Tara C. MacDonald's Blog, page 2

Webinar Wednesday October 25th at 4pm Eastern 5pm Atlantic (Halifax) time

You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Oct 25, 2023 05:00 PM Halifax
Topic: Movement, Mindset and Motivation

Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86042430722

Join myself, Susan and Esta for a fun look at what’s worked for our clients to:

Improve sleep

Change our mood

Get ready for winter workouts no matter where you are located

Discuss our communities you can tap into

Develop a plan to move forward…

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Webinar October 25th 5pm Atlantic

Email me at PlusfitnesswithTara@gmail.com for this free webinar for the public!

Movement, Mindset and Motivation is coming to you – virtually!

You’re listening to three fitness professionals on their experiences and their suggestions on how to make the last quarter of this year your most productive.

Esta McIntyre

Susan Crews

Tara MacDonald (myself)

Movement, Mindset and Motivation! We have survived challenges in our businesses as women fitness professionals working with different modalities and business formulas. We’ve owned our own gyms. We’ve worked with different clients in demographics.

We’re coming together on October 25th to share our best with you and get us all going for the remainder of 2023!

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Welcome, Fall…

I ended summer celebrations in Tucson, Arizona at the JW Marriott Starr Resort after medical tests from Canyon Ranch Tucson. I had a good cause to celebrate and enjoyed a full day, by a pool, on a scorching hot day, reading my book and sipping Bahama Mamas.

Then, I went to Texas to finish up two programs with eWomenNetwork called Brand Slam and the Disruptive Advantage respectively. eWomenNetwork offers programs like these for women (and men) who need the services in that specific program for their business. You hear about it at the conference and have until the end of the day to sign up – and competition can be fierce. I’ve seen women (and men) walk pretty fast to the back of the room with the forms. I don’t know if they’re offering more at the online conference in January but I’d ask me about how to take advantage of them and at their prices.

ICON was an amazing conference and I am so pumped that I’m going back next August. I can’t wait to roll around in all the stories and experiences and education that is this conference! Message me for more info on how business managers, corporations and entrepreneurs mix to do business in Dallas, Texas every year.

Today, we had a few entrepreneurs on my Chapter’s online SBI and we shared a few laughs as we went around the ZOOM room to see how everyone was doing and how we can support each other in business. Every month I host two events called SBIs to network and create connection for Nova Scotians in business. Interested in learning more about being a Managing Director? Message me! PEI, NB, NFLD and Ontario all need MDs and I can share how revitalizing this paid role is.

I also had the pleasure of having Guest Luke Hanna Nutrition on my Podcast interview go live today on iTunes and Spotify (as well as the eWomenNetwork Podcast network). He’s got a program with his fellow health professional (a medical doctor) Dr. Idz called the Lean Out Project. More… here.

I hope whatever Fall plans you have that you’re able to welcome in this season with an open heart and a call to be outdoors (weather and safety permitting).

Yours in health,

Tara

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Heading to ICON conference – eWomenNetwork

I am so excited to make travel plans for the annual eWomenNetwork ICON conference held this year at the OMNI Las Colinas, Texas hotel. The hotel rooms are fully sold out right now but there are neighbouring hotels that you can get rooms in.

This is my first year attending as a Managing Director so I attend training 2 days before the actual conference itself.

Registration HERE https://www.ewnicon.com/register-now

I believe registration is already at 80% sold out – so if you want to see the impact eWomenNetwork can have on your business and the speakers/training provided I urge you to get your ticket.

Plus, the fun we will have!

Every year they have opportunities for vendors and sponsors. So, if you missed out this year plan for 2024 now! These women want to hear from you. With chapters in Australia and the UK as well it really has global reach.

Also, the latest episode of my podcast is up – check it out HERE

I discuss Summeritis (felt by gym owners and fitness professionals around the world) and the current stats for the fitness gym business in Canada.

Find me on social media! TaraCMacDonaldInc and Plus Fitness with Tara as well as eWomenNetwork Halifax on Facebook. Would love to hear from you. Tell me how you are?

Yours in health, Tara

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Thank you, First Responders!

https://www.unitedwayhalifax.ca/give/united-way-halifax-wildfire-recovery-appeal/

If you feel like donating to our Nova Scotian community please consider the United Way’s appeal and the Canadian Red Cross.

RESOURCES FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY/CONCERNED ABOUT THE WILDFIRES:

Shelter & financial support: https://www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/current-emergency-responses/atlantic-canada-wildfire-responses

Evacuation notices: https://www.halifax.ca/fire-police/fire/emergency-management/fires-tantallon-hammonds-plains

News releases: https://www.halifax.ca/home/news

Real-time updates: https://twitter.com/HRMFireNews

Air Quality Health Index: https://weather.gc.ca/airquality/pages/nsaq-001_e.html

Active fire map from NASA: https://firms.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/map/#t:adv;d:2023-05-28..2023-05-30;@-63.8,44.7,12z

Nova Scotia SPCA (text): (902)229-8620

In sharing these resources, we salute our First Responders’ bravery and extend our unwavering support to all affected – remember, Nova Scotia’s resilience will see us through these challenging times.

