD- Bicep Blaster
CONTEXT: “I Benefit From a Blueprint…”

When we realize that we were originally created perfectly according to God’s blueprint for our human bodies, we can use this to our advantage in energy balancing.
As we go through life being exposed to environmental toxins, the human failings of our parental influences, and just our own day to day upsets and traumas, we disrupt this original blueprint and these imbalances can manifest physically.
Through energy balancing, and getting to the root causes of issues, we can realign our bodies with our original blueprint, and there are even some suggestions that we can reverse the aging process.
This is something I am definitely exploring through my energy balancing modalities!

Day of GRIT: #7 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Twists, Swings, & Tucks F2
CONTEXT: “I’m No Underdog…”

Years ago in Toastmasters, we learned to introduce ourselves with something memorable. I had become known among my friends as “the crazy redhead”. Road trips, concerts, and just a get er done mentality.

I have learned more recently that “crazy” may have been a fun nickname for me, but not exactly the connotations I want to instill in others’ impressions of me. I used to call myself “scatterbrained” a lot as well.

I have done a lot of work on myself to overcome childhood trauma and to revise my learned coping skills more to my advantage. When we have unresolved trauma, we often get stuck at that emotional age as well. I often felt that I was an Ugly Duckling story in how I overcame my past. All this work I have done with my own personal growth has afforded me more of a sense of maturity, and much less “craziness”.

I have had many nicknames in the past. Mouse, because I was so quiet. Gopher, because I was a go-getter. Rockin Postie, but I retired 5 years ago.

These days, as an energy balancing practitioner running a business called Ladybug Wellness, I have become known as Ms Ladybug. I love that all my friends, and even clients, all send me messages and gifts all related to ladybugs.

Ladybugs are a symbol of hope, freedom, and prosperity. This is the persona I am much more aligned with, and not so much the previous underdog story of my life.

Day of GRIT: #8 of 28
METRICS: FoF leg day countdown circuit F2 finisher 4 MOD hoppers n bombers amrap
CONTEXT: I finish what I started..

I had a fascination with figure skating when i was very little. So my parents put me in figure skating classes. Yay! I earned a couple badges.
Then there was one badge where we had to do a pirouette spin in order to earn that badge. Try and try again. Ugh!
Did i mention I hate being cold? Ya the arena was cold.
The teacher missed seeing me succeed a few times so try and try again. My parents insisted i finish that series of classes first.
Finally one day i managed to do that spin while the teacher was watching and i earned my badge. I finished that series of classes and never went back. So much resentment yet a valuable lesson learned to finish what i started. I did!!

Day of GRIT: #9 of 28
METRICS: FoF total body sandbag circuit F2 finisher 4 MOD max pull up challenge
CONTEXT: I know it takes what it takes…
One of many trauma response coping mechanisms is to stay on high alert and dodge life’s curve balls just to survive.
Thru healing that past trauma, we can turn these coping mechanisms into an advantageous personality trait.
Being able to understand that some goals require thinking outside the box, and it just takes what it takes, means that come hell or high water, I know i can accomplish anything I set my mind to.

Day of GRIT: #10 of 28
METRICS: Sunday stretch day
CONTEXT: I protect my time.
Growing up with no respectable boundaries, I was often inadvertently involved in everyone else’s drama. Either by being triggered by other’s stories, or agreeing to do things for others when I didn’t want to. Quite often this was detrimental to my own sanity and well being.
As we grow and mature, and resolve those previous trauma coping mechanisms, we start to understand how precious our own time and self worth are in keeping respectable boundaries.
The ability to say no, guilt free, is a wonderful thing.
Yes i still do things for others, by my own choice and convenience. My family, my life, my goals come first. Because if I don’t prioritize my own time, no one else will.

Day of GRIT: #11 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- AMRAP Sandbag Ladder Palooza
Sandbag Carry 10-20 yards down and back + “Ladder” Circuit F2
CONTEXT: I Get Unstuck…

Eons ago my life just seemed to be a revolving train wreck roller coaster of drama. Thankfully I did slowly move forward and learn some life lessons that gave me skills to get myself out of that previous life of being stuck in trauma, stuck in the past.

What really made significant strides for me was learning about energy healing. Particularly finding any projecting energies such as insecurity and low self esteem. Then more focus on finding and releasing any non beneficial hidden beliefs.

I am grateful for all my energy balancing skills as my life has improved to be a life of sharing my passion with others while enjoying many milestones of personal and business success.

Day of GRIT: #12 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) Total Body Complex Palooza F2 Finisher- 4MOD (AMRAP)- Core Crusher modified
CONTEXT: “I Believe in the Power of 1%…”

I saw a Facebook post today that was about a girl on America’s Got Talent, singing her heart out and winning. The kicker was that she has a diagnosis that she is very sick and only 2% chance of living.

Her words? “I have a 2% chance of survival but 2% is not 0%. 2% is something. And I wish people knew how amazing it is”.

In GRIT we have a 1% journey of enhancing our personal growth. It may not seem like much, but when we can flip that perspective knowing that 1% is SOMETHING, life can become amazing!

Day of GRIT: #13 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOD- Bicep Blaster
CONTEXT: “I Keep My Word…”

I have always been the one with the reputation that if this redhead Taurus says something to you, come hell or high water it will happen. Or I will give fair warning that I cannot keep my commitment, usually with good reason beyond my control.

My commitments to myself though, need work. I am really good at procrastination and excuses when it comes to myself. I have learned that this is an issue with my own self respect and self love. I continue to be a work in progress in this area.

Day of GRIT: #14 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Twists, Swings, & Tucks F2
CONTEXT: “I See Hardship as Opportunity…”

From all I have learned in life, most people, myself included, shy away from hardship due to fear of survival. Survival is a basic human need on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. But I have also learned that everything we want in life is just on the other side of that fear. So buckle up, hang on for the ride, and get ‘er done!!

Day of GRIT: #15 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) Leg Day Countdown Circuit F2 Finisher- 4MOD- (AMRAP)- Hoppers & Bombers
CONTEXT: “I Hunt Leverage…”
Being the eldest of four girls, with a huge space of years in between me and my sisters, I was “raised as the babysitter” as my parents used to say.

Becoming a teen mom and getting married young didn’t quite work out as the escape plan I thought it would be.

Raising four kids alone was also a solo venture for the most part.

Starting my own business as a solo-preneur, has been just that, solo.

In years past I did co-own a business with my ex husband, and I am thinking that experience plus other mishaps and miscommunications along the way have jilted me on the idea of working with someone else.

A few business leadership conferences over the years have opened me up to the idea of leverage, but joining Story Athlete has driven home the advantages of leverage in a whole new way.

I have grasped the idea of Return on Time and have adapted to some new technology in my business as well as starting a YouTube channel.

I feel I still need a ton of work in the leverage area, but I am trusting the 1% journey as life has already changed drastically in the past year of membership here.

Day of GRIT: #16 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) Total Body Sandbag Circuit F2 Finisher- 4MOD- Max Pullup Challenge
CONTEXT: “I Flex My Imagination… “

I usually look at the next day context as soon as CJ posts it, and let the ideas swirl in my mind til I get to posting my own context the next day. I suppose I need a heck of a lot of work here because my mind stared at this for minutes on end with nuthin.

I want to say something to the effect of past trauma coping skills is to stay in high alert state and mostly serious.

Then again, there is the idea of the spirit separating and that creates imagination of sorts in a different coping mechanism.

But what really comes to mind here is that once you start healing all that past, you can develop a very twisted and dark sense of humor.

Releasing all the heavy darkness of the past creates a wonderful expansive space to create a brighter future, and that is where imagination can develop fully in being able to manifest a wonderful reality. Some days I am not sure I am there yet, and then when I look back on the tapestry of my life, I am sure that an expansive sense of imagination was key to bringing me to the life I live now.

SA-Name:// JACKIE RIOUX
METRICS: “I Use Story to Escape the Trap…”
CONTEXT: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza

My website has been my outlet to share my compilations for many years. Not always my own stories though. Since being part of Story Athlete, I have been articulating my inner stories way more.

I have been told many times to write about my life, and that is happening slowly. The stories are definitely there. The organization has started now as well… It’s coming. As I remove my own blocks energetically and emotionally, I am no longer trapped in the past, and my stories are out there to share and encourage others.

Day of GRIT: #18 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- AMRAP Sandbag Ladder Palooza
Sandbag Carry 10-20 yards down and back + “Ladder” Circuit F2
CONTEXT: I Am Always Testing…

As I have grown older, I have stepped into my reputation of Taurus redhead get ‘er done mode. I look back on my life and I wasn’t always this way, but a good chunk of my life I have no idea how I did have that stuff or handled all that I did.

I now realize that I was always pushing my limits and testing myself. Just get ‘er done come hell or high water. With that attitude, you almost always need to think outside the box. Look for a loop hole and make use of it.

At this point I am thinking I need to add some more things to my bucket list as I have accomplished most of them and my life is far from finished lol.

Day of GRIT: #19 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) Total Body Complex Palooza F2 Finisher- 4MOD (AMRAP)- Core Crusher modified
CONTEXT: “I Create My Own Rules…”

Since my father was totalitarian, I grew up with “my house, my rules”. Then I got married and I still was catering to my husband’s rules, always walking on eggshells there too.

Once I was out on my own, I was a little rebellious in making my own rules especially for music. While growing up, I was exposed to dad’s German classical music, and mom’s country music. I was not allowed to have anything of rock music in the house. I particularly remember my father seeing pictures of KISS and he went into a tirade of men wearing make up and dressing the way that is KISS’ signature outfits.
I cut loose and loved rock music away from my father. That may have been part of my rebellion in getting married so young as well.

I fondly remember one time my father came to visit at MY house. First of all I put on GRID Swamp Thing, quietly. He was ok for a few minutes of this 6 minute song, then went off the deep end about psychological warfare and how repetitive music is damaging young people.

I nicely changed the CD in the stereo and put on a ballad-y type song. He listened carefully and approved of the new selection. I told him the song was called “Beth”. I asked him if he knew who sang this particular song. He didn’t know. I quite proudly told him “It’s KISS!!!!!!!!!!!”.

Day of GRIT: #20 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOD- Bicep Blaster
CONTEXT: “I Know Quit Is a Parasite…”

“Birds of a feather flock together”.

The further I have come in my life, the more I have grown and healed my own past, the more I realize that certain people have fallen away from my life. My redhead Taurus determination has always propelled me forward. Albeit sometimes I feel like I have taken a few steps back in the dance of life, I have continued to move forward. Quitting is a parasitic energy. I have had people in my past give up on themselves, give up on me, give up on life. I have had a few times I was even in that headspace myself actually. But time keeps ticking and life goes on with or without us. I choose to keep going because in the end, I will be the only one to see the flashbacks of my life. Make every day count, and never quit.

Day of GRIT: #21 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- Twists, Swings, & Tucks F2
CONTEXT: “My Actions Have Ripple Effects…”

Around the time when I first started my Ladybug Wellness business, my daughter asked me to go visit 8 hours away. I told her to post in some of her groups that I would be in town and offering Reiki/ Energy balancing sessions that weekend, intended as a way to earn some gas money. I was on the highway within just a few hours that Friday afternoon.

