You know what? I was such a spaz earlier that I totally and completely forgot to announce the winner of my $25.00 Hodgson Mill Gift Certificate giveaway. My apologies, friends…I sort of had a million and one things going on in my head this morning.
Don’t worry, I’ll explain.
But first – the winner has now been chosen and announced, so head on over to the main giveaway page to see if it was you!
******
So today is a pretty darn amazing day. Like, seriously awesome. I have big news.
Earlier this morning, I had to head into Albany for an important event. Afterward, I made a quick pit stop at Starbucks to finally allow myself to settle down. I went big and ordered a Venti Skinny Caramel Macchiato which, oddly enough, had to be iced because my internal body temperature was through the roof.
I made sure to tell the barista to give me extra caramel today because this bad boy was a celebratory drink and all…
So what was that important event and why was I celebrating on this lovely afternoon?
Welllll…
I passed my NASM-Certified Personal Trainer exam!!!!!!!
Whew! It feels so good to finally let that out and share it with you all. I decided not to say anything beforehand because I get really nervous when it comes to testing (I’ve never been a good test-taker) and didn’t want to jinx myself. But I’m sure you probably noticed the increased studying as of late.
I actually scheduled my exam on the same day that I took my CPR/AED certification course, and have been anxiously awaiting this day ever since. I am SO excited to finally have the anxiety of testing be OVER, but more importantly, to finally start putting this certification to use.
As far as what my future plans are, I honestly don’t really have anything at the moment. I’m going to spend some time weighing my options, doing some research, and try to decide what the next best step is for me.
But no matter what that next step is, I am excited and I am READY!
*****
So even though I actually have to go head in to work at my current paying job right now, you can bet your bottom dollar that I will be celebrating with a little a lot champagne as soon as I get home this evening!
jen says
Congrats girl!!!!! Nice job!
SARAH says
Congrats Courtney! That is amazing news! You’ll be an awesome personal trainer!
Nicole says
Congrats! I’m SO happy for you!
Alicia says
congratulations!!!
suki says
congrats, courtney! good job! :)
Amanda @ There Are Two Sides says
YES!!!
Stephanie @ Food and Fitness 4 Real says
Congratulations! That is wonderful news – thank you for sharing. You have a great personality to be a personal trainer, all your clients will love you.
Miz says
CONGRATS!!!
Brittany says
Congrats – that’s so awesome Courtney!!
Kate says
Congratulations! That’s so exciting
Victoria says
WAHOOO! I hope you can hear me from Savannah! Congrats girlie!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean says
congrats girl…so proud of you!!
Alyssa @ Life of bLyss says
CONGRATS! that’s so exciting.
my mom sings a great “proud of you” song. I’m singing it for you now.
Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn says
Soooo now you’re going to come to Syracuse and be my personal trainer right?
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat says
Congrats, Courtney!
Ruthie Hart says
congratulations girl!!! you’ve totally earned it! I am excited to see where this will take you!
Alicia F. says
That is AWESOME! :-D YAYY!!!! Way to go girl!
Gretchen @ Honey, I Shrunk the Gretchen! says
Congratulations!!
Annette@EnjoyYourHealthyLife says
SOOO exciting!! COngrats! Being a trainer is THE best. It is so rewarding. You totally deserve the great news–and good job!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
Yay, congrats!
Christine @ Oatmeal in my Bowl says
Congratulations!
Tina @ Best Body Fitness says
I don’t like to say it…but I will…
TOLD YOU SO!!!!!!!!!!!! :P ;) :)
Jenny says
congratulations!! I love big moments in life like this :) Celebrating is keeeey!
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
yahooooo! congratulations, courtney! man, i sure can relate to the mix of emotions & feelings that you experienced this morning. i’m not a great test taker either, so i know how great it feels to be finished with it, and it feels SO GOOD!
Heather (Where's the Beach) says
That’s awesome – congrats!!!
Pamela says
Big congrats, Courtney!! I can’t imagine how great of a feeling that is! I am studying for my boards (currently taking a study break;) ), and I know how much work goes into these exams! Have fun celebrating!!
AlexandraFunFit says
That is a hard test. Not that many pass it on the first try. Congrats! That’s so exciting!
Courtney says
Thanks, Alexandra! :)
Trainer Kjirsten @ Balanced Healthy Life says
Congrats Courtney!!! Welcome to the fab world of personal training!!! You’ll love it!
kaitlin @4loveofcarrots says
Congrats!!! That is awesome!! U better celebrate with champagne and sweet treats!!
Cristin says
Yay! Congratulations!! You will be an awsome trainer, I know it!
Kristin says
Woo!! That’s so exciting :) congrats!!
