Be inspired. Be motivated. Be the example.

Twenty-five years ago today, I became a right arm amputee. More importantly though, twenty-five years ago today, at age 10, I was handed an opportunity to be MORE.

Even though I didn't know it at the time, and it took many years for me to see it, God gave me a purpose. I was given the chance to demonstrate inspiration, motivation, and the drive to never give up.

In hopes to achieve that, and in honor of this day, I wanted to share this video with all of you.

Be Inspired. Be Motivated. Be the Example.

These words came to me in one of those moments I just knew God was talking to me.

This isn't a post where I talk about dieting and how much cardio you should being doing daily. It's simply here to encourage you to find your place under the sun.

My dads accident was a huge pushing point to getting me in the gym, but like I said, there have been so many other factors since then which have motivated me to stay.

Find your inspiration in your every day life; find things you enjoy, things that are making you into a better version of yourself. Once you achieve that, the motivation will come and stay.

Set the example. I believe we’re all given the chance, on a daily basis, to write our own story. Why not make it unique to yourself, and encourage others to do the same? When we work at things that come from the heart, it doesn't feel like work at all. And when we enjoy the things we do, our happiness shines bright! And that inspires others to find the same joy within themselves.

I've thoroughly loved my time at the gym. It has become part of my routine and it gives me something I can be proud of. I can't encourage you enough to find the same for yourself!!

I didn't write much in this post...the video kinda spoke for itself. If you remember anything at all from it, remember my last sentence:

Find what inspires you and let it motivate you until you can be the example everyone looks to.

I do want to leave you with a few very important shout outs though, I certainly could NOT have done this on my own.

My first goes to the gym I belong to and my trainer, Michael. Dad and I joined Salado Fitness back in December and never once have I regretted it. It's a privately owned gym and I can't say enough positive things about it. It's never been intimidating. It's always been welcoming. And the entire staff has always been nothing but awesome. Michael and I started training in February and when I mentioned I wanted to find ways to exercise my right side, he never skipped a beat. He immediately came up with alternate exercises for me, always finding a way to adapt to me. There's no way I would have had the amount of motivation and encouragement to keep going, if it weren't for him and the rest of the trainers at Salado Fitness. When I told him I wanted to do a dead lift, he said, lets get a harness and some chains and figure it out! I'm so thankful to have been placed there, at that specific gym. It's one of my many places under the sun.

Another shout out is to my friends over at Sweat and Pray Everyday! Like I said in the video, they approached me just a week into our gym journey and commented on how inspiring my dad and I were. They are a great organization, spreading God's word in a unique way. You can get your very own Sweat and Pray apparel here and be sure to follow their Instagram as well!

Last but certainly not least would be to my special videograpgerFRIEND, Ben. He wanted no recognition for making this video, but I rarely listen to what he says and wants. Haha! Ben, thank you for taking my idea for this little project and turning it into perfection. You're all things wonderful, my friend.

OTHER AWESOME NEWS is that you can also get your very own 'Be the Example' apparel here! I loved my message so much I wanted to put it on shirts for everyone. Wear them proudly and when someone asks what it referrers to, you can share how and in what way your life has been inspired!