Thank you for being on this journey with me <3

If my story resonated with you and you'd like to connect, please find me on IG: @HudsonValleyPeakPerformance 

If you'd like to connect and talk about how I can help you feel confident and healthy in life and business book a free consultation call using the link below.

Energy, it's a wonderful thing.  If flows through us and everything around us.  We can look at it universally or bring it in real tight and examine it within ourselves.

It's truly a fascinating thing to think about.

But thinking about it can be hard when you are lacking it, dragging yourself around from appointment to appointment, grabbing a coffee wherever it's available, and refusing to get a workout in at the end of the day because you're just TOO EXHAUSTED.

And listen, I know it can feel like moving an impossible object to get on a different path but today instead of telling you the HOW of gaining and maintaining sustained energy I am going to tell you WHY it's SO WORTH IT.

When we are short of sleep, we inevitably become short tempered and easily overwhelmed.  This can read as disaster when you are trying to build your business.  Not to mention, make home life with inevitably noisy kids feel completely unbearable. 

Consider this:

Have you ever panicked about a meeting or a presentation to the point where you stayed up FAR later than your traditional bedtime? Or maybe you even pulled an all-nighter.  How did you feel the next day?  Were you clear-headed, energized and ready to go?  Or were you forgetful, clumsy, easily raddled, and just not feeling together? It's probably better to get a good night's sleep and feel energized and connected to yourself and your knowledge then it is to have deprived  yourself of the sleep that will help you function and thrive even if you don't h ave the answer to every single question.

You can after all say, "I don't have the answer to that now but I will get it to you later today by email."

Now, that is a professional who is in control and confident enough to be vulnerable on the spot!

So, if you want to have the focus and control over your mind and emotions to make savvy business decisions like when to launch your next product/program or make a strategic hire.... you're going to want your restorative sleep.

When you are low energy or tired.... do you think clearly or do you feel scattered and like  your brain is stuck in a fog of indecision? 

Now think about how you feel when you have amazing, high vibe energy!

You feel like you are on top of the world, ideas flow freely to you, and you have the bandwidth to open up your notes and jot down all the things you want to save to take action on.

Where does this get you?  At home you can feel present and at peace because you were able to get your brown work done as well as your non-negotiable green work.

In business you feel confident and secure in your next steps.  You have a clear design and outline to your programming, marketing, and strategy for your upcoming endeavors.  Things feel fresh and hopeful, you are in the flow!

Gaining energy means many things but one of the most pivotal is that when you gain REAL energy you also gain health.

This is incredibly important in business.  Because for many of us, you don't get paid on sick days and you don't get workers comp if you get injured.

So, building up your body through balanced nutrition, purposeful movement, and proper rest gives you a HUGE return.

Say you charge $100/hr for your services and you book 5 appointments per day.

You get sick and it knocks you out for 5 days, that's $2,500 you lost right there because your health failed. Now what if that happens even just 3 times per year? 

You're out $7,500 simply because you didn't take the time to manage your energy and wellness.  

Now, maybe this is how you have been operating for the past 5 years and here's my question to you:

How would you like to put an extra $37,500 in your bank account over the next five years simply by managing your health and energy level?!?

If you want help getting on track I have five spots open for my free Discovery Calls and you can snag  your spot now by booking through my Calendly Link: ​https://calendly.com/hvpp/15min

You can also check out our Somatic Business Coaching programming here!

I know, this sounds so simple and you have definitely heard it before.  But it is important so it bears repeating.  Drinking approximately 8 glasses of water a day (or what ever amount FEELS BEST in your body) is going to help you feel awake, alert, less sluggish, and MUCH happier.   

I mean, the number one cause of headaches and muscle spasms is dehydration, so drink up and let's start celebrating the beginning of a pain-free lifestyle! 

You body has A LOT of work to do in it's down time. Things you never even think of (thank goodness, you have enough on your plate right?!) When you keep yourself awake with cups of steaming caffeine, work projects, or to get kid free time at the end of night you are likely KILLING your waking productivity. 

​Don't forever put your conscious projects above your body's subconscious needs. You can say no to that extra appointment, party, project, or playdate.  Your body has no such choice in the matter.