I had a few signups for the next day Saturday afternoon. One lady in particular has been a wonderful memory. In our introductory chat, within the first few minutes of arriving, she announced that she was “supposed to meet me”. I was a little surprised considering I didnt even know I would be there 24 hours prior.

She explained that she was on leave from a high level stressful job. Her naturopath had suggested a Reiki session. At that point she had no idea what Reiki was, but my daughter’s post about me came up in her newsfeed so she booked in.

She had a wonderfully relaxing Reiki session and I wrote some notes with dates of some of the imbalances I had corrected. She looked over these few notes and told me each date was a severely traumatic event in her life.

This lady kept in touch briefly once I was back home but had only ever booked in that one session with me.

It was about 3 or 4 years later that I published my story in an anthology book. This book was available on Amazon and I had posted in my website and all over Facebook as well.

I received an email from this particular lady soon after my story was published, asking for a signed copy to be mailed to her. I was so excited hearing from her again. She thanked me for introducing her to energy balancing modalities as that was a turning point in her life. She had moved to a different town, had a different career path and was now exploring some other energy balancing modalities in depth. Her life had taken a complete 360 since she had met me.

Since then, I have had a few people tell me that their lives have changed drastically, and they have given me credit for much of that change. Of course, we know that I am just a facilitator and they do their own work to heal and improve themselves, but it is quite humbling for me in realizing how far reaching my actions and my work can go in creating the necessary shifts for someone else to change their lives for the better.

Day of GRIT: #22 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) Leg Day Countdown Circuit F2 Finisher- 4MOD- (AMRAP)- Hoppers & Bombers
CONTEXT: “I Am Hyper-Observant…”

Three years ago I got stranded on a road trip to the US. My vehicle broke down close to a one street backwoods kind of place. With roadside assistance, I was towed to the nearest shop and stranded overnight. The guy at the shop was a complete jerk. I was frustrated beyond belief. Worst service ever.

Contacting some of my practitioner friends, we soon realized this jerk needed some spiritual intervention prayers. As soon as I did that, I was towed to another shop and back on the highway within 2 hours.

What I learned from this experience is that the universe/ God or whatever higher power you believe in, is always conspiring for us. I have been finding more and more that other souls are reaching out to me and other practitioners on the spiritual plane requesting help.

Now when I have unusual delays happen in my life, I try to settle my frustration quickly and look for who needs help, or what lessons I need in this moment as well. This is the life of being in synchronicity by being hyper observant of the world around me and taking all planes of existence into my awareness.

Day of GRIT: #23 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) Total Body Sandbag Circuit F2 Finisher- 4MOD- Max Pullup Challenge
CONTEXT: “I Push Beyond 40%… “

The mail must go through… This was a non negotiable mantra eons ago, but after some nasty human rights complaints, there was a cut off of -40 Celsius where we had a choice to go out. It was -42 Celsius and I, hating cold but hating the idea of a double load the next day, chose to go out. About 5 hours in to my delivery portion of my day, I could see the end of the street in the distance. My mind was just repeating over and over “one foot in front of the other”.

The corners of my eyes were frozen shut, my eyelashes had frosty icicles from the steam coming from my breath seeping out from behind a scarf because you cannot breath that cold of air directly into lungs especially during physical activity.

I wanted to cry, but I didn’t dare add to the moisture around my eyes. I wanted to collapse, but who would even venture out in that kind of cold to find me?

This was one memorable time that I had to tap into any kind of hidden reserve and push my way the next half hour to finish my route.

I know I have it in me, but since retirement, I don’t willfully choose to push myself quite like that anymore. Still I will accomplish my goals in any way necessary.

Day of GRIT: #24 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Am the Proof…”

The person I am today compared to the person I was 30 years ago is a completely different person. Previously I was fearful and stuck in a traumatic past. Today I am a mother, grandmother, and a energy balancing practitioner with a viable business in assisting others to overcome their own traumatic pasts.

I am the proof that energy healing gets to the root issues and can create a bright future for anyone willing to take those first steps towards making their own lives better.

Day of GRIT: #25 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD (FoF) Finisher- AMRAP Sandbag Ladder Palooza F2
CONTEXT: I Know My Story Arc…

Many times I have been told to write about my life. There are some things in my past that you just can’t make up. Raising kids, road trips, rock concerts may seem innocent, but when you add a determined Taurus redhead and four different personality kids, you can get quite the circus of stories going.

Now that my kids are all grown with kids of their own, life has become way more interesting in the story department. it seems every time we have a family dinner, or when relatives and friends come to visit, that some of these stories surface. Everyone remembers a different angle and hilarity can ensue well into the early morning hours of regaling these tales.

I have all sorts of written tidbits stored away in my computer files. With each Story Athlete context prompt I am often reminded of these family stories and share some of them in my daily writings. In this past year I have been much more focused on bringing a memoir to life for my kids and grandkids.

It is coming. It is a work in progress. Some of the beginning is kinda crappy, but the turning points are instrumental in how I have created the incredible life I am privileged to lead now.

Day of GRIT: #26 of 28
METRICS: (FoF) Total Body Complex Palooza F2 Finisher- 4MOD (AMRAP)- Core Crusher Modified Circuit:
CONTEXT: “I Commit to Move…”

June 22 2021 was the 5 year anniversary since I retired from the post office. I got out before my body broke from forcing my body into exhaustion daily. I have had to work through a lot of emotional resentment and other energetic imbalances acquired over my 26 year career there.

I realized when I joined Story Athlete last year just how out of shape I had become in being sedentary. I used to love hiking, walking, dancing, and just moving all the time. I fell off that wagon with being so exhausted. GRIT got me back in the saddle and I am so grateful for the community and encouragement I have here with my tribe. The 1% journey is a sustainable commitment to keep me in check.

Day of GRIT: #27 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher- 4MOD- Bicep Blaster
CONTEXT: “I Reflect on My Results…”

The tapestry of life is an analogy that explains that in the midst of trials and troubles through life, we may be completely blind to the beauty unfolding around and within us.

This analogy was something my grandma relayed to me at a very young age and it has always stuck with me. She explained that God weaves a beautiful tapestry of our lives. Looking forward we may see nothing, or we may see a future we can create. In the present, depending on what were are going through at any given time, we may see variations of happiness or sadness.

The real epiphany comes when we look back over our lives to see the tapestry that has been woven. The dark threads highlight the range of colors of brighter threads.

Looking at my life at this very moment in relation to my results through this past month of GRIT, I have had usual ups and downs of life, but GRIT has kept me consistent with a bit of movement and writing each day. 1% journey of progress. I still have been only doing the bare minimum F2 through the month, so I may not have shed any considerable weight, but I also have not gained any either. Even just this bit of movement means that I am much more limber than I was a year ago before I joined GRIT.
Where I see the most progress for myself is having my GRIT warrior team mate inspirations through reading their contexts each day. This inspiration have given me ideas to implement for my own life and business. This has been so encouraging for my mind, business, and relationships. Again, just a 1% journey, but so much farther ahead than a year ago, and even a month ago.

</End-of-GRIT-Post>

Sheryll Mairza: Jackie Rioux I love the tapestry analogy — it’s one I’ve used for as well.
I also appreciate that you are such an inspirational member of this community, dear.
You add a rich strand of vibrant color to all our tapestries.

Day of GRIT: #28 of 28
METRICS: JUNE 2021- Final GRIT workout F2
CONTEXT: “I Expect the Unexpected…”

Last day of June GRIT 2021. As always the context is “I expect the unexpected” and I brace for whatever surprise workout CJ has for us. This surprise is meant to keep us on our toes. We can plug along on our 1% journey with wash, rinse, repeat daily. Or as a quote from one of my courses “Zen, and then the laundry”.

Life would be pretty boring though if we didn’t have some bumps along the way. One concept I love is a pic of a heart rate monitor showing the chaotic rhythm of a heart rate. It has ups and downs. In one of my tapping courses we learned about heart rate and how to tap meridians so that the heart calms into a healthy beating rate.

Did you know that when a heart rate gets too much of a steady rhythm, and beats are too close together, it can signal a pending heart attack? Fascinating that our bodies are designed for a chaotic rhythm in many ways.

Adaptability is the key to coping through life. Change is the only constant and we need to be prepared for the worst case scenario, while still focusing on the best of life.

I expect the unexpected because life is full of ups and downs. And we never want to flatline.

After being left with a mountain of debt from a nasty divorce back in 1995, I sought out the assistance of a debt consolidation company. I filled out all the necessary papers and sent them in. Scott Hannah, my then debt counselor, called me to discuss my financial situation. He basically told me that there was no way he could take me on as he could not even figure out how I was feeding my kids with so much debt and not enough income ratio. I told him that all the debt was left from a stagnant marriage, and there was no way I would let a man put me in the ground over this debt. It would get paid.

Scott called back later and told me he was willing to take me on just because of my attitude. Through the program, I was not able to have any loans, cheques, or credit cards. It took me 5 years to pay off $10,000 of various debts, all while supporting my four kids alone. Once that program was completed and my account was to be closed, Scott Hannah called me to congratulate me on finishing the program when he had so little faith at first.

Years later, I found out that Scott Hannah built the Credit Counseling Society of BC company and I was one of his first clients. He is the CEO and apparently my story is one of his first cases that is still used in their staff training. I didn’t have a whole lot of faith in myself back then either, but I found a way and my story there lives on.

Day of GRIT: #2 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD Finisher: Sandbag-Sweat-Fest-Palooza F2
CONTEXT: I Reduce Everything to Code…

Years ago my kids went to see Ice Age with some friends. They came home and told me I was Scrat. Who the heck is Scrat? I called my bestie who was a movie buff. She laughed and agreed, yes, I am Scrat. Ugh. So who is Scrat? He is an ice age squirrel that is forever chasing an acorn through all sorts of trials and tribulations, often falling short of his goal. He has grasped the acorn many times, but it often seems to elude him. But he never gives up. He is on a constant quest for this acorn.

Why was I nicknamed Scrat in relation to this cartoon character? Well, raising four kids alone while working 2 jobs. Read that as dealing with 4 separate personalities, like errant ducks constantly running in different directions. I never quite had all my ducks in a row. They scattered often. Then working 7 nights a week at one point equals not much sleep for months on end. I am pretty sure I looked like Scrat then too! My ex husband used to tease me that I was often like that little girl in Exorcist with her head spinning. Great analogy, thanks. But unfortunately fitting with all I was handling then in family and work responsibilities.

In Toastmasters they teach you to find something unique about yourself that people will remember when introduced to you. I often joked and told people to remember me as the “crazy redhead”. Good for a laugh back then. But I am not crazy. I just handled a lot of responsibilities and life was chaotic.

My kids have grown, and I have matured in my own personal growth. I prefer to think now that I am “determined”, notsomuch crazy. Life is not so chaotic anymore. Or maybe I have just learned different ways to handle life’s curveballs. I still embrace “Scrat” as an endeared nickname of days past, yet I also think of Scrat living by a code of getting that acorn no matter what. And he has grasped that acorn many times. Now really, was it ever just one acorn he caught? Or were there a series of acorns he managed to catch and devour.
My acorns now are my bucket list goals. My responsibilities. Just any goal really. I know that I can attain any goals I set my mind to, because I have attained many acorns through my life.
Hi! My name is Scrat, and I live by my own code of attaining my chosen goals, no matter what.

