Never Give Up! How Perseverance & Consistent Training Leads to Optimal Growth – Podcast Episode 18

Natural Living Family Podcast, Episode 18: Never Give Up!
The contents of this presentation are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This presentation does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

[0:00 – 1:00] Prelude

Mama Z: I did a flying kick and held my leg up way up here and came down and used my elbow and broke all the boards and landed in the splits.

Dr. Z: At a pageant.

Mama Z: At a pageant.

Dr. Z: A beauty pageant. Like girls were playing the trombone and the tuba and singing like Titanic music.

Mama Z: I hope they were not. They were singing.

Dr. Z: And you were like breaking boards.

Mama Z: Yes. And we had already talked about the fact that my first pageant, my talent wasn’t really a crowd-appealing talent. I wrote poetry and I read it that I wrote. And so, at the same time I really wanted to do something that I needed in my life. And I needed the discipline, because I was used to a lot of stuff like that.

Dr. Z: I’ve seen some good poetry talent, though. I’ve seen it actually at pageants. It was like, whoa, that was good. But yes, you have other talent. You break stuff.

Mama Z: I break stuff.

 

[1:01 – 1:34] Introducing our Never Give Up Episode!

Dr. Z: Hey there! Dr. Z here.

Mama Z: And Mama Z. And welcome to episode 18 of the Natural Living Family podcast.

Dr. Z: Each week we invite you to our home to talk about how you can master the art and science of natural living. And we share the very same tips our family uses each and every day to enjoy an abundant life. And you’re going to love today’s topic.

Mama Z: So, come on in and get comfortable. After all, you’re one of the family, our natural living family.

Dr. Z: But before we dive into all the fun today, we’re excited to share a special note about today’s sponsor.

 

[1:35 – 1:54] Sponsor Spotlight: Thrive Market

Mama Z: As a special gift to our Natural Living Family podcast listeners, Thrive Market is giving you twenty-five percent off your first order.

Dr. Z: Plus a free thirty-day trial. Simply go to NaturalLivingFamilypodcast.com to find the special link so you can redeem this deal on the show notes from today’s episode.

 

[1:55 – 11:22] Diffuser Reveal: Perseverance Blend

Dr. Z: Hey, everybody! Welcome to the show. We’re so excited about this; actually, Mama Z more than I, because this is going to be like the Mama Z show. She’s going to talk about never giving up, how perseverance and consistent training leads to optimal growth. Now I’ve got my own couple of stories in there. But Sabrina has got some things really deep on her heart. And she said, “Hey, this what we’ve got to talk about today.” So, before we do

Mama Z: Yes, so what’s in our diffuser? Okay, so, this is actually a special one, because I added my twist and he has his twist—key lime, lime, and bergamot.

Dr. Z: Oh!

Mama Z: I’m the key lime girl.

Dr. Z: This is my little, I guess, addition to this episode. This is my blend. And this is the blend that I came up with. I was drawn to it when I wrote my first book, The Healing Power of Essential Oils.

And I actually just had a conversation with a friend of mine, who unfortunately just recently got divorced. And my friend’s ex-wife put a lot of pressure on him to not work extra when it came to staying late at work and doing other things.

And so, I shared with him just my heart’s appreciation for you, honey, because you’ve given me the freedom and the encouragement and you’ve cheerleaded me through all the things that I’ve done. I celebrated recently my 39th birthday. And looking back when we first started chiropractic school—when I first started chiropractic school—we say we because you’re such a big part of it. Looking back when I was thirty years old—

Mama Z: It was a family decision.

Dr. Z: How you supported me when I was gone. I would be gone twelve to fifteen hours a day. Sometimes I didn’t see the kids. Sometimes I still don’t even see the kids, and I work from home, because I will be working twelve to fifteen hours, and you put the kids to bed by 7:30 to 8 o’clock. And I get out of my little bunker in the basement here, my little studio. And I’m like where’s the family. It’s been such a blessing to have you support me, because many men don’t have that support from their wives.

Mama Z: Well, and I think it’s really important to give credit where credit is due. And this was something that my mom taught me many years ago. And my dad knew he was called to do what he was doing and was passionate about his work. And it’s really important to be passionate about your work, because then you never work a day in your life. And that’s so important.

And so, many times he would be timing us at practice. And then he would leave practice to go check on his experiments and then come back. And I don’t know any of his friends or other people that did that kind of thing, except for his best friend, Ron. And you know, I look at that and my mom always encouraged him, and he always did that.

And the other thing is that in your personal life, too, I think this is one thing that she specifically shared with us, and that is I got the first lesson by watching it. The second lesson, she told us. She said, “You know, your dad has some friends that when he goes out and does guy things like fishing and hunting and all this other stuff, their wives don’t support them. And I have always encouraged that. And one of the reasons why is because it deepens your bond with your husband because you’re supporting him in the things that he likes, and he’s even more excited to come back to see you.”

And I think that’s important. We need to always support our spouse, because our passions might not always be their passions. But their passions are our passions individually, and it’s important.

Dr. Z: So, my buddy whose ex-wife didn’t support that actually caused their business to be hindered. And so, now that he’s single again, he’s really focusing on his business. And he’s telling me how fun it is to work like fifteen to sixteen-hour days, because he’s able to like hunker down and get stuff done. And he actually was listening to the podcast, and he heard the story we talked early on about how I worked forty hours straight without a break.

Mama Z: Yea, and you fell asleep in my closet. Hah, hah, hah!

Dr. Z: Yea, and he’s like, you know what, Eric? That really motivated me. And he goes, “I’m enjoying this.” And so, there is the other side of the coin, by the way. Men, we need to support our wives, too, to do the things they need to do. And this is where we’re going to talk a lot today how I’m supporting you with your passion to go through the Mrs. Georgia Pageant and win. So, there’s a whole element and training and perseverance.

But the reason I mentioned my buddy and the reason I mentioned that with my blend is because two years ago when I was writing my first book, I would leave for days at a time. And I would go up into the mountains of Georgia and I would get a little cabin in Blue Ridge, Georgia, which is just this beautiful little haven nestled in the Blue Ridge mountains. And I would just write my book all day, all night.

Mama Z: You would do FaceTime videos and like, “Look how beautiful it is up here, and look at this.” It was such a good space to be able to be creative and thrive up there. So, it was exactly what you needed to do.

Dr. Z: And one of the tools I used was a blend of essential oils that I came up with, which was lime, key lime, and bergamot. Actually, it was all three.

Mama Z: Oh really. Awesome!

Dr. Z: Yea. And so, that blend brought me to a place where I was very confident. It brought me through a season that was very much my own Mount Everest. To write a book, especially the kind of book that we have, which up until now it’s been the number one best selling aroma therapy essential oil book two years in the running. You know, this was like my Beethoven’s Fifth. This was the best of the best I could possibly do. And I poured my heart and soul into this thing, all the research, all the writing, all the recipes and formulations, working with you on it.

But you know, that brought me to a place, because I never really thought I could do something like that when I was younger. And to accomplish a goal, to do something like that and have that aroma bring me through the whole season, because lime and bergamot just are very empowering. They’re also very anti-anxiety. Or let’s say they’re very much an anxiolytic property. So, that’s bergamot.

