Someone commented in one of our Facebook groups the other day that she was excited to witness the launch of Sarah 2.0, adding in parentheses "or whatever version we're on." I thought about it, and I realized that she is entirely correct: this really is 2.0. All of the other repositionings and rebrandings and reboots I've been through over the years have been attempts at realizing the Sarah 1.0 that I'd envisioned since college. Sarah, the professor of Italian, conqueror of the lottery that is the academic job market. As we walked through our neighborhood last night following a celebratory dinner, my husband wondered whether we should have cut our losses in the pursuit of Sarah 1.0 sooner - whether we could have possibly foreseen what a toll it would take. I have a feeling that it will be a subject of much reflection in the coming months and years. When is it worthwhile to stick something out through short-term hardship, and when is it that saying "I'm done" is truly the kindest and most mature choice you can make?
Coach MK and I have a lot to say about these things: about so-called "grit" versus self-harm and where the boundary lies. We have so much to ponder, discuss, teach and learn. I have never felt more perfectly positioned to dive into the work that lies ahead of me, and I feel so lucky to be here.
A quick programming note for the athletes in the Fitness Protection Program: I will be away on vacation from August 24-September 1! You will be in excellent hands, as always - I am fortunate enough to have Cavilyn Keown in
(Re)Build and Janet Smith in
Maintain taking over the daily strength videos for the last week in August (please thank them profusely!) and I will have other folks in both groups relaying questions to me when and if they need my immediate attention. You will be PERPETUALLY Coached and Loved even when your coach is in the mountains of West Virginia with institutionally-limited internet access, and I hope you feel as treasured as you are (because you are).
You are Coached. You are Loved. And you ARE #winningatlife
Coach Sarah
Note from Coach MK: Over the past 5 years, I have developed two distinct voices and approaches for the two very different audiences I was serving. Starting September 1, each voice will warrant its own brand. As such, there will be two newsletters: this one, CoachedandLoved from Coach Sarah, and Fitness Protection from Coach MK. You may subscribe to either or neither or both, depending on which voice is the best fit for you.
