The Goddess herself

Today, I was asked to substitute Andrea's class. I was so honored and excited to do so. Andrea is the goddess! I took her prep class before I certified. She helped with the fine details in finding perfection of moment. I thought I knew a few things, BUT walking into her class brought me back to square one.
Its always a good thing to go back to fundamentals. Sometimes we forget what it is supposed to feel like.
It wasn't hard to chameleon into what she wanted to see.
The second training session she saw improvement. I learned how to breathe behind the shield, to power the press up.
I am able as any instructor is, to bring my own flare to the session, I hope the students learned a few new things, I am striving to spread the word to whom ever will dare to step up.

Kettlebell goes FISHING !

I just got back from a little family vacation to Port Washington, WI. I play deadliest catch captain for the weekend. We caught 8 king Salmon. Its always a great time spending with people we love. My daughter was on leave from the USAF along with her husband. I think he just about fell out of the boat as we went air borne at times. My brother was driving then.
Nothing like being out in a big body of water at 110 feet.
I just go to my happy place. I didn't need the Dramamine this time, HA!
I wouldn't think of leaving home without my bell. It went fishing with me, on the harbor rocks and its in the family pictures,,, kinda like the GEICO commercial. Maybe add some eyes to it,, What do you think...

The final goodbye

I went to my friends funeral yesterday. He had to be the closest to a 2nd ex husband I could have asked for. There were many people there, many people he touched in some way. They all knew his life ended to quickly, but perhaps for the best place he could possible be.
I brought my daughter and her friend to the funeral to see what a military one was about. They didn't find the markers as interesting as I did. They told us, they bury 30 something a day there.
I was standing alone, watching the minister deliver a heartfelt speech. I was going through my head all the experiences we had together as friends. The good bad and the ugly,,, like my first ex. I must be wanting to help or fix something that might not be repairable.
Matt had a huge heart, which some of us mortals tend to take advantage of.
I used to tell him to grow some.... he was that kind and gentle soul some of us don't see in a life time.
At times jeckle took over and there was a side no one would deal with.
The minister reminded us of his trips back from Korea, taking babies back to their new found families. He found he could relate to little ones on the jobs and adventures we took. The little ones didn't know him from Adam, but they found him amusing.
I started to quietly cry, and a stranger came up to introduce me to himself. He wondered who I was to Matt, that my feelings were so deep.
He lent me his shoulder to lean on. I was grateful to connect with another human on the same level.
The ceremony ended, and I walked over to his ashes. I touched the side of the box. That would be the last time I would touch him before he was laid to rest.
I think Matt knows, I needed to move on. I needed to make my goals . He knew how strong I was, but not on that day.
I will not forget you as some of those marker may have been. You marked my life in a way to keep on fighting and kicking.
I will visit you in August.

Tribute to Matt Stankiewicz

A friend of mine died today. He was the one that introduced me to training at the gym. We hardly miss a day. I found a new dedication with him.
One day as he was teaching me how to use a machines, of all things, I looked up at him smiling. He said wipe that smile off your face, this is serious business. I told him I couldn't have fun doing it, I wasn't coming.
Some people take their anger out in the training, like him, most people stayed out of his way in the weight room. I think the juice he had didn't agree with him.lol
I was there to release the stress of the day. I soon found that I got high half way through the work out and it was adictive. It was like dope,,, He couldnt get thru to me after as I checked out to enjoy the ride.
He would have to pull over as we were coming out of the gym to puke, I have now found that at times with my training. Then he would say,, Wanna go to Applebees ? There went that workout!
I would like to think our paths crossed for a reason. I was injured from a car accident and needed to build the muscle around my neck, he was there to show me the way.
I also certified because of my love of strength training, It has helped me in my personal and business life to power through.

Matt was very proud of me, although his life was much different from mine.

I will miss you Matthew, try to be good,, I hope there is a bench and free weights in heaven.


Love, Roxanne

Changes come with dedication

I now began to notice the changes. My arms were more toned and slimming down. I noticed a definition I couldn't get from weight lifting.
My core and back were stronger, I stood and sat straighter then ever.
I felt the strength, I could now balance on ladders, climb to new heights and haul what it took to paint all those houses.
Coming in from a long day painting, I still had the energy to get thru the class at night. That's awesome!
I big moment was felt the back of my thigh, what was that leg muscle, I didn't know I had. Cool!