Congratulations to all of you finishing the Whole Life Challenge this week. As with any challenge, it has had its ups and downs. Many of you have tackled some big stuff and I couldn't be more proud of you. We lost a few along the way for a variety of reasons, but many of you accomplished far more than you thought you could. Without exception, we all learned something about ourselves along the way. I have participated in many of these challenges and never come once have I come away empty handed. There is always a lesson and I am always better for it. Which is why, as much as I complain about whatever it is that I am missing at the time, I will always participate.
I am reminded again of how much power there is in the support of this amazing community. I was humbled by the honest and authentic sharing of many of the participants regarding their failures and struggles. Without fail, the community rallied around the struggler with a word of encouragement or suggestion to help. It made me very proud while at the same time remembering that true progress is only possible with honest and humble assessment. And it happens so much faster when we are willing to let others into our circle. The end of this challenge is bittersweet. Yes, I am ready to be done logging scores and saying no to foods that I enjoy. I did enjoy the excuse to mobilize, de-stress, and focus on gratitude. But more than anything, I will miss those nightly (or early morning) check ins with the others on this journey with me.
If you missed this one, don't worry. There will be another Whole Life Challenge in January and we will have a team once again. I know it is probably way too soon for those of you just wrapping this one up, but give it time. Friday is retest day for the intake workout and weights and measurements if you are tracking those as well. Many of you will see drastic changes; others will be more subtle. Regardless of your performance, it is just a data point on the journey. What you do with it is what matters.