Blogs to Inspire and Encourage
Learnings, teachings, and experiences learned in life for anyone to reference during difficult times, stressful workdays and moments when manifesting your true self. See more blogs at Convene Communities
Building Lasting Habits: The Power of Food Tracking for a Healthier Lifestyle
In a world of quick fixes and fleeting trends, true transformation stems from building intentional, sustainable habits. Food tracking stands out as a simple yet powerful tool to nurture a healthier relationship with food and foster long-term success. Research underscores its effectiveness—those who track their food are more likely to maintain healthier weights and make informed nutritional decisions.
Tracking food provides insight into portion sizes, calorie intake, and eating patterns, empowering us to make adjustments that align with our health goals. It’s not about perfection but progress, creating awareness and fostering habits that last a lifetime.
Curious about how to get started? Tools like the 1st Phorm food tracker simplify the process, allowing you to begin small and gradually build consistency. Remember, every step counts on your journey to a healthier, more empowered you!
Faith-Driven Leadership: Empowering Teams to Thrive Through Authenticity and Purpose
Leadership rooted in faith transcends traditional approaches, empowering leaders to inspire teams with authenticity, purpose, and resilience. In this blog, we explore how combining authentic, transformational, and servant leadership principles creates a foundation for trust, growth, and collaboration. Drawing from my military experience and faith journey, I share insights on leading with integrity, fostering personal and team development, and aligning actions with God’s purpose.
Through transparent communication, a commitment to serving others, and an unwavering focus on personal growth, faith-driven leadership equips teams to thrive in a meaningful and impactful way. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just beginning your journey, this resource offers tools to help you lead with authenticity and empower others to step into their greatness.
Dive into actionable tips and scripture-backed insights that highlight the transformative power of faith in leadership. Together, let’s embrace a leadership approach that strengthens our teams and aligns our actions with God’s greater purpose.
Letting Go of Limiting Beliefs: Steps to Stepping Into Your Greatness
Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and reflection, but it’s also an opportunity to look inward and ask: What’s holding me back from becoming the person I’m meant to be? For so many of us, the answer lies in our limiting beliefs—those quiet but powerful thoughts that tell us we’re not enough, not capable, or not deserving.
I know this struggle all too well. For years, I believed my voice didn’t matter. I let fear and doubt keep me small, even when everything in me longed for more. But here’s what I’ve learned: those beliefs aren’t truths. They’re stories we tell ourselves, and we have the power to rewrite them.
In this blog, I’m sharing the steps that helped me break free—steps like recognizing the lies we’ve believed for too long, surrounding ourselves with people who lift us higher, and trusting that we were made for more.
This Thanksgiving, as you count your blessings, remember to count yourself in. You are worthy of greatness, capable of growth, and deserving of a life that feels full and free.
Ready to step into your greatness? Let’s do it together.
5 Ways to Release Limiting Beliefs from Trauma and Build Long-Lasting Self-Discipline
Have you ever felt like something was holding you back, but you couldn’t quite name it? That was me for years, stuck in a loop of self-doubt and frustration. It wasn’t until I realized that the beliefs I carried—many born from trauma—were the invisible chains keeping me from the life I wanted.
These beliefs weren’t just thoughts; they were stories shaped by past pain, like echoes of experiences that left deep emotional scars. For a long time, I let them dictate how I saw myself and what I thought I could achieve. It wasn’t easy, but I learned to break free. And if I can do it, so can you.
In this blog, I share the five steps that changed everything for me: how I uncovered those hidden beliefs, reframed my thoughts, found healing, rebuilt self-discipline one small habit at a time, and leaned on spirituality to anchor me when I felt lost.
This is more than a guide—it’s a conversation, a reminder that you’re not alone in your struggles. Together, let’s release what’s been holding you back and build a life rooted in freedom, resilience, and hope.
Are you ready to take that first step? Let’s walk this journey together.
Breaking Free: Overcoming Addictions, Habits, and Mental Programming
Addictions can take many forms, often slipping into our lives disguised as everyday habits. While substance addictions are widely recognized, other forms—like people-pleasing or overeating—are equally impactful, undermining our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. To reclaim our lives, we must first recognize these patterns and then consciously break the cycles that hold us back.