A lack of sleep beats up your immune system, leaves you forgetful and disoriented, and leads to emotionally crushing, joint destabilizing unwanted weight gain.  Just to name a few. 

​NONE of these are productive for your life.  You are an amazing capable woman, mother, and business owner.  You want and need to be on top of your game. Give your body consistent sleep (min of 8 hours) and keep me posted on how it starts to change your life!

That's right mamma, I want you to GROW! Right now, I want  you to take up more space.  While you are reading this I want you to think of three ways you can make your body bigger throughout your day. 

Sitting in a board meeting? Roll your shoulders back, sit up straight, open your arms wider.

Cooking dinner with the kiddos? Put your favorite dancing tunes on, grab your spatula mic and channel John Travolta.  

Have extra time for yourself? Go for a run or take a yoga class.  Move and OPEN your body as big as you can, as appropriately as you can in the setting you are in.

Losing your shit and need a quick fix?  Stand in the mirror like Super Woman, legs apart, back straight, chest and shoulders up and back, hands perched on your hips to take up space with your arms. (Check out Amy Cuddy's TedTalk for more on that, she's great!)

All of these things will help to boost your self confidence, make you feel powerful, and improve your assertiveness.  Because moving your body to make yourself bigger actually changes the chemicals and hormones released in your body to feed your brain what it needs to get the job done.  If nothing else, you'll get some stiffness out of your body and that alone is worth it!

So many of us, myself included, are used to having someone else tell us what to do.  We rarely have full control of things and this is can be especially true when it comes to our bodies.

If you are a part of my generation (I was born in 1985, so sure, that makes me a Millennial but I resonate more with Genx) you may have been taught to essentially relinquish control over yourself to your elders.
-Go give so and so a hug
-Disrobing completely in a doctors office when it's not actually necessary
-One size fits all fitness classes
-Coaches and trainers who ignore you when you say something REALLY hurts and tell you to "go walk it off"
-You should never eat fat because it's bad and you're bad if you eat it
-You should never eat carbs because they are bad and you're weak if you give into that temptation
-Your body should look like ______ and fit into the sizes provided on the rack or your "unhealthy", "irregularly sized", "too tall", etc

I know it may seem like I've gone off on a bit of a tangent here.  But really, I haven't, I've just dug a little deeper into this paradigm than most of us are comfortable digging into.  I can tell you, I'm not comfortable writing this right now, not at all.  I am a rule follower.

I am the professional here and I know what is best for you, so I'm supposed to make you do it. <---- This is how I feel like I have been taught to work with people.  But I don't BELIEVE it.  I don't believe it's right, I don't believe it is oaky, and I don't believe it is the best way to help you.  And that's really my job, my job is to help you.

When I listen to you, to my clients, I am guided by YOU. Yes yes, I am also guided by my training, but you are front and center.  Our work together revolves around you, you are the sun to my solar system.  You are the leader, I am the fairy godmother flitting alongside you with my fairy dust in the form of education and training as a tool I am able to sprinkle on you as needed.

Well, let me tell you.  There is no time when I, Cortney Whitebay, can ever be more important than you in YOUR training.  There is no time when I can FORCE you to do something you don't want to do (even when it's begrudgingly).  Trust me, in my fledgling years I've tried... and I've FAILED.

Let me tell  you how I know this to be true.

One year I had two particular clients.  They were both looking to get a good workout in and lose weight.  One was male, one was female. One was fully trained virtually online, one I saw in their home. Neither of them could preform the necessary exercises to reach their goals to the degree they wished to because they were TOO tight.  Their flexibility limited their mobility and caused them a whole lot of pain and frustration.

For months I tired to tell them, to encourage them, to sneak in what I wanted them to do.  STRETCH!  

They refused.

They stopped training with me because it just wasn't working for them.

Then.

One year later.

THE BOTH CAME BACK!!!  Yay!!!! And guess what they came back to do with me?

You got it, "Cortney, I want to come back to training with you but for right now I ONLY want to stretch."