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My “Why” – What’s yours?

Find my latest podcast here or on my website under PODCAST!

I often get asked how I do the things I do.  I have a busy life and I’m constantly educating and learning new things.  Partly because my fitness professional certification requires me to do so each year.  And the other part is because I love learning – when I was hospitalized I took a math class so I could stay fresh and have something to do while in the ward.

I’m not a huge extrovert.

I’m part of an events company – eWomenNetwork

But I enjoy staying home and cozying up with a good book, or movie or just listen to music.  My home is my temple.  My safe place.

eWomenNetwork though is more than just hanging out and catching up – it’s about creating connections and lifting as we climb through success and challenges we encounter in our professional lives.  It has a conference every August and as a Platinum member there’s a Summit every March.  Membership for Platinum opens up again in April 2023 and September/October 2023 potentially.

And as I coach women over the age of thirty five in their wellness looking into their goals and their habits I see a direct relation between their experiences of joy and satisfaction when their work lives are expanding.

But it starts smaller than that.  With me.  And not a linear progression.

It starts with me running as a kid in the park.  I grew up in London, England for nine years.  And I would run ahead of my Dad as he took me to the park and the playground in Hyde Park.  And he would catch up with me because I was red faced and out of breath.

Side note here – my Mom told me when I was young that was because I was fat and out of shape.  WRONG – I had asthma and it was the 80s and my parents had no business having kids.

But I digress.

So I would get to the swing set, catch my breath while I sat there and watch the other kids play like crazy on this playground.  And full on 1980s playground swings, carosels – no safety definitely dangerous and you were definitely going to hurt yourself on it somehow.  Even the sand pit was dangerous as some kids would pee in it… LOL

So while I sat and watched everyone else zoom around like nothing had happened I tried to breathe.

In and out.  Rasping breaths.  Pain in my chest.  Pink skin.

And after 15-20 minutes I would recover.

And then my Dad would push me on the swing and I would go back to playing.

But remember what I said – I was alone on the swing watching everyone else run around as though nothing was out of order.

Yet I was sitting there outside and looking at others.  This is when the comparison game started.

Oh, what can I tell you about the comparison game I played all my life until I actually wound up in the hospital for a mental health break.

Someone always fitter.

Someone always faster.

Someone always prettier.

Someone always more fun.

Someone always with a Mom who loved them…

And so on and so on…

Can you see how wild that comparison game goes?  I’m sure others can agree.  I still get trapped into it sometimes when I look in the mirror.  A lot of CPCC coaching occurs for sure when I feel that inner critic raise up and look at my body.

But then I had moments of huge joy such as my Dad pushing me in the swing so high the chain links would roll up and snap back as he’d get me as high as he could.  Best time ever!

Sometimes we need help

Sometimes hindsight really is 20/20

If I had known that there was an inhaler that would make team sports and gym class possible I would’ve taken it.  But I didn’t know.  And my parents didn’t explore it.  And neither did my gym teachers… and so on, and so on.

So if you have problems breathing I understand you.  I have exercise induced asthma and I relieve a traumatic experience every time it comes up.

Find me on Social Media and I’ll provide 3 Tips on how to tame your inner critic!

Yours in health, Tara

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Escaping Winter in Winter

Ahh… the sunshine. The heat. The tropical ocean waves. The sand in your toes… how to get to the happy place of yours that’s down south.

Many Canadians “Snowbird” for winter in the USA but for those of us working year round we take a week or two to flee the winter weather and go South.

Jamaica. Cuba. Dominican Republic. Anything Caribbean really…

Maybe a cruise so you just sit on that balcony and feel the ocean flow by you? Did you know that Virgin Voyages offers adult-only cruises? I hear my 50th Birthday calling me there.

But, what if you can’t go.

What do you do?

5 Tips on How to Escape Winter… in Winter!

If you have a fireplace, get it cleaned and start using it. If you don’t, there is a video fireplace on YouTube that gives you the impression of a crackling fire. Sometimes ever the sound is enough to make you feel cozy. No fireplace – pull out the blanket, that video on YouTube and enjoy some hot chocolate.Book a spa day. Here in Nova Scotia, a lot of us go to the Sensea Nordic Spa near Chester, NS. If you can’t make it there, look around your home or community for a day spa. Book that treatment – take a friend and for a good hour ignore the weather. Create a movie day. Weather outside rotten but you still have power? Set up a watch party with your friends and binge watch movies. That’s what Netflix is for!Pick out a recipe book you have and get all the ingredients at the grocery store for a couple of recipes to try out. Have fun with it! See what you can make and how it tastes. Maybe get a new recipe book – Jamie Oliver has a great one-skillet book out now.If you can’t beat the weather – join in. By this I mean, if there’s a snowstorm, when it’s safe arrange a walk through the snow and ice at your local park. Bundle up tight with scarves and mittens. If it’s pouring rain, suit yourself up in rain gear and splash some puddles. Connect to what creates little moments of joy.

I hope you find these tips helpful! Find me on social media:

Facebook
Instagram

Yours in health,

Tara

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Do you travel?