If you are struggling with anxiety or stress, bergamot needs to be your best friend. Lime is very uplifting. It’s very happy. It’s an antidepressant. You combine them together, it was just like I was just craving. I went through, I don’t know, like two or three bottles of lime and bergamot during that time. I just absorbed it, as it was my thing.

But you know why I so appreciate it is because now that we have successfully launched another national bestseller through The Essential Oils Diet, these oils have been with me this season, too.

Mama Z: I remember just last night you were rolling things on me, and I was like, “What is this?”

Dr. Z: That was it.

Mama Z: And you were just like rolling me up, and it was really fun.

Dr. Z: So, right now this episode is airing May 20. So, when we were going through an interview blitz, I mean we hired two publicity agents to help us get on as many radio and TV and podcasts as possible to share this message. There were two days, I remember, I’ll never forget. There were two days in a row I had, what was it, ten different interviews, some with you and some without you.

Mama Z: Yea.

Dr. Z: And at one point it was five hours straight, with no break, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. And this blend brought me through. And I actually told it during one of the interviews to one of the podcast guys, Shawn McCormick, a really cool dude. Shaw McCormick, I had just met him, and I told him. He asked me what was in my diffuser, and I told him. And he goes, “Man, that worked. Whatever you had worked, because you were on.”

But, you see, that oil blend imprinted my brain during one of the most empowering, encouraging, blessed seasons of my career and my life. And I go back to that blend during times when I really need it.

Now what’s your blend? You know, what is your blend? If you don’t have one, if you’re watching live from Facebook or You Tube, or if you’re listening right now, when Sabrina is telling you about her story of perseverance and training leading to optimal growth, what is your blend that you’re going to use during your training season, during the hard times? Because you have to go through some really tough times to achieve the things that you’re trying to achieve.

Mama Z: Right.

Dr. Z: And so, we want to encourage you and ask you to document, because this lime and bergamot blend is going to be with me for the rest of my life, because it literally imprinted my brain. Just chew on that for a minute. And so, if you right now have a goal, and Sabrina is going to talk about this in a minute. Actually, at the end of the episode, you’re going to get a great tip on how people can achieve three of their most just heart felt goals. Stay tuned to the very end.  Part of that, though, is don’t forget the essential blend, because you will use this blend for the rest of your life. And it will bless you forever and ever.

 

[11:23 – 15:14] Stay Connected: Podcast, Radio, TV, Magazines, Facebook, and…Beauty Pageants?!?

Mama Z: Speaking of blessing, you’ve gotten a cute little review that you want to share.

Dr. Z: Yes, I do. Thank you for leaving the reviews.

Mama Z: Yes, we love them.

Dr. Z: Yes, thank you so much! This came from KSLO19, via Apple podcast in the United States of America. “Love Mama Z and Dr. Z, five stars!” Thank you, by the way. “I absolutely love this podcast,” she says. I hope it’s she; I’m assuming it’s a she, KSLO19.

“I have just recently started listening to podcasts, and I have found some really great ones on health, wellness, and essential oils. Natural Living is one of the best. Dr. Z and Mama Z are very educated in so many areas, yet so down to earth. I have learned so much. I listen to each podcast from start to finish. Yay! And I love that they are Christians. I have also purchased their first book and can’t wait to dive into that, also.” Aww, thank you!

Mama Z: That’s so sweet!

Dr. Z: We love it! We love it. I actually have some really good ones coming up the next three episodes. So, leave a review on the podcast. We want to give you a shout out. Thank you for everything. And before I just hand it off to Mama Z, the announcements. Last week was a big week for us.

Mama Z: It was.

Dr. Z: How are you doing?

Mama Z: Good.

Dr. Z: You feel good?

Mama Z: I do!

Dr. Z: Pretty amazing?

Mama Z: Pretty amazing!

Dr. Z: What a blessing!

Mama Z: Public.

Dr. Z: A lot of TV. It was the week after pub week. We had The 700 Club. We had the Christian Broadcasting Network. And we had Atlanta Friends and Neighbors.

Mama Z: Yes. It was so nice to see our friends again over there. That was so fun last year and again this year.

Dr. Z: I know. It was something to be said to be live on the 700 Club. If you don’t watch the show, please go to 700 Club, go to CBN. Go to the website and look up last week’s show. The date escapes me, the 15th or the 16th. All these days are going through.

Mama Z: The 15th.

Dr. Z: Yea, the 15th. So, go to last week’s show and check out the replay. It was just such a blessing and an honor to be able to share with our brothers and sisters in Christ some fun recipes and things that we got from the book.

Mama Z: Yes.

Dr. Z: And thank y’all. Like just wait. I mean we’ve been invited to be monthly guests on radio shows now. God is opening up this door. And we ask you, please pray for us.

Mama Z: Yes.

Dr. Z: Because the message that we’re sharing can change the body of Christ in a good way.

Mama Z: Yes.

Dr. Z: And there are not enough people that know the truth about health and healing in Christ Jesus. And so, I’m so excited that there are TV and radio outlets, podcasts, and magazines that are open to this message.

Mama Z: And radio.

Dr. Z: I know. And we know that our people, “My people,” God says, “perish for lack of knowledge.” And we’re committed. So, help us spread the message. Keep us in your prayers. Share these podcasts.

Mama Z: Not only is this our passion, this is our ministry.

Dr. Z: It is our ministry. And it’s your ministry, too, for those of you who are listening, because you are part of our natural living family. So, join in the ministry. Go to NaturalLivingFamilypodcast.com. Join our weekly newsletter, and just be part of the podcast community.

And the cool thing about the podcast community is we will take you to a community group that we’ve started on Facebook. And it’s our Natural Living Family community group. And you get a special invitation when you join our podcast newsletter to be part of that. And then you interact with Mama Z and I one on one.

Mama Z: Perfect.

Dr. Z: Is that fun?

Mama Z: Yes.

Dr. Z: And what’s the next big announcement that we have, Mama Z?

Mama Z: Yes. So, it is Mrs. Georgia coming up.

Dr. Z: Whoa!

Mama Z: Yes, June 9. So, keep me in your prayers, as well. This is going to be my fourth time running. And we’re going to talk a little bit about that today. But I’m very excited! I’m very excited for this whole training season that I’ve had and everything about it. So, I’m excited to talk more about it.

Dr. Z: Just a couple of weeks left.

Mama Z: Yay!

 

[15:15 – 18:11] What Does Suffering Mean to You?

Dr. Z: So, let me set the stage for Mama Z. Mama Z has three, maybe four stories to share today. This is, again, in the context of perseverance and growth, right? Let me give you a couple of Scripture verses that really can set the tone here. One of my favorites comes from Romans chapter 5. Paul says:

“But we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. And hope does not put us to shame. It does not disappoint because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

All right, just think about that for just a minute. When people go through things, and the word “suffering” can mean a lot of different things. That can mean, in Paul’s context, of course, physical suffering, abuse, and beatings for the Gospel. And again, it’s hard sometimes to think and remember, being in America, because we’re not seeing scourging and floggings and assassinations in Christ here, right now. They’re happening in Asia.

