Jeanicia's Running Reality: empowerment

Showing posts with label empowerment. Show all posts

Saturday, November 15, 2025

Modernizing Foster Care: Promise, Pitfalls, and the Path Forward

The White House has issued a new executive order aimed at improving the nation’s foster care system and providing greater support to young people who age out of it. The order focuses on modernizing child welfare practices, creating more opportunities for foster youth, and expanding partnerships with private and faith-based organizations.

Under the order, states are encouraged to update their technology and data systems to better track children in foster care, match them with appropriate families, and measure outcomes. For a child who moves between multiple foster homes, improved data collection could mean caseworkers always have accurate information about their school, health, and personal needs, reducing delays and mistakes that can make an already difficult situation even harder.

The order also establishes an initiative called “Fostering the Future,” designed to help young adults who have been in foster care access scholarships, job training, housing, healthcare, and mentoring services. A 20-year-old who has just aged out of the system could use this platform to find a short-term vocational program, apply for financial aid, and connect with a mentor in their city—all in one place. The aim is to give youth the tools to become self-sufficient and successful as they transition to adulthood.

Another key element encourages partnerships with faith-based organizations. Supporters argue that allowing these organizations to participate in foster care programs could increase the number of families available to children in need, particularly in communities where foster homes are scarce. Critics, however, warn that religious exemptions could allow some families to refuse placements based on religion, gender identity, or family background, potentially limiting options for children who need homes the most.

While the order has the potential to make foster care more efficient, supportive, and responsive to the needs of youth, its success will depend on careful implementation. Overreliance on predictive analytics and artificial intelligence carries the risk of bias or privacy concerns, and much of the plan requires cooperation from state governments and adequate funding. For children and families already navigating the challenges of foster care, this order could bring welcome improvements—but it also raises questions about equity, inclusivity, and how federal initiatives intersect with state policies.

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Why Do People Care About Your Fitness Choices?

As a fitness instructor, I’ve noticed how much people can get invested in what you’re doing with your workouts. Whether you’re in love with POUND, focusing on strength training, or mixing in some yoga, people sometimes feel the need to chime in with their two cents. It's interesting how personal these conversations can get, almost as if your choice is somehow a reflection on theirs.

Here’s what I’ve come to realize: when people see you making different fitness choices, they sometimes interpret it as a critique of what they’re doing—even though that's not what’s happening at all. It’s like, “Wait, you don’t use pre-workout?!” Suddenly, they feel the need to defend why they can’t get through a workout without it. But the thing is, you’re not judging them at all. You’re just doing what works best for you.

We All Have Different Fitness Journeys

What people forget is that fitness isn’t a one-size-fits-all thing. Everyone’s body responds differently, and what works for you might not work for someone else. I love leading my POUND and STRONG Nation classes because they’re energetic, empowering, and full of variety. But that doesn’t mean I’m saying everyone should ditch their usual routine to join me (although it’s super fun!). It’s just my way of staying active and feeling great.

It’s a bit like how some people look at marriage or kids—what feels like a huge commitment to one person might feel totally manageable to someone else. You’re not saying, “This is the only way to live,” you’re just choosing what makes sense for you. And honestly, the same goes for your workouts.

Changing Trends, Changing Mindsets

What’s seen as “right” or “best” in fitness changes all the time. At one point, everyone was doing cardio, thinking it was the only way to lose weight and stay fit. Now, we know strength training is equally important. Here are a few more fitness trends that have changed over time:

Cardio Over Strength Training: Years ago, people believed if you weren’t sweating buckets on the treadmill, you weren’t getting a good workout. Now, we know that lifting weights builds muscle, boosts metabolism, and helps with long-term fitness. Read more on the benefits of strength training.
Low-Fat Diets: Remember when everything was low-fat, and we thought that was the way to stay healthy? Turns out, healthy fats are actually important! Avocados, anyone? The myth of low-fat diets explained.
No Pain, No Gain: There was a time when if you weren’t sore the next day, people thought you didn’t work hard enough. But now, we understand that pushing your body too hard isn’t always the best approach, and rest days are crucial. Here’s why recovery matters.

Your Choice Isn’t a Critique of Theirs

So, why do people care so much about what you’re doing with your fitness routine? I think it comes down to validation. When someone sees you making different choices, it can make them feel like their own decisions are being questioned, even though they’re not. Your choice isn’t a referendum on what anyone else is doing—it’s just what works for you.

It’s not that you’re saying, “You’re wrong for using pre-workout,” just like they’re not saying you’re wrong for skipping it. We’re all on different paths, with different goals, and that’s totally fine.

Do What Works for You

At the end of the day, your fitness journey is personal. Whether you’re hitting the gym for some heavy lifting, joining a high-energy group class, or finding your flow in yoga, what matters is that it makes you feel good and strong. You’re not asking anyone to change their routine, just like you’re not expecting anyone to skip pre-workout just because you do (though, really, you might be saving a bit on supplements 😉).

So, the next time someone seems overly interested in why you’re choosing your workout routine, just remember: they’re likely just looking for validation. And that’s okay! But your choice isn’t a critique of theirs, and their choice doesn’t need to define yours. We all have our own journey, and as long as it works for you, that’s all that matters.

