This is John the Trainer, his beautiful son Gabe, and Ricco Rodriguez, the UFC Heavyweight champion that he fought 2 weeks ago (legit much?). I don't have enough ways to thank him for all the lunges he made me do, soreness he caused, and walls he built and broke. 23 pounds later (and still a ways to go), I'm the best version of me I've ever been.
"It doesn't matter what you're up against."
I spent my summer in crocs.
I spent my summer begging the sun to toast my skin.
I spent my summer rolling silverware. Polishing wine glasses.
I spent my summer sorting plates in a dish pit.
I spent my summer in a sweaty gym.
I spent my summer with John.
I spent my summer on a scale.
I spent my summer changing the unchangable.
I spent my summer planning her wedding.
I spent my summer fighting weakness.
I spent my summer getting to know a boy, avoiding the inevitable.
I spent my summer counting money.
I spent my summer in a chef coat.
I spent my summer with my hair up.
I spent my summer painting my nails.
I spent my summer avoiding graduation.
I spent my summer missing friends.
I spent my summer getting away.
I spent my summer doing lunges.
I spent my summer fighting tears.
I spent my summer driving: island, to mainland, and back.
I spent my summer learning the words to a song i'll never sing.
I spent my summer searching for protein.
I spent my summer finding style.
I broke through layers. I became myself more quickly. I let him in. I let them all in.
I spent my summer introducing my myself: Mariela, like Cinderella.
I spent my summer begging the sun to toast my skin.
I spent my summer rolling silverware. Polishing wine glasses.
I spent my summer sorting plates in a dish pit.
I spent my summer in a sweaty gym.
I spent my summer with John.
I spent my summer on a scale.
I spent my summer changing the unchangable.
I spent my summer planning her wedding.
I spent my summer fighting weakness.
I spent my summer getting to know a boy, avoiding the inevitable.
I spent my summer counting money.
I spent my summer in a chef coat.
I spent my summer with my hair up.
I spent my summer painting my nails.
I spent my summer avoiding graduation.
I spent my summer missing friends.
I spent my summer getting away.
I spent my summer doing lunges.
I spent my summer fighting tears.
I spent my summer driving: island, to mainland, and back.
I spent my summer learning the words to a song i'll never sing.
I spent my summer searching for protein.
I spent my summer finding style.
I broke through layers. I became myself more quickly. I let him in. I let them all in.
I spent my summer introducing my myself: Mariela, like Cinderella.
my ittie-bittie black bridesmaid dress fits.
(not great, but the zipper is up.)
Two-a-day's til next friday, just to be safe.
I (God and John the Trainer) did it.
"Proud" doesn't even come close.
Next stop: the big reveal.
(not great, but the zipper is up.)
Two-a-day's til next friday, just to be safe.
I (God and John the Trainer) did it.
"Proud" doesn't even come close.
Next stop: the big reveal.
today, i'll listen to this song 100 times.
i'll sulk and have a pity party for myself:
the girl that doesn't get it all,
the girl with epically bad timing,
the girl that's back where she started.
It's safe to say we both could use this fire escape,
cause i've been breathing ashes in.
I'm stronger than i ever thought i would get
(its not just the lunges and bicep curls).
It's the kind of strength John warned me would build
beyond every rep i sweat in that gym.
The only thing harder than
shaking the undulation rope
is believing that i can.
"Ignore the pain!", he yells."This is easy!"
Every ounce of me wants to quit.
Every mucle in my body has walked away
5 minutes in
but there i am--squatting, sitting-up, stepping up, jabbing--
repeating that it's worth it.
15 pounds.
It's coming off slow.
But i'm not afraid of weigh-ins,
or anything, really.
I'm happy.
I'm happy.
And just like that, it all fell into place.
(its not just the lunges and bicep curls).
It's the kind of strength John warned me would build
beyond every rep i sweat in that gym.
The only thing harder than
shaking the undulation rope
is believing that i can.
"Ignore the pain!", he yells."This is easy!"
Every ounce of me wants to quit.
Every mucle in my body has walked away
5 minutes in
but there i am--squatting, sitting-up, stepping up, jabbing--
repeating that it's worth it.
15 pounds.
It's coming off slow.
But i'm not afraid of weigh-ins,
or anything, really.
I'm happy.
I'm happy.
And just like that, it all fell into place.
Just call me Mariela Messi.