And we just lift them up, Father, in the name of Jesus, our brothers and sisters who are being crucified for Christ right now, who are being tortured for Christ. And give them strength. And protect them and bless them, Father.

You know, there are other sufferings, though, for people. And suffering can also be hardship. It could be challenges. It could be persevering through something. Like maybe a suffering is, like you’re going to talk about, trying to do something a thousand times and not being able to accomplish it, right? You know, we know that suffering produces perseverance.

And that perseverance, that character that you develop is something that I really fell in love with you first when we met. And that character has always given you hope. So, you just chew on this, folks, for a while, because this is where we need to press through. This is where it really gets tough, right? When the going gets tough, the tough get going, that phrase. Don’t forget that.

And also, let’s not forget what James says in chapter one, verse two. James says:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds; because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

And we see multiple Scriptures. We’ll cover one again after the break in just a minute or two about how we see this theme, perseverance leads to maturity, completeness, wholeness. But perseverance doesn’t come without a cost. You have to persevere through something. If everything came easy, you wouldn’t be persevering through anything.

Mama Z: That’s why the Winston Churchill quote is so powerful. “Without struggle, there is no progress.” That’s so true, because we need that to grow.

 

[18:12 – 27:40] Are You Tougher than a Beauty Pageant Contestant?

Dr. Z: So, tell us about your Miss Michigan story.

Mama Z: Yea. So, you know, I really have found that pageants have been a great growth tool for me over the years. And so, one of the things I think is really important is to always have a coach. And so, I had coaches in different areas. And then they work together as well. And my coach for martial arts was Miss Terry. So, we had scheduled practices and all this stuff throughout my training.

Dr. Z: Okay, you’ve got to explain just quickly like why would you need martial arts training for pageants? How many people need karate to come out with a crown?

Mama Z: I needed a talent in Miss Michigan for Miss America. My talent was martial arts. So, I used the fans, and I did a Tai Chi. And then I threw the fans down, picked up the nun-chucks. I had sparkling nunchucks, and I threw those and had all kinds of different moves, strength moves and other things. And then at the end, I did a flying kick, held my leg up way up here, and came down and used my elbow and broke all the boards, and I ended in the splits.

Dr. Z: At a pageant.

Mama Z: At a pageant.

Dr. Z: A beauty pageant.

Dr. Z: Like girls are playing the trombone and the tuba and singing like Titanic music.

Mama Z: I hope they’re not. They’re singing.

Dr. Z: And you’re like breaking boards.

Mama Z: Yes. And we already talked about the fact that at my first pageant, my talent wasn’t really a crowd-appealing talent. I wrote poetry, and I read it, that I wrote. And so, at the same time I really wanted to do something that I needed in my life. And I needed the discipline, because I was used to a lot of stuff like that.

Dr. Z: I’ve seen some good poetry talent, though. I’ve seen it actually at pageants. It was like, whoa, that was good. But you’ve got some other talent. You break stuff.

Mama Z: I break stuff.

Dr. Z: So anyway, that’s the context. You’ve got to explain this stuff.

Mama Z: But it was such a progress over time, because when I first started and I was competing, I didn’t know enough martial arts. And I was taking dance in college; so, I mixed those two together. But I wasn’t strong enough in either area. So then, when I won my first pageant, I did modern dance and   taekwondo. And so, then I had to pick one or the other, because I didn’t want to be with a bunch of dancers who had been dancing for twenty years.

And so, I had known enough martial arts by that time, because it had been a number of years. And so, I started my martial arts talent. And I still remember, I love Sally. She’s been part of my life for so many years and still is. But she’s like, “You need to look scary.” And like if you ever knew what Sally looked like, you would never put her and scary in the same sentence. And she’s like, “Hah, hah, hah.” And so, she helped my talent grow.

And I had friends that came and said, “You know, you need to do like, everyone is Kung Fu fighting and get the crowd involved.” And so, I literally had that be part of it. And I had like Rocky and all these other ones in there.

So then, I had a girlfriend of mine, who has been a girlfriend for a number of years, and she said, “You know what? I heard this song. You have got to incorporate it.” And it was from Pearl Harbor. And I had also been listening to Gladiator, which came out about the same time. And little did I know, it was the same composer. And we were able to put those together.

Dr. Z: I didn’t know that.

Mama Z: Yes.

Dr. Z: That’s cool.

Mama Z: And I went to the radio station, and they were able to cut and mix those together for me.

Dr. Z: Which one?

Mama Z: This was back in the Tri-City area.

Dr. Z: Oh.

Mama Z: Yea. And so, I had my favorite radio guy, and he helped me every single time. His name was Mason. And so, he mixed this, and it was awesome. And so, when we first started it, every time I did it, we made it better, every single time. So, every time Miss Terry and I got together, we would work on it every Sunday, all afternoon after church. We would work all afternoon. And we would strategize and do different things. And we would go over and over in different parts.

So, you know, I had been training and training. And then I went to Miss Michigan for Miss America the last time and was a finalist. And then I switched over into the U.S.A. system, and because I still really loved the development that I got that helped me also with my career as well. So, I loved the pageant training and all of that because of what it did for me professionally. And I loved to speak and encourage other women, not only to be involved with the pageant systems, but also to explore their own passions, too.

So, I didn’t have to perform a talent when I was in the Miss USA system. But when I was giving up my title, I wanted to make this routine even better. So, Miss Terry, of course, I showed a couple of strength moves that were really, really, really hard, and that would fit perfectly into our routine. So, I did it for the first time.

Dr. Z: Where was that?

Mama Z: So, I had seen something similar when I went to Las Vegas on a work trip at one of the shows, the Cirque du Soliel show. And it’s where your arms are up, and you support all of your body weight, and your toes are pointed up and out. So, your arms are supporting everything. And your toes are perfectly pointed. The very first time, I pretty much fell right on my buns, and the second time, and the hundredth time. And the first set of times we did this, it was so many times.

And Miss Terry said, “You know, we’ve done everything with excellence. Do you think you really want to add this?” And I said, “Just give me a little bit more time.” Well, it took me a thousand times before I did it where I didn’t fall. And then the next time I tried it, I fell.

Dr. Z: How did you feel at that thousandth?

Mama Z: I knew that it could be done. And the perseverance of it was I have now found an area of my body that isn’t as strong as it needs to be. And we always want to be doing better, doing something better, because we can’t sit and complain about where we’re at if we’re not going to do anything about it. And we have to always be challenging ourselves, or we’re not going to grow. And in order for us to live out God’s purpose for us, we have to challenge ourselves. We have to get through all of the little stuff before we can get to the big stuff that we’re really supposed to tackle.

Dr. Z: So, how long were those thousand tries?

Mama Z: Months.

Dr. Z: So, in that time, what were you doing?

Mama Z: So, in that time, I remember when she was like, “In order for us to like put this in there, you’ve got to at least be able to do this ten times in a row, at least.”

Dr. Z: Yea.

Mama Z: And it was very cool, because this morning, actually for a couple of seconds, I did show Chris that I could still do it.

Dr. Z: Chris, did you see it?

Chris: Woo hoo! Yea.

Dr. Z: Really? At forty? At forty! Why didn’t you show me? You should have taken a picture. Do it right now.

