Weight is a challenge I struggled with for as long as I can remember. Trying every diet craze introduced was a way of life for me since I was a child and always ended in feelings of failure. Not being able to keep the commitment to myself to do what I thought it took to lose weight was extremely painful and left me feeling weak, out of control, and desperate, which caused me to eat more and the pattern continued. Knowing it was time to break the cycle, I continued searching for a solution I could be happy with and maintain long-term.
I knew there had to be more to it than food and exercise. I knew what to do, but I didn’t know how to do it in a way I could sustain. Why could I succeed in other areas of my life but not this one? There had to be a way to be healthy that didn’t involve deprivation, failure, and unrealistic expectations.
I found the answer started with my thoughts. When I was able to explore my thoughts about myself, my body, my ability to make lasting changes, and my self-worth in relation to weight, it was eye-opening. And sad. I knew I had so much to be grateful for in my life, yet I was allowing weight and food to overshadow all of it. Guilt and shame were the weight of the weight and I realized this is where I needed to start.
There’s a quote by Wayne Dyer that says, “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” And that’s where lasting change began for me. When I was able to see fresh perspectives and gain insights about myself that I had never recognized before, the way I approached healthy behaviors changed. Finding a Coach I had a real connection with made all the difference in the world to my success! She met me where I was and helped me to get out of my way. This allowed me to explore all kinds of pathways to my goals I had never thought of before. Ones that I enjoyed! I started to build a lifestyle around self-compassion, gratitude, joy, and healthy behaviors that felt good. I ditched the I should/I have to/I need to perspective and started exploring my answers to questions like what do I really want? As a result, I shed 75 pounds and for the first time in my life, I felt like my outside matched who I was on the inside.
Now, wellness is my passion, and helping someone else live their best life in a way that works for them is my calling. As my husband, Darin, would say, “the journey truly is the reward,” and I’m so grateful to be able to make an impact on so many unique journeys.
Who is Terra Ayres?
I currently live in the Catalina Foothills of Tucson, Arizona with my husband, Darin, and our two Petite Golden Doodles, Oakley and Ivy. Darin and are both from Illinois and return often to spend time with family. In addition to coaching, I’m also a Coach Trainer at Coach Training EDU, where I teach life coaching certification classes to those wanting to become coaches themselves. I’m incredibly grateful to be living my life’s passion…..helping others recalibrate their perceptions of themselves and witness their success as a result!
Darin and I share a great love for creating adventure in our everyday life. Our favorite conversations start with “Wouldn’t it be amazing if we…..” and continue as we hash out countless pathways to actually make it happen! Whether we are supporting each other to be the best we can be in our careers, spending time with our family and friends, training for a marathon, hiking rim to rim in the Grand Canyon or driving a Sprinter van along the coast of California….Our mission statement is always clear…live in gratitude for today. “The Journey is the Reward.”
I’m the mom of two amazing sons, Cole and Chase, who since they were little boys, have been my inspiration to live a life that is build around gratitude, joy and well-being. They’ve helped me learn patience, strength, and resilience, and now, as an empty nester, watching them model those behaviors in their adult lives is one of my greatest joys!
Family is everything to me. My sister, Paige and our two cousins, Darcy and Jamie, are my best friends and watching our children grow up together is one of my deepest sources of connection.
We can’t pour from an empty cup, so I believe self-care is in no way selfish! I love to indulge in hot tea lattes, shopping for the perfect outfit and creative writing. I find balance and enjoyment in pilates, long walks, hiking, and daily prayer and gratitude journaling. Somewhere near the ocean is my favorite place to be and inspires me to help others find joy in all aspects of life. All is well!
