Kathleen Layer Coaching

There was a time when taking a picture on the beach would send me in a spiral.

A time when I’d spend weeks (or months) thinking about an upcoming trip.

“Preparing” for it by trying to become a smaller version of myself.

Watching what I ate like a hawk.

Praying the scale would go down.

Never taking a day off at the gym.

The enjoyment of myself depending on it.

And then the photo.

Needing to know if my “hard work” paid off.

Wondering if what I looked like in my head matched what I’d see on the screen.

Instantly zooming in at my stomach.

No matter what I looked like, rarely passing the test.

Our world tells us the best way to prepare for big life moments is to lose weight.

Spend your time restricting, weighing, measuring, medicating.

It tells us that we couldn’t possibly enjoy life unless our body looks the way they want us to.

That the answer to having a good moment is to feel pleased with the number on the scale, the tag inside your pants, and how closely you look like whatever version of “wellness” we’re marketing today.

That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Wanting to take the photo to preserve a memory—to remember a feeling I experienced with my family.

Not caring what I Iook like.

Not needing an angle or a pose.

Not needing to rush to see it.

Not relying on the outcome to dictate whether I got to feel happy or sad.

Freedom to exist in YOUR body.

To live moments in YOUR body.

To LOVE moments in your body.

That does not come from how closely your body fits the current societal ideals.

It’s not magically created when your arms have the “perfect” amount of muscle.

True freedom from the food and body thoughts.

True freedom to exist confidently and comfortably in your body AS she is.

Comes from your brain.

From rewriting the story in your head that says you’re not good enough.

And shifting it into the version of you WHO KNOWS she is.

Join me in releasing your body story. More details coming soon♥️

Today, Kathleen Layer Coaching is officially 7 years old.

I usually take this time to reflect back to that first year in my business.

To think about the moment I shared this new venture with the world.

How I felt. Where I was in my life. How much has changed.

But, today, I’d like to give a shout out to my last year in business.

To how much things have shifted for me in such a short period of time.

Last year, I accomplished more in my business in ONE year than I had the previous 6 combined.

I made it my mission to meet as many people as possible. To connect more to my community. To build positive relationships. And to have people know who I am and what I do.

I have met more people than I can keep track of.

I’ve joined an incredible community of women business owners.

I was nominated for Small Business of the Year in my community.

I was one of two guest speakers at the Women in Business Expo.

I coached more women this year than I ever have before.

I partnered with six different local businesses to offer workshops to our community (with plans to do so much more this year).

I travel to Peru and California to celebrate some amazing friendships and love stories.

I went SKYDIVING.

And I am a scholarship recipient to an incredible Leadership program in my community that I’m so glad I took a chance on.

It might not seem like it, but putting myself out there is SCARY. And I made that scary thing my biggest goal last year.

I stretched myself and expanded my capacity beyond what I thought I could.

And I am so proud of the version of me who’s come out of the other side.

And the version of me who decided to do something hard.

The reason we tell ourselves we can’t is often the reason why need to.

Not only was last year a big challenge in stepping out my comfort zone and trying new things, but it has brought up something in me that I am so excited to share soon.

I’m thinking about things differently. I’m making big changes to how I deliver my coaching and I can’t wait to tell you all about it.

Here’s to year 8—we’ve got a lot in store. xo🎉

2016 was a big year for me.

I created new friendships. I kept strengthening old ones.

I challenged my body and felt confident enough to compete in (friendly) CrossFit competitions.

I went to Cambodia and Thailand.

I got a tattoo.

I spent hours upon hours tracking what I ate.

Counting macros.

Meal prepping.

Countless time and energy thinking about food.

Analyzing my body.

Worrying about what would happen if I stepped out of my routine.

I criticized photos.

Forfeited presence for chasing perfection.

But little did I know, 2016 would also be the last year I did all of that.

The last year I dieted.

Tracked.

Counted.

Obsessed.

Controlled.

I’d start 2017 with my last Whole30. One that would feel different this time. Not as “satisfying.”

I’d find Intuitive Eating and my purpose would click.

I’d start my health and life coaching certification programs.

I’d decide I was becoming an intuitive eating and body image coach and starting my own business.

I’d get engaged to my best friend and start our cross-country small town tour.

2016 was a big year for me.

It was the year before I changed my life.

Maybe this is the year you change yours.

It’s the Monday after New Year’s.

The day you think you have to reinvent the wheel.

Remove all evidence of enjoyment.

Erase all the “bad” things you did.

The cookies you had with your kids.

The meals you shared with family and friends.

The hot chocolate after a cold day.

The choice to rest, relax, and soak in this time of year.

They will tell you this was wrong.

They will tell you that you should have worked out more. Ate differently. Stuck to a perfect routine.

They will tell you to make up for what you did.

As if you’re a toddler in time out.

But you’re an adult human in a body.

A body that’s allowed to enjoy life. To enjoy things that are sweet. To make memories. Sleep in. Slow down.

They will tell you that you should feel guilty.

They will tell you to control. Perfect. Restrict. To prep, plan, and check off the box.

But it’s not a tamed body that you want.

Not one that’s controlled, manipulated, and constantly compared against.

It’s a body you love living in.

One that you care for, connect with, and love genuinely and fiercely.

A life that feels powerful, present, and fully engaged.

This world tells you to shrink yourself in order to be a better version of you.

That “better” version of you knows this is bullsh*t.

It’s the Monday after New Year’s.

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