Core Focus DPT

I’m Dr. Charlotte, a physical therapist who believes real, lasting change is built layer by layer. Here on Core Connections, I’ll be sharing reflections from my journey through 75 Hard, comparing what I learned during my first experience in 2025 with how. Check out my very first Core Connections blog to learn my why.

Welcome to Core Connections: A Lifestyle Blog

I’m stepping into this season in 2026 wiser, more grounded, and more intentional. Using the phases of my Root, Rise, & Rejoice framework, we’ll start with the foundation: examining core beliefs, habits, and patterns that quietly shape how we move, think, and live. From there, we’ll build strength and resilience in ways that feel sustainable and real. My hope is that these reflections offer insight, encouragement, and practical perspective you can apply to your own journey.

January 2, 2026

Starting 75 Hard again today, and it already feels different. Not easier—just quieter. Last year there was a lot of tracking, a lot of processing out loud, and a lot of public reflection. I needed that then. This year, I don’t.

I completed 75 Hard last year, and if you want to read that experience in full, you can find it at the end of this blog.

Now this time around, I’m choosing simple. Weekly blogging—not daily! One front-facing selfie a day. No full photo documentation, no trying to capture every angle of progress—just a quick check-in and move on.

I’m still reading every day, but I’m not blogging my thoughts as I go. Ten pages is the goal. If something really stands out, I’ll write it down privately and keep going. Not everything needs to be shared to matter.

Water is still front-loaded in the morning. That habit has earned its place—it works—and I’m keeping it.

Root Phase: Gentle Movement, Simple Nutrition, Shared Accountability

Movement and nutrition are both grounded in my Root, Rise, & Rejoice framework. For Days 1 through 25, everything lives in Root. Gentle, grounding movement. Exercises that reset patterns, rebuild coordination, and fill in gaps instead of chasing performance too early. Meals that are easy to make, easy to digest, and supportive rather than complicated. I’m using a mix of 2B Mindset and Plate It and leaning on already-created meal plans and grocery lists, because simplicity is part of honoring this phase.

I’m also not doing this alone. I’m checking in and staying accountable inside a private online group of like-minded people—some of whom are joining me for their own version of this challenge. There’s something steadying about showing up together, even when everyone’s doing it in their own way.

Root work isn’t flashy. It doesn’t look impressive. It’s quiet consistency and showing up when nothing dramatic is happening. It’s letting the foundation settle before asking the structure to rise.

If you’re following along, you don’t have to do this the way I did last year—or the way I’m doing it this year. You can track everything or keep it minimal. You can share publicly or keep it private. The point isn’t how much you record. It’s that you keep showing up.

Day 1 doesn’t need to prove anything. It just needs to exist.

Week 1 Table of Contents

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2025: Running, Resolutions, and Resilience

January 1, 2025

Today marks the beginning of my journey on the 75 Hard Challenge, a transformative program designed to build mental toughness, resilience, and habits that last. After researching its structure, I knew it was the perfect way to start the year—a challenge that combines all aspects of wellness: physical, mental, and emotional.

As someone experienced with workouts and maintaining a solid nutritional foundation, I wanted something to push me harder in every area of personal growth. Here’s a recap of my first day and the principles behind this challenge.

What is the 75 Hard Challenge?

The 75 Hard Challenge is not just a fitness program; it’s a mental toughness regimen created by entrepreneur Andy Frisella. The rules are simple but demanding, designed to instill discipline and accountability:

1. Follow a diet: This can be any nutritional plan, but it must align with your goals. You are not allowed to have cheat meals or drink alcohol.
2. Two 45-minute workouts daily: One workout must be outdoors, regardless of weather.
3. Drink a gallon of water daily.
4. Read 10 pages of a nonfiction book daily: The focus is on self-development.
5. Take a daily progress picture.

If you miss any one of these tasks, you start over from Day 1. The challenge is as much about commitment and grit as it is about physical fitness.

My Day 1 Experience

To ensure I met all the requirements, I started my day at 4:30 a.m. After snapping my daily progress photos, I drank several cups of water and opened my Bible for morning reading. Starting the day with scripture helped me center my thoughts and set intentions.

Next, I took my dog, Storm, for our usual 20-minute walk. It’s a peaceful morning ritual. Afterward, I packed up my gear and joined my running group for a 5.5-mile run. We capped off the session with a Polar Plunge at the beach, a brisk and invigorating way to welcome the new year!

Back home, I joined my family for a traditional New Year’s Eve meal. However, I adapted it to align with my chosen diet—the 2B Mindset program. I’m modifying the diet to emphasize my goals of adding more vegetables, mindful eating, and avoiding red meat.

While the meal included festive favorites, I skipped the pork and committed to starting a 48-hour water fast. This annual tradition supports my spiritual focus on prayer, meditation, and Bible study. As part of the challenge, I’ll continue eliminating processed foods, sugar, and excessive alcohol while emphasizing whole, nutrient-dense meals.

Breaking Old Patterns

One significant area I’m addressing through 75 Hard is my relationship with alcohol. On New Year’s Eve, I enjoyed my final glass of wine and committed to abstaining during the challenge. My goal isn’t just sobriety for 75 days but redefining my approach to alcohol post-challenge. I aim to reserve it for special occasions or a single glass (or two!) during dinners out rather than using it as a nightly reward for “surviving” tough days.

The Rest of the Day

After lunch, my family and I took a short hike at a local park. Spending time outdoors together felt grounding and gave us all a chance to breathe in the fresh air.

My second workout was a more restorative session: rolling out my feet with a massage ball and following a yoga flow class using Yoga Fifty-Two on my BODi App. This combination of mobility work and stretching rounded out my physical efforts for the day. To meet the reading requirement, I finished 10 pages of Atomic Habits by James Clear, an inspiring guide to habit formation and change—a perfect fit for my journey.

Before bed, I completed my gallon of water and reflected on the day’s achievements. Each task reinforced the idea that this challenge isn’t just about physical transformation but about becoming someone who follows through, no matter how tough life gets.

Final Thoughts

Day 1 of the 75 Hard Challenge pushed me to plan, prioritize, and persevere. It wasn’t just a test of willpower but a reminder of why I chose this path: to cultivate discipline, elevate my habits, and build a life centered on wellness in all its forms. Here’s to 74 more days of growth!

If this vision resonates with you, the intention is not for you to rely on ongoing care, but to leave with clarity, skills, and confidence you can use for years to come. I’m always here when questions come up or support is needed, but the foundation is built for long-term independence.

Disclosures & Disclaimers

Some of the links I share are affiliate links, including Amazon and select brand partners. If you choose to make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. This never influences my opinions. I only recommend products I’ve personally used, carefully researched, and genuinely love.

** The views and opinions expressed on this site belong to Vigeo Ergo Consulting LLC. Any advice or suggestions offered herein are not a replacement for medical advice from a physician or other healthcare professional. My blogs are for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.