Made for More
Made for More
Embracing Seasons of Love, Joy, and Faith w / CC Lutz: From Being a Client to Creating her Own Health Journey
Welcome to "Made for More," a podcast dedicated to exploring inspiring narratives that underscore the extraordinary potential inherent in each individual. In this particular episode, Reagan engages in a real and inspiring conversation with CC Lutz, a beautiful soul of joy and inspiration.
Embark on this uplifting journey with us as CC unveils her radiant spirit and infectious joy, as she talks about being one of Reagan's clients, her new marriage with Jonathon Lutz, and how her health has changed over the year-- be prepared to be inspired and encouraged.
Brace yourself for a podcast episode designed to leave you inspired, motivated, and ready to make 2024 the most joyful and best year!
Follow CC on Instagram here.
Check out CC's podcast That's Joy here.
2024 One-Year Goal Planner here.
Follow Reagan on Instagram here.
Hello friends, welcome to another episode of Made For More. This is the second episode of 2024. Last week I, on New Year's Day, released a little solo episode recap of the year and then chatted about some goals for this year and it was so spontaneous, had absolutely no outline at all, and I got incredible feedback on that, which I wasn't looking for feedback, obviously, but just the messages and some of the kind words that you guys had sent me about that episode made me just feel so seen and so loved, and I hope that you felt seen and valued inside of that too. You're not alone. So I am really excited and really expectant of this year and excited about the goals and life and living more and incredible podcast guests that I'm going to have on and just living this year more joyful. Speaking of joy, this brings us to this week's podcast episode, and I am so excited for this episode for you guys to listen to.
Speaker 1:This Cece is one of my just I think I tell her this on the podcast, but she is someone that I met in Nashville when I lived there two years ago and she has this infectious joy that truly, when she walks in her room, the room gets a little bit brighter, like when you think of someone that is just sunshine and the color yellow and just very bright and bubbly and beautiful. Cece is the girl and you're going to listen to this episode, you're going to hear it in her voice, like as soon as we start talking. You're just going to feel comfortable and you're going to feel just a different kind of joy. It's different and you'll notice it inside of this episode and she's so cute and one of the best people that I know. But I did tell her on this episode.
Speaker 1:She is someone that inspires me, not only just with her attitude and the way that she shows up and how hard she works, but also inside of her relationship with Christ and how it is so evident in every single area of her life. You may listen to this and be like, wow, she's different. There's something different about her. It's because you can see Jesus in her and through her and it's just such a blessing to have people like that in your circle and in your life and be able to be encouraged by her. So on this episode we kind of touch on a lot of things. She just got married to Jonathan, who I actually had on my podcast earlier last year, and they're just incredible people. So everything is in the description that we talk about in this episode, with her podcast, her Instagram, the journal that we talk about, and I'm so excited for you guys to listen. So here we go. Hello, cece, thank you for joining me.
Speaker 1:I'm so excited to be here. It's been a long time coming. You were seriously the first podcast that I was on right before I left Nashville.
Speaker 2:I know I remember those little clips on your Instagram and I'm like dang. That feels like so long ago in a lot of ways and how much I feel like we both have grown. It's just so cool to look back and see.
Speaker 1:How much has changed. That was a little over a year ago, probably. Holy moly. It's crazy how much life has changed since then.
Speaker 2:It's so real.
Speaker 1:How are you? You're totally buried.
Speaker 2:Oh my gosh, this is exciting. When you had reached out to ask me what dates would work to be on your podcast, for some reason I just felt Holy Spirit be like all right end of year talking with Reagan, because I know this will come out when it does, but it does feel so much like full circle getting a conversation with you in before the year ends. You just said I'm a wife which is so wild still hearing back and I go to different places and I'm like my husband and I'm like that's so wild. It's only been two weeks as of today when we are recording. But, man, I am doing so good. It feels so hard to find words exactly to describe exactly how I'm feeling because, as you can imagine, there are so many emotions with this new season of life that I'm stepping into, but I don't know if I have ever felt more joyful than I do today. So praise God for that.
Speaker 1:You're glowing. I can tell you're just glowing. I love that, though, and I'm so excited for this new season of life for you, because when we met in Nashville, you were in a completely different place single, and a year later you're married to an incredible human who loves the Lord, and you guys, I feel like you both. You're so different, but you compliment each other so well.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, I completely agree, and it's funny because at the beginning of Jonathan and I dating, so many like close friends were like what he's like? So opposite, I just thought that you would be with someone else. That's also like a raging seven on the enneagram. If you all don't know what the enneagram is, it's a personality test. I'm a seven, which means very extroverted and like life of the party, if you will, and Jonathan actually like behind closed doors I feel like a lot of people don't know this is more of that than I am, but in public and in circles he definitely is the more quiet, more reserved one and I will say that our personalities do just compliment each other in a lot of ways. He's a three on the enneagram and my little seven heart needs some guardrails. It means some consistency and he is like all of that and more. So, yeah, it's crazy.
Speaker 1:It's been cool to see because, for those of you listening, I knew Jonathan before him and CC and Matt and him and I. I did a podcast episode with him gosh, a little bit ago and then I was just on his but it's been so cool to see he is so much more confident. I feel like I think it's.
