The Pulse: The "In-Between" Week

Usually, I start the week with a clear topic to process, but this morning feels a bit different. I’m officially in my last week of my 30s. It’s a week that wraps up with Mother’s Day and kicks off my "birth week" on the other side.

To be honest, I don't care as much about the change in the number as I do about the "vision" shift. If you had asked me a few years ago what 40 would look like, this wasn't the picture. A lot has changed in the past two years, and how I foresaw celebrating these milestones has shifted.

The Lightness: I feel younger, healthier, and stronger (minus some persistent TMJ and hip soreness) than I did at 20 or 30. I’m more confident in who I am, mostly because I’ve stopped giving an "AF" about the things that don't matter. I’m acting, dressing, and talking exactly how I want.

The Heavy: It’s bittersweet. You paint an image in your head of longevity, long-term relationships, and how your family will look as you age. While choices were made for the right reasons, it still hurts a bit. I don’t have the perfect words for it yet—just a swirl of emotions that come with the big life things. So, this week is about prepping the systems and bracing for whatever emotions decide to show up. Still in the throes of holding two truths at once.

Weekend Wins & Birthday Prep

We’re coming off a great weekend featuring a joint birthday celebration for my dad and me, pizza-movie night, new Ninja Creami cookies and cream high protein ice cream recipe, and scouting yard sales. I also spent a "blood-pressure-raising" morning deep-cleaning the house. Because really, what girl wouldn't want a clean house for her birthday and Mother’s Day? (Even if thinking that was doable was a bit ambitious—haha!) Does anyone else's house seem to get messier as you clean it up - cause I now have a pile of shit in my hallway that needs to be trashed, donated or sold?

The Week Ahead: Field Days & Dolly

This week is filled with sports and end-of-year school events:

• The Dollywood Test: Thanks to some shared tickets, the boys and I are heading to Dollywood. We’re going to see if they’re fans of the rides again before committing to season passes, or if it’ll just be a fun day out of Knoxville.

• Sports Wrap-Up: L wraps up flag football, and we have several baseball games. I’m on snack duty—hopefully without a "knock-out, drag-down" fight between the twins over who gets to bring their choice of the snacks first.

• Field Day: The littles have their school Field Day—always a highlight.

• The Weekend: It’s a kid-free weekend for me. After some yard work, the YMCA trainers are meeting at The Cove for food and fun. Sunday will be an outing to the Smokies with the boys to fill up on ballpark food.

The Menu: Tacklebox Style

With clients keeping me busy, I’m leaning into "grab and go" fuel.

• Sam’s Fuel: Cajun Butter Cod and Tilapia protein bowls with edamame succotash. Snacks are "Tacklebox Style": string cheese, nuts, cherry tomatoes, and protein drinks for quick handfuls between sessions.

• The Boys: Carnitas with cabbage slaw and beans; sheet pan sausage and peppers with tater tots.

• School Lunches: "Brunch-cuterie" boxes with cheese cubes, breakfast sausage bites, toast, and applesauce. Traditional PBJ or PBH, cuties and cucumbers.

Monday Motivation: Spin Edition

I hope to finally get my themed flyer photo finished so we can recruit some new bodies to the seats - AI did not help in polishing up my stills!

Monday’s ride is a mashup of "May the 4th" and "Cinco de Mayo". Expect space-themed tracks mixed with Latin vibes. Prep for some heavy hills and speed work!