A Deep Dive into the Understanding of Strength

Have you ever found yourself questioning the societal standards of strength? As women, the term 'strong' has become something of a contentious issue for us. Tune into our latest podcast episode as I, your host, dissect this hot topic, sharing my personal viewpoints and experiences. With the backdrop of my recent wellness retreats and heartfelt gratitude for all the love and support, I dive into a deep exploration of strength, encouraging you to redefine it on your own terms.

This episode is a journey of self-discovery and affirmation. Whether it's acknowledging the power of speaking up or the grace of moving forward, this conversation is all about embracing your unique strength. As I share insights from my wellness retreats and the beautiful interaction with communities from Maryland, DC, and Frankfurt, you'll find a sense of camaraderie and inspiration. Stay tuned and join me on this fascinating exploration of strength, gratitude, and wellness. Don't forget to subscribe for updates on my upcoming retreats and more empowering discussions.

Nama2DSLAY,

www.2dfit.life

Chapters

• 1:17 Affirmations, Wellness Retreats, and Gratitude
• 7:40 Reclaiming the Word Strong
• 24:36 Embracing Strength and Inspiration

Transcript

Speaker 1: 1:18

Hey friends, nama, to display to you I am back, so happy to be back, okay, and I'm sitting here feeling all types of bliss, all right, I just love to hear the affirmations at the beginning of this podcast, right? It warms my heart, it hights me up each and every time, and I'm so glad that I included those affirmations. I hope that every time you tune in to the 2D Fit and Itch podcast, I hope that those affirmations also do something for you, right? I hope that the affirmations reminds you of how phenomenal you are, of how beautiful you are, of how fierce you are, right? Above all, I hope that those affirmations remind you that you have the power to make your day great, because you do, in spite of the situation. You have the power to make your day great, and don't let anyone tell you different. Okay, wow, I'm so happy to be back.

Speaker 1: 2:58

I know you might be thinking well, hey, dawn, in the previous episode you had you're talking about, you hadn't had any desire to attack boo boo kitty, okay, well, how are you doing? Okay, you're probably like okay, where is she all right? And allow me to tell you this your girl is doing just fine. Okay, I am well. I just got busy all of a sudden. All positive things. Okay, I'm so grateful, but your girl got busy.

Speaker 1: 3:29

Let's see where do I start. You know I'll share a few things with you. Well, you know, every summer I host the restoration and reset a beach retreat for my Zen Queens, right For the yoga ladies, and we had a fabulous time. All right, a great time. In fact, I have a fall retreat coming up Yoga, undressed and unbothered. All right, I have to tell you about that on another podcast episode, but we're so excited about the fall retreat because this is my first time hosting one, I'm gonna do a few things different, but I'm sure that everyone's gonna have a great time. You must join one of my upcoming wellness retreats. Okay, you must join. Let's see what else has been going on. Well, I am working on building a team. Finally, okay, I'm a support staff in a whole nine yards.

Speaker 1: 4:32

So, again, I'll host the positive things going on in my life and I am so, so grateful. I'm so grateful for you. I'm grateful for your messages and just your follows on the Instagram and just your support as a whole. Right, and speaking of support, I must acknowledge that I have 1,350 downloads and I think that is fantastic and I thank you for it. Thank you for your share, just all of it, okay.

Speaker 1: 5:10

And I mentioned the top five. So number one for downloads is Fort Washington, maryland, and, as you know, this is near and dear to my heart because that's where my studio is 2D Fit, right. So I appreciate the love from my community. I thank you. Number two hey, frankfurt, germany. In the house, I am so grateful for you. Thank you so much for your support. This means a lot, okay, because, listen, you're not around the corner, all right. So to know that I have love in Germany, it means a lot and I'm grateful. Number three Washington DC. Okay, close by. I'm grateful for your support. Number four Waldorf, maryland. I'm grateful for your support. Okay, also around the corner from the studio, thank you. And then number five, acaquique, maryland, okay. So, listen, the support from the community, and I said it before, I'm gonna say it again because I'm so grateful and I want you to receive this, okay, thank you for your support.

Speaker 1: 6:30

So let me tell you what pulled me back into the podcast. So I've been hearing this word frequently, and not a positive way, right? In fact, this word came up during the restoration and reset beach retreat, okay, and we had a phenomenal discussion around this word. In fact, I added a link to the podcast. In fact, I added a link to my website, 2dfitlife L-I-F-E, and you can sign up if you want first notification of upcoming wellness retreats. Right? If you want to know before I announce it to the world, okay, so visit my website, 2dfitlifeno. Wait a minute now. 2dfitlife, 2dfitlife, okay, and you will see the link that says wellness retreats, but anyway.