Speaker 1:It's been really cool to see his journey too, with how you've been able to push him subconsciously too, of just like he is thriving, like his business, and the way that he shows up on Instagram. You can tell that it's real and it's confident and I don't know like he's just joyful.
Speaker 2:Yeah, which is great. Yeah, I'm happy with his life Absolutely, and, as you're describing that too, it just reminds me of the verse of ironing sharpened iron in the Bible, where it talks about just how we are able to do that for one another and you hope those things right In a romantic relationship in your life, but there's that little dose of fear that sometimes comes in. That's like all right, am I going to find that in a human? And I just praise God honestly for you, like literally allowing Jesus to be you, allowing Jesus to be used by you. We wouldn't have known each other had it been for you, and I say that all the time, like Reagan is our living cupid and I'm so grateful because the only way that we could really see God is through people and it is so evident that God used you to allow us to meet and then obviously see so much of what has come into fruition today because of that single moment is just beyond like.
Speaker 2:I still try to process all of it and I'm like, holy moly, that was August of 2022 when you were leaving last Sunday at church at the belonging like hello, and then it is at the exit doors and wherever you're looking for God, you're going to find him. Some people will call me crazy, but I'm going to constantly look for him in everything, and I just think that it's so symbolic in a way, that we were at the exit doors. I had finished coaching with you and then you introduced me to Jonathan, who ends up being the very man that I'm going to marry a year and a half later. Like what in the world it's?
Speaker 1:God, I mean literally the only explanation. But even you and I and Jay went to get coffee after. Like what if we would have been like oh, I wanted you all to meet my friend Jonathan, but he's late to the next service. Like what if we would have just been like okay, I like see you at coffee and just left five minutes earlier.
Speaker 2:Right, I'm like, oh my gosh, god is giving the details, you know.
Speaker 1:I'm so happy for you and with I do have a question about, because I kind of jotted down some questions because there's a lot that I want to talk to you about and you're just an open book and so fun to talk to. But before Jonathan, I mean, were you really looking for a relationship? Because I know you had been in Nashville for just a little bit and single, Was that something that you were praying for or desiring or kind of walked me?
Speaker 2:through that, yeah, yeah, no, I love that question so much and I think hindsight is always 2020, right, like when we're looking in the rearview mirror, we tend to have a bit more clarity and as I look back, I have, with the growth that I have done, I have a little bit more wisdom behind me, actually like opening up my heart. First, not and what I mean by that is for so long. I've never had a boyfriend before. I mean, I had one in fifth grade and that was like a joke, obviously, because it's fifth grade. And then I had one freshman year of high school and he said babe too much. And I spoke up with him after three weeks, like I've never had a real quote unquote boyfriend for all of my life. And it's interesting because Jonathan has never had a girlfriend all of his life either.
Speaker 2:No-transcript. Before I would say, oh yeah, I was always searching, like, for my partner and I was always wanting that and desiring to have a boyfriend who would become a fiance, who would then become a husband. But, truthfully, if I got that much more introspective and put up a magnifying glass to my life, I think that, if I'm being honest with myself, it wasn't until, which is so crazy. There's so many full circle moments that are happening, but it wasn't until 2021, new Year's Eve-ish where I'm going through it again, but it's called PowerSheets goal planner by Cultivate what Matters. I don't know if you've heard of it, but it basically is a journal. I have it here, reagan. You would literally love it, because it's so up your lane. You need to get it. Yeah, you need to get it, and those of you who are listening like y'all need to get this thing, because I think it's such a catalyst to so much change and growth that has happened in my life.
Speaker 2:Ashley and Taylor got the same journals with me and they're some of my best friends who are doing incredible things in the world, and we went through this journal together and there's a part of it where you look at kind of like the wheel of life and one of the factors of that is a romantic relationship and on a scale of one to 10, it has you prioritize. Are you going? Where are you going to make? How are you gonna make this a priority in your life in the upcoming year? So health and wellness, finance, blah, blah, blah. The focal relationship was on there and so I had never truly thought about it being a priority of in my life until this journal.
Speaker 2:When I looked at the scale of one to 10, I was like, oh gosh, I've said that I've wanted this thing for so long, but have I actually opened up my heart and allowed God in to do a work in my heart to make this a real priority in my life? And then, being honest with myself, years prior to that moment, I said I wanted it, but I didn't really open up my heart. If I'm being honest with myself, so much of me was guarded. I'd go on dates here and there. I would be on apps like dating apps and then hop off of them and like I know I'm not alone and I'm saying all these things you know. So I was doing all of that, but my heart wasn't truly open.
Speaker 2:When I came across that little spectrum, I decided that that was the year that I was going to make it a 10. And I was going to make this a priority in my life and partner with God in it, and I had never had that perspective before. So for the first three months I was praying like, just so fiercely, like God opened up my heart. Help me, show me the cracks of my heart so that I can heal them and do the work so that I can be the partner that I am being called to be to that person. And I'm telling you, if it wasn't for that heart posture change, I don't know what 2022 would have looked like and I don't know if I would have been ready for Jonathan come August of that same year, where I made that decision at the top. So that was a long-winded way of answering your question, but, yeah, that's what really ultimately helped me decide.
