It’s a good question and one I’ve been asking myself for at least 2 years. Yes, that’s right. 2 years. I’ve been wanting to do a good overhaul for a while now but for various reasons have not.
When I started Peak313 in January 2011, I had no idea what my future held. I didn’t even want to start the blog quite honestly. A lot of people start with a name or idea that God has placed in their hearts. They start because God gave them clear direction as to where they were going.
I did not.
I started because I was being obedient, and the future–well, it was fuzzy. As I prayed over the name and site and asked friends, Peak313 came to be. (“Peak” because of the style of working out I do/teach with intervals and “313” for the scripture reference in Philippians 3:13) I never felt like it was my heart though, nor did I really feel confident in “branding” it, even though many at this point know me as such.
As God has been moving in my heart over the past couple years, I felt myself going away from a particular name of something and just to a very simple, self-explanatory name….Clare Smith. I struggled with this though because the LAST thing I want is my ministry to be about me and well, it’s hard to deny that when your website and materials all have your name on it. But on the other hand, it was the answer that was the best and clearest for what I see. It gives me a lot of flexibility for where God might move my heart (He’s already changed it quite a bit in the 4 years with Peak313!) and at the end of the day, do you know who I’ll always be? Clare Smith.
My tagline is this, “Training body and soul for the race of life”. Everything I do will come back to this and in a shorter, punchier way of putting it, “Train Hard. Eat Well. Live Free.” As I prayed through my rebrand, this is exactly where God kept taking me.
With the new site will come new things. You will still see me talk about health & fitness, nutritional eating, & everything that comes along with that, but you’ll also see me branch out to where my real heart is–bringing you into a deeper intimacy with Jesus. This takes off limits and guards that I’ve placed on myself to avoid certain subjects, or press hard on others. I want to be lead by the Spirit and what God would have me say to you. I want to lead online with authenticity and no ulterior motive.
You’ll also see some new adds to the site. Both of my kids are in school this year and instead of returning to a job outside of the home, God has graciously provided this platform for some ways to bring income into our house. I am not 100% sure how this will look, but I do know this—everything that has been free before will remain free. I am very stubborn about this! People have been trying to get me to monetize my blog in many ways over the past few years and I couldn’t find a way to do that, yet still serve those of you who could benefit from the free material.
BUT
For those of you who are ready for a different level, maybe some things to go a little deeper, I will be able to provide that for you. Again- not sure how all this will pan out but I want you to know that it hasn’t come about without much prayer and consideration.
BTW- it will take a while for everyone to transition, so Peak313 will forward over to the new site! There will probably be lots of glitches along the way so if you see anything, please let me know! So this is it–the continuation of a long journey for me. I am so glad you are along the way as we all train our bodies and souls for the race of life!
Train Hard. Eat Well. Live Free,
Clare
I love this. I am pumped for the new material. The health, fitness and nutrition as well as more intimate with Jesus. All areas I am passionate about, and all areas I love help and insight in, and bless you for making it free so that people like me can continue to follow your every post to learn and grow. I wish you the best.
Clare, I have been reading many of your blog posts over the past couple years in my email. And although I was an active healthy mom of three adult children at the age of 50…in 2008 my first grandson was born with an extremely rare genetic neuromuscular condition. He is medically fragile and I lost focus on my own health as we prayed for Andrew’s life and well-being. He is now 7 and I am his one to one special education teaching assistant…my vocation for 33 years. Reading this message today, on Palm Sunday has given me pause to look to Jesus to help me and strengthen me to “rebrand” myself by taking some care of myself. Looking forward to your posts and healthy inspiration spiritually, physically and emotionally. May God continue to bless you with the gifts you share! God bless!
Awesome Clare! Thank you for following His leading.
I will be honest, I just started reading your post and so excited to take this journey with you. Need a change in my life and you are a true inspiration. Good luck Clare!
Love this and you!!
Will be praying for you!!
Can’t wait to see where God leads you!
<3
This is so exciting Clare! The re-branding and new website look great! Thank you so much for being obedient and following the Holy Spirit as He lead you to use your gifts and passions for God’s glory! I have been so encouraged by your blog in the past during my struggles to have a healthy relationship with food and fitness. And you have been one of the inspirations to me as I have now recently stepped out into the next thing I feel God calling me to do in starting my blog. Thanks Clare! May God bless your new chapter!
I love it! I especially love the obedience and service to God and your truthfulness in sharing your journey. I am excited to be on this journey with you!!!!
Ahhhhh-mazzzing Clare! Thank you for your transparency (always!), your ministry, your tips, style and grace…but most of all your obedience to God! Super proud of you and looking forward to the “new” things you have in store! God is awesome!!
Love this! I’ve been a long time reader and follower, and I just love your heart and your encouragement!
Good for you! God will never lead you in the wrong direction. I look forward to sharing this journey with you!
MM
Clare,
I’m so excited for you and this new opportunity. You are allowing God to use you as an instrument of inspiration and encouragement to so many. Thank you for being a faithful servant.
Blessings!
Proud of you woman! Keep pressing on!
Rebrand is so hard but your site looks beautiful and like you said, you will always be Clare Smith no matter where God leads you in your journey. Know that God is holding you and guiding you always. I think it Rocks!
Awesome! New name, new direction, new chapter! Best of luck with it all. 🙂
Clare, you’re amazing! As the saying goes…. Just be you boo
I have told you before, but as someone with a past full of eating disorders and such, you are the only healthy mentor I have found that keeps a healthy balance of healthy living and focus on God. I appreciate you!
