Looking for Inspiration? Look No Further Than These 2 Women

By , Alicia Capetillo, Editor-in-Chief
Every month The Go Get It Guide is your destination for motivation, musings on random goals and probably pop culture references. It's a space where we'll sort through the PR pitches and news, then share our honest thoughts on what's happening in the health and fitness world, what's on the horizon and just what we think of that video the internet obsessed over last week. Check in each month to Spark, Sweat, Smile, Savor and Shop with us!
 

Spark: Age Ain't Nothin' But a Number

 
There are some things we talk ourselves out of before we even consider attempting them. Whether it's climbing Everest, running a 5K or trying a CrossFit class, fear can often get in the way of us trying new things or getting outside of our comfort zone. We're all guilty of this trepidation to some degree.
 
Unless, of course, your name is Lauren Bruzzone. At 72 years young, Bruzzone showed up to personal trainer Wesley James and told him she had one goal: to do a pull-up. One pull-up. And she was determined.
 
Earlier this month, James shared her progress and…well, I'll just let the video speak for itself.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Tomorrow would mark the 3rd week of me working with Miss Lauren on her pull-up. She got her first one TODAY!!! 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽 The second video shows where we started! @chasinglaurenb @oldladygains #firsttime #pullups #fitover70 #mobility #flexibility #functionalmovement #functionaltraining #changinglives #aspiretoinspire #saturday #motivation #progress #transformation #seniorfitness #personaldevelopment #bodyweighttraining #bodybuilding #agingevolution #fitwomen #igfit #inspiration #calisthenics #streetworkout #72yearsyoung #fitnessjourney #swipeleft

A post shared by Wesley James (@mrjames_cpt) on Bruzzone is not training for a movie or a fitness competition. She doesn't have an instructor coming to her house to encourage her to work out. She simply got an idea in her mind, broke that goal down to manageable steps with the help of a trainer and committed to showing up. There's a concept in strength training called overload that states that to change your body, you must put the body under an intensity that is greater than it is used to managing. Put simply, you have to get uncomfortable.

 
For Bruzzone to achieve her goal of one pull-up, she worked with James over the course of three weeks to gradually build strength and get to a point where she could safely perform the exercise. Not only has she inspired thousands as the story was picked up by major news publications, but the look on her face as she raised her body up and achieved her goal is priceless. Bruzzone is the perfect example of why we set goals and an even more perfect example of not letting your mind decide what your body is capable of doing.
 
Guess what? You can do this, too! And by "this," I mean accomplishing a pull-up specifically, as well as any other goal that might scare or intimidate you. Consider all the things you could accomplish with the right mindset and a targeted plan outlining the small steps that will help you get there. The possibilities are endless and I for one hope that you never allow the word "impossible" to creep into your head. Determination and willpower will get you to where you want to be, so focus on adjusting your mindset first and, with hard work, the finish line will slowly come to you.
 
Now, what could you do if you didn't think you would fail?
 

Shop: Have Kichgo, Will Travel

 
Let's get real for a moment, shall we? I'm a fitness addict—I love the way my body feels when I make time to sweat, I enjoy challenging myself to lift heavier weights and I'd argue that there are few things that feel better than catching your breath after an intense interval. I never thought I'd be this person, but here we are. My name is Alicia and I'm an addict.
 
That is, until I head out on vacation. As a Type A perfectionist and routine-driven person, I'm very much on the ball when I'm at home. Which is why, the minute I hit the ground in a new place, I let go of the expectations that I place on myself. And in letting go of those expectations and pressures, my mind instinctively also purges itself of the promises I made to hit the hotel gym.
 
I've packed vacation-friendly workout gear in my suitcase in the past—a jump rope for Portugal, resistance bands in Costa Rica—yet always found that I couldn't talk myself into a workout that would be compelling enough to get me out of bed early. With limited equipment, my options left me feeling bored before I even started, especially when there was a whole world out there to explore. I'm an active traveler, trying to walk to see as many sights as possible and often engaging in some kind of kayaking or cycling to enjoy the nature of my temporary home, which usually feels like enough to keep me on track with my goals.  But, inevitably, as I'm sitting in the car or plane headed home, I always chastise myself for not pushing to do more.
 
After one look at the KICHGO bag, I instantly recognized one thing about celebrity trainer and developer Kit Rich: She gets it. Developed in response to her clients struggling to find workout inspiration when they were away traveling or when she took trips of her own, the "big gym in a little bag" allows you to get creative and continue to challenge your body even when you can't get to a proper gym. Weighing in at less than two pounds, the bag contains the gear you need for effective, dynamic, never-boring workouts. With resistance bands, sliders, mini bands, a Pilates ball, jump rope and various straps and handles, the bag is a one-stop shop for anyone who's ever thought about pumping up their travel workout game. The kit allows you to put together a full-body workout that can target every major muscle group without having to rely on outdated hotel gyms or just your bodyweight. Plus, at just $45, you'd likely pay more to purchase each item separately.

Photo courtesy of KICHGO.

If you spring for the video package, you get the bag itself along with 20 workout videos that include circuit, Pilates, yoga and strength-training routines. Ranging in length from five to 30 minutes, it's the ultimate combination for anyone like me who likes the idea of working out while on vacation but struggles with the execution. Everything you need, right in one convenient place.
 
Even if you don't travel, I've found myself pulling out the various items for added resistance and stability challenges in my home workouts. My abs now scream at the sight of the dual-sided sliders thanks to a few targeted moves and if you've never done a lateral walk with mini bands, trust me when I say your hip abductors will hate/love you the next day. As it states on their website, Kit "isn't trying to reinvent the wheel." If you already have a jump rope or another travel-friendly pieces of equipment, you love bodyweight exercises or just don't want to exercise outside of your gym, save your money. If, though, you've been looking to add some portable workout gear to your life, the KICHGO bag has all the basics you need.
 

Smile: Love Your Job & You'll Never Work a Day In Your Life

 
At just over 32 million views, chances are you've already seen the video of UCLA's Katelyn Ohashi's perfect 10 gymnastics floor routine. It's gold, people. Not only is Ohashi captivating as she performs mind-bending twists and flips, but her energy straight comes through the computer screen as you watch her smile and groove through her routine. If, by chance, you've been living under a rock (or perhaps huddled inside by a fire—I would not blame you), here it is in all its boppy glory: 

What's more, according to USA TODAY, Ohashi actually retired from elite gymnastics a few years back due to injuries and some harsh critiques about her body. Since leaving the body shaming and pressure behind, she's blossomed and found her passion for the sport again. And, boy, does it show. Ohashi is proof that when you love what you do, it radiates positivity all around you.
 
How does your passion bring you joy and motivate you to be the best version of yourself?