In this blog, we’ll explore the S.T.E.P. and S.H.I.N.E. frameworks—two powerful tools for overcoming destructive habits. These principles guide us to recognize self-defeating behaviors, set healthy boundaries, and cultivate resilience. Embrace the journey toward freedom and lasting transformation as we discuss practical steps to realign with your potential and purpose.
Navigating Conflict with Compassion: A Faith-Based Approach to Resolution
For most of my life, conflict was something I tried to avoid. Growing up in a household where silence was survival and conflict was explosive, I learned early on to stay quiet and wait for storms to pass. Later, in the military, this pattern continued—stand back, stay silent, let things work themselves out. But as I grew, both personally and professionally, I began to realize how much I needed a new approach, especially if I wanted to build healthy, meaningful relationships.
In the past few years, with the help of mentors and counselors, I’ve begun learning to face conflict with compassion instead of fear. I’ve discovered that when approached with empathy, humility, and faith, conflict can actually bring people closer together. It’s not easy, and I’m still very much a work in progress, but each time I choose understanding over defensiveness or compassion over judgment, I feel a little stronger—and I want that for others, too.
This blog is inspired by both my journey and my recent research, and it’s an invitation to anyone who’s felt that same fear or dread at the thought of a tough conversation. By sharing what I’ve learned, I hope to show that conflict doesn’t have to be something we hide from. It can be a pathway to peace, forgiveness, and healing—if we’re willing to approach it with open hearts.
Building Discipline Through Nighttime and Morning Routines
Building discipline in our lives isn’t just about ticking off tasks; it’s about setting ourselves up to feel stronger, more grounded, and ready to face each day. In my coaching, I often talk about the power of nighttime and morning routines, not as strict lists but as acts of self-care that let us start and end our days with intention. Think of your nighttime routine as a way to tell your mind and body, “It’s okay to rest now—you’ve done enough.” Small things, like setting out tomorrow’s clothes or jotting down one good moment from the day, help us let go of stress and wake up feeling refreshed and motivated.
And when morning comes, a consistent routine—whether it’s five minutes of stretching or simply savoring a warm cup of tea—can give us a small win before the world’s demands start pulling us in different directions. Each step builds our confidence and reminds us we’re capable of showing up for ourselves. It’s not about being perfect but about finding a rhythm that strengthens our belief in our own potential, day by day.
When we make these routines a priority, we’re choosing to honor ourselves, creating a steady foundation to live with more purpose, focus, and resilience.
7 Tips for Grocery Shopping: Mindful Living, Mindful Shopping
Grocery shopping can feel like a chore, right? But what if it didn’t have to be that way? Here’s something we probably have in common—I used to walk into the store, unprepared, and end up grabbing things I didn’t need (hello, random snacks). Sound familiar? Now, I’ve found ways to shop with intention, and I want to share some tips that might just change how you feel about your next grocery trip!
Here’s something I wish I knew earlier: Never go grocery shopping hungry! It’s an easy fix to avoid impulse buys and unhealthy choices. Snack on something light before heading to the store, and you’ll be amazed at how focused you stay.
💡 Pro tip: Stick to the outer aisles—this is where you’ll find the freshest, most nutrient-packed foods like fruits, veggies, and lean proteins. It’s a simple change, but it makes a world of difference for your health!
What else do we have in common? Probably the desire to eat well without the overwhelm. That’s where my 2BEpic recipe packs come in—they’re designed for busy people like you, offering vegan and non-vegan options, with a full grocery list to keep you on track. But even if you don’t subscribe, these tips will help you shop smarter.
Tag someone who could use these tips and let’s all take one step closer to mindful shopping! 🍎
The Negative Thought Rabbit Hole
Sometimes, our negative thoughts can get the best of us. What we do at this time matters. Do we continue to go down the rabbit hole or do we choose to bring ourselves back out? The best way to do this is to begin with gratitude. What in your life can you be grateful for? Once you understand this concept, you can begin to change your life. Read the blog to learn more and gain tools to help you in life, health, and business.
