expedition balance...

Three years ago, I met Carl. Carl is the founder of a non-profit organization, Expedition Balance. Taken from their website, Expedition Balance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in Houston, Texas, dedicated to helping combat veterans cope with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Expedition Balance was created by combat veterans for combat veterans suffering from PTSD. Our staff is made up of veterans as well. Expedition Balance is funded entirely by donations.

This organization is near and dear to my heart. I have a dozen or so family members and friends who have served our country in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq. They fought and continue to serve so that we can sleep tightly tucked into our beds at night.

I naturally gravitated to Carl and his cause and wanted to support in whatever way I could. A few months back we started the “Carl.” The “Carl” is a bi-weekly meet up where Carl, my friend Emily, and I meet up at a local outdoor bar and grill. We share ideas (and beer) and brainstorm ways to bring awareness to the cause. We’ve had several other friends and supporters over the months join us here and there too. It’s become a sort of thing… Something for me that doesn’t involve work, and something that brings me a lot of joy and satisfaction.

One of our first initiatives was to organize a 5K fun run. Houston has a big run community and running can be just as therapeutic as yoga and meditation for some. Planning and organizing a race is a lot of work, and we we’re up for the challenge and putting in the work, but when we heard of The Color Run (www.thecolorrun.com) we thought that would be perfect! So, four months ago we sent an e-mail to the organization purposing the come to Houston, Texas and host the race on November 11^th, Veteran’s Day. We we’re shocked when we got a response from the founder of The Color Run showing interest. A few months went by and not much else came about… Until two weeks ago…we got an e-mail. It went something like this:

Hi Carl

Well, it’s official. We’re coming to Houston. We’d love to partner with your organization.

The Color Run

We. Are. Over. The. Moon.

Ask and you shall receive. The Color Run attracts thousands of people a race! The exposure alone is going to do amazing things for Expedition Balance but the proceeds are going to allow us to support our veterans.

So here we go! Our main work with The Color Run is going to be rounding up 250+ volunteers to put on this race this coming November 11^th. If you're interested shoot me an e-mail at samantha.halkias@gmail.com.

I am beyond grateful to have the opportunity to volunteer for Expedition Balance and support my good friend, Carl. The lessons I’m learning are so valuable and the work is gratifying. I may not be a veteran myself but through Expedition Balance I have an opportunity to serve the men and women who serve me and protect our country.

For ways to support Expedition Balance, please share and visit the following links:

www.expeditionbalance.org

www.thecolorrun.com/houston

http://www.crowdrise.com/expeditionbalance-campforall

Go out and achieve your goals!

S

five letter word...

Smile.

I met someone today. I was at a local juice bar after spin class and in line before me was a gal that I’ve seen at yoga and spin class before but had never met or really interacted with. I smiled and asked, “I’ve seen you at Define, right? I’m Samantha. It’s nice to meet you.”

:: insert big smiles::

She had recognized me as well, and we connected the dots. We swapped stories of our workouts that we just came from, and when we like to go to class.  We hope to bump into each other again soon!

Then she thanked me for saying “HI.” She THANKED me! It was such a great reminder that we’re often times “afraid” to smile, or say “Hi” to strangers because we’re afraid we’ll look silly. Most of us are often just living in our own world. Well, HELLO! There is a lot more out there.

Try it out this week. Meet a stranger. Smile at a bum. Do something. Be bold. 

weighty issues...

Alright, so I declared I would lose 50lbs by December of this year. I gave you my word. I put it out on the table for everyone to see. So, how am I doing?

I’ve lost 15lbs but I wouldn’t say I’m on track. Why is losing weight so hard? It shouldn’t be. Eat healthy, eat light, exercise, right?

I’ve got to find a new approach and stick with it. Here is what I’m changing this week:

1.       Rating my hunger on a scale 1-10 every time I eat.

2.       Eat 3 meals and 2 snacks on an “as close as I can get to a schedule” schedule.

3.       Ask myself am I eating to fill a biological need or a psychological one? Eating to solve an emotion void is deadly…

4.       NORMAL PORTIONS. While, I’d like to focus on only eating “really” healthy foods, that’s not really my problem. It’s the AMOUNT of food I’m eating. So first things first, get a grip on that.  

Unlike an addition to drugs or alcohol, food is kind of unavoidable for a human. I have to learn to coexist and learn to eat to live, not live to eat.

I’ll let you know how it goes. Planning to title my next weight loss related post “20lbs down!”

you have so much potential...

I’m sure I've mentioned it a few times before but 3 years ago I couldn't have run a mile unless I was being chased by a masked man with a chainsaw in Texas.  My dad was an incredible athlete and still in great shape but aside from that no one in my immediate family was really into running. I wasn't an athlete in high school. I didn't run track or play sports. I did throw some cheerleaders into the air for a few years and did place 2^nd at nationals but I was never really pushing myself hard to achieve BIG things.

Now, I run marathons. I cross finish lines.

I am so inspired by the shift in physical fitness that I’ve seen develop in my friends and family this past year. My mother, sister, Aunt, and Godfather all just finished their 1^st half marathon. My mom and dad just went vegan (maybe it wasn’t for long but still!) My nieces are running. My nephew is a killer football player already and he is only 9! And so many of my friends are training for, and finishing their first marathons. My husband even wants to run a half and compete in a triathlon!

It’s so radical to see positive change for so many people in my life all at once.

I think about all the people that have inspired me and I can only hope I move people they way they have moved me. Coming to Texas has been one of the greatest life changes that ever could have happened to me. Working for lululemon athletica has opened my eyes to a world I didn’t know existed and I’ve met the GREATEST people.

The sickest part of all of this, and what I want you to take away, is that you can be the inspiring one. Set out for a goal and achieve it and watch it change the people around you. 

Understand that you have an unlimited amount of potential hiding inside of you BEGGING you to get into action with what you really want for your life.

We’re not here on Earth very long, what can you do today to get into action and make a goal happen?

Let me know what you’re up to.

S