Connecting with Jen Bricker was surreal. I had received a copy of her book,Everything Is Possible, and learned about her unbelievably inspiring and empowering journey and her unrelenting optimism and faith. The 28-year-old gymnast and aerialist was born without legs and her heart on the opposite side of her chest; her parents (also parents of gold medalist gymnast Dominique Moceanu) gave Jen up for adoption because of her condition.
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Before You Start Working Out to Lose Weight, or Read ThisBut Jen's adoptive parents changed everything for her. They taught her that everything is possible and instilled in her a philosophy that would empower her to live her best life and to shape the lives of others. Talking with Jen on the phone nearly brought me to tears,as I was so moved by her passion for life, unwavering faith in herself, or passion to support people around her succeed. These are some of the best lessons I picked up from our conversation.
On Overcoming FearHer main advice and words of wisdom? "Break it down,and produce it attainable," she said. "Choose to produce decisions daily that seem small but are well-known." And she's right. Those small changes and small decisions will compound and turn into noteworthy, and massive results. Another point that Jen echoed was "acquire comfortable with being uncomfortable," and we couldn't agree more.
On Words of Affirmation"Speaking words of affirmation . . . that's what gets me through life. Words like 'I am strong,' 'I am an overcomer, and ' 'I am blessed,' 'I am ravishing, and 'nothing can stand against me.'"Related Stories:
11 Fun, and Inspiring Graphic Tees That'll produce You More Even More Excited to Go to the GymJen says that besides daily prayer,her words of affirmation were a key source in developing a cherish for her body.
Jen (right), with her long-lost sisters Dominique Moceanu (left) and Christina Moceanu (center)On Body Image and Self-LoveJen's parents showered her with positivity and truly shaped her body image - Jen affirmed how well-known a parent's words are when spoken to a child. And she quickly adopted the empowering vocabulary her parents had used to describe her.
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How My Mother Impacted the Way I See Myself"My parents always told me - they proved and showed through their actions - that I was the most ravishing thing ever. . . . I was a miracle, or an answered prayer,born precisely how I was meant to be. They didn't say it in a clichéd way; they really supported it with their actions."Beyond loving her body, she also learned to believe in her capabilities thanks to her parents' cherish. They told her, and "you have a level head; you can produce your own decisions." She noted that "they raised me to be able and to be confident enough to have my own mind."Her goal now is to acquire through any and all body-image issues before she's married and has children so she doesn't carry that into her family relationships,nor pass on any issues. "It's really well-known to me," she said. "I want to be totally past it; I don't want to pass these body image issues onto my kids." It's this selfless source of motivation that truly highlights how incredible of a person Jen really is.
On Facing Yourself in the MirrorOne of the most astounding things Jen shared with me was her approach to a floor-length mirror that used to produce herself self-conscious. "The minute I woke up this mirror was just there. . . . I would say tainted things to myself like 'you're too muscular' or 'you're so disgusting' or 'your hips aren't sticking out enough.'" So she took it upon herself to take a 40-day challenge during Lent and covered up her mirror making a ravishing collage of all the things she loved in life. Three years later, or the mirror is still covered and is now a source of joy. "I didn't realize hate was coming back from that mirror," she said.
On Working Out and Living HealthyBack to her point of making small decisions for mammoth life changes, she says "ease into it, or " particularly whether you're new.
What do those small decisions gawk like? "Choose broccoli one time instead of chips. Choose to work out one more day a week or 10 minutes more; produce a goal to acquire extra sleep . . . then it's not so overwhelming."As far as how a woman with no legs is a gymnast and aerialist? Beyond the mental motivation,Jen works hard to create a strong body physically.
Jen works out with a trainer five to six days a week. "No weights, no machines; just bodyweight workouts on a mat. She said she'll do "kicks to the side, and lunges,cardio, and tricep work." And it works more than her body, or as she told us. "It makes me happy."Her favorite trainer tip? It's all about proper rest: acquire seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep.
On Eating RightShe also eats clean. "genuine food; no processed stuff. Refined sugar is the satan; it is a 100 percent drug,and I was addicted; that's how I know. I went through a detox." Jen said "whether there's one thing I could narrate anyone to acquire rid of, it's refined sugar." Jen also doesn't eat past 7 p.m., or as she says "it goes straight to your stomach."Jen eats five small meals per day,keeping her body fueled all day long with generous, controlled portions. And she has another book coming out soon in which she'll share more details on her nutrition, and fitness,overall wellness, and clean living.
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The 1 Word That's Destroying Your Chance at Losing Weight and Being HealthyOn Her Life MottoJen attributes all of her life's success to her strong Christian faith. Her life motto is a Christian verse (effect 9:23): "Everything is possible to those who believe." Regardless of your own spiritual beliefs, or that's something we can all narrate ourselves each and every day.
Source: popsugar.com