giving up is simply not an option :)

Where to begin? Having just returned from an amazing trip to Gig Harbor, WA for the Race for a Soldier 1/2 Marathon, it's hard to put into words what this past week/weekend meant to me! Not only was I reunited with the wonderful Hanger Clinic staff and fellow IDEO buddies, but I was fortunate enough to meet new patients and their families as well as be a part of the Race for the Soldier event with the military community.

When I think back to the person I was two years ago, I see a girl who had flown half-way across the country to the Hanger Clinic having been through 4 surgeries and countless therapies, not yet willing to take "the pain management" route so many doctors and specialists handed to her. To her, this would mean giving up & that was simply not an option. Never thinking that a soccer injury would change her life forever, but not yet knowing the depths of her determination and the extent of her will, she prayed the IDEO would help her. She never let herself think about how hard these times had been or what she would do if it didn't work out because she knew if she did, the weight would be too heavy to carry. Fast forward two years from the day she hobbled into the clinic to receive the IDEO, she returns to run a half-marathon. How does this happen? 3 words: Faith, Hope, and Love. Sounds cliché but honestly, it's true and I'll tell you why.

Faith: I always knew this was not how God was going to let my story end. Never lose your faith or your smile. Life may not turn out how you want it to, but if you stay positive and keep your faith, God will see you through and maybe give you an IDEO (•‿•)

Hope: He who has hope, has everything. Never, ever lose your hope. No matter how many people tell you to stop believing.

Love: Without the love of family, friends, coworkers, I would be not be where I am today. However, it is Ryan Blanck's passion to make a difference in the world and his love of helping people with the IDEO that has been most life-changing.

I am SO thankful for how the IDEO has changed my life. It's truly incredible, which is why I think I felt so emotional about this whole experience! I can't tell you how many people told me I would never run again and then to have that given back to me and run a half-marathon --- it's the best gift I've ever been given. There will never be enough "thank you's" that I can give to Ryan Blanck for what he has done for my life.

Me & the amazing Ryan Blanck

Lastly, I just want to say I was deeply moved by seeing all the patients who received their IDEOs while I was there last week. It's truly remarkable to see how much the IDEO program has grown since I was last there. From young to old, I loved talking with everyone and hearing their stories and passing on my "IDEO wisdom." If I could just hangout there all day, everyday I would! So much fun.


Hanger Clinic team @ Race for a Soldier

So with all that said, let's talk about outfits :)

As you may know, I am a firm believer that fall and winter are the absolute best times of the year for IDEOnista outfits! Long oversized sweaters and dresses with tights / leggings / skinny jeans are a perfect look for work, parties, or just hanging out! There are so many options! Check out a few outfits below! One of my favorite finds this year is a boot sock that feels like a regular sock at the bottom and at the top has a cute little design. See first picture to the left. I've wrapped the material over the top of the knee clasp - so cute! These are made by Nine West -- check 'em out here: Boot cuff - Nine West. The reason these are so great is because the only fabric part of the sock is at the cuff so it doesn't bother your skin or take up too much room in the IDEO! (& they come in several colors!).

 

Friends, as you go on your way this week, remember that though it can be difficult to look back at the hard times that you've been through, it is in these moments that you see who you are and who you have become. Without struggle, there is no strength. #nevergiveup

#beYou. #beFABULOUS. #IDEOnista.

IDEOnista Spotlight: Lucy

Hi Everyone! Today, I have a very special post about an amazing IDEOnista friend of mine named Lucy. Not only will she wow you with her insightful perspective, positive attitude, and gracious spirit, but her words will remind you that sometimes the greatest gift is a transformation within.

How long have you had the IDEO? 10 months

How do you pair the IDEO with your outfits? I tend to wear skirts more now, with black leggings and socks in the winter, without leggings in the summer (I've found Australian Rules Football (AFL) socks work best - but not sure if they're sold outside Australia!). (Not sure either, but I'm going to have to check these out!) If I'm wearing pants, I skip the long socks and put a compression sleeve on over the knee clasp at the top. I wear the IDEOs on the outside of my skinny jeans and on the inside of baggy ones. It all depends, but there is always a way to make it work! (yes!!) When I perform in an orchestra, I wear a full-length gown and you would never know I had a pair of IDEOs underneath, except that I walk and stand so much better. (how cool is that?!) Because I have two IDEOs, I've often had people comment on my "cool boots", before explaining that they're not just a fashion statement, which just goes to show how seamlessly they can fit into an outfit. (LOVE THIS.)

Favorite shoe brand to wear with the IDEO: I wear my ASICS when I am exercising. At work, I've found Ecco shoes are best, but success can vary a lot from shoe to shoe, so I'm still trying new brands whenever I can. (I definitely want to try Ecco, too!)

Advice for other IDEOnista's: In my experience, things feel different than they look and it's the way things feel that is really the transformative part. I wondered before I got the IDEOs whether it might be difficult to wear them in terms of looks, but it hasn't even crossed my mind. Not being in pain is so transformative that it isn't even a decision. The way you feel is so much more important in life and as Beth shows on this blog - there is always a way to work the IDEO into any outfit! (That's right, there is always a way!)

What makes you feel confident in the IDEO? I feel stronger when I walk now. I stand upright and don't limp. I'm building strength in my legs that I've never had before in my life. This newfound strength has had a positive effect on my confidence in a way that I never anticipated. There is really interesting research into embodied cognition in the field of Psychology - the effect our body has on our mind - that I bet could offer some insight as to why changing your body's experience, with a set of IDEOs, also changes your mind. (Such a great insight...)

