Meet Sheilah
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Meet Sheilah, our brave Truth AND Dare contestant for August!
Sheilah is a fellow Smokin’ Hot Mama who had big dreams and goals for 2010 being her Perfect ’10. She did everything right and I would have bet on her success from the beginning. She defined her plans for the year with “Sticky Goals” covering her bathroom mirror. Starting January 1st every morning she would see her goals staring her down and she began taking action to make them happen. She had a goal of health and fitness, with a finish line of her first ever ½ marathon in October, along with goals of financial independence and getting a home of their own for her and her boys. Daily you would find Sheilah’s post workout photo on our FaceBook fanpage. Often times bundled up in layer upon layer to bare the cold Missouri snow and ice, putting in her miles regardless of the weather. She shared her feelings of renewal and hope and began encouraging other Mamas to exercise and follow their goals for their own Perfect ’10. 
Then whoaaaa . . . something happened. Sheilah went MIA – she was nowhere to be found. Her energy and passion for her newfound goals and passions were replaced with the realities of being a single Mom of 4 little boys. Enter lack of time, lack of money and resources, lack of help or energy. What happened to Sheilah was quite simply LIFE and it happened so suddenly she could hardly catch her breath. If ever there were an individual with justifiable excuses to crawl in bed and pull the covers over her head, it was Sheilah. “I began feeling stretched very thin - like I couldn’t do one thing without something else slipping away. It became very difficult to focus on any particular goal. When circumstances like multiple snow days, no money, and bad tires started to come into play my confidence and direction sank.”
Months passed, she pulled down the Sticky Goals from her bathroom mirror, settled into a day to day existence of just trying to survive and pulled away from the very group of people who could truly encourage and motivate her. By the end of July, Sheilah had lost sight of her goals and was now the proud owner of a suitcase full of regret from a disappointing 2010. Nothing had worked the way she had hoped. It certainly looked as if her Perfect ’10 was out of reach and perhaps January 1, 2011 would hold the magic she so desired. “I gave up on the things I had wanted to accomplish. I just didn’t feel strong enough. In a way I think I was hiding out. I felt like I had failed and let a lot of people down. I felt embarrassed. I was happy to see everyone else moving forward, but I did distance myself from others. I was standing still and didn’t feel like I had anything to contribute.” That’s what it looks like to give up and settle for a less than stellar life.
Now here’s one thing I have discovered about Sheilah – she’s a fiery little pistol and she has a tiger living under that shy exterior and watch out world, she’s ready to break free! She has accepted her TRUTH . . . the honest truth that things didn’t turn out the way she wanted them to in the first 7 months of the year, but she is not without blame or without responsibility. The TRUTH that she is not a victim in life and she no longer has to endure life as it comes at her 100 miles per hour. The TRUTH that she creates her reality and her future.
And she has accepted the DARE . . . the bold dare to get up earlier, try a little harder, push further, be more productive and stare down those goals for her Perfect ’10. The DARE to share her journey with the whole world through the Smokin’ Hot Mama Club. The DARE to have everything riding on her success this time.
Just like having a flat tire on a road trip – you have the choice of fixing the flat or abandoning the entire car. Sheilah is faced with the choice of fixing her flat along the journey to her Perfect ’10 or abandoning the entire year. What will she do? Will this single mother of 4 who seemingly has all odds stacked against her rise from the ashes to discover her full potential? I have a feeling you will be inspired by this single woman’s desire to change her life!
“I am totally excited about this challenge and I feel a new resolve. Recording my progress and will help me build confidence. Talking about my setbacks and struggles keeps me honest and will help me get the support I have been too embarrassed or shy to ask for in the past. The best part is that this can help other women who have some of the same challenges. It’s a win win! I know I am swimming upstream but I also know I have all the potential in the world.” Well, we agree Sheilah and it’s time to become a great swimmer! Come along for the journey of Sheilah’s Truth AND Dare Challenge!
Reader Comments (16)
Oh Sheilah! I soooo know how you've been feeling! All the tools and beautiful friends are right here for us, but when I get overwhelmed or behind, I feel so guilty to even make a post for help... This is so awesome and a great inspiration for everybody! I'm excited for you!!!