Speaker 1:I love that. What was the name of that book? Again, I'll link it in the description as well. It's so cool to hear that because I think you look at people and you see your friends and stuff, but you don't see the heart posture behind it and just the like you said partnering with God on it. Because that's such an easy place and I see it in my life of like I know what I want and I want this kind of relationship and it's like am I willing to partner with God and just give that over to Him and give that area of my life over to Him?
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, so this is what it's called. This is last year. It's like Power Sheets.
Speaker 1:Mole, Planner.
Speaker 2:I cultivate what matters oh definitely. And so that is so good, but it's so true, the heart posture changes different than the mental decision. Like, I think there's such an alignment that needs to happen with what we're saying and then what's also like right here, cause I think right here is what's Holy Spirit driven. And then here's the us piece that needs to take action and do the do, but for too long it was just me saying it but not actually ready here, you know.
Speaker 1:What's so special? And especially, you guys have never seriously dated someone I can't even imagine. I know it's special to see like your best glowing on everything. So you and I met. I guess I don't even remember when we met in Nashville but for those of you that are listening, like if you have not, I feel like a lot of my friends and people that follow me do know who you are, Cause you were a friend and a client and I was on your podcast and stuff. But when I think of you and when I think of Cece, like I just think of someone who is so pure and genuine and just joyful, Like you know that when you have a conversation with you or listen to your podcast or spend time with you, you just leave feeling full and excited and inspired. And I want to know, like, have you always been someone that you're always positive and optimistic and joyful?
Speaker 2:That's such a good question and gosh, I don't know. I think I'm going to start my period because I'm very emotional and you saying that. I'm like, oh my gosh, I want to start crying. That's so kind and like that's all that I could pray and ask for is that the world would see me in that way. But man, to think about like younger Cece, I don't know, if you do this, do you ever think about like 12 year old you All the time.
Speaker 1:I went back and looked at pictures the other night and I was like, I still feel like that little girl on the inside.
Speaker 2:Dang, that's so good. I love that you do that. I'm not surprised because you're so growth minded and driven. But I think about her too. And have you seen that trend where people put up their baby picture in their bathrooms?
Speaker 1:On the mirror.
Speaker 2:Yes, yes, okay. And so I haven't physically done that, but honestly, mentally, I feel like it's always there and I don't know if I could confidently say that I was always this way. I think my parents' divorce in the eighth grade rocked me beyond measure. I mean so much so that it's like the heartbeat behind something that I'm writing and gonna be doing in 2024. But it was that moment that was such a pivotal moment in sharpening me in ways that I would have never pictured or imagined for myself. And so when I think about joy, I think about how much it is just beyond circumstances, and it's not a matter of the valleys, but it's like a steadfastness that is joy, simply because of Jesus. And I've been learning more and more about what that means in the last, I wanna say, five years.
Speaker 2:But I think the turning point for me always choosing positivity and always choosing that mindset of it will get better happened after the eighth grade, when I had decided okay, if I'm looking at the statistics of children of divorced parents, one avenue says that they will not be successful, they will not graduate from high school and they will also be a recipient of a divorced marriage in their own life. And then there's the other road, the more narrow road, if you will, the one that will be successful, the one that defy the odds and the ones that will have a marriage built on Christ and Christ alone. And I had thought, like when I glanced at the left, at that one area that said, and this is what the world's going to make you be, and then look to the right, at the very slim, narrow path, I had decided at that point, I will fight with everything in me to make sure that I am not a part of the statistics that say X, y and Z, and I'm gonna fight for all of my days to run this narrow path. And I thank God for Jesus and the Holy Spirit in my life, because I wasn't always on fire as I am today, but I did always believe.
Speaker 2:And so it was that even tiny little bit of belief as an eighth grader who decided like okay, what are you gonna do for yourself? Like you can't control what's happening and your parents are underneath this roof, but you can control these things. So what are you gonna decide? And it was that point where I was like I'm gonna keep looking for the good, because this is so freaking crappy and I hate this. So if I can control things from being crappy, then I'm gonna do everything that I can to make sure that they're not crappy. And that's where I feel like the joy really sparked, because I was shy before, I was kind of quiet before I would say positive, but not nearly as where I am today, had it not been for that pivotal moment in my life.
Speaker 1:What took you? I feel like a lot of people can relate to that of what you said of believing in the Lord, going to church and singing the songs on Sunday. But what really changed that into a relationship and like really being on fire for God? Was there a certain moment of like it just switched, or was it who you hung around or when did that kind of click?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I love that question so much and so many people in my that's joy community also asked that question, because I think there's always a longing, like, no matter where you are in your journey of faith. Maybe you're listening to this and you're like I don't even fully believe, like I don't know if there's a God out there. Or maybe you're someone who's like I've grown up in the church but it was built on my parents belief and not truly my own belief. No matter where you are, I think that there will forever be a longing, simply because of who made us and how we're wired. And so when I think about Like how to become on fire for me at least, it was a slow burn, it was a God like constantly pulling me in in different ways through different people in different seasons and Me allowing to listen and fall because I do in between often but constantly getting up and like leaning again and trying to find his hand again. And so for me that looked like two major seasons.
