A Word About Business Archives

Podcasts! WHO KNEW?!

June 27, 2019 By Lindsay Gee Leave a Comment

The thought of 12 hours in the car with my two kids, ages 8 and 10, had me a little daunted, I’m not gonna lie! Every year we travel to Saskatchewan for a family reunion. It’s SUPER fun once we get there (ain’t nothin’ better than small town Saskatchewan on Canada Day!), but getting there is long and booooooooring.

BUT…this year, THIS YEAR, I attempted podcasts to make the drive a little more exciting.

It started like all other mornings….me panicking to get out the damn door so we didn’t miss the ferry. But once across on the ferry, we got into our rhythm and I thought “Alright, let’s see what all the fuss is it all about”!

Well…NOW I KNOW!

I realize I have my own podcast Dig Deep with Dr. Lindsay Gee…but I record workouts and coach you through the entire session…so it’s not really full of talking and information…it’s not your “typical” podcast.

I asked my bestie which podcast I should download and she said she’d heard good things about “Moms and Murder“. I’m a Mom and I like True Crimes…so what could go wrong?

Oprah’s Soulful Conversations was also recommended, so I ended up downloading about five episodes from that series.

There’s also a Pinterest podcast I should have downloaded…but I wanted mindless and not really super thought-provoking, to be honest. I kinda wanted to just listen to stories and GET TO WHERE I HAD TO GO!

The Pinterest one will be good when I am in work-mode…but I’ve been full-on work mode for about 6 months and I needed mindless, non-work chatter.

The result?

PODCASTS ARE AWESOME!

Listen, I know most of you know this already, but this was (#truthbomb) my first ever podcast listening. Ever. Ever, ever, ever!

So, I downloaded about 6 episodes from Moms and Murder…and the time FLEW! I did have to be careful…my kids were plugged in to their own movies, but I watched and any time they took their headphones off I paused my podcast. Probably best they didn’t hear about Moms killing their babies…

ANYWHO…

Time flew, flew, flew!

Did y’all know about these things?! Are you a podcast lover?!

I WANNA KNOW…what’s your fav! I have another 8 hours today…so…what do I download?

What’s your fav podcast?

Any recommendations for podcasts to listen to WITH your kids????? My son ended up listening to one of them with me about Diane Schuler (the mom who drove the wrong way down the highway and ended up killing herself and a bunch of kiddos)…and was hooked. But, I decided it wasn’t the best content for him…so…

Recommendations???

I know I’m behind the times, but if you’ve never listened to a podcast…YOU GOTTA! It was the shortest 10 hour drive ever and I was riveted to the content.

The best!!!

I want your recommendations! Please drop them below…I’m officially a podcast convert! Now…gimme your favs!

It’s Hard to Be Excited When Your Completely Exhausted

June 21, 2019 By Lindsay Gee Leave a Comment

I remember dreading summer last year. Dreading it. I 100% did not want my kids out of school and I 100% did not want summer to start.

I saw other Moms posting things like: “I can’t wait to have my kids home with me all day” and “I can’t wait to make memories with my kiddos all summer”. I’m not kidding when I tell you that I practically dislocated my eyeballs from rolling them so hard and was muttering “fuck off, already” at my screen more times than I care to share.

Last summer I was exhausted. I work from home and that doesn’t mean I’m a stay-at-home Mom…let me be perfectly clear…I work longer hours than most people BECAUSE I work from home. And summers? Summers are harder than anything else.

Why?

Because the pressure is ON to make summer memories for my kids. So, I wake up at 4 am and get 6 hours of work done by 10 am so I can make those GD memories all summer long. Come September…I’m burned out and exhausted.

Early morning require bombass big mugs! Thanks, Chris!

Last year, I had zero reserves. I started the summer exhausted. I remember my kids asking if I was excited about summer and the shitty reality is that I told them “No. No, I am not”. Which I’m sure was pretty damn hurtful.

I was barely surviving last year. I was exhausted in June. I started the summer burned out. I was angry, irritable and overworked. I was unhealthy, sad, depressed and so full of anxiety that I couldn’t breathe.

But, I woke every morning, put my time into my business and tried so hard to get water from this stone.

It was not our best summer. At all. But, we did manage to have some good times.

But this year? I CANNOT WAIT! I’m one of those Moms who is ACTUALLY looking forward to spending time with my kids!

Why?

BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REST! I’m not starting the summer in a deficit.

Hey, I know by the end of summer I will be tired and done and ready for my twerps to get back to class, but…then I have 10 months before I have to do that all again. I will get up and work at 4 am because I truly cannot wait to explore with my kids. I will put my phone away for hours on end (something I felt I couldn’t do before) and I will live my summer with my kids…beside them, not dragging behind them willing it to be over.

I’m rested, my friends. And that makes ALL the difference in the world. You truly cannot be excited about things if you’re exhausted. There is no physical way you can fake your way through that. Trust me, I tried.

I am finally looking forward to summer again. And that…feels so good.