Mama Z: Hah, hah, hah!

Dr. Z: Facebook and YouTube wants to see it. It’s not on tape. It’s like, whoa.

Mama Z: The other thing I did, which also took many, many times was to do a pushup in the splits.

Dr. Z: Was it a one-arm pushup?

Mama Z: Yes, with my leg over my shoulder.

Dr. Z: Wait. Why would you even want your leg over your shoulder? Isn’t just a one-arm pushup hard enough?

Mama Z: It is kind of hard.

Dr. Z: It’s like one arm, one finger, one toe? Like what are you doing? Were you on your nose?

Mama Z: It’s not really like a one-arm pushup in that way. It’s an unbalanced pushup, I should say. I’ve got both arms down, but my leg is over my shoulder.

Dr. Z: What did the girls think of you, like the girl playing the flute and the one singing like Titanic music?

Mama Z: I don’t know.

Dr. Z: Were they afraid of you? Because you broke boards, man.

Mama Z: The coolest thing I ever saw was little kids in the hallway practicing martial after my talent.

Dr. Z: Oh, that’s so cool.

Mama Z: And people came up to me and said, “You know what? My little girl saw you and decided to do martial arts.” And so, that was the coolest thing ever.

Dr. Z: Super girl.

Mama Z: It was so fun.

Dr. Z: We need more Wonder Women and Captain Marvels.

Mama Z: Yea, more so like Captain Marvel, because at least she’s like fully clothed.

Dr. Z: We’ll have to talk about that one day. But yea, you’re my Captain Marvel.

Mama Z: Aww! So, when we put that one in there, it took a lot of time, too. And I didn’t always get any of these things right the first time, the nunchucks, this or that, especially the strength move. And I didn’t even have to do it was the thing.

I could have just said, “Thank you, thank you, thank you. Goodbye now,” and walked off the stage. But it was not about that. It was about I wanted to do something better. I wanted to strengthen some other area we hadn’t done before. And so, I was able to do that.

 

[27:41 – 35:56] The Principles of Perseverance – Never Give Up

And it showed me, because we mentioned this, but never giving up. Not only is it important to recognize that the journey is the trip. It’s the destination. The journey is in the trip and what we’re doing. So, the end goal isn’t always the end goal. It’s how we get there in the process that we do things in order to succeed, whether it’s a little thing like this, or something bigger in life.

I will never forget my first coach that I had at a training camp. And she has had both of her kids be Olympic athletes. And she said, “If you give up on the small things, then the bigger things are easier to give up. Do every set like it’s your last.”

Dr. Z: That’s good.

Mama Z: And so, whether it was speed skating or other things like that, I’ve been blessed to have great teachers and great coaches that would put those little nuggets that I still remember today. And I think that’s important to take with us wherever we’re at.

So, you know, this is also something that applies to work, too. During the same time that I was doing this pageant training, I was the first hire of the Saginaw Spirit hockey team. And this hockey team, they had a hockey team years before that, not this kind of caliber. And the team had left in the middle of the night and didn’t finish their season and left with the money.

Dr. Z: Wow! That’s a local scandal.

Mama Z: Oh yea, big time!

Dr. Z: I mean think about all the season ticket holders.

Mama Z: Oh yes. So, my job was to take a half-eaten season ticket list, because they only had parts of it of people that had seats. In fact, we had a calling out where if you had season tickets and we didn’t have you on the list, that we would then offer you your seat back and then give you a discount because of that.

But the thing was, they were renovating the stadium. So, not only was there not seats in there at all, like your seat wasn’t there. But we’re going to give you your seat back once your seats are there. But we’re also going to add an executive level.

And I can’t show you what those seats will look like, but they are this kind of seat. And it has a cupholder and it has this. We had no idea what we were doing.

Dr. Z: You were selling air. Hah, hah, hah!

Mama Z: And I had the coach next to me. And I knew nothing about hockey. I was a speed skater. So, I would say something wrong on the phone, and the coach would be going, “No, no, no, no.” And I would be like, “Hold on one moment.” And I was like, “What did I do wrong this time?” And so, he would tell me, “That’s not how it goes.” And so, he would correct me as I went.

Well, I knew I had at least crossed over the threshold when I had sold 76 season tickets in one day. And I went in to our general manager. He almost couldn’t believe it, because I’m literally selling air. And my dad said, “Well man, you could sell ice cubes to Eskimos and glasses to blind people.” So, he totally believed in me. But I was like seriously, this is what we’re dealing with. But without the training that I had had, I never think that that would have been possible.

And so, my encouragement to people is go where your growth needs to be at, whether it’s books on tape, because that was a huge thing. And I guess books aren’t on tape anymore. Books on CD, books on your MP3, books on your phone device, whatever; or personal training growth workshops. Having a coach, having a trainer, having someone to be accountable to, someone who is going to help you with your growth, and a support group to be able do it.

It’s like what we have with our Essential Oils Diet, because that has been, after talking with Chris about all of the video testimonials we’ve gotten in, that has been the resounding thing. “You know what, making big changes in my life needed to happen, but I felt like I could do it because I had the support of other people and people that made me keep myself accountable, too.”

Dr. Z: Oh, I am so glad you mentioned that, by the way. Today is when we start our sixty-day challenge with a group of people that preordered the book.

Mama Z: Yea!

Dr. Z: So, it’s May 20. And even if you’re listening after May 20, don’t worry. You can always join later. We’re doing an inaugural celebration of all the people that pre-ordered the book.

All you do is go to EssentialOilsDiet.com. Pick up the book anywhere books are sold. They’re available everywhere. And then you fill out the form. Give us your name and email, and we’re going to send you a special invitation to our sixty-day challenge group that Mama Z and I are going to help facilitate. It’s group coaching. And it’s extremely beneficial.

Mama Z: And you know what’s cool?

Dr. Z: Yea.

Mama Z: My mom is in this group.

Dr. Z: Hallelujah! That’s a big deal. Yea, your mom has come full circle from being Miss White Bear Lake, or Miss Winter White Bear Lake, or something like that?

Mama Z: Yea, it was Miss White Bear Lake 1969, and the swimsuit winner in 1970 for Miss Minnesota.

Dr. Z: I love that. And so, that’s lovely.

Mama Z: Yes. I’m excited that she’s going to be part of our group.

Dr. Z: You talk about also how the principles of never giving up, how perseverance and consistent training lead to optimal growth. You talk about how that affects every area of your life, not just work, not just your athletic achievements, not just your pageant endeavors, but relationships.

Mama Z: Right.

Dr. Z: I mean tell me a little about that.

Mama Z: I’m going to tell you the Scripture, because it goes right along with what you were talking about, too. Galatians 6:9 says, “Do not grow weary in well doing, because you will reap in due season if you faint not.” And I think it is important because, you know, we could have given up on our relationship early on.

Dr. Z: Oh yea.

Mama Z: You know, we are very passionate people. And you know, those things can collide and be amazing, or it can be disastrous. And I remember many times getting down on my hands and knees and just praying: “I don’t even know what to pray for, God. But I know that you need to work this out in both of our hearts to make sure.”

