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Congratulations to our 2024 Fall 8 Week #1uptransformationchallenge Female 3rd place $4,000 cash prize winner Jessica Bartoszek @babyblueyz31
This is her story
The official timeline for this transformation challenge may have been eight weeks, but my real journey began years ago, after the birth of my second child, Nova, and in the midst of the chaos that was COVID-19 until the birth of my last February2024.. It was during those times that I realized just how much of myself I had lost. lost in the sleepless nights, the endless to-do lists, and, most painfully, in an abusive relationship that made me question my worth for what felt like an eternity.
For years, I existed in survival mode, pouring every ounce of energy into my family and work while completely neglecting myself. I knew something had to change, but taking the first step felt like climbing a mountain with no summit in sight. The breaking point came when I decided I was done merely surviving…I wanted to thrive. I deserved to thrive.
So I made the decision to invest in myself again. At first, it felt selfish, even wrong. How could I prioritize myself when I had four kids to care for, a business to run, and a full-time job? But then I realized the truth: I couldn’t pour from an empty cup. If I wanted to show up as the best mom, business owner, and employee, I needed to first show up for myself.
That’s how I found myself waking up at 4 a.m., lacing up my shoes, and heading out the door while the rest of the world slept. Those early mornings became my sanctuary; a time when the demands of the day couldn’t touch me. I pushed through exhaustion, sadness, and doubt, driven by the belief that I was worth the effort.
Some days, I didn’t want to do it. I was tired- bone tired, and the idea of working out felt impossible. But I showed up anyway, reminding myself that change doesn’t come from comfort. It comes from consistency. Little by little, I started to notice changes, not just in my body, but in my mindset. I was becoming stronger, not just physically but mentally. I was reclaiming the parts of me that I thought I had lost forever.
The eight-week challenge gave me the structure I needed to push myself even further. I set goals, tracked my progress, and leaned on the support of the community around me especially the 1 up community. But more importantly, I looked in the mirror and saw someone I hadn’t seen in years: a woman who was determined, resilient, and unapologetically proud of herself. A bad ass capable of doing all things.
This journey wasn’t just about losing weight or transforming my body. It was about reclaiming my life. It was about proving to myself, and to my children, that it’s never too late to rewrite your story.
Winning third place in this challenge feels amazing, but the real prize is the woman I’ve become. I’m not just stronger; I’m happier, more confident, and finally at peace with who I am and who I'm becoming. I’ve learned that no matter how difficult life gets, we all have the power to rise above our circumstances and become the best version of ourselves.
And this is just the beginning.
