I'm backkkkk! (And I have something to admit...
April 28th, 2026.
That was the last day I sent you a The One Degree Newsletter.
If you're new here, every week I write to share insights, lessons, and small one-degree shifts that help us become stronger, healthier, and more courageous women. The goal has always been simple: consistently show up and provide value for the women who compete with us, work with us, follow along from afar, or simply want to become the best version of themselves.
My one degree was to be consistent on writing and giving value -- the ones that compete at our events, work with us, follow us from afar, or women that genuinely want to get better in their lives.
And then...
I stopped.
Multiple weeks went by without me writing.
When I realized how much time had passed, I had a choice.
I could beat myself up for not following through. I could make excuses, feel embarrassed, and quietly let this newsletter disappear.
Or...
I could be real with you.
Because growth isn't about being perfect. It's about being willing to course-correct.
It's about owning where we fell short, taking responsibility, and choosing to begin again instead of giving up.
So that's what I'm doing.
I'm showing up.
Not because I have a perfect streak or because I've figured it all out, but because I believe consistency isn't built by never missing—it's built by refusing to quit.
And I have a feeling you needed that reminder too.
Maybe you've skipped the workouts.
Maybe you've stopped reading your Bible.
Maybe you've put off the business idea, the conversation, or the habit you promised yourself you'd start.
Whatever it is, today is your invitation to begin again.
One decision.
One degree.
One step forward.
Because those small shifts compound into a completely different life.
P.S.Keep reading for aFREE summer book clubthat's all about this exact idea—how your response to setbacks determines your future. I can't wait to go through it together.
P.P.S.We have some BIG updates and exciting announcements coming your way next week, and I can't wait to share them with you.
What I think
Whenever something doesn't go to plan we have a few options:
A. We blame
B. We complain
C. We defend
D. We respond
Three of them keep us stuck. One of them changes everything.
Blaming: Blaming puts the responsibility on someone else or something outside of your control. Your schedule got busy. Your boss changed priorities. Your kids needed you. The weather was bad. Your training partner canceled. Blame can make us feel better in the moment because it gives us a reason for why we fell off track. But the moment we blame, we give away our power. If someone else is responsible for our progress, then someone else controls our future.
Complaining: Complaining is often what follows blame. We replay the story over and over, focusing on everything that went wrong and why it was so unfair. The problem? Complaining changes absolutely nothing. It burns energy that could have been spent finding a solution.
Defend: This one is the sneakiest. Defending is your brain trying to protect your identity. You immediately explain why it wasn't your fault. You justify your actions. You list all the reasons you couldn't follow through. The goal isn't growth—it's self-protection. But every defense is another way of saying, "I couldn't have done anything differently." And once again, your power slips away.
Respond: Response is different. Response is ownership. It doesn't mean you caused everything that happened. It doesn't mean life is always fair.
It simply asks:
What can I control?
What can I learn?
How can I be one degree better next time?
That's where growth happens.
That's where resilience is built.
That's where confidence comes from.
A response is where winners win 10/10.
Even those that take ownership have to constantly check themselves on what their brain wants to do. Remember, your brain loves to keep itself safe, so it'll try to blame, complain and defend without you even realizing it.
This is where you need to put yourself in the driver's seat and not allow you brain to go on auto-pilot.
The one degree shift
What do you do when a plan goes astray? Take inventory on your autopilot response.
Now, ask yourself, "What's one way I can respond better when something goes wrong?"
Want to learn more?
We're excited to kick off our2nd Annual XYL Summer Book Club!
Over four weeks, we'll be diving intoThe R Factor: How to Maximize the One Thing You Can Controlby Heather Verity and the team at Focus3.
The premise is simple but life-changing:
Event + Response = Outcome
You can't always control what happens to you, but you can control how you respond.
Together, we'll learn practical tools to lead ourselves better, navigate challenges with confidence, and build the habits that create lasting growth—in fitness, business, relationships, and life.
Pre-Book Club Call:
Monday, June 29 | 7:00 PM EST
Whether you've read the book before or are opening it for the first time, we'd love to have you join us.
Join the FREE Summer Book Club here
The only thing you'll need is your own copy of the book—we'll provide the discussion guide, weekly calls, community, and accountability.
Let's spend the next four weeks becoming women who don't just react to life—but respond with purpose.
