Training vs. Working Out — Why the Difference Matters More Than You Think

For decades, I tried everything. Every workout plan. Every diet trend. Every “start over on Monday” cycle you can imagine. And while I worked hard, I wasn’t truly transforming. Not deeply. Not sustainably. Not from the inside out.

Then COVID happened, the world went online, and for the first time I stopped long enough to ask: “What if I’m doing this all backwards?”

That was the moment I took the leap and hired Billy Beck III (BB3)—someone I admired for years through Tony Robbins. And what my husband and I learned through that experience changed everything.

We stopped working out, and we started training—not for a diet, not for an event, not for a finish line…but for our life. And with the new mindset, we became the strongest, healthiest, most grounded versions of ourselves we had EVER been.

That’s when I realized something profound:

People don’t fail because they don’t work hard. They fail because they don’t train with intention.

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A Local Surprise That Changed Everything

What struck me immediately about Dr. Mike Laviolette was his rare combination of passion, intellect, and heart—the same kind of “geek out on human potential” energy I experienced while working with Billy Beck III. The moment we talked, I recognized that familiar spark: the genuine desire to help people become stronger, healthier, and more aligned from the inside out.

Inspired by the powerful work of Tony Robbins and Billy Beck, this partnership naturally evolved into something uniquely ours—translated into a holistic, grounding, and accessible approach for the people we serve.

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“Where focus goes, energy flows.” — Tony Robbins

This truth is the heartbeat of this entire conversation. When you focus on quick fixes, your energy follows. When you focus on training for your life, your energy flows toward true transformation.

This is why training isn’t about marathons or competitions. You are training for:

• your life

• your joy

• your resilience

• your future

• the best version of YOU

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Training vs. Working Out — The Real Difference

Working Out:

• Sporadic, motivated by short-term goals

• Often tied to dieting and quick fixes

Training:

• Consistent, identity-based, and purpose-driven

• Integrated into your lifestyle for long-term vitality

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A Gentle Teaser of What’s to Come

And this is just the beginning. I’m excited to share that I’ll soon be introducing more about how we can bring this philosophy into our local community in a holistic and accessible way. Stay tuned—more details are coming soon!

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Conclusion

If you’re tired of starting over, done with quick fixes, and ready for a lifestyle that supports your mind, body, and energy, then it’s time to train for your life.

I can’t wait to walk this path with you.
More to come...

                                    ...Stay tuned!

Part 3 of 3: The Integration Blueprint — Where Strength Meets Stillness

Over the past two weeks, we’ve explored the physical side of healing with Dr. Mike Laviolette — from building strength and restoring energy, to addressing what our bodies have been trying to tell us for years. His insights have been powerful, practical, and deeply validating for so many of you.

In today’s final piece, we’re bringing it all together.

Because true healing doesn’t live in silos. It lives in synergy.

When we align physical health with emotional well-being and energetic balance, we begin to feel connected again — not just stronger or calmer, but truly whole. This is where wholistic meets holistic. And this is where transformation begins.

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🔌 Why Integration Matters

We often treat the body, mind, and spirit as separate systems — physical therapy over here, journaling over there, Reiki as a “bonus” when things feel heavy. But what if your neck pain isn’t just mechanical? What if your chronic fatigue is also emotional? What if your body is doing its best to protect you from an energetic wound you haven’t yet named?

When we address all parts of the self, healing no longer feels like a struggle — it becomes a conversation.

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🏋️ + 🌟 How Physical Therapy and Holistic Healing Work Together

Here’s how my work and Dr. Mike’s complement each other:

Dr. Mike (Wholistic PT)	Mary-Anne (Holistic Healing)
Restores movement & mobility	Balances energy & emotion
Strengthens muscle and posture	Calms the nervous system
Boosts physical resilience	Releases trapped emotions
Reduces pain through alignment	Encourages inner peace through intuition
Trains the body with intention	Aligns the spirit with intention

When these approaches are combined, your healing journey accelerates — because we’re working on all levels.

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✨ A Simple Framework: Move – Release – Align

1. Move — Build strength, stimulate circulation, wake up your nervous system

2. Release — Let go of what’s stuck in your energy body or emotional memory

3. Align — Reconnect with your intuition, your breath, your truth

This is how you reset your system — not just physically, but soulfully.

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📅 Introducing: The Wholistic Reset Package

We’re excited to now offer a special collaborative experience that integrates:

• Personalized sessions with Dr. Mike (strength, mobility, injury prevention)

• Healing sessions with Mary-Anne (Reiki, Craniosacral Therapy, EFT, Chakra Balancing)

• Guided tools for journaling, reflection, and daily movement

Whether you're recovering from injury, rebuilding energy, or starting a new chapter, this reset package is designed to help you feel strong, calm, and aligned — in body, mind, and spirit.

