It’s been a minute since my last blog post. A lot has happened since then — most notably the launch of my book, Reclaiming My Authentic Self: A Journey from Fear to Freedom, and a whirlwind of book signings and events.
And through all of it, I hit a wall.
Burnout Hit Me To My Core
I don’t mean the “I need a nap” kind of tired. I mean the kind of burnout where your passion dims, your drive fades, and the things you once loved begin to feel like work. No amount of caffeine could fix it.
That’s when I knew something had to change.
Resetting Off The Beaten Path
During our son’s spring break, we finally took a long-postponed trip to the mountains of western North Carolina — a trip delayed since Hurricane Helene struck the area with devastating force last fall.
Our cabin was nestled deep in the woods, two miles down a dirt road alongside a quiet river. No cell service. Barely any Wi-Fi. And honestly? It was perfect.
One night, we lit a fire in the pit outside the cabin. My wife Shelly captured it in a photo you may have seen on my social media — but I didn’t take that picture. My eyes were closed. I was present in the moment. Feeling the heat, hearing nothing but silence, and soaking in the peace of the mountains.
That fire wasn’t just for warmth — it relit something inside me.
The Lesson I Needed to Learn – Again
In that moment, I realized something I already knew, but often ignore:
We run ourselves into the ground.
We give until there’s nothing left — especially for ourselves.
That trip reminded me to check in with me. To unplug. To breathe.
Because here’s the truth: if we don’t make time for rest and recovery, our bodies and minds will force it on us — often at the worst possible time.
Make Space Before You Break
We don’t need a mountain getaway to reset. We just need space. That could mean:
- 10 minutes of silence in the morning
- An evening walk
- A hard stop on phone use after dinner
- A full day offline each week
Rest and recovery aren’t a luxury — they’re a necessity. And when we protect our peace, we return sharper, stronger, and more grounded in our purpose.
I’m Baaaaaack!
I returned to work at Fernandes Fit after that trip with a clearer mind, fresher energy, and a renewed sense of direction – my authentic self, if you will. I know why I do what I do — and that feels really, really good.
Thanks for joining me on this long-overdue post. If this message resonates with you, take a moment to reflect, reset, and rekindle your own fire. And if you need more help, I’m here for you at Fernandes Fit.
Until next time, always remember…
FITNESS IS OUR BUSINESS.