There are some moments in life that stand still in time…

I was having one of the best summers of my life. I was an elementary school teacher and for the first time in my teaching career, I took the summer off and headed to the beach! Newport Beach, California.

Early one morning I got a phone call that brought me to my knees… my mom told me she had breast cancer!

I felt so helpless, I was living across the country and didn’t know what to do. Unfortunately, my family was no stranger to a breast cancer diagnosis. It took my grandmothers life years earlier. In fact, she had one of the first mastectomies but unfortunately the cancer infiltrated her bones and she died a very slow and painful death.

Thank God for medical advances and early detection, my mom has a different story to share. She became a survivor!!! Although she did undergo chemotherapy and radiation, as well as having a double mastectomy, she now has been cancer free for 21 years. What a blessing!

I always wanted to do something in memory of my grandmother and in honor of my mother and three of of gal pal survivors.

So years later….

I was no longer an elementary school teacher. I was now married, a mother of two and the proud owner and instructor of Happy Hour Fit Club (an outdoor boot camp workout for women)

I love being the motivating force for our group to participate in local races. We did mud runs, 5 and 10ks, sprint triathlons and fun obstacle course races which all benefited various charities.

Then one day, I felt God tap me on the shoulder - He said, “Kerrie, it’s time to do something bigger.” I know He blessed me with a powerful group of women for a reason and I was going to soon understand why.

So I had a crazy idea. What if we participated in the Susan G Komen- 33 mile 2 day walk. I jumped on the computer to find out the details and soon felt deflated. We need to raise $2800 per walker to participate, not to mention the walk was only a few months away!

The following day I brought up this crazy idea at class and before I knew it 8 women were ALL IN!!!! Within the week we got together and made shit happen. We ordered pink shirts, planned trainings and strategized how we were going to raise $22,400!

We decided we were going to throw an amazing party to reach our fundraising goal. We delegated the responsibilities and began to round up amazing silent and live auction items, created ideas to generate donations (the amazing “Wine Pull” was my favorite) we booked a venue and a DJ and started to get the word out on social media.

The party was a HUGE success, it was filled with music, friends, laughter, a desert bar, cocktails, a photo booth and our community showed up BIG!!!!

We exceeded our goal and raised $28,000!!!!

The walk itself was an incredible experience.… We walked through beautiful Santa Barbara, California stopped and had picnic lunches, chatted with other survivors and although our feet were blistered we crossed that finish line with smiles on our faces.

It wasn’t until a few months later I realized the power of our community. How alone I can do so little but together we can do so much.

Over the past 10 years our group has raised over $150,000 for various charities. Two organizations that are near and dear to my heart: The Los Alamitos Education Foundation and Honoring our Fallen.

We have also given back to our local community. We’ve helped a family whose home burnt down, organized meal trains, made gift baskets and prayed and supported those who are hurting or sick.

This group is nothing short of amazing. To think how we have loved each other through the trials and tribulations of life - it’s priceless.

I’ve always believed that when God gives you a special gift or blessing it is not for you to keep to yourself. It is to be given away. And that’s just what we do at Happy Hour Fit Club.

THE STORY BEHIND THE BEADS

Every morning I woke up and my battle began. Thoughts raced through my head at a neck breaking pace and the thoughts were brutal and unkind. Before my feet hit the floor, I already beat myself up pretty good!

So I started to research ways to get out of my destructive thoughts. I stumbled upon Tony Robbins YouTube clips and played each one until I practically had them memorized. I discovered the power of podcasts. Podcasts saved my life – no joke! I also began reading books (my favorite- The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer) that filled my mind once again with hope and dreams. I was determined to conquer my thoughts and once again feel my joy stream return to my soul.

Slowly but surly my ship started to turn around.

My first step was to find a system to start my day. And although some of the morning rituals I stumbled upon were very helpful I ran into a few issues: I tended to get distracted, simply forgot, it took up too much time and/or felt complicated.

So I developed a system which has become my morning ritual for the past 3 years!

DAILY DEVOTIONAL BEADS WERE BORN!!!!

My strand of beads is the first thing I see when I wake up and triggers me to immediately connect. The strand of beads were created with intention and each bead serves a purpose.

The first set of 5 beads is for breath work. I take 5 big healing breathes and touch each bead as I inhale and exhale. As I touch the next 5 beads, I say 5 things I am grateful for. And the last set of 5 beads I pray (you can also think about) 5 people in my life that need prayer/good thoughts. The last 3 little beads at the end, stand for Healing, Hurting or Help. I ask God/The Universe for favor in one of those areas.

I discovered how something so simple and so easy can change the entire course of my day!

At the time I created these beads I was volunteering in a thrift store which supported New Life Beginnings.

New Life Beginnings provides a safe shelter in a stable, caring, structured home environment. They provide individualized goal-oriented programs and opportunities that empower women to break free of the welfare cycle to become independent contributing members of society. They cherish life, honor motherhood, and empower women.