Unfortunately, Bourdain left us in 2018. His teachings though… especially in the kitchen remain.

So, do you travel?

I was born in Cape Breton Canada and 2 weeks later I was on a plane to London UK because my father worked there. My family is Canadian and my Dad had a job in Uxbridge, UK that he traveled back and forth from London for. It’s amazing now when I revisit because Uxbridge is simply a stop on the Tube station whereas as a child growing up in the 70s and 80s it seemed a long car ride away.

So, I’ve been traveling since I was young.

I wasn’t always the best traveler as a child. I always asked if it had a pool or tuna sandwich on the menu. That was my definition of a make or break hotel.

This is before there was anything like AirBnB, Uber or even online booking machines like Expedia, Travelocity and more.

With the great pause we all went through I didn’t travel anywhere for a good while.

When I did, I went to the eWomenNetwork Platinum conference in Newport Beach, California and the sun was divine. We met, we saw, we conquered!

California from Nova Scotia is a commitment for travel. Can involve 2-3 flights and you always start early in the morning and end up tired and excited by the time California wakes up due to the time zone difference. I experience jet lag whenever I go past Eastern Time Zone.

I remember as a child there was one trip we came back from after meeting up with Dad’s friends in Thailand that I didn’t want to leave because the mother of the kids there was so super nice to me. She was a US citizen living abroad with her family while her husband worked in the oil industry.

She definitely left an impression on me. Her first name was Patty.

It was such a fun time with her and her family. So, when my parents took me to the airport and we loaded onto the plan and I realized I wouldn’t see her again I burst into tears and had a full on tantrum at age 5 of leaving this person behind. This is of course, before the Internet – before email, before ICQ, before text messages… we were forever broken in communicating.

However, I never forgot her.

Because even as a child what I learned from traveling is that you’re taken out of your element and forced to survive in a completely different environment. Meeting new people, seeing different cultures, experiencing a completely different geography around you physically and emotionally.

Yet, we can also be still completely alone. Even in a crowd and a new place that welcomes us.

Being part of a group is an amazing experience. Feeling loved and accepted is an amazing time. But what happens when you’re outside of your element and your views and beliefs get challenged. Not just by one person or one experience but by an entire country that has a completely different take on values, communication and language, acceptable practices, and ongoing legal system nuances… what happens when all of that collides with who you are.

And this can happen when you travel.

So, no matter where you go… remember the love you have in your personal community and open your heart up to new experiences.

Shine that light, bright!

Yours in health,
Tara

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The road to Managing Director, eWomenNetwork Halifax Chapter

Why did I accept this position?

Well, talk about an uneven de-aligned road for sure.

Sound familiar? Nothing in my life has ever been linear no matter how hard I tried when I was younger. I broke my mind over it all in 1998-2000. Thanks to my Dad for coming thru for me during that time.

I had to start business networking to try to keep my investors in my first business happy and create work for my short film content video production company named after my Dad.

So I found eWomenNetwork around the time I found Canyon Ranch in Tuscon, Arizona. I was diagnosed with my first round of adrenal fatigue after the visit with Dr. Diane Downing at Canyon Ranch.

While I’ve done business my health has changed. Finally, in 2018 I was warned I had plaque build up in my arteries like a 65 year old smoker and that I had to change my ways. Well I was eating healthy and exercising – every other medical test came out ok. My disordered eating habits were on track and I was feeling some stress from work but nothing that I thought was so terrible I couldn’t continue. However, it was really concerning when my investors pointed out my Dad had died from a heart attack at 62 without warning other than high blood pressure. So, that began the ball of what do I do with this information…

I wrapped up the physical location of Tara MacDonald Fit Club Inc. in November 2018 and then had the heart attack anyway in June 2019 but survived it with all the changes I made to my health. I live with its shadow every day. Every. Day.

So I won’t stop living. No matter the pandemic issues we’ve all faced I enjoy what I do now as a Co-active Coach and fitness professional. Everything I do is online.

Through all of this I found a support network in eWomenNetwork. Wherever I traveled I would look up events and visit. I became a member of the Goode Mastermind and enjoyed the connection we all had. None of that would have been possible without eWomenNetwork. Now, as school clears up in 2023, I can bring that connection and that personal development to Halifax, N.S. I am a business connector. eWomenNetwork is the platform for my success and it can provide a platform for you as well.

They host my podcast and helped me become a #1 Amazon Best-Selling Author.

As I build this network over the years I hope you find that connection, too.

Yours in health,
Tara

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BeeWell IHC

I want to do a shout out to https://beewellihc.com/

I have been a client of Dr Matt Kennedy’s for over a year now and use Aimee Hoyt as my RMT. This team makes sure I get help for aching muscles as my body changes with my #weightlossjourney

They offer all kinds of services at their integrated health centre including:

Physiotherapy
Massage Therapy
Block Therapy
Chiropractic
Osteopathy
Dry Needling
Breathwork
Yoga

I couldn’t do my weight loss without their expertise. Not to mention their help when my Huskies pull me sideways with their animal instinct to chase something in the park…

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