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🌿 Your Next Step

You don’t have to do it all at once.
You don’t have to be perfect.
You just have to begin.

Let this be your invitation to stop compartmentalizing your wellness and start embracing the power of integration.

Because strength is beautiful. Stillness is powerful. But together?
They’re unstoppable. DM me if interested in learning more...

A huge shout out to Dr. Mike for sharing his expertise with us~  Please visit Evolve Health Physical Therapy to learn more about his services.

Stay intentional,
💛 Mary-Anne

Part 2 of 3: Real Talk with Dr. Mike: Q&A on Building Strength, Healing Smarter, and Aging Powerfully

After the incredible response to last week’s post on Strength, Resilience, and What Your Body’s Been Trying to Tell You, I knew we couldn’t stop there.

Dr. Mike’s message struck a chord — reminding so many of us that our bodies don’t just want to survive, they want to thrive. But let’s be honest: it’s one thing to read about muscle loss, stress hormones, or energy dips… and another to know what to actually do about it in real life.

That’s why I invited Dr. Mike back for a special Q&A session — to answer the questions I hear most from my clients, students, and readers who are ready for real change but aren’t sure where to start. From strength training after 40 to balancing progress and recovery, this conversation is practical, personal, and deeply aligned with the Intentional Calm philosophy of healing with purpose.

Let’s dive in.

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What inspired you to focus on helping busy professionals and parents build strength and confidence?

My dad’s health struggles with Alzheimer’s made me realize how much prevention matters and how often it’s ignored until it’s too late. 

Most people wait for something to break before taking care of themselves. I wanted to change that. Now I help people who spend their lives taking care of others build strength, confidence, and longevity so they can show up fully for the people they love.

What’s one common misconception people have about starting strength training later in life?

That it’s too late or that getting stronger means getting bulky. Neither is true. Your body can build muscle and adapt at any age. The right kind of training helps you move better, boost energy, and protect against chronic disease. Strength training isn’t about extremes, it’s about taking back control of your body and your health.

What do you see as the biggest barriers for people in their 40s, 50s, and 60s when it comes to consistency?

Time and identity. Most of my clients have spent decades putting family and work first. They don’t see themselves as “fitness people” anymore. Once they realize that taking care of themselves is taking care of their family, everything changes. It’s not about doing more, it’s about making health part of who they are again.

What changes do you notice once clients start prioritizing strength and recovery?

Energy is the first thing for sure. They move easier, sleep better, and hurt less. But the deeper change is mindset. They stop doubting themselves. They stand taller, feel capable again, and often say, “I feel like myself for the first time in years.” For me, watching those mindset shifts is the most rewarding part.

For someone who feels too busy to start, what’s one simple step they can take today?

Start small. Two 30 minute (or less) strength sessions a week can make a difference. Don’t worry about doing it perfectly. Just be consistent. Health isn’t built through massive life overhauls, it’s built through small, repeatable wins.

What do you wish more people understood about staying strong and confident as they age?

It’s not just about looking younger (though that can be a bonus), it’s about living longer, better. The goal isn’t to turn back time, it’s to stay strong enough to do the things that matter most. Strength, good nutrition, quality sleep, and managing stress work together to keep you mobile, able, confident and resilient.

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Fun Facts

• Daily habit you can’t live without: Morning coffee. It’s quiet time before the day starts. It’s also good for your health but that could be a whole other conversation. Ha!
• If you could train with anyone: Eric Helms.  He combines evidence with practicality.
• Coffee order: Kalita pour-over, 16g coffee to 250g water at 197°F

Three words clients would use to describe you: Knowledgeable. Relatable. Grounded.

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🟨 Closing Thoughts from Mary-Anne

If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this Q&A, it’s this: you don’t have to choose between physical health and inner harmony. You can strengthen your body with intention and nourish your spirit with compassion. The best results happen when we stop compartmentalizing and start integrating — strength, energy, emotion, and peace working together.

Next week in Part Three, we’ll bring it all home — exploring how physical strength, emotional alignment, and energetic balance merge in my work (and how you can begin your own Wholistic + Holistic Reset with intention).

Until then, choose one thing from today’s conversation — one shift, one mindset, one action — and begin there.

Because as we say often around here:

Challenge creates change.
And small steps, taken intentionally, create lasting transformation.

Be well,
💛 Mary-Anne