Then one day I met a special mother to be, let’s call her Frankie. Frankie was 8 months pregnant and just transitioned out of a shelter into a small apartment. She came to the thrift store looking for any baby supplies, clothes, etc… From the first moment I met her I knew I wanted to be apart of her story. Her eyes were soft and kind but I could tell she had a tough go in this world. Real tough. We became fast friends and I went to see her new place. She had a tv, a sleeping bag, a suitcase of clothes and a bassinet for the baby. My heart broke for her. Not only because she slept on the floor but she had no support system. So I decided I would be it.

I called on my community for help. Within a week- she had a fully furnished apartment and everything a mom with a new baby could need. I began to understand how challenging it was for her to get back on her feet. So many personal challenges but financial challenges as well. Talk about God’s timing... I wanted to share beads with everyone I know and she could use a few extra bucks. Perfect storm- RIGHT?

So we sat together, talked about life and I showed her how to make the beads. Together we came up with a plan that for every strand of beads she made she would earn money.

There are too many Frankies in the world. From the time they were little girls they have lived in an environment filled with abuse, neglect and addiction.

So know when you hold these beads in your hand you are helping a women rebuild.

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Having more energy and vitality, feeling more engaged in life and easily manage your weight can start with making a few small changes in your daily habits and engaging in self education. These 30 days will act as a RESET to establishing healthy habits.

It’s our mission to empower people to flourish with sustainable healthy living, so the 30 Days to Healthy Living set and program are specifically designed to do just that. It helps you identify foods that might not be serving your body well- while you focus on adding nutrient dense, plant based whole foods into your daily routine, creating sustainable habits for a healthy lifestyle that lasts.

The beautiful thing is you’re not alone on this journey. Not only will you have a personal coach you have the opportunity to join an amazing supportive community.

Currently I own and operate a fitness business which allows me to share this program with so many people. Hands down my clients have reported this is the easiest program they’ve ever followed!

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Here are a few testimonials …

“After my heart attack, I knew I needed to make changes. Not only did my doctor approve the 30 day regiment but when I went for my follow up he said, “Whatever you’re doing - don’t stop” I am forever grateful you shared this program with me. Gosh I feel so darn great!”

Love Tessa

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“You know how worried I was about my dad… I love that guy… I’m so appreciative this program put him on a healthy path. He was very scared when the doctor told him he was pre-diabetic and if he didn’t make a change, he would have to go on medication and possibly insulin. Because of the 30 Day he’s down 17 pounds, feeling in control of his health and the doctor said medication is no longer needed!”

Danielle

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“Finally I’m NOT on a diet!!!! I seriously feel free!!!! I haven’t felt this great in years. And I couldn’t agree more, the shakes and fizz are the bomb. I’m a lifer lol. No words can express what this last 30 days has meant for me.

Nella

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It has been an amazing opportunity to serve others and witness my clients, friends and family achieve life changing results.

So whether you are looking for a total overhaul in your health or to bring in new healthy habits this program is for you!

I would love to hear your goals and make a plan that is perfect for you!

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Do you love to run?

No?

Hard Pass?

Well join the club!!!! Not many of us love to run for running sake. 

I have discovered we enjoy running when there is a purpose!

Ya know… chasing someone… catching something…

Over the years I have incorporated games into my fitness classes. Games to get ourcompetitive juices flowing and keep our mind busy. We forget we don’t likerunning because we are having too much fun to think about it!

One game that everyone … okay…okay … well 98% of everyone has fallen in love withis Ultimate Frisbee! Not to be confused with frisbee golf.  LOL

Through playing ultimate frisbee in my classes I realized this was the perfect game because no matter someone’s age, gender, athletic ability- it leveled the playing field and everyone felt they fit!

I decided since my group loved it so much, I’d start a (free) pick up game on Saturday mornings. The games were open to anyone who wanted to play- they did not need to be a member of Happy Hour Fit Club.

As a trainer, I’ve always offered opportunities outside of classes (races, hikes,beach walks etc…) to get my clients engaged in movement. Over the years I’ve witnessed how engaging in one activity we love makes all the difference. We become inspired, excited and consistent which leads to living a healthier lifestyle.

So bright and early one Saturday morning many years ago, I drove to the local park with my pinnies, cones and a frisbee and set up a field to prepare to play. To my surprise only four of us showed. I was disappointed. But we tossed around the frisbee and decided we would try again next week. The following weekend 8 people showed up and Saturday Morning Ultimate Frisbee was born.

Every weekend that passed more and more people came out to play. We played on holiday weekends. We played and picnicked after the game. We played at night when Saturdays weren’t convenient. We played when we had days off during the holidays. We played every chance we got! 

Now who can believe eight years later we still gather on Saturday mornings to get our Frisbee game on! 

It's been an honor to be apart of this group. I truly feel like the lucky one!

When I am out and about in town, at parties or on the frisbee field I often have people pull me aside to thank me. They express how grateful they are for Saturday morning Frisbee and often say every friend they have everyone they know has stemmed from playing frisbee!

I had no idea that a simple game of Ultimate Frisbee would bring so much joy and love to my life and to my community.

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