cfontana38

I love blogging. But sometimes I feel like people aren’t really understanding my personality. I try to type as how I would speak but it still may not resonate. That’s where video really has me intrigued.

I mean – that’s not a “normal” face…

Back in the old days (gosh durn I am SO my mom now) I used to create videos with all of my friends. We still talk about how big of nerds we are (because we are like super cool now) but the thing is – it was one of the highlights of our childhood. Whether it was re-watching it at sleepovers for years to come or playing it in front of our whole school – it always gave us an adrenaline boost. And still does

I’ve been toying with creating a YouTube channel for over a year now. Like really stink pot? Just get STARTED already! Many excuses have blown through my ears but the main one is crafting the perfect video. Similar to how I am anal with my blog posts I think I am MORE of a perfectionist with video. Prob because it’s a whole new world to me.

I have a TON of content and ideas but it’s the editing process that has me all sorts of crappin the bed. The transitions and captions and thumbnail and music and…HOW DOES ANYONE HAVE TIME TO DO ALL THAT?! Oh – because they make the time. And they learn more every day and it gets easier. And faster. Like anything else – it just takes time.

What’s really inspiring to me now is LIVE video. From Snapchat to Instagram Stories/Live to Facebook Live there is SO much opportunity to reach your audience in a human way. What a concept. No scripting, no editing – just being real.

After attending Social Media Marketing World in San Diego last week I am all sorts of fired up. I am ready to pull the trigger and make a complete A** outta myself.

Love being a social nerd!

The two speakers that made my head and heart explode with delight were Amy Schmittaeur and Roberto Blake.

Amy Schmittaeur

I finished half of Amy’s new book “Vlog Like a Boss” on the plan ride from Maui to the event and I was all sorts of inspired. After actually hearing her in-person I felt a little dizzy.

Top 5 Fav Amy Quotes:

“Look at that lens like it’s them”
“Do the things that other aren’t willing to do. That’s how you get attention”
“If you do too many things they’ll do nothing”
“If you would share it – it’s a good video”
“A small win is better than trash”

Roberto Blake

I was not super familiar with Roberto’s YouTube channel before the event but garsh I felt like I KNEW him after listening to his talk. He said he’s an introvert and no one believes him. Hellooo me too. Crowds of people exhaust me. He was nervous to “suck out loud” and public speaking is not his thing. But after SO much experience and knowing what he’s talking about he has the confidence now. So inspiring!

Top 5 Fav Roberto Quotes:

“Be the answer someone is looking for”
“Unique trumps original”
“Need to start NOW”
“Play to your strengths”
“Done is better than perfect”

My YouTube channel is semi-created but not up and running just yet. Stay tuned dontcha know!

In the meantime, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat (CFontana38) for fitness, adventure, motivation, and crazy humor videos!!

Believe in your SELFie!

Check what else has me all tingly so far in 2017:

Week 1: Dream Job
Week 2: Health
Week 3: Group Fitness
Week 4: Community
Week 5: Personality
Week 6: Running
Week 7: Love
Week 8: Familiar Faces
Week 9: New Home
Week 10: my bad.
Week 11: Being Human
Week 12: Getaways

Do you guys ever have the craving to just “get away”? Yah me too!

I freaking love getaways! This doesn’t have to be anything extravagant.

When I lived in Minneapolis I absolutely loved getting away to my family cabin. Away from the city. Away from the crowds and hustle bustle. Away from work and other life stresses. Only an hour away was a tiny bit of heaven. Pure relaxation and fresh air!

Now that I live on Maui most would think it would be tough to get away. I mean we are on an island! But even this island has sooo much to offer. Between the resort area of Wailea to the fresh air of Upcountry to the remoteness of Hana – we pretty much have it all here! It’s nice to treat yourself every once in awhile or simply pack a few things up and go camping. There is still so much I want to explore right here on Maui. Oh boy!!

