Falling Forward, One Kick at a Time

Let’s be honest—wellness in our 40s and 50s doesn’t always look like daily green juice or nailing a yoga pose at sunrise. Sometimes, it looks like remembering to stretch before unloading the dishwasher or swapping that third cup of coffee for a tall glass of water (or at least thinking about it).

Still, we try.

Somewhere along the way—between raising families, managing careers, and finding ourselves again—we realized that wellness isn’t about striving for perfect. It’s about showing up for ourselves with grace, a little curiosity, and maybe even a sense of humor.

For me, it showed up wearing a white belt.

Years ago, I practiced taekwondo and loved how strong and steady it made me feel. So, when my son's taekwondo teacher asked if any parents wanted to join, I thought, Why not?  What better way to reconnect with that part of myself?

I went in strong. Afterall, I did this stuff when I was twenty-five. How different could it be? What I didn’t expect was to break my ankle in two places within the first week.

It was humbling—and a little hilarious in hindsight.

But a couple of months later, I went back. I didn’t quit. (Granted, I returned moving a bit more like a cautious crane than a fierce warrior, but I showed up.)

Because that’s the thing—wellness, at this age, isn’t about proving anything. It’s about feeling grounded. It's about honoring what our bodies and hearts truly need and giving ourselves the freedom to move in ways that feel good… not perfect.

Here in the Sisterhood, we celebrate:

• Peace over pressure

• Gentle movement over rigid routines

• Stillness when we need it, and strength when it rises

• And yes, even those quiet victories—like showing up again after a setback

  
  

So, whether you’re taking a walk, stretching in the kitchen, or karate-kicking your way back to yourself, know this:

Your wellness journey doesn’t need to be flawless. It just needs to be yours. Or, with a Sisterhood like this one, maybe ours.

And every step you take—no matter how wobbly—is worth celebrating.

I broke my Ankle. Not my Spirit.

A few months later, I was back on the mat -

My Ankle a little Weaker.

My Spirit a little Wiser.

Round two? Let's Go!

With a Wink and a Wrap,

Laura

Second Wind Sisterhood