Whole Pieces Champion : August

I absolutely cannot believe we are here already at the end of August. I wanted to touch base with everyone who has been waiting for the August Champion. I am disappointed to say that I was unable to put the time into this piece this month. However, I do think this is the perfect opportunity to bring up time management, stress, priorities and our wellbeing.

I first had the realization on or about August 20th that the August Champion piece may not happen this month. However, I still held out hope that I would be able to put the necessary work and love into the piece to complete it within a week. Around the 25th it became obvious my high hopes were ridiculously unrealistic. When I select a champion they are someone that I regard as special and deserving of the time and effort the piece takes. Therefore, I did not want to throw something together and cheat that spectacular person.

It did occur to me this would be a perfect opportunity to talk about stress and our obsession to be perfect to all people at all times. I am the first person to preach on balance. I try not to accept commitments I don't think I will be able to or will not want to keep. Above everything else, I know the way for me to be the best me possible I need a few things: proper sleep, good nutrition, regular workouts, and a little time to myself. I have learned in these 33 years, if I don't have most or all of these basic things on a regular basis I am no good in other parts of my life. I need these basic things to be a good wife, coach, employee, daughter, and friend. Notice I said, "good". I will never be perfect at all times in all of these roles. I accept that.

I think the best way to think of balance and being the best you you can be is thinking in terms of a bank account. I make deposits: adequate sleep, proper nutrition, regular workouts, and time to myself. I also make withdrawals: cooking and cleaning, taking care of the poodle, completing projects for work, etc. When you start bouncing checks because there aren't enough deposits it creates financial distress. It's the same for your life. You have to have enough energy to be the best version of yourself. Try to think about what your deposits and withdrawals are and see if you are in the red.

This month, I got my basic needs in, but I had a few other competing tasks. These tasks took me temporarily away from some things that I love to do. Highlighting that special person is one of these things. I had to accept that it wasn't going to happen this month, and I had to be OK with that. As disappointed as I am, I am hopeful that being honest about not being able to do it all, all the time, will help someone out there. It's a good time to think about your emotional bank account. Are you making too many withdrawals?

July Champion : Marti Peters

It's so excellent when you meet a new friend, and you feel like you have known them forever. This is exactly the case with the Whole Pieces July Champion. Marti Peters came into my life a little over 4 years ago, another gift from my Mama. Mama did always pick the best ladies to hang out with; I am lucky that many of them still like to be friends with me! I met Marti, a yogi and personal trainer, through my parents gym in Bonita Springs, Florida. Bonita Springs, pictured above, who wouldn't want to work out here?

Whenever I am in Bonita, I always love to go to the community's gym. It's part social, and part working out there, and I always run into my favorite pals. When I first started going there a few years ago I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb. Since I was a youngster, (30 is a youngster in that community) and it was pretty obvious I was a guest in the gym, I would always get looks from gym goers and trainers alike. There were a few folks who were always welcoming; Marti was one of these people. She always meets you with a bright glowing smile.

Marti is one of those people that just exudes wellness if that's possible. In addition to her warm smile she has a aura about her. My guess when I see people like this is that they are very content with who they are and living exactly their purpose. As a personal trainer she does something so important for her clients. She motivates them to accomplish something they thought was impossible. The beauty of this phenomenon is when you do something physically you never believed you could do you start to wonder what else in my life could I accomplish? That is pretty powerful.

Marti tells me she stays motivated because she is a trainer. Seems like a no brainer right? She feels strongly she has to walk the walk and talk the talk. She hopes to be an inspiration to her children and grandchildren while being true to her clients. A lot of folks who are new to working out see cardio as the end all be all of the workout. They are focused on burning as many calories as possible and really making their time worth it. I will admit, I used to believe that too. However, when I asked Marti what keeps her healthy and well her answer was unequivocally YOGA. She does it as much as possible and credits her practice for keeping her balanced and fit. She adds it gives her strength, flexibility, and lowers stress. As a side note for any of you saying, "I tried yoga and I didn't feel like I was getting a workout, and it did nothing for me". My strong advice is: You didn't go to the right class and you need to continue to find a good fit for you. Plus, you have to give it a little time.

When she's not teaching or practicing yoga she likes to mix it up with water fitness, running, and other group classes. The other obvious component to leading a healthy lifestyle is eating habits. After a disturbing field trip to a working farm Marti's daughter came home and pronounced herself a vegetarian. Wanting her daughter to make a healthy transition Marti herself became a vegetarian. While she contends she wasn't a huge meat eater before so it wasn't too difficult, she wanted to support her daughter. 20 years later she continues to enjoy a meat-free diet while still delighting in fish and dairy. She explains to me she feels it works well with her system, particularly with hormone balance. Overall, her best tips are moderation and balance without denying yourself anything.

Finally, something I love to share about the champion is their spiritual side. I feel this is a vital component to our health that so many people ignore. Marti considers herself to be a spiritual being, and her practice is through mediation and yup, you guessed it, yoga. Her parents both passed away at a young age and she feels a great part of her spirit comes through them as her guardian angels. I really get that - BEAUTIFUL!


I want to thank Marti for being an inspiration to me, and now all of you reading here. Marti believes fitness found her and I am certain her clients are truly grateful for that. In closing, I will end with Marti's favorite go to quote; "If you don't take care of your body, where will you live?"