Christmas shopping is always a fun time for me. I know most people dread it but I like to plan and buy gifts for others.  Inevitably in the shopping marathon I always add in a few things for me. I mean who knows better what I like than me. About the same time I was reading my news feed on Facebook when I saw what I thought would be my ultimate gift to me. Jillian Michaels from Biggest Loser was giving me a chance to win an Incline Trainer. Purchases on different sites earned you points and I had enough to enter and some to spare. I also noticed there was a 30 minute Skype session so I entered for that prize as well.

Christmas came as well as the beginning of 2013 and contests were forgotten. In February I received an email saying I did not win the Incline Trainer but had won the Skype session. I was excited to say the least.   I have to admit I have met Jillian a couple of times, once about 5 years ago, in Los Angeles ,when a group from her website went to an epic boot camp, then 2  years ago at a conference in Washington, D.C.

It took some time to get this arranged mainly due to her work schedule and the tour she did this spring and summer. Looking back now this 30 minute one on one would not have been as beneficial in February as it was last night.  The arrangements were finalized and Monday night was picked. I had some questions in mind for her but not enough to fill the entire 30 minutes

Before getting into the conversation, I have to say I do not consider myself in awe or a fan. Jillian has always provided the means to get healthy and shed weight. I have never felt she got the credit for my success because I was the one who did the work. She is one of those people I like and would always be on the list for my dinner party but so would Audrey Hepburn.

It was now J time. I made sure Skype was on and in good working order. The assigned time came and went but no familiar tones were heard. Thoughts of maybe they forgot, she was held up or had another commitment raced through my mind. Then the familiar Skype tone sounded.

I connected but no video. Then the video appeared but it was a pix-elated Jillian. Have to say that is a very unique visual. We finally got the technical difficulties solved.  The cutest part of the conversation was Jill’s daughter Lu. She climbed on her Mom’s lap and did what all 3 year olds do, chat with the person on the screen. She reminded me of my granddaughter and it was such a great way to start the conversation.  I said good-bye to Lu and then started chatting with Jillian.

One of the first things she said was “What do you want to talk about this is your Skype session?” Such a telling comment because it suddenly struck me yes it is MY session. We didn’t talk exercise or diet questions. I know enough about those things. What we did talk about was emotions and life.

Yes we went over the 30 minute limit and probably could have talked an hour more. She gave me homework and advice. It was what I needed at this point in my journey.   She wasn’t the Jillian you see on TV but I already knew that. She was the caring person who listened. She was that friend who was not the yes person but the friend who told you what you needed to hear. I think I won something so much better than the Incline Trainer I originally thought I needed.

Thanks buddy!