Joanie 0. Bee 1.

Hi friends,

I’m writing this from the local medical clinic at 8am.

Not because I threw my back out.
Not because I ignored a warning sign.
Not because I did something particularly reckless.

I got stung by a bee.
While walking down the beach.
Minding my own business.
Existing peacefully.

I didn’t swat.
I didn’t panic.
I didn’t deserve this.

And the worst part?
I actually love bees.

As soon as it happened, I felt bad. Like genuinely sad that he died on me. I remember thinking, Oh, buddy!  Why?!  I was just walking!

Now — here’s what really "stings".

I know I’ve been stung before. I have clear childhood memories of running around barefoot, stepping on bees, screaming dramatically… and then immediately going back to play like nothing happened.

This time?

My body said,
“Oh no. We are reacting now.”

Cue swelling.
Cue concern.
Cue me sitting in a plastic chair while the doctor looks at me kindly and says:

“Well… you learn something new every day.
Bodies change as we get older.”

BAM.

Straight to the soul.
Straight to the nervous system.
Straight to my perimenopause-era consciousness.

Did I need a reminder that my body is changing?
No.
Did I receive that reminder via a beach bee while racing the clock to build bone density and lean muscle mass?
Yes. 🫠

Is this happening to anyone else? Or am I just extra aware because:

1. this is literally my profession, and

2. I’m currently deep in menopause education, where every other sentence is some version of “now is the time to protect your future body.”

Like — I’m already lifting.
Already prioritizing protein.
Already breathing.
Already doing the corrective work.

Did the universe really need to add venom to the lesson plan?

And yet… here I am. Still waiting. Still swollen. Still learning.

Because this is actually the work.

Bodies changing doesn’t mean they’re betraying us.
It means they’re asking for a different conversation.

Different inputs.
Different recovery.
Different timelines.
Different expectations.

Corrective exercise exists because of this.

Not to punish you.
Not to push harder.
Not to pretend you’re still invincible.

But to help your body feel safe enough to adapt — hormonally, neurologically, structurally — to where you actually are right now.

I’m doing this work with you.
Not because I’m afraid of aging — but because I refuse to ignore it.

I want strong bones because I supported them.
Muscle because I trained it intelligently.
And a nervous system that doesn’t spiral every time life — or nature — surprises me.

So today’s reminder, courtesy of one very misunderstood bee:
Lie down.
Breathe.
Train smart.
Build patiently.

And maybe… offer the bees a little more personal space.

If you want a coach who understands this phase and won’t rush your body through it — you know where to find me.

Sending love (and antihistamines),
Coach Joanie 💛

Three hours, three prescriptions, and a much needed coffee later — growth comes in weird forms.