Catch Up with Coach M - Edition 48 - 1 Year of the new Activeliving4all Coaching: Recovery, Resilience & Real-Life Fitness
- Active Living Active Living
- Jul 6
- 8 min read
A Journey of Recovery, Resilience & Real Life
Welcome to Edition 48 of Catchup with Coach M!
This week, we’re not just catching up — we’re celebrating a milestone.
It’s been one full year since I officially rebranded Activeliving4all Coaching & Nutrition and launched this blog.
So often, we only see the now — the visible success, the comeback moment, the highlight — without knowing the history, the struggle, or the quiet beginnings that led there.
So, in celebration of this milestone, I thought I’d give you a bit of background — a glimpse into where it all started, how far it’s come, and why this past year means more than just a new logo or blog launch.
Because the journey wasn’t always pretty. It wasn’t always planned. But it was real. And that’s what I’ve always promised to share.
Reframing the business I started nearly 9 years ago. Living through Embolisms, IBD's, Major Surgeries, Broken Ankles and COVID.
This past year has been about rebuilding from the inside out — my business, my mindset, my mobility, my voice.
It’s been anything but linear.
It’s been messy, uncertain, full of stops and restarts, and at times incredibly slow. But above all, it’s been real — and that’s exactly why I started this blog in the first place.
Because here's the thing:
💬 Life isn’t always Instagrammable.
We don’t wake up every day glowing, motivated, lean, or ready to hustle.
We don’t always eat perfectly, crush our workouts, or walk around radiating gratitude.
Sometimes, we’re just trying to get through the day.
Sometimes we cry.
We get injured.
We fall off track.
We doubt ourselves.
We compare,
We scroll,
We hide behind filters — and
We forget that the real work, the real healing...
...often happens in the in-between moments.
So this blog was never meant to be a highlight reel. It was never about perfect photos, polished poses, or quick-fix advice.
It’s about showing up for the version of you who’s doing their best behind the scenes — even if it doesn’t make the feed.
It’s about real-life recovery, sustainable wellness, and redefining what progress actually looks like — especially when it doesn’t fit the mould.
A Scenic Run & A Full Circle Moment
As you're reading this, I’ve just completed one of the most beautiful and challenging trail runs in the Western Cape. That in itself feels like a full-circle moment.
Because a year ago, I wasn’t even sure I’d be able to run again. This not being my first rodeo with having to start over. But This was a hard hit.
This wasn’t just about another workout.
It wasn’t about a medal or a race time.
It was about resilience. About coming back to myself.
About proving that healing is possible — even when it takes time.
If the weather plays along, I’ll share a full race report soon. But for now, I’m pausing to celebrate the win that matters most:
I showed up. I made it back. And so can you.
The Backstory: From Cruise Ship to Crutches
Let’s rewind to April 2024.
I had just come home from what many would call a dream job — teaching fitness on a cruise ship. It was vibrant, exciting, HARD WORK, LONG HOURS, new countries and aligned with everything I’d worked so hard to build.
Then, in a split second, it changed.
A seemingly small misstep — my foot caught on a chair — turned into a partial quadriceps tear (specifically the vastus lateralis and intermedius, for the anatomy lovers).
Suddenly, I couldn’t bend my knee properly. I needed help just to walk. My routine, my movement, and my identity as a fitness professional all felt like they had been stripped away.
And with that, I was forced into one of the most humbling seasons of my life.
But here’s the twist: Sometimes, your hardest chapter becomes the opening to your greatest story.
From Breakdown to Breakthrough:
Catch up with Coach M - The Blog is Born
Rather than let the injury define me, I used it as a turning point.
In the quiet of recovery, something new began to take shape.
I rebranded my coaching business.
I realigned with my values.
And after 10 years of waiting, procrastinating, and second-guessing — I launched this blog.
But not to share just workouts and recipes. Not to add more noise to a crowded wellness world.
I created this space to bring the unfiltered, human, everyday side of wellness into the light.
Here’s what I set out to share:
My real, raw, empowering rehab and training journey
Simplified wellness tips in a world full of overwhelm and extremes
A reminder that progress is personal, non-linear, and allowed to look different from what you see online
Some days I crushed workouts.
Some days I could barely move.
Some days I rested.
Some days I cried.
And some days, just showing up was the win.
But it all counted. Because your pace doesn’t matter. Forward is forward.
The Road to Recovery: Step by Step
Rehab started officially in mid-May. Thankfully, surgery wasn’t necessary — but patience, discipline, and daily effort were.
I went back to basics:
✅ Regaining mobility
✅ Rebuilding strength
✅ Learning to trust my body again, especially on hills and trails
By week 12 post-injury,
I completed my first 5km run-walk again.
It wasn’t fast.
It wasn’t flashy.
But it felt like freedom.
And from that moment on, I knew I was on my way back — slowly, steadily, but surely.
One Year of Daily Movement
By the end of this July, by Grace, I’ll have moved my body — intentionally — every day for one full year. That’s 365 days of saying yes to myself.
Some days it was an intense session.
Other days it was a gentle walk or stretch. But every day, I made the choice to honour the process. You see those photos I share every week!
I even checked off a major bucket list item:
A Christmas Market tour through Europe.
And I did it all — running, walking, carrying bags, climbing stairs — pain-free.
That, to me, is the ultimate version of fitness: freedom to live fully, not to chase aesthetics.
Real Talk: Health Coaches Are Human Too
I’m a coach...But I’m also human.
I love good food.
I get tired.
I want to skip workouts.
I feel insecure sometimes.
But here’s what I’ve learned:
The only “bad” session is the one you didn’t show up for. And the only bad decision is the one you made without checking your core values.
It doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be done.
Since committing to small, daily actions, here’s where I’m at:
✔️ Nearly 10kg lighter
✔️ Averaging 100km of running/month
✔️ Back on the bike
✔️ Coaching again — and soon back to teaching
✔️ Living with more energy, balance, and intention
What’s New & What’s Next
✨ In-gym sessions at Bella Rosa have launched — and there’s still space if you want to join a supportive, encouraging community.
✨ Small group training is expanding in the second half of the year — so keep an eye out!
✨ The blog will continue to bring real wellness content to the forefront — practical, empowering, and never filtered for likes.
To every client, every reader, and every supporter — thank you. You’ve been part of something meaningful, and I’m so grateful.
Trends That Actually Matter
There’s no shortage of flashy trends in the fitness industry — 30-day shred plans, extreme detoxes, “what I eat in a day” reels, and unrealistic aesthetic goals.
But behind the noise, a quieter (and much more powerful) shift is happening — one that’s rooted in longevity, sustainability, and self-respect.
Here are the trends I’m seeing — and embracing — both personally and in my coaching space:
🔁 1. Consistency Over Perfection
Forget “all or nothing.” The new gold standard? Most days. Most of the time.
You don’t need to go hard every single session. You just need to keep showing up.
Even a short walk, 10 minutes of movement, or gentle stretching counts. It’s not about burning out — it’s about building up, over time.
💡 Discipline isn’t punishment. It’s a form of self-care.
🥗 2. Balanced Eating Over All-or-Nothing Diets
Gone are the days of vilifying carbs, fearing fats, or labelling foods “good” or “bad.”
The healthiest approach is one that’s flexible, nourishing, and enjoyable. Most of your plate? Whole, real food. But yes — leave room for dessert, dinners out, and your favourite coffee order.
🧠 Food is fuel — not a moral decision.🍫 You can eat well and still have chocolate. Promise.
💪 3. Strength Over Skinny
There’s a long-overdue shift happening — and I love to see it.
We’re finally moving away from chasing thinness and toward building functional strength — especially among women and older adults.
Strength training improves posture, balance, bone density, hormone regulation, injury prevention, and confidence. It helps you carry your luggage, pick up your kids, and climb stairs without effort.
🛑 You don’t need to be shredded to be fit. You need to be strong enough to live well.
🧠 4. Movement for Mental Health
Fitness is no longer just about aesthetics — it’s about mental resilience.
Movement is proven to reduce anxiety, improve sleep, support emotional regulation, and boost overall mood.
Some workouts will build your body. Others will bring you back to yourself.
☁️ Exercise doesn’t just change your body — it clears your mind.
🧍 5. Functional Fitness > Fancy Fitness
We’re moving away from the idea that fitness has to be complicated, high-tech, or performed in boutique studios to be effective.
Functional fitness focuses on everyday movements: squats, lunges, pushing, pulling, rotating. Training that helps you move better, not just look better.
🧳 If your workouts help you travel easier, play with your kids longer, and feel stronger in daily life — you’re winning.
🛌 6. Recovery & Rest Are Finally Getting the Spotlight
Once overlooked, recovery is now recognized as essential.
Sleep, hydration, mobility work, stress management — these aren’t “extras.” They’re the foundation of effective training and sustainable results.
You can’t grind 24/7. And now, people are finally listening to their bodies before pushing past red flags.
🔁 Growth doesn’t happen in the workout — it happens in the recovery.
🧑🤝🧑 7. Inclusive Fitness Spaces
Fitness is finally becoming more inclusive — for all bodies, ages, and backgrounds.
We’re seeing more coaches, studios, and brands celebrate diversity. The narrative is shifting: fitness is for everyone, not just those who fit a certain mould.
🗣️ Your fitness journey is valid — whether you’re starting at 20 or 60, whether you’re lifting heavy or walking daily.
🧭 8. Purposeful Over Punishing
Workouts are no longer being used as punishment for what you ate or a tool to “earn” food.
People are learning to move from a place of gratitude, curiosity, and self-respect — not guilt.
✨ Exercise should leave you feeling empowered — not ashamed.
💬 Bonus: Community > Comparison
We’re leaving behind the comparison trap of social media, and finding value in real-life connection, shared struggles, and collective encouragement.
Whether it’s a walking group, gym buddy, or online support space — community matters more than likes.
❤️ Surround yourself with people who remind you it’s okay to show up messy, but show up anyway.
These trends aren’t just buzzwords. They’re a reflection of a deeper movement — one that says:
You are more than your weight.
Your worth isn’t tied to your macros.
Rest is productive.
Real life doesn’t have to be filtered to be valid.
And if you’re tired of chasing unrealistic goals and just want to feel good, move well, and live a life that supports your physical and mental wellbeing — you’re in the right place.
Wrapping up! You’ve Got This
If you’re still reading — thank you.
I see you.
I honour your journey.
Let this post be your sign:
✨ You don’t have to be extreme. Just be consistent.
✨ You don’t have to be ready. Just be willing
.✨ You don’t have to wait. Just start.
You are capable.
You are worthy.
You are stronger than you think.
Here’s to a year of rebuilding, reimagining, and real-life wellness.
Here’s to the unfiltered journey.
Here’s to YOU.
With love and grit,
Coach M 💚
Actively living. Always evolving.
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