by Jake Thompson

Why I Compete: Rowena Ignacio

“I have to compete every day for me, and most times, against me, m...

“I have to compete every day for me, and most times, against me, myself and I in order to be my personal best for my husband and my kids. If mama isn’t happy, then nobody is happy.”

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Rowena Ignacio, and I am a wife to my high school sweetheart, Stanley, for almost 9 years.  I am originally from Plano…yes, I am a native Texan! We have a 5-year-old son, a 4-year-old son and our third boy is coming Oct 2016. In addition to being a devoted wife and busy mom, I manage Public Relations for Compete Every Day and am a Community Relations Ambassador for The Guadalupe Radio Network KATH 910 AM.

2. What’s a typical day look like for you?

I wake up at 5:15am to enjoy the only silence I have for prayer, reflection and breakfast. From 5:30am-8:30am I’m rushing around trying to get kids out of bed and off to school. Once everyone is where they need to be, I then catch up on personal and work emails/phone calls. I run family and personal errands throughout the day. Before I know it, it’s already time to pick up the kids from school. The afternoon is spent getting the kids settled, managing any remaining work items that are of priority, and then I prepare dinner before my husband gets home from his office. After dinner and after the kids’ bedtime at 8:30pm, I do my best to unwind.

Being over 7 months pregnant, I take it easy in the late evening. I indulge in a little reality TV and/or catch up on social media and blog/book reading. I also reconnect with my husband and enjoy talking about the hectic day we just experienced. By 11pm, I’m off to bed. By 3am, I’m wide awake thanks to pregnancy insomnia and then shortly after, the whole daily routine starts back up again!

3. How did you get started on your current fitness journey?

I have always been an athlete and grew up playing soccer, volleyball and basketball. Fitness and enjoying gym time have always been a priority. When I was in my early 20’s and just beginning my professional PR career, I aspired to be a Dallas Mavericks dancer. In addition to playing sports, I have been dancing my entire life and thought to make fitness/professional dancing for the NBA a hobby-turned-athletic pursuit. After months and months of training, dieting and slaving away in the dance studio, I didn’t make the final cut to be on the squad. But what I will forever cherish was my passion and dedication to a fitness routine and focused goal.

Fast forward to having two kids and 40 pounds of baby weight to shed, I became more impassioned about living a healthier lifestyle than ever before. I get inspiration from other fitness-minded moms who pushed me to run my first 5k, 10k and then sign up for my first half marathon. Even at 7 months pregnant with my third child, I have NEVER been more determined to continue living a healthy and active lifestyle until NOW.

4. What’s one goal you’re currently training for?

I hope and pray to be hitting the pavement while training for a half marathon by end of year. I never got to run my first half marathon this past spring because two weeks prior to race day, I found out I was pregnant with my third child! 

5. What’s one life goal you’re currently pursuing outside of fitness?

I would love to see myself successfully balancing marriage/motherhood and my public relations and broadcasting career in the next 1-3 years. 

6. What does it mean to you to Compete Every Day?

Thanks to CED’s messages of empowerment, I’m able to affirm myself in that I never know what I’m truly capable of until I go out there and try! Knowing that if I just flip that switch of self-doubt and making excuses to believing I can and I will do all things through Christ who strengthens me, I then become bigger, faster and stronger in every role I manage every day! 

7. What is one obstacle you are proud you’ve overcome on your journey?

Back in the spring of 2013, I was an exhausted stay-at-mom with two kids under the age of three. I didn’t feel like I was at my best personally, physically nor spiritually. I flipped that switch and became razor-sharp focused on a health goal: to get back to my pre-pregnancy fit self and to bring my husband along for the ride! I began a total transformation and changed everything from eating habits, sleeping habits and how I spent any free time to a more purpose-driven clean-eating lifestyle. It took only 3 months to see noticeable results, and by 6 months into this healthy lifestyle choice, both my husband and I were in the best shape of our lives! 

It took a lot out of me to prep meals 3 times a day for 2 adults while managing an infant, a toddler, two dogs and a whole household. But it was worth every moment of relentless effort to accomplish it all! At that point, there was no turning back and I could feel myself fully showing up and being at my personal best for my husband, for my kids and for my friends and family I saw on a regular basis. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy, and the greatest success came from realizing I never knew what I was truly capable of until I gave it a try! 

8. What/who do you compete for?

I compete for ME! Too often throughout the day, I fight through tears, exhaustion, discomfort, negativity, and self-doubt to then rise above what holds me back. I have to compete every day for me, and most times, against me, myself and I in order to be my personal best for my husband and my kids. If mama isn’t happy, then nobody is happy. If I make the time to care for myself, then those I care for will be nurtured in the best of ways.

Connect with Rowena: Instagram

The post Why I Compete: Rowena Ignacio appeared first on Compete Every Day.

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