Speaker 1: 7:40

So yes, the word that I am talking about is strong S-T-R-O-N-G, the word strong, and for some, this word is starting to become a solid killer. Hear me out now. Hear me out, because women are tired of the word strong, okay, and maybe some fellas out there too, okay, but I'm talking to the ladies right now. Okay, we're tired of the word strong. Okay, we're tired of the word strong. In fact, some are saying, hey, you can keep it, I don't want it. Okay, too much comes with the word strong and I am tired, sick of it.

Speaker 1: 8:41

And guess what? I agree, it's not easy, I agree, and I understand why the word strong has become a hot topic. Hear me out now. Okay, all of this is my opinion. You might think differently, okay, but guess what. That's your prerogative. Okay, I'm just sharing my perspective. So, listen, I agree, but to a certain extent. To a certain extent, think about this thing. Okay, pause, put me on pause. Go get your coffee, your wine, okay, Maybe grab a notepad and ink pen. I just need your attention on this one. Listen, all right.

Speaker 1: 9:33

If we don't fully understand the word strong and if we use society and certain situations to set the standard for the word strong, I would rebuke that word too. Think about it. Let me say this again If we use society, social media and certain situations to set the standard for the word strong, that word could be intimidating. It could, it could put us in that mood that we don't want to be in Now, for real, for real, it's human nature. It's human nature if external factors get into our psyche, get into our head, right, which is why I try not to stay on social media all day long, because I don't care what anyone says. If you're on that social media all day long, you can't tell me.

Speaker 1: 10:43

Some of that stuff can get into your psyche, even the news, okay, certain things that are happening in the world, I mean even before social media, even before social media, don't even have to be that okay. In fact, you know, if you go back to the 1800s, women were expected to do all of that and they were valued by their appearance, right? You know, this is not a history lesson, but I'm just giving you examples. I want you to consider all of this. So today, in 2023, not only do women handle all of that, but now you have single parents out there, some women. They are the main source of income. They have to work extra hard for their pay, and then you have, you know, some women that just have that single income at home, right? So, all in all, based on what I said, I can see why some will say you know what they're held with the word strong. You can have it, let's keep it 100.

Speaker 1: 12:13

So I guess the message that is out there is you don't have to be strong, and I see that I get that, but for me, I don't like that. If I could be honest with you, okay, can I have real talk with you? This is my perspective. I don't like that message out there. It does not sit well with me and let me tell you why. It delivers an incomplete message and, in my opinion, it inspires settling in or accepting situations that perhaps will affect our emotional well-being, or affect one's emotional well-being.

Speaker 1: 13:23

You see, if the word strong makes someone uncomfortable, the question is why. The response is well, guess what, you don't have to be strong anymore. I would think the question is why? Why does this word strong makes you uncomfortable? What high standard expectation or lifestyle caliber that you put yourself on? Okay, that makes you fear or dislike the word strong? Think about this thing Because, as I said before, you have all of those external factors, right, you have the social media and just life as a whole that people use to define the word strong.

Speaker 1: 14:29

But here's what I propose to you you define your strong. What is your definition? I'm not talking about what you see on the Instagram or conversations that you have with your homegirl, or perhaps maybe you are comparing your life to someone else, or you place this high expectation on yourself, the society they put on your shoulders. No, what is your definition of strong? And I mean this thing okay, I looked up the word strong and I went to that. Okay, what is this? I said five words, facelift, seven words. But listen, I reached out to tabs Conditions between the brain and the heart and the heart. Did you write that down. Did you write it down? Put me on pause to get your notepad right now, okay. Or get your phone or iPad and write down that definition, because we're gonna break this thing down today if we don't do anything else, okay. I then went to the psychology of today and I like this definition. Listen to this Strong Emotional strength involving a person's ability to deal with a challenge and bounce back from them, Not how they respond in any given moment.

Speaker 1: 16:22

Come on, now I have to read this again Emotional strength involving a person's ability to deal with a challenge and bounce back from them, not how they respond in a given moment. I'm gonna pause right there. Think about some of the challenges and obstacles that you went through in life, but yet you are here today with your chin up. If that's not a definition or example of strong right there, then you know what. I might as well shut this podcast down right now, because I want you to receive the message.