Speaker 2:One, it was moving. First, getting baptized Christian. As a senior in college I was taking 18 units. President of my sorority working at Lululemon part-time knew I could not do this alone. I need God in the Holy Spirit to lead me, and that was the first tick, if you will, to draw me in closer to becoming on fire, saying yes to him. And then the second was moving to Austin, texas, for my dream job. I ended up getting plugged into a Christian church there. That was small and I loved it because it was young and it was what I needed In the season, and so that was that second tick that put me even more on fire.
Speaker 2:And then the last and latest was moving to the ballon, moving to Nashville and going to the belonging co where we went to church. I remember going to service for the very first time and just getting arrested by the Holy Spirit in a way that I've never Experienced before. It was one song that was talking about saying yes and not knowing what's on the other side. I remember hearing that and my eyes could not stop crying. I just was like I'm not sad, but I cannot stop these tear buckets, like it's literally pouring out, and I for the first time discovered later that that's the Holy Spirit and I just want to live a Life that is just so on fire for him and let more people know about him so that we can make heaven more crowded, and that's been my journey.
Speaker 1:In short, that's incredible and you can totally like everything that you say. Listening to your podcast, you can hear the Lord using you and like speaking through you and even just your composure in the way that you Speak to people and care about people. So it's I. I'm very inspired by you and just like seeing all of your stuff makes me I don't know. I look up to you through that. I look up to you.
Speaker 2:I hope you're gonna ask me questions about Coaching. Yeah, yeah, we'll talk about that.
Speaker 1:Um, if you guys are listening and you're not listening to CC's podcast, I'll link it to. It's called that's joy Podcast, and are you? Do you put out episodes, weeklies? Yes, okay.
Speaker 2:Every Monday. We did it every Monday in 2023. Praise God, that was a big goal.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and like saying you post on your story, people from all literally all over the world, listening.
Speaker 2:I know I still it's beyond me. I'm like the amount of people that are in the Philippines, where my parents are from, and moved that. Listen. I'm like only God.
Speaker 1:Circle moment totally insane, insane. Okay, so with I want to talk. I do want to talk about your health and fitness and obviously, like that, that does tie into faith and you're in spiritual stuff as well. But how have you always been someone? Because obviously, like now you're married to Jonathan and he is a Nutrition coach and personal trainer and like you're hitting all your macros together. But before you and I worked together, that was, I guess, almost like two years ago at this point, october. Yeah, it was like October when we started, I think yeah, 2021 right 2021.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, tell us a little bit about your health and fitness, kind of where you were previous to that. Yeah, that's changed over the past few years and I feel like your composure to just how you show up with things is Different, because you can tell that you're confident inside of your nutrition and inside of your health.
Speaker 2:Now, oh my gosh, this is where I am going to be screaming at the rooftops how much and how important it is to partner with someone you trust. Reagan was my coach that I decided to Run with in October of 2021, and prior to that moment I was Active. Ish, I feel like I was so lukewarm, if we're talking about still the heat spectrum. I played basketball in high school, softball tennis.
Speaker 2:I loved sports in high school, and then college came around and I'd go to the gym somewhat consistently, but more so was the sorority girl doing not great things and consuming not great things all the time, and so that was my life. College and then post grad, I got a job as a nanny, so I was eating a lot of their snacks and not even realizing how much weight I was probably putting on post grad, and then got a dream job in Austin and was go, go, go. I never really had time for a consistent workout schedule or even eating like how I should be or feeling my body how I should be. I always thought that I wanted to have a male coach too, and then I think Tay introduced us, or I saw you through Taylor stuff.
Speaker 1:We need to do that. The fit factory, the okay but not. Yes, but it was a call, yes.
Speaker 2:Yes, okay, I remember seeing you there. I was like who is that girl with the big booty? Hello, I was like wait, what the heck? And then we introduced or to introduce us or something, and I was like I love her, I want to follow her on Instagram, started following you and shout out to your consistency in what you do. The amount of times that I would just be watching your stories and seeing transformation after transformation. I was like Frick, how long are you gonna watch her stories before you do it too, and you become one of those people that she posts as a result and here's the thing I had been working out still, but just not consistent, and then certainly not consistent in the kitchen, like at all.
Speaker 2:I was a snack queen. I wasn't someone who necessarily like binge or anything like that, but I was not hitting even close to where I should be hitting with protein, now knowing it, and then to just over consuming for sure, like snacking more than I should. And so, after just watching Reagan for probably a handful of weeks, I was like you know what? What the heck Do I have to lose? Like, let me just try this, let me just see.
Speaker 2:And I always thought that I would need it a male figure because of coaching and athlete days of like someone like come on, do better, and I never knew that I'd find a woman who would lead so well, with still that same fire, but then that tenderness of understanding, like how our bodies work, and just the empathy aspect that women naturally have.
