So You Call That A Table

September is where a lot of goals start to slip, not because we’re incapable, but because we’re distracted, tired, and running on old patterns. So we hit pause and do something simple but powerful: we withdraw, we get present, and we exhale with purpose. I pull from the yoga idea of pratyahara (withdrawal) to show how stepping back from the noise calms the nervous system and makes it easier to see what’s actually happening in your life, your wellness, and your work.

Then we go straight at the trendy line we’ve all heard: “I’m building my own table.” My question is, how is your table? What’s on it, who’s sitting at it, and does it hold the weight of what you say you want? If you’ve been posting, planning, or talking for years but nothing is moving, this is the reset. You don’t need another degree, another book, or another scare to wake you up. You need clarity, structure, and the courage to build with what you already have.

I break it down into five bones every solid table needs: vision (the real why), blueprint (the plan and the timeline), foundation (values, boundaries, consistency), tools (skills and life experience you’re underusing), and inspection and maintenance (adjusting without calling it failure). We also talk about forgiveness as a real part of the blueprint and why “motivation” can’t be the foundation. If you want support, I share ways to plug into my virtual community and what’s coming up with 2D Fit Elite. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs a push, and leave a review so more people can find the work.

Transcript

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Mic Check And Welcome

SPEAKER_00 1:17

Testing, testing, one, two, three, testing. All right. My mic sounds nice. Check one. Hey. All right. Yes, I am rolling. Listen, welcome. Welcome. Uh, shout out to my 2D family, community, my 2D friends, Nama 2D Slay to you. Listen, I am so grateful. Do you hear me? I am so grateful that you are tuning in to this episode. And let me tell you right now, you want to be present for this one. You want to be present for this one. I am telling you some good stuff, okay? I am dropping nuggets that not only would uh benefit your perhaps your professional life, okay, but it will also benefit your personal lives. I'm telling you some good stuff, all right? I am so excited about this episode, and I am more excited that you are tuning in and taking time out of your day to listen. So I cannot wait to get your feedback on this one. Now, before I get started, I want to share with you. Are you ready for this? I say, are you ready for this? Oh, I'm hyper. I am so hyper today. Are you ready? Say, Dawn, I'm ready, okay? Say it. All right. Now, as of today, I have 3,333 downloads. Isn't that awesome? 3,333. So thank you. Thank you for listening. Thank you for downloading. Thank you for sharing the podcast. I appreciate it. Now, I have listeners, listeners from all over, looks like, okay? This is great. I'm gonna name the top five. I always like to name the top five. Number one, Washington, D.C. DC, you better come through for me, okay? Listen, I am grateful for you. Thank you so much. Um, number two, Fort Washington. I say it all the time. Fort Washington, near and dear to my heart because my studio 2D Fit is in Fort Washington, Merlin. So I thank you for the support. Number three, Germany. Oh, Germany is not gonna let me down, okay? Shout out to you. I appreciate you. Thank you for tuning in. Number four, Waldorf, Merlin, my neighbor, okay, right down the street. Number five, Baltimore, Merlin, okay. Be more is coming through for me, all right? And then I also have Texas, California here. All in all, regardless of your location, please know that I am triple grateful.