I’m thankful for your passion for Christ and your passion to lead women in the areas of health and spiritual growth. I love knowing Christ is your center and I hope to become healthier through reading and being motivated by your blogs. I need this! Thank you and God bless you!
so excited! May God bless each step you take.
It looks fantastic!! Very exciting and so glad that you stayed with it and launched this rebrand. I’m looking forward to this new direction. Your posts have been very helpful .
I’m really excited about this 🙂 Blessings!
Really like the new look of your site, Clare, and thank you for the printable 🙂
Congratulations Clare. I already printed the new material. Love it!!
Clare,
This is one of those answers to prayer that I was not expecting. I’ve been feeling “lost” and “slipping” in my focus to be healthy. I’ve continued to be faithful to the Lord in my quiet time with Him, but have not been faithful in eating right or exercising. This is giving me a “new focus”, and as one of the other ladies said – rebranding myself. Thank you for your inspiration that I know come from our great God! Thank you for being obedient to Him and leading the rest of us on this journey. Those of us who have never made exercise a priority and/or enjoyed it, you bring a level of excitement (by your great personality) and your encouragement, always keeping our eyes focused on our Lord. God’s blessings to you and your family in this new quest.
Clare, the Lord gave me the following in portions to ponder over a period of time, prior to a life changing decision. I wasn’t sure what it meant as He graciously served it to me. Through obedience I took each portion and pondered, tasted, ate and was fortified by His strength. When the “time” came, everything made sense and my spirit through His Holy Spirit was fueled for the battle ahead. I hope this will bless you now and always:
Congratulations Clare, So happy for you!
Clare,
I think what you are doing is amazing! I have been struggling with so many things in my life and making excuses for not taking better care of myself. Yesterday, our pastor talked about John 5:1-9. Pick up your mat and walk, (it was life changing for me) Now this morning (it’s 4:45 am) I get this email about you changing your brand. WOW, stepping out of your box, believing that God is bigger than your problem and going out on faith to do what God is calling you to do. I think that is pretty amazing! I look forward to a new beginning for you and I’m blessed to be able to follow along and have a Christian role model in the workout industry! Blessings!!!
I just heard about this site so am excited to see what all you have in store. I did not know about Peak313. Looking forward to learning what you have for us.
Congratulations on launching your newly branded site! It looks great 🙂
I’ve been receiving your newsletters for some time now (love them) but this rebranding is awe-inspiring. It is such a blessing to see how God uses others to bless each of us. Thank you for being you!!
Love this. So excited for you.
You are such a blessing to so many!! Your new site looks amazing and I pray God continues to bless and lead you through these changes! 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to share your gifts and knowledge with us!!
Love it! So exciting. Xx
Claire, I am so excited about this transition. You help me to be balanced and focused, I’m not there yet, but I’m striving really hard. One of my biggest draws to you is the spiritual aspect. I get the whole church thing and why we need it, but it just seems God is doing a new thing. I am feeling more and more led to real Christ centered people to encourage and build me up in the maturity of of my relationship with the Trinity. It’s like God has released a call for the “real church” to come forward and minister. I have been a member of my church for 18 years, served as Women’s ministry leader, Prayer ministry leader, assisted in Youth, served on the Worship team, co-led children’s wednesday night ministry. Cleaned our church building, my husband and I mowed the church grounds for a few years and now my husband is a board member. And in this moment I have never felt so led to leave a church as I do now. “Church” has become building a man’s dream to achieve certain goals, that have nothing to do with equipping the saints to live a true God centered life and a social get together where everyone tries to outdress the other. I know worship my God and King all through out the day and converse with Him about all things as I go through my day and seeing your posts and well as some other Godly women you are connected with through blogging, have become what equps me and builds me up. I have struggled with guilt for having all these feelings, but as I am on vacation this week, I am opening myself up to God to see the new things He is doing as I just wanna go where He goes and do what He does. Thank you so much for your obedience…timing is confirmation in my life. God bless you as you srive onward in obedience.
In Sisterly love,
Tonya
This blog hits close to home for me. Just the past couple of years I have turned to Jesus again, more than I ever have in my adulthood. My life has changed for the better, and I started working out towards the end of January this year. So far, I have lost 25 lbs. and am inspired by my fitness instructor, that I hope to become a trainer of fitness or yoga. I look forward to following you on this blog.
My name is Jennie and I am a mother of a 21 year old son. He has two girls one is 4 and the other is 7 months. I live for Jesus Christ. I just found your site and plan on following it for now on. I try to live right and I read my bible and study as much as I can. I try to reach out to people like you to help me learn as much as I can on living right. I really don’t know how to put things into words that I want to tell you. Please don’t think I’m crazy. Sorry to bother you. Keep doing what you are to help.
Clare, I am new to your site and excited to get started on the 5 week journey with you and all who participate. i am a mother of grown children. I obtained my degree 4 years ago, and I finally got a job recently. During college and the 4 years since, I packed on the weight. My eating choices…not so good and exercise nonexistent. My relationship with Christ is one I cherish, and He is dealing with me in regards to my health. So, to be real, I need Encouragement and Focus. There is so much I want to do. I want to INCREASE in my relationship with the Lord and DECREASE in my relationship with unhealthy choices. Picture me as a drowning person, begging for a life preserver…like I am grabbing a rope of water…no traction. God is bringing the resources I need, but I must “jump in the game” to win! Now you see why I am excited for your help! No pressure, Clare, LOL! I know that by yielding to the Holy Spirit and availing myself of the tools you provide, my life can change for the better, I will be praying for you (and all of us). Blessings and Hugs, Clare! -Jan
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