Like we talked about before, two rivers coming together do create rapids. And our rivers came together.

Dr. Z: That’s episode 2. Go back to episode 2. That’s a good one.

Mama Z:  And I thought that we were the only people in the whole world that had some rapids until when we had our friends over for dinner. And they had gotten to their year anniversary, and I said, “Oh, it’s time to put the boxing gloves away.” And she looked at me just like I had read her mail. Oh my gosh! And then I realized, okay, I’m not the only one; like there’s other people. You know, I was living by myself. I had been by myself and successful for a while. And then you and your success and then together and all that stuff.

So, I think it’s really important that if over half the people who get married get divorced, and that’s including even in the Christian population, then there are certain things that we need to go to God to first. And there could have been many times that we could have given up on our relationship. But it’s so worth it. I’ll never forget the first time you and I taught about oils, I knew that we were supposed to teach together. I didn’t know what we were going to be teaching.

Dr. Z: I remember you said that.

Mama Z: Yea, and I felt it. I felt that this is what we were supposed to do together. And I didn’t know how God was going to work it out at all. And this was like years later and how worth it was to persevere through the trials and the challenges that we’ve had in our relationship and in other relationships. If both of you agree on everything, then one of you is probably not needed. And so, iron sharpens iron. And it’s important to have each other sharpen each other. Don’t you agree?

 

[35:57 – 38:39] Love: the Key to Everything

Dr. Z: You know, the Bible in 1 Corinthians talks about love, and love is patient, right, and kind. But depending on the version that you’re reading, there’s also an understanding of patience as longsuffering.

And there was a recent revelation that God gave me that I was not being a good friend to someone that we know, right? And there were a couple of things that our mutual friend has been doing professionally that I don’t agree with it. And I’m very much passionate against something that our friend is doing. And there’s a level of respect that I’ve lost. And so, I’ve distanced myself from our friend, because it’s been hard for me to be around them. It really has been.

And God has convicted me so much because it was on my heart to reach out to him not too long ago and talk to him about what’s going on. And it’s been months since we really kind of fellowshipped or talked. And I was able just to sow a seed, a little seed in one area of his life that ended up being a pretty big deal that we found out through social media. And God showed me, “You see what you’re doing? You’re robbing him of blessing that you could be in his life because you’re holding him accountable to something that he doesn’t even know.”

Mama Z: Right.

Dr. Z: I was like, “Oh, God, that was a shot to the stomach.” I will tell you something, we live to the light that we’re in. And Enoch, my mentor in Christ, always told me that you can only be faithful to the light that you have. And everyone is under construction. And yes, I will tell you, I’m convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that our friend is doing something incorrect. But he doesn’t think so. He literally is convinced that this is good. And it’s not life or death. It’s not sin. It’s not something crazy.

Mama Z: It’s just a philosophy thing.

Dr. Z: It’s a philosophy of business. It’s a philosophy of life that like I’m a hundred percent against. And we’ve gone through a season of life, but God showed me, and I was being robbed, too, of the blessing of his friendship. And perseverance means, in my opinion, also an element of patience, which goes through longsuffering.

And then we go back to what Paul said and James said. See suffering is this commonality. You sometimes have to suffer through things with people and love people, whether it’s family or whether it’s friends. Too many marriages, as you just alluded to, but not only that, but friendships are just being dissolved because people don’t want to have love and patience for people.

Folks, there’s so much when it comes down to never giving up. Perseverance and consistent training leads to optimal growth. And next, we want to talk about Mama Z’s story of earning first runner-up for Mrs. Georgia America. But before we do, a quick word from our sponsor.

 

[38:40 – 39:19] Sponsor Spotlight: Thrive Market

Dr. Z: There is nothing like hearing the doorbell with the delivery person letting you know that a Thrive Market package has landed on our doorstep. It’s like Christmas time every time we get a package.

Mama Z: Yes, from ingredients to snacks, it’s so awesome. And the kids go nuts.

Dr. Z: We love Thrive Market, the convenience, the price, and just the movement, because we know that every dollar spent goes towards a more sustainable, healthy, natural world. So, if you haven’t joined, then what are you waiting for? You’re going to absolutely love it.

 

[39:20 – 42:22] Never Give Up – Perseverance in Relationships   
Dr. Z: Hey, everybody, welcome back to the Natural Living Family podcast. This is Dr. Z and Mama Z, episode 18. We’re talking about never giving up, how perseverance and consistent training lead to optimal growth. All right, now here’s a fantastic verse to empower you on your own journey through perseverance and consistent training. This comes from Hebrews chapter 10. The author of Hebrews says:

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. For in just a little while He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous, God says, will one day live by faith. And I will take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back. But we do not belong to those who shrink back. We are not those who are destroyed, but we are those who have faith and who are saved.”

Amen?

Mama Z: Amen!

Dr. Z: Amen! See, this is the gift that we have. If we persevere in Christ Jesus through our death, we will be saved. We will enjoy eternity with God Almighty Father and Lord Jesus Christ.

Mama Z: And it says in Ecclesiastes 3 that everything is beautiful in God’s time.

Dr. Z: So, not only do we have something to look forward to for eternity, but this concept, this admonition, God says, to persevere to do God’s will, we will receive the great and precious promises. Where I see, when it comes to professional growth, mental health, emotional health, financial health, when it comes to your physical health, we will receive all these benefits if we persevere, because God set it up that way. We reap what we sow.

Mama Z: Absolutely.

Dr. Z: Mrs. Georgia, first runner up.

Mama Z: Well, before we get into that, I wanted to add one last thing when we were talking about relationships. One of my mother’s in the faith, I call her, her name is Lenora. We were walking, and she was just sharing with me about just relationships.

And God had revealed to her that when a lot of back and forth is going between people, that is not where things happen. It’s the back and forth between God is where things are happening. And He taught her specifically, “You’re talking too much down here and not enough to Me, because I’m the Person that created this person. And you need to talk to Me about this.”

And that’s when I really started just praying for you. And I just remember especially during school praying over you in the middle of the night if I would wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. And I was just praying over you at night.

Dr. Z: Aww!

Mama Z: Yea! Because I knew it was a challenging season. But it was worth it. And I knew we made those decisions together, and God had opened all the doors for it. And we continually committed it to the Lord, and He guided our steps the whole process. So, anyway, pray for your spouse. And if you don’t have a spouse, pray for that spouse before you have that spouse, because God will give you the desires of your heart. He really will.

Dr. Z: Thank you!

Mama Z: Yea.

 

[42:23 – 54:59] Mama Z’s Pageant Journey

Dr. Z: Mrs. Georgia.

Mama Z: Okay, Mrs. Georgia.

Dr. Z: Perseverance.

Mama Z: Perseverance.

Dr. Z: Consistent training leads to optimal growth.

Mama Z: It really does.

Dr. Z: So first, why did you, I guess I know why, but kind of give the context, like last time you’ve done a pageant, babies, nursing, babies, nursing, and now, like now.

Mama Z: So, I had competed from the time I was seventeen until I was twenty-six, because my birthday was where the cutoff date was. So, that was the last time I could compete in Miss Michigan USA, because you aged out at twenty-four.

