How blessed am I to take just a few short steps from my home to this open road?
My open road has been a solid foundation where I have retraced and rebuilt my life.
My open road has heard my cries for help, the confessions of my heart, and my pleas for a better version of myself.
My open road has taken me through trials, and upsets, through celebrations and victories.
Today I get to wake up and use my gift… the gift of my legs.
I get to run, sweat, breathe heavy, taste the salt on my cheeks, and just let the burdens of my heart be lifted away to my creator. I can be freed.
What’s your open road look like?
Today I challenge you to release one thing on that pavement that’s been holding you back. Leave it there… say goodbye to it… thank it… and then inhale with gratitude that your open road will know exactly what to do with it.
Running is a gift. Celebrate that open road today 🖤.
Follow along as Suzanne Swanson takes us through her transformation from addiction to athlete. Find support and healing in your own life! We’re sending Suzanne’s blog updates via email along with a daily dose of motivation. Don’t miss the next post… delivered straight to your inbox.
My past is a place where I visit from time to time, but I don’t stay long anymore. I don’t ask for an invitation to visit. I show up uninvited to remind it of just a few things.
My past told me I couldn’t become an athlete, because I was lazy… undetermined and unfocused. I ring the doorbell of my past, and when it opens the door… it now sees the face of grit, hard work, discipline, and eyes that see long into my dreams and goals.
My past told me I couldn’t overcome the bottle. That Jameson and Vodka would destroy me long before a pair of running shoes could.
I ring the doorbell and when my past answers, I say remember me? Now it sees the girl who hasn’t touched a drink in 5 years. Who put down the bottle to pick up her self-worth, and found self-love again.
My past told me I couldn’t make a difference: “You’ll never be an example, or a leader. You’ll never succeed.”
I ring the doorbell and when it opens the door… my past sees all of you. It sees your kind words and support. It sees us sharing all our achievements together.
My past asks me if I would like to sit and stay awhile… maybe get reacquainted. I politely decline. As I leave, I turn around and say:
“You thought you would break me. You thought you could keep me prisoner, hold me in the dark, never to be rescued.”
As I shut the door, the beautiful light shining down upon me pierces that dark place. The past quietly closes the door with nothing left to say.
Find your willingness to be better. Do not let people, places or things hold your happiness… they will drop it every time. Find your light and burn that bitch so bright, you light up the world 🌎✨⭐️.
Now let’s get this run done ✌️.
Follow along as Suzanne Swanson takes us through her transformation from addiction to athlete. Find support and healing in your own life! We’re sending Suzanne’s blog updates via email along with a daily dose of motivation. Don’t miss the next post… delivered straight to your inbox.
I’m going to say a little something today to anyone struggling.
On the left was a girl whose smile was there because someone said “Say cheese!”
The core of me was alone… in an upheaval of a mess made by wrong choices… fueled by addiction, doubt, and shame.
I rode my high horse as a means of trying to fit in. I let crappy people influence my choices. I was robbing myself of a life of freedom, goodness, and wellness.
The woman on the right smiles because she crushed her devils… weathered the storms, and found peace within the brokenness.
Today life is tough. We scroll through social media. We see fitness models talk about their chiseled success, we see fad diet after diet, shake after shake, supplement after supplement. How can we not feel conflicted?
Here’s the deal: find what works for you and seek the pure joy in it. You want to eat meat? Eat meat. You want to be vegan? Be vegan. You want to cartwheel on the street between each mile.? Do it!!!! Find what you love and let it be a neverending well of happiness.
This world has had enough people spit venom about individual choices.
Today… all I’m asking is you wake up and choose you. Give thanks for who you were, give praise for who you are, and lay down some gratitude for who you will continue to become.
Find what works for you… price tag it and own it. Show the world… be the change.
I promise you someone is watching… let’s give ’em something to talk about ✌️.
Just a few pictures to capture the joy of accomplishment. Rhode Island Half Marathon. First shot, just after crossing the finish line. Below that, fueling up with some Lucky Charms! With gratitude for my amazing life partner, who is always there with a smile at the finish line. Thank you for your unshakeable belief in me.
No great half marathon starts without having me some Lucky Charms and an Americano with an extra shot!
Follow along as Suzanne Swanson takes us through her transformation from addiction to athlete. Find support and healing in your own life! We’re sending Suzanne’s blog updates via email along with a daily dose of motivation. Don’t miss the next post… delivered straight to your inbox.
Charms and an Americano with an extra shot!