She said she wasn’t a runner. She could barely run 3 miles the first time we went running last year, but she did it anyway.

She kept getting back up again. She kept running even when it was hard. She showed up when it wasn’t convenient.

Then she ran a 5K. After that she ran a 10K. Next she ran a 1/2 marathon during the hottest part of the summer along the ocean in Long Beach, CA.

She never gave up.

I even told her to rethink doing the marathon. It was a struggle to do the 1/2 marathon. Especially when she got injured.

She DID IT anyway!

I watched her cross the finish line of the St. George Marathon in October 2018, and it was one of the most inspiring things I’ve ever seen!

This story is a real story about my friend, Meredith Ellis, from Fresno, California. You can follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/purplehairlifting/

I learned so much from watching Meredith. She said I helped her train and run it, but really she helped me.

She helped me realize what is possible when you focus on a goal, create a plan and take action no matter what happens along the way!

If you’re working on a goal, remember why you are doing it. When your reason why is strong, it creates drive, which leads to resilience.

Anything is possible when you believe in it enough and take action to achieve it.

Shannon Golladay is a former competitive gymnast. She was also a dancer, runner, and a cheerleader who wanted her body back after she had kids. She found herself tired, overweight and wishing she had her body back after her first baby was born. She found a way to not just lose the weight, but also gain energy, and get toned by doing workouts and following simple meal plans at home. In December 2011, she decided to pay it forward and help other former athletes get their bodies back. She loves helping women live life with energy, purpose and drive again!