transformation is not five minutes from now; it's a present activity.

I was anxious. My knee bounced up and down as I sat alone in a hard plastic chair. One of many at the GM Center. The arena felt cool and goosebumps prickled on my skin. I wasn't sure how much of that was from the temperature and how much was from the rush of emotions that swirled inside of me.

There was a buzz of energy in the room. Everyone was waiting for something - someone to re-focus their lives and give them the answers they had been lacking. And me? I was waiting too. I was waiting to see the woman who gave me hope. I was waiting for Jillian Michaels.

My whole life, I've struggled with myself. My confidence, feeling okay in my own skin, and yes, my weight. Growing up, I can't ever remember feeling good about myself. Things are different now. I've changed. I've become more confident, more present, and more driven than I ever thought I would be. The change was gradual, but in the last year or so, I have noticed it more.

As I have worked to improve the way I see myself through fitness and positive thinking, Jillian Michaels has been right there with me. They are far more than workout DVDs - they are a different way of seeing my life. She has pushed me to work hard and believe in myself. Which is why when I found out that she was coming to a city nearby, I knew that I had to be at the Maximize Your Life Tour.

During the two hour show, she talked about nutrition, fitness, and self. I learned far more than I anticipated - about Jillian and about these topics. She really made me think about what I'm eating, how to maximize a workout, and even about the relationships in my life. The show allowed me to really take a step back and look at my life: what I want to change and what I am proud of.

Every day since the show, I have tried to incorporate these different tools into my life. I am currently a work in progress...but I think we all are!

Jillian Michaels inspires me to push myself. Who inspires you?

xo Shannon