I feel like the best chapter of my life is ending. But I am hopeful that the next one is even better.
Three years ago I walked in to this isolated building looking for an Herbalife nutrition club and found Nspire Nutrition. For two years I enjoyed going into the club and eventually became best friends with the owner Liz. I didn’t think that walking into a building would change my life, but it sure did. And Nspire was only the beginning of how wonderful this place shaped my life. In the beginning, it was the safe place I could go and vent and get a bunch of good energy before going home. Every day when I needed a pick-me-up I would go in and talk with Liz and would somehow feel better. After my divorce, I struggled finding who I am and my purpose in life. Just this year in the summer of 2020, Liz trusted me to give her club a complete makeover. Liz left to go out of town and I stepped into redo the place. It was in that weekend that I remembered how strong my independence is and how much I missed my creative side. I had the power to make decisions again and make something great into something magnificent. I was overwhelmed with emotions that weekend, because I felt like my voice was coming back.
I never once met any other person or business owner in the building besides Liz, but the one day I was painting Nspire this bald guy peeked his head in and scared the crap out of me. He said, “oh you’re actually doing it,” (about the painting) and I just remember thinking of course I am.. this guy really has no idea who I am and how I operate. Haha. I always go big or go home…..well, I never go home…. So I always go BIG! I completed Nspire’s makeover and surprised Liz past midnight on the Sunday she returned. I’ll always remember her reaction until the day that I die. It was in that moment that I believed in myself and my ability to get things done and done well.
So about a week after I completed the makeover I get a call from that bald guy that peeked his head in while I was painting. Dr. James, the owner of Finish Line Wellness, left a message on my phone wanting me to help revamp the chiropractic office. I figured what the hell do I have to lose? I was able to redo the trim, create signs, paint a HUGE spine, and a whole bunch of other work to the office space. It was definitely the biggest project I had accomplished and I was pretty proud of myself. I feel like I’ll definitely have to touch up the paint for the rest of my life… but other than that it was pretty awesome.
But besides all the work I’ve done within the building I have met the most AMAZING people in there that have helped mold me so much into the person that I am. I knew I was always one to help others, but I was really able to make an impact in that building. That’s the part that I will take with me forever. I was able to really get to know the employees in the building and I created so many great memories with them. I got to know the patients on a personal level and I cherish every one of those relationships.
I found the Best Christmas Ever organization within this building which will always be a part of my life now. I just found out that I was in the top 10% for Captain’s fundraising this year (my first year). 11th place out of over 100 Captains. I had the goal of raising $20,000 and get a donated vehicle and I reached the goal with the help of so many giving people, of course. I am beyond proud that I got to be part of this organization and that I have been able to give two families a life changing moment that hopefully has restored hope in their lives. I found the true passion in my heart again for giving and helping people out. It’s really what life is all about. I needed a good reminder of that and that’s what Best Christmas Ever has given me.
I finally got done with the chiropractic makeover and BCE fundraising within the building. My life ended up having pieces fall together where I was able to move on to a dream of owning my own business/store front. But this also meant that I would have to leave this building that helped give me some of the best times of my life. I think the hardest part for me was getting past the fact that I wouldn’t see these people that I created such great bonds with on the daily. Liz, James, Ashley, Ashlyn, Trevor, Theo, Celina, Tracey, Melanie, Brenda, Lisa, Laura, Jeff, Christian, Linnea, Mary, Cate the list can go on forever…I really love and appreciate you all. The week before I knew I would be handing over the keys was the hardest on me, emotionally. My biggest fear was that people would forget about me and the bonds that we created over the last year. I had to convince myself that if people want me in their life then they’ll make time regardless of me being in that building or not. So here I am, a week out from handing over my keys and I sincerely miss being in there. It’s sort of a kind of grief for me that I’m still trying to navigate through. But everything will be okay and everything is meant to happen for a reason. I truly believe that.
I am SO grateful for the wonderful people in the Finish Line Wellness building and Nspire Nutrition. I will never forget the memories, the laughs, goofy moments, and any of the people that crossed my path in there. I only hope that the relationships continue while I kick ass at owning my own business. This chapter might be officially ending, but the next one will be the best one yet.