Plus! What To Do With A Rocky Friendship, Update On A (Recovering) Shoe Hoarder, and 35 Million Podcast Downloads!
Book Chat – I Was Told To Lose Weight (If I Wanted My Next Video Series To Be A Hit)
Book Chat – I Was Told To Lose Weight (If I Wanted My Next Video Series To Be A Hit)After being told by a high level executive producer that I needed to “lose a little weight or really tighten up” if i wanted my new project to be a hit, I spiraled out of control. Having destroyed my metabolism in the years leading up to this moment, I had no choice but to take drastic measures to make this happen. After that call, I spent the next 2-3 months exercising for 3 and 4 hours a day. I cut my calories as low as possible, sustained on a diet of sugar-free jello, diet soda, and microwave popcorn. I was the thinnest and most unhealthy I had been in my entire life. And what did I get for it?
Lots of praise.
It wasn’t until I experienced my own health scare that the hypocrisy of what I was doing as a leader in the (so called) “Health & Fitness” industry really hit me.
I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you how much I struggled with the decision to come forward with this story. But to remain silent is to be an accomplice.
At the risk of pissing some people off and revealing the ugly under belly of the fitness industry… today I share my truth with you by sharing this story… which also happens to be one of the first chapters in my new book.
It has taken me years to feel ready to express this publicly. So, thanks for allowing me to share this rather painful story with you…
Hit me up on Instagram and let me know what you think…
Podcast Chat – 35 Million Downloads! Oh My!
My podcast manager, Kristin, informed me of the news. OMG. Seriously, taking in the numbers (35 million downloads!) is a lot surreal and impossible to fully grasp, so I just need to take this moment and acknowledge YOU. Thank you if you’ve ever listened to a podcast episode (The Chalene Show and/or Build Your Tribe), left a review, sent a message to let me know how an episode touched you, sent an episode to a friend, and any other love you may have shown. I can’t fully express how much all of it fuels my passion and keeps me going! It’s seriously such a blessing to spend time with you each week! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
While we’re on topic, here are the pods from this week!
- How to Write That Person a Letter (The Chalene Show, Monday)
- 7 Day Challenge to Grow Your Email List and Instagram At The Same Time (Build Your Tribe, Wednesday)
- Nothing Changes Until Your Mindset Changes (The Chalene Show, Friday)
Relationship Chat – What Friendship Should Mean
Relationship Chat – What Friendship Should MeanWhile many of us have slightly varying definitions of friendship, I think the bottom line for most is: trust, communication, reliability, and respect. All the other stuff, like laughing together and having common interests / values are a HUGE bonus. You have to know your priorities. That said, every friendship — no matter how strong — has its hiccups. Â
Life Hack Chat –Â Update On A (Recovering) Black Heels Hoarder
Life Hack Chat – Update On A (Recovering) Black Heels HoarderSpeaking of true friendship, I need to update y’all on my girl, Dr. Mcayla (of DrMcayla.com). Last week we talked all about decluttering and I poked a little fun at my bff. Well, girl has shown me up! You’re going to die when you see her closet transformation! Of course, this never would’ve happened had it not been for me, so y’all better recognize.
I included Mcayla’s update MOSTLY to show you that clutter will be gone if you have a plan and a system! Dr. Mcayla, well heck, all of my smart, organized, and successful friends use a PUSH Journal. Actually – to date more than 250,000 peeps have learned to create a plan and organize their life using the Push Goal System! It’s as much a part of my morning as listening to podcasts and drinking coffee!
Pick yours up TODAY and get your life organized! It’s a game changer.
Lastly…. Don’t forget to talk to me! Please share your thoughts about what you’ve read in the comments below this blog!!! It means a lot.
XOXO
Chalene
5 responses to “I Was Told To Lose Weight (If I Wanted My Next Video Series To Be A Hit)”
It makes me so sad to hear how the higher-ups took control of you in terms of your weight, appearance, and ultimately your mental health. I have a sizable fitness DVD library and, to be honest, the thinnest people are not the ones I find most inspiring. I am inspired when I see the ones who have a little extra weight (or even a lot of extra weight) keeping up with the ones who, in theory, are operating at a higher fitness level. Unfortunately, even though society tells us to embrace our differences, it seems only to be allowed within the parameters of what someone, somewhere, has deemed “acceptable.”
Chalene, you may have touted some beliefs that you later found to be untrue when it came to health and fitness. But you are on one heck of a redemption arc! You’re at a whole new level of #inspiration and #goals now, girl. I hope you’re enjoying it – you’ve earned it. 🙂
I just love you. Hands down my respect for you just escalated. My weight is an issue. I’m unhealthy and I want better I have never been bigger… and I’m ready to break down, however this gives me inspiration to worry more about being healthy than my weight. The eight loss will happy If I eat healthy I know that but… I needed an little help getting me to understand that. Thanks for the light bulb moment. You are a beautiful person inside and out.
I must say that following you on social media, listening to your podcasts and participating in PiYo each morning with you has allowed me to maintain my healthy weight like never before. So when you talked about pre-ordering your 131 Method book, that is soon to be released, we’ll i thought…I’m good. But after reading this article I realized I want to know you more and show you that I support you! I respect your transparency, it’s what draws me to you and your information. So with that said, I will be pre-ordering your book right after I post this message.
I hope others will join me. Hey just give up a few Starbucks drinks and you have it paid for….make sense?
Thank you, Chalene🥰
It is so ironic to read this because, just this past week, I did two of your workouts back to back (HIIT 30 and Ab Igniter) and was struck by the difference in your appearance. In the first, you looked fit and healthy while in the second, you looked (please forgive me) thin and gaunt.
I much prefer the “fit and healthy” look over the “I had to starve myself” look and am so disappointed (but not surprised) to read of your ordeal with that executive producer. I’m so sorry you had to go through that!
There is another Beachbody trainer who has that “I had to starve myself” look and, while you energetically DO your entire HIIT workouts with us, this woman has to constantly take breaks to walk around and “coach” her class. While I can understand why an instructor would want to do that during some weight lifting moves, I don’t think it needs to be done during something like “60 seconds of high knees”. It appears that she is unable to do her own workout and she probably is given the way she treats her body!
Thank you for your honesty and for setting a good example. Can’t wait to read the new book. Love you and all you do!
I’m so sad to hear this happened to you.
Years ago I bought your Turbo jam videos because I loved your motivational style and how much fun you made exercise. To this day, I still have your videos and use them all the time. Personally, I never thought to myself that I was using the video because I wanted to have your abs. It was 100% your teaching style that motivated me and your positivity as a person. I’m a huge fan of your work- keep on keeping it real!