Epic Woman Spotlight: Deka

Before Deka started her EpicLuv work, she didn’t know how to boil hot water.

Seriously.

She had just turned 30 and along with not knowing the basics of how to begin a cooking process in her kitchen, she also had never worked out in her entire life and depended on fast food for a majority of her meals.

She had a self-image of weakness and vulnerability that started in elementary school and lasted through the first-half of her adult life.

She was ready for a change – both physically and mentally. She met the love of her life, was about to be married, and wanted to literally start a new life both inside and outside.

Making the commitment

Deka had one simple goal in the beginning: to be able to do pushups and run one mile.

She reached out to Melissa to help her and made the commitment to herself and for herself to get stronger and leaner. And to get leaner, that meant learning the ropes of her kitchen! Goodbye to pre-packaged foods in the freezer aisle or surviving on cereal and foods from a box.

Melissa and Deka worked together to create nutrition and exercise habits and goals that were easy to learn and more importantly, sustainable for Deka. Progress would be slow and steady, but tracking her wins, rewarding herself, and practicing gratitude throughout the process would enable her to develop self-care habits that could last a lifetime.

Yoga, weight lifting, cooking, and meditation are all weekly habits and routines that are a steadfast part of Deka’s life through hard work and determination. She no longer works out and eats healthy for her outer appearance, but more for her internal state of health and mental well being.

Her newest Epic goal: lifting weights and doing yoga at 100 years old!

Deka’s self-acceptance journey

One of the biggest revelations that Deka shares is that Melissa has taught her to look at herself and be kind, to be authentic to yourself, and that it is OK to treat and reward yourself!

In the past, Deka had struggled with strong self-judgement and being super critical of herself. By working with EpicLuv, she has learned how to read and listen closely to her body as well as how to give relaxation and respect when it needs it. This process alone, she says, has been incredibly liberating, giving her the inner peace to be forgiving of herself.

Through her work with Melissa, she has experienced first-hand Melissa’s “authentic humanity,” crediting Melissa that she, “Truly cares about your mental health and physical wellbeing.”

Today, even as Deka says, “she matures,” she is getting stronger, leaner, and healthier. She is proof that it is NEVER too late to start brand new habits and routines that never existed before in your life and wholeheartedly embrace the self-care and physical nourishment that your mind, body, and spirit deserve.