Downloads Milestone And Listener Love

SPEAKER_00 4:32

So now I'm gonna switch gears. I'm so excited. I'm gonna dive into this episode right here. And right now, you know, my last episode, I um mentioned my my best friend and my 52nd birthday. And I actually had some that reached out to me to ask me how I was doing and to let me know that that they heard me. And I I appreciated that so much. And you you know who you are, but thank you so much for for checking on me and reaching out to me after that episode. That meant the world to me, okay? But let's switch gears. I want to dive into this episode. I'm so hyper right now. It's September, right? It's September. And uh before I dive in, let's ground. Let's ground first. As I said before, I need you to be present for this one right here. This is right on time. I'm not for play play. I'm so serious right now. Be here with me, okay? If you can't be present, save this, bookmark this podcast episode and come back later. That's how serious I am about this shit, okay? So it's September. September 2026. I am inspiring you to exhale. And I'm not talking about a basic exhale, exhale with purpose. Yeah, it's this type of episode today, honey. I'm gonna bring it to you. Exhale with purpose. You see, recently, and and Lagretta, you were there, okay. I hope you're listening, okay? But recently, um in yoga class, I mentioned pardiara, right? And we know, or some of us know that partyara is that fifth limb of yoga, okay? And I'm not gonna go deep into that. If you want, if you want some deep my uh interpretation and the way that I break down my yoga, okay, 2D yoga, join one of the programs, okay, in my virtual community, visit the studio for class, all right. And you know, everyone knows I had 2D Fit Elite Academy, in which I'm certifying 2D style yoga instructors under Yoga Alliance, okay? So if you want that deep understanding uh of Pradiyara, then join one of those programs, okay? But but for now, I I want you to understand basically it means to withdraw. To withdraw, all right? To remove yourself from perhaps your your current circumstances, your situations, whatever you're doing, be present by withdrawing so that you can focus on your exhale. That

Withdraw And Exhale With Purpose

SPEAKER_00 7:51

alone is deep right there, isn't it? Some of us can't focus on what we're doing because you're still caught up on what happened last year, the year before that, last week, this morning, yesterday, okay. That baggage could be holding you back. But see, that's another podcast episode for another time, all right? Okay, that's how we that's how we talk in uh yoga, and uh, I'm getting riled up. Anyway, let's get back to this episode, all right. Withdraw, exhale, and be present, calm your nervous system. You see, this time of the year, um in many cases, okay, not with everyone, but with some, it's a year of, or a time of, I don't want to say year of, okay, but during this time, a lot of folks start to slack, or they have to pivot, or they're changing seasons, okay? Excuses kick in, goals, okay, aiming for certain goals that were set at the beginning of the year. All of a sudden that stopped. All right, and then there are folks out there who are talking about building their table. But let me ask you this. I have a question. Let me ask you this. How is your table? I'm just curious. All right, we see it on social media and all over the place. Oh, I'm gonna build my own table. I'm gonna, you know, I'ma sit at my own table. How is your table? Let's start there. What's on it? Who's sitting at it? What are you wearing? What are you doing at the table? You get what I'm saying? I'll pause right there. I want you to think about it. I don't want you to get caught up in the sand. I'm gonna sit at my table. I'm gonna build my own table.

SPEAKER_01 10:07

But let's break this down. How is your table?

SPEAKER_00 10:15

Do you call that a table? Go ahead. I'll pause. I'll wait. All right. I want to sip my coffee anyway right now. Go ahead, I'll wait. I'll pause. Go ahead. Think about it. Mm-hmm. Seriously. And some of you might say, okay, Dawn, where are you going? So I have been getting many cues and hints to talk about this. And I'm not gonna say I don't know who this is for, because I know who it's for. It's for you. It's for you. Yo. If you're wondering, wow, is this message for me? Is John talking to me? Yes, I am. If you're thinking that, yes, I am. I am talking to you. It's for you. Whether personally or professionally,

How Is Your Table Really

SPEAKER_00 11:23

you or even some people are hiding from putting in the work. I mean, damn, what else do we need? What else do we need for this table right now? Okay, some have been posting for three years on social media. Sit at your own table. I'm taking a seat at my own table. I'm building my own table. But nothing is on the plate. Nothing is on this table. You know, I'm talking about uh, you know, weight, health concerns. Some are still unhappy at work. Self-sabotage. The woe is me. Listen, slow down, withdraw, all right, so that you can exhale. And let's look at this table because there is a time to make your table sexy.

SPEAKER_01 12:41

You know, uh a trustier table.