When It All Falls Apart, Pick Up the Pieces
Maybe it's not all falling apart. Maybe this is how we are meant to begin reinventing ourselves. I will take the lead. What you see is me beginning the journey of reinvention. It's time to pick up the pieces one by one. They wronged you? That's ok? They lied to you? That's ok? They didn't value you? That's ok. God is always here and it's up to us to lean into Him so that we can begin the process of - picking up the pieces.
Overtasked and Completely Defeated: 3 Steps to Overcome Insanity
We often joke and say we are superwoman. We multitask thinking we are actually getting something accomplished. What we are actually doing is driving ourselves insane.
Let’s break the cycle today. Read on for the 3 steps I have come up with to help my clients (as well as myself) stop feeling so overtasked and defeated so they can really accomplish more throughout the day without feeling overwhelmed.
The Silent Crisis: How Social Media Fuels Mental Health Struggles Today
There are a lot of ways social media can enhance our lives. However, there are far more ways it can create anxiety and doubt. Read more to learn about how this tool can be sending us and the generations to come down a path of destruction with mindless scrolling, numbing out, and unintentional use that can lead to depression and overwhelm.
Self-Preservation – The Art of Healing and Setting Boundaries
Self-preservation is the intentional practice of protecting your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It’s a journey of understanding yourself deeply, healing past traumas, and safeguarding your energy through healthy boundaries. Let’s explore this journey, incorporating the principles of trauma healing, energy preservation, boundary setting, and overcoming people-pleasing tendencies.
Overcoming Limiting Beliefs: A Journey of Faith and Transformation
Limiting beliefs are the mental roadblocks that keep us from reaching our fullest potential. These profoundly ingrained convictions can shape our self-perception and hinder us from accomplishing our goals. In this blog, I share my personal journey of overcoming limiting beliefs through faith, supported by Bible scriptures.
From childhood experiences that fostered self-doubt to the transformative power of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Neuro Emotional Technique (NET), my story is a testament to the strength of renewing our minds and embracing God's plan. Join me in the Step Into Your Greatness Community, a safe and supportive space where we can grow together, break free from limiting beliefs, and step into the greatness God has planned for us. Visit the Step Into Your Greatness Community at https://linktr.ee/jodiwatkins to begin your journey today.
Conquer Procrastination
Let's face it: we've all been there. You set out with the best intentions to crush your fitness goals, nourish your body with wholesome foods, and prioritize self-care. But then, life happens, and suddenly, your well-laid plans are buried under a mountain of excuses and distractions. This has happened to me countless times, and it’s why I can empathize with others who encounter it in their journeys as well. I have had nine surgeries, been in car accidents, and had life-altering curveballs daily. How do I keep going? I don’t dwell on what I can’t control. I focus on what I can - ME!
Mastering Meal Prep: Your Guide to Easy and Consistent Nutrition
It’s time to make life easier! I always say I never leave home without food or water. So, how do I get it done as a busy mom and entrepreneur? Read on and find out! Please share this with someone else who needs it!
Improve Sleep Quality
Tonight, we are discussing creating a better nighttime routine for quality sleep! Join us and share your experiences, too! Go to https://Health-and-Fitness.convenecommunities.com/group/show/849/905 to find our group. Join using the Coupon Code 30DAYTRIAL. Zoom call information is inside the “Announcements.” Let’s go!
Setting SMART Goals for Your Wellness Journey
Embarking on a wellness journey is an empowering decision that can transform your health, fitness, and overall well-being. Whether striving to lose weight, improve your fitness level, or enhance your mental health, setting SMART goals is a crucial step toward success. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, providing a clear roadmap to guide your efforts and track your progress.
Understanding Macronutrients: Proteins, Carbs, and Fats
Understanding the role of macronutrients - proteins, carbohydrates, and fats - is essential for making informed dietary choices and supporting overall health and well-being. Each macronutrient plays a unique and indispensable role in our bodies, and a balanced intake is critical to achieving optimal health and longevity. By prioritizing nutrient-dense foods and paying attention to our macronutrient intake, we can nourish our bodies, support our health goals, and thrive at every stage of life.
Start your journey
Everything I do is to help others streamline their processes, have a strategy for success, and ultimately lessen emotional overwhelm. Contact me today to see where you desire to begin. It’s not about perfection. It’s about progress.