Day of GRIT: #3 of 28
METRICS: Upper Body Complex Palooza F2 Finisher F2
CONTEXT: “I Prioritize Asset Creation…”

In August 2019, one of my clients asked me point blank when I would start doing videos for my business because I have so much great information to share. I don’t think she knew then about my past experience of fainting on a live radio interview, or my fears of being on camera. But her question weighed on me. I knew I had to step out of my comfort zone and this was just another step to promoting my business and building assets. I worked on myself so much to get over my fears of the camera. I finally did get a YouTube channel going and a few videos up. I have learned through GRIT experiences how much benefit there is in creating assets to save myself from repeating myself over and over again. I am nowhere near where I want to be with these new goals, but I have at least started. I need to make this more of a priority.

Day of GRIT: #4 of 28
METRICS: Leg Day Palooza F2 Finisher F2
CONTEXT: #Obstacle Immunity Is My Endgame…”

My kids were growing up and I knew I had only a few chances left for a family road trip. Melissa was traveling across Canada so I only had the other kids and my granddaughter. We had all rearranged work shifts so that we could get on the road by 5 PM Friday for a 3 hour drive to Mount Robson. I got to work and started sorting mail. Supervisor came over and told me I was on forced overtime that afternoon. Can’t refuse, it’s in the contract. I was livid! Of all days that my number would be up. I resorted to get get er done as fast as I could. I got my own route done in record time. Then went back in for the overtime piece. I chose a piece close to my home so I had somewhat of an idea of the area. Unfortunately, the sorting case had mistakes in the sequence and the person pulling the mail for that route was not aware of the mistakes so just pulled as usual. This means that en route you can have a whole street pulled backwards in house number sequence. I was out on the street and had to go through bundles of mail to find the right house numbers and realign my mail in order of the route I was walking. There is no way to make those kind of mistakes go faster, no matter how experienced you are. Some bundles of mail were sent to the wrong relay box too.

In the midst of all this frustration, I didn’t notice that I walked past an open gate to someone’s back yard, a corner house. A pitbull came charging out from the open gate and was inches away from my butt, with teeth bared and barking like crazy. For the record, I love animals and I usually think of pitbulls as big teddy bears depending on how they are raised. Dogs can be like humans. Some are untrained and assholes. This was a mean one. Unfortunately for that dog, I was an already pissed off redhead. I turned on my heels and yelled at that dog so bad that he got scared and ran back in his yard.

Right then, as I was hyperventilating from that encounter, my cab partner called to see how I was doing out there. Flustered beyond belief, I relayed my less than heroic self defense measures from moments before. Thankfully she was done her day and showed up with a cab to help me sort out the clustered mess of mail and get it delivered to the right houses fairly quickly.

I got home about 6 pm to a house full of disgruntled family. My son had forgotten to take his meds that day so he was crawling the walls, my daughter was fit to be tied dealing with him. My granddaughter’s father was about to lose it too. We managed to get the van loaded and get on the highway. I kept telling everyone to shut up and buckle up because we are “going on a nice family vacation”. The 3 hour drive wasn’t too bad, but by 10 pm, in the dark I was just wanting to get to our destination. We were 20 minutes from Mount Robson campground when I got pulled over. Going a bit over the speed limit. The policeman saw how flustered I was so I relayed a bit of my day. He only gave me a warning, but the really memorable part was that he shone his flashlight into the back seat and told my son to settle down and listen to mom because I had had a bad day.

One we got our tent set up and got around a camp fire, all was well and we did have a wonderful family vacation with those obstacles left in the dust behind us.

Day of GRIT: #5 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD Finisher- Get Your Run On Palooza! F2
CONTEXT: My work matters…

I have the most amazing wonderful clients!! Busy day today with a full schedule of appointments. As Dr Brad says, “I just work here”. I am just a facilitator and I shift energy at the cellular level which allows my clients’ body to heal itself.

It is quite humbling when a client tells me the shifts they have experienced after a session. Chronic aches and pains subsided; more connection and clarity in their relationships whether romantic or platonic; digestive issues settling; and more clarity towards their goals and life purpose. Animals are such innocent souls and the feedback there can be so sweet in knowing that animals become more calm and affectionate too. They have feelings and can experience upsets very similar to humans.
I am always learning things as I go since everyone is unique and what I do “know” can come up in a different context for each client. It is fascinating to work with infertility issues and then have a client succeed with a full term pregnancy. I always say I am not a sap, but getting a “thank you” text from a client and pictures in the delivery room… Yup, that got some choked up tears in me.
I have had an agitated dog roll over in front of me for a belly rub, right in front of a stunned owner. All within 5 minutes of releasing the trauma from the dog’s rescue situation.
Yes, I Just work here, but my work matters Big Time.

Day of GRIT: #6 of 28
METRICS: Gun-Show-Palooza F2 Finisher F2
CONTEXT: “I Hunt Leverage…”

This is one area I still need to work on for my own efficiency. There’s an old saying that the more you do, the more you can do. I proved this to be true years ago with all I juggled raising kids, working two jobs, and keeping up with kids activities and other responsibilities. I admit I have gotten very lax on taking on so much anymore after retirement. I like making my own schedule and doing my own thing.

I run my own business now and I think I have been doing quite well for myself, especially the last few years. But there is always room for improvement. I have learned a lot from my Story Athlete experiences and all the business related ideas here. I now understand more about leverage and assets, and my own story being my biggest asset. I had the right idea previously with my extensive website, but again, there is room for improvement.

My website is getting updated and overhauled this weekend, and I have arranged SEO assistance as well. By hiring out that chore, I can free up my time to tweak content rather than get frustrated with not being techie enough to figure out the back end stuff on my own. My web guru is a childhood friend, and the arrangement I have with him has been working out very well so far.

While I may not be super professional with all my leverage capabilities, I am a work in progress with the concept of the 1% journey.

Day of GRIT: #7 of 28
METRICS: Power-Circuit-Palooza F2 Finisher- Sprinterval F2
CONTEXT: “I Am the Traveler…”

ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!!!!! That is my first thought about traveling. But alas, I used to go on several road trips in a year. Unfortunately, I went on only one road trip in 2020 and that was for a funeral.

Our context today is more about our life journey and the legacy we leave for our family through becoming our best and most heroic self. I have had a website since 1998 where I have shared collected quotes and poems, anything that meant something to me, along with a plethora of resources. This website has turned into an online biography of sorts with much more of my personal shared experiences as well as all my business services.

Life had been quite an interesting journey of lessons for me and I share my stories as an inspirational to others. I have experienced feeling trapped in a exhausting career for too many years, and now I am much happier living my passion of holistic wellness and energy balancing.

As I travel my journey to encourage others, I defer to Bon Jovi in saying “take my hand, we’ll make it I swear, Livin on a Prayer”

Day of GRIT: #8 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: I get started…

Some of these daily contexts really trigger the Lesser Self side of me with instant sarcasm of “yaaaa riiiiight”. I have learned over time that I seem to be more of a sprint runner with my to do list, my bucket list, and my goals.

I was always a good Girl Guide with “being prepared at all times”. With that in place, when opportunities come up, I can close my eyes, pray lots and just JUMP, trusting things will fall into place. And they usually do for the most part.

But the most important step is to just take the first step and get started.

Day of GRIT: #9 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD Finisher: Sandbag-Sweat-Fest-Palooza F2
CONTEXT: I Pay in Attention…

I remember growing up and often trying to get my mom’s attention. We didn’t have cell phones back then. But we did have a house full of teenage boarders plus my siblings. Plus my mom took on jobs working at the bank in the evenings for some extra cash. The family joke is that I was raised as the babysitter. That was just the way things were though. The eldest took on the most responsibilities.

As fate would have it, I too had 4 children, and alllllll of their neighborhood friends would congregate at our house as a safe zone. I worked full time to support my kids, kept them in activities to expand their learning, and always had food on the table for them. We managed on a shoe string budget. Previously I have mentioned how I got the nickname Scrat. Much more scatterbrained in my constant juggling abilities than being able to fully focus on any one thing for very long.

Even all these years later, I understand the sentiment of paying in attention, but I still need a lot of work in this area to just focus on the task at hand. This is more for business tasks. When I work with clients, they have my full attention. When it comes to family and friends though, might as well have a PJ party. I have been known to share stories and sentiments for hours on end. I am looking forward to summer and time spent in my back yard oasis with a BBQ and some friends.

Day of GRIT: #10 of 28
METRICS: Upper Body Complex Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Operate With Transparency…”

I have mentioned several times that my father was totalitarian. Born in Germany 1939. You can just imagine his own upbringing and then my upbringing with the repeated cycles of abuse in many ways. There was more. My father crossed a line a father should not cross with his daughter. His protection, and teachings, of “Daddy’s girl” went too far.

A couple times through my adult life I stood up to him and he promptly disowned me because you do not disrespect your father. Probably the most peaceful parts of my life actually. He had disowned me for 8 years after my second divorce because he blamed me for ruining a man’s life through divorce, twice.

At my sister’s wedding in 2012, she had asked me last minute to MC the wedding. Of course, my father stepped in to be the center of attention, so I shared the microphone with him and I doubt anyone was the wiser that there had been a rift between us. He fell sick soon afterwards. I did some distance energy healing work at my sister’s request, as he was living in Mexico. He pulled through and tried to rekindle somewhat of a relationship with me, but all of his previous “control” over me surfaced again and I was not accepting of it. He had had so much control over me thru my early life, that I became “honest to a fault” because I could not lie to him, at all. God help me if I ever did and he caught me! As I matured and healed my past, I did learn some level of discernment.

He kept sending me emails chiding me for not acknowledging him as my father on Facebook. He didn’t understand that he had to “accept” the request as listing family. He kept chiding me and commenting on my posts to the point that I made a post on Facebook September 1 2014. Now, I don’t usually post our dirty laundry on Facebook, so I posted a warning for anyone reading it, and proceeded to write somewhat eloquently WHY I don’t fully acknowledge him as my father. I alluded to the past. Long story short, that post, his replies and the comments went straight down the toilet in a huge way. That post opened up many discussions though. One of me “favorite” comments was from a high school friend that said “now I understand why you were a walking zombie in school”. Mhmm. That was me.

Many of our family friends, my childhood friends, my then co-workers, family friends from our hometown are ALL on Facebook. I remember walking into work the next morning to many looks. A few people came over to me and asked if I was ok, gave me hugs etc. I assured them I was quite fine. You see, anger and unforgiveness is a poison to our souls and I had long healed that past and forgiven him. I had received many private messages thanking me for being brave to expose the past, and to give others inspiration to uncover and heal their own pasts.

Three weeks later, on September 20 2014, my father passed away from complications with his pancreas, probably due to alcoholism he developed after I left home years ago and he lost his confidante. He had had a heart attack that afternoon and I was notified a few hours later. I cried profusely. I regretted that our last words were so misunderstood and so harsh. Yet I also acknowledged that my love of language, rocks, traveling, and all of my resourcefulness skills came from my father.
It does not matter the relationship we had with our parents. When they are gone, it hurts. They are our roots. Our souls chose them for this life journey. Our past experiences are the wounds that we must shine a light on in order to heal and to turn those experiences into our gifts through transparency.