SPEAKER_00 12:46

You don't necessarily need a big-time mentor or another degree, you don't need any more money, all right? It's helpful, but at this stage, perhaps you don't need any more money, okay? You don't need another book to read, uh, and you definitely don't need another health scare. You have everything that you need for this table, for your table. I want you to know that. And if you withdraw, you would understand that. If you exhale and be present and calm down, you would see this. But you know, for some old habits, patterns, old energy that does not serve this table, okay? Leftovers that expired, it could be causing you to rebuild the same table over and over again. And and I'm sorry, okay, but a vision board party is not going to decorate this table. You have everything that you need. Say it with me on a count of three. I want you to say I have everything that I need, all right? Because you do say it with me on the count of three. All right, I'm so serious right now. I'm not playing. Are you ready? Come on, okay. One, two, three. I have everything that I need. Again, one, two, three. I have everything that I need. Because you do. So I am going to share five tips, five bones for your table. Yes, I am. Five bones that I believe every solid table needs, okay?

Five Bones For Your Table

SPEAKER_00 14:52

So go ahead and get your piece of paper. Get your piece of paper and a pencil. This is serious, okay? Go ahead, get your piece of paper and pencil, all right? Because I want you to write this down. And I'll go quick. Well, I try my I'll try my best, because you know how much I love to talk, okay? But this is serious. And while I go through um these five tips, okay, these five bullets, all right. It's gonna be fast, but I want you to think about your table: personal, professional, wellness, health, whatever is important to you right now. Right now. Okay. So are you ready? Somebody say I'm ready. I'll hear you. I'll feel it anyway, okay? I love this, all right? It feels like I'm sitting at a round table and I have you sitting around, okay? I love it. So, number one. Number one is vision. Can't have a table without a vision. Number one is vision.

Vision Before You Buy Tools

SPEAKER_00 16:13

What are you building? You see, before you buy the tools and before you cut the wood, and you know, get all of this stuff, okay? You know, and I'll give you an example. Before you buy uh uh uh new uh business cars or you know, all of the cute shit, the cute stuff, right? And I get it. When I started 2D, I spent a lot of time on making everything cute or trying to make everything perfect. You know, I had to have the the perfect floors and the perfect paint and all of that, right? But with some of us, we get so caught up on the tools that we lose sight of the vision. A lot of folks have no vision and no why we have to keep our eyes on the visions, you know. Resources can be expensive mentally and physically, and I don't know about you, okay, but who has resources to waste? What are you building? What is the vision? Withdraw from everything, exhale, be present so that you can identify that. You know, some folks want to lose 100 pounds in one week so they can fit into their parasuko jeans or their jaudash jeans. That is not a vision. You want a vision of why behind your weight loss goals. Cliche, right? But when you identify that, when you have a vision behind it, hopefully you will be able to sustain it and avoid that roller coaster. A fad is not a vision, a vision is something that no one or nothing can take from you, that you will ride and die for. So, what is your vision behind this table? I'm so serious right now. Is it legacy? If you cannot clearly see what your table is supposed to look like or what it's for, you're putting together a shaky and wobbly table. Plates will eventually fall off and break, you know, maybe, right?

SPEAKER_01 19:35

So think about that.

SPEAKER_00 19:39

Number two. Are you ready for number two? This is good, right? I told you. I told you this is good. So number one is vision. Number two is your blueprint,

Blueprint Planning And Forgiveness

SPEAKER_00 19:54

your plan. We talk about this in yoga as well, with that first and second lemma. I'm gonna try my best not to go deeper, all right? And I and I shared with you how you can um get more information about my yoga programs in the school and everything, right? But number two is your blueprint, your plan. How many seats are gonna be at this table? How many chairs? What does it look like? What's the build out? What's the why? The timeline, the sequence, your resources, the budget, any potential obstacles. We do a SWOT analysis for our business. Do a SWOT analysis for this table. Come on now. The prep.

SPEAKER_01 20:56

What has to happen to make this table happen? Forgiveness is part of the blueprint.

SPEAKER_00 21:10

That is important. A lot of folks are holding on to certain things and holding grudges. You know what one of my pet peeves are? Is when someone says, Oh, I need closure.

SPEAKER_01 21:31

Sometimes you have to forgive, let go, so that you can build a strong, sturdy table. You get what I'm saying?

