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Writer's pictureMindy Cochran

October 2024: A Month to Foster Your Growth Mindset

Last month, I made a big push to convince myself and others that September is the “Real New Year.” I do this annually because, as the seasons change from summer to fall and we return to slower schedules, September is the perfect catalyst for new goals. This year, the “Real New Year” was timed perfectly with some big changes for me. I left the aerial studio I founded nine years ago, launched my high intensity interval training at a new location and brought back high aerial classes which haven’t run in 20 months. With all the change, a little bit of focus, and a whole lot of intention, I have been able to connect with a bit of myself that I lost touch with for a little while. The Mindy that prioritizes a healthy diet has returned!


I know, I know. Some people see diet as a four-letter word, which is why I quit talking about it for a while. I spent the last year (prior to September) exploring what would happen if loosened my rules around food intake. I still exercised consistently, but I intentionally let go of my restrictions around food. The result was I found myself falling into sugar addiction, many days of energy peaks and crashes, and some heartburn and indigestion. Diet, for me, is NOT a four-letter word. It is a tool in the toolkit to my best self.


So, in September, I embraced the “Real New Year” by cutting refined sugar and flour out of my diet, increasing protein, and prioritizing sleep. As a result, I came out of the month feeling better than I have in a while.


I recognize that your goals may not revolve around diet. What is important is that you find something that motivates you to identify your goals. If flipping the calendar to a new month can or has ever served as that catalyst, I will consider the “Real New Year” a success.


Now that September has come to a close, we are launched into a new month and a new theme: The theme for October is growth and growth mindset. 


I have heard a growth mindset defined as “the belief that you can develop capability through effort and practice.” This was proven to me to be true when I started training aerials at age 33 with no former background in dance or gymnastics. But, with effort and practice, I have been able to develop myself into a pretty talented aerialist (yep, tootin' my own horn).


To participate in this month’s theme, you can ask yourself these questions:

  1. What is my goal for this month?

  2. Do I believe I can achieve the goal through effort and practice?

  3. What are the steppingstones to achieve my goal?


Further, I encourage you to take a moment to assess the communities you allow yourself to be involved with. Is it a growth-oriented community? As Berne Brown says “Being around a growth-oriented community can have a profound impact on your own growth and success…When you see others achieving their goals and pursuing their passions with dedication, it sets a benchmark for what is possible. It motivates you to raise your own standards and aspire to greater heights.” Since I branded my new business “Elevated Fitness,” you can be certain that I am all about elevating fitness, personal growth, and goals to get us to the greatest of heights!


You are invited to be a part of my growth-oriented community. Elevated Fitness will be a community that cheers each other on, celebrate successes (and sometimes even failures as a sign of trying hard things), and works relentlessly to achieve the goals we identify for ourselves. Since you are here reading, I know you are with me. Welcome, and thanks for being here.


This Month's Mantra:

"You can have anything you want as long as you are willing to work for it."

What I Am Excited For

So many things! But I narrowed it down to two to share:


Woman holds another woman overhead
Me and Mariah. Photo by Laura Fergie.

🎃A surprise in the works. Mariah Gladstone and I have been scheming on a project, but we aren't quite ready to announce it. Stay tuned!


🎃Halloween. This is a tough one for me because I struggle to avoid the Halloween candy that surfaces everywhere this time of year. This year, I am determined not let it derail my health goals. I am the kind of person that can't have "just" one mini candy bar, so I personally won't be having any. You know yourself best - if you can have one or two without it derailing your entire health mindset and launch you into a sugar addiction frenzy, you do you! If not, consider getting some non-food Halloween goodie bag fillers to hand out instead of candy. Meanwhile, I am also excited to lean into my favorite parts of the holiday: the costumes and the parties!




What I Am Munching On

Unless you live under a rock, you likely know that adequate protein in the diet is essential for athletes and non-athletes alike. As an AFAA Certified Nutrition Coach, I am additionally educated on the importance of protein in sports nutrition. For exercisers, athletes, and aerialists, extra protein is required for the repair and recovery of muscle tissue broken down during exercise. So, I have been working on increasing my protein intake. But (real talk) I so am lazy when it comes to cooking. Therefore, my favorite snack right now is tofu with Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Maple Syrup. It's a good protein snack while being quick, easy, and sweet which is a win, win, win. Follow the link to Amazon for an allulose & monk fruit sweetened maple syrup. If you live in Kalispell, the cheapest place to buy organic tofu is Smith's grocery store.


What I am Listening To

My favorite song to move to right now is the Tiesto Remix of "Drums" by Kim Petras. This has made it into my playlist for my HIIT bootcamp class two months in a row because I love it so much!


The podcast I am recommending this month is tied in with my growth mindset theme for the month. Listen to Berne Brown's empowering speech about acting as if you are already a millionaire, the importance of surrounding yourself with a growth minded community and developing resilience in the face of challenges. Her message is a powerful one for anyone seeking to elevate their mindset and achieve lasting success. 💡💪🌟


I am grateful to you, my community, for embarking on a journey to your best self along with me. I am committed to helping foster your growth as well as my own. Let's welcome October 2024 in, together.


Thanks for reading my article. The Elevated Life blog is dedicated to anyone and everyone striving to find an actionable route to their best self and highest potential, and I am so happy to have you here.


 

Article by Mindy Cochran. Mindy is a practitioner, teacher, and performer of aerial silks, aerial hammock, and aerial hoop; as well as a health columnist for Montana Woman Magazine. Her column shares expertise for elevating health & wellness which she has acquired through her certifications as a personal trainer, nutrition coach, and life coach. To connect with Mindy on Instagram, please visit: www.instagram.com/aerial.mindy; or visit her Linktree here.



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