Go ahead and ask me anything. I will share it all. Just be warned that you may not always want to hear my answers.

Day of GRIT: #11 of 28
METRICS: Leg Day Palooza F2 Finisher F2
CONTEXT: – “I Seek Clarity, Not Perfection…”

Energy balancing is an alternative holistic healing concept. People are more likely to recognize Reiki, Acupuncture, Healing Touch, and Chiropractic as alternative healing methods that are more recognized mainstream these days.

“Energy Balancing Practitioner” is a term that covers many of the techniques I use in my Ladybug Wellness services. Although most people understand the concept, they still have many questions that they often dont even understand the explanations until they actually experience energy balancing for themselves.

I cannot even count the number of phone calls, emails, and general inquiries that start off with “this may sound kinda weird, but can you help me with…”. Yes I probably can help with whatever issues you think are “weird”. Trust me, nothing is weird to me. With that assurance, many potential clients have an easier time to open up and try to put their issue into some words that I might understand.

What I do know for sure, is that the body energy and subconscious connections are a data bank of information. While I may not be perfect, I know that the body energy has an uncanny ability to bring forth clarity, and in turn, we can address “weird” issues and give the body a boost towards healing itself.

Day of GRIT: #12 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD Finisher- Get Your Run On Palooza! F2
CONTEXT: “I’m Willing to Suffer With & For Others…”

I do NOT like cold. At all. I was born in the wrong part of the globe in Northern British Columbia Canada where we pretty much have winter and cold through 7 months of the year. Why then would I ever take on a job to work outside in ice and freezing temperatures and constant weather changes. I actually really like that job for many years. Getting exercise outside, chatting with customers and always having a memorable corny joke to share.

All good things come to an end though and the job got toxic pushing us to exhaustion, even in -40 Celsius weather. I did that job to raise and support my family. I am thankful I retired 5 years ago.

With those experiences behind me, it is much easier now to suffer by choice with my GRIT team. Thankfully I don’t have to deal with cold anymore, I can choose to suffer with my team in other ways.

Day of GRIT: #13 of 28
METRICS: Gun-Show-Palooza F2 Finisher F2
CONTEXT: “I Don’t Break the Chain…”

Back in 2010, I took a long road trip to attend an international Thought Field Tapping Techniques boot camp. This was a three day course where I earned my diagnostic level designation TFT-dx. We learned about meridians, toxins, and how to formulate a tapping sequence for clients.

At this course, one grounding technique exercise had 50 of us stand in a huge circle holding hands. They had a doll, called a Rosie Doll, that had metal in her hands. She was part of our large circle. To demonstrate both auditory and physical examples of grounding, as long we were all holding hands, Rosie would sing. We took turns around the room breaking the circle and Rosie would stop singing.

This whole demonstration was to show what grounding and “Earthing” does in keeping our body healthy. We have rubber soled shoes and cement walkways that disconnect us from the healing energies of the earth. When we connect our bare feet and hands to nature through dirt, soil, rocks, and trees; there is a scientific ion exchange that drains negative and depleted energies from our bodies and replenishes and rejuvenates us with fresh ions.

The result can be a noticeable change in our heart health and overall body health. This change can actually be read on a heart monitor machine. If I am going to be chained to anything in this world, I want to be firmed grounded to earth energies.

Day of GRIT: #14 of 28
METRICS: Power-Cicuit-Palooza F2 Finisher- Sprinterval F2
CONTEXT: ” I Call My Shot… ”

A lot of my friends think I am a go getter and that I am always busy. I always giggle a bit when they tell me that because, truth be told, there are times I stare mindlessly at a wall and zone out. My form of meditation, by the way.

Considering my past, I have accomplished much in my life. I blame my redhead Taurus nature for my feisty determination. I am also half German (read more stubbornness…), a lil bit Irish (daring and crazy), and an ex postal worker. That combination sends most people over the edge in wondering what to expect with me.

I have not been one to set a date on my goals, but if I get an idea in my head, get the heck outta my way. My modus operandi is to close my eyes, jump, and say a lot of prayers.

I have probably a few hundred road trips under my belt and a long list of concerts. I have driven a race car around a track, swam with dolphins and sting rays, scuba dived, sky dived, rode an elephant, learn to play simple drums, owned my own business a few times as an entrepreneur, and raised 4 kids on a shoe string so I learned to be very resourceful.
A lot of people have a pattern in how they get things done. For example, most people graduate, get married, then have babies. I did that completely backwards. I was a teen mom, got married at age 18, then graduated when I was 6 months pregnant with second child. I am kinda the example of what not to do in planning anything in any kind of structure. But I still get things done and accomplished. If I say I am going to do something, it will get done at some point. That is my version of calling my shots.

Day of GRIT: #15 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I’m Not Afraid to Get Dirty…”

My father built my mom’s house back in 1970 and was the third house built in that subdivision. I grew up at the foot of Copper Mountain, surrounded by trees. We soon had a little community of kids along our street of sporadic homes. Across the street there was an empty lot that we all used to use as a playground. With a bit of imagination, we played “house”. Complete with logs for furniture, and branches for brooms and cushions. I made mud pie cakes for our “meals”. As life went on, there was more development and our empty lots were no longer our play forts. Our forest bike trails disappeared as well. We all grew up and many moved away, while others are still in that subdivision. My mother still lives in that home.

Several years ago, thanks to social media, many of these childhood friends connected again. Dean used to live right across the street from me, but was living in another town. Through our continued connection, I learned that his father had passed so Dean was moving back to our home town to take over his father’s home. Which ironically was the same place as another childhood friend. Kind of a musical houses kind of thing. Same neighborhood, just moved to different homes.

I was going to be heading back home to visit mom, but found out that Dean was not going to be in town that weekend. I got busy though and came up with a memorable idea. I made a mud pie cake, complete with some flowers for toppings etc, just like I had made 40 years ago in our childhood. I left this gift in his mailbox.

I received a message from Dean a few days later. He was quite impressed at the memory and had a good laugh over it.

Kinda funny having a middle aged woman digging in the dirt in my childhood neighborhood, just to illicit a funny and cherished memory for a dear friend. Totally worth it to get down and dirty for a good bittersweet laugh.

Day of GRIT: #16 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD Finisher: Sandbag-Sweat-Fest-Palooza F2
CONTEXT: I Use Story to Escape the Trap…

I am alll about stories. I have mentioned several times that I started a website back in 1998 just to shared collected poems and sayings etc along with all sorts of resources. This website evolved into an online biography of sorts along with all my energy balancing services.

Social media has been great for a lot of things like interacting with my friends, an audience of sorts. With all the encouragement of Story Athlete and writing every day, and sharing my journey, I have developed many assets.

Life has been, and continues to be pretty interesting, as shown by my stories. Did you know that today is National Garlic day? I didn’t. Until someone posted about garlic and asked for opinions and experiences. I shared my experience in the form of a story that I have not been able to live down the last several months. Enjoy: http://ladybugwellness.ca/my-garlic-cleanse-adventure/

Day of GRIT: #17 of 28
METRICS: Upper Body Complex Palooza F2 finisher F2
CONTEXT: “I Track the Inner Scorecard…”

I was probably age 8 or so, less than grade 3 anyway. Our house was at the foot of the mountain, and there was a trail through all the yards in the neighborhood to get to our school. We had a little system of all the kids streamlining along meeting up and filing towards the schoolyard.

One particular morning, I got to my friends house and they were playing in the yard. The next door neighbor teenager told us there was no school that day. So I hung out at my friends house all day. We played cars in the sandbox and had a grand time, all day.

The only problem was that we didn’t have cell phones back then, and I don’t remember why I didn’t confirm anything with my parents, but I didn’t go home til afternoon. I don’t remember much details. It may be a blocked memory which, I am sure it was blocked because this incident has come up many times in my energy balancing work as a traumatic event.

I just know that I got in a heap of trouble, and I NEVER, ever, ever skipped school again. Not even in high school when other kids tempted me.

Although traumatic, that event taught me to keep track of my inner score card. Or else.

Day of GRIT: #18 of 28
METRICS: Leg Day Palooza F2 Finisher F2
CONTEXT: “I Root for My Teammates…”

I had such a confusing time getting in FB Workplace when I first joined Story Athlete. I am just not very good with new techie stuff. But I got it figured out, and was paired up with Adam Davidson and the rest of my team. Ironically, I found out that Adam and I shared a common background occupation so we had an inside understanding of that past hell lol. I am paired up with him on this month’s team again. He is a great encourager always talking in funny gifs.

Each month we get paired up with different team mates and I try to make a point of reading their contexts each day and also keeping up with private chats. Through a variety of contexts, I get to know my team mates and their perspectives on daily contexts. Sometimes I can relate to whatever they write, and sometimes I get to learn something new. I also figured out that you can “follow” team mates and other Story Athlete members so finding them and their posts is easier.

A few years ago, in an angel card reading session, I was told that I am a “very good conduit”. This is supposed to mean that I am very good at connecting people and information. Very true, I love networking and sharing. This is kinda the reason behind my website. I share tons of resources and information. I have friends and clients that look to me as a mentor, so it comes naturally for me that I cheer them all on in achieving their goals.

Day of GRIT: #19 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD Finisher- Get Your Run On Palooza! F2
CONTEXT: “I Optimize My Environment…”

Have you ever walked into a room and felt the heaviness and residual energy left from the people before you having had an argument or other upset? Energy is everywhere and those negative vibes can be felt detrimentally.

Everything is energy and everything has a vibration so inanimate objects can hold negative and detrimental energy. Second hand furniture can hold energy from other people and from the manufacturing plants, for example. Having raised my family on a shoe string, I have all sorts of garage sale finds, and some inherited antique furniture and other items in my home.

Considering how inanimate objects carry energy in this way, you can imagine the assortment of horrid energy that a pile of clutter can carry. I am not at all fond of clutter and I know the energy of clutter affects me.

For this reason, I am glad I can clear the energy of my home, the items I have in my home, as well as my own energy to optimize the environment in my home to be as peaceful oasis.

I am still working on myself to optimize ME to be more productive in my work space. I know I am easily distracted. I have optimized my phone and all sorts of notifications to turn off sounds and only have the most important schedule and obligation type notifications come through.

I am proud of myself that I have figured out effective methods of organizing client and business information, but my own to do list still needs work in optimizing my productivity. This is part of my 1% journey. I am way farther ahead than I was a year ago, yet still not quite where I want to be.

Day of GRIT: #20 of 28
METRICS: Gun-Show-Palooza F2 finisher F2
CONTEXT: “I Maintain Constant Forward Motion…”

I am a rock concert fanatic. When I go to concerts, I secure the spot at the front closest to the rails and in line with the drums if I can. I am always enthralled with the energy, the lyrics, and the beats of the various songs played. Music is the language of the soul and I can often relate to the lyrics of a song as it usually comes from the musicians experiences and perspectives on life, turned into musical art.

We were fortunate enough to have some amazing organizers put on a 3 day concert event here in town, two years in a row. three days, eleven bands through the evenings. I was one of the diehards that secured my spot at the front and held on all three nights each time, only leaving my station briefly for food and a pee run.