Sources:

Benefits of Strength Training:
- Mayo Clinic - Strength Training: Why It Matters
The Low-Fat Diet Myth:
- Harvard Health Publishing - The Low-Fat Diet Myth
Why Recovery Days Matter:
- Verywell Fit - Importance of Recovery Days

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Motherhood Isn't Mandatory: Redefining Success for Girls

From childhood, many girls are surrounded by subtle, and sometimes loud, messages that suggest motherhood is their ultimate destiny. Whether it's seeing their own moms juggling schedules and snacks like Olympic athletes or observing peers proudly parading their new baby siblings, the assumption is often that girls will follow the same path. But what if they don’t want to? What if their life goal isn’t to become a snack-slinging, stroller-pushing superhero? It’s time to talk about how families and educators can teach girls that it’s perfectly okay not to want kids. Spoiler: You can be a functional adult without ever changing a diaper.

Breaking the Mold: Early Conversations and Diverse Role Models

From an early age, most girls are handed dolls, play kitchens, and strollers, as if their future resumes will have "mother" listed under Skills. But what if we switched it up? Why not astronaut helmets, science kits, and pretend boardrooms? If we want girls to see life beyond motherhood, we need to give them more options to explore. I mean, why are all the pretend baby bottles when you could give them a tiny coffee maker and let them pretend they’re running their own café at 5 a.m. (like their future startup CEO selves)?

For real change, we need educators to step up. Think back to career day in school. Did anyone ever introduce you to a woman who didn’t have kids and was totally thriving? No? Me neither. Let's fix that. Showcasing successful women who never walked down the path of motherhood—like Oprah, who opted to change the world in different ways¹, or Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who balanced motherhood but left a legacy that transcends it²—can change the narrative. Moms are amazing, but non-moms can change the world too, just without spit-up on their shirts.

As someone who doesn’t have kids by choice (I’m Team No-Baby), I remember how awkward it felt explaining that decision to people who acted like I was cancelling a subscription to happiness. It’s important for girls to know there’s no "life script" they have to follow.

Addressing the Biological Clock Myth

Let's talk about the “biological clock.” If I had a dollar for every time someone said, “You’re going to regret it later when your clock runs out,” I could buy myself a high-end, fancy watch to remind them that I make my own timeline. While it's true that fertility decreases with age, recent studies show that women are having kids later and still thriving as mothers—or not having kids at all and living their best lives³.

Waiting until your 30s to have kids is actually pretty standard now, and yet people still act like it’s a race against time. The truth? There’s no prize for being the youngest parent in the PTA. Educators can jump in here too, by talking about the science of fertility and the joys of self-development. Imagine if health class wasn’t just about reproductive organs but also about financial stability, travel, and personal growth. In my 20s, I was busy getting certified as a fitness instructor and traveling, while others were busy… well, busy with other things (aka kids). We all have different paths.

Reclaiming Youth: Emphasizing Self-Development Over Baby-Making

There’s this sneaky idea that women are “selling their youth” if they don’t have babies early, like we’re all at a fertility garage sale, discounting our best years. But guess what? Your 20s and 30s are prime years for self-exploration, building careers, and doing what you want to do—not what society expects. My 20s weren’t about bedtime routines and diaper duty. They were about certifications, trying new hobbies, and, yes, late-night taco runs (because who says I can’t enjoy my time?).

The message to girls should be clear: your youth isn’t on sale. Use it to discover your passions, find your strengths, and create the life you want, whether that includes babies or not. Studies even show that women who wait to have kids—or who never do—can still lead incredibly satisfying lives³. Educators can add value here by emphasizing personal development in school. Imagine if instead of pushing prom and proposals, we encouraged mentorships and side hustles. Let girls know that it’s perfectly okay to figure themselves out before making lifelong commitments (to kids, or anything else).

Redefining Success: Valuing Choices Equally

We need to talk about how we define success. Right now, society still places a lot of emphasis on traditional roles, like becoming a wife or mother. But success is so much broader than that. Why not celebrate all the choices women can make? We should applaud women for their contributions to society, personal fulfillment, and professional achievements, whether they choose to have kids or not. Let’s stop measuring female success by how many baby booties are in their house and start recognizing the impact they’re making in the world.

At home, parents can do a lot to change this narrative. Throw parties for everything. Instead of just baby showers, why not have a party when your daughter graduates, starts a new job, or gets a promotion? I mean, let’s be honest: a promotion pays better than parenthood. If I had a dollar for every kid-related gift I’ve bought for others… oh wait, I dohave that dollar—I spent it on yoga classes and wine.

Conclusion: A New Story for the Next Generation

Teaching girls that it’s okay not to want children isn’t about discouraging motherhood—it’s about showing them that they have choices. By normalizing child-free paths and highlighting diverse role models, we give the next generation of women the freedom to decide for themselves what role, if any, motherhood will play in their lives.

So let’s raise a glass (of mocktails, wine, or kombucha—your choice) to a future where girls know they can be anything they want to be: CEOs, travelers, educators, or taco enthusiasts—without the expectation that they’ll also be mothers.

References: