If you look up determination, you should see Abby Veigel’s face. From the first time we talked, I knew she was going to be a difference-maker. She inspires me daily. She is a woman who doesn’t forget health is a blessing. She is a woman who takes being a role model for her daughters seriously. Bottom line: she cares about what matters. She priorities people. You’ll be better for knowing her story & connecting with her. I’m grateful for you, Abby!

Here’s Abby’s story in her own words:

Up until about 7 years ago, my main focus in life was when my next meal was going to be and what it was going to be. Would it be enough to fill the void in my heart? Would it be enough to make me forget about how I was feeling inside? The thought of working out never crossed my mind. It wasn’t until God made me a mother for the first time that my heart and mind were opened to the fact that there is more to life than just living meal to meal.

I realized that to give my new daughter the life that she deserved, mine needed to change.

Being a 300 lb. Mom was not going to give me the energy needed to keep up with an active child. For the first year of her life, she would sit on the floor in front of the television while I ate frozen pizzas. I am so glad that shortly thereafter I had my “AHA” moment, and decided enough was enough.

I am the daughter of a marathon runner, so when I realized I needed to exercise, I did all that I had ever known. I laced up my tennis shoes and I headed out the door. I think I made it 15 seconds that first run until I had to walk, but I was determined. Slowly but surely, I was able to run longer than I needed to walk and eventually completed my first 5k. Within that first year of running and watching what I ate, I was able to lose 100+ lbs. I gained most of it back with my second pregnancy, but I was determined once again. I lost the 100+ lbs for the second time and I have been able to keep it off ever since.

Running allowed me to lose the weight but I quickly hit a plateau and realized that I was missing a major component in my fitness, strength training. As part of God’s plan, this I’m sure of, I came across a blog written by Michelle Myers. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing, a woman who was not only strong physically, but her faith in the Lord was even stronger. I felt God tugging at my heart to contact her and oh am I glad that I did. We chatted on the phone quickly and she knew right away that Les Mills Pump would be the perfect companion workout to my running.

I was instantly hooked on the fact that I could workout in the comfort of my own home and not in front of strangers at the gym. Shakeology provided me with the nutrition that I didn’t even know I was missing in my diet. The digestive issues that I had struggled with for years were gone within 2 months of starting to drink it daily. It provided me with the energy that I needed to chase after my 2 young daughters. To sum it up, I was hooked.

Michelle not only provided me helpful information for my physical health, but she also brought to my attention that I had a story to share. Before this, I had no idea what a Beachbody coach was and the idea of sharing my weight loss wasn’t something that I had even thought about it. Sure, my friends and family had noticed, but sharing it with the world of social media? No way. However, It didn’t take long before the idea of becoming a coach and helping others who were feeling like I had once felt seemed like it was meant to be. I signed up that day to become a coach and quickly got started on my Beachbody journey.

It took me a whole year of drinking Shakeology and doing the workouts before I even looked into what my “coaching status” even entailed. I joined one of Michelle’s “Getting Started” groups and from then on, my life changed again. I had a bigger purpose in life. I had an avenue to help women who were struggling. God was bringing purpose to my previous pain. The group led me to a new group of women, spiritually strong and driven women.

Being a Beachbody coach gave me the confidence to start a brand new life for myself. I would have never dreamed that I would ever run my own business, but I am now the proud of owner of Abby Veigel Wellness. A business that provides me an opportunity to help women who are where I once was. Overweight, depressed, anxious, and alone, with no idea of how to change.

For me, it’s not about how much I can sell or what rank I am in the company. For me, it’s about seeing a confident smile on a woman who hasn’t smiled in years. It’s about crossing the finish line with a woman who never believed she could run a mile. It’s hearing a woman say she loves herself again.

Michelle has not only been a business mentor, but she led me back to the Lord. I was raised in a Christian home, but just like everything else, my faith took a back seat to my depression. Being able to be a part of Michelle’s “world” on a daily basis was a constant reminder of how much I missed my relationship with God. She inspired me to start every day with devotion time and it wasn’t long until I made the decision to accept Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior.

Being a part of Michelle’s community, “Team Iron,” is exactly what her team name stands for. Iron sharpens Iron. This group of fitness loving, spiritually strong, supportive women gives me the inspiration, motivation, and confidence that I sometimes lack. Michelle has taught me to not be ashamed of my faith. It’s okay to love fitness and Jesus, it doesn’t make you a freak.

It’s my hope and prayer that every woman who is where I was once, finds their way out. If you are a brand new coach, I hope that you always remember the impact that you are able to have on someone’s life. It’s more than helping a person lose weight or look better in a swimsuit. You have the ability to let their light shine again!

My mission statement as a coach is to “empower those who are lost through holistic health, nutrition, and fitness, so they may let their light shine again!” My life verse has become Hebrews 12:1-2, “and let us run with perseverance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”

So that’s what I leave you with today. To feel your best, ensure His light is shining through you.

Connect more with Abby here.

Want more info on Team Iron? Click here.

Need help getting started in your fitness journey? Click here.

The Christmas season is one of our favorite times of the year! We love the music, the colors, the festivities, and we start watching Christmas movies about halfway through October! Every family has their favorite traditions and this year I am looking forward to beginning a new tradition in our home that will be special for years to come. When a box from The Giving Manger arrived on our front door step, I couldn’t wait to open the cute little package and share what was inside with my boys!

It is all too easy for the Christmas season to be a time where we are self-absorbed, focusing so much on our own desires that we forget to look around us and realize the needs of others. It is ironic to see what Christmas has become when we remember its true purpose. Christmas is meant to be a day of celebration! Not a celebration of new toys and gadgets and gifts, but the celebration of our Savior. Our Savior, who though one with God, humbled Himself to be born in the modest form of a small baby in a dirty, smelly manger. With the world constantly telling us that Christmas is all about us, I am excited to use The Giving Manger to show my boys one of the sweetest things Jesus demonstrated to us in his birth: Humility.

The Giving Manger is the story of a family who comes together as they learn to put one another’s needs before their own. In the book, the father implements a new family tradition of serving one another over giving gifts. While the kids are not thrilled about this initially, throughout the book we see hearts become tender and lives change as a result of humility growing in their home. Also included with the book The Giving Manger are three simple things: a manger, a small bundle of straw, and a wooden baby Jesus. And this is where our new family tradition comes in.

Every time someone in our family takes the time to serve someone else, they get to add a piece of straw to the manger, preparing for the birth of baby Jesus. I am excited to see how this will help our family see service more and more as a joy instead of a chore! We’re looking forward to the sweet conversations and moments with Noah and Cole that might be sparked by these small acts of kindness along the way. When Christmas Day finally arrives and we get to place Jesus in the manger, I know we’ll have many heartfelt memories of loving one another well throughout the Christmas season that we will treasure forever!

To reinforce the idea even more, I even bought a set for my son’s preschool class. I can’t wait to hear stories of how he and his friends serve one another & their teachers, aiming to outdo one another in love (Romans 12:10).

When you order The Giving Manger [TODAY ONLY] using the code MYERS, you will receive free shipping with your order!

Sometimes all we need is a small change of perspective to make a big difference in our lives. Thank you, Allison, and The Giving Manger team, for this incredible gift.

Grab yours here. (I get no kickback from this. I just genuinely love the concept!)