5 Things I Do Every Monday to Set Myself up for Success

June 16, 2019 By Lindsay Gee 1 Comment

A lot of people ask me how I manage to get everything done in a week. Actually most people ask me how I fit everything I do in a day. To be honest, some days, I have no idea.

But, for the most part, it’s all about scheduling.

Every Monday morning I do five things to help me stay on track throughout the week. If I fail to do these five things, I typically have a more challenging week and I rarely hit my goals.

The 5 things I do every Monday morning are:

#1 – I schedule my workouts. The most common question about scheduling I get is “how do you always fit in your workouts?”. I schedule them and I rarely ever miss that meeting.

My fitness is extremely important to me, so I ensure that time is blocked in my calendar every day for my workouts. No one is allowed to schedule meetings for me during those times and I refuse to let anything touch that time. It’s important for my physical and mental health, so I make it a priority.

#2 – I set professional goals. I find if I don’t set at least five goals that I want to have accomplished by the end of the week, I’m hooped. I get distracted throughout the week and I don’t focus on the end game.

I’m a person who needs an end game. Meaning, I need to have things I want to get accomplished written down. Then, I need to cross them off.

BONUS TIP: I do this daily, too. Every morning I write what I need to get done each day and cross it off as I go.

#3 – I practice gratitude. Every Monday I write 20 things that I’m grateful for. I start my day with gratitude. All other days I write five things I’m grateful for, but Mondays…she’s a special day and she gets 20.

#4 – I block my days in 30 minute to 120 minute blocks of dedicated time on specific tasks. For example, if one of my goals is to get a podcast posted by the end of the week, I break down what needs to be done (record, edit, graphics, uploading, video, blog, more graphics, social posts) and schedule time to do each task.

I’ve found that if my day isn’t blocked and schedule, I spend WAY TOO MUCH TIME screwing around and flitting about social media. If I have an hour block dedicated to writing, I’m writing.

I typically start blocking my days at 5am Mon – Wed and 5:30 am Thursday and Friday. By doing this, I give myself a little grace around 1 pm when my mind turns to mush and my productivity goes down.

#5 – I give myself permission to take Fridays off if I’ve achieved my goals. This can be a very big motivator for me. Typically by the end of the week, I’m very tired. Demands are high and the days are long, so by Friday, I’m pretty tired.

If I can push through four days of hard, dedicated work. I schedule easy peasy things on Friday and if I get 50% of that done…I’m happy. I like meeting goals, but I’ve also learned that there’s something to be said about giving yourself permission to breathe and rest and meet up with a friend for coffee or a hike.

I like doing these things on a Friday because my kids are still in school and I kinda feel like I’m being a badass and playing hookie.

I’m the boss…so, I’m not really a badass. If you DO have a boss, you should probably run this plan by your boss. Cuz, methinks some wouldn’t like this plan. LOL.

Anyhow…I know most of this is scheduling. But honestly, if I don’t do it, I have waaaaay less productive weeks than when I’m schedule, practice gratitude and get my workouts in. It’s all important.

What do YOU do to stay on track all week? I’d love to hear if you have any tips! Share them in the comments!

Have a great week, y’all!

The One Question That Made Me Stop & Exhale Gratitude

June 11, 2019 By Lindsay Gee 2 Comments

I was scrolling through Facebook the other day and I read a post that a friend of mine had shared. The final sentence caught me off-guard because rarely do we ask ourselves the truly hard questions.

I read and re-read the last sentence in the post. I made myself a coffee and I went and sat in my backyard on the swing. I thought and I thought about the answer to the question asked and exhaled a breath of gratitude when my answer was “Yes.”

The question was simple but thought-provoking:

If you died today, would you be happy with how you lived?
– Sheri Bialecki

You see, the past few years have been extremely difficult. My child was suffering, my marriage was broken, my business was extremely stressful and I had become someone I didn’t recognize (or like). If that question was presented to me a year ago, my immediate answer would have been “NO”.

But today, after careful thought and consideration, my answer is “Heck YES!”.

I’ve made some huge and hard changes in my life. I stepped back from a business I created and loved with all my heart. I still love it and will always support it, but my path is a new one now.

My marriage is getting stronger every day and there is laughter back in our home.

My child is getting the help he needs.

But, the best part? The best part is that I can breathe again. I’m doing things that make me happy. I’m doing things that help people…maybe not on the empire-building scale I was previously working towards – but on a level that fills my heart and soul.

I have time to sit with my kids and laugh and play. I have remembered how to be silly and light. I get to say “fuck” and not be judged…and if I AM judged…I don’t give a fuck…you’re probably not my people, so move along.

I’m comfortable with who I am as a Mother.

My heart and soul.

I’m comfortable with who I am as a wife.

He does exist. Proof.

I’m comfortable with who I am as a professional.

Pretty much how I look doing fitness program design…every time.

I’m even comfortable with who I am as a friend and I cherish those near and dear to me.

Taking more time to be with my amazing friends.

