46th Joys and Lessons

·55 min·5 clips

Kristen Smith shares how losing 250 pounds and restarting her life multiple times led to finding humor and joy.

In this solo episode, host Kristen Smith marks her 46th birthday by recounting highlights and challenges from the past year. She begins by describing a rejuvenating birthday trip to Chicago with her husband Roy, where they enjoyed hotel upgrades, bike rides, and dinners with friends, emphasizing how 'love' facilitated many experiences. Kristen then lists her joys: marrying Roy across four weddings, attending a Dr. Joe Dispenza retreat that taught her meditation and forgiveness, running the Miami marathon, starting an accidental dog-sitting business, helping run a Colorado retreat, and seeing her Fit Camp grow 80% with new coaches and community events. She transitions to lessons, starting with the grief of losing her friend Nora in April, which led her to plan a 5-mile run for Nora's 50th birthday. Another hard lesson was the end of a close friendship with Jackie, which shook her trust and made her reevaluate how she shows up for friends. Kristen sets goals for her new year, focusing on 'focus and execution' to write her book, expand her message to love more people, and be kinder to her body by reducing toxins and balancing fitness with health. She candidly discusses body dysmorphia post-bodybuilding and the struggle to feel like a 'fraud' when not 'shredded,' while valuing her current energy and strength. The episode concludes with a motivational call, contrasting her past 400-pound self with her ability to run freely now, urging listeners to invest in long-term transformation for lifelong rewards.

As heard by us

A birthday reflection where forgiveness and marathon miles make transformation feel earned.

Destination Begin frames a 46th birthday as a check-in on change that can be seen and felt. Kristen Smith looks back on a year shaped by a retreat, a softened view of people from her past, and the Miami Marathon she ran with Courtney and fit campers.

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Why you'd press play

Press play when you need a birthday reset that links forgiveness, starting today, and the stubborn joy of finishing another marathon.

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