I was in barbell class last Saturday, with Maddy as the teacher. I love it so much. Great music, a full body workout, building strength. I was on a bench doing chest presses, and I had “loaded heavy” as my son has coached me. So, I failed. I really did. And it feels so good. Somewhere in that class Maddy cheered us on by encouraging “Failure is Success” – I love that too, because I’ve had my share of failure for sure. And when I’ve been it, in the dark times, I didn’t think it was a success at all. But something happened in those failures that set me up for success. Let me share.

The Breaking Point

There was a time when I was in failure. I experienced a deep depression, a mental breakdown that left me questioning everything. My marriage ended in divorce, my career was uncertain, and I was drowning in a sea of overwhelm. I had spent years trying to keep everything together—pushing through the stress, ignoring my own needs, and pretending everything was fine. But I wasn’t fine. I was exhausted, lost, and broken.

In this darkness that I was hanging on to a thread. Something had to change.

The Turning Point: Small Practices

I began searching for answers. And somehow, I started implementing practices that became my stepping stones for healing and transformation:

• HeartMath® Techniques – I learned to regulate my emotions, create inner coherence, and shift from stress to resilience.
• Core Values & Vision Work – I got clear on what truly mattered to me, and made choices that honored my core values and vision.
• Daily Habit of Presence – I practiced being present with each moment, especially with my son. To do the very best I could in that moment. I gave myself permission to do the best I could, and accept what is.

It wasn’t an overnight transformation. It was a journey of choosing myself, again and again, even when it was hard. And through this process of simple practices, I began to rebuild—stronger, wiser, and more aligned than ever before.

Practice Magic

I now see success not as the absence of failure, but learning something from it, growing wiser because of it. As they say, breakdown became my breakthrough. I learned that practices can be a lifeline.

So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, lost, or stuck, in these times, I want you to know this: It’s ok. You are on the edge of something. Consider caring for yourself with some simple practices.

To be honest, I’m not afraid of these chaotic times because of my practices. I double down on them, and they rise up to fill me with joy and resilience, even now. My failure led to practices that set me up for success, my failure led to success.

Are you ready to find some practices to be your stepping stones? I’d love to help you identify the practices that will put your life in motion towards more resilience, joy, and success! Setup a discovery call with me, and I’m all in to help in anyway! Believing in you.

And now, in the failure, somehow I know it will feel good on the other side – just like in barbell class.

With care,

Jill