Ever since I was little I had two passions/hobbies. I remember spending my time at recess sitting on the playground not playing games like ' red rover come over', but sitting with a group of friends doodling the next "swim suit" line of the season. How I even had a clue about fashion when I was 7 years old, is beyond me.. but its what I did. Little did I know that I would end up in the fashion industry in my adulthood... but to my family I'm sure it made sense. My second hobby, wasn't a passion until later, is fitness. I think because my parents were always on the new fad diet or workout routine, it left an influence on me. I remember being 8 or 9 years old and working out on my dads Nordic Track. When I got into junior high, sports just were not my thing, but I stayed active with tae bo videos and dance. Moving into my high school years, I always thought I needed to lose weight. I wasn't even breaking 100lbs and I thought "oh man, I need wash board abs, or I need to lose this little flubb on my thighs". Luckily, it never became a disorder but I can see (now) that it could have easily spiraled that way.
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People in my family always struggled with weight, trying the new fad diet like the zone, nutrisystem, weight watchers, south beach diet, cabbage soup diet. You name it, my parents tried it, which by influence, I tried it! I took it a step further, taking (harmful) weight loss pills; which I shouldn't have been taking to begin with. During that time in my life, I worked out because I enjoyed it, but I did what I thought was the correct way to living healthy... trying all the newest "IT" diets and diet pills that "all the celebrities used".. I had no idea that I was doing more damage than good.
It was around that time that I started a program called p90x. My roommates and I did about 4 weeks of it and quit. Little by little, I started hearing more and more about Beachbody, the distributer of p90x and other various products. It was a year later that I stumbled upon a product called shakeology which provided daily vitamins and nutrients. At this point in my life, it wasn't about trying the newest fad diet... I was actually sickly thin due to being sick and depressed. My main focus was to GET HEALTHY. I purchased shakeology which sat on top of my fridge for 3 months! It was pricey and I cant believe that I let it just sit there! One day, I was playing around on the internet when I found out that Craig Holiday was going to be speaking at a Beachbody Event in my town. To be honest, I didn't really care about going to learn about Beachbody, I just wanted to listen to Craig. I had been following him on social media and I felt like he was someone who had been through so much and found the GOOD in things. I craved his positivity. It was April of 2012 that I went to hear Craig speak and that day forward everything changed.
I ended up leaving that meeting not only feeling good and positive and so happy to hear Craig Holiday speak; but listening to the Beachbody Coaches tell their story really hit home for me. I left wanting to take control of my life and my health; I left wanting to help my family who always struggled with weight loss. After that meeting I came home and signed up as a Beachbody Coach, I did it to help me stay on track with my accountability. If I knew people were watching me because I had that 'Coach" title, it would lite a fire under my butt and would make it impossible to give up (because everyone was watching). I purchased a new workout program, Chalean Extreme & started drinking Shakeology daily! It has been over a year now and I am the healthiest I have been in a long time. I have changed my life for the better physically, mentally and financially. I remember the very first day of starting my new journey singing "A Change Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke, so many people thought "this beachbody thing" was just a fad & that it was a scheme and I would be over it in a month or so. Boy, were they wrong!! I have a wonderful mentor and coach, Jenelle Summers, who has been helping me every step of the way so that I can help my team every step of the way! Jenelle, my team, my customers, my friends, my family... heck even my haters, ALL keep me motivated to continue on.
Since joining over a year ago, not only have I changed my life for the better, but I have been blessed to have the opportunity to help others do the same, including my family. I want to spend my time on this Earth HAPPY & HEALTHY. I believe that God has led me in this path to touch certain people and help them do the same in their life. Who would have thought that after spending so much time and money on my degree specializing in fashion, that I would end up loving my job as a fitness coach!
Today, I write this living and leading a healthy, positive lifestyle. I believe that I had to come crashing down in order to be lifted up and God has shown me that I must pay it forward to those who may be in the same situation. If you struggle with weightloss, if you struggle with being sick and tired all the time, if you are surrounded by negativity and you just need ONE person to be positive to lift you up- I would love to connect with you! After all, I have been there. If you are a fashionista- hey I'd love to connect! Just reach out at ashleymstansfield@yahoo.com
PS- It's funny how you create this plan for your life & how you want it to end up. 3 years ago, I thought I would be top dog in the fashion world, married to the love of my life and popping out kids. BOY, did GOD show me... I'm not married, not popping out any kids, still work in the fashion world but I believe that MY TRUE PASSION... MY CALLING is fitness and health. I am even looking into getting certified as a personal trainer! :) Live, love, and let GOD, he will show you the way! I'm so thankful for the path HE has chosen for me.
xxoo
Ashley
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