I know she can do this! I have seen Sheilah face many challanges and overcome them! I'm proud to say I have been her friend and her mine, being there for each other in times of Light and Dark.
AdriAnn & Jessie ~ Thank you for following Sheilah's journey. Please encourage and support her during this life changing time!!! The life of her dreams is within reach but she needs the extra push from friends and perfect strangers to realize it! May you be inspired as you follow her journey . . . your own journey awaits!
Woman I know and I am going through it now. I am a mother of 4 wonderful children (when they don't drive me crazy...too late) ages: 12 years son, 3 years son, and a set of twins (yep that's right twins lol) going to be 2 years in Oct. and a husband that is like another big kid lol. But I still love him. I look at myself in the mirror and I sometimes feel like "who is that? or "where am I?" Recently with school around the corner I promise myself I am going to change myself for the better not only for me but for my family. But it is soo hard because I need a workout buddy or someone on me to keep me going. I feel for you and I hope and pray you accomplish your goals, don't let them go.
Oh Sheilah, Thank you for sharing your story. You are a true inspiration to us, especially me. Sometimes I feel like my goals are out of reach too, but now I know that I'm not the only one that feels that way. You are a brave, rockin, Smokin Hot Mama and I can't wait to see what these last 5 months have in store for you!!!! Don't EVER be ashamed or shy to call on us for help, motivation, encouragement, ANYTHING! That's exactly what we're all here for! This is your Perfect '10 Mama....Go Get It!!!
I'm proud of you Baby Girl. You are stronger than you know and I think you are discovering that. I know you have it in you to reach your goals. You've had some miss steps, yes but that doesn't mean you quit stepping. I love you.........
That is the same story many of us have but we were to ashamed to say it thank you for showing us all its ok to have a setback if we don't give up we have to just put those notes back up and kick ourselves in the booty and if you can actually kick yourself in the booty you have already accomplished alot lol.I have faith in you and all of us and I will be peeking in occasionally to make sure you still are up there giving it your all.
I know that sucess is in your future!! And I believe in you!!! I'm here for you always! I love you Sheilah!! and I am blessed to call you my friend!!
Sheilah - THAT is what support looks like!!!!!!
This journey is a great one. There is no way you can fail! I know you can do this, and I will follow your journey!
Sheilah- From the very first time I spoke to you I know that you deserved EVERYTHING you want in life! You made me want to become a better person for myself and for the sake of my family!
I keep thinking of you "donkey kicking" your car tire and crack up! Without you I wouldn't be a part of this great group of women! You ROCK babe!! There is no way you can fail!!
You dont know how much all your support means to me! I am incredibly blessed to know and love so many mamas, the ones I have grown up with, the ones that have come into my life recently and of course my own wonderful Mama who's worth is immeasurable! A Smokin Hot Mama is an amazing, beautiful creation. But can you imagine OVER 4,000 Smokin Hot Mamas TOGETHER, all living their lives to the fullest?! Waking up with purpose. Facing challenges with grace and strength, knowing they arent doing it alone. And resting their heads at night with the satisfaction of having done their best, dreaming big dreams for the next day! How incredible is that?!! So glad your all following along with me on this! I hope it changes your life as much is I know its changing mine!!
Sheila thank you for your openness and willingness to do this. You are blessed to have a support system like this but we are blessed to have you to inspire us! To see your strength shining through is wonderful and gives others hope. You go girl! Keep your chin up! You have lots of blessings coming your way!
Thanks Irene. I feel blessed everyday no matter what I am dealing with! Havent always been able to say that. But how I think and what I do makes so many of the things that would have gotten me down before seem irrelevant. Life is good:)
Can I just ask what the name of the woman you are talking about? I would like to give her some words of wisdom:
All the suffering in the world comes from one wanting happiness for oneself, but all the happines in the world comes from one wanting happiness for others.
A great young man I know told me this and he was just 17 years old. He inspires me to be a great mother and person. He showed me to look at life in a different perspective. Not to live life by being seved by someone, but better off by serving someone else.
Absolutely loved this story! I felt like I was seeing and reading a part of me. High hopes, unexpected disappointments, tiredness ect, I believe Smoking Hot Mamas is a wonderful, inspirational sight and will help us reach our goals...Stay strong Sheilah and thanks for sharing your story!!