Why Are We Always Rushing? (And How to Finally Slow Down)

 Why are we always in such a rush?

I had an eye-opening conversation recently about how we’re constantly chasing the next thing—the next goal, the next achievement, the next phase of life—without stopping to appreciate what’s happening right now.

And let me be real with you: I’ve been feeling this rush myself lately.

Between scaling my business, booking more speaking engagements, and helping more women achieve their first pull-up, I’ve caught myself anxiously living in the future—waiting for the next milestone, the next breakthrough.

But here’s what I realized:

When we live in the future, we live in anxiety.
When we live in the past, we live in depression.

The only place we truly have control? Right now.

What Happens When We Stop Rushing?

When we slow down, we allow ourselves to actually experience the journey, not just race to the destination.

We breathe easier.
We celebrate small wins.
We stop comparing ourselves to oth...

Resilience Isn’t a Superpower—It’s a Skill

People hear the word resilience and assume it’s something you either have or you don’t—like it’s some kind of superpower only a few lucky people are born with.

But the truth? Resilience is built, not born. It’s a skill you develop, a muscle you strengthen every time life throws a curveball your way.

And let’s be real—life has a way of throwing a LOT of them.

For me, resilience has been tested in ways I never imagined. From tearing my ACL on national television to navigating massive career shifts, I’ve faced moments where I felt completely stuck, questioning whether I had what it took to keep going.

And right now? I’ll be honest—I’m in one of those moments again.

I’m shifting from being all fitness all the time to stepping into something bigger: teaching resilience, adaptability, and peak performance for life, business, and leadership.

And let me tell you… it’s uncomfortable as hell.

It’s scary stepping into the unknown. It’s frustratin...

Confidence Is Built, Not Born

As a kid, I wasn’t confident. In fact, I was made fun of constantly for my muscular arms. Some kids even gave me the nickname “Mangela.” 😒

Imagine being 10 years old and hearing that. It wasn’t just teasing; it made me feel like I didn’t belong—like there was something inherently wrong with me.

I’ll never forget one particular moment in my social studies class. We were watching Gladiator for some reason (don’t ask me why), and a boy shouted out, “That guy’s ripped—just like Angela!” The whole class laughed. I wanted to disappear. I stormed out, called my mom, and sat crying on the curb outside the school.

It was moments like that that stuck with me for years. They shaped how I saw myself—until I learned one crucial truth:

Confidence isn’t about how others see you. It’s about how you see yourself.

And the only way to build confidence? Action.

The Journey to Confidence

Gymnastics was my first glimpse of feeling strong. Within those four walls, I felt...

The Challenge: Becoming the Highest Version of Yourself

Here’s the truth: You can’t step into the highest version of yourself from a disempowered place. It’s not just about setting goals—it’s about embodying that version of you, right here, right now.

But trust me, I know how hard that can feel. I’ve been there too.

As I transition into a new season of life—evolving from a fitness instructor to leading a global pull-up revolution that empowers women 30+ to feel strong and thrive for life—I’ve had moments where I asked myself, How do I step into this next version of me when I’ve never been here before?

If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not alone.

Imagine Your Highest Self

Let’s try something different today. Instead of visualizing with your eyes closed, I want you to write a letter to yourself from the perspective of your highest self.

Here’s how to do it:

• Picture yourself six months from now. You’ve accomplished what you’ve set out to do, and you feel strong, confident,
...

The Inspiration: Yoga with My Mom

Over the holidays, I had the chance to take a yoga class with my mom, who’s in her 60s. My mom recently retired from being a special needs teacher—a job that’s both rewarding and incredibly demanding.

Like so many others, her work often spilled into nights and weekends, leaving her with little time for movement. But now that she’s retired, she’s made a commitment to herself, and I couldn’t be prouder.

After class, we chatted with the instructor, who shared her journey of frustration and discouragement after hitting 40. She talked about gaining weight, feeling too tired to move, and struggling with how her body was changing.

This story broke my heart because I hear it all the time from women in my programs. Whether it’s peri-menopause, menopause, or just the natural process of aging, these changes can really mess with us—both mentally and physically.

But here’s the thing: We don’t have to let it.

What Happens as We Age (and Why It Feels So Hard)...