Speaker 2:And so I am so incredibly grateful for that decision because I am telling you guys I still say this in conversations today if it was not for Me getting a coach who was by God, used by God, reagan, like so much of my life would be different, and I know that like without a shadow of a doubt, because it was that LOL me thinking I only needed six months with you. It was that six months that turned into one year because I was loving it so much and I love seeing the results with you After six months that I was like, alright, let's roll this into a year and then turning it into a year seeing the transformation. I mean you guys, for those of you all who are listening right now, I'm down, I think, like 15 to 18 pounds from when Reagan and I started, which is just so freaking wild and my before and after pictures. I just did it right before the wedding to when we started, that very first picture I have to show you. Yeah, you'd be like girl what? Yeah, it's embarrassing the lesson bear saying.
Speaker 1:I'm like you didn't have like you. I mean never been like. You know, like someone wouldn't like you be like, oh, she needs to lose weight, but right. But then you see it and you're like, wow, no girl.
Speaker 2:I literally look at the left photo and I'm like you thought, like you thought you were doing something. It's the back to the back is just oh man. But I am so, so grateful for that singular Decision. Because here's the thing and I know Reagan preaches this on her podcast and on every single platform that she has but there is such a Like a chain reaction of change that happens when you decide to control what you're consuming and how you're moving your body, and it's like your health. When you decide to put your health at the forefront of your life for a season, you will see every area of your life positively impacted simply because of that one decision. And I'm living proof of that now, today, because I'm telling you, like, I just told Jonathan's mom this while we were in California, but I was like, oh my gosh, if I had not decided to work on myself two years ago, I wouldn't have been ready and also I would not have been the person that he deserved either, in a lot of different areas, you know.
Speaker 2:And in that same breath, I think it's so easy for us to like shout out our own desires of saying I want a husband who wakes up every morning and reads his Bible. I want a husband who works out every day. I want a husband who's eating well and like drinking all the water and all the things. And then we forget to ask ourselves, oh, are we doing those things? You know what I mean. And so I would say those things in 2021, and I wasn't doing them consistently.
Speaker 2:And here's the other thing, friends, before working with Reagan, that word alone, consistency, made me cringe, because I knew that it was the very thing that I wasn't doing and it literally ruffled my own feathers. But now I love that word. Why? Because I've achieved what that can look like in your life in a way that is sustainable, and that's so much of what you taught me is.
Speaker 2:You've taught me how to lay the foundation and lay the groundwork, and then it's allowed me to keep building on something, and that's that now that right picture where I'm like frick, I'm proud of the work you did and there's still more room to go, because now it's just like this, I don't know. It's just like this energy where I don't want to stop, because I love how I feel and that's the biggest thing. Like, wait, a side man, do I love how I feel and even just you can look at my face on that left picture, where I was 15 to 18 pounds heavier and, regardless of the body piece, I feel like it's that joy, like you just get more joyful when you're putting your health first, and I am forever. It feels indebted to you, reagan, for the work that we lay down together and the coach that you were to me. I mean those monthly calls. Like I can't tell you enough how much they have shaped me like inside and out.
Speaker 1:Well, thank you Again. It's been. It was so fun to work with you because it was. You weren't and I never expect anyone to be perfect because, right, not perfect either but I just remember, like week after week, I think, when we first started if you've had a few off days of like you just feeling so defeated and you could just in the check-ins, of like I was like why am I doing this? Like I'm not perfect at it.
Speaker 1:But then, week by week, you know we talk about I remember on the your podcast that I was on, we talked about, you know, like seeing the bigger picture and it's so easy to get caught up in the week to week, like I messed up this day and I didn't do it right this way this day, but it's the consistency and with your journey, like you've been able to see it's what you do most of the time that matters and so consistent and so just on it. And like being able to value yourself through your health and nutrition most of the time and it's paid off and it's a journey and like imagine where you're going to be next year. Like it's so crazy, like how much you continue to build Absolutely.
Speaker 2:And here's the other thing that's just like worth mentioning is that I graduated with a public health degree and like studied some of this too, and so I knew, like, okay, those are the things that you should be doing.
Speaker 2:But what I will say is that, like signing up with you and allowing someone who is further along in this area than you and you have studied it beyond what I did I'm so grateful for your knowledge and your encouragement paired together, and how it was able to like be my doses of belief when I didn't believe in myself, because you're right, like let's not let that get lost on us. There were so many times where I was like should I just quit? Because I don't know if I could keep doing this, you know, but I borrowed your belief during that time where you would continue to encourage like hang on. It's just day after day, week after week, think big picture six months from now. And I'm like, frank, you're right, okay, you're right. And you know, clinging to that was the very thing that helped me. And now I'm like what would I have done had I not kept going? You know.
Speaker 1:Exactly have you seen, since you've started to take care of your health? Have you seen other people in your life like start to get more curious or start to take better care of their health and their body?
