Obstacles and Inspiration

I'm a busy girl. I'm guessing your schedule is maxed out too. There is hardly enough time in the day to whip up a green smoothie much less stretch! And definitely not enough time to write a book. But I believe it's more about making the time instead of making excuses. My fast food consists of superfood smoothies I make in about two minutes and drink out of a to-go mason jar in my car, my stretching routines happen in 10 minute increments, and my book was written in 5 months during gaps in my schedule. I even wrote a few paragraphs while waiting in doctors offices and in my car between clients (thanks to Google docs!) 

Why did I write the book? What made me want to challenge myself and sacrifice every spare moment of my life for 5 straight months? 

My first inspiration for the book was my Dad and my brother. My dad was an alcoholic who died when he was 50 years old. My brother was a type 1 diabetic who died in a car accident when he was 44. I'm 46. 

The cliche "life is short" became very real to me after losing my brother suddenly. Often we wait until we get sick or are diagnosed with cancer, high blood pressure or diabetes until we wake up and take better care of ourselves. I would like all of us to take better care of ourselves NOW - Before something tragic happens. There is no perfect time. The time is now. 

My second inspiration for writing the book was you. Even though I may not know you, I truly want to spare you any of the pain I suffered and want to help share what I learned along my healing journey from Lyme and autoimmune thyroid disease and how an anti inflammatory superfood diet, self-care and yoga / stretching transformed my health and my life. Little changes make a huge difference. 

I don't know about you, but some of the most powerful lessons of my life came from the obstacles and challenges I faced. Both Lyme and autoimmune thyroid disease derailed me from my goals, crushed my spirit and zapped my energy. Losing my dad and my brother woke me up in ways nothing else could. 

If you've read my book, you know I'm all about the balance of opposites... willpower and doing hard things versus chillpower and doing easy things. Being strong and brave while maintaining flexibility and resilience... 

I'm not gonna lie - Writing the book was a hard thing. Sitting at my desk for 8 hours a day pouring out my thoughts is not a strength of mine. But life is short and I knew the months would pass whether I dug in and finished or I dogged it and bailed. Just like crossing the finish line at a race, I wanted to look back, smile and know I did my best. 

Whatever obstacles you're facing right now, try to find gratitude and be inspired to stretch yourself. The obstacles are there to teach and stretch us into the new person we are meant to be. Maybe you too have a story to tell and a book to write! 

Flexibility is power! 

Namaste, 

Karen Dubs 

www.flexiblewarrior.com 

New beginnings

I feel like spring is the perfect time to set (or reset) New Year goals and intentions. It feels much easier to eat more fresh vegetables (hello farmers markets) and exercise more when it's warm and green. Even my dog became a serious couch potato this winter and is raring to start running again. 

My point is, don't feel guilty if you veered off from your new year goal. I spent November through mid April glued to my desk listening to nutrition lectures and writing my book. I got what I call 'writers butt', drank coffee, ate tons of chocolate, and the only exercise I got was about 10 minutes of yoga and mediation a day. The 'better than nothing' workout. 

We each go through phases in our life when other priorities such as family, work or even weather get in the way of out fitness goals. It's impossible to stay in balance one hundred percent of the time. 

This is one of the many reasons why I love yoga. The start of each yoga practice is an opportunity to begin again. Now is a perfect time to recommit to a higher purpose. 

Today was special for me. It marked a turning point. Five months ago I began the journey to be a published author. During that time I encountered many obstacles from my keyboard breaking to my basement yoga studio flooding. Minor bumps in the road in the scheme of things. 

But today I got to break in my newly remodeled yoga studio, sign a few books for some yoga friends, read a favorite quote (about obstacles, gratitude, perseverance and faith) to my students from my very own book AND toast with my friends with KeVita (my favorite Kombucha :) - You know that about 80% of your immune system lies in your digestive tract so feed it good bacteria with probiotics! 

It wasn't a big deal. Just eight ladies on a Monday morning moving, stretching and breathing in my little basement studio. But to me, it marked a turning point. 

Writing is a lonely process that requires a lot of disciplined commitment and more stillness than I'm comfortable with (and I'm a big fan of stillness!) It was so refreshing to be surrounded by yoga friends and moving my body instead of sitting alone at my desk, staring at a computer screen. 

So cheers to spring and new beginnings! 

The warrior in me honors the warrior in you. Namaste 

Karen

Www.flexiblewarrior.com

Knights of Heroes / Marine Corps Marathon THANKS



Oct 31, 2010 - Marine Corps 10K (Karen, Tyler & Jon)



If you train for and run races, whether ultra marathons or Ironman distance triathlon to your first 5K or sprint distance triathlon... You know that you can't do it alone. Yes, ultimately it's you who commits, trains with discipline, goes the distance, and crosses the finish line... but your family, coaches, friends, race supporters and volunteers are key to your success and ability to accomplish great things. Without them, the race isn't possible and it isn't as meaningful.

If you've ever raised money for a charity, you also know it isn't easy and you can't accomplish your goal without the support and generosity of others.

If you're anything like me, after the race day has passed or the fundraiser goal is met, you smile, breathe a sigh of relief, rest for an afternoon (maybe) and then say "what's next?!"

I'd like to pause and thank the many people who helped me blow out my fundraising goal for the Knights of Heroes and also thank the many Marines and supporters who made the Marine Corps Marathon the most inspiring race I've ever done.

I first heard of the Knights of Heroes this spring when my nephew Tyler picked them as our charity for the Marine Corps 10K. Reading the description of their organization was one of those "ah ha" moments and I knew in a heart beat that Knights of Heroes was something I wanted to support and be part of. They sponsor a camp every summer in Colorado that mentors boys whose fathers died in military service. And now this year they are adding a camp for the wives and daughters and I am honored to be part of planning and volunteering for this camp. Because of so many generous donations, this important summer camp for these amazing women and girls is now possible.

My husband and I both have such huge respect for our military and for the men and women who sacrifice everthing to serve our country. Since my brother was a Marine and we were running the MC10K in his memory and with his son, it was a perfect fit to also support children who lost their fathers in military service. Even though my brother died in a car accident, not in combat, the common thread reinforced that this charity was 'the one'.

Although I instantly felt a huge connection with Knights of Heroes, I always feel awkward asking for donations. So I got creative and did a series of charity Yoga Boot Camp classes to raise money. These classes were a huge hit - People loved sweating and stretching for a good cause!

In addition, I got a cool donation from the Baltimore Ravens (a signed Joe Flacco picture and goodie bag) and did an auction on Facebook!

My other "secret weapon" for fundraising was selling Underarmour shirts for the charity. Everyone LOVES Underarmour! I am so grateful to UA for generously donating shirts to the cause. UA Rocks.

You can see pics and still buy a UA / Knights of Heroes charity shirt to support this awesome cause!  

 All these efforts paid off and I more than doubled my goal, raised over $4500 and was the top fundraiser for Knights of Heroes this year! I am so grateful for all the individual supporters in my "ring of honor" and generous donations.  

Special thanks to...

Baltimore Ravens

Underarmour

Jeff Sherman's Fit Body Bootcamp

Elizabeth Jacobs Salon

Maryland Athletic Club

Three days after the Marine Corps race, surprizingly my muscles aren't sore but its the perfect time to pause, reflect and thank all the people who helped me achieve my goal. So, what's next?! Well, its officially off season for me so lots of YOGA and no races until next spring! But planning for the Knights of Heroes girls summer camp begins NOW. And I couldn't be more honored and excited to give back to the wives and daughters of our fallen heroes.