It was impossible to get through high school in the 1980s without hearing "We Are the Champions" by Queen. It was sung at sports events, of course, but also throughout the halls of my high school by young men proclaiming themselves, loudly.

Always the chorus -- We are the champions -- never the intro

I've paid my dues
Time after time
I've done my sentence
But committed no crime
And bad mistakes
I've made a few
I've had my share of sand
Kicked in my face
But I've come through

It's not a song about dominance. It's a song of perseverance.

Of course it is.

You brought me fame and fortune
And everything that goes with it
I thank you all
But it's been no bed of roses
No pleasure cruise
I consider it a challenge before
The human race
And I ain't gonna lose

Of course the chorus, No time for losers 'Cause we are the champions of the World was sung extra loud.

We were the champions and that meant that other people were the losers.

But now I hear it differently.

Freddie Mercury refuses to see himself as a loser. He paid his dues and that means he is -- Queen is -- We are -- the champions of the world.

Because we persevere. Because we refuse to ever consider anything we do losing.

Even if we lose our job.

Even if our spouse leaves us.

Even if we start a restaurant and it closes in the first year.

Even if some days we doubt ourselves.

Being alive is a challenge before the human race. And we can decide that we are either winning or learning. That's it.

No time for losers 'cause we are the champions of the world.

This week, if you feel self-doubt, embarrassment, cringe at your own humanity, take a minute and embrace your inner Freddy Mercury. Sometimes life throws sand in our face, but we come through. We can affirm that we are the champions.

Go on, put the song on and sing it loudly. You've earned it.

I pulled a musical oracle card because I wasn't sure what to write about. Taking two unrelated things and finding connections between them is one of my favorite ways to foster creativity. In this week's episode, I draw connections between core principles of Pilates and the work I do. So grab some stretchy clothes for your brain, because we're going to Pilates class!

Episode #42: Pilates for your brain

Ep #42

A few months ago, I got hurt during exercise, and I've been regaining my strength with Pilates. I've learned a lot, and see connections between what I'm learning in Pilates and what I've learned about my brain.

So on today's episode, we're taking our brains to Pilates class. I'll share four key takeaways that are true in Pilates and true in life, so we can strengthen our foundation in both.

On this episode:

🌟 Why we're often wrong about what's wrong

🌟 How isolating the facts helps us to see our story

🌟 Why slouching every day or having unhelpful thoughts is not a problem

🌟 How habits help us to know ourselves

I'm helped in this episode by the wonderful owner of Jessica Fudim Pilates. She's so talented and truly such a compassionate, loving person to learn from (and over Zoom!). You can find her at jessicafudimpilates.com.

Have a great weekend!

Love, Rachel

P.S. It's my podcast-versary! One year of Making Midlife Magic. To celebrate, I'm opening one slot to work with me for an entire year. A year is such a luxurious amount of time! We tend to over-estimate how much we can accomplish in a day and under-estimate how much we can accomplish in a year. I can hardly believe that I've been a podcaster for a whole year.

In a year, we can choose four issues for three months each -- such as relationships, money, confidence, body image -- or we can focus on a single issue for the entire year, or do something else entirely. Who do you want to be in one year? It's all possible. If this makes your heart sing, go to coachingwithrachel.com/oneyear for more information or drop me a note at rachel@coachingwithrachel.

P.P.S. Of course. Here you go.