The Beginnings of Team Bruce and Champ Within

If you would have told me in February 2018 that 25 people from all over the world could come together as a team over Facebook, Zoom video calls, and Voxer voice and text messages and that I would love them as much as my own family, I probably would have laughed out loud. But it is true. Every word.

In February of 2018, Transform announced they were going to offer private one-on-one coaching as an additional option for their program. When I first heard about it, I was SO excited. My first thought was that this would get me one step closer to what it would have been like to be on Chris and Heidi’s show Extreme Weight Loss. (Which if you read previous posts, I dreamed of doing but never had the gumption to actually try out for.)

I signed up as soon as I could for a chance for a coaching call. At that point I had no idea the cost, but told Scott (my hubby) that I had to at least find out what it was all about. The wait for the call was excruciating. I was so nervous. They were only taking 100 people and there were many, many more that signed up. After waiting for what felt like forever I got my call. Honestly, I don’t remember much of the call. I was so nervous and it is all just gone from my mind now. But, I do remember the price. It was a little sticker shock, but I will tell you this, it is the best money I have ever spent.

At first, we were not sure where the money would come from, but I had to trust that God would provide. (And as usual, he showed up 10 fold). Now, that I had committed to a year of coaching, I was assigned to Bruce Pitcher. I knew very little about Bruce before my initial call with him. I heard he had been on Extreme Weight Loss, but I could not remember the episode. When we first talked, I got very excited. His energy is contagious. He is so full of life and I could tell right away he was unique. This was going to be very different than another other training I had in the past.

Our first Zoom call we were all probably nervous and maybe even a little scared. Was this going to be a safe place to share? Will I be judged? How will we ever bond over video chat and text messages?

I don’t know about the rest of the team, but I felt like I could trust them and it was so great listening to everyone’s stories. But, I still had a hard time opening up for a long time. Now, they are family. I can tell them anything and everything. And some things I may not even tell my own family!

Being a part of this family, Champ Within, is hard to describe in words. We are constantly sharing our mental, physical and sometimes spiritual wins and falls. We talk about anything and everything and sometimes I get WAY behind on all the text and voice messages! We also have a Facebook page we post to as well. We constantly keep each other motivated and check in on each other one-on-one. It has been an honor to be part of one of the original teams. We have set the culture. As we move forward and more teams are formed and people add or leave the team, the culture keeps going. This is something I will always be proud of.

As for the one-on-one coaching, this has been a life change for me. I was a little skeptical that having someone coach me just over Voxer text and voice messages would be effective. I was so wrong! Bruce has been so encouraging. I will admit, it took me a while to open up to him and admit when I would not keep my integrity. For me, I didn’t want to let him down. That is one of the major mental hurdles I have had to deal with in this whole process. My whole life, I just never wanted to disappoint anyone. I just wanted people to accept me and be happy with me. So admitting when I would fall was a real struggle and I did a poor job of confessing when I messed up. I am sure Bruce could see right through it, but he was patient with me. Now, we have built up a great friendship after the past year and I feel I can talk with him like a brother about anything.

Champ Within Coaching has been the game changer for me in this transformation. I never would have thought I could do what I have done without it. In fact, Bruce has persuaded me to sign up for The Whitney Jones Classic Show coming this April 2019. They are teaming up with Chris and Heidi Powell to do a Transformation division. I will be competing in the Women’s Total Transformation over 40 division. Trust me, I will keep you all posted on the progress. This is a HUGE step out of my comfort zone. Thank goodness I do not have to put on a bikini, but still to be on stage showing all my progress and be judged on it is a huge leap. This is coming from he gal that would only post pictures of my kids and face up posts on Facebook to hide the guild and shame I felt for my weight. The bonus, my husband is doing the show as well in the Men’s division! And, we are taking our three kids and my mom with us to see it! There is nothing better than showing your kids how to be brave and step out of their comfort zone. More on that another day.

My initial year is almost over with the coaching program, but I am continuing on to year two. Several of my original team members are not continuing on for one reason or another, but they will always be my family. As former teammates roll-off, we are adding to the team and I am looking forward to helping them along their journey and continuing the culture of love, acceptance and a safe place to know you are not alone in your journey.