Glass Tiger was one of the headliners. I have seen them live a few times. This time though, they played a new song they had not yet officially released. I was in the moment staring up at the singer Alan Frew, with tears streaming down my cheeks as I listened to this song that hit home in a big way.

I have been through much in my life. Sometimes I think I have screwed up royally. Sometimes I feel behind or that I have missed out on things. Then I think about how far I have managed to come in my life. Or the loved ones I have lost along the way. We only have one chance at life. Make it a good one and keep on moving forward, because we never go back…

“….There was a time when this world seemed so sane
Now it’s all inside out
Rearranged
What a shame
And no one stands up
No one takes the blame
But love will always shine
Through
You
Just by doin the things you do
Just by being you
That’s why I say
This is your life
This is your life now
Love will reach you somehow
Everything changes
You can never go back
You can never go back again….”

Day of GRIT: #21 of 28
METRICS: Power-Circuit-Palooza F2 Finisher- Sprinterval F2
CONTEXT: ” I Develop My Principles… ”

I seem to have lost a few friends lately. Online Facebook friends that were previously coworkers at my old exhausting day job. The job I retired from 5 years ago. I figured out a couple blocked me as well.

Social media is great for expressing opinions, sharing memes, and posting our latest feline entertainment antics. I am not always up on the latest techie changes. There have been a few times I posted a meme or article that did not sit well with some of my friends and resulted in heated discussions. It becomes quite apparent quickly who watches the evening news and not much else for global event information. Unfortunately not all my connections are open to other views that create cognitive dissonance in themselves so they lash out, or they leave.

I have recently discovered “stories” on Facebook, where you can post memes and videos for 24 hours. If anyone comments, it goes privately to my messages and does not create heated discussions on my Facebook wall. YAY!! I admit, I have taken advantage of this feature to post and share many memes that probably would make some closed minded people very uncomfortable.

I have developed many principles and opinions over my years on this Earth plane. Yes I worked a union job for 26 years, and I appreciated that job in supporting my family. One of my early courses in business entrepreneurship highlighted some statistics of the type of people who are least likely to change and make a better life for themselves. The three top categories in this study were heart attack survivors, prison inmates, and government/ factory workers. They are so entrenched in their ruts of life, that they apparently do not budge from their station in life. (And they certainly do not like having that fact pointed out!).

As much as I appreciated the feigned security of a government job, this course fueled my plans to get out while I was still young enough to enjoy life. I decided to go back to school and go for a degree. I did complete that bucket list goal, but only as far as a first level Associate’s Degree. The more courses I took in mainstream psychology, while also taking energy balancing and business related courses, the more I came to understand that I am not at all aligned with the boxes of systems and unions and technicalities. I fully believe in self empowerment and taking full responsibility for our own health, well being, and our life in general. Of course, I do believe we still need some systems, but I don’t believe any systems work efficiently until all the cogs in the wheel are fully functioning on their own.

We need to be fully sovereign before we can come together as a community. Otherwise the weakest links will cause the systems to fail and bring down the whole.
There was good reason that Ghandi said BE the change. We cannot change anything outside of ourselves. Period. We can only change ourselves, and in doing so we can hopefully and positively influence those around us to make their own changes towards self empowerment for the good of the whole.

I do believe that regardless of the unrest and division we see in the world today, we are moving towards a much higher vibration and happier global consciousness. Until then, as long as I develop my own principles and stand up for what I believe in, I may lose and few friends along the way.

Day of GRIT: #22 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Protect My Time…”

“The more you do, the more you can do”. This was what my Avon district rep told me when she enlisted me to do cold calling to recruit new consultants. I was still in high school, married, and had one child at that point. Yes I managed to take on this job working from home. I hated cold calling though and I didn’t last long with that job, but the sentiment carried with me ever since. Through raising kids and working full time, I did manage to get a fair bit accomplished in my life.

“God put me on earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now I am so far behind I will never die”. This was a poster I had on my locker at work for years. This is another sentiment that carried with me for years. Even though I have accomplished much, I always feel behind and I know I could do better if I could just focus on priorities and get some “assets” together.

All those working years were just mechanical in getting through the days in supporting my kids until they grew up and could support themselves. I honestly felt like a slave to the grindstone, and actually called myself a corporate slave and a pack mule. Once I retired, I had to do a lot of energy work on myself to get past that slavery feeling and to build up my own self respecting value in myself. Self confidence, self reliance, self esteem etc. I needed to focus on ME.

Part of that focus on me was realizing that my time is valuable. I had sacrificed so much towards my family, my kids, to outside efforts with friends and causes. The whole martyrdom syndrome, which can be to our own detriment if we are not careful in protecting our time.

These days, I do value my time a lot more. It took me a while to appreciate the convenience of an online scheduler where I can set my own hours that serves my clients in the best way, but also respects my time and my personal priorities in looking after myself and my family. Yes I have lost a few people along the way in staying true to my priorities in protecting my time, but I also realize that those who do not respect me or my time will fall away to make room for those who are more in alignment with me and my values.

I also now understand the need for assets, meaning writing and videos, made available to my clients so I am not answering the same questions over and over again, or having to explain myself over and over. This is definitely an area where I am a work in progress and often feel very behind. I am getting there through understanding my GRIT 1% journey, and what FlyLady calls baby steps.

Day of GRIT: #23 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD Finisher: Sandbag-Sweat-Fest-Palooza F2
CONTEXT: I Strengthen My Connection…

A few years ago I had the privilege of hearing Gabor Mate speak at a conference. In my practitioner circles, he is widely renowned as an expert in drug addiction issues. Much of his work relates to the concept of disconnection being the root of many mental and psychological issues. One of the points he made in this conference was telling a personal story of how he was in his 50s when he finally realized his own experience that impacted his ADHD traits. He was born in Hungary and was raised by his grandmother for the first 3 months of his life. The disconnection from his mother that early in his development created all sorts of abandonment issues.

One of the first continuing education courses I took years ago was “Psychopaths and Serial Killers: The Criminal Mind”. Quite a fascinating course and quite telling when half of the class was filled with police officers. My take away from that course was understanding the background traits of a psychopath. These factors do not necessarily create a psychopath, but in most psychopathic killers, these traits are often the three top common denominators: Lack of maternal bonding, lack of a father figure, and a major trauma before the age of 6 years old. The first 6 years are crucial in psychological development. Just an added note, if you have a child who is cruel to animals AND wets the bed AND plays with fire, that is called the homicidal triad. That kid needs serious help before adulthood because it is easier to repair a child still in development than to fix an adult who is that far brain broken.

This sounds pretty pessimistic and a loss of hope. But there is hope. Dave Pelzer is an inspirational speaker now. His childhood experience at that time was “one of the worst cases child social services had ever seen”. His story is related in the book “A Child Called It”. Buckcherry did two tribute songs for Dave Pelzer called “A Child Called It” and “Rescue Me”. I have all his books, but I have only read “The Innocence of Youth”. He references the previous book but I have not brought myself to a point to read it, yet.

In “The Innocence of Youth”, Dave Pelzer talks about how he had been through a run of foster homes and had zero trust in anyone. It was a turning point for him when a family took him in and did not give up on him. He had a mentor at a crucial time in his teen development that changed his life. Connection was what saved him.

It is so frustrating in our current global crisis how people think that social distancing will save humanity from a biological bug crisis. Connection and acceptance and nature are what heals the mind and body. The current protocols are killing more people faster than the bug itself. People think that social distancing from grandparents will save them. No it won’t. There are so many studies out there that prove that babies and old people especially will DIE without human touch!! There is your science on saving your loved ones. CONNECTION!! It is a nature course of life that old people will die. Personally, I would rather die surrounded by family than to die of loneliness.

Of course I believe this bug is real and has some nasty effects on people. But I do not believe that the current mandates and protocols are the solution. I believe that if we take control of our own health and wellbeing to heal ourselves and to use preventative measures such as good nutrition and taking care of our own needs such as connection, we will be much farther ahead in contributing to the good of humanity on the whole. No one can change or heal something or someone outside of themselves. The sooner we learn this, the better for all.

Day of GRIT: #24 of 28
METRICS: Upper Body Complex Palooza F2 Finisher F2
CONTEXT: “I’m My Own Leader…”

Forty years ago I was such a wallflower you could not pull me out from behind a curtain. I was the least liked loser in the whole school. Then I took a Drama 10 class when I was in Grade 9. We did a play that involved a boy having to kiss the girl, me. Several days practicing, and the day of that scene, that boy didn’t show up for class. He had been teased so much. That scenario didn’t do well to boost my already low self esteem.

I got the lead part in another play, Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves. I was Fatima. Looking back, I can only laugh at my pathetic attempts at a stage scream and a stage faint when the thieves broke into my home. We did perform that play for a few other schools though.

Many other events happened in my life to push me out from that proverbial curtain. Still, I always tried to hide behind someone else, to play small. At one point, a friend asked me to go walking around town. We called it walking the bridges as there was a huge loop through our hometown. I quite liked walking and looked forward to it often, when I could find a friend to come with me. I felt so exposed walking this loop with so many other people around. But I could not always find a friend without conflicting schedules and other reasons that they were not available.

I finally got frustrated enough that I went walking alone. Grab some music, tune out the world, and just go. I found a new passion and no one around to stop me or interfere with my freedom. Once I got a taste of that kind of freedom, I soon started going on road trips alone. Highway Zen is a whole other sense of freedom.
When you have freedom and seemingly not a care in the world, people look to you for leadership as they want what you have. This kind of freedom I enjoy is not something that happens overnight though. Freedom is not a disregard for life and responsibilities. In fact, just the opposite. When we heal our inner issues and take control of our own health and wellness; when we develop routines to take care of our responsibilities; when we take care to be a good steward to our family and our earth, then and only then, can we sleep peacefully and enjoy true freedom.

This kind of true freedom is borne from being my own leader.

Day of GRIT: #25 of 28
METRICS: Leg Day Palooza F2 Finisher F2
CONTEXT: “I See Vulnerability As Strength…”

By now most people who are in any kind of self empowerment journey have seen Brene Brown’s video on the strength in vulnerability where she talks about being authentic and genuine which is the key to connecting with others.

I have been drawn to Lorie Ladd videos lately. No, I have not watched every one of them, but the few that I have watched have hit home in a big way. The general consensus of her videos is that there is a lot of division in the world and we need to stand in our own truths to get through this global consciousness shift. When we stand in our own truth and focus on Divine truth and inner peace, we can then accept that others are not “wrong” for standing in their truths, how ever that may turn out for them, that is their journey and their life lesson.

Lorie posted a video just last week which was a bit of a rant. She explained that some people were blasting her for not always being positive since she is an influential speaker. I love what she explained so succinctly. When we are authentic, we are not always positive. We are souls having a human experience and yes that means we get downright pissed off, we feel a whole range of not so positive emotions in all we are experiencing. And that is ok.

After all, do you really want to be influenced by a naive Pollyanna type person who refuses to feel into the yucky parts of life, or would you feel more inspired to look to someone who is vulnerable yet strong? There is strength in vulnerability because when you face your fears head on, there is nothing left to fear and nothing to stop you going forward.

