Motivation Monday: Change

I haven't written a "Motivation Monday" post in a long time so I thought today would be the perfect time to share my recent motivation. Yes, I know today is Tuesday but I had this post 90% complete yesterday and never found those handful of minutes that I needed to finish my thoughts and hit publish. So without further adieu...

I have always believed that "if you don't create change, change will create you." I was never someone that embraced change when I was young because I preferred to stay in my comfort zone but over the years I have realized that change is the only constant so why am I resisting it?

As I was having a conversation with my Dad over the weekend, I realized that many amazing things in my life are the results of change. The most recent and biggest change in life occurred 9 months ago when I became a wife. One of the greatest days of my life. That change has brought love, laughter, peace, adventure and comfort into my life.

Discovering a passion which has lead me to my career in University Relations. These career changes have brought significant knowledge, new friendships, self-confidence and a greater understanding on how to achieve your professional goals.

When I relocated to Greensboro, NC for my first job after graduating from college. I was alone in a new environment. I found myself without my friends and family. I felt overwhelmed with the change and uncertainty. During this time, I learned the importance of independence, I realized that my true friendships would remain regardless of how many miles were between us, my family will always be my rock, and the training and experience that I received during those 18 months propelled me to where I am today in my career.

Through the many changes, I have realized a few valuable lessons.
1. Acknowledge change. It is inevitable. Regardless of the type of change, there will be a level of fear because we are taking on something that is unknown and sometimes uncomfortable. But I have learned that if I acknowledge and express my fear {or any other emotions} that I am able to navigate the change with much more ease and grace.
2. Accept and learn from change. Being able to accept change rather than resisting it {like I did when I was younger} has allowed me to handle change more effectively. I have come to realize that change happens for a reason and we need to be open to reflecting on the lessons that can be learned from the change.
3. Realize your growing stronger. Karen Kaiser Clark, an Inspirational Speaker, once said, "Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely." I have to appreciate the changes that occurred because I have proven to myself that I can overcome the uncertainty of change. Realizing the powerful impact that change can have on my life, I found that I'm becoming a stronger person when I am able to acknowledge, accept and learn from the changes taking place. Having the ability to continuously accept change allows me to grow personally and professionally. Change has provided me a level of strength to persevere.  
6. Change brings opportunities and new beginnings. I am a planner {always have been and always will be} but I have learned that each change is an unplanned new page in your book of life. Change will bring new opportunities and choices along with new beginnings and perspectives.  

A few additional thoughts...
My Company's Vice Chairman, Tom Mendoza, is also motivational speaker and wrote this great article that was featured in Forbes about embracing change.

If you are looking for a quick read that will provide a refreshing perspective, check-out The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra. 

Fitness Motivation: Get Going & Get Results

I've always enjoyed exercising and love discovering new workout classes in the area. I find that if I can work out a couple times each week that I feel better and have a little more energy. I always wish that I could squeeze in a few more workouts than I do each week but I have to be realistic with myself and right now, our days fill up quickly with other obligations.

I was recently given the opportunity to work with Orangetheory Fitness, a revolutionary workout concept that has been featured in the New York Times, Bloomberg, Men's Fitness, and many other news publications. They have just opened 3 studios in the Raleigh area so I was very excited to see what it was all about.

Orangetheory Fitness is a unique group workout broken into intervals of cardio and strength training. You will alternate between treadmills, indoor rowing machines and weight room/resistance training blocks. Each session that I have attended has been unique and different which I really enjoy because I tend to get bored {very quickly} if my workout routine is same. That definitely won't happen if you make the investment in Orangetheory Fitness!

The sessions are led by professional and very energetic trainers that are there to support and encourage you during the entire workout which was a huge motivator for me. I'll be honest, the last 10 minutes were tough - my legs were shaking, my arms were already sore and the sweat was pouring down my face - but our trainer kept us going until the very end.

During the 60 minute workout, you will wear a heart-rate monitor which is designed to help you keep your heart rate in a target zone that stimulates metabolism and increases energy. Everyone's heart rates are projected on TV screens throughout the workout so you can see if you need to push yourself harder or slow down to reach the target "orange zone." If you stay within the orange zone for 12 - 20 minutes during the class, the result is the Orange Effect - more energy, visible toning and extra calorie burn up to 36 hours post-workout. Who doesn't love to hear that their workout will continue to drive results even post-workout?!