Something similar  happened to me again this week.  A young man I have had the immense pleasure of training this year has unilaterally decided that he wants to RUN!  On all the nice days!  He used to hate it, he used to complain, and stop every few feet, and whine.  I used to energetically DRAG him with me.  Now I can't keep up!  

Did I have other plans for him today?  Yes, did I stop him and say, 'no you can't do what your body and mind are calling you to do because I know better?'

HELL NO!

We did what he wanted to do and then we picked up whatever else we could fit in for the day.  We both left feeling amazing, accomplished, well worked out, and excited for our next session.

He's a teenager, he is following his instincts and guiding me to train him the way HE NEEDS to be trained, not the way a text book told me to do it.

Empowered Success Through Client Led Training.  This is what I do.

As you probably know, your body language speaks volumes.  Body language allows us to read other people and to be read by them.  It's a big part of how we decide what and how we feel towards them; whether we like or dislike someone or find a situation is safe or threatening, fun or boring, and so on.

But did you know that when you, or that guy at the office, make your body big (expanded as opposed to contracted postures) it is actually chemically boosting your self confidence? 

Improved Body Posture/Movement -> Positive Chemical Release -> Physiological Reactions -> Thought Patterns Change -> Actions are Modified -> Results are Awesome

When you sit down, do you cross your legs and lean into yourself? This would be a contracted pose and while cozy, it's better for hibernation than a board meeting.

Alternatively, do you leave your core wide open, arms and legs long, for all to see? This style of posture is making your body appear larger, and when done 'socially appropriately' it is perfect for the confidence boost you need to bring up that tough conversation and stay assertive.

The even cooler part about all of this is not only do you look more self-assured and confident to others, you also give yourself that boost of belief due to chemical and hormonal shifts in your own brain! Win win!  You look competitive, you act competitive, and you get the job done.

​When you make your body larger, by stretching or running or stand in front of the mirror like super woman, you are changing your physiology!!!  You are changing the chemicals being released in your brain and even your hormones shift within your body!  In turn, those changes make  you feel, then ACT more assertive, in control, and as a force to be reckoned with.​

There are so many practical applications for using our body and posture to help us manage a given situation, here are a few examples:

-You are getting ready for a big meeting, presentation, interview in front of people you feel the need to impress.  Exercising or even just standing like a starfish or Super Woman for a few minutes will help give you the physiological boost you need BEFORE even entering the room.

-You want to work up the courage to ask someone out on a date.

-You're ready to ask for help on a tough project, to stop a negative behavior, or anything else that has been weighing on your mind.

-You are gearing up at the starting line of a race or getting ready for another competition.

-You are ready to take a stand for yourself and tell someone, 'enough is enough!' and you won't tolerate their mean or abusive behavior anymore.

-You're  having a less than perfect day and you just simply need a little pick me up!

​
Making your body large is a way of using your beautiful body and your body sure does like that!  It loves the blood flow because that means oxygen and food for the brain, muscles, and all the other parts.  The chemical changes help your body and mind connect with each other and ideas come, self-confidence gets a boost, and sure, even your achey back can get eased.

So, the next time you want to focus and step into your power, get large girl!  Also be sure to check out the Going Goddess program.  It's a self paced but fully coached program that will help you tap into all your power!
​

When we enter the holiday season we are entering a whole new way of life.

We are expected to be able to navigate it with grace and glee, but let's be honest here, it's not always like that!

How many times have you walked into a room over the holiday season and been less than thrilled to have Great Aunt Betty exclaim her surprise over something your body does or doesn't have? 

Or perhaps you get to the snack or dessert table and your mother snugs up against you to whisper that you might not need that on your plate....?

Well I have FIVE tips/ideas/tools for you to get started with not only surviving the hardships of the holidays, but THRIVING though them!

1.) Find a system or supportive group NOW.  Not in a week from now, not after Thanksgiving had wreaked it's havoc with the delights of Pecan Pie, but now.  Find it, get comfortable with it.

2.) Repeat after me, "I am worthy of love and respect at all times." And I mean AT ALL TIMES!!!  So, no negative self talk.  Bolster yourself up with learning and cultivating this belief, which is TRUTH.

