Ep11 Katelyn McCracken. Confidently Bold Mom and Business Owner

During a long-ago trip to Paris, I first stumbled on the famous Patisserie Ladurée in Paris, France. I remember falling in love with a delightful cookie called Macaron. Not to be confused with Macaroons, which contain coconut.  

Now, before I can talk further about Macaron, I must talk lemons.  

In the summer of 2018, I first met this week's podcast guest. Katelyn McCraken. Like me, Katelyn is a member of the #noBSweighloss program from Corinne Crabtree. Like me, during her weight loss journey, she was looking for accountability. Katelyn and I, along with nine came together. We became the group known as the lemons. The group's purpose is to check in daily and be held accountable for doing the things you said you would as they relate to our weight loss journey.  

Over the 22 months we have been in our group, we have become a tight-knit group of ladies who come from all walks of life and backgrounds. We encourage and support each other. We challenge each other and, at times, call out the BS we come up with and try to believe.  

Being accountable to others is not easy. We first have to be accountable to ourselves. Second, we must learn to be vulnerable and know when to ask for help. Third, we must use grace to hear the things we may not want to hear.  

The #lemonmafia has proven to be a group that can circle the wagons around their members. Katelyn, the young one, as we called her, has grown to be the BOLD one. She is a marathoner, a crafty lady thoughtful friend, and mom to two boys. She married her college sweetheart and is proving by her life, that although you may not always feel confident, you can write the rules for your life, seek to have more, and move ahead despite the uncertainty.  

Katelyn is a prime example of tenacity, boldness, and ingenuity. She started a cottage baking business in her home. Katelyn began this side hustle to make a few extra dollars to pay off her son's hospital bills, and maybe in the distant future have enough money to put a down payment in her dream farmhouse. After paying the hefty hospital bill with the profits from her Marigold Macaron business, she is getting closer than ever.