SPEAKER_00 21:42

And and because folks out there are not forgiving, even themselves, they could be blocking their blessings. Imagine how immaculate and this table could be if we practice forgiveness alone, right there. That could be the blueprint right there. I'm so serious. Do you feel me on this? I'm telling you some good stuff, all right. You know, think about it this way. I want to lose 30 pounds. Well, what's the plan? I want to start a business. What's the plan? I want peace. What's the plan? Everyone has a vision, you know. Maybe just about everyone say they have a vision, but very few have a blueprint. And that's why three years, four years, five years later, folks are still building the table from scratch. Think about it this way. A vision tells you where you're going, but the blueprint is how the how you're gonna get there. I told you, right? This is some good stuff. You want me to say it again? I don't mind. The vision tells you where you are going, and the blueprint tells you how how you're gonna get there. Okay. So we talked about vision and we talked about blueprint. I hope that you get what I'm saying. I hope that this is helpful, okay? And I want you to reach out to me to let me know. I want to know if you listen to this podcast episode. Number three, I'm a moving along because I did say quick, right? Number three, all right? Foundation. Now, what happens when there is no foundation? Think about

Foundation Without Motivation Chasing

SPEAKER_00 24:00

this thing. When no one is clapping, what are your non-negotiables? What are your affirmations? When things get hard, what do you do?

SPEAKER_01 24:19

Does fear kick in? Do you seek validation? Do you compare?

SPEAKER_00 24:31

Or are you um patient? Do you remember your vision, your purpose? Do you lose your mind when there's pressure? You see, all of this falls under the foundation, okay? Foundation, let me tell you this right now. Foundation cannot be your circumstances because circumstances change. Foundation cannot be motivation, and and that's another episode right there. That gets on my nerves. Oh, I'm not motivated. I'm not motivated. Child motivation comes and goes. That's why foundation is important. So think of your habits. Right? Think of your habits, your non-negotiables. The foundation cannot be temporary. Peace in your house, your values, your your beliefs, okay? Don't compromise those things. So when your table is built, and and if shit gets shaky, you know that foundation is strong. Keep that in mind. You can build something so beautiful on a weak foundation and still watch the whole thing wobble. I'm telling you some good stuff. So trust your timing. Worry about your own grass. Okay. So when you think of your foundation, you know, a few words come to mind, all right? You know, your strength, your discipline, um, obedience, faith, integracy. I'm sorry, integrity, consistency, your values, your self-respect. That's what comes to mind when I think of foundation. And you might have more words to add. I'm just giving you examples, okay? Now, if you're one to, and I think I mentioned it somewhere, but if you're one to seek valid validation and if you're checking your social media every five minutes to see if someone said something, if you compare yourself to other folks, lawn and grass, if you're a people pleaser, if you don't have boundaries, or even if you are trying to get other folks at your table that don't belong, all of that affects your foundation. I'm telling you, I'm so serious right now, and that one is big. Trying to get other folks at your table that do not belong affects the foundation.

SPEAKER_01 27:53

Pause right there and look at your foundation. Huh? The next thing I have here, tools.

SPEAKER_00 28:07

Are your your tools, okay? We have the vision, the the blueprint, the

Use Your Tools And Execute

SPEAKER_00 28:12

foundation, but now let's get into the tools. And whatever tools that you have, build now. Um build now. Don't hold back. Remember, you have everything that you need. You have the education. How many more times are you going to go back to school? You have the education, you have the skills, the talents, the experience. And I'm talking about life experience. The professional experience looks good on your resume, but life experience, it is your table, and you've got it. Use what you have been blessed with, even the hard times, okay. The lessons that you learned during hard times when you had challenges in your life. You have been blessed with all of these tools. So execute, execute your faith, and now is the time to build. You have everything that you need. Stop collecting stuff that does not align with your table. Don't refuse or underestimate what you know and have in front of you. You see, many people have a will or they have a weight. Say that again, Dawn. Okay, some folks have the will and some folks have the weight. Which one do you have right now? Write it down. Think about it. And if it is the weight, if something's holding you back, then go back to the vision. Step one. Oh my word, okay. The last step that I have for you, I I can go on and on and on, okay? But hopefully you're getting something from this. The last, the last bone that I'm gonna share with you is inspection and maintenance. Because we're in September now, right?

