Stacey Weiss’ Inspiring Wellness Journey and Her Secrets to Staying Healthy
by Wyndi Kappes
Atlanta’s sweetheart Stacey Weiss has just about seen it all. After overcoming an addiction to painkillers 13 years ago and navigating a public divorce, Stacey has recently taken the next step to becoming her best self. Her inspirational journey to health has included quitting smoking, working out and healing her past traumas, all while sharing her ups and downs with her community. While she’s continuing in her efforts to do and be better, at 51, this single mother of two couldn’t be happier or more confident about her identity and her future.
Q: What inspired you to quit smoking and get healthy?
Stacey Weiss: I started doing some personal growth and healing work in October 2019. A year later, through my deep dive into my personal healing, I began to learn to love myself and realized what a cruel thing smoking was to do to myself. Being a smoker did not align anymore with who I was growing into. I have tried to quit probably 15 times over the past five years, but until I really started to value myself, I couldn’t do it. I wish people understood that the addiction to the addict is bigger than anything else. That is why it is so hard for people to quit. Also, you can’t quit for anyone else. You have to do it because it is what is best for you and no one else. It has to be the addict’s choice. It will never work if someone is forced to quit.
Q: What resources did you use along your journey to quit smoking and get fit?
SW: I weaned down from a pack a day to five cigarettes a day over six months, then I did a juice fast to push me over the edge and give up the last few cigarettes. I used an app called Quit It. For my fitness journey, I work out and am part of a transformational healing community called YourDay Balance Game. I train with the leader of the group three times a week, and I eat very clean. The most significant component of getting fit has been the personal growth and healing I have concentrated on for the last 18 months. Most of the weight I released was the emotional weight of past trauma that I’d been carrying around for a long time.
Q: What’s the most difficult part of getting healthy?
SW: The most challenging part is getting started. Just pick one healthy thing you can add to your life and start doing it. That one thing will become routine or a habit, then add the next one. Just take it one step at a time, and eventually, they build on each other, and before you know it, you’re living healthy. Your life is happening whether you want to participate in it or not. Start being the creator of your life.
Q: What is the best piece of advice you ever received, and how have you incorporated it into your journey towards a better life?
SW: The best piece of advice has been to be in the present moment. It is a practice, and I have to do it moment to moment, but it gets easier and easier the more I practice. If you are sad you are in the past. If you are anxious you are in the future. You can’t feel either of those feelings when you are present because all you can focus on is being present. And the present moment is all that we really have. the past and future don’t actually exist.
Q: What is next for you?
SW: Eventually, I am planning to publish a book, start a podcast, life coach and public speak all around the topic of helping heal from traumatic experiences through personal transformation. For now, I am continuing to build my real estate career and loving every minute of it. I’m here for anyone that needs help with any aspect of residential real estate in the greater Atlanta area. I am with Keller Williams Peachtree Road and on the Jamison & Co team.
Stacey’s tips for those looking to lead a healthier lifestyle
You need balance in your life. I use an app called The Balance Chart that helps me track the healthy habits I do weekly. Every time I complete one of the habits I’ve set up for myself, I log it on the balance chart and make that deposit into myself.
Join a community group. Look for one where you receive weekly feedback and feel connected to people who love and support you.
Love yourself through self-care. You’re in the best position to fill everyone else’s cup after your cup is full.
Meditate and journal.
Spend more time doing things you enjoy. Dance, read or create art. Take the time to bring that joy into your life.
