It Takes a Village to Heal

Someone once said that hurt people hurt others, but healed people heal others. Safe people shelter others.

As I reflect on my eighth year at the best gym in the world, Effect Fitness, I can only think about how much I've grown. Eight years ago, I walked through those doors broken, full of pain, rage, anger, and a lack of trust. I had no desire to work out or make friends and wasn't open to building relationships with people who were genuinely trying to reach out. Often, I found myself isolated and prideful, not realizing that I was imprisoning myself, leaving no room to grow. Coming from a broken family, being sexually assaulted, and dealing with childhood trauma, I never felt comfortable letting anyone get close to me. But God is real. These people never gave up on me. When I didn’t want to talk, they kept talking. When I wanted to be alone, they still invited me places.

I didn’t understand why they wanted to be my friends, but God knew I needed them more than I realized. They have loved me through my pain, celebrated my victories, and cared for me without wanting anything in return. This was something I wasn’t used to because I was always the one giving.

When you allow God to heal you from the inside out, you don’t mind letting the walls down and breaking free from the prison you’ve built for so many years. When I lost my mother and brother, they never left my side. They encouraged me to start Fit2Heal. When we needed things for the Alphabet House, they were always the first to give, even when my own family didn’t show up.

Little did I know that my fitness journey wasn’t about weight loss. It was about God healing my heart and placing the right people in my life so that I could truly heal and help others do the same.

Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” In other words, one of the main ways God will help you find your purpose is through others.

Sometimes we are so blinded by our pain and the weight we carry  we can’t see our progress or our victories. My prayer for you is that God does the same thing for you, especially if you are struggling to let your guard down and hesitant to believe in yourself and others. Don’t let fear and doubt keep you from building your village.

At the end of the day, we need each other to heal. This journey is not for you to be alone. God wants to enlarge your territory and expand your heart to receive the love and support you need to live a healthy and successful life.

Thank you to the village I didn’t even know I needed. You have made me better, wiser, and free. Thank you for always being there for me and giving your time so generously. You always go above and beyond for others, and I am so grateful for your selflessness. Your time is precious, and I'm honored that you choose to share it with me. Your words of encouragement inspired me during difficult times. You were there for me when I needed it the most. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.

You cannot imagine how much strength your support has given me. You are a blessing in my life. You are truly people who stand by my side in and outside of the gym, and that means the world to me.

I love you all.

F2H