I lived with nightmares for 20+ years of my life due to fears and repercussions of childhood trauma. I hid that part of me for too long. The best way to heal is to shine a fog lamp on that past, illuminate it all and fully exposed, completely vulnerable and then rise up in your healing. Because there is strength in vulnerability that you cannot understand until you stand in your own truth.

Day of GRIT: #26 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD Finisher- Get Your Run On Palooza! F2
CONTEXT: “I Welcome Your Rejection…”

I choose to live authentically, to speak my truth, and to heal my past in the best way I know how. Sometimes there are people who are drawn to me, and sometimes there are people who completely reject me, or even block me. That’s ok because then I know who is aligned with my truths and who are good people to have in my life.
Not everyone is ready or willing to stand in their own truths and live authentically, and I would rather surround myself with like minded souls than to waste my energy and efforts on those who reject me.

Day of GRIT: #27 of 28

METRICS: Gun-Show-Palooza F2 Finisher F2
CONTEXT: I reflect on my results…

What happens when you split up your GRIT obligations through the day and then get busy with everything else? Yup, just about crawled into bed after a long day and totally forgot to actually post my context even though my thoughts on context have been swirling in my brain since this morning.

Business is obviously going well because I have been busy. YAY!

Body still hasn’t actually shed any noticeable weight but I feel good inside and out and even my jiggly bits feel somewhat firmer.

Relationships, well… The more I stand in my truth, the more my relationships seem to shift. I have lost a few that I realized were not aligned with me and my truths, and then I have gained many more wonderful amazing people in my life. I have the best clients that a practitioner could ever ask for!!

Mind… what mind? Considering I just about headed to bed without posting, I still need work in this area to organize my brain more in handling my responsibilities more efficiently. That said, I have been a Story Athlete member for 13 months and have participated in the GRIT monthly challenge for 8 of those months. What I have noticed in myself is a lot of growth. Each days context prompt me to really think hard about my perspectives on many things. When I read my teammates posts, I can glean new knowledge and new perspectives that I can integrate into my own life.

I have come a long way this past year in all areas of my life. Thinking back on my very first GRIT post, there was a lot of swearing and frustration…. Now, I feel like I have come into my own as a rite of passage in my own maturity in all these areas of my life. Mind Body Business and Relationships. I am super grateful to this community in supporting me through this growth. Because when we have our tribe behind and beside us, nothing is impossible, it becomes “I’m Possible”!!

Day of GRIT: #28 of 28

METRICS: SATURDAY- Expect the Unexpected Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Expect the Unexpected…”

I love my work as an energy practitioner. I get to see miracles every day. Each and every session with my clients fascinates me. I have learned to expect the unexpected. I don’t need much for details to work with a client because their body energy tells me all we need to know to find and correct imbalances.

The other day I was working with a client and this client offered that he may have had some issues with old sports injuries. No other details. Yet in the session, he was quite fascinated that I pinpointed the exact location of one major injury and also connected the imbalances to issues with his father and his resulting self identification. Honestly, the way things came up, I was completely confused until the client told me that I was bang on with the information.

Another amusing session was with a fellow practitioner a while ago. I was led to my toxin chart under chemicals and had to figure out furniture polish. She didn’t have an issue with the furniture polish though, and it wasn’t a toxin. I just needed that word. A trauma of “loss of prestige” was associated with it and I also got a date from a few weeks prior. She started laughing and explained that she had been at a family members home and polished the coffee table, but when she stood up, leaning on the now slippery clean table, she slipped and took the crystal candy dish down with her. She felt awful for breaking this item and this came up in her energy field as an imbalance.

This is only a couple examples of what I have learned to expect in expecting the unexpected. I love that I don’t need to know details of a clients past upsets, yet I can assist them in resolving these imbalances and internal conflicts to give their body a boost towards healing itself. It is both an honor and a humbling experience to take myself out of the equation and to expect the unexpected for the benefit of others.

I have been in GRIT long enough that my heroic self seems to have a new voice whenever my lesser self comes up with an excuse for whatever I am resisting to do. That voice is Jocko Willick. “GOOD! Now whatcha gonna do about it?” I may drag my sorry butt some days, and my form of committed may require a white coat that ties behind the back, but that voice spurs me on the get past excuses and just get er done.

Quite often I get past whatever hurdle I am facing that day, and think to myself, “why the resistance? That wasn’t so bad as I anticipated and the feeling of accomplishment is way better than resistance and regret”.

Day of GRIT: 2# of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher (Total Body KB/DB Circuit) F2
CONTEXT: “I Master My Chosen Craft…”

My craft would be energy healing. I am a Reiki Master teacher in the Usui Traditional Reiki lineage. I am certified in many other energy healing modalities as well. But I would never claim to be a true master of my craft because we are constantly learning and I am constantly adding to my skills.

I feel this is the same about life. We constantly and continuously learn. When we stop learning, we die.

It is said that a truly wise person is one who will admit that there is always something more to learn. It doesn’t matter what craft we chose, I don’t think we ever arrive at the end of learning.

I could just be a Jackie of all trades, but my chosen area of craft is energy healing. I have taken the required classes and courses to earn the designation of Master, but I still have a ways to go in learning and applying more knowledge through personal experiences. Personal experience is knowledge you cannot earn thru a textbook. It must come with time and patience.

Day of GRIT: #3 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD Finisher F2
CONTEXT: “I Know Nothing’s Permanent…”

Feelings are fleeting. When we spend time with loved ones, we can be happy and relaxed, or elated and laughing til our sides hurt. When we have a falling out with our best friend, or a co-worker betrays us in some way, or, God forbid, we lose a loved one to death, all of these feelings of sadness and grief can linger for a while. We can even get stuck in depression for a time.

But I know through my experiences as an energy balancing practitioner, that nothing is permanent. Change is the only constant and we ride the roller coaster of life through ups and downs until the day we slide sideways into our graves having hung on for the ride all along.

I lived with nightmares for over 20+ years of my life. Daytime was a land mine of triggers for me. I could not see the future in any kind of bright way. Thankfully, after a mental breakdown at work where I broke out in hives, hyper ventilating with severe anxiety, I managed to make some changes in my life that led me to the peaceful bright future that I enjoy now.

Nothing is ever permanent, yet I know that I can overcome the not so nice parts of life and create more of the positive side than to ever have to endure any of the past again.

Day of GRIT: #4 of 28
METRICS: Upper Body-Complex-a-Palooza F2 Finisher F2
CONTEXT: “I Know My True North…”

I have been in business several years and thankfully have gained enough of a reputation to have a steady flow of clients coming in, whether regular or new. Since most of my business is online and international, I have had business cards to give out and to leave on community boards when I have been on road trips. I keep a few in my purse for those impromptu chats with strangers along my travels. CJ’s context today was a little jolt. I have been running low on cards, but I have not had it high on my priority list to actually redesign and reorder some.

I only recently put an intake question in my scheduler asking “would you like to share how you heard about Ladybug Wellness?”. Answer is optional, but I have had some pretty interesting answers lately and I realize that my reputation is preceding me in ways I did not realize. Some have seen my public bench over by the firehall a few blocks away. Some have been referrals through friends or other clients, and some from the forums and groups I participate in.

No matter the reason or the referral that clients book in with me, it is humbling to know that I have gained a decent reputation of serving my clients in the best way I know how and my work has been beneficial for them. Energy balancing is my passion and it all comes from a pure heart intention, yet it is a powerful and effective method of healing on all levels of being. I suppose this is why I always defer to Dr Brad’s famous line, “I just work here”.

Day of GRIT: #5 of 28
METRICS: Legs ‘n stuff F2 Finisher F2
CONTEXT: ” I Decide What My Name Stands For… “

What is in a name? A few years ago, I learned and realized that our name carries a ton of energy all of its own. If you are named after someone, or if you have a common name, you can carry all the joint energies from another person who has the same name. Family or surnames can carry the energies of family patterns all through the lineages. If you’ve been married and taken on a different name, then gotten divorced, you can have all that associated energies connected with that name even if you are not using that name anymore. It is still part of your personal history and character.

I have also found that it is super important to have your name completely cleared of detrimental energies and then completely grounded and connected sovereignly to you so all other energy balancing will be effective for you. It is kinda like hospital records. You want to make sure you have that particular person and not just someone with the same name before you start “energy surgery”. Even more fascinating is that some practitioners are adept at picking up the inflections of how you say your name to find the energetic imbalances there.

When I first started clearing my name, I found some pretty interesting residual energies associated with childhood trauma, past divorces and detrimental family patterns. All of these energies can, and did, affect how I showed up in the world, and how I “projected” my reputation and character to others. We are always a work in progress, but I can tell you that since I did the majority of clearing my name, my life and my “reputation”, changed drastically for the better.

Day of GRIT: #6 of 28
METRICS: Much needed stretch day.
CONTEXT: I know Quit is a parasite.

Happy Mother’s day. Generally a happy day to celebrate all the nurturing people out there who have held the title of “mother” in any capacity.

Generally a happy day for all, and yet for some not so much, as celebrations are a huge reminder of awful memories.

I have accomplished much in my life, because I keep forging on and have never been a quitter. You know, that wonderful Taurus redhead determination, otherwise called stubbornness. I suppose it depends on the end goal which word I choose there.
I have healed myself so much that I overcame PTSD from childhood trauma. I have been an energy balancing practitioner for several years. Get me chatting about energy healing and I will not shut up about all the benefits as it is my passion in life.

Yes energy balancing and spiritual soul work can change lives for the better. But there is still a dark area to understand. We cannot override free will. We cannot help or heal someone who is not open to this work. Our hands are just tied. No way, no how.

And this is where the dark area of my own life continues to be a painful reminder that miracles are possible yet still cannot override others free will.

Back in February, one of our 4 cats started peeing in the furnace vents. Lots of money to fix that issue. Because I am fully open to energy healing, I hired an animal communicator to talk to Niko. She was feeling pretty low then. Animals have feelings so we tried everything suggested to help her. Things got better for a while. Zoomer died in March. He was 19 years old. We all have felt that loss in different ways. A few days ago I realized that Niko has been peeing in the vents again. This is NOT acceptable when we have two wellness businesses being run out of my home. (My energy balancing and Melissa’s reflexology). Not to mention the health issues from dirty air. We are addressing the physical issues asap again with home repairs and heavy duty cleaning. But the problem cat has been part of our family a few years now.

There is more behind this though. You see, Niko is actually Rae’s cat. When she left Larry in January 2016, Niko had already been having mental health issues and became even more depressed and withdrawn. Rae didn’t take Niko with her, and Larry asked me to take Niko home with me. Rae has held this as another point of contention between as accusing me of “stealing” her cat. Oh, and did I mention she has also accused me of sleeping with her ex? Yes, the father of my grandchildren. Despite me trying to explain to her that that accusation is NOT true, she continues to hold that against me.
Larry died in October 2018. He had been my connection to the grandchildren, and since he has been gone, my contact with my grandchildren has been sporadic and strained, and only on Rae’s terms.

Back to Niko. I did a bunch of energy healing and she had been a happy kitty for a long time, until recently. So, I hired the pet communicator again. Things did not go well at all this time. Niko feels she no longer fits in to our family and is also blocking any healing energy from me to try and correct any issues here. There is nothing more I can do, but I am obligated to ask Rae her wishes of what to do with “her” cat if Niko no longer wants to be here. Niko does not want to go back there, yet she agreed to let me ask Rae her decision.