And so, I had done pageants from the time I was seventeen to twenty-four. And then I was able to do two more years because of where my birthday was with my cutoff.

So, after that I trained people. I have been training people for many years after that. I really enjoyed it, just because pageants truly prepared me for my career. And so much to the fact that I actually really had to study out jobs that I would apply for, because if I didn’t want them, then I really shouldn’t apply for them.

Dr. Z: I would just say you wanted to break boards in a dress. That’s why you did it. Hah, hah, hah!

Mama Z: I didn’t break boards in a dress.

Dr. Z: It wasn’t your gown?

Mama Z: No!

Dr. Z: Well, how do we know? You’ve got to set the stage here. Hah, hah, hah!

Mama Z: I actually on paper designed a costume. And I actually beaded my own costumes.

Dr. Z: Thanks for telling me.

Mama Z: And I prayed over it.

Dr. Z: Proverbs 31 woman right here, y’all. I married up.

Mama Z: I prayed over my hands. I was like, “God, I know not what I am doing, but You do. So please help me.” And I got better as I went along. But I wanted my costumes to look really cool up close and then far away. So, I had drawn them in pictures, and picked them and cut them out. And I still have them. They’re so pretty.

Anyhow, my mom is such a talented seamstress that on my talent night, she had actually made dittoes of all of my uniform tops that I had made, but longer. Mine was shorter. It was more athletic. But everybody that was there to support me from my family and our close friends had tops on that matched that she made. And they looked Oriental and fun.

Anyway, so, throughout all that training, you know, it really developed me for my career. And then I really wanted to help other women have that same experience. So that’s why I got into training.

Then I was pregnant with the first and the second and the third and then the fourth. And, of course, that was a molar pregnancy. And I really decided at that point. We had already talked about it.

Dr. Z: And how old were you? It was 2015?

Mama Z: 2015.

Dr. Z: And you were thirty-seven at the time?

Mama Z: Thirty-six.

Dr. Z: Oh yea, it was right before your birthday.

Mama Z: Yes.

Dr. Z: Here’s the context. You’re a thirty-six-year-old woman who had four pregnancies, three babies, and you haven’t competed in a decade.

Mama Z: But even long before, I was pregnant. I already had three babies. I had already started researching the Mrs. Georgia pageants and tried to figure out which one I wanted to do. And once I figured out which one I wanted to do, then I wanted to find out who I wanted to coach me, before I ever decided to do this, because it was so important.

I had Sally and her friends that helped me with all of my wardrobe and all of the training and the questions and all the different areas there. And I had Miss Terry on the physical end. And all of my talent stuff helped train my body in the things that I did physically on a regular basis anyway. It helped train my body for what I needed for the pageant as well. So, I wanted to make sure that I had the support team that I would need to in order to do this and do it well.

And then I found out I was pregnant. And we prayed about it. I remember it. And we had prayed about it, and I think you were kind of like, okay, whatever, you know, at the time. But we did. And then we found out I was pregnant. And then I thought, “Oh well, maybe it’s just not God’s will that I do this at this time. And then it was a molar pregnancy.

And we talked about it again. And the kids were excited about a baby in June. And so, we figured getting excited about a pageant and all the fun stuff around that would be something else that they could get excited for. And so, they were really excited.

And it was neat, because I realized that all of the growth and development, I still had more growing to do. And what woman doesn’t? You know, you’re married and you have kids. And what I didn’t realize was that growth and development would help me do what I’m doing with you today. But also, what we’re doing helps me to be able to communicate with other women and get them excited about their passions and stuff, too. So, it’s been kind of full circle, which has been really awesome.

Dr. Z: And you’re competing, kind of explain a little bit, though. The requirements are what? You have to be at least 18 and married.

Mama Z: Right, yes, of course.

Dr. Z: Well, not of course, because there are age limits for the Miss circuit. But you’re in the Mrs. You’re competing with women half your age.

Mama Z: Yes.

Dr. Z: Half your age, right?

Mama Z: Right.

Dr. Z: And you got first runner-up that first time.

Mama Z: I did. And we won evening gown.

Dr. Z: You won evening gown. I take credit for most of that, because here’s the thing.

Mama Z: Hah, hah, hah!

Dr. Z: See here’s the thing. You walk your wife down the aisle.

Mama Z: You were pretty good looking.

Dr. Z: I crushed it. The way that I kissed your hand and I handed you off.

Mama Z: You watched that part over and over again afterwards. You were like, “Look at this.”

Dr. Z: Why? Because you made me practice with you.

Mama Z: Yes, I did.

Dr. Z: See, I practiced, because she was in her heels and I was in my tux. If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do this great.

Mama Z: Yea, and I hosted and I did practices, regular practices.

Dr. Z: I did great. Like I was ready to be Mr. Georgia.

Mama Z: Yes.

Dr. Z: And you won evening gown.

Mama Z: I won evening gown.

Dr. Z: I take credit for most of it.

Mama Z: Hah, hah, hah!

Dr. Z: You know what it was? Dr. Linda Force, our chiropractor, she sponsored you. I’ll never forget, she said, “Sabrina looked like she was floating on the stage.” That dress, the way that you walked, like you owned that moment. And here you were, thirty-six years old, first time competing in over a decade, and you got first runner-up and you won evening gown. And then the thing about it, though, is this whole thing about perseverance.

Mama Z: Right.

Dr. Z: You know, there’s an element here that we can’t forget. I know I’m taking too much time here. But this was during the hardest financial season of our life. I just graduated from chiropractic college. It was the month right after I launched The Essential Oils Revolution Summit.

And when you were training, we were broke, b-r-o-k-e. I just lost one of my largest clients. I was a medical writer at the time, and he outsourced overseas and got cheaper work. I can’t blame him. But here we were with a huge deficit in our budget. And we could barely pay rent. I had three maxed out credit cards. And I had to borrow two-thousand dollars from our landlord so you could buy your swimsuit, gown, and everything. And how you did it with a two grand budget is beyond me. But your shoes, your jewelry, I don’t know what you did to get all that stuff.

But that was a really hard time. We had to persevere through the financial issue, the struggle. And I just remember being like whatever I got to do to help support you, because God convicted me, this was really important to you.

Mama Z: Well, thank God for my coach.

Dr. Z: And what was her name?

Mama Z: LaLona.

Dr. Z: LaLona.

Mama Z: LaLona Richards.

Dr. Z: We love LaLona.

Mama Z: We do. So, it’s so funny, because a lot of times we would meet on Monday.

Dr. Z: She was Mrs. Georgia?

Mama Z: She was Mrs. Georgia 2010. And so, I always joke and I say, yep, it was Tuesdays with Maury and Mondays with LaLona.

Dr. Z: Yep. You were just there the other Monday.

Mama Z: Yes, very consistent. And the thing was her knowledge in all this stuff, and she keeps very current on things. So, she was able to help me. And I borrowed things. I put everything together. And so, it’s really nice to not have to do all of that.

Dr. Z: And you got sponsors.

Mama Z: Lots of sponsors. I couldn’t have done it without the sponsors.

Dr. Z: You took it seriously. Where were you working out?

Mama Z: At Orange Theory and Twisted Cycle. Now at the first one, it was just Orange Theory. And then I was working out on my own and then teaching at both gyms.

