One never knows what they’re going to do when tragedy hits, but JJ had to keep it together and learn fast after one of her son’s was the victim of a brutal hit-and-run accident. With 13 broken bones and an aortic tear, doctors knew he needed surgery, but they also warned he’d likely not survive the airlift to another hospital – much less the actual surgery. They gave him the heart-wrenching odds of a .25 percent survival rate. With that knowledge, JJ had a choice to make. Fortunately, the wisdom of her other son rang through as he asked the doctor, “Point-two-five isn’t zero, right?” Those words were just what JJ needed to make the choice to help her son FIGHT for survival. After a successful airlift and surgery, JJ’s son survived, but because of the trauma was in a coma. It was a daunting road ahead, but JJ start asking herself the “right” questions. It wasn’t “how will he survive this?” It was, “How do I get him to 110%?” And one of the top things she could do to get him there was to take care of herself.
“I did what I needed to do to take extreme care of myself.”
JJ knew she had to: 1. Be there for her son. 2. Ensure her book was a success (The Virgin Diet). 3. She needed to put her health FIRST. And that’s what she did to make sure she was at the top of her game to help her son fight for his life. Not long after JJ’s son’s accident, it was suggested that in addition to the book she had just written (The Virgin Diet), she should write about her recent experience with her son – what tools she used and how she kept strong and positive throughout it all. Thank goodness she said yes to that! JJ’s teachings have come to help thousands of clients reframe their mindset and realize their worth, mind and body. Oddly enough sometimes, it’s not the diet or exercise component that hangs people up, it’s the actual saying or writing down of the words, “I am worthy.” That’s great, but how do you get someone to actually feel worthy? JJ encourages taking ACTION. It’s all about shifting your mindset and moving into action.
JJ teaches her members/readers to practice their “Daily Jam.” Upon waking up every day, the Daily Jam consists of: 1. GRATITUDE: Writing down three things you are grateful for (starting the day in gratitude is a MUST). 2. APPRECIATION: Text someone a message of appreciation. 3. MIRACLE: Write down three miracles that happen that day. And then… Write “I am worthy.” It can be a super difficult thing for some to write, but they work their way up to realizing they are a complete bad ass (and that’s how we ALL should feel by the way). JJ is completely transparent when it comes to her own case of “imposter syndrome.” We all have moments of not feeling like we’re good enough or worthy – that’s reality. There are still days where she wonders what the hell she’s doing. But then she remembers (from personal experience) that no one has it all together. Every successful person has failed their way there… in one way or another. Failure is just a part of life.
“What if fear was actually a sign that you’re stepping up onto a bigger platform and you should feel that? What if when you’re feeling nothing, it’s because you’re playing it safe.”
Fear is never easy to take… but quit playing it safe. Play ALL OUT, even if it means falling on your face.
“It’s necessary, it sucks, it’s painful, but it makes it all amazing and worth it.”
You must be willing to acknowledge the good with the bad. What was good? What were the wins? It’s about appreciating the present moment and lessons and getting real with gratitude.
“When you’re scared to death and you want to get fear shoved out of the way, gratitude shoves it and builds resilience.”
But JJ is again full honest… It never gets easier to take, but the tougher the experience, the more you step up, and the more you grow.
“If your purpose is big enough, it makes you push through. And every time you push through, you’re building that muscle of resilience.”
So on that note, know that you can handle “stuff” – whatever it is. If you set your mind right, you can reframe anything to be a good thing or your miracle. -- JJ Virgin a is celebrity nutrition and fitness expert, who teaches clients how to lose weight and master their mindset so they can lead bigger, better lives. She is author of 4 NY Times bestsellers: The Virgin Diet, The Virgin Diet Cookbook, JJ Virgin’s Sugar Impact Diet, and JJ Virgin’s Sugar Impact Diet Cookbook. Her memoir Miracle Mindset: A Mother, Her Son, & Life’s Hardest Lessons explores the powerful lessons in strength and positivity that she learned after her son Grant was the victim of a brutal hit-and-run accident. JJ hosts the popular JJ Virgin Lifestyle Show podcast and regularly writes for Huffington Post, Rodale Wellness, and other major blogs and magazines. She’s also a frequent guest on TV and radio and speaks at major events. In addition to her work with nutrition and fitness, JJ is also a business coach and founded the premier health entrepreneur event and community, The Mindshare Summit.
Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com