I Traveled the Mediterranean—and It Reminded Me of This
Whitney and I just got back from one of the coolest trips we’ve ever taken. We went on a cruise that started in Rome, then to Corfu, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Naples, and then spent a couple extra days exploring places near Rome like Sorrento, Positano, and Civitavecchia before heading home.
And I have to say… Italy took the cake for me.
We’re already talking about going back.
The history in all of these places is incredible.
This Is Why I Talk About Fitness the Way I Do
Remember a post I made awhile ago about how fitness is really about the ability to say “yes”? This trip is an EXACT reason I believe that so strongly.
It’s not a new perspective for me—I’ve always believed it—but trips like this just reinforce it in a whole different way. We had multiple days where we walked over 34,000 steps. Most of the time, I didn’t even realize it.
It was so beautiful, so fun, so magical that it never felt like “exercise.” It just felt like exploring.
We were walking nonstop—turning corners, climbing stairs, finding views—and you just keep going because you want to.
Whitney even joined me for a morning run in Civitavecchia, Italy. She was like "babe we can run anywhere, anytime." But this coastal palm tree lined run was NOT the views I'm used to during an outdoor run and THAT's why I really wanted to do it.
We took advantage of the gym amenities during the cruise portion of out trip although I was a bit disappointed in the gym view of a deck and dirty windows.
BUT I did sneak outside for walking lunges on the deck before our day in Corfu, Greece.
The History Hits You Differently
What stood out to me the most wasn’t just how beautiful everything was—it was the history and what it represents.
From the power of ancient Rome, to the battles fought that allowed places like Croatia and Montenegro to exist today… there’s so much perseverance in these places.
Walking through Dubrovnik and Kotor, you can feel that history. These places didn’t just happen—they were fought for, protected, rebuilt (very recently at that, 1991-1995 Yugoslav Wars).
And then there’s Pompeii. A city buried for centuries under ash… and still standing. That kind of strength and structure is astonishing to learn about and give a perspective into the ancient lift that existed back then.
Strength Then vs. Strength Now
Standing outside the Colosseum was one of those moments where you just pause. Strength back then was everything. It was admired. It was tested. It was put on display. This was a place people came to witness resilience, watch who can endure, who can rise, who could keep going when things get hard. Standing there, in a place that represents that kind of history, I felt proud of the strength and resilience I’ve built in my own life. From struggling as a college athlete, finding my competitive edge again through MMA cagefighting and now Hyrox, coming out to my friends/family when I was 21, struggling and almost failing through grad school, to working a career that didn't quite feel fulfilling enough for me, to quitting that job and risking it all to start my own business in personal training.
There were also a couple times on the trip I was asked by complete strangers if I work out, and if you want to win my heart, that’s how 😂 So that happened this morning of the Coliseum which I why I had to hit it with a flex :) I swear I have a sleeper build—just looking normal gal until it’s time to flex lol.
Also… The Food
I had the best pizza of my life in Rome--shoutout to Mama Eats in Rome! It was gluten free AND lactose free (I eat this way to help the symptoms of my lipedema--I should write a blog about my discovery of that at some point).
We had to seek out those places, but they exist—and they are AMAZING. That was honestly one of the coolest parts too. Italians are so health conscious regarding celiacs and lactose free foods. Also they don't carry the usual "fridge cigs" I enjoy in the states, but rather Coke Zero.
If You’re Struggling With Motivation…
This is the part I really want you to take with you. If you’re having trouble finding motivation right now…
👉 get outside of your head
👉 get outside of your routine
There is SO much out in the world to explore and appreciate.
And there are so many lessons you learn when you do.
Sometimes it’s about being prepared enough—physically and mentally—to say yes to opportunities like this.
But also… traveling like this has a way of pulling you out of your own head in the best way.
It reminds you how big this world actually is… and how small we are in it. And I don’t mean that in a negative way—I mean it in a grounding, perspective-shifting way.
Because it’s so easy to get stuck in our own routines, our own problems, our own little “poor me” moments. We all do it.
But then you go somewhere like this… and you see the history, the beauty, the resilience of entire cities and cultures… and it snaps you out of that.
You realize there is so much more out there than what’s happening in your day-to-day life. That perspective is powerful. It doesn’t make your struggles invalid—but it does remind you that you’re capable of more, and that there’s a whole world waiting for you outside of them.
My Biggest Takeaway
This trip just reinforced something I believe at my core:
👉 Fitness isn’t just about how you look (although like I said it's fun to be asked, "do you workout!?" :), It's about what you're able to do.
👉 Traveling gets your out of your own head, you are a very small part of a very big world and that humbling realization makes a big impact on how you live your life.
It’s about saying yes to and being ready to:
- walk all day without hesitation
- explore new places
- move your body in ways that feel good
- and fully experience life
I promise you…When you’re somewhere incredible, doing 30,000+ steps without even thinking about it, you’ll be so glad you took care of yourself enough to be there.
-Justine