I’m comfortable. And, although not every day is rainbows, hearts and glittery unicorns (if only!)…if I was to die tomorrow, I would be happy with how I lived my life.

Though, I would regret never getting to Africa. That’s still a big one to check off.

I’m on the other side of a few really shitty, shitty years. But, I’m stronger and smarter and more dedicated because of it. I know who my true friends are and I know I can count on them. I know I’m a good Mama doing the best I can.

I also know I’m a good person and although I may have made mistakes in the past, I’ve grown and learned and become the person I am today.

I’m the person that inspires hundreds (thousands?!) of people to love themselves.
I’m a safe place for my child who needs a whole lot of love.
I’m the place my husband comes for love and support and laughter when he struggles with his own “stuff”.
I’m silly and quirky and loud and shy.
I’m the person you can, 100%, turn to should you need a shoulder and/or a swift kick in the ass.
I’m the person you can go to for a laugh or to sit and feel supported.

I get to be a lot of things for a lot of people. And, I’m finally in a place where I can choose who to allow in and who to keep out. I’m at a place where I get to live my best days with joy, hard work and a ton of perseverance.

I’m at a place where if I were to die tomorrow, I’d smile down (or up?!) at all of you (even the assholes) and wish you well. Oh yes, my answer would have been so different a year ago. So, I exhale gratitude for the trials I’ve survived and the place I stand in this moment.

I truly am a lucky woman.

From Me to You – I Sure Do Love You.

December 20, 2018 By Lindsay Gee Leave a Comment

Dear Hot Mamas,

I’ve sat here now for a few days trying to find the words to write to all of you but no words could ever possibly do justice to the emotions coursing through my body. I started Hot Mama because I love teaching fitness, I love my kids and I love empowering women to be their best selves. It’s who I am and when I teach, I am the happiest version of myself.

This company has been all of me for seven years now. I’ve been able to “stay home” with my kids (while working 18 hours a day, lol), it’s given me an outlet to follow my passion and I think we all did a damn fine job at building a supportive and loving community of women supporting women. I’ve received hundreds of messages over the years about how we’ve changed lives for the better and I know we’ve made an impact on generations to come. Well, at least my own kids have been impacted by Hot Mama, and for that, I am grateful.

I met some of my very best friends through Hot Mama and I have met the most incredible women while I pursued my dreams. I cannot explain to you how important you all are to me and how much you’ve changed and formed the rest of my life. The gratitude and love I have for each and every one of you will never diminish, no matter what happens.

I grew an empire. It may be a very small empire, but it’s mine and I will look back at this time, smile, sigh and lift a glass of wine to its success.

But, the time has come for me to step aside and take a break. It’s time I put myself and my family ahead of anything and anyone else. I’m sure this will be a surprise for most of you, and to be honest, I have agonized about this decision for a long time. I’m a little scared, sad and a whole lot…tired.

I need a rest. I need the company to grow and be the powerhouse I know it can be, and for that to happen, I need to rest and let someone else take the reigns. The Hot Mama team will be in touch as decisions are made, but know this…this is not the end of this community…this is a shift where a shift is needed. We do good work…it cannot all be for nothing. So please, continue to support your local Main Mama, continue to love and support and honour one another. Continue to sweat, swear, cry and cheer. Please.

If you feel I’m letting you down, please know that my goal was never to let anyone down. My goal was only ever to support and love, inspire and encourage. I could not be more grateful for the support and love you’ve all given me over the years. Without you, I would not have survived the seven years without all of you support and encouragement. You are the heart of this company and I only wish I could truly express what you’ve all meant to me.

A few weeks ago I taught my last Hot Mama class. At that time, I wasn’t entirely sure if that would be it, but my heart was pretty sure. I cried as I taught, though I’m uncertain anyone saw my tears (we were all a little sweaty), I cried only in celebration of the strength and sense of community I felt in that room. You cannot know how it felt to teach that class and to feel the love from you all at that moment. I will never ever forget it. Ever.

This isn’t the end of me. This is a pause for me. I need to reset, recharge and get healthy. I need to remind myself of who I am and what I want and I need time to do all of that. The Hot Mama community is incredible and even playing the smallest role in building this business has been the most wonderful experience of my life (aside from being a Mom).

I need you ALL to know that through it all I have loved every moment, every person and every memory created. I love you. I love you all so very much. I only wish I could have been more and done more for you. You deserve it. You truly do.

I will be offline for a time now to rest and surround myself with only those closest to me. I hope you’ll respect my desire to rest at this time.

Again, please continue to support Hot Mama. It truly is an incredible business with wonderful and strong business owners giving it their all.

Thank you, Hot Mamas. Those two words could never possibly be enough, but until I see you and am able to wrap my arms around you and let love seep from my heart to yours, it is the best I can do. I am grateful for Hot Mama and I am most certainly grateful for any woman, man or child that has been a part of this crazy ride that is Hot Mama.

Until next time…

With love, gratitude and respect,
Lindsay, Your OHM