After the pet communicator call, I texted Rae “Happy Mother’s day”, even though she has not responded to any text for her birthday or Christmas wishes since October. She replied. She wants her cat back and reiterated her accusations of stealing her cat in the first place, and her accusation of my involvement with Larry. (I’ll spare you the exact cruel words).

So my Mother’s day has resulted in some tears obviously:
My estranged daughter still hates me and is adamant of her untrue accusations. I have not had any kind of contact with 3 of my grandchildren since last June 2020.

My “soul connection” closeness with my son in law has been accused of something akin to “incest” of sorts. (Anyone who knows my back story, would know that is the cruelest accusation ever!).

Larry was my SON in law, the father of my grandkids. He used to call me mom. One of the most inconsiderate and cruelest things that anyone has said to me since he passed away is “he wasn’t really your son”. No, I didn’t birth him, but I don’t feel anyone has a right to define the relationship and the degree of love between two people who assume a nurturing and caring position and the title of “Mom”.

I feel like a horrible cat mom because Niko is now out of my hands in any kind of protection and assistance to her well being and future. And my attempts of energy and spiritual healing are of no use there. She will just be going back to Rae now. I can’t imagine that her home there will be the calm and peaceful life she hopes for.

Despite this horrible dark area of my life that I cannot just “fix” because there are factors and free will out of my control, I still have 3 other adult children and 2 grandchildren here. I need to focus on them and appreciate Mothers day for their sake. Being a mother is like having your heart walk outside your body, in many different pieces when you have a large family. Parts of my heart are broken and I don’t know if those pieces will ever be repaired.

But I am not a quitter. Quitting is a parasitic energy I will not allow in my personal energy field. So, today I am using my GRIT context as a therapeutic writing release, and I will pick up the pieces of what I can and do control. Keep working on ME, regroup and keep going. Because that is what a GRIT warrior does…

Quote today from Dr Richard Barlett, Matrix Energetics. A variation of the well known serenity prayer:

God grant me the grace to accept the things I cannot change and the power to change the things I cannot accept.

Day of GRIT: #7 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD Finisher- Hill Sprints F2. No suitable hills close by so used stairs instead.
CONTEXT: I Don’t Harbor Anger…

Taurus redhead not harboring anger? Well… I can tell you I have been through some stages of my life where I was fit to be tied up in a straight jacket. This is still an area of work for me. I can be super nice and compassionate and sweet, your best friend ever. But cross me once and I have had a reputation of making someone feel less than pond scum, just through words.
I know this is not the best response to any given situation so this is a continued thing I work on in myself energetically to find all those past conflicts and resolve them so they are not triggers in my future. For the most part, I think I am doing very well with that so I don’t think I bury and harbor anger as much as I used to. It still comes up in energy sessions though.

Ironically, my post yesterday was about a lot of tears about a situation in my life. That is definitely a situation where in the past I was absolutely livid. I suppose my tears now are testament to the efforts of the work on myself. Instead of being triggered to immediate anger and reaction, I now just have tears of acceptance of a situation out of my control. Small steps of progress.

Day of GRIT: #8 of 28
METRICS: Posterior Chain Palooza F2 Finisher: Abs-travaganza F2
CONTEXT: “I Operate to Capture Attention…”

So often I see advertisements that are freaking annoying and it takes me back to Consumer Education class in high school where we learned about the concept that the more annoying an advertisement is, the more it will stick in your brain like a painful earworm. But the theory is also that you will think of that brand ad first when you are going to purchase the advertised product. I am pretty sure that jilted me to this day and I purposely avoid those products or any support to that brand, just out of spite.

On the other hand, I have seen some advertisements that seem completely genuine in catching your eye, and drawing in the attention span long enough to find out what the product is. Sometimes I find out the product and am completely disappointed that I have no interest in the product, or that the advertising exaggerated the enticement in their ad.

There are few and far in between ads that I come across that are genuine and are a product or service that I would actually act on purchasing. I guess I am a tough sell.

For these reasons, I find it difficult to put myself out there in such a way to try to capture attention. Another area that needs improvement for me. I would like to be the genuine person who has an authentic service to provide, and I think I succeed there, it is just my lack of confidence in effective advertising that needs work.

I do rely on my web designer to keep my website looking professional and user friendly. I make an effort to provide relevant and useful information in my newsletters, and I share all of my GRIT writings in my website, along with a few on Facebook. It took a lot of work on myself to get a YouTube channel going. I am getting there, and so far the feedback I have received from my clients and readers has been positive.

Day of GRIT: #9 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher (Total Body KB/DB Circuit) F2
CONTEXT: “I Believe in Myself…”

Coming from a past of overcoming childhood trauma, I know too well the feelings of worthlessness, insecurity, fears, shame, guilt and a barrage of other low vibration feelings. I also know the lack of faith in myself to go on in life, the wanting to give up and just close my eyes and shut off the world. I had children though. Small souls dependant on me, and too much fears of actual death. Yes some pretty low points many moons ago. But I survived those lonely nights in the dark nights of my soul. I am still here. I still have a box of prayer cards I bought back in 1988. Those bible serves carried me though many lonely nights and gave me hope.
At some point it finally clicked and I understood how much I had survived in my own mental torture and replays of past scenarios through nightmares. Once I started facing those fears, they fell away quickly and life changed drastically.

I know those things happened, yet none of it triggers or bothers me anymore. With overcoming and survival came a sense of believing in myself. My future could never be what was in my rear view ever again. Fast forward to now, I can look back on my bucket list of facing fears and challenging myself and making memories. Life is grand when we start believing in ourselves.

Day of GRIT: #10 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD Finisher F2
CONTEXT: “I Am Insanely Strategic…”

Some days I read the daily context and my brain glitches. Today is one of those days. Insane? Well, my kids and I used to love that Napoleon Dynamite song, “They’re coming to take me away haha” because it fits our family dynamics for that thin fine line of insanity. Strategic? Honestly, my form of strategic in years past has been how to dodge life’s curveballs in such a way as to avoid the looney bin.

Those are my first thoughts yet I can look back on my life with some level of amusement. I have not introduced myself as “the crazy redhead” for quite some time. There are not so many hotspots and triggers in my life now as there used to be. And without the previous unpredictable landmines of trauma triggers, I can look forward to the future a little further ahead. This is what is needed to be strategic.

I have always admired chess players and logic brain puzzles, yet the strategy and skill required are so above my sense of comprehension. This is something I can always strive towards learning in the company of mentors though.

Day of GRIT: #11 of 28
METRICS: Upper Body-Complex-a-Palooza F2 Finisher F2
CONTEXT: “Heroism Is Required…”

A many times through my life people have told me to wrote my story. I finally had that opportunity back in 2017 to write a condensed chapter of my life in an anthology book. Mission accomplished, yet I know I will write more of a full version some day.

Anyway, when I finally got up enough nerves to create a YouTube channel, one idea was to read my story on a video. I did and I posted it. The next day, one of my close friends called me to tell me that although she knew me, she knew my story, she had read my story… There was just something different about hearing and watching me read my story on that video. She said she cried through it all. Ugh. It was supposed to be inspiring, not to make her cry.

She explained that the video made my story just so much more vulnerable and real. I can accept that.

Day of GRIT: #12 of 28
METRICS: Legs ‘n stuff F2 Finisher F2
CONTEXT: “I Never Stop Learning… “

Back in high school, I took some sort of career test that suggested my best job after high school would be working in a factory line. At the time, I am sure that well suited me as my life was pretty stressed with being a teen mom and getting married at age 18. Ironically I did end up in a monotonous job for 26 years. I used to joke that I could almost do my job in my sleep and I loved the 6 to 2 shift because I could wake up at home time and have the rest of the day for me and my plans.

I was always reading articles and books, expanding my knowledge in mostly nonfiction and self help type literature. I would also take courses here and there as I could possibly arrange while raising four children.
When my once wonderful job started taking its toll on my own mental health, it was time to step into Plan B with going back to school to earn an Associate of Arts degree with Psychology concentration. Alongside these mainstream courses and working full time while raising teenagers, I started taking energy balancing related courses and alternative healing courses.

I am still learning. I participate in several practitioner forums. I network and connect people and information. The more I learn and apply my new and ongoing knowledge, the better I can serve my clients, friends, and family.

Stagnancy and boredom are a tragedy to me so I never stop learning and I keep life interesting.

Day of GRIT: #13 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Struggle Well…”

I struggle well most days. My problem is with consistency. I also argue about balance. I can eat healthy overall, but then I have no problem devouring a chocolate bar or a piece of cheesecake and calling it a balanced diet.
I also have been known to say that “diet” is “die” with a “t”.

I figure as long as I am more steps forward than backward, at least I am in forward dance mode. It’s the dance that keeps life interesting.

Day of GRIT: #14 of 28
METRICS: 12MOD Finisher- Hill Sprints F2
CONTEXT: I Awaken the Giant Within…

I thought I had it made back when I was 23 with two small kids and landed a “good government job”. After being on social assistance off and on, yes that was a good job that helped raise my family through two divorces and all sorts of personal drama. That job, for a long time, was the only stable thing in my life. Until management and office politics changed and the whole place became a toxic environment. So much so that quiet little Jackie was pushed to the breaking point with the latest micromanaging policies and forced overtime, and an exhausted overheated body.
On April 23 2008, I had quite a mental breakdown at work, in front of a supervisor and several co-workers. I broke out in hives and was hyperventilating. I went straight to the doctor and was given 3 months off work.
In that time, I re-evaluated my life purpose, my priorities, and my work to family balance. Although I had always had an interest in psychology, courses never worked out in my schedule before.
I started taking night courses, which led me on a path towards energy psychology as well. Plan B was in motion. I always thought I would die at that job, but I never meant it to be a reality as it seemed to be becoming. Ironically, it was today’s date 5 years ago, May 17 2016, when I turned in my early retirement notice. The universe had more plans for me and there is more to the story of how that notice got revised and moved up substantially from October 14 2016 to June 22 2016. Once I was out the door, I never looked back and my life soared to where I am now in living my passion as an energy practitioner.
Heaven sends a feather, and if you’re not listening, you’ll get a brick. If you’re like me, and still not listening, you’ll get a Mack truck. Better to awaken the giant within through other means because the Mack truck is not recommended as a comfortable transition to a better life lol.

Day of GRIT: #15 of 28
METRICS: Posterior Chain Palooza F2 Finisher: Abs-travaganza F2
CONTEXT: “I Am Misunderstood…”

I have always been misunderstood and seemingly in a world of my own. My roots may have influenced much of my life in misunderstandings. You see, I had quite a contentious relationship with my father all of my life, until he passed in 2014.

He was totalitarian and did not like it when I stood up to him and called him out for crossing my boundaries years ago. He had disowned me for 8 years at one point, until my sister’s wedding when he tried to keep contact with me again. So many misunderstandings and judgments from him that finally drove me to make a public post on Facebook. That whole post went straight down the toilet no matter how I tried to keep it respectful. My father’s tirades and judgments were now all out for the world to see.