After the workout, you will receive an email with a recap showing how you did during the class to easily track your progress. If your goal is to lose weight, you can expect to see an estimated loss of 3-5 pounds by attending 3-5 sessions per week. But if your goal is performance, like me, you can expect to see an increase in power, speed and strength after your first 2 weeks by attending 2-4 sessions per week. As I train for my upcoming half-marathon in October, I will continue to attend at least 2 sessions each week and will let you know the results that I am able to achieve after crossing the finish line in Philadelphia.

You can also expect to burn an estimated 500 to 1,000 calories per workout. During my first session, I was able to burn approximately 755 calories in 60 minutes! This is my kind of workout.

Their studios are located all around the country, click here to see if there is one near you. If you are in the Raleigh area, they have a studio in Morrisville, Chapel Hill and Holly Springs. The Holly Springs location is where I attend classes - the entire staff is extremely friendly, willing to answer any of my questions and are just awesome people! :)

I highly recommend Orangetheory Fitness to anyone, it is challenging but incredibly rewarding. If you have any questions or would be interested in attending an upcoming class, feel free to email me! I'd love to have you join me.

Outfit Details:

Pants: Zella "Live In 2" Capris 

Top: Lululemon "Cool Racerback" tank 

Shoes: Brooks PureCadence 4 

Headband: Headbands of Hope Sheer Gold 

Motivation Monday

Wasn't it just Friday? This weekend flew by for us and I have to admit that I would love for the days to slow down...Monday came way too fast! Perhaps the days will feel a bit longer now that we have a few more hours of daylight. I am so happy that Spring is right around the corner.

My Motivation Monday is dedicated to the numerous quotes that I came across during weekend which seemed to appear when we needed them most.

Without sharing too much information, this weekend was a reminder that Life is precious and we should cherish each and every moment.


I had no idea that it was International Women's Day yesterday {or that there was such a thing} but in honor of a day dedicated to us, this has quickly become my mantra.


It is as simple as that, right?


I have a busy week ahead but I know these reminders will keep me motivated and focused this week. Most importantly, I will be squeezing my loved ones a little tighter, spending a few more minutes on the phone with each of them and {constantly} reminding them how much I love them.

Motivation Monday: Discover

Time is flying and I wish it would slow down for a split second. How is it already February?! 

I have made a promise to myself to aim to Explore, Dream and Discover in 2015. Explore the world. Dream Big {you can read more here}. Continue to Discover the passion that guides my soul. 

Today's Motivation Monday is focused on the power of positive thinking. I strive to always have a positive attitude because I truly believe it is a contagious behavior. I will continue to discover my passions and in doing so, I want to remember that "in discovering your passion and choosing to go for it, it is important to disregard the negative voices from your own head that tell you that it is too risky to change direction or to try something new. The mind will always try to convince you to play safe. Your spirit will always strive for freedom and expansion." 

Oh, I almost forgot...I have recently ordered this book and can't wait to begin reading it!

Happy Monday, I hope you have a wonderful week! :)

Motivation Monday

As I kick-off six (straight} weeks of travel for work, I have found a few great quotes that I know will serve as a constant reminder that I am thankful to have found a career that is not a job rather a passion.

I am dedicating this Monday's Motivation to the Students, Faculty and Administration that I will meet during my on-campus adventures in the coming weeks. 

To the Students, you can be anything that you want to be if you put your mind to it. I look forward to helping you pursue and achieve your career aspirations. Most importantly, don't forget to...Dream Big. Work Hard. Be Confident. Excel. 

To the Faculty and Administration, I hope you realize that you have been a friend and a role model to many of your Students. You have compelled Students to have a lifetime hunger for knowledge that will allow them to pursue their dreams. You have shared with them the importance of hard-work, determination, compassion, and integrity. Thank you.

Happy Monday!! Stay warm to everyone in the Northeast. 

Motivation Monday: Dream Big

This weekend was one of those weekends where I look back and all I can do is smile. It was spent catching up with family, laughing with our friends, and working on a few house projects with my husband. I am thankful for those moments.

Monday is here and I am ready to make it a great one! My Motivation Monday for this week is focused on creating my professional and personal goals for 2015. 

I accepted a new role as Campus Manager in July - I am responsible for identifying and managing strategic partnerships with top academic institutions throughout the East and Central US. My dreams are big but I know that I can DO IT. This quote has now been framed and sits on my desk to act as a constant reminder to never give up. I have the ability make my dreams a reality.   