Dr. Z: We didn’t meet Jason then. And then we met Jason; by the way, my personal trainer.

Mama Z: Yes.

Dr. Z: Perseverance, never giving up y’all. I’m going to be fit by forty. Jason is helping me get ripped. Yea, baby!

Mama Z: Hah, hah, hah!

Dr. Z: Remember my fat pants story a couple of weeks ago? No more.

Mama Z: No more. We crushed it.

Dr. Z: We fasted. We prayed for two weeks, literally. We went on like a week and a half to two-week cleanse and fast. And God is helping me get fit by forty. I want to be Mr. Georgia. I’m getting ready to be Mr. America, because you’re going to be Mrs. America. That makes me Mr. America.

Mama Z: Hah, hah, hah!

Dr. Z: Yea. Hah, hah, hah!

Mama Z: So, I competed. I got the first runner-up.

Dr. Z: Wait a minute, hold on. You just didn’t get first runner-up.

Mama Z: There were a lot of girls competing.

Dr. Z: But not just that. You lost by a point. And even that was disputed. This is important.

Mama Z: Remember how long they made us wait on stage? And then they finally made us get off the stage.

Dr. Z: Wait, wait, wait; hold on. What makes this such a story of perseverance and growth was that we still don’t know. It was kind of like the electoral college, like the Bush era. And did you really win or lose? There was a dispute in the judging. And it took forty-five minutes; folks, I kid you not. It was torture; forty-five minutes for the judges and auditor to tally the scores, because there was some sort of confusion and mix-up with people’s names and numbers. And Sabrina technically lost by like a point. And I’m convinced you actually won, because how could you not have won.

Mama Z: But you’re my husband. But we also prayed.

Dr. Z: We don’t know. But you persevered through that.

Mama Z: But listen. We prayed. And this is the whole thing. When you always do your best and leave the results up to God, it doesn’t matter whether I won first place or last place, because I had all the growth in the process. And, you know, other people were praying, too. So, we know that the person that was supposed to win at that time, it was part of God’s plan for her. And you know what? She went on to being in the top six at Mrs. America.

Dr. Z: Laura, she was so sweet. It was harder for me. I don’t want to say losing, but you lost. You didn’t win. You losing was harder for me, I think. It was harder for the friends and family. Like LaLona cried. We were crushed, because you were just like, whoa!

But having the faith, and that’s something that you taught. Remember Esther, our daughter, she just crumbled. She was like, mama! But to see you ministering to our daughter with your runner-up plaque and your gown. Your gown, by the way, I’ll take most credit for you winning gown.

You know, for us, with all your awards, for you to minister to Esther, to teach her the lesson that you learned over the years about perseverance and working hard and being grateful that this is God’s plan, and we’re happy to achieve what we have. That was so sweet. And I learned so much. And then you couldn’t wait to do it again. But you know what was cool, too? You went to the after party. And how many of the girls didn’t.

Mama Z: Yea, I was so surprised. You know the journey is the trip. I mean it’s all in that. We’re not at a destination. Like the destination isn’t winning this. It’s all part of the process all the way. And if you rob yourself of that, then you’ve robbed yourself of half of what you needed to do to grow in an experience, whether it’s speed skating, or whether it’s volleyball, or whether it’s whatever you’re passionate about. And if you don’t take that whole journey, then you’ve missed the whole part.

 

[55:00 – 59:10] Perseverance Pays!

Dr. Z: So, the next year, you’re pregnant.

Mama Z: No. The next year I competed. Sam Tang did my pictures. So, this is the first time that the boys came to the pageant. And we actually missed taking pictures as a family because all of the kids were crying afterwards.

Dr. Z: It was a little chaotic. Again, first runner-up. And this time you won photogenic.

Mama Z: Photogenic.

Dr. Z: So again, it’s kind of interesting. First runner-up the first time; you won evening gown. The second time, first runner-up, and you won photogenic. The third time—

Mama Z: And this is what I told the kids, because I had a chance to really talk to them. And I said, “You know what?” I said, “When you are at a running race, do you cry?” And they said, “Well no.” And I said, “If you did, then the people who won first place, how would they feel?” And they said, “I don’t know.” I said, “Not good. If you won first place and other people were crying, wouldn’t you feel bad?” “Well, yea.” And I said, “Well, that’s not what this is about.”

I said, “No matter if mommy wins first place or doesn’t place at all, we need to be happy, because we’ve been all part of this process together. We’ve worn the dresses. We’ve practiced. We’ve gotten stronger in every area. And we just need to be happy and leave the results up to God.” And so, that was a really good moment, because then I was going to compete. And you know what? You were right.

Dr. Z: Yes. So, here’s what happened. Thank you. I was going to correct you anyway. In 2015, you competed with three babies. You had to take next year off because you had baby number four, Bella. And here’s the kicker. She just got off being pregnant in July 2016. She almost immediately started training. And then in 2017, this was competition number two.

Mama Z: But this was so funny, because I was nine months pregnant to the day, like I had started my ninth month at the pageant.

Dr. Z: And you were there.

Mama Z: And I was there. And I said to LaLona (she was a judge that year because I wasn’t competing), “Next year I’m going to be on this stage.” And she goes, “That is a really good goal.” And I’m thinking, “Why did she say that?” And then after having the baby, we ran our first running race ten days post-partum. She was on my chest, and then I pushed Elijah in the stroller.

Dr. Z: You had a carrier.

Mama Z: Yep, I had a carrier on my chest. I pushed Elijah in the stroller, and then Isaiah was running next to me. And you ran with Esther.

Dr. Z: We’ve got to kind of wrap up here in a minute. So, the second one, the year after Bella was born. So again, ladies, here’s the thing, though too, with Mama Z. I’ve just been convinced that you could blame babies and pregnancies all you want for loose, flabby skin, stretch marks, and everything. But man, you’ve got the solution to all that stuff. I’ve seen that there is no crutch. There is no excuse, because you use your essential oils, you exercised, you did a fat blaster. All this stuff that’s in the Essential Oils Diet, that’s where we came up with y’all, because Sabrina, you look at her.

And the next year, 2018, she competed again. She won swimsuit, and she got first runner-up. So, think of it this way. Three pageants, three first runners-up; she wins each individual piece. The first year she won evening gown.

Mama Z: And I won interview, too.

Dr. Z: Then she won interview. So, she’s won every component of this, always second place. And always the girl that has won, by the way, has been a God-fearing, loving Christian woman that we’ve been just rejoicing with, because we’ve always prayed that God would put the one that needs to be there first.

Mama Z: Yep, absolutely.

Dr. Z: And all these girls have done a great job. But this is 2019. And we’re believing that this is your year.

Mama Z: Yes.

Dr. Z: And so, for those of you who want to cheer Mama Z on, we’re going to be at the Roswell Cultural Center June 9.

Mama Z: June 9, 6 p.m.

Dr. Z: We’re going to have a dinner afterwards, a celebration. But whether or not, whatever place you end up with, we’re going to celebrate.

Mama Z: Yea.