Since moving to Maui I’ve had the chance to actually leave the island twice and I have two more upcoming opportunities:

Kona, Big Island – Ironman World Championship

While I’ve already written a blog post recapping my experience at Kona for the Ironman World Championship, there is still so much emotion behind it! I based my move to Maui on being able to hop over to the Big Island in time for the biggest triathlon event of the year. I am on Team Coeur and many of our ladies were competing. Having the chance to finally meet a lot of them in-person was reason enough for me to “getaway”!

Coeur Team Brunch!

My Minnesota Girl!

Oahu – Last Min Hop

Last week I had a last minute opportunity to visit a friend on Oahu – so of course I said yes! Well – at first I said no, I have to work. But after getting further reflection realized it was a perfect time to make the getaway possible AND get work done without distractions. Two birds!

The first night we stayed in Waikiki, which is not particularly my cup o tea. Don’t get me wrong – the beach was gorgeous and I absolutely loved running along the ocean BUT it really reminded me of Los Angeles traffic meets Las Vegas hoorah. Not bad places. Just not my favorite “Hawaiian getaway”.

Running Waikiki Beach Path

Waikiki Beach

The next few days were spent residing in a yurt on an organic farm right across from the famous surf spot, Pipeline, on the North Shore. Did I just say that? Sure did! Now we’re talkin my language! North Shore Oahu is where it’s at. Although Maui has a special place in my heart it was really nice to getaway to another special spot on a different island. So much beauty to appreciate here and gets me excited to explore even more!

North Shore

Work from Yurt

San Diego, California – Social Media Marketing World

Today I leave for a dream event. Something I have been keeping my eye on for years and I finally get to attend – ahhh!! Social Media Marketing World is the IT of the IT for social media events. This is the world’s largest social media marketing conference with over 3,000 attendees and 120 or so pros! It is filled with workshops, webinars, parties, and did I mention the crazy amount of networking?! Holy smokes I’m already overwhelmed with social delight and I haven’t even caught my plane yet!

#SMMW17

So thankful for my employer, Skyline Eco-Adventures, for recognizing how valuable this conference is and trusting me to bring back all the knowledge goodies!! Gonna be consumed by #SMMW17 this week so if it interests you follow along as I tweet, snap (CFontana38), Insta, Facebook…you know how I do 😉

Big Island – Lavaman Waikoloa Triathlon and Skyline Course

After I get back from SMMW I will have less than a week to get re-organized and packed back up for the Big Island! The reason I initially set out on this trip is for Lavaman Waikoloa, which is an Olympic distance triathlon and something I am NOT prepared for. It’s been tough for me to find safe riding trails on Maui and have therefore let my bike slip quite a bit. Alas – I am still super excited as it seems like a really fun event! My body my hate me but hey – I can still have a good time!

Oh Boy!

Since I am already hopping islands for a getaway I decided to maximize my time on the Big Island. Since Skyline has a course there I will be meandering across island to check it out! Excited to meet the Akaka Falls team, zip over a waterfall, and do some fun social/blog posts for our sister course!

Skyline Akaka Falls

Checking to see if I also have time to check out the lava flowing and anything else I can get my hands on. Gotta live it up on the getaway, riiight?!

Where is your favorite “getaway”? Any upcoming trips?!

Check out what else has had me motivated this year!

Week 1: Dream Job
Week 2: Health
Week 3: Group Fitness
Week 4: Community
Week 5: Personality
Week 6: Running
Week 7: Love
Week 8: Familiar Faces
Week 9: New Home
Week 10: my bad.
Week 11: Being Human

I missed week 10.

Guess what? I’m human. Woahhh. Whata concept.

I think a lot of people think I lead a sunshine and roses life because that is what I post about. There is too much negativity in this world and I never want to add to it or get consumed by it. I choose what I post strategically to help motivate and bring people up. I am not bragging and showing off. Hope you have figured that out by now.

So – the real me.

Yes, I am still annoyingly positive and upbeat. MOST of the time. But I go through life just as everyone else does and it’s not always great. That is OK. And healthy. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Because that it what makes us grow and become stronger people.

