Mindy Turner, Finding Her Internal Drive

Get To Know

Get To Know

Internal Drive

AS A REGISTERED NURSE AND A MOM, MINDYTURNER WAS USED TO TAKING CARE OF EVERYONE BUT HERSELF. DISCOVERING FITNESS FINALLY HELPED HER LEARN TO FULFIL HER OWN NEEDS.

I’m an ER/trauma registered nurse. I studied nursing because I wanted to help people. I’ve always been drawn to service professions and nursing allowed me to fulfill this calling in my life. I have worked out in a gym for most of my adult life on and off but didn’t really pursue it diligently until about four years ago.

Rediscovering Fitness in My 40s

Once my youngest child was old enough for school, I became more interested in fitness. I had turned 40 and wanted a change. Up until that point, my life had always been about everybody else and their needs, especially when my kids were little. I really began a true love affair with fitness at this point and loved seeing the changes it was making in my life—both inside and out.

Evolving Diet and Gym Routine

I have learned so much along the way. My diet now is based on macros and what my current goals are. It changes during different times of the year. I need more food for growing muscles, and less for leaning down. I have had great success with that. But during the holidays it’s definitely more of an “everything in moderation” approach.

I have discovered so much about how my body functions compared to how I used to eat. Same with my gym routine—I really focus on form and mind-muscle connection more than in the past. It’s much more important than just going through the motions to just get the workout done.

Success in Fitness and Life

“Success is not what you have, but who you are.” I read this somewhere and it resonated with me, not just professionally but in all areas of life. I believe that you can become successful with discipline. Set a goal. Plan for your goal, research what is needed for your goal and realize this will take time. It doesn’t happen overnight. Consistency, diligence, and patience are your friends when it comes to fitness goals.

That’s not to say that I’m always on track. Dedication and motivation waver. Setbacks happen. Life and unplanned events happen. You must learn to be your own rock. If you are dedicated enough, you can learn to be your own motivation. It’s hard to expect someone else to be that for you. You need that internal drive to keep pushing yourself.

Balancing Dedication with Treats

That being said, I think it is healthy to go out to a favourite restaurant or have that dessert that you have been craving once in a while. I work hard to reach my fitness goals, so a treat every so often is certainly well deserved.

I have a good group of friends, all from different areas of my life, and my husband is definitely part of my inner circle. They are all truly supportive of me. They always keep me laughing, which is an absolute necessity.

Overcoming Negative Influences

Negative and unsupportive people in my life have been by far the hardest things for me to shake. I have to tell myself it doesn’t matter what others think or say. That has been a struggle for me my entire life, and it’s something that I continue to work on. It has actually turned into a positive because it is allowing me to work more on this aspect of my life.