Feeling Safe in the Body You Feel Is Fighting Against You

It started young for me.

I remember being in junior high and high school with this deep desire to weigh 125 pounds no matter the cost. That number became this invisible ruler over what health was, my worth, my habits, and how I thought other people saw me.

Then came the comments from people close to me after high school words that cut deeper than they probably realized. “You just need to work harder to lose weight.”

Later, in my early 20's came my genetic epilepsy diagnosis. Trying to navigate a life as a young adult and now understanding I had to prioritize health in a completely different lens.

Years later, after a high risk pregnancy and trying to expand our family after three beautiful babies with no end in sight.

A lot of life, what felt like it was one thing after another.

Somewhere along the way, I realized that for most of my life, I had never actually felt safe in my own body. The only way I could feel a sliver of safe is white knuckle through and look at everything with a perfect microscope.

Until I realized that wasn't sustainable...

White-Knuckling My Way Through Life

I was trying to control every single thing:

• The number on the scale.

• Every ingredient that came into our home.

• Exactly how much I worked out, or didn't, maybe my body really just needed that rest!

• How hard I worked in my business.

The harder I gripped, the more my body pushed back. I became stressed out, anxious, and overwhelmed. And honestly? I started falling out of love with the very life I was working so hard to build. I was getting more frustrated with my kids and family and most of all I was getting frustrated with the lack of results.

That was my wake-up call.

Small Shifts That Created a Ripple

I realized I didn’t need to overhaul my entire life. What I needed were small shifts, simple tiny rhythms that could ripple into every area of my health, relationships, motherhood, marriage and even my business.

The first shift was spiritual.I had to stop putting my belief in how disciplined or “perfect” I could be, and instead place my belief in God’s design for me. I began trusting that He created my body on purpose, with purpose not as something to fight against, but something to care for and live in fully.

Instead of shaming myself skinny, I began nourishing my body mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Nourishment > Numbers

For the first time in years, movement wasn’t about shrinking my body.It was about expanding my joy, filling my energy tank, and actually living.

Simple things like:

• Pairing coffee with protein.

• Catching morning sun.

• Ending the day with less blue light.

• Choosing more intentional conversations with my family.

I didn’t need a strict protocol. I didn’t need every supplement under the sun.What I needed was to pair simple daily rhythms with the right support in each season. That was enough to create the ripple I was craving.

The Old Beliefs I Let Go

I used to believe the only way forward was:

• Counting containers, macros, and every calorie.

• Forcing down a specific amount of protein.

• Pushing through intense HIIT workouts or 45-minute weighted walks.

But here’s the truth: there’s no perfect math equation.Even in the hard valleys, you can still nourish and care for your body.

The key is learning how to feel safe in your body and trust that what you’re doing is working for you right here, right now, in this season.

A New Framework

Making it simple and attainable has been the most beautiful shift for me. And now? My heart is to help you feel safe in your body too.Whether your goal is to lose weight, sleep better, feel more joy, or finally love the skin you’re in. I want you to have rhythms that feel good, not punishing. Rhythms rooted in God’s truth, not diet culture lies.

I’m creating a framework to help you do just that. It will be ready before the end of the year, and I cannot wait to share it with you.

With Love,

Ashley