I had a bad week. Ever had one of those when shit just hits the fan? When it rains it pours kinda thing?

Taking on way more than I can handle has always been my downfall. It’s hard to say no. Especially when I enjoy it, something more could lead from it, and I truly think I can mange it into my crazy schedule. Sometimes I feel like I am purposely torturing myself!

I have also experienced an extreme amount of change within the past year. Sometimes I can’t even handle it. I get physically and mentally exhausted by trying to keep my life from spiraling out of control. And sometimes I spiral. And when I don’t sleep well – I get sick. Like really sick. Down for the count!

There was no motivating me to blog. Let alone type or take a photo or heck – even think! I felt so sick I could barely get outta bed. I had SOOO much on my “to do” list that that alone gave me more anxiety just fueling to the fire. Sometimes I just need a mental break. Check out. Gather myself. Focus on health. And I come back with a vengeance!! Gotta make up for lost time, eh?

Perhaps take a peak at my year so far and you’ll get exhausted too 😉

Week 1: Dream Job
Week 2: Health
Week 3: Group Fitness
Week 4: Community
Week 5: Personality
Week 6: Running
Week 7: Love
Week 8: Familiar Faces
Week 9: New Home
Week 10: my bad.

Cheers to being human!

I like to think of every Monday as a fresh start. A time to forget about the past. The negative, the regret, the “I should have done _”. See ya bye!

This Monday has me especially appreciating my personal upcoming fresh start! Oh whyyy you ask? Ok I’ll just tell you. 😉

New Home

In two days I am moving. And NO not away from Maui! It was this time last year I was moving to Colorado and now I find myself in Maui. Planning to stay for awhile!! But I AM moving into my very own place. I knoooow!! Ah.

I have lived on my own before but it’s been a few years. I am excited to have my own space again especially because I work remote now. I feel annoying sprawling out all my work stuff when I have roommates. Yah I’m that girl right meow.

The place I’m moving in to is a eight bedroom complex owned by the cutest couple from the state of Washington. They choose to live in Maui in the Winter and go back to the mainland for the rest of the year.

New Place!

I am actually renting out their specific place that is newly remodeled for the eight months they go back to the mainland. So I’ll need to figure something else out come Nov 1st (any idears?!). Gosh that sounds like so far away. Will I want to stay in Kihei, move West side or Upcountry, take the plunge and buy something, or pack up and head somewhere else? Predictions? I have no idear.

The perk I’m most excited for with the new place is the spacious kitchen. SO ready to get back in to consistent healthy cooking and meal prep! Gah I miss my Vitamix, juicer, spiralizer, steamer, cast iron grill, etc. Rents – please send all of the above! Hehe. I mean these are super light and cheap – riiight? Downfalls of moving to an island.

Hellooo Kitchen.

My new place will also be great for hosting local friends over for a meal or friends that come to visit. I’ve found that most places in Hawaii frown down upon guests (whether it is a consistent boyfriend or a friend visiting from the mainland). It’s very Ohana-style here. So the fact I can actually have a person stay is kinda crazy. Prob sounds odd to a mainlander but I think my island folk will highly appreciate this perk as it is a rare one!

New Location

Nothin wrong with my current location of Wailuku and I’m actually extremely happy this is where my start was. My first home on Maui in a very local, industrial area, and – awesome. I wouldn’t change it for anything. I’ve seen a part of Maui that I can’t say I would’ve seen or appreciated if I started in Kihei as “planned”.

Not only does my first place have a pool and an amazing view of the mountains AND ocean, but I’ve met some amazing people because of living here. I never would have checked out Afterglow Yoga, Wailuku Coffee Company, The Attic, Maui CrossFit Extreme, Playmakers,etc. Already miss my “hood”!

BUT – I have always wanted to live in Kihei since the first time I visited Maui in January 2016. To be super close to multiple beach options and able to run various ways out my front door is a dream come true for me. I’ve lived in Minnesota my whole life (with a seven month stop in Colorado). I can safely say I’ve NEVER lived by a beach and really never thought I would. Whaaaaaat? I have “beach access”?! I don’t even know how to handle this!!