My Oh 💩 Moment

Picture this: It’s 3 a.m. I’m at my mom’s house in New Jersey, about to head back to Austin after a short trip. I’m in that weird pre-flight daze—barely slept, running on autopilot, and lugging a suitcase stuffed with gifts (because, of course, I had to sit on it to close it).

The airport is 50 minutes away, and my stepdad Rob is driving me. But to make things even more interesting, there’s a massive sinkhole on the highway. So it’s taking a lot longer.

As we’re driving, my stomach suddenly starts doing cartwheels. Now, let me just say—I don’t usually have stomach issues, so I chalked it up to stress or dehydration. But then it got worse. And worse. My stomach started making noises loud enough to compete with the car radio 😳

I’m sweating, clenching everything, panicking in my seat, and finally, I have to say it:

“Rob… we have a problem.”

At this point, it’s 3 a.m., nothing is open, and we’re about 10 minutes from the airport. I’m this close to resigning myself to t...

The Brutal Truth About Showing Up for Yourself

Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I’ll do it tomorrow” or “I’m just too busy right now”? That was me this year. I’d make promises to myself—blocking time in my calendar for workouts, personal goals, or even rest—and then I’d bail.

Why? Because when life gets chaotic, the first person I stop showing up for is… me.

The truth hit me during a moment of reflection: If I don’t prioritize myself, how can I possibly show up fully for others—whether it’s my family, friends, or business?

Here’s the kicker: I know I’m not alone in this. So let’s ask ourselves the hard questions together:

Why haven’t I been doing the things I keep saying I’ll do?
What’s really holding me back?
Is it fear? Perfectionism? Overwhelm?

 Reflections From My Own Year

This year has been full of highs, lows, and lessons. I’ve recognized patterns where I’d set goals but then let them slide because I felt too tired, overwhelmed, or uncertain. Sound familiar?

For me,...

The Breakthrough Year: My Week at Impact Eleven

Last week, I attended a speaking convention called Impact Eleven. Walking into that room—a room full of the best speakers and leaders in the industry—was both thrilling and terrifying.

Here’s the truth: I had to believe I deserved to be there. That I’m worthy of sharing space with people who challenge me to grow.

This year, my word is BREAKTHROUGH. Last year was about healing, learning, and growth. I overcame heartbreak, built my team, and welcomed hundreds of women into our pull-up program. But this year? This year is about stepping into the version of me I’ve always envisioned—standing on big stages, making an impact, and living fully aligned with my vision.

And let’s be real: Breakthroughs often come from breakdowns. I had to move through the discomfort and do the inner work to prepare for what’s next. It’s not just about achieving the goal—it’s about becoming the person who can handle it.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

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The Hallway: Where Growth Truly Happens

Have you ever been in that awkward in-between phase where one chapter of your life has ended, but the next hasn’t quite begun?

That’s exactly where I’ve been.

For me, the hallway began when I retired from American Ninja Warrior after six amazing seasons. It felt eerily similar to past transitions in my life:

💥 When I tore my ACL during Ninja Warrior, I was left questioning, What now?
💥 After leaving my gymnastics career behind, I faced uncertainty about my next steps.
💥 When I achieved my lifelong dream of becoming Miss Fitness America, I stood on stage wondering, What comes after this?

The hallway is messy, foggy, and uncomfortable. It’s filled with questions like, Where am I going? What’s next? Am I doing enough? But here’s what I’ve learned:

The hallway is not a void—it’s a place where magic happens.

Lessons from My Journey

💪 Tearing My ACL on National TV

When I tore my ACL, I could’ve stayed stuck in the pain and frustration. For mon...

When Things Don’t Go as Planned

Last week, I hit a roadblock.

You know that feeling when you pour your heart and soul into something, and it doesn’t go the way you envisioned? That was me. I had high hopes for a new project and couldn’t wait to see the impact it would have. But it just didn’t land the way I imagined.

For a moment, I felt defeated. That old voice of doubt crept in, whispering, “Maybe this isn’t going to work. Maybe you’re not enough.”

But here’s the thing: I’ve been here before. And I’ve learned that these moments aren’t the end of the story—they’re just the start of a new chapter.

The Gymnastics Lesson That Changed Everything

I thought back to a moment in my gymnastics days that taught me how to shift my perspective.

During one competition, I went for a big move—a double backflip on the bars—and completely wiped out. It was the kind of fall that makes the entire gym go silent. I felt embarrassed, defeated, and like I wanted to disappear.

But before I could ev...