Speaker 2:Oh my gosh, absolutely. I mean it's interesting too because I feel like as you step through something, as you go through a valley of any sort, when you get out, because you will, no matter what, that is right. Right now we're talking weight loss. Another season for me it was my parents divorce. No matter what that valley is, it comes to an end and at that end I believe that you just gain a new level of authority to speak into that thing.
Speaker 2:I've learned that so much in my life up until this point and as I've gone through coaching with you and then the year after, of just like running on my own with Jonathan alongside me and now so much of like him helping me in a different way, like I just feel like there's a new level of authority that I get to speak into this because I've gone through it. You know and I've shared on that joy, numerous episodes. We have over like 75 episodes or something like that. Now there are handful that are just about habits. I can't tell you those numbers versus all the other episodes. Like people are gravitating towards wanting to put their health first, wanting to instill those habits, and that's the other thing too that we worked on together and I'm so grateful for you because I'm like you didn't just talk about what are you eating and how are you moving.
Speaker 2:It was so stress related. It was the what are you doing for you this week it was are you sleeping on time? Are you creating those tiny habits, sleeping with your cell phone? Like I would have never slept with my cell phone outside of my bedroom had it not been for that year of recognizing how much I needed to do that, you know.
Speaker 2:And so now even my family and stuff, just like that much more mindful on trips of okay, do we need all of the fried everything? Like probably not. We can get one fried thing and then one other thing that's actually better for us and like they know me at this point is a new CC, like the old CC is gone, so I will have good snacks and different things like that at home. But I remember telling you after going home to California with the Filipino big families like, oh my gosh, it's so hard I'm eating all the things. And then now they just know like, oh, cece is going to eat some grilled chicken and like she's not going to eat everything that we offer her, because that's not me anymore, you know.
Speaker 1:I love seeing you talk about it and share it on social media too, because you know, even like, if that's not what your platform or your Instagram was built on initially, it's it is. It is very much full circle of like, when I take care of myself and value my body, I am in a more positive headspace and I find it it's not always easy to, you know, spend time with the Lord and take time to do that, but I'm more motivated to because I feel, get better and then vice versa. But it's cool to see you share that on your social media because, like, whether you realize it or not, like you are inspiring people and especially the way that you're so vulnerable and so real on your podcast and on social media, it gives you people connect with you and, like, they see themselves in you, or you know, they can pull little pieces from your story and when they see, okay, like Cece is going to the gym today or she's getting her morning sunlight, like it motivates them to want to do it.
Speaker 1:So for anyone listening, like I think it's cool. You know, you just need to hear like you're influencing people, whether you realize it or not. Like you said, like now that you're on the other side of it, you're able to pour into other people and be that authority figure. So just people listening like I encourage you to make that a non-negotiable of like taking care of your body, because that other person that's with you, that may be the nudge. Like you choosing yourself may be the nudge for them to choose themselves too.
Speaker 2:Yeah, gosh, I think you shared that so much because I think prior to me ever posting about workouts and stuff like, I always thought, who am I Like? What am I doing that for? But then I was like, who cares, I just want to post what I want to post and it became if it has to friend who's listening? Become your accountability thing that you're doing, then do it, because guess what? You're likely, like Reagan just said, going to inspire someone along the way, like me, posting that I'm moving my body now becomes my check mark, if you will Like. All right, I posted and I worked out so great and now I'm like, oh, other people are doing it with me, oh, other people are recognizing when I'm not posting about those things. That is a really cool layer to it that I'm just so grateful to live out now.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it is really. It's special and, like you said, like I think we all struggle with that sometimes, though, of who might have you posting this or you know, like I'm not a runner or I'm not, like we may not always see ourselves as someone who's just perfectly healthy or this insane athlete, but it's cool to see it on social media. It kind of all come together and know that. I mean, I follow my clients on social media and I will see them post a workout and I'm like, okay, you know what, I'm going to go on a run now, or like I'm going to do this because I see it from them.
Speaker 2:So I mean literally same, though the amount of times I've come across your stories and been inspired to get my booty up. I can't even tell you how many times, so it goes off of both ways, are you okay?
Speaker 1:I know us all, jonathan's training for a marathon in eight weeks. Are you joining?
Speaker 2:us. Yes, not the marathon. I did just outline my goals for the year and one of them is to run a half. I've never ran more than six miles in my life, so I definitely could potentially see that in the future. But I think baby steps is the half marathon, because that would be a huge win in my book for 2024. So going to work towards that, probably like a fall moment.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you could totally do it With. Leading up to your wedding, did you go through a diet phase or did you try to lean up?
Speaker 2:Yes, yeah, we did together. He worked with a coach himself, and then I was like, well for eating in under the same roof. I might as well like go gung-ho and do this too, but from proposal day to wedding day it was just a matter of, I think, five weeks, which is not so, but we made it happen. By the grace of God. Everything lined up the way that it did. But I did do a diet phase right before and have basically like straddled around the same number but was able to lose about four pounds, I'd say.
Speaker 1:But more than anything. That's pretty good in five weeks.
