Tag: #levelup

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75 Hard Challenge | My Honest Day 57 Progress & Lessons

If you follow me on Instagram (@levelupsaho), you already know I’ve been all-in on the 75 Hard challenge. It’s not just another fitness challenge, it’s a full-scale commitment to showing up, every single day, no excuses. I didn’t start this on a whim, and I’m not coasting through it either. This challenge is teaching me more than I expected! Not just about self-discipline and mental toughness, but about my own cravings, limits, and capabilities.

Why I Took on 75 Hard

I needed something that would push me past my usual limits. Physically, mentally, and in every area of my life. Half-measures weren’t cutting it anymore. 75 Hard doesn’t let you negotiate with yourself. You either do the work or you start over. Two workouts a day (one outdoors for mental resilience), a gallon of water, 10 pages of reading, progress photos, and sticking to a strict diet. No shortcuts. No cheat days. No wiggle room.

But what I wasn’t expecting was how much I would start craving certain things. Moments of peace, structure, and even my outdoor workouts.

Unexpected Benefits of 75 Hard: Why I Crave My Walks

I thought I’d be craving sugar, rest days, or just an easy way out. Instead, I find myself needing my evening walk. Not because it’s part of the challenge, but because it’s become this essential moment where my mind slows down. No music. No distractions. Just me, the cold air, and the sound of my footsteps. It’s a craving I didn’t see coming, but one I don’t want to lose.

And then there’s the exhaustion. The kind that settles deep in my bones, making every muscle ache. But it’s not the kind of exhaustion that breaks me. It’s the kind that builds me. I’m learning that I can push through. That I can function even when my body is screaming at me to quit. Every day, I prove to myself that I have more in me than I thought.

What 75 Hard Has Taught Me About Self-Discipline

This isn’t a feel-good, just do your best kind of thing. Some days, I’m dialed in. Other days, I’m dragging myself through every task. But I get it done. Every single day. Because that’s the deal.

  • The exhaustion is real. There’s no skipping workouts because I’m tired. I show up anyway.
  • No compromises. There’s no “I’ll make up for it tomorrow.” You either hit your targets or you start over.
  • Mental grit is everything. Stripping out the noise and doing what needs to be done has sharpened my mindset more than I expected.
  • Craving routine. I used to resist structure, but now I find comfort in it. My workouts, reading, and meal planning have all become something I look forward to.
  • Seeing what I’m capable of. The biggest lesson? I’m stronger than I thought. Pushing past my own limits every day is proving that to me in ways nothing else ever has.

What I’ve Learned So Far from 75 Hard

I expected 75 Hard to be tough. I didn’t expect it to shift the way I see myself. I always thought I needed motivation. But what I actually needed was proof.

Proof that I can show up, even when I don’t want to.
Proof that I can handle exhaustion, discomfort, and self-doubt without letting them stop me.
Proof that I can trust myself to follow through on what I say I’ll do.

Follow My 75 Hard Journey on Instagram

I post the reality of this challenge daily on my Instagram stories. No filters. No sugarcoating. Just the actual work, struggles, and wins. If you’ve ever considered doing 75 Hard or just want to see what real commitment looks like, come follow along.

This isn’t about aesthetics or short-term wins. It’s about proving to myself that I can commit and execute no matter what. If you’re ready to take on something big in your own life, stop waiting for the perfect time. Just start.
xoxo
-S

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The Ultimate Cross-Training Program for Roller Derby

Hey Derby fam! Your Royal Thighness Scrapperella here, back with another edition of #DoItDerby—the series where we push boundaries, break limits, and level up our roller derby game. Whether you’re a jammer, blocker, or pivot, cross-training is essential to perform your best on the track. But with so many training options, it can be tough to know where to start.

I’ve been researching intense cross-training programs designed specifically for derby athletes (yep, that’s us), and I’m excited to share what I’ve put together!

This program is all about building power, endurance, agility, and flexibility to keep you fast, strong, and injury-free. Let’s break it down:

The #DoItDerby Cross-Training Program

Day 1: Strength Training (Lower Body Focus)
Roller derby is all about explosive power—whether you’re pushing through the pack or making sharp turns on your skates. This workout will give your legs the strength to crush the track:

  • Squats: 4 sets of 10-12 reps
  • Deadlifts: 4 sets of 8-10 reps
  • Lunges: 3 sets of 12 reps per leg
  • Glute Bridges: 3 sets of 15 reps
    Bonus: Your booty will thank you!

Day 2: Agility & Plyometrics
We’ve all had that moment when we need to dodge a hit or sprint to close a gap. Plyo exercises will keep you light on your feet and ready for any move:

  • Lateral Bounds: 3 sets of 20 reps
  • Box Jumps: 4 sets of 8 reps
  • Skater Lunges: 3 sets of 15 reps per leg
  • Sprint Intervals: 6 rounds of 30-second sprints, 30-second rest
    This is where you start to feel like a ninja on wheels.

Day 3: Endurance Training
You know the feeling—it’s the last jam, and you’re out of gas. This endurance workout will help you keep up that momentum, even when the game goes into overtime:

  • HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training): 30-45 minutes of alternating between high- and low-intensity efforts.
    Or try a long-distance run or cycle to build that staying power.

Day 4: Core & Stability
A strong core is your secret weapon on the track. It gives you balance, power, and resilience against those nasty hits:

  • Planks: 3 sets of 45 seconds
  • Russian Twists: 4 sets of 20 reps per side
  • Dead Bugs: 3 sets of 12 reps
  • Medicine Ball Slams: 4 sets of 10 reps
    Stabilizing your core helps you hit harder and stay solid during gameplay.