That public post cleared up a whole lot of misunderstandings with many of my childhood friends who always “knew” something was wrong, but now everything made sense. He passed away 2 weeks later. Our final words were harsh, but a sense of closure with the soul mentor I had through him in this life. It doesn’t made the relationship we had with our parents. When they pass, we grieve. And I did. It was a period of confusion, grief, and enlightenment of the previous horrors overshadowing the good things I had learned from him.

Through all my experiences in GRIT, I have shared more and more of my personal stories in my website. I have now moved that entire post and comments to my website rather than social media. I had received so many personal messages back then that I now share that story with others as a source of inspiration that if I can overcome that kind of past, others can too.

Day of GRIT: #16 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher (Total Body KB/DB Circuit) F2
CONTEXT: “I Am Wired to Live…”

In Body Code there is a term called “Spirit out of Body”. This is an energetic imbalance that is caused by a car accident, a fall, or an extreme emotional stress. Basically an event that jolts your spirit out of your body, literally, but energetically. The feeling that comes with this imbalance is feeling ungrounded or out of sorts.

There is also a term called “No Will to Live” which shows up where there has been an event of severe depression, or embarrassment. Those times when you “could just die” can create this imbalance.

Several years ago I was working with a practitioner and learning about Body Code as we worked together. As a practitioner she could only bring up the imbalance and possibly a date or age of the event.

She told me I had a “No will to live” at age 16. I knew exactly what that was. I was seven months pregnant and all sorts of things were going wrong. I was pretty down and I remember sitting on the edge of the bathtub staring at my father’s razors. Thankfully I didn’t act on those depressed feelings because I had a baby dependent on me for life.

Next, I had a Spirit out of Body imbalance from age 18. Yup, I knew exactly what that was too. I got married to my baby’s father then. He had gotten a DUI 3 months before the wedding and my parents wanted to cancel the wedding, but I was defiant that I wanted to get out of the house so I went through with the wedding. My new husband got plastered drunk at the reception and I ended up in tears in the bathroom with my Maid of Honor and her friend. That night, we had a huge fight and he slept on the couch. That all should have been some huge red flags but I realized that mistake too late. It took me 10 years and three more kids before I finally got my head on straight enough to realize that marriage was stagnant and never going anywhere.

It still took me a while before I managed to get my life on an uphill track, but I did it and I have overcome much of that past all thanks to balancing my energy and eradicating those past trapped emotions and energies that were holding me back from a life worth living.

Day of GRIT: #17 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD Finisher F2
CONTEXT: “I Know Love Is Stronger…”

There are so many studies out there that have proven that particularly babies and the elderly can die from neglect and loneliness. With so many restrictions in different areas of the world, there have been many people dying for various reasons, and not being allowed to have their loved ones with them in their final days and moments.

Where are all the numbers being tallied for all the mental health issues, the overdoses, and the suicides that have been the result of being cooped up and alone?

Human beings are social animals. The most basic needs of a human are acceptance and touch, and the feeling of love. There have been many sentiments and opinions shared over the last 18 months. The one I agreed with most, is that if death is to be my fate, I would rather die of the disease than of loneliness.

I am fortunate that my immediate family agrees and we keep our bubble small, and hug lots.

Day of GRIT: #18 of 28
METRICS: Upper Body-Complex-a-Palooza F2 Finisher F2
CONTEXT: “I Build Resilience…”

In my published story, I explain my favorite analogy of trauma. Each time we have a major upset, these events are stored in glass bottles in our memory bank. When another upset happens, all the bottle fall again and smash on the floor. Over time we get better at cleaning up the messes, but the landmine of triggers remains.

When we start on a real healing path of processing all the unresolved trauma and disconnecting the emotional charge from these, we can finally store those memories in Plexiglass bottles, and close the storage room door once and for all. No more landmine of triggers and any new upsets in life won’t have nearly the same degree of oblivion as the triggered memories.

This is my way of building the best kind of resilience.

Day of GRIT: #19 of 28
METRICS: Legs ‘n stuff F2 Finisher F2
CONTEXT: ” I Encourage Myself… ”

It takes a long time to figure out the life lesson that we need to love and encourage ourselves in order to show others how to treat us. We’re all here with no life skills operating manual. We have been at the mercy of what our parents taught us with what they knew. Which probably wasn’t much, considering their learning came down from their parents.

This is the reason that networking and connection is so important to our personal growth. To surround ourselves with those who have gone before us and have learned life skills to share with us. Humans are social animals. But humans are also cruel S.O.B.s when they cater to their lower selves and just bump along thru life damaging anything in their path.

I am grateful that I found the path of energy healing as a sustainable self empowerment journey.

When it comes to love and encouragement, others can shower us with love and appreciation, but if we only love ourselves, say 10%, that is all the love that we be able to cross our barriers and walls. Thankfully, through energy balancing, I can find and balance the blocks that prevent me from loving and encouraging myself, and also the blocks that prevent me from connection, nurturing, and harmonious energies with the world outside myself.

This is, in my opinion and experience, the best method of encouraging myself.

Day of GRIT: #20 of 28
METRICS: Sunday-Stretch-a-Palooza
CONTEXT: “I Protect My Reputation…”

My client intake form asks for minimal information because I don’t need much for details to work with a client, and they can keep their privacy as well. Recently though, I decided to re-add an optional question “would you like to share how you heard about Ladybug Wellness?”. The answers have been interesting.

Several years ago, before I had an online scheduler, I had much less of a client base and many clients came to me through the “six degrees of separation”, or more like, one to two degrees. They saw an ad, heard about me through one of my friends, or came across my website somehow.

These days when I have several clients just booking in and they are all over the place, it is interesting for me to find out they have been referred through a family member or friend in another country, or saw one of my comments or posts in one of my forums.

I truly am grateful for where ever my clients come from, and I do my best to serve them in the best way possible. One important way that I do that is to protect my own energy by working on me first, and to balance out any non beneficial energies I may be projecting out towards others.

Day of GRIT: #21 of 28
METRICS: 12 MOD Finisher- Hill Sprints F2
CONTEXT: “I Am a Producer…”

My website has been my outlet for the past 22 years. My little corner of the world wide web to share pretty much an online autobiography and any other musings that are meaningful to me. Much of what I share has been “Jackie’s Compilations”, but some is also writings from my own experiences. Since being in Story Athlete this past, I have started a more of a blog section for my own writings and musings.

I started a newsletter quite reluctantly 2 years ago. Through this time, I have found that there are some people out there who appreciate and even look forward to my newsletters. I find that quite encouraging and feel more inspired to serve when I know that someone somewhere might gain some benefit.

I also started a YouTube channel a year ago. Although started, and I have videos up, I also have not developed, produced or uploaded anything new in quite a while. Time to get back on the bandwagon there.

The one thing I really have trouble with is writing from the heart when it is a deeply personal topic. I have been wanting to put up a tribute page in my website for my son in law that passed 2.5 years ago. (OMG it’s been that long!!??). While I have some of it put together, I often end up in tears again when I try working on it. I am sure once it is done and up, you’ll understand why it has taken me so long. It will be heartfelt and beautiful tho.

Day of GRIT: #22 of 28
METRICS: Posterior Chain Palooza F2 Finisher: Abs-travaganza F2
CONTEXT: “I Am Capable…”

Back in 2009, after one of my energy courses finished for the day, our instructor introduced us to her investment advisors. I took their card and almost forgot about it until tax time when my previous tax preparer moved away. I dug out the card and called them. Terry and Jaymie have been my financial guardian angels ever since and have taken very good care of me.

I know how busy they are so I wanted to get my tax stuff more organized before taking it in to them. Jaymie made an Excel ledger of business expenses. For a few years, I would print it off and fill it in manually for him and I was not techie enough to figure out Excel on my own even though I had taken a computer programs course.

I keep saying I am not very techie, but I have been opening to learning and seem to plug away and learn as I go. When I do figure out something new I am like a kid at Christmas with feeling pretty excited.

This past year, I finally figured out how to use Excel more to my advantage with actually entering data on the computer into the Excel document myself. I know to some this may seem like I have been living in the dark ages, but I am pretty proud of myself, and I have now organized several years of business information in such a way that I can find it easily and also share with my accountant easily as well. Being this kind of organized makes things much more streamlined for me, takes a huge weight off my shoulders, and allows me to serve my clients even better.

I was so stressed out before the April 30 deadline this year, but I got through it and submitted my ledger via email to Jaymie. His response was “I see you are becoming a Master with Excel”.

May be a simple thing to anyone else but a huge feather in my cap!!!

Day of GRIT: #23 of 28
METRICS: 5K Day Finisher (Total Body KB/DB Circuit) F2
CONTEXT: “I Ask More Questions…”

Even though I took a whole bunch of courses to get certified in many different energy balancing modalities, it is my own intuition and experience over time that make my work absolutely fascinating.

Each and every session with each and every client is often full of surprises, and I am often just as confused and surprised as they are.

The key is in asking questions. you see, the subconscious mind is the body’s data bank of every single second of a person’s existence. It is also the energy body’s protective body guard, even when it comes to bad stuff. You see, our minds and bodies want to stay with the familiar. It doesn’t like change at all. When we do energy work to find imbalances that are creating dysfunction, the body is not always willing to give up information.

That is where the correct questions come in. When we ask a question, it is like sleuthing and the body must give an answer.
I may have several questions for any given situation that can find imbalances, but if I continue to ask questions and variations of those questions, we can find and balance a whole lot more and in turn serve my clients in the best way possible.

Day of GRIT: #24 of 28
METRICS: 12MOD Finisher F2
CONTEXT: “I Optimize the Process…”
About two years ago, I was really feeling overwhelmed with several years worth of email clutter. I started a mission to reduce that clutter and to optimize how I use email and communication with my clients. Thousands of emails to sift and search through to find the relevant information needed for a client session. Not at all effective or professional.

I finally figured out an efficient way to clean out the useless clutter, irrelevant newsletters, and mailing lists, and to efficiently file each client communication so I can easily find it all when I need it.

Recently I had a couple fairly new clients who were impressed that I “remembered” their last session notes and concerns. I just smiled and took in the compliment, secretly proud of myself that I have optimized my process well enough now that I can find it quickly and review in just minutes before a client call. This gives me the freedom to take care of my own needs and to expand to serve more clients effectively as well.

Day of GRIT: #25 of 28
METRICS: Upper Body-Complex-a-Palooza F2 Finisher F2
CONTEXT: “I Have a Moral Obligation…”

Years ago, I was at a metaphysical fair and chatted with a lady who reads birth charts. The event got busy so I didn’t get a chance to have a full reading with her, but she seemed intrigued with me and pulled up my birth chart anyway. She told me there was one super important thing I needed to know: that I have a gift to be able to help sexually abused young women to get off the street/ out of their abusive situations.

That bit of information got filed in the back of my mind until about a year ago when a conversation sparked that memory and I realized that is what I am doing these days with energy balancing. Although I don’t need details from my clients, I have often found that they have some sort of abusive situation in their past that they are in the process of overcoming.

Because this is my own back story of why I got into energy healing, I have a moral obligation to serve these clients and show them their unique path to empower their own lives like I did with my own life.

Day of GRIT: #26 of 28
METRICS: Legs ‘n stuff F2 Finisher F2
CONTEXT: ” I Know Happiness Is Not a Destination… ”