Speaker 2:Right, yeah, that's what I was thinking. And then also the aspect of like I mean, I'm telling you guys this left picture of the before when I started with Reagan. Now it's just I'm just going to send it to you, but all of the wedding photos that show my back, I'm like the back is backing, because before it was not at all. And so, more than the weight aspect piece for the, for the diet phase, I had been in the gym three, if not four, times a week like intentionally strength training, and I could tell, like from the right pictures today how much my arms are telling. My shoulders are more tone, my back is way more tone than it was before, and that is a piece that allowed me to feel that much more confident on the day. So that's what we did. It's worth it, it's so worth it.
Speaker 1:Your dress was backless too, right, or have?
Speaker 2:like yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:Or like I worked hard for this baby, no exactly, exactly Not.
Speaker 2:the morning of I was like only a couple bites of French toast. Cause the back needs to be backing.
Speaker 1:I love it. I love it. What is so with? If someone's listening to this, and they're, you know, I want to get consistent and I feel like I can relate to where CC was two years ago. What are some things just a few things that you would give people to get started and just feel good and feel encouraged. I mean, especially with the new year. What perfect timing.
Speaker 2:Oh my gosh, when you asked this question, like I can't help but sit up in my seat because my heart feels on fire right now, cause there's so much I want to say and there's so many people's like heads I want to grab and just say just do it, like, just freaking. Do it. If you have been listening to Reagan for more than one episode alone, but if you've been listening to her for several and you've not taken the plunge, allow this very moment, if you heard nothing else, to be the moment, because I'm telling you guys, the year is going to pass anyway, it's going to pass anyway, and the day is going to pass anyway, the weeks are going to pass anyway, it all is. And if you don't decide now, then when you know you're going to look back at your life three more years from now and then be like, oh, what if I decided?
Speaker 2:When I was listening to that one freaking podcast where they were talking about it, I felt something in my spirit, but I was like I'm not ready yet, I don't know yet. All of those things are a lie. Like ready is a lie, right, like we talked about that so much. You'll never truly feel ready. I'm sure, reagan, you could speak to that about the marathon, like, did you feel ready to sign up, like I'm?
Speaker 1:not a runner, like what am I even doing? And I think, and then you freaking like yeah, like we just like wait for this moment of you know, like the sky is just going to open up and today is going to be the day. I think about other habits that I have of like not being on my phone the first 15 minutes, like it's an active decision of, okay, I don't feel like I don't want to do it today, but you have to at some point. And then, once you do it, you're like okay, I'm proud of myself Exactly, exactly, that's it.
Speaker 2:That's like, literally it. And Atomic Habits by James Clear. I'll scream that book from the rooftops forever and ever, because that helped me also lay the groundwork of like okay, habit, stack, like once you got one thing down, like that cell phone piece, then have the water in after that, you know, drink a whole glass of water after that and then after that, move your body and it's like a stacking thing. So all of this to say like I don't want all of this information for the friend that's listening to literally create this like analysis, paralysis within you, like, oh my gosh, there's so much to do. I just don't want to do anything at all. Don't let that be the thing you hear. Allow the thing that you hear. I want that to be like just do it, because one year from now you will be so proud, so happy and I believe deep in my core that you will be more joyful if you just decide to do something differently today.
Speaker 2:And if that means signing up with Reagan, sign up with Reagan. If that means starting the podcast, start the freaking podcast. If it means signing up for the marathon, sign up for the marathon. Whatever that nudge is on your heart, stop waiting and just do it. I might drop. We're not. That is it. I'm screaming at you because I love you and I just want the best for everybody. You know like it's for us to all live in God's best, and I think that's where that fires, like really driven from, because I'm like man, we're all going to go someday and we're all going to be gone and none of this is going to matter. So what are you going to make matter while we're here? You know.
Speaker 1:That's so good. I like how you said that time is gonna pass regardless, like I, just because you're on the other side of it and you know, like you're someone that lives a healthy life. So I don't think that those days or those thoughts just go away, because I constantly have to tell myself I'm like time is gonna pass regardless. You're either gonna let's say, I want to die it before you know April 1st and in the you know eight weeks, either I get to April 1st and I'm like I am so glad that I freaking did this like look at me, it was hard and you just have that pride about it or you're gonna get to April 1st and say, like what if I would have started then? Like I would already be done with it and then I wouldn't be thinking about it still.
Speaker 1:So so good as is regardless, and I think there's just so much power in doing something that you don't want to do and that you've never done before, and just like the confidence that comes after that because, I mean, I like you know it makes you want to step outside of your comfort zone more and Do other things that you never thought that you could do. So I really like I'm such a believer, I'm like it starts with your how you value your body, with how you speak to people and how motivated you are in your job. And this new opportunity Like you want to jump at it now because you know that you can do the hard things inside of your health and like Just cultivates this growth mindset in every single area of your life. So I love that, I love everything that you just said and Reagan.
Speaker 2:I just love that you are a coach who does the work. Like that's something that I'm so grateful that you have done. And I think so much of the moments where you think maybe the enemy Gets in your head, making you believe that you're not doing the work or not doing enough, I feel like so much of your life you've created like this overflow now where you could be doing 10% of Reagan, but 10% of Reagan is so much like to the world because you have so much to give and I've shared that with you when we were recording and I remember praying for you and stuff like I just believe so much of what you're doing is a force for good and like you're just scratching the surface right now. I'm grateful for that work that you do put in, like every book that you choose to read, every podcast that you choose to listen to, because I know that you're like turning around and pouring it to all of your clients and all of the people that follow you. So thank you for every single yes. You've done too.
