Let me just start off by saying that I went into last Sunday with SUCH criticism. Ya see, #becomingwiza starts with stepping outside your comfort zone, and that’s exactly what I did meeting Maggie. Now, I’ve met Maggie before…worked with her husband and briefly even met her kiddos. But, I didn’t know this Maggie. When I drove up to her home she was sneakily trying to take out the garbage before I could see and quickly ran back in, faced bronzed and ready to greet me with a bubbly smile. After an intense Beachbody workout, the real fun began…
“So, tell me about the Maggie from 5 years ago”
Maggie- Oh man, here come the tears! Ya know, it was probably the lowest I’ve ever been; I felt alone, I didn’t want to go to bed but I couldn’t get these horrible thoughts out of my head. I thought my husband was going to leave me. I was 15 lbs overweight and suffering from terrible anxiety. It is such a silent and stigmatized disease that I didn’t know what to do. Mentally I was not healthy.
Alyssa-That is so crazy to me because I can’t imagine you that way!
Maggie-Yeah, it was really hard. But I didn’t feel like I had a purpose and I felt like I just needed a change.
Alyssa-Is that when you sought out Beachbody?
Maggie-No, actually it wasn’t until about 2-3 years later that Beachbody came along. At that point I was off of the anxiety medication and continuing to try & get mentally healthy on my own….obsessing over the wrong things. One day an acquaintance on Facebook messaged me about it and I wasn’t really interested. One day I just asked myself, do I even like the gym?? I craved a change and decided to try it out.
Alyssa-Thats such a brave step, what did your husband think?
Maggie-He was supportive but at first though it was just another gimmick I was trying and wasn’t really bought in. Even for me, I started with the 21 day fix and it was a very surface level commitment. I never posted about it on social media. One day it just clicked.
Alyssa-It sounds a bit cliché…right, like “Beachbody saved the day….go try this right now”! But when other women read this, what do you want them to know about your journey and about Beachbody?
Maggie- It saved me, but my mental health had to change first, then my body followed. If you are thinking about it, you pretty much already decided that you want to try it, so take action on it. Beachbody is a tool, just like with anything. I had to get to my “why” for this to come alive and make a difference for myself and my family. Find your why and take a risk. It’s simple but not easy, trust the process.
Alyssa-How have you #becomewiza through this?
Maggie- I learned that food is fuel! I look at food so much differently now. Yes, everything is balance but it is not treated as a reward for healthy decision making.
Alyssa- So, what does your husband think now, ha?
Maggie-Once he saw the changes in me he jumped right in! We are stronger than ever, I appreciate him more. (Mike later on commenting on his wife- she is so motivational, determined, trustworthy…and hot, but thats a give -in)!
Alyssa-I think that means he’s bought in! Ok, last Beachbody question, what is up with these accountability groups??
Maggie-It is important to your fitness success because you are surrounded by like minded people that have common goals. A healthy environment leads to success in other areas in your life.
Alyssa- So I read on Facebook that someone is celebrating a birthday soon (she rolls her eyes as I ask this). Paint us a picture of “This is 40”
Maggie- This is the best shape I’ve been in my whole life. I’m the healthies, most energetic, bring it on! I see success everywhere, my kids are getting older they need differently. Surrender to 40. As I reflect, in my 20’s I was trying to keep up and being someone I wasn’t. Be YOU, stop trying to impress other people. In my 30’s I was just trying to survive (we were living on 1 income with 2 small children) and I would tell myself and the women going through it now that IT’S GOING TO BE OK! Now, at 40 I am #becomingwiza by appreciating everyday. I want to learn more & grow more professionally ….be the mom my kids need. Be present. Complete daily positive affirmations first thing in the morning. Life is a blessing.
More about Maggie:
- Favorite Beach Body program? 21 day fix extreme
- AM workouts or PM workouts? AM for sure! Sets tone for the day.
- Least favorite exercise? A pull up!
- Best asset? My arms!
- Cant live without? My family, bronzer, mascara, my accountability groups, my phone…shakology.
- Its cheat day, what are you having? wine, pizza, chocolate, Lou Malnati’s pizza!
- Go-to meal at a restaurant? Salad with grilled chicken, dressing on the side! Sometimes I bring my own salad dressing because I don’t know what the restaurant will offer. I have to ask myself, when I leave temptation how do I want to feel, empowered or guilty? EMPOWERED! Choices become easy, remember that food is fuel!
- Gym shoes or heels? This is a tricky one! Hmmm, heels for sure. I feel sexy in both, the gyms shoes make me feel sexy in my heels.
- Trade lives with anyone for a day, who would it be? One of the top coaches because I want know what they know and learn from them. I wonder how they balance their life?
- Biggest celebrity crush? Taylor Kinney from Chicago Fire! Dark hair and blues eyes..I mean look at my husband!
This world is getting a pretty bad rap these days. If you are looking for negativity you don’t have to go too far to find it. Maggie has taught me that positivity starts with you. If you want to make a difference and change peoples perspectives..change your own attitude. I, without a doubt thought this experience was going to be infused with rainbows and unicorns but I was wrong. Maybe we have become so used to the negativity that we have become uncomfortable with the positive we see on social media. Maybe we should all follow in Maggie’s footsteps and let go of our control, get out of our own way and live the life we actually want to live so that we create a happy and safe world. Becoming wiza starts with YOU. It is about empowering yourself. Check criticism (for yourself and others) at the door and decide to lead with love.
Want to learn more about Maggie or Beachbody? Go follow her on Facebook or find her on Instagram using @magsullrich
Becoming Wiza 