What is your proudest moment in the IDEO so far? Not sure whether it's managing to get them to look hip with a pair of jeans for the first time (haha YES!), finally beginning to walk up stairs fluently or doing my first real squat (the last two have really fed off each other - my muscles were so weak before I got the IDEOs!). A couple weeks ago, I participated in a 14km fun run  (for those who don't know (aka me), this is 8.7 miles!). This was the BEST. I wasn't entirely ready to run the whole 14km, I ran some, walked some, but most of all, I wasn't in pain. I could do it! (that's HUGE!)

City2Surf 14km - I DID IT!

Any special goals for 2015? My main goal this year was to make it to the end of the 14km City2Surf fun run in Sydney. I achieved this goal and although it's a huge achievement, it's just the beginning... :) (so proud! you go girl!)

How has the IDEO changed your life? It's the day-to-day stuff I notice the most. I genuinely couldn't wait to do my first fun run last week, but that's all icing. It's the everyday walking and standing and living not in pain that's really extraordinary. Like being able to perform music standing up without half of my attention being on pain and balancing. The IDEOs definitely add elegance to the way I walk, too. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted. And while as with anything, there is hard work and challenges along the way, most days have a lightness that wasn't there before. (this makes my heart happy!)

Favorite Quote: "Between stimulus and response there is space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom." - Viktor E. Frankl

What is the one thing you wish people knew about you? I practice mindfulness most days. I think this coupled with a set of IDEOs has really put me in a position where I am able to live each day, unlike ever before. (CARPE DIEM!)

Lucy's final words: Gratitude, gratitude, gratitude. Without the wonderful support, encouragement, and patience of people in my life and the amazing team in Gig Harbor, none of this would have been possible. (Amen sister. Amen.)

Thank you, Lucy for reminding us that receiving the IDEO is more than being given a device; it's a journey. A journey of body, mind and spirit and a realization of what it means to live life to the fullest.

#beYOU #beAMAZING #IDEOnista

say hello to summer :)

Hi everyone! I'm happy to say the rain has left Dallas and the sun has finally returned! ☺

With warm weather and sunny skies ahead, I'm excited to post a few summer outfits in hopes that I can inspire you to break out your lighter wear clothes. As you'll see below, a maxi skirt is a great way to feel classy and dressed up while also camouflaging the IDEO. I'd recommend looking for length that covers your feet so that you can't see your tennis shoes. (This red maxi skirt happens to be a hand-me down from my mom so it's a little hard to add length to it at this point... but you get the idea!)

So earlier this week a friend asked me what advice I would give to other IDEO wearers who want to feel cute and fashionable in their clothes.

For me there are really three rules that I follow:

1. No white tennis shoes
2. No white socks
3. No bulky shoes

If you stick to these three rules, you will be headed in the right direction ☺It's not to say white tennis shoes or white socks are bad, but if you are trying to get dressed up, white tends to look very orthopedic and athletic. So if you are feeling in a rut, try for a darker colored shoe / sock and see if that doesn't help you to feel more classy and sassy! Bulky shoes can make you feel clunky... so when you are looking for shoes, try to ask yourself if you feel clunky in them and if the answer is yes, put them back. I followed this rule when looking for hiking boots and even though I had to try on a lot of shoes, I was glad I didn't settle! I think almost any outfit will look great with the IDEO but I really believe that once you find the right shoe, you will feel like a million bucks. You don't need to go out and buy new clothes... it's all about the shoes and socks people :)

 

 

Workout update: Next Sunday is the Wounded Warrior 10K race and I'm very excited! I've been keeping up with my training and am feeling strong. For me, it's really important that I keep my hip flexor and glute muscles strong so that I don't start overcompensating on one side so I've tried to keep this a focus of my training and it's really helped.  

As always, if you feel inclined, please send pics of your IDEOnista outfits so that we can share with others! Wishing everyone a fantastic week and remember, it's all about feeling confident. My tips are the just icing on the awesome person you already are! ☺#beYOU #beAMAZING #IDEOnista

 

Life is too short to wear boring clothes :)

Happy Monday!

Today I want to share a fun way to wear fancy leggings with your IDEO and your favorite dress. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, pairing leggings (especially black) with your IDEO can help to tie your outfit together because it bridges what the eye sees at first glance.

I don't always wear my pink sock, but when I do I like to make it pop. So I added a pink waist belt to match. I also love these neutral colored New Balance MT 1210's - they go with almost anything I have in my closet. Tip: If you're wearing black, I'd recommend wearing a black ankle sock on your non-IDEO foot to (a) make it invisible and (b) make you feel less like you are about to go workout in your running shoes (although the great part about wearing running shoes 24/7 is that you're always ready to go for a run!). There are a lot of good socks out there for your non-IDEO foot but since you're wearing socks all day, I'd suggest look for a non-cotton, high performance make so that your foot doesn't sweat. Some of my favorite ankle socks for my non-IDEO foot are Feetures and Brooks.

Dress: Ann Taylor Loft | Belt: Target

Leggings: Target | Compression Sock: CEP

 
Have a great day and always remember to put your best foot forward! (aka your IDEO) 

#itsnevertoolatetobearockstar :)

My Favorite Compression Socks

I wanted to share some of my favorite brands of compression socks that I wear with the IDEO. I typically like to wear black (like a ninja) because it goes better with my outfits but I do have a few different pair in various colors.

• Swiftwick
• 2XU
• CEP
• ec3d

All brands are in the $35-$55 per pair dollar range but well worth it since if you're like me, you wear the IDEO all day, everyday. Plus, they last a long time as long as you don't put them in the dryer. TIP: Wash on gentle and let air dry and they will last a really long time!