When I first started Hot Mama I had no intention of franchising. I simply wanted to do something I loved to do…teach fitness. But, life has a sneaky way of getting you to where you’re supposed to be and showing you the path you’re meant to be on.
Start something from love and it’ll grow. I believe that. I live that. That’s Hot Mama for me.
I have a friend who constantly posts inspirational quotes and videos on my Facebook timeline. They’re always about pushing through the tough times and living the life you’re meant to live. About overcoming the depths of hard work and no progress and believing in your purpose 100%. They’re about living your purpose and believing that you’re meant to do great things, so work hard and…well, do the great things.
Click HERE to see an example of something she posted on my FB wall. Take the five minutes to watch it…it’s good. With this post she wrote “To verify what your soul already knows. Watch this with your eyes wide open”.
Every time I see something posted by her on my page, I look forward to seeing what it is she wants to share with me. I look forward to finding out what she thinks will inspire me to continue. And more often than not, she’s right. I’m always in awe that I have a friend who sees this power in me when I so often do not. I am so grateful for these posts.
It’s not always the video or the meme or the graphic that gets me jazzed, it’s the fact that she was inspired by something and thought “Lindsay needs to see this”. Sometimes they’re super funny quotes that I need to see that day because she knows I need a laugh. Sometimes it’s about wine and peanut butter cups. But, a lot of times she posts about finding your purpose and living that life.
I love that when she thinks of hard work, determination, following your purpose, she thinks of me. I always end up crying during the videos she sends because it’s nice when a friend “gets it”. It’s nice that a friend looks at you and thinks “oh shit…she’s struggling…she should be reminded of her purpose” and a lot of days…she reminds me of my greatness.
Yeah. I said it. I have greatness. I inspire people. I’m finally getting to a place in my life where I get to accept and appreciate that. No more bashfulness about it. No more slouching my shoulders and saying “it’s nothing”. No. No…it’s something. I do good work. Hot Mama is a force to be reckoned with and I started it. I now have a small team, but I still permit myself to be proud of the fact that I started and built this Hot Mama business.
I was recently at a one-year anniversary party for one of our Main Mamas (that’s what we call our franchise owners for Hot Mama) and I love everything about these parties. I love celebrating milestones like getting through the first year of business, which is always difficult, franchise or not. But, what I love even more at these parties is hearing how Hot Mama changed every single person’s life in that room. It is one of the most incredible feelings. We make a different. We help. We move. We focus on support and love and laughter…we’re a safe place to go for fitness, motherhood and all things in between.
We make a difference. We help. We move. We focus on support and love and laughter…we’re a safe place to go for fitness, motherhood and all things in between.
The party I was recently at was the first that when I left, I actually thought to myself “Self, you created that” and I felt the warmth of pride deep in my soul. No, I’m not the owner. And no, I didn’t build that remarkable community. But I (we) did find the right owner, I (we) did find someone who believes in my (our) ideas and has the same passion I (we) have about fitness, family and community. I did create the programs she uses. I (we) did the work behind the logo, the website, the merchandise, the foundation of her business. I’m (we’re) a freakin’ force.
I’m finding the balance between being humble and having humility and standing tall and proud because, well, I have created something that changes lives. No, I’m not doing it alone any longer (thank the good Lord for that!) and I need to start changing my words from “I” to “we” when I talk about Hot Mama, but for now, after the few weeks I have had with my Main Mamas…I’m taking a moment to bask in the warmth and shimmer that you get when you do follow your purpose. I’m meant to change the world and help people. I’m meant to create a movement. I’m meant to dig, push, drive, cry, cheer, sob and #dancedammit. And I will.
I will read the quotes from my friend. I will watch the videos she posts on my wall. I will be grateful that I am one of the lucky ones who truly gets to follow her purpose and I will not take it for granted.
I finally accept what I can be and the difference I can make. I will push my team harder because, without them, I am just an idea. With them, we’re a freakin’ force.
I am grit. I am determination. I am the Original Hot Mama.
And finally, finally, I say that with nothing but pride. I hope that you are able to find and follow your purpose in your life. It is a remarkable thing. It’ll make you question everything you do and you’ll need to work harder than you ever imagined you’d EVER have to work. But, it’s worth it.
It’s going to be so worth it.
Good luck out there, Mamas. Find what you love to do and do that. With all you are and all you have. Do that.
*Oh, and hey, if you see a quote or a video that you think will help motivate your friend…post it, tag them, let them know…it could help more than you’ll ever know.