Speaker 1:Oh, thank you.
Speaker 2:I think we did cry, I did.
Speaker 1:Let it out. I appreciate that I. I'm so glad that we did this today Seriously like. Thank you for making the time to do this.
Speaker 2:Oh my gosh, absolutely anything you ask, I'm like how, if I could be there, I'm gonna freakin be there. Whatever I need to do, I'm gonna do it.
Speaker 1:I know I would love to see you guys soon. Maybe I'll come to Nashville or.
Speaker 2:Absolutely have a place on our couch.
Speaker 1:So, as we're going into the new year, last question what are you hopeful for or what are you like excited about for?
Speaker 2:2024. Such a good question. I have so many things that I'm excited for. I think the overarching Kind of encompasses all of the little details that fall underneath and I've been so wrecked by that worship song, awestruck, especially lately.
Speaker 1:You posted that on your story and I listened to it. I'm like any worship song, it's easy post.
Speaker 2:That's how I feel about all of yours like the, your pump up music to like. Where do I find that when it's a remix?
Speaker 2:I need it. I feel like we have the same like musical bop interest, but I was listening to that song and it talks about like God's awestruck and wonder and I've been thinking about that a lot like Every word. Every year I choose a word of the year and for the last four years They've all been some type of like doing motion, like me doing something. And, as I'm stepping into this next season, as a wife which is so wild co-existing alongside a man's in my life, like I'm, like man, I Feel like I've gotten to a place where I just want to be right here for a second, lean back for a second and be in his awestruck and wonder and just Do so much of the do that I can't stop doing anyways because I'm so passionate about these things, but it doesn't have to be the leading priority.
Speaker 2:So for 2024, like I've been thinking about my word and I'm pretty sure it's gonna be 80%, 90% there, but the word wonder. Like I just want to be underneath God's wonder in every area, whether it be my podcast world. Like I want to be in an awe and a wonder for what he's doing in it in my marriage. I want to be in an awe and a wonder in the day-to-day, like Miniscule things in my family and relationships. That same thing like God, show me you're all in wonder in every area and I don't want to miss it, you know. So that's my intention for 2024.
Speaker 1:What I should, and you mentioned that with having a word. You are the one that introduced me, I believe, to making a worship playlist with a word and, yes, I have done that the past two years since you have shared that, and I was literally looking at my worship playlist because mine is, mine was focus for this last yeah, and how, like, what my word is gonna be for the next year but it's literally like going back through every single song on that playlist. I am able to like remember how I was feeling when I added it and what I was doing.
Speaker 2:Yes, everybody, please go do that, because it'll literally just bring you back, and I can't agree more. Like I feel the same exact way, and there's something about worship songs where I'm like man God uses this as a massive vessel to feel his love, and you listen back to one of those that carried you through a valley and Feel nothing but gratitude. Now you know, and like that's just such a beautiful thing to experience, so I'm so glad you're doing it too.
Speaker 1:I know I need to meditate and pray on my word for this year, but it's like a little bit, like three days.
Speaker 2:I know I know I'm like wait. Tell me what yours is. I love you.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think something with mine is gonna be. I Feel like this past year in my life, my word was focus and I feel like I did focus a lot, but I focused on. I feel like this was my yes season, or like my yes year, yeah, and I think this year I want to be more Like, have more I need to think of a word for it but like boundaries and non-negotiables, even inside of my faith too, of like no, I'm not gonna start working before I do my devotion and like just being more Structured, I guess. So I have to think of a word. And even inside of business, too, as far as, like I want to start seeing myself as a Business woman and all of these.
Speaker 1:You know different things, but it's cool to see like different seasons and how cool is it gonna be to look back in five years at every single Spotify playlist and like this was the first year I was a wife and maybe more laid-back and feminine, and you know kind of like To how it's gonna change every year. So I love. Thank you. I'm like so grateful for all your little nuggets and things that you share, because Even like the smallest little things, like people listen and I know that's so true.
Speaker 2:I mean, same goes for you too. You're incredibly Influential in my life and I know so many people that listen to, so I'm just grateful that we get to be here together.
Speaker 1:This was so special. I am so thankful for you and I'm gonna link your Instagram, your podcast that book?
Speaker 2:Yes, I need to send you the link.
Speaker 1:I'll send you the link, but um all the things, so people can Check it out and just continue to be encouraged by your podcast and social media and what you like. What you see on social media what's easy is literally who she is in person like. She's so joyful and so bubbly and smiley, so I'm excited for people to listen and be encouraged by you too.
Speaker 2:Thank you, reagan, just love you so much and I'll scream from the rooftop Tell grateful, I am always.
Speaker 1:Well, you are the best and thank you for making time today, and I'm excited for this new year for you.
Speaker 2:Yes, same for you. Thanks for having me. I.