Dr. Z: But to see the perseverance of you, because at one point I was like, okay, how many more times do you want to do this? It’s like, it’s torture for me. Like I can’t even believe we’re doing this again. It’s like I can’t handle, for me, another.

 

[59:11 – 1:00:55] The Power of Sharing Your Story

Mama Z: But you know what? You never know how your story will impact somebody else. And it was Sally, I was on the phone with her the other day. And she said, “Kaye Lani Rae Rafko, who had won Miss America, she had competed three times in Miss Michigan for Miss America, and placed and what not. And I think she said she was like at a Chinese restaurant, and her fortune cookie said, ‘Try it again.’ And she was like, ‘That was my sign that I needed to do it one more time.”

Dr. Z: The sign was the fortune cookie says it. Chris is laughing over here. He’s like, “God will speak to us in mysterious ways, y’all; even with fortune cookies.”

Mama Z: But in that time, she not only won Miss Michigan, but she won Miss America.

Dr. Z: So, that’s why I am training to be ready. See, here’s the thing. Folks, the hard thing is, I don’t want to have to expand the doors on our house because my head is going to get too big. But it’s hard for me not to take credit when Sabrina is going to win, because I’m going to be buff. I’m going to be ready.

Mama Z: Hah, hah, hah!

Dr. Z: Actually, you know what’s funny? Last year, what was that guy’s name? He took off his shirt on stage. It was hilarious. This dude is like a professional body builder. And they get all the men on stage, and they sing “Love and Marriage.” And they ask us the most ridiculously embarrassing questions. And the dude took off his shirt and started flexing. His wife was mortified. Like at a pageant. I’m going to be ready to take off my shirt. I’m going to do it.

Mama Z: Oh no. Don’t do it.

Dr. Z: And Jason is going to be hooting, Jason Carver my trainer. “Like look what we did; fit by forty.” Mr. Georgia here; I’m ready.

Mama Z: Hah, hah, hah! I love it.

 

[1:00:56 – 1:07:20] Natural Living Tip: Persevere in Personal Growth – Never Give Up on Yourself

Dr. Z: Mr. America. Anyway, perseverance. We’re wrapping up here.

Mama Z: It’s so important, though. This is the nugget that I want everybody to get.

Dr. Z: Yea, what’s the nugget?

Mama Z: You have no idea what the impact of your story may do for somebody else. And I think it’s important to look at whether it’s a thousand times that you try something and not do it. It is so important to never give up, because when you overcome something.

And every single time after the pageant, my trainer and I have talked immediately. And we have talked about this and talked about that and strategized. And we have talked together singly with the judges and talked to the other people around and have always tried to improve on everything. And we always have room to grow, each and every one of us.

If we aren’t growing, we’re being stagnant, and we’re going in the other direction. And that’s not what God wants us to do. And that’s not what God has for us. So, whether I win first place or not, the growth has been so much in this last year.

Even the first time working with my trainer this year, she’s like, “Wow! It’s so cool to see what’s happened over the last four years.” She’s like, “It’s blown my mind. Not just with the skills and all of the other stuff, but just the composure and the confidence and all the other things that have gone along with it. It’s all about all of that.”

And no matter what your vehicle is to grow, we all need to be growing, in order for us to fulfill our purpose. And I am convinced that each and every one of us has a God-filled purpose on this Earth. And if we’re stuck doing the mundane things and getting through the day, then we are not overcoming enough to fulfill our purpose. And we are robbing people of the gift that we are supposed to be through God in Christ Jesus on this planet.

Dr. Z: Amen!

Mama Z: And so, if that is you today, and you know that you are not where you’re supposed to be, then my prayer is that you absolutely listen to some of these tips because it may change your life.

Dr. Z: It will change their life.

Mama Z: It will, it will. And if you’re not where you want to be with God, then now, today, it’s time to make a change. And what that is, it’s literally moving your body into the position to make a change. And so, when I give you these little tidbits for today, these little tips, do what you want with that. But it has to be customized to you. And if you’re ready to make that, I pray that you do not look back, and you move forward with what God has for you, because I know it’s something special. And I know it will change somebody else’s life.

So, you know, one of the other things I wanted to say was that your tool for growth, you need to look at things. You know, they talk about the SWOT, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. And so, we have to be willing, and this is one of the keys, we have to be willing to look at our weaknesses.

If we’re not willing to look at our weaknesses and we’re ignoring them, then they’re going to be there. But if we break out the cobwebs in the corner of the closet, we might be finding those golden shoes that we were looking for or something else or some other tool. But we have to be willing to sweep that area up and prune. And sometimes, you know, we even talk about gardening. Sometimes pruning is painful for that plant and painful for us. But with that comes growth. And that’s the ultimate goal.

Dr. Z: So, the one thing that I really appreciated and I learned through you was letting go and letting God. Each and every one of those girls that won, beautiful women that won first place during those pageants, they all deserved it. And they all were worthy of the crown, and they used it very well to help their communities. And they are very much philanthropic.

Mama Z: Absolutely.

Dr. Z: And so, folks, whatever it is that you’re trying to accomplish, whether it’s a promotion at work, or a physical athletic performance, contest, or whatever.

Mama Z: Or to be the best mom you can possibly be.

Dr. Z: Do your best and leave the results open to God. Great point; what if you try your best as a home-school mom, but your kids aren’t getting straight A’s. You know, it’s okay. And so, before we end up today’s show, Sabrina has got some really, really good tips for you to help just do your best, and do your best for the Lord.

Mama Z: All right, so, I want you to write down three areas that you want to grow in, like three areas down. And then I want you to put why. And I also want you to star up at the top of your paper the why for your life. Is it your family? Is it you? Is it God? All the different things, I want you to really realize your why’s, and areas you want to grow, and then a why. And then I want you to brainstorm your action steps, your necessary action steps to move forward with each one of those goals.

And one of the biggest things to think of is start with baby steps and moving forward, because we never want to look back. When we look at tomorrow, we want to be a little bit better than today. And then I want you to challenge yourself to grow. Challenge yourself in each area.

And you need to hold yourself accountable, whether it’s to your spouse or to a close friend. Or you put something up on Facebook, because you know, if you put something open and raw in front of people, people are going to ask you about it. And you need to be open and vulnerable to be able to hold yourself accountable, whatever area is going to charge you with the most amount of growth. That’s what I want. And then do you best, and leave the results up to God, because that’s where it’s at.

 

[1:07:21 – 1:07:58] Sponsor Spotlight: Thrive Market

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[1:07:59 – end] Episode WrapUp

Dr. Z: Folks, thank you so much for listening today. We hope that you enjoyed the show. And as a reminder, you can find all of the Natural Living Family podcast episodes, show notes, transcripts, and all the goodies at NaturalLivingFamilypodcast.com.

And while on our website, don’t forget to sign up for our weekly podcast newsletter, which includes a personal invite to join our private Facebook group, so you can connect one on one with Mama Z and me, and meet thousands of other natural living lovers just like you. And don’t forget, please subscribe to our podcast and leave a review. We love hearing what you have to say about our show. As always, this is Dr. Z.

Mama Z: And Mama Z.

Dr. Z: And our hope and prayer are that you and your family truly experience the abundant life. God bless y’all. Bye, bye!