The Blog edit

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"ALOHA is reaching for someone’s hand and touching their heart at the same time. ALOHA is the essence of relationships in which each person is important to every other person, animal, and all of nature for collective existence. ALOHA means to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen and to know the unknowable.”

July 5th was National Hawaii Day - this day is to honor the beautiful Aloha state becoming the 50th state of the U.S. We honor the beautiful islands of Hawaii which speak to a richly diverse heritage that is welcoming and rooted in the soul, with dance, music, and song taught from one generation to the next.

Recently having arrived back from Maui, I am reminded daily of the Aloha state and its Aloha energy which I try to bring with me everywhere I go. If you know me, you know my love for that beautiful island. 

My body, mind, heart, and spirit danced in Hawaii. I did so with wild abandon, after all, we are Meant To Move™. I come back to that movement and those feelings each year. The sunlight dissolved into my skin, as I swooned in the lush palms, bright flowers, and humble waves on the sand. I rested in the greetings from locals and the song of the sora bird.

Thank you Hawaii, for the gentle call to my heart to arrive there over and over and over again.

The hustle is canceled.

This is not only my mantra of the year but how I choose to fully embody my life - today, tomorrow, and moving forward. 

This past year has been one of the biggest exhales of my life, a transformational year to say the least. I no longer measure success by some “idea” of what I used to think success had to look like. I no longer do things that rob me of my joy or feel like they are sucking my soul simply because I believe it will “get me somewhere,” or lead to something else, or live up to some false ideal standard I learned to (and then chose to) set for myself.

The culture in which we live of “busy overachievers” seems to “require” a hustle, as does the entrepreneurial world. It’s as if we are doing something wrong if we’re not hustling. The idea that the only way to achieve success is by overloading our plates, overwhelming our minds, and taxing our bodies is neither sustainable nor healthy and - well - false.

As one does, I learned this the hard way. The hustle was going to end me if I didn’t make a change. And to be very honest and transparent, it took me a handful of different messages to finally learn how to apply it to my life and live it every day. Through much trial, tribulation, adversity, and challenge, I have discovered that life is SO much better this way. Yes, I have a full life and am often quite busy! But there is always space, always room on my plate for what life is presenting at that moment, should I choose it. 

My time and energy are valuable, and my health is everything. My work in the world is incredibly meaningful to me, and I am here to educate and guide others so that we all feel and live better.

I want a life full of meaning. I only choose work (and anything else) that is full of purpose, connection, and joy. I want to live in the moment, fully embodied and fully present. Therefore, I have canceled the hustle.

No more pushing and hurrying to think I have to get somewhere to be seen, heard, and loved. No more putting off what I really need in order to do what “I’m supposed to.” I force nothing. I put my whole body and spirit into everything, with my eyes wide open and my heart centered.

I have restored my joy, my energy, my passions, and my purpose, and I have continued to learn and practice my own lesson that I teach, which is: “When you LET GO of your idea of what your life has to look like, YOUR WORLD GETS SO MUCH BIGGER.” Of course, I have goals, but I am committed to the process as opposed to the outcome. I will say that again:

I AM COMMITTED TO THE PROCESS AS OPPOSED TO THE OUTCOME. 

Do I still have dips? Of course. Do I still ebb and flow? Of course. This is the human experience and after all, the journey is the destination. And so I encourage you to find presence and meaning in every moment of your journey.

Don’t let the “hustle” rob you of your joy. Don’t let it force you into a way of working that keeps you from living every moment of your life with presence and meaning. Instead, follow the calls that speak to your soul and EXHALE. 

This, too, is at the heart of what I’ve taught for years—and what I’ve most needed to learn myself through Meant To Move™. It isn’t only about how we move our bodies. It’s about how we move through our lives—with awareness, intention, connection, and the courage to listen to what we truly need.

The hustle is canceled.

I am proud to announce that I have officially achieved federal registration with the United States Patent and Trademark Office of the mark, The Core Expert®.

Some years ago, after successfully launching two companies (Body by Jessica® and Champion Pilates™), I created my health and wellness company, The Core Expert® Method - Where Spirit Aligns With Science. Today, these bodies of work are connected through Meant To Move™, the overarching philosophy and brand that brings together my work in movement, mindfulness, education, and whole-person well-being. 

I am extremely passionate about my work and I derive great meaning from having an impact on other peoples lives through health and well-being. My hope is that we all can feel better, function better, and live better. Because this is so important to me, I know and understand that I must take every “business” measure to protect what I’ve created so that I may continue to serve others while simultaneously expanding professionally.

The Core Expert® Method identifies and represents me and my work, and I promote it proudly. I had already been granted a federal trademark registration for Body By Jessica® several years ago.

Trademark application and registration is a complex and lengthy process. Pursuing this protection was a daunting prospect, so I wisely sought help from an attorney skilled in this area of law.

I used to often feel like the Energizer Bunny, running from one goal to the next on my list. I have since learned to pause and celebrate my achievements. As such, I am sharing my gratification with you in respecting what I have created and built and how I have invested in myself.

I would love for you to think about something you've done recently that makes you proud. Give yourself props and acknowledge your successes!

Recently, I was interviewed on CBS2 NY about my ProACTIVE Aging™ Campaign. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to change the pervasive conversation labelling the aging process as "Anti-Aging." This work also reflects something at the heart of Meant To Move™: how we move through every age and stage of life with greater awareness, intention, and connection. 

The term is unfortunately negative and sets us up for a losing battle. “Anti” literally means “opposed” or “against,” and perpetuates the myth that aging is something to be feared and avoided, as opposed to what it is actually: a powerful, meaningful, lifelong process that unites us all. My use of the language, “ProACTIVE Aging,” is a positive step towards creating a new movement and experience around this privilege denied to many.

In a world that glorifies and rewards perpetual youth, it can be challenging to truly embrace aging and the wisdom and wonders that come with it. Today, I invite you to recognize and celebrate the gifts aging brings including wisdom, experience, more confidence, clarity, and courage. You can thus empower yourself to age on your own terms. You will discover you can make choices you want to make, improve and strengthen relationships, and continue to feel your best! 

Tips to be a ProACTIVE Ager:

• STAY PHYSICALLY ACTIVE: Regular exercise helps maintain physical health and mobility and reduces the risk of age-related health issues such as heart disease and diabetes.
• PRACTICE SELF-CARE: Take the time to care for your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, and engage in activities that bring you joy.
• STAY SOCIALLY CONNECTED: Maintain social connections with friends, family, and community to help combat feelings of loneliness and isolation that may come with aging.
• LEARN NEW THINGS: Continue to learn and engage in new activities to keep your mind sharp and ward off cognitive decline.
• SEEK SUPPORT: It is always okay to ask for help when needed. It is reasonable and human for those close to us to want to be supportive. Reach out to friends and family, join support groups, or seek professional counseling.
• STAY POSITIVE: Focus on the positive aspects of aging. Recognize opportunities that come with getting older. Adopt a positive outlook and attitude towards the aging process.
• MAINTAIN A SENSE OF PURPOSE: Volunteer, pursue hobbies, or continue to work in some capacity to combat feelings of boredom or worthlessness, and find meaning and purpose in life.

Aging is not a problem to be fixed or a disease to be cured. It is an opportunity to create the life we want to live, to choose how we want to feel, how we want to show up, and how we want to express ourselves.

ProACTIVE aging celebrates and embraces aging. It is a powerful tool of self-acceptance and discovery. It focuses on what we have more of rather than what we have less of, namely, more wisdom, experience, courage, clarity, and confidence.

Click here to watch the full interview.