I am a reasonably competent golfer, I can lift heavy things, and I can manipulate my body composition via exercise and diet when I am so inclined. What I can't do yet is play squash. I can't dance either but first things first...
It is exhilarating to learn a new pattern of movements especially when the immediate payoff is such a satisfying "smack" (or "squash" as the legend goes) when the stars align and ball hits sweetspot, hugs the sidewall, and lands deep in the corner. It's also invigorating to feel sore in muscles I know I have. At this point in my life, there aren't too many muscles that I've never felt but it's always cool to get them to react in ways I didn't expect. The body is a remarkably specific machine. The same arm that can make it through a gym workout, a strongman workout, or 36 holes of golf without issue, is the same arm that's sore the next day after a low intensity, 60 minute long, beginner's squash lesson.
The moral of the story is variety. Break the rut, try something new, and give your machine a new experience.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
an example of the "money blueprint" at work
My good friend Josh Hewett loaned me a book called, "Secrets of the Millionaire Mind" by T. Harv Eker. Since I'm not a millionaire, I figured there might be a tidbit or three in there that I could learn.
I'm not halfway through the book and today I experienced an example of what Eker calls the "money blueprint." The money blueprint is basically how one is programmed to handle money. It's like the firmware in your iPod or PS3. It's in there but it's not hardwired and can be changed if you know how to do it--or if the manufacturer sends an update, not an option with us humans though.
Through the site Craigslist (no relation, lol) I had contracted to buy a used Jump Stretch platform. If you don't know what that is, it's a metal plate with some fittings on the sides that allow you to attach jump stretch bands. In the end, it's not really that important what it was, only that I wanted it, the price was right and the seller agreed to sell it to me today.
Via email, we made arrangements to meet in his neighborhood--halfway across town from me-- at 8:30 pm. I got out there a little early so I called his number to let him know. There was no answer so I left a message. I waited at a nearby McDonald's and called again just after 8:30 pm. Still no answer. Maybe the seller got busy at work or maybe there was an accident, things happen. So I left.
When I got home I noticed that the seller had sent an email while I was away at work. The email said,
"I am sorry but someone offered me $100 for the base and I kind of need the $ if he doesn't pick it up I will let you know."
Huh. The selling price we had agreed to was $75. A couple thoughts ran through my mind:
He had my phone number and he could've called but probably wanted to avoid a confrontation.
He knew I wanted the platform and could've called to see if I wanted to get into a bidding war for it.
But I really couldn't stop wondering if the reason his financial crisis was so acute that the last $25 mattered was because his money blueprint drove him to be an irresponsible business person. How many other times had he reneged on a deal? How many times had he failed to see an opportunity to leverage demand? How many times had he simply avoided asking for the sale?
I'm not halfway through the book and today I experienced an example of what Eker calls the "money blueprint." The money blueprint is basically how one is programmed to handle money. It's like the firmware in your iPod or PS3. It's in there but it's not hardwired and can be changed if you know how to do it--or if the manufacturer sends an update, not an option with us humans though.
Through the site Craigslist (no relation, lol) I had contracted to buy a used Jump Stretch platform. If you don't know what that is, it's a metal plate with some fittings on the sides that allow you to attach jump stretch bands. In the end, it's not really that important what it was, only that I wanted it, the price was right and the seller agreed to sell it to me today.
Via email, we made arrangements to meet in his neighborhood--halfway across town from me-- at 8:30 pm. I got out there a little early so I called his number to let him know. There was no answer so I left a message. I waited at a nearby McDonald's and called again just after 8:30 pm. Still no answer. Maybe the seller got busy at work or maybe there was an accident, things happen. So I left.
When I got home I noticed that the seller had sent an email while I was away at work. The email said,
"I am sorry but someone offered me $100 for the base and I kind of need the $ if he doesn't pick it up I will let you know."
Huh. The selling price we had agreed to was $75. A couple thoughts ran through my mind:
He had my phone number and he could've called but probably wanted to avoid a confrontation.
He knew I wanted the platform and could've called to see if I wanted to get into a bidding war for it.
But I really couldn't stop wondering if the reason his financial crisis was so acute that the last $25 mattered was because his money blueprint drove him to be an irresponsible business person. How many other times had he reneged on a deal? How many times had he failed to see an opportunity to leverage demand? How many times had he simply avoided asking for the sale?
Make it fun
Here's a couple of videos from when I started training with Team Barbarian. It's great to have the support of others when you're making that first step. I am grateful for the help I received and continue to receive from team founder Josh Hewett and the other team members. I would not be where I am on my journey to vitality if not for their help, motivation, and support.
I chose powerlifting and strongman as my facilitators back into the vital lifestyle but you