In March of 2017,  I met the absolutely STUNNING Sarah Nicole. Since then, her jaw-dropping transformation and personal journey has been featured on the cover of Oxygen Magazine, and I had the personal honor of writing the guest editor letter for this issue. Here it is, plus some of inspiring Transformations that I’m honored to have had even the slightest part in or even just witnessed. Over the years, I have been blessed to have a hand in many beautiful transformations as well as meet some wonderful people (like Sarah) who have made the journey on their own.

I originally wrote these words in 2017, but as my own understanding of natural transformation (aka perimenopause) has deepened, I realized this piece needed to evolve alongside me.

Each and every one of the transformations I have witnessed have inspired me from their ability to make and keep promises to themselves to always starting out small. They’ve skillfully mastered the transformation formula of “less is more” and are living balanced lives where integrity is captaining their ship. They understand the value of their commitments and make them very carefully, rarely taking on too much at once to avoid a backslide. They all struggle and are imperfect, and they know that when they fall, all they need to do is get back up.

After years of experience personal training, coaching, and helping others through the journey of transformation, Chris and I had some eye-opening revelations around this topic. While it is true that diet and exercise can lead to weight loss, “transformation” is a whole different game. It is one that includes so much more than morphing our physical bodies from obese to beast and seeing a massive drop in the number on the scale. In fact, transformation has very little to do with what we put in our mouths and/or how we move our bodies, and it has everything to do with the truths we feed our minds and our hearts.

Over the years, I have been so blessed to have a hand in many beautiful transformations as well as meet some wonderful people (like Sarah) who have completed the transformation journey on their own. Each and every one of them has inspired me by their ability to make and keep promises to themselves, always starting out small. They’ve skillfully mastered the transformation formula of “less is more” and are living balanced lives where integrity is captaining their ship. They understand the value of their commitments and make them very carefully, rarely taking on too much at once to avoid a backslide. They all struggle and are imperfect, and they know that when they fall, all they need to do is get back up. These inspiring people are examples of true transformation.

In the past, it was common to see post after post of “before and after” photos, many of which showcased the incredible changes people had made in their weight loss journeys through nutrition and exercise. These transformations and all the hard work that went into them are amazing, and there was so much to be proud of!

Today, the “before and after” culture is evolving in some beautiful ways. The “after” photos aren’t necessarily about achieving a weight loss goal; they’re about looking energized, at peace, and comfortable in a body that has lived, grown, and is constantly changing. Because as we all know, the only constant in life is change.

The Myth of the Physical Fix

Transformation. When we hear this word, we’re reminded of those incredible “before and after” photos we’ve seen plastered on social media of people beaming with pride and joy for the first time in years—or maybe ever, and we naturally assume the magic they found came from eating right and exercising. We also assume this is the formula that leads to weight loss, that weight loss leads to transformation, and that transformation leads to happiness.

We also often think of transformation as something we need to force to happen—it’s a problem to be solved. And sometimes we focus more on the “how”—the physical fix—than on the “why”—the wellness, living your best life fix. But when we finally reach that goal, it might actually feel empty. That’s not what we expected at all! And sometimes, this emptiness can lead to gaining back lost weight and a lack of joy we thought we’d find in our “transformed” life. Because losing weight doesn’t automatically heal our heart and our mind.

Two Types of Transformation

How we change, and how we choose to respond to it.

The Two Sides of Transformation

As with anything in life, the more we learn and experience, the better we’re able to successfully navigate the paths of life. Transformation is no different. And while nutrition and exercise are definitely crucial pieces of the transformation puzzle, there is so much more to achieving true transformation—that complete wellness we’re actually seeking. 

True, long-term transformation is about altering who you are from the inside out. How is this accomplished? It’s about learning to love yourself for all that you are and all that you are not. It’s about creating a deep respect for and embracing the seasons of life instead of fighting against your body’s beautiful and natural evolution. It’s about finding a balance between accountability and giving yourself lots of grace. As I’ve ventured into my mid 40s and perimenopause, I’m finding all of this to be true more and more, especially the importance of giving myself grace.

When it comes right down to it, true transformation is about trading the obsession with “shrinking” for a commitment to “evolving.” And that trade is powerful, my friends.

The Magic Truth = Integrity

I’ve learned over the years that true transformation is actually pretty simple. True transformation—the type that can last for decades and through every season of life—is built on a foundation of integrity: Doing what you say you’re going to do when you say you’re going to do it. It’s about keeping your promises to the most important person in the world: YOU. As you keep those simple promises to yourself time after time, that’s when the magic happens. You feel strong, healthy, and grounded. Your belief in and love for yourself skyrockets, and you see the limitless potential that exists within YOU.

It’s beyond beautiful when we can choose to peel away all of the expectations for how scary the transformation journey is going to be and simply take action with one small baby step—one super small promise. These seemingly-insignificant steps don’t seem like much in the moment, but just as every penny saved adds up over time, each small step will eventually lead you to your destination, your true transformation that will enrich your life and the lives of those you love most for decades to come.

If you don’t remember anything else from what I’m sharing, please remember this:

True transformation is about altering who you are from the inside out and making peace with the beautiful, evolving vessel you live in. And when you fall during your transformation journey (because you will!), it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Get right back up, dust yourself off, and keep going. One of my favorite sayings is “Fall down seven times, get back up eight.” 

What is one super small promise you can make and keep today? Take that first step on your transformation journey, and then take another step tomorrow. You got this!

Xo,

Related reading:

Navigating the Perimenopausal Meltdowns, Stress, and Anxiety

Reignite Your Fire to Achieve Your Goals!

How to Stop Breaking Promises to Yourself: 3-Step Habit Reset

Goal Setting Guide: How to Achieve Your Biggest Goals

Clearing Perimenopause Brain Fog: How to Recharge Your Mind