Imaginary Brazilian Success Mechanism

First of all, thanks for opening this after reading the title.

Baaahahahaha.

For some reason, humans have an extraordinary ability for imagination. We can forecast and create whereas basic animals cannot. In the same way birds innately know how to migrate and manage weather systems we have a built in/natural need for success.

I’m talking about success in the sense of surviving. And some of us want to do a lot more than survive. Some of us want to create and expand and solve and innovate.

Every single person has a success mechanism within themselves.

The dial varies but it’s there.

Imagination is the secret sauce. Someone a lot smarter than me (Matthew Fox) once said that “Creativity and imagination are not frosting on a cake; They are integral to our sustainability. They are survival mechanisms. They are of the essence of who we are. They constitute our deepest empowerment.”

You are not a machine. You have access to one though and I’m not talking about your MacBook Pro…

We often compare the brain to a computer - however it’s more nuanced than that.

Our brains and central nervous system work automatically to steer us toward survival and thrive-al.

Lol I made that up. Get it…Thrive-al.

Sometimes we have a clear target or goal. We know roughly what it takes to reach this end point and the brain can plan and organize accordingly. Never mind your pesky feelings, or the conditioning, or societal norms that may or may not intercept your efforts. When we are on the correct course we’ll notice the brain providing us positive feedback - who doesn’t love THAT. And likewise when we are off course the brain would provide us some spicy negative feedback. I mean, no hard feelings, it has a job to do and a goal to reach, right?

Other times we are looking for the goal or target and it’s a full blown treasure hunt for the mind. We don’t know exactly what it takes to get there or what threats we’ll meet along the way. Thanks to evolution and all that jazz, we can hypothesize and prepare for this unknown future even though our lower brains (in this case I mean our animal brains) want us to remain safe, protecting our survival/safety above all else.

The struggle, as if you don’t already know, is rallying behind the complexity of how the brain and nervous system intersect in our daily choices and habits.

I got into an awesome conversation Sunday at my friend Shauna’s 50th birthday brunch. This woman was brilliant, curious, kind and we just hit it off. We talked about strength training, aging, hormones, eating habits, the pros and cons of Ozempic, and the pay off of routine.

You should know this was a pool party and somehow my dingleberry self did not know this so I came in jeans and heels. About 90 minutes in I was forced into one of Shauna’s neon red bathing suits.

Ummm. I had no cover up and I was in heels.

Do you understand my level of horror.

I had 2 options.

Survive or Thrive.

I chose the latter.

I was a little embarrassed but I just said well I guess we’re gonna own this. So I did. Shortly after I made my Baywatch debut in said swimwear, women I’d never met were coming up to me telling me how gorgeous I looked and how strong my body was and … ahem, how GREAT MY PEACH LOOKED.

Later into the party, my new friend came back up to me and was like “So what are you - Brazilian?”

Y’all. I about fell off my Target heels.

I’m gonna give credit to Shauna for surrounding herself with these sort of women because SHE is that sort of woman, yet it’s rare to be inundated with compliments.

Let it be known that in the early 90’s I was known for my .. ahem .. flat ass .. because THAT was the desirable aesthetic. Little did we know glutes have a function and building those particular muscles have INCREDIBLE VALUE despite what diet culture does or doesn’t like about your peach.

The last 3 years I’ve worked hard to build strength from my head to my toes.

Their generous compliments felt amazing because the hard work and continual effort is a lonely road. Waking up early to train, choosing clean eats more often than not, keeping my bedtime routine, supporting my mental health, managing my blood work and hormones doesn’t come with cheerleaders and a standing ovation.

It’s the opposite, if I’m being honest.

I do have a goal. A clear target.

I want to feel and look my best and my routine, choices, and attitude have ALL had to be redirected time and time again to get here.

… And am I really “here”…?

Where is “here” exactly.

The trajectory I’m choosing to follow is one of SELF-LOVE, ROUTINE, and OPTIMAL HEALTH.

We are designed to succeed. We are designed to excel in the LIVING of our individual lives.

If you do anything today, please remember your success mechanism works just fine.

As my podcast guest Sylvester McNutt shares in this week’s episode, all pieces of you have to sit at your table. The version of you that was in her hibernation era, the version that suffered with a learning disability in adolescence, the version of you that faced grief head on, the version of you that wore a neon red bathing suit loud and proud; all versions have contributed to your success.

Imagine, because you’re human and deliberately gifted in imagination, that your success is inevitable.

Just prance around (heels are optional) holding this belief for a day or two.

Hey, maybe you’re so successful that you’re Brazilian now.

“Imagination is the other end of reality.” - K. Hari Kumar

OKAYILOVEYOUBYEEE,

xx

Nic.

Ps. * Tuesday QUICKIE YOGA 12-12:30pm pst. $10. A well rounded music based mobility focused yoga flow. This was created as a community class and if you ever need financial assistance to attend - please just reach out or use code NEWFRIEND to try a class for free. Sign up here.

* Saturday AVIATOR NATION YOGA FLOW 9-10am, 10:15-11:15am. In person, in Santa Monica. Come on out. Sign up here.

* Sunday AVIATOR NATION YOGA FLOW. 10:45-11:45am. In person, in Santa Monica. Come on out. Sign up here.

Pps. Did you know I have a “free trial/beginner” section on my site. You can always try these classes to see if you and I might be a good “fitness-fit”. LOL

Ppps. Join us for 3 FREE WALK N TALKS 8/26, 8/28, and 8/30 6:30-7:15am pst. We're going on a walk y'all. This is always a big hit. Taking a walk with each other via zoom. Maybe learning a thing or two...all you need are a pair of shoes and a device (phone) that can tag along. Walk n Talks are 45 min outdoor (or indoor if needed) opportunities to get our steps in while discussing a predetermined topic of the day. These are a classic and one of my favorite offerings. Sign up for one, two, or all 3 and I’ll see you there.

Pppps. EPISODE 35 of SHOCK AND YALL IS OUT NOW with a superstar author, speaker, former athlete, mindset coach, father and my friend SYLVESTER MCNUTT. His tenth book LIVE THE LIFE YOU DESERVE IS OUT TODAY FRIENDS!! Our episode is jam packed with goodness. This man drops all kinds of wisdom and speaks the hard truth like nobodies business. Our conversation spans journaling, parenting, dating and relationships and my favorite “accessing your highest self”. Grab your notebooks bc he’s here to coach and inspire. Check my Instagram page because I have a copy of his book to give away. Details will be posted soon. In the meantime, watch this clip and LMK what you think…..

OH WAIT. You’re still here … could you, would you, pretty please leave us a review on Apple podcasts. Just click this link, scroll to the bottom to leave your thoughts and “stars” and I’ll send you an energetic HIGH FIVE along with my sincere appreciation.