Kristine @ Running On Hungry says
Woo hoo!!!! Congrats Courtney!!!!
Kathryn @ Flopoodle says
Congrats! That is so awesome!
Hope says
Congrats!!! That is SO exciting! :)
Lou says
Congrats!!! That’s just awesome work!!!!! A much deserved celebration tonight, so enjoy!!!
Parita @ myinnershakti says
Congrats! Can’t wait to read about what’s next. :)
Linda says
You rock! Congratulations!
Brigitt says
Congrats Courtney–the hard work really paid off! That’s so exciting :)
Meghan says
Congratulations, Courtney!! SO exciting :) Enjoy that champagne, you deserve it!!
Courtney says
Congrats that is so exciting!!!
Aimee M says
Wonderful news!! Congratulations!!
Courtney says
ps now you can totally change the disclaimer on the bottom of your page ;)
Courtney says
Oooooo, you’re right!! :-D
Sue says
Congratulations!!! What a great “early” Christmas present!!! Have fun celebrating tonight. Tell Cody to stay out of the champagne. LOL.
Courtney says
LOL ;)
Emily says
congrats lady! you totally deserved it :)
HeatherB says
WOOHOO!! Congrats!! :)
Care @HealthierGirl says
Congratulations!!
Heather says
way to go lady! so happy for you!
erica says
CONGRATULATIONS!!! such wonderful and exciting news! (that is a great celebratory drink, btw. pour on that caramel!!! i’d do that too! girl after my own heart!)
Amanda says
congratulations! you worked so hard for it, and your hard work paid off!
marci says
CONGRATS!!!!! What wonderful news :) Awesome for you for doing what you really want to do !!!
RunEatRepeat says
Yah!!!!! Congrats :)
Amy says
YAYYYYY congrats!!!!! So exciting
Lindsay @ In Sweetness and In Health says
CONGRATS!!!!!!! (I think this is now the 3rd time I’ve told you via social media haha). And you totally deserve to celebrate with some champagne. I’ll toast my glass of wine to you tonight! :)
Theodora says
congrats! I suppose I will raise a glass for you, too :)
Alexa @ Simple Eats says
Congrats! That definitely calls for extra caramel…and champagne!
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance says
Yey congratulations, Courtney!!! That must feel like such an amazing accomplishment!
I’m in the process of studying for my NASM exam now. In fact, I have a workshop for it this weekend! Gahhhh.
Do you have any tips for us future test takers?
Courtney says
Hopefully you saw the tips I pointed out in the next post! Good luck to youuuuu!!! :)
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake says
Congrats Courtney!
Lindsey says
Congrats, what a awesome feeling!
Tina says
Congrats Courtney!
Emily @ Relishments says
Congrats Courtney! I’m so happy for you!
Brandi says
Yay! Congrats…..:) So excited for you! :)
Sarah says
SO happy for you! Seriously! CONGRATULATIONS!!! i have never been a good test taker m’self – i have anxiety for 24 hours before the test and my stomach feels SO weird. take yesterday for example- i had a chemistry (ICK) test i postponed ( i’m homeschooled- yea we do that) but finally had to take. I got a 100% but the whole time i was so nervous i may or may not have peed my pants. And to top it of- next year i have the SAT- oh man oh man. Im gonna be peeing my pants a whole year in advance :) Any of you have tips for taking it and keeping calm? ANything would be much appreciated :)
Sarah says
Also, there has been another shooting at VA Tech as of now. Two people confirmed dead, person at large. I am near the area. Please pray, I am SO scared!!!! Just turned on Fox and found out
Leslie says
YAY YAY YAY! I am beaming ear to ear for you, all that hard studying has paid off. WAY TO GO COURTNEY!!!! :)
Clare @ Fitting It All In says
congratulations!!
Casi DeSarro says
Courtney!!! Wow that is amazing, you deserve that PASS! Big things are coming your way, I can’t wait to follow your journey, no matter what or where exactly you end up – it will be amazing. Congratulations :)
Shannon says
Yayyyy! :) Congratulations!
SN- I just tweeted you saying the exact same thing.
Jess@atasteofconfidence says
Congrats!
lindsay says
yeeeehawww!!! good things are gonna happen with this! congrats!
Lena @Fit on the Rocks says
Congratulations!! I got really excited when I saw the winner of your giveaway because I just saw Lena (which is not a name I see very frequently), but alas, it was not me lol.
Chelsea @ Chelsea's Health says
Congratulations! That is very exciting news and a great things to have off your plate right before Christmas holidays. You should definitely do a post on tips for taking the exam and more detail about the process behind this big accomplishment. I am very curious to learn more!
