Beachbody Coach Summit 2010

I've been meaning to blog about this as soon as I got home, but I've had a lot going on including moving everything from my house to my mom's house. This past weekend was a very emotional one for me. I had a lot of ups and downs and moments where I cried, laughed, made others laugh, was angry, and had the time of my life. I wouldn't change a thing this weekend. Well, I would, but, I won't get into it...


Thursday when I arrived at LAX (which is a VERY confusing airport, by the way), I walked outside and took some deep breaths and I felt more calm and at peace than I think I ever have in my entire life. I felt home. I had only been there for not even five minutes when I came to that realization. It was something about the vibe and the energy there that I really liked. Everybody seems very friendly there. While I was on the plane I had about five people ask me if I was a movie star or a model. I never get compliments like that, so I was happy to hear that! My coach and CA mom Lisa picked me up. There was some confusion at first because I had somehow found my way to the departures and not arrivals so we weren't even in the same place. It took about 20 minutes before I figured this out. I swear the theme some from "Benny Hill" should be playing behind me all the time. After getting to meet her, we went to Trader Joe's to get more food for the week. She underestimated how much I eat. Silly Lisa...After that we got lost on our way back to the airport and we picked up her friend Tina, who is also from Michigan. We hit it off immediately! We checked into the hotel and it was absolutely beautiful! We met up with Sandy and Debbie and waited for Celia to get there. We went out to do some sightseeing and we went to the City Walk, which was a blast! I walked around in amazement. I felt like a little kid. I was taking pictures of everything and walking around in pure awe of the place. I have never seen anything like that before. Since my body was three hours ahead of everybody, I was very tired by this point. We ate dinner at about 9. My body is not used to eating that late, so I felt like crap. After we got back to the room, I crashed.

Friday I had to be up and about quite early to get to the Team Genesis meeting. We listened to some speakers and it was extremely informative and motivating. This was the beginning of what was to be hours upon hours of sitting that I'd be doing over the next few days. There was also a massive group workout where we got to work out with a lot of the trainers. It was extremely chaotic! I was in the second row, and I did what I could, but it was hard! There was absolutely no room to move, it was hot, I was kicked, stepped on, you name it. I was covered in sweat by the end, but I loved it! Later on Friday night, Lisa and Tina were getting ready to go to the Diamond reception. I started having a dance party all by myself because I'm a dork, but then I got a text from Denis saying he was there and to go downstairs. I was severely under dressed because I had no idea I was going into the reception itself. I spend most of my days talking with either kids or teenagers, so it was nice to have an adult conversation for a change. (Not adult themed, get your minds out of the gutter.) After that, I again, went up to my room and crashed.

Saturday was kind of a blur. It was seminar after seminar after seminar and my blood sugar was super low so I was either going to go to sleep or pass out. It was all good information, but I was just too hungry and VERY dehydrated. I got ready to go to the gala event, which I was running late for because getting ready takes me a while. The finished product that you see doesn't just happen, it takes time! It was a decent party. I crashed again afterward.

Sunday was the last day of the Summit and it was, again, more sitting around. Carl's speech to close out the events was incredibly inspiring that it brought tears to my eyes. Lisa took everybody out to the Santa Monica Pier. It was so beautiful. I had yet to see the Pacific ocean, and there it was. I could have stayed there all day, but, there was other things Lisa wanted to show us. We went to the Hollywood and Vine area to see the usual tourist places. We were stuck in traffic on an overpass and I seemed to be the only person who was excited by this because I got to be stuck in L.A. traffic. (It's the little things in life.) I absolutely loved to see things I've only seen in movies or on TV. I had to take a picture of Marilyn Monroe's hand prints (of course). There were so many stars there that I've grown up watching that it was so overwhelming. We walked up and down the street so I can see the stars on the sidewalk. Again, I got overwhelmed because I saw so many people who have inspired me through the years: Michael Jackson, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable, Doris Day, I could go on. I went into dance because of people like MJ and Fred Astaire. I know it's silly to ramble on and on about a piece of cement, but I can't help it. That night in the hotel room, I was depressed that I had to leave the next day. I wanted to stay for as long as I could.

Monday rolled around and I had to leave. I was at the airport sitting by myself, drinking a coffee, and crying. Everybody walking by me probably thought I was crazy, but, I'm used to that! :) I didn't want to leave. I thought somebody would have to drag me on that plane while I was kicking and screaming. I also found out that morning that Chris is kind of already with somebody else. I've been replaced already. He had been calling me and texting me all weekend just to get on my nerves, but I refused to let it. Now that I was going home, everything set in and I was depressed. I guess I'm completely dispensable. I thought I meant more, but I don't. He even brought her to the airport to pick me up. Yeah...THAT wasn't awkward...

I'm not good at expressing myself, but that's the best that I can sum up my weekend. It was completely life changing. The people, the place, everything had changed my life. I came back a better person because of this trip and I want to go back. I wish I never had to come home.