Weekly Motivational Quotes

A few favs from the trusty ol Passion Planner:

“Life is really simple but we insist on making it complicated” ~ Confucius

“The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life” ~ William Morris

Get caught up on all 2017 MOTIVATIONS!

Week 1: Dream Job
Week 2: Health
Week 3: Group Fitness
Week 4: Community
Week 5: Personality
Week 6: Running
Week 7: Love
Week 8: Familiar Faces

This past weekend was exactly what I needed. Random fun. From a familiar face.

My friend Mark was in town from Colorado visiting his parents who come to Maui for five weeks every year. I didn’t know Mark too well before this past weekend but his family (including sister visiting too) basically adopted me the past few days! Mark would come to the workouts I coached at Orangetheory Fitness – Highlands in Denver and he was always awesome to have in class. We stayed in contact via social media and I was pumped when he told me he was in town. A FAMILIAR FACE!!

To be honest I’ve been pretty homesick lately. Holidays were rough and I’ve been really trying to get out there and make friends but it’s just been hard. Starting over and trying to find a new group of core friends is not easy. I’ve never really had to do this. At least I had family and good friends when I moved to Colorado but Hawaii is a whole other ballgame. I have met so many amazing people – don’t get me wrong. I just still miss home and my peoples. Seeing Mark and spending time in a family environment was SO needed. It gave me that little sense of “home” and perked me back up!

Cheers from Little Beach!

I am super excited to know I will be seeing more familiar faces soon too! My college sweetheart friends (Kirsten and Brent) and their new baby land on Maui later this week! SO looking forward to giving them big hugs and meeting their little guy. He is so stinkin cute! Happy their first big trip with him is to our amazing island. Hawaii is a pretty special place for Kirs and I as we were a part of an Intercultural Communication class in college that came here. We spent 17 days island hanging out with local Hawaiians and it was an eye-opening experience. We’ve always bonded because of this experience and happy to both be back to the same place where it all started!

My bestie Emily will also be in town with her man Matt in April. I am SOOOO looking forward to that. Feeling all spoiled getting to see these important people in my life.

Sooo – who is visiting next?!

Get caught up on all 2017 MOTIVATIONS!

Week 1: Dream Job
Week 2: Health
Week 3: Group Fitness
Week 4: Community
Week 5: Personality
Week 6: Running
Week 7: Love

Oh the day of love is upon us! And even though I am single – I always choose to celebrate love.

I love love. I don’t want to be a scrooge on Valentine’s Day just because I technically don’t have a Valentine. I could totally play the wah-wah, woah is me, victim card. But guess what? I kinda don’t mind being single

Don’t get me wrong – I absolutely love being in a relationship and having that one special person to rely on. I miss that and strive to find that again one day. But I would much rather be single and happy than in a relationship that isn’t going anywhere. It’s just that simple!

Also – I love ME! Being single is quite refreshing. There is no one you constantly need to check in with. You can literally plan your own schedule. And finding true independence is so important for your next healthy relationship. I’ve never understood when people move from relationship to relationship. Doesn’t that mess with you? It’s a lot to handle mentally! I always need a break and fresh start after a relationship. A time to heal before moving on! I hope more people take that special time for themselves and don’t feel they NEED someone to make them happy. No good peeps.

But there is really something to be said for true love. I’ve felt it before and absolutely miss it every day. There are certain couples in my life that I strive to find a love like theirs. Time to celebrate THEM!

Rocky and Lynn
My rents! April 26 they will hit 42 years of marriage. That is so unfathomable to me! How is that even possible? I am the luckiest daughter in the world to have these two. Their unwavering support and encouragement keep me motivated on a daily basis. Cheers to them!

Mom and Dad – Longest Relationship!

