As I stare at this blank word document, I can hear my grandmother’s voice in my head clear as day.

“All that soda will rot your teeth”

“All that candy will give you worms”(yes, that is an actual quote)

Among other crazy Italian grandmother type sayings, she would frequently rattle off.

We hear since childhood that sugar is bad for us, we understand, nod in agreement. But when its someone’s birthday and they break out that fudgy the whale cake, you best believe we’re getting in on that frozen fudgy goodness.

When I was over 300lbs, sugar was a large…

Whether it’s the growing popularity of platforms like Medium and podcasting, or just a symptom of the times, there appears to be a drastic increase in the demand for self-help advice. And certainly no shortage of people looking to provide it. Throw a rock in any direction, and you’re likely to hit someone promoting or recommending a self-help book.

With so much information and so many options to choose from, figuring out where to start can sometimes be more daunting than the improvement process itself. In my case, it certainly felt that way.

I don’t consider myself to be some…

Life can be funny at times. Cruel, yes, but funny. At the very least ironic. A major league pitcher with a joker mask on, and an arsenal of pitches that would make Tim Wakefield jealous. You get used to the fastball only to have your knees buckled by a nasty 12–6 curveball.

For those not feeling the baseball references, I mean that it’s unpredictable. You get into a rhythm, things seem to be going well, and you’re hit with an unexpected obstacle.

The times I’ve found myself in a rut usually hit right after a long period of extremely high…

How long until you’re found out? Until your peers realize you’re a fraud? If you’ve ever experienced impostor syndrome, these are questions you routinely ask yourself.

A shared experience for newcomers and creative veterans alike, the feeling of inadequacy can be suffocating.

We live in a like driven society. Social media gives the illusion that everyone’s doing just a little better than you.

You open Instagram and find everyone’s best representation of themselves­. Open Twitter and see people’s small businesses flourishing, e-books and email courses flying off metaphorical shelves (ONLY 3 LEFT!!).

You hop on Medium and read profound thoughts…

How many times have you agreed to do something that wasn’t in your best interest? Favors for friends/family or work obligations? Maybe you resist standing up for yourself to avoid conflict or have friends tell you you’re “too nice”?

No matter the situation, there’s nothing quite like the sting of getting taken advantage of.

It’s a feeling I know well. I used to have a tough time simply telling people no. I put the best interest of others ahead of my own, and at times, allowed myself to become a doormat.

Letting people walk all over you can lead to…

I used to be a serious hater. Not really hate in the literal sense, more along the lines of a petty critic.

It started with judging other artists during my music days but quickly bled into everyday life. It’s an aspect of my past I cringe when I think about.

I was a walking contradiction. Massively overweight, anxious, and depressed. I had no right to judge anyone, yet there I was on my high horse, critiquing the world.

Misery loves company, I suppose.

As I see it now, my low self-esteem resulted from the ridiculous standard I held for others…

How many steps did you get in today? Did you hit your macros? Win that daily battle with the scale? Am I in ketosis? We track absolutely everything nowadays — pedometers, food logs, ketone meters, fasting apps.

Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or just trying to get into shape, there’s no shortage of apps, devices, and monthly subscriptions competing for your money.

Having that data is extremely useful, especially at the beginning. It allows you to see what works, what doesn’t, and ensures you stay on track.

My addictive personality loved the challenges and stimulation. Topping personal bests, endless progress…

2020. The craziest year in almost two decades. The last six months have essentially been a standstill, wreaking havoc on the world’s mental health: uncertainty, fear, economic struggles, and an unwavering stagnancy with no end in sight.

We are all feeling it, nowhere to go, no one to see. Slight glimmers of hope suddenly blacked out as things reopen and close again. Stage 2 to stage 5 back to stage 3. Stage 27?

Happiness can be a fleeting pursuit when denied some of life’s simplest pleasures. …