A couple of weeks ago, I picked up the book “Girl, Wash Your Face” by Rachel Hollis after hearing all of the great reviews. She’s got a tough love attitude and, for those who have taken my classes, you know I appreciate some tough love. In one of the chapters, Rachel talks about how...Read More

Define Your Power Hour School has been in session for over a month. Activity schedules have been set. Laundry, dishes, and house cleaning never end. Your fridge is empty, and you need to walk the dog. Oh, yes, and you might have a career on top of all of that. Wait…your kid needs help with...Read More

  THE SCORE TAKES CARE OF ITSELF Although I wish that I could take credit for the title of this blog post, I cannot. It is the title of a book by the legendary coach of the San Francisco 49ers, Bill Walsh. Walsh was a Pro Football Hall of Fame coach that won 6 division...Read More

Exercise as Sanity! As we journey through life the various tasks and obligations tend to creep in slowly and they force out the other ‘less important’ activities that we enjoy and also need.  I like to relax and exercise and make time to meditate but its tempting to put those things off so I can...Read More

A sign hung on the wall of the karate studio I attended as a child that read, “House of Discipline”. These words were simple and direct and every student knew what they meant. The meaning was taught the first time I walked in the door which was when I was only five years old. It...Read More

Before I had kids I had an extremely exciting career as a trauma nurse. It was fun, fast paced and rewarding. No day was the same. When I was pregnant with my first child, I thought I might go back to work after I had him, but by the time he was 4 months old,...Read More

  Now that it’s warming up, we all finally leave the cocoon of our homes and venture to the outdoors. Summer is filled with all kinds of activities and events that contribute to our enjoyment of the beautiful Chicago weather.  A common theme for summer activities is charity rides and races.  I would say that...Read More

Spring Cleaning The weather has finally turned for the better! The sun is out, the temps are climbing. Classes will soon feature more outdoors efforts like running, wallballs along the bricks, maybe some walking lunges down the alley! Bonus: Your membership now upgrades to include some vitamin D as you lap the alley/York block between...Read More

Shortcuts to a Happy Life       Most of the time, I am happy. Life is too short, not to be happy. But that doesn’t mean that “happy” is always easy. My happiness is a constant work in progress. Just like all of you, I have so many days when I wake up grumpy....Read More

Saying Goodbye to my 20’s In a few days I will officially be an adult. It wasn’t the wedding, or being pregnant, or getting off my dad’s cell phone plan (though that’s a real close second) that makes me feel like an adult. It’s the fact that I’ll be out of my 20s and turning...Read More