3.) Allow yourself the indulgences you look forward to all year long.  Be mindful in your consumption and don't beat yourself up or tear yourself down for it.  See #2

4.)  When you are confronted with a situation or temptation that feels overwhelming;
 *Pause
 *Visit the pros and Cons
 *Choose what feels right for you with confidence

5.) Learn to manage the stress with a few well placed deep breaths.  For our Yogis out there, we call this Pranayama, and it is an incredibly powerful practice!

When you're ready to take it to the next  level, I will see you in our Going Goddess group!

Ugh okay. Let me start by saying that posting this is making me feel more than a little bit queasy. Not only because I’m trying to embrace my femininity and feel beautiful (which I often don’t feel allowed to do) but also because I’m showing what lies beneath. Ha. Literally. I can’t even explain in this one little blurb, all the feelings I have and why they are there.

​But whatever. This is me. This is post baby #3 at about 3.5 months. And the reason I’m swallowing down bile to be this vulnerable is because I’ve seen a few trainers in my life who take a pretty hard line on weight loss after pregnancy and I think it’s... mean.

Now, I’m not saying they aren’t incredible women with lots of wisdom to share. But I AM saying that we are not ALL capable or dare I say willing to find our six packs four months after having a baby. I haven’t seen mine in about 7 years!!! I still consider myself to be in pretty good shape though. I can still teach all of my group fitness and yoga classes, exercise with my PT clients, and take care of my kids without being physically burnt out or in pain. THOSE are also pretty amazing accomplishments in my book!

If I may say so myself!  (And yes, I may.  So may you!)

If this hit home for you and you are ready to move into the next phase of you WellFit journey, this is an invitation to you, from me, to join us in our next group launch of the Going Goddess Empowerment and Transformation program.

We will come together daily for inspiration, calming yoga, and heart pumping workouts.  If you are tired of being tired and achy; if you want to feel strong and powerful; this is the program for you.

Leave a comment below to receive a special discount on your Personalized GG Program!

When sleep becomes elusive, things tend to go downhill fast and it can feel like your world is beginning to spin out of control.

Sleep is vital, it helps us to produce and balance our hormones, allows us to better focus during the day, aids us in managing our tempers, writes what we learned in a day down as memories we can recall, heals and builds our muscles, and so much more.  Without it, we cannot survive and certainly we will not thrive.

The real bummer can be that once we start the slippery slope into lackluster sleep, it often becomes a cycle that feeds itself; can't fall asleep because you feel anxious?  Well, not sleeping will make you feel more of that and so the cycle is set.  

So, what can we do to break these cycles we get into and get a good nights sleep?  

I'm glad you asked, here are my go-to's:

-Meditate.  If you don't know how to meditate or it seems to scary just take a few moments throughout the day to take 3-5 slow, intentional deep breaths. If you are down with trying meditation but don't have your own practice, google it!  There are so many fantastic guided meditations and apps these days you're sure to find one you like.
-Hydrate, not not right before bed!!!!  Drink your water earlier in the day and take the time to learn your body's rhythms.  If you find you need to skip a glass of water because it's too close to bedtime try getting it in earlier in the evening to avoid those nocturnal callings.
-Use calming essential oils.  I love Petigrain, Serenity, or Lavender in my diffuser before bed.  They are calming and soothing, which is just what I need to quiet my mind and any anxious feelings I may have carried with me through the day.
-Take a warm bath or shower before bed.  Having the heat warm your body before crawling into bed is so soothing and relaxing.  If your a bath person you can add your favorite essential oils to epsom salt and then sprinkle it in for triple the relaxation as the Magnesium in the salts are actually gentle muscle relaxers!
-In the morning, to set your day up right, rub Balance blend or Cedarwood on your feet to get grounded and settled.  You'll be amazed at how well you'll feel starting off your day with your feet on the ground and your head out of the clouds!
-Exercise!!!!  Last but clearly not least, get your body moving.  Every. Day.  You don't have to do a knock down, drag out workout every single day but you should be moving every day.  A walk, a bike ride, a run, a fitness class, yoga, anything to keep your blood flowing, your daytime energy up, and to give your body a release that will help you sink into the pillow each night.  

Leave me your questions below or send me a message!  

Sleep Well!