PHILOSOPHY

The whole experience of transitioning from obese-to-athlete since 2010 has taught me more than any other experience of my life. There are a few “truths” that have risen to the top for me throughout this journey, and I offer them here for what they’re worth. These apply to wellness, but they also apply to life. I believe these things very deeply, and I hope that they’ll be of encouragement to you as well.

1.) YOU ARE CAPABLE OF ANYTHING. There is not a thing on this earth that you can’t accomplish if you want to. This isn’t some trite idea, I do actually believe this. Because I’ve lived it first-hand. Did I think I could lose 70lbs? Not only didn’t I believe it, but if you’d told me that today I’d speak about health and wellness issues, be a vegetarian, and run 50 mile mountain trail races? Haha! I’d have laughed my head off! But here I am. And if I can do that? Than I can do anything. And so can you. Truly.

2.) THERE IS NOTHING YOU NEED TO SUCCEED THAT YOU DON’T ALREADY POSSESS. Everything you need to succeed you already have. You have a body. You have a mind. You have a spirit. Put ’em to work. Sure, there’s tools that can help in your journey, some better than others, but they’re just tools, not solutions. You are your own solution; own it. Less whining. More doing. Because designer protein shakes, celebrity workout DVD’s, and expensive exercise equipment don’t make success. Hard work, determination, and the right knowledge make success.

3.) THE ‘SECRET SAUCE’ TO SUCCESS? CONSISTENCY. It’s that simple. And it’s free. There’s a multi-billion dollar weight loss and fitness industry out there that wants you to believe theirs is the one-and-only product you need to succeed. That’s bull$hit. Show up. Put in the work. Consistently. If you do that you will succeed. To be fair, there are some great products out there that can help you on your journey (some of which I’ve sold through my site), but honestly? All you need is you, your own determination, the right friends, and the right knowledge. That’s what got me from obese-to-athlete. It wasn’t a fancy training program. It was damn hard work, good people who were good influences and supports in my life, and the right knowledge.

4.) MAKE IT COUNT, BECAUSE YOU ONLY GET TO DO THIS ONCE: Life is short. Make it count. Be present. Dream big, dig deep, work hard. Spend your energy on love, not hate. Listen far more than you speak. Treasure those around you, and work hard to leave the world better off for you having been part of it, because eventually you will leave it. Live in such a way that you will leave it with no regrets.

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(Image: Trail Running The Devil’s Path, Plateau Mountain. Catskill Mountains, New York. Credit: Mike Mertsock)