I was going to write an email about hustle (goal attaining) this week, but when I woke up yesterday I was hit with a wave of anxiety. After about an hour of forcing it and exasperating that false sense of urgency, I decided to walk away for the day.

Instead of squeezing blood out of a turnip, I went to the beach and spent the day at my local watering hole making friends with strangers; laughing, drinking, exchanging stories of travel & wedding crashing, and of course dropping some paleo knowledge bombs.

A few years ago I learned that whenever I felt stuck or anxious that pushing through it, as we have been taught, is not only ineffective but also destructive to the creative process and to your health.

“A lack of play should be treated like malnutrition – it’s a health risk to your body and mind.” –Stuart Brown, M.D.

Without realizing it, I was treating my anxiety with “play”.

That said, I thought it would be appropriate to share a book review on Play It Away by Charlie Hoehn, A Workaholics Cure For Anxiety.

Here’s the deal, I don’t know anyone that is free from the triggers of stress; even my most enlightened-zen of friends have bouts of anxiety that enters their lives.

What Charlie has laid out in his book is an account of his personal story that will first allow you the opportunity to realize you’re human, and then provide you with a 4 week actionable plan to crush your anxiety through play.

He doesn’t fluff the book with anything extra; you’ll get exactly what you need to identify your way around, an often time not talked about, debilitating feeling of anxiety – which for me always manifested in a horrible ‘Yup, this is it. I am going into cardiac arrest.’ reaction.

I’ve only met Charlie once, after he had completed the book, and spent a few hours in his company surrounded by his friends. It was refreshing to see an author/creator have a life that was authentic to what they write about. Really makes the words stick!

With that, I invite you to visit his site (charliehoehn.com) and get to know him a little better and go buy his book , read it, apply it, pass it on to anyone you think could benefit from reading it too. Oh, and keep on crushing life.

I asked Sir Charles Hoehn what his favorite dish on an average day of playing it away would be and was very pleased with the simplicity of his palate.

“I’m a fan of the perfect steak with honey and cinnamon drizzled on top. Served with broccoli, sweet potatoes, and of course more butter.” – Sir Charles Hoehn 

I did not, however, ask him if he was ok with my referring to him as Sir Charles or the fact that I am going to make this next comparison below…

Is it just me or does Charlie look like Westley from The Princess Bride?

As you wish, Ladies.

Unrelated to this post, the new site is just a week away from launching and I am so humbled by all the support and love y’all have been showing me during this process.

Almost there and then the real Eat Play Crush fun can begin – keep an eye out for THE email!

Trust your gut,
Mary