Chels R. says
Yeah!! CONGRATS lady!
STUFT Mama says
Congrats!!! :) You deserve a celebratory drink (or two or three). :) Load up that extra caramel! :)
Alaina Johnson says
Thats amazing! congrats! I cant wait to hear all about your adventures and to hear all sorts of amazing advice!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
Congratulations! I’m so proud of you – although I knew yo uwould pass!
Michelle B. says
Congratulations!! This makes me so happy :-) When I first started reading your blog a couple months ago, I clicked around and read your story about deciding to end a career in teaching and starting down a different path. It was SO inspiring and assuring to read that because I’m in a similar situation – very similar, actually. I’m in my second year of teaching and I knew pretty much from the beginning of the year that it would be my last. I’ve made some big decisions to go back and pursue something I love when this year is over, and I’m so excited for what the future has in store!
It’s so inspiring to see someone making a huge life decision and following through to the end. Thank you and CONGRATS!!!
Courtney says
Best of luck to you, Michelle! :)
Anna says
Congrats Courtney!!! :D
Julie says
Whoo hooo! Congrats! I can’t wait to see what awesome things you do with your certification. :)
Christina says
Congrats! That is very exciting news :)
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
Congratulations!! What a huge load off your shoulders! :)
Lauren @ Chocolate, Cheese and Wine says
Congratulations! That is fantastic news!
Connie says
congratulations!! i can’t wait to see where you go from here :)
Brittney @ Brittney Breathing says
Yay!!! Congrats! That’s so awesome.
Maria says
Congratulations! It’s always the best when studying pays off.
Tracy @ Tracy's Treats says
Woot woot!! Congrats Courtney!
Kaelin says
CONGRATS!!!! What a big day, one you will remember forever! Can’t wait to see where this new path takes you!
Jodi says
CONGRATS, Courtney! You must be so proud!
Have a drink for me! :-)
Sara says
I don’t comment very often, but I wanted to say Congrats!!!!! I took a Group Fitness Instructor certification exam this summer, and I completely remember how stressful it was to submit that test, and how relieved I was to see the passing score! I’m so happy for you, and I hope you are able to put it to good use very soon!
Courtney says
Thanks, Sara! :)
Khushboo says
WOO so happy for you , Tina! I know you will make fabulous use of that qualification!!
Scott @ Your Inner Skinny says
Congrats! That’s awesome. I’ve been putting off writing my two exams that I’ve taken courses for but it’s time to man up and just do it!
Now go kick some fitness ass!
Danica @ It's Progression Not Perfection says
Congratulations, Courtney!!!
Laura @ Backstage Balance says
Congratulations!
Clare @ SweetnSimple says
Congrats!! Great news :)
Britt says
Congrats!!!!! So exciting :)
Amanda says
Congrats, great job!!!
Torry says
Congrats!!! That is amazing!!
Brittany @ Life of a Bama Girl says
Congrats! That’s awesome!
Sabine says
Although it’s been said 95 times before:
Congratulations!
And all the best wishes for whatever your professional future holds in store for you!!
(You will keep us updated, won’t you?)
:)
Sabine says
(Okay, 97 times. I was not fast enough to send.)
Courtney says
Hahaha, thanks Sabine!
Mac says
Congrats! I know exactly what a relief that is to see that Pass on your paper! Enjoy the high :)
Katie says
Hurray, hurray, hurray!!! Congrats!
Nicole says
Congrats, what an awesome accomplishment!
Crystal @cuppycakefreak says
Yay!!! Congrats on passing the test!!!! I knew you would be able to do it!! Woohoo!! Great news and super exciting!!
P.S. From what I can tell in the pictures your took at Starbucks you and I have the same Vera Bradley purse! Good taste! :))
Courtney says
Haha, it’s a favorite of mine :)
Katie @ Plates and Paste says
Congratulations! I’m a horrible test taker as well so understand the whole “not wanting to jinx it” thing :)
Claire says
Congrats! You’re really inspiring me to go down this road too…best of luck with training, I know you’ll be an awesome trainer!
Laura says
May-jah congrats, Courtney! What a huge accomplishment. You best be celebrating with lots of champagne! And a gigantic skinny caramel machiatto :)
Juju says
Congrats on passing your exam!! I know how you feel about tests, because I have the same prb with being a horrible test taker. You must be very excited!! Good luck with your plans =]
Holly says
I’m late..hope you got my FB comment :) But HUGE Congrats!!! You did awesome- you should be so proud! & just saw you & Jay celebrated last night- MUCH deserved :D
Courtney says
Yes! I did get your FB message – thanks, Holly! :)