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ZEN Project 8 Shapes Couple’s Jeunesse Business

Apr 13, 2017 | ZEN Bodi

Learn Their Secrets for Attracting Customers & Staying Motivated

Cathleen and Brian Paredes, Sapphire Executives from Houston share how embracing ZEN Project 8® has both personally and professionally helped them lose weight and breathe new life into their Jeunesse business. Read their incredible story and how they’re helping others live happier, healthier lives.


I was introduced to the network marketing industry a few years ago. In June of 2015, I "retired" from teaching to pursue my passion of helping others, with a heavy focus on nutrition and fitness. Shortly after that, we made a business decision to become Distributors with Jeunesse. We didn't take much action for almost a year. We just focused on becoming products of the products.

For me, my "decision date" was when we met ZEN Brand Ambassador Mark Macdonald at a local event here in Houston in August 2016. I had heard him speak at LEAD a few months previously and felt very drawn to his message. We introduced ourselves and had a great connection because of our shared passion for helping others live better lives. He is my mentor and friend, and because of his belief in Brian and me, we are on a path to make an impact in the lives around us.

Brian and I started our first eight-week run with a group of 10 (including us). That continued from Sept. 6-Oct. 31, 2016. We both got incredible results. My husband lost 14 pounds and at least 4% body fat. We had a married couple in our group that lost 40 and 20 pounds, respectively. Holy moly! Their transformation has been so special to be a part of!

My goal for the program was not weight loss, but I did lean out and lose fat. Personally, I wanted to learn the nutritional aspect of it and incorporate the tools into our daily lives and beyond. Now I eat more, and more often than before, and I am amazed with how my body has responded to ZP8. I’ve seen noticeable changes in my overall mood, have an increased appetite (good thing for me!), less sugar cravings, my stress level is down, my energy is great and I sleep better!

TEAM PAREDES: TOGETHER WE WIN

I wanted to create a group that people wanted to be a part of – a community where they feel safe to share concerns, ask questions and invite their friends and family. Today, our coaching group has grown from the original 10 members to 291! Our rapid growth is due to a group of new Distributors I met at last year’s EXPO in Orlando, Florida. I told them all about ZP8, because they didn't know much about it. I gave them my contact information and encouraged them to jump into the program. I also directed them to the ZP8 Facebook group. 

A few days later, we found out that this group of people were actually a part of our downline, so that was beneficial for our business! Within my coaching group, I utilize all the ZEN Project 8 resources. I post announcements, do Facebook Lives, send out a weekly email with the coaching videos, and send "enrichments" for the people who want to learn a little more about the focus of the week.

I wake up every single day excited to post something that can motivate the group, teach them and encourage them to make positive choices. We have daily themes in our group to keep the momentum going and challenge members to push themselves further for personal growth.

  • Mindset Monday – This day is HUGE on mindset and how we are in control of our lives, not victims to our circumstances.
  • Tank Check Tuesday – Every Tuesday I call for "Tank Check." If their internal tank is low, I encourage them to take time to think about why, and what can be done that day to help raise their gauge. We tend to make poor decisions when we are in places of weakness (low tank).
  • What Are You Waiting for Wednesday – On Wednesdays, we encourage action to be taken NOW, not when things are "perfect."
  • Think Ahead Thursday – What can you do today that will set you up for success next week (grocery list, meal plan, products ordered, etc.)?
  • Flex Friday – On Flex Fridays, we show off our hard work and encourage others to do the same. We love including our kids, and many include co-workers and class members at their gyms!
  • Stop & Smell the Roses Saturday – “Adulting” is BUSY! We tend to zoom through life, always moving to the next task. On this day, I encourage them to soak in moments and snap a picture of one ordinary, beautiful thing.
  • Set Yourself up for Success Sunday – Sunday Funday in our world should be setting ourselves up for the upcoming week, so we are in control and not in reaction mode! It’s easier to stay on plan and work toward goals when meals are planned, food is prepped and we have designed our week!


We encourage group members to share this incredible program with everyone they meet! We take ownership of our "hiccups" and celebrate our "high-fives" together, as well as stay on our toes with "What's on your Plate?" (If you are tagged, you have to post a picture of your next meal and list out the protein, fats and carbs.) It gives us all meal ideas and holds us accountable to eat PFC Every 3. Plus, it’s fun!

In December, we started a fitness challenge called "Working Off the Width." The United States is 2,680 miles wide, and for every 15 minutes of exercise we did, we took 1 mile off that total width. If we ran, for example, 1 mile = 1 mile. It took us three months, but we worked off the width!

I am extremely passionate about always moving forward and want to be the best version of myself and help others do the same. As moms, we tend to sometimes lose our identities because we wear so many hats. We end up stuck on the back burner because we are so busy helping everyone else! I am 34 and find it powerful to feel great in my own skin, to know I am capable, strong and sexy. By taking control of my own health and personal development, I am a better version of myself. I love sharing that with other women. And men, too.


Bottom line is this: Jeunesse impresses me daily with its leadership and what it continues to accomplish, year after year. Spreading the word about ZP8 is what I'm meant to do. I love it, I live it and I put in a lot of effort with continual learning, so I can lead to the best of my ability. As a former teacher, I will always be a student. I am not perfect, my family isn't perfect, but as long as we are always striving to be the best versions of ourselves, that’s progress! This is definitely just the beginning.

 

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