August – Alpha Maiden of the Month
Mary Winston Jackson04/09/1921 - 02/11/2005 You might recognize Mary Jackson's name from the movie Hidden Figures. If you haven't seen this movie yet, stop what you're doing right this second and go watch it. You watched it? Great. Now you can finish reading this article.The movie is based off a book, which is based off true events about intelligent African American women who were known as 'computers' and did mathematical calculations by hand for NASA. These women not only faced adversity as African American's living in a time where segregation was a part of every day life, they also faced adversity as women who worked in a male-dominant environment, where the 'glass ceiling' of promotion was the rule. Not only did women not get paid the same as men, African American women did not get paid the same wages as Caucasian women. During her life Mary had several career changes. When she graduated from Hampton Institute in 1942 with a dual degree in Math and Physical Sciences, she accepted a job as a math teacher at a black school in Calvert County, Maryland. After a year of teaching, she returned home and found a position as the receptionist at the King Street USO Club. She also worked as a bookkeeper, had a stint [...]
On Suicide
and living with the black dog. Yesterday morning, Chester Bennington of Linkin Park committed suicide. I never knew him personally, but I am sure millions of people will agree that Linkin Park's music touched our lives in some way. I am sure their music helped countless people wade through deep waters when they felt like their heads were just above, struggling to keep it up with every gasping breath. Music has a fascinating thing about it, doesn't it? It has such a huge impact on our lives. We associate music to our memories, to what we were going through in our lives at the time of listening to it. We turn to music because we relate to it. It moves us, inspires us, and helps us navigate the darkness. It can even save lives because it makes us feel like we're not alone. When I read this news, and kept turning it over in my mind again and again, I couldn't help but feel the tears well in my eyes, I couldn't help but feel the pit in my stomach, the choke in my throat. Because even though I didn't know him personally, I can relate to what it's like to struggle mentally and emotionally. I can relate to feeling like there's a heavy shadow casting [...]
July- Alpha Maiden of the Month
Camy Kennedy An Alpha Maiden....wow, such a powerful description of power and strength. Growing up I was always a tomboy. I played with the boys. I shot guns, I caught snakes by the canal, and my dog ran behind the 4 wheeler when I went down to the river to fish. I caught frogs in the pond, shot my bow, jumped in muddy puddles and never cried when I fell down. What I love about Alpha Maiden is that although you can be a tomboy at heart, there is still a woman's beauty and an elegance in being a female. It's unspoken in the way she keeps it all together, balancing a career with strong relationships, and constantly striving for better, while having gratitude for what she has. How can we do this...actually embody this strength? In my experience, it is accepting yourself right now as you are. There is nothing you NEED to change. We are strong, we are beautiful and we are loved. And we can speak that mantra daily to empower our lives. For me, growing up I was insecure, super tough, and always played sports with the boys. Around middle school time was when I realized that I was bigger than most girls, and that I had some "baby fat" - and that [...]
June – Alpha Maiden of the Month
Debbie Hatch To be honest, I’ve had a difficult time with the title “Alpha Maiden”. Am I one? If so, why? What makes me so?Oh, there are the “obvious” things I suppose. Those things on the surface that people like to look at. The accomplishments. The list. Between 45 and 52, I’ve competed on the figure stage several times. I finished my master’s degree: was certified as a holistic health & fitness coach, in nutrition from two different agencies, and as a mindset specialist. I’m closing in on a 300-pound deadlift and I will have that by the end of this year. I am managing two very successful consulting businesses and spending a couple hundred days each year on the road. I published two books and started practicing Krav Maga. I have been a military spouse for over 22 years; a military mom for 15. Neither is a job for the weak. I’ve kissed my husband and both of my children as they headed off to war. I cried, at some point, every day they were gone.I have a lump in my throat just typing that. I continue to ride my dirtbike and chopper. I’ve flown half-way around the world to scuba dive. I did a 26.2 mile ruck, wearing combat boots, and carrying [...]
How-To Design Your Own Workout
I've heard this a lot."I don't know what to do when I get to the gym and I don't want to look stupid,so I just get on the treadmill for 45 minutes then leave."I hear you. You want to get in shape. You want to get strong. You want to be ready for summer.But you don't know what to do. You're worried other people at the gym will look at and judge you. Being a first-time gym-goer can be scary and daunting. And more often than not, your intimidation results in you either hiding on cardio equipment while reading a magazine, or simply not going at all.That's why I wanted to write this simple guide to help you design your own workout so you know exactly what to do when you're going to the gym. In order for you to succeed, you have to have a plan.You'll set yourself up for success if you know what you're doing before you get there. To plug in a full body workout, we want to categorize large muscle groups and small muscle groups. Large muscle groups:Chest, Back and Legs.Small Muscle groups:Shoulders, Biceps, TricepsThen, add on abs as an accessory to round everything off. You can also get in a lot of core work by doing full body exercises.In other [...]
The one thing you should never ask a survivor of domestic violence
And what to say instead... Over the past year I've become open about my past. I've embraced the idea of transparency and vulnerability in the hopes to help other people who have gone through similar experiences. The vast majority of people never knew about my past until recently, even my closest family members. Since I have opened up I have received some consistent reactions and questions. First, I've heard disbelief. Denial. I have heard questions along the lines of, "Well, are you sure it was really abuse? I remember you being angry and throwing your phone at him that one time..." Aside from occasional disbelief, I've heard one question more than any other. "Why didn't you just leave?" Sometimes followed by, "I was around you at this time, why didn't you tell me?" "I should have noticed." "I feel terrible for not noticing. If I noticed maybe I could have helped." These are common reactions. Each person who reacted this way did so because it was the best way they knew how. They love and care about me and tried to show support and understand the best way they could. That is why I am writing this blog - is to help those who don't know how to respond to understand better [...]