The Pulse: Finding Our Rhythm & Science-Backed Ink
- Aug 16
- 4 min read
We are officially moving into week two of the new school year, and I think we have finally crossed the threshold from "chaos" to "controlled routine."
Getting back into the groove involved navigating four baseball practices a week, back-to-school open houses, and aligning what feels like 50,000 different school portals to stay on top of grades, homework, and teacher updates. The transitions were felt double strength —especially shifting the boys away from summer screen time and back into after-school activities, moving our bodies, and establishing structure between homes. But we made it, and the new flow is starting to take hold.
With client hours a bit lighter this past week, I made a conscious effort to protect my schedule, block out time for my workouts and study windows without taking appointments, and focus on my business ventures. But more than anything, this week was about finding small, meaningful ways to fill my own cup.
The Smokies Game & The "Dog a Day" Attempt
One of my scheduled "me time" outings was heading solo to a Smokies baseball game on Tuesday for their free hot dog night. My goal was simple: attempt the "dog an inning" challenge.
By the 6th inning, I hit a wall—it was ridiculously hot, and I just couldn't force down another one!
The seating situation was a whole adventure in itself. I started out standing behind the season ticket tables because my single seat was selected smack dab in the middle of two families. Eventually, the season ticket holders at the table next to me invited me to come sit down with them. They noticed I was putting away an impressive number of hot dogs and asked what was up! One of the guys decided to join the challenge, catching up to me and powering through a dog and a beer almost every inning.
Even though I went to the game for some solo quiet time, sitting, chatting, and hearing their story gave me a completely different, wonderful kind of connection.
Weekend Wins: Meal Prep, Pickleball, & Clean Scum-Free Spaces
Sunday morning was reserved for a slow start—relaxing in bed with coffee while my internal clock eased into the day before tackling my weekend reset.
Active Recovery: On Friday, I finally played pickleball with our favorite foursome for the first time in two months following my hip injury. It felt so good to be back on the court.
The Meal Prep Haul:
Tested & Approved: Tried a new chicken fried rice recipe, prepped my go-to Chicken Caesar Cabbage Salad, and built a Mediterranean-spiced kale, farro, chickpea, and sweet potato bowl with lemon tahini sauce.
The Social Media Reality Check: Tried an Instagram recipe using overripe bananas, tahini, vanilla protein powder, and chocolate chips. It didn't turn out anywhere near the promised "cookies," but after adding extra flour, it baked into a surprisingly delicious, protein-packed banana bread muffin top!
Home Resets: Cleaned the bathrooms, ran the vacuum, tackled the laundry, and scrubbed the showers. (Side note: If anyone has the ultimate, foolproof secret for getting stubborn soap scum off glass shower doors, please send help! The boys' bathroom needs an intervention.)
On the Bike: Monday’s spin class is locked and loaded with a retro-soul Bruno Mars vs. Michael Jackson playlist that is going to bring absolute fire to the studio!
A Tattoo Rooted in Science, Family, & Future
On Saturday, I visited the local tattoo convention. I originally planned to expand my shoulder tattoo with the boys' birth flowers, but lately, my creative juices have been pushing me to honor my foundational roots—my PhD in Nutritional Sciences, my career in fitness, and the journey ahead.
I designed a custom forearm piece centered around the ATP (adenosine triphosphate) molecule—the literal currency of cellular energy and movement:
The Three Phosphates: Represented by December birth flowers (daffodils and holly leaves) for my three boys.
The Ribose Molecule: Shaped as mountain peaks, representing our home in the East Tennessee hills and the journey that life takes.
The OH Compounds: Designed as tiny dumbbells hanging off the structure, calling to my passion for lifting and personal training.
The Adenine Structure & Travel Path: Woven with poppies (representing August, a month of new life and deep significance for me), dandelions with seeds blowing into the wind, and subtle motifs representing travel and hope for where our path takes us next.
After negotiating a great rate with an incredible artist from Purple Heart Tattoo, I got it placed down my forearm—from my elbow to my wrist. It visually anchors where I’ve been, my scientific foundation, and where my journey is going.
The Unfiltered Truth: Navigating Guilt & Social Community
While the logistical structure of my days feels great, I’m wrestling with an uncomfortable realization that I discussed with my therapist this week.
I am a planner by nature. But right now, with my increased client load, expanding my business ventures, studying for my ACE Personal Training certification, and keeping the household running, I simply don't have the bandwidth to organize social gatherings like I used to.
And the tough reality is this: If I don't initiate and pull the group together, it doesn't happen.
It hurts when you realize your community feels like it's drifting away—not out of malice, but because everyone’s lives, schedules, and family demands have shifted. I miss my girlfriends. I miss that deep, unstructured ladies' night connection. When I’m at the gym, I have a strict window to work out; if I stop to chat, I lose my workout, which is detrimental to my mental health and to relieving my injuries.
I’m learning to sit with that awareness without holding onto toxic guilt. I can't devote time like I used to, but I also know that letting my social cup dry up isn't healthy for me either - been there, done that, and it's not a place I want to revisit. As the school year settles in, my goal is to figure out how to weave meaningful social connection back into the calendar—without wearing myself thin to make it happen.
Comments