Carrie and Justin
My big and only seester! They met in college (soccer girl and baseball guy) and the rest is history. Two adorable kids (my nephs) later and still going strong. Thank goodness for Justin as my sis is a handful (love you!!).

Carrie and Justin – Collegiate Athletes!

Leslie and Ben
Happy to be there in the beginning of their relationship in Minneapolis, visit their new life in Austin, TX, and also travel to Maui to witness their big wedding day. You could say their love is what helped me finally make the move to Hawaii! These two have conquered life together and absolutely inspire me to find what they have!

Leslie and Ben – Maui’d in Maui!

Caitlin and Amrin
Their strong love brought them overseas to London, which I was very honored to visit them. Upon returning to Minnesota they are now married AND have a new baby! I’ve witness the way they work together first-hand and I won’t settle until I find that kind of relationship. Gah they are perfect together.

Caitlin and Amrin – London Lovers!

Jess and Darin
These two outdoorsy souls met on a fly fishing trip and were later engaged while fly fishing. Their adventures have brought them closer and are now married. They have so much fun together and was thankful to witness their love first-hand while I lived in Colorado.

Jess and Darin – Cute Coloradians!

Emily and Matt
I still remember where it all began. Emily and I were boating on Lake Minnetonka (we were with a different dude who was in to her) and we ran in to her bro, Matt, and all their friends. Totally wound up ditching the guys we were with for them! Hey – it worked out! And all I gotta say is – thank you Matt. This guy supported my bestie through her wildest days. They have each been through more than most people ever have in a lifetime and have come out stronger than ever. With a little one on the way I am so excited to see how the next chapter unfolds in their relationship! Oh baby is right!

Matt and Emily – Love Conquers All!

Caroline and Tony
The two cutest blondes ever! One of the most outdoorsy, fun-loving, genuine couples I know. From skiing to concerts to hiking National Parks – this couple does it all. They’ve had countless fun adventures together and the next up is expecting a little one this May! Lucky little one!

Caroline and Tony – Most Genuine!

Chasity and Blake
This couple is amaaazing in the kitchen (follow #bckitchen if you want your mouth to water)! They also DOMINATE every theme possible. Freaking love their energy and positive outlook on life.

Chas and Blake – Best Theme Couple!

Erin and Nick
The ultimate triathlon team! This duo make me hope to one day find a Sherpa like they have in one another! So inspiring to push one another! Yep. I really, really want that.

Erin and Nick – Terrific Triathletes!

Jenna and Johnny
Another I’ve seen bloom from the beginning – back Sophomore year at UMD! From their first kiss at Frankie’s (oh $1 shot Fridays!) to their growing lil fam – I just love this couple. They have always gone strong and are a perfect example of love.

Jenna and Johnny – College Sweethearts!

Leah and Rick
This couple. The absolutely most social duo one will ever encounter. They literally have a “wedding fund” for everyone else’s wedding. They know EVERYONE! What’s the record – 19 in one year? Their wedding was a freaking blast. 600 invited. And that is adult-only. I KNOW!! Freaking love them. And many others do too!

Rick and Leah – Most Social!

Kirsten and Brent
Another example of UMD college sweethearts! One of the longest relationships I’ve personally witnessed from my friends group. Love them both and am SO excited to hug them in-person and meet their new addition as they are visiting Maui next week! Ahh baby hugs!!

Brent and Kirs – New Parents!

Tido and Justin
These two just make me smile! Grew up together and round two for them! She even moved back to Minnesota from Colorado to make a real life with him – and now they’re getting married this Fall! They’re a super fun-loving couple and throw the best Halloween parties! Their wedding will be a blast!

Tido and Justin – Fun Loving!

SO many other awesome couples in my life but these are among the top I’ve spent the most time with. I love all of their love and super strive to find the same love in my future partner. Wherever you are. Quit hiding already!

In the meantime I will love ME! Top 3 songs I shall play on replay tomorrow:

“Love Myself” – Hailee Steinfeld
“No Scrubs” – TLC
“Firework” – Katy Perry

Waiting for My Monkey!