Inspect Adjust And Maintain Progress

SPEAKER_00 30:44

We are in the the final third of the year. Of course, you can use these tips at any time, all right? But right now, I'm talking about right now, okay? Right now, we are in September. So don't turn September into another January. You get what I'm saying? Or a New Year's resolution or all of that stuff, okay? Don't turn September into that, don't spend a lot of energy on what did not happen so far this year. Because that can get into your mental, and we don't want that. Instead, whatever you've built, accomplish, you know, we want to keep this positive, right? Look at those things. We've all accomplished something this year, right? Every last one of us. Small, big, it does not matter. We've all accomplished something. Even if we said no for the first time. We've all accomplished something. But take this moment in this stage, okay? In this inspection and maintenance stage, now's the perfect time. It really is, okay. And look at anything that needs reinforcement.

SPEAKER_01 32:17

What does not belong, okay? And this and this also includes people.

SPEAKER_00 32:27

Maybe at this stage, you just have to tighten one of the legs, right? Shake the table a little bit. Find something that you can be proud of. Adorn your table, okay? Maybe you want to get some new placemats, some new wine glasses, okay? Maybe you want to get a new centerpiece for this table. You get what I'm saying? Come on now. Reinforce the weak spots. Maybe you just need some touch-up paint. The lesson here is have something in place to check the progress of your table. Don't confuse adjustments with failure. I want to make sure I point that out, all right? Some folks think because they have to, some folks believe that because they have to pivot or change, or if something didn't happen, or if they have to do something different, a lot of folks align that with failure. No, that's not failure. That's awareness.

SPEAKER_01 33:37

That's your your maintenance.

SPEAKER_00 33:42

So many things can go into inspection and maintenance, right? I'm pretty sure that you can add to this list. So inspect, adjust, maintain, and keep building. Now, if someone approaches you and say, so you call that a table, I am hoping, and and let me know. I want you to reach out to me, okay? I am hoping that with confidence you can say, I built it, I stand on it, I maintain it. Let's repeat that. I built it, I stand on it, I maintain it. No, shout it. Let's shout it. Are you ready? Come on. I built it, I stand on it, I maintain it. Again, I built it, I stand on it, I maintain it. One more time. I built it, I stand on it, I maintain it. Powerful, powerful, powerful stuff right here. I can go on and on about this, but I'm gonna stop right here. If you need support for your table, I'm so serious right now, okay? You know that I have my virtual community, and I

Support Options And Final Mantra

SPEAKER_00 35:37

cannot speak enough about the bad asses in this community, okay? These ladies, and it's hard to commit to a virtual program, but we're talking about life coaching, fitness coaching, nutrition coaching. Right now, I have a stretch boot camp going on. I have a Zen programs like lifestyle support is mixed in this virtual community. Nutrition coaching. I think I mentioned that. We just finished a hard boot camp, okay? And that's as, as, no, yeah, abs, hips, and ass, okay? But it's more than weight loss. I have a lot of uh weight loss, success stories, and transformations, but I'm all about lifestyle, right? Taking care of physical, emotional, mental health, hardcore habits that would support your day-to-day life. So consider the virtual community if you need some support, okay? And uh of course, you know I have my um academy starting soon. 2D Fit Elite, reach out to me if you have questions about that. Um, but all in all, ladies, I hope that I've shared something of value. You know, I always say if I shared something um to help you physically and or mentally or anything in your day-to-day life, even if it's one thing, mission accomplish. All right. I'm grateful for you. Um, if I've touched you, I have my uh buy me coffee page, all right. You know, I love my coffee, all right. I will appreciate your support there. You can follow me on Instagram, 2D FitLife, the number two, the letter D, uh fit life, and um download my podcast, subscribe and share to whomever could benefit from this. Listen, number one, vision, number two, blueprint, number three, foundation, number four, inspection, number five, maintenance. Thank you so much for tuning in. I'm grateful for you. And until our next time, Nama the 2D Slay. Peace.