Coach Summit, Part One

If you were following my spotty Facebook updates last week, you probably noticed I was in the small town of Las Vegas, Nevada for a few days.  Why, you ask?  Well, me and a few thousand of my closest friends decided to go get some training (called Coach Summit).  Since I have been doing some fitness coaching, I figured it was time to go to the annual convention to really get a bigger vision of what I do each day.  Plus, as a teacher, I rarely turn down the opportunity to learn..and socialize (um, hello where are my TBA and TMEA peeps??)

Anyway, when 9,000 coaches descend on 'Sin City' things can get a bit crazy.  Our phones and laptops were moving at the rate of dial-up internet.  Most times we were praying our texts would go through within the hour..and some didn't show up until after we got home!  Needless to say, uploading and sharing this part of my life was NOT going to happen in real time on social media.  But, at least you are getting it now, right??

I stayed at the MGM!

I had never met the other coaches (besides Erin..more on her awesomeness later) and we all arrived about the same time on Wednesday night.  What better way to arrive than in a limo?  We 'work' together using our FB profile pictures so we were being total goofballs as we toured the strip.  Surely this doesn't surprise anyone ;-)

I'm really not that tall...my coach is just a little on the petite side...

Once we got checked into the hotel we had to go pick up our registration.  I had just earned my next coach ranking, called Diamond, in time to be recognized for it at summit. I felt super special getting to go through a different line and I didn't have to wait.

All checked in!

When I started my fitness journey with my coach in May of 2013, my first program was called Chalean Extreme. Obviously I loved the results, but I really loved the trainer, Chalean Johnson.  Fortunately for me she is the one coming out with her new program, PiYO, so I got to hang out with her at registration...

or not...she's totally cardboard  ;-)

Remember Erin? Erin is my push partner in the business...a shoulder to cry on or someone to tell me to put on my big girl panties when I need it.  We hold each other accountable in most aspects of our life...and she's really the one who has supported me reaching my goals so far.  We are so being goofy here, but we got 'medals' for our ranks as coaches (She got red for ruby and I was silver for diamond)  I will say I have mine hanging now by both of my half-marathon finishing medals.  Its THAT cool ;-)

Push Partners!

Just to prove I really WAS in training all day, and that Summit was more than just socializing and parties. Ha!  We really got into the reason we do what we do. How we can offer better challenges, how to love on our bodies more, love on our clients more, and more ways to use the products we have.  This has been my 'saying' since I started my fitness journey..WHY NOT ME! Love it!

Erin and I again...wearing our Dream Big shirts ;-)

THIS GIRL. Meet Kristin Sharp - This girl is MY coach. She never gave up on me, pushed me through my excuses, cried with my weight gain and celebrated with my weight loss.  She kept telling me I needed to coach others, and even after I told her no, she kept at me.  If anyone wins the prize for patience, it is Kristin.  LOVE her!

My coach. My rockstar.  Awesomesauce.

Each day we had a general session with everybody. I mean e.v.e.r.y.b.o.d.y. I mean 9,000+ coaches.  The gatherings were always super exciting and informative, but reaaaaally long. (I need to get up and move! Sitting down for hours on end is not my cup of tea!)

Sitting with the team!

Our theme for this year's training.

The other few of my closest friends at Summit...

My name in lights at one of the general sessions!!!

This spring we launched a new program called the 21 day fix.  It was really helpful for me because I needed some help nutritionally....the 30 minute workout were great.  Honestly, I thought they would be easy but this girl right here kicked my butt!  Aaaaaand look who showed up at our Sequins and Studs party???

Pic perfect with the creator of the 21 day fix, Autumn Calebrease

Sometimes you gotta laugh, right? Thursday night some of us got to get all dressed up for an event called "Sequins and Studs."  We had specific goals that we had to meet in our business for us to get a ticket to the event.  I pushed WAY out of my comfort zone those months, and was super excited to get to attend with the other girls on my team.

This is April, Erin and I...affectionately known as the 'tall girls' because we were heads above the other amazing ladies on our team. (Love you guys) We all got to dress up in our sequins, eat some amazing food and chill around the MGM pool.

April, Me and Erin #tallgirlsrock #ilookkindashort

After our first event, Kristin and I got to visit the penthouse suite at the MGM with some coaches from our larger team, Team Courage.  It was a nice intimate time to get to really meet some of the people that we get to work with every day online. So so fun!

Lights going down in Vegas

Kristin and I rocking the after party!

Ok, this is long enough..I'll continue to part two tomorrow. Cuz I know you are dying to see what happened on the last night. And if you aren't, you sooo should be!