06/06/2026
It’s been a month today since my dad passed away and there hasn’t been a moment that I haven’t thought of him.
People say grief gets smaller with time, but this past month it definitely has not felt that way. Everyday it becomes a little more real and the list of things he’s missed keeps getting longer. The weight of never being able to talk to him or see him again feels especially heavy today.
I didn’t just lose my dad. I lost a friend, my biggest cheerleader, and my confidant. I told him everything (likely more than he wanted to know at times 🙃).
Recently, I went through hundreds of old text messages between us. Texts that go all the way back to 2017. Reading through them reminded me how often we told each other “I love you,” how much encouragement he gave me, and how lucky I was to have him. Those messages are truly a gift. ❤️
This past month has also made me reflect on the entire purpose behind my business. On what really matters. Helping people improve their nutrition and fitness has never been about perfection. I’d even argue it isn’t about gaining your “perfect body.” It’s about improving our lives so we can show up better for ourselves and the people we love. It’s about feeling our best so we have the capacity to be present more.
Sometimes I think we lose sight of that. We chase goals in ways that leave us anxious, stressed, fearful, and disconnected from the life happening around us, but the things we do should add to our lives, not take away from it.
Have the cake with your dad on his birthday. Stay a little longer at dinner with friends. Take the trip and all of the pictures. Take care of yourself physically and eat well… but don’t miss the moments that *actually* matter the most. Connection with the ones we care about is also a big part of our health.
I will miss him forever.