The last two months, I’ve been attending classes almost nonstop, plus working out at home on weekends as instructed. I’ve also shifted my eating habits, learning what different types of foods do for my body, and in the last two months, I’ve lost over 20 lbs. After a long year of dealing with the worst my depression and anxiety had to offer, and realizing my antidepressants has caused significant weight gain (a nice little fact my doctors failed to mention), causing my already low self-esteem and self-image to drop even further, this has been a huge change and a reprieve.

Joining the program has helped physically, but more importantly, it’s helped me mentally and emotionally. I’m not often in such a supportive and focused environment; teachers and students alike care for each other’s success and well-being here. I’ve always been embarrassed about the way I look for a lot of reasons, but in class, it doesn’t matter. I’ve learned it’s more important to get both feet through the door and to keep going. Unlike all my past education in any field, there’s no threat of failure. The only thing you can do is improve, no matter how slow.

I still have a lot to work through, but these classes — and this community — have granted me a tangible change. For me, having clear evidence is incredibly helpful. I have fewer headaches, fewer body pains, my anxiety attacks are shorter and fewer… and I can climb up the stairs without getting out of breath. Having these concrete results gives me ammunition against the irrational feelings and thoughts, and helps me keep from equating my self-worth with how well I do or don’t do. Not having grades associated with it helps; your own individual progress matters more than “passing”.

We have students of every age and every walk of life, and there’s always a way to learn more and to become better without the fear of being judged. I am very glad to have met everyone and to be a part of this experience. There’s still a long way to go towards my goal but seeing that it’s possible to make these changes is a huge step forward. Thank you, Master Garcia, for welcoming me and for training me.