Speaker 1: 17:15

That is the definition of strong. That is an example of a strong woman. Someone that speaks up when they have to speak up that takes strength. Someone that fights for what they believe in, that takes strength. So you have to give yourself grace and hey, for real, for real, giving yourself grace so that you can move forward. Okay, that takes strength. Look at all of these examples that I'm giving you. That represents the word strong your courage to learn from your life lessons, okay, the ability to cope. Okay, getting up every day with the best interest and heart. Someone that can acknowledge defeat, learn from it and push forward. Okay with crying, okay with cussing. Okay and feeling good about being their authentic self. A strong person understands when they need to rest. A strong person understands when they need to be still Again, in my eyes, that is definition of strong, and women should not be pushed away from the word strong, should not be influenced to say, hey, I don't want to be strong anymore.

Speaker 1: 19:22

No, define your version of strong and live up to that to the best of your ability. My version of strong. I know that I gave you an example, okay, or example or two, but my version of strong might be different from your version of strong, and that's okay, because we live two different lives. So you can't say that you're not strong because your life don't match my life. I can't say that I'm not strong because my life does not match so-and-so life. Do you get what I'm saying. I just I don't know it does not sit well with me. I don't want women to be influenced or inspired to run away from the word strong.

Speaker 1: 20:08

I don't like that message out there, ladies. I don't. It bothers me and maybe I'm going too deep with it. Okay, but I had to speak on it. You know, just based on everything that I said. Okay, you know, just think about I'm gonna go back there. Okay, listen, think about any time that you replace in one of those just uh, one of those situations. But that situation helped to mold you into who you are today and that strength that you have.

Speaker 1: 20:44

I'm pretty sure that you earned it. You earned it. So let me tell you this Don't you dare be afraid or run from the word strong. Fuck that. No, don't do it. Okay, don't do it. Don't run away from that word, because you have to be strong for you. At the end of the day, at the beginning of the day, midday, it all falls down to you. You have to be strong for yourself. Don't allow other folks woes and their definitions and their standards of the word strong rub off on you. Don't do that. So, before you say I am tired of the word strong. Again, I invite you, I inspire you, to write down your definition of strong and send it to me. Okay, I appreciate your feedback and you know, if you're comfortable, I would love to read your version on the next podcast your definition.

Speaker 1: 21:55

Come on, say it with me. Say it with me, okay, say it with me if you're able, even if you don't believe it right now. Say it anyway. Three times I am strong. You ready. Three, two, one I am strong. Again, I am strong. Say it again I am strong. Say it with me I am strong. I am strong. I am strong. What are you Strong? I didn't hear you Say it again. Say it again. What are you? Again, I am strong. Say it and mean it and feel it. I am strong. Show your right. Show your right, all right. Allow yourself to rest, give yourself grace when needed, sit back and be still, but don't run away from the word strong. You know you're worth.

Speaker 1: 22:59

Being strong does not mean that you have to be a superwoman. Period. I have homework for you. Actually, I do. Okay, I have homework and if you do this, share it with me. Okay, I want you all to stay in touch with me. Send me an email or something, okay, and I'll shout you out on the next podcast. But if I inspire you, you know I want to know about it.

Speaker 1: 23:29

So at the top of your piece of paper, okay, grab yourself a piece of paper and at the top, if you have not done so already, write out your definition of the word strong and then, based on everything that I said, write out why you are strong. And then I invite you to write the affirmation I am strong three times on this piece of paper. You see, when you do things in threes, okay, it helps to. It helps you to process and internalize the information. So that's why I invite you to do it three times, alright. And then, if there is ever a time that you are doubting yourself, allow this special journal page to inspire you. That's all I'm saying. That's all I'm saying.

Speaker 1: 24:36

Don't discredit your fire, your will to get up every day to do what you do, because, honey, that takes strength. Okay, that takes strength to do. I know I'm with you and I know that you have that strength in you. We will not allow the word strong to be our silent killer. Listen, thank you. Thank you for having an open mind and I appreciate you listening to my perspective. Okay, I hope that I inspired you in some sort of way. Okay, and don't forget, if you are interested in my upcoming wellness retreats. On my website, 2dfitlife, you'll see a link, okay, and you can sign up Again. Sign up for notification. And if I inspired you, or perhaps if you know someone who will benefit from this podcast, please do not hesitate to share. Lastly, stay in touch and, in fact, hey, you subscribe if you have not done so already. I appreciate you and I'm grateful, and until next time, namah to the slay.