One of my personal goals is to make every day better than the last. It is as simple as that. There is always great joy ahead and I don't want to dwell on yesterday. I want to challenge myself a little bit each day, each week, each month to become a better ME. 

I hope your hard work and success make your dreams become a reality! 

Motivation Monday: THANK YOU

I saw this quote this morning as I was walking into my office and it made me stop in my tracks (literally) for a variety of reasons. In the fast-paced life that we all live, it is easy to forget to take a few minutes to say thank you to our loved ones, co-workers, friends, or strangers. It is even easier to not be "present" in the moment since we are constantly able to check email, social media, etc. on our cell phones but we could be missing the special moments of the day that make us appreciate life even more than we already do.  

So I am kicking off my first Motivation Monday and using this quote as my motivation. I want to say thank you to a few of the many talented men and women that helped us execute our dream wedding.

Photographer: Renee Sprink at Renee Sprink Photography
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina

I remember first meeting Renee and I quickly realized that she was exactly what I was looking for in a photographer - she was warm and welcoming, her photos were classic and timeless, she paid attention to every detail and her photos told a story.

I wish I could find the words that truly can express how thankful we are to have had Renee capture every detail as perfectly as she did. Our wedding will always hold a very special place in our hearts because it was a day filled with the most treasured moments with our families and friends. Thank you for telling our story so elegantly. Thank you for capturing the feeling and emotion of each moment. Thank you for not only being our photographer but becoming a lifelong friend.

Just a few examples of how Renee captures the emotion & the story in an unforgettable way. It takes me right back to that very moment on September 20, 2014.

Invitation Consultant: Paper Cafe
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina

Our invitations were an extremely important investment for me because I felt that it set the tone for our entire wedding. Stacey is the owner of Paper Cafe and I had the privilege of working with her to create our custom, invitation suite. From start to finish, the experience was top-notch! She spent many hours listening to us as we discussed the vision of what we wanted for our invitations and she did an excellent job executing this vision. Stacey did a fabulous job with every detail and I was over-the-moon excited on how they turned out. Stacey's experience and expertise allowed this to be possible. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

Invitation Suite by Paper Cafe

Wedding Planner: Southern Soiree
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina

I can't say enough fabulous things about Southern Soirée. I worked with Kailey and she truly made our wedding weekend the fairytale wedding that I have dreamed of since I was a little girl. She was everything and more that you want by your side as you plan your wedding - kind, caring, calming, organized, detail oriented and the list could continue! The entire Southern Soirée team is one of the best investments that I made during the entire wedding planning process. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

Southern, Classic Elegance

Kailey executed every detail perfectly including our Birthday surprise

Bridal Boutique Wedding Dress: Traditions by Anna
Bridal Alterations: Marie Cordella
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina

When I walked into Traditions, I knew that I was going to find the perfect dress. You are greeted immediately with a very warm welcome. The ladies are so sweet, professional and strive to provide you with the most unique experience - they made me feel as though I was their only Bride for the day!

Working with Allison was a pleasure - she was focused on finding the dress that would make me feel and look beautiful. My dress had every element of detail that I wanted and I am so thankful for her help and guidance through the entire process. She found the most beautiful, breathtaking wedding dress for me and I couldn't have been happier!

Marie Cordella was recommended for my Alterations and she was fabulous! I just adored working with her as she made my dress fit like a glove.

Flowers: Carl Klabbatz
Location: Pinehurst, North Carolina

When the doors opened at the church, I was overwhelmed by the beauty and transformation of the church. Carl found a delicate balance of floral and greenery to create the most exquisite arrangements- it was perfect! The reception was no exception either, each arrangement was unique and were a true work of art. I can't thank Carl enough for his dedication to making our wedding venues absolutely stunning.

The Bouquets were beautiful and tied in our color palette perfectly.

The altar flowers were gorgeous as well.

Bakery: Bakehouse
Location: Aberdeen, North Carolina

The Bakehouse is a family owned and operated bakery. It is the fifth generation bakery that incorporates the Austrian and Spanish heritage of Martin and his wife. We worked very closely with Martin, the pastry chef, to create an elegant yet simple wedding cake for our Guests to enjoy. Martin was a pleasure to work with and always made sure to accommodate any of our requests. He is true artist that takes pride in his work.

I loved everything about our wedding cake -
the design, the simplicity, the taste

Again, thank you! Thank you for sharing your passion and expertise with us - you made our wedding day dream come true.