Day 5: Upper Body Strength
Your legs do the heavy lifting, but let’s not forget those arms. Whether it’s for blocking or bracing, your upper body needs strength too:

  • Push-ups: 4 sets of 10-12 reps
  • Bench Press: 4 sets of 8-10 reps
  • Overhead Shoulder Press: 3 sets of 8-10 reps
  • Triceps Dips: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
    Make your hits count and your blocks stronger with a killer upper body routine.

Day 6: Active Recovery/Restorative Yoga
We’ve got to keep our bodies flexible and mobile, so on Day 6, I recommend active recovery like yoga. It’ll improve your flexibility and help you recover from all that intense training.

  • Low-Impact Yoga Video: Focus on stretching those hamstrings, hips, and back. Trust me, your body will thank you on game day. I really enjoy Yoga with Bird and Yoga with Adriene on YouTube for any and all of my yoga desires.

Day 7: Rest or Skills Practice
Sometimes you need to listen to your body and take a full rest day, or if you’re feeling up to it, hit the track for some light skills practice. Sharpening your footwork or perfecting your hits on a lighter day can make all the difference.

Why Cross-Training Matters in Roller Derby

Cross-training isn’t just about looking fierce (though that’s always a bonus!). It’s about improving your game in all aspects—speed, strength, endurance, and mental toughness. It also helps prevent injuries, which is crucial when you’re out there hitting and being hit multiple times a game.

Personally, this program has made a huge difference in how I feel both on and off the track. My endurance is better, my hits are stronger, and I’ve been able to recover faster after tough games. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned derby vet, cross-training will take your skills to the next level.

Ready to #DoItDerby?

I challenge you to give this cross-training program a try. Let me know how it goes, and don’t forget to listen to your body—progress takes time, but the results will come. Remember, you’ve got the power to level up, on and off the track. Let’s keep rolling strong!

#DoItDerby #CrossTraining #LevelUp

xoxo
-S

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Why I’m Fat; and so are you. . .

Kind of a catchy title, right? You clicked on it didn’t you? Well that’s somewhat misleading because in this video I absolutely get down to the nitty gritty about my issues with weight and my poor relationship with food. I’m talking crappy-boyfriend-who-tears-you-down-to-nothing-and-tells-you-he-loves-you-and-you’re-lucky-because-no-one-else-will kind of bad relationship with food.

That’s it. That’s your warning.

Today’s video is not funny, it’s actually pretty heavy and emotional. It was not easy for me to gather my thoughts together to make a comprehensive video out of this, and I still don’t feel like I covered it all – but the video is a half an hour long. I have a plan to make a serious out of this where I will teach things that I learn along the way, as well as offer encouragement and support.

I do worry that some people may watch this and truly have hurt feelings or an emotional wound afterward. Please don’t. Remember that this is me and my choices that got me here; and it’s my journey to fix that. I want to be an inspiration and beacon of hope for anyone out there, even it is just one person, who feels like they have a path similar to mine, feels like they look similar to me, or just needs someone to go down this road with. That is the reason I felt that it was important to get all the ugly stuff out there this week. So here it is:

This right here is a giant hug from me to you.

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((xoxo))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

I definitely do NOT have it in me to have a personal face to face discussion about this right now, but this is something we can share just between us.

I feel as though we are going to go down the road of some serious talks in order to really push forward. I am going to try my best to mix in some lighthearted/fun/funny videos so that you don’t leave my channel emotionally drained each week!

Let’s get down to brass tacks. I really don’t want to verbatim copy what I said in the video. It took me several weeks of filming and editing to get it to the state it is in because of the emotional toll it took on me as well.

I want to reference this post of mine that gives a few more/different details.

There is a category right at the header of my blog that is entitled “UnChunk”. I’ve put quite a few good resources in there, and now I will be devoting some more time and energy to adding more.

Eating disorders are serious business. They are strange because they are a mental health issue, first and foremost, and mental health is still something that is hard for people to grasp the severity of because it is effectively invisible. Eating disorders come in all shapes and sizes and with people of all shapes and sizes. They are looked down upon as being disgusting or attention seeking. While some of that may be true, that probably accounts for .001% of people who actually suffer with an eating disorder of some kind. 28.8 Million Americans will have an eating disorder in their life time. I’ll say it again.

28.8 MILLION AMERICANS WILL HAVE AN EATING DISORDER IN THEIR LIFETIME.

Please. Click on that link. I will wait.

If you are suffering there is help. And please! Everyone stop shaming this! Not every person with an eating disorder is a 68lb, 19 year old, middle class, white woman.

I don’t chose to let this define me. I don’t even necessarily identify with it other than to put a face to the name, so-to-speak, and help to explain.

I’ll tell you this. I am ready to fight back and to overcome. Like I mentioned at the end of the video I feel elevated not sad. Optimistic not hopeless.

Please use the comment section as a place to hold a safe and healthy discussion about weight concerns. No-one should be excluded. Even if you’re just looking to lose those last five pounds! Everyone has their own thoughts, feelings, and emotions. AND everyone’s are valid. Love and support one another.

Tell me what you’re going through if you’re ready. What do you struggle with? What are your goals? What have you found to help you along the way?

The only thing that is off limits is “tips” in order to stay in the disordered mindset. You know who you are. I know what it looks like. Don’t try it.

I love you guys. Thank you so much for continuing to come back. Thank you so much for watching my videos.

Love yourself today.

xoxo

-S

P.S. – I KNOW! I need to find somewhere else besides my car to chat with you. I’m working on it. xoxoxoxoxo