1.
a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.
“the director had a lot of respect for Douglas as an actor”
synonyms: esteem, regard, high opinion, admiration, reverence, deference, honor
“the respect due to a great artist”
2.
a particular aspect, point, or detail.
“the government’s record in this respect is a mixed one”
synonyms: aspect, regard, facet, feature, way, sense, particular, point, detail
“the report was accurate in every respect”
It’s a bigger question than I thought it would be when I asked myself that today. Looking back on the last year of my life – you’ll have to forgive the introspective narrative as of late. It happens when I face changes in my life – I know that I love myself, but do I respect myself? Today, absolutely yes. And one of the main reasons I can say that with such certainty is because of the work I am putting into myself, for myself. From staying on board here at the blog, to the workouts I am pushing myself to go to, I really want to be the best version of me. But for a long time I don’t think I did. I didn’t take care of my body, my mind, and many of my relationships the way I should have. And though I can’t change the past, I want to be so much better today, and even better tomorrow. For me and those I love.
Working through difficult moments isn’t something I have always been very good at. Yes, I agree with some people that for a long time I was driven by my desire to be loved. To be adored and gratified by others because I hated who I was. In dark moments I looked outwards for the validation I should have turned inward to find. But this time, something feels different. I have dedicated every ounce of my being to being better and to loving with a fierceness that I could never have known.
Finding my footing has come along with the physical and emotional investment in myself. And I believe that no matter what the future holds, it will continue to be like this. You’ll remember that earlier this year RYU Apparel was one of the first brands I started to work with (click here) on my journey to being better. Since that day (that in all honesty, kicked my butt and made me realize I was ignoring my physical well being) I wear their items every single time I work on me with a spinning class or fitness experience we share with you on social media.
But why RYU Apparel? Because their brand is built on respect.
“RYU was built on the fundamental understanding that we are multi-faceted and multi-disciplined. It’s about respecting your choices, individualism and journey. It is knowing at our core that we are all connected and that it’s our differences that make us extraordinary. And human.”
Yes, my body and my mind have undergone some pretty drastic changes in the last year. I am so grateful to a brand like RYU Apparel for helping to inspire me to accept my humanity, and my journey. I can only do my best to be better, one day at a time. And with my new shorts, pants and tops from their Queen Street store in Toronto, I am ready to continue down this path. I may not know where it is leading, but that’s okay. I can only take it one step at a time, and that’s all I should expect of myself.
Check out the “Fitness” Highlight on our #DoTheDaniel Instagram account to see what items I am wearing and why they have helped me work towards being a better me one day at a time. And of course, to join in on the social media conversation with my (clearly) favourite workout brand, make sure to follow @ryu_apparel on Instagram, @RYU_apparel on Twitter, and by ‘Liking’ their Facebook Page. Use and follow the #YourUniverse and #RespectYourUniverse hashtags to share your favourite items and memories. If it is your first workout of the week, or of the year, this brand is here to help you respect yourself and the journey. So be kind to yourself and remember that you are only human.
For more behind the scenes of this and other amazing brands we are working with around the world, make sure to follow along with the #DoTheDaniel Instagram account. We would love to have you join on our adventures!
Don’t forget to sign up for the DoTheDaniel.com Newsletter
Photos: RYU Apparel, Daniel Reyes & all Social Media accounts listed above
Cheers!
Mobile photos were taken with my #HuaweiP20Pro on the Rogers network
*Please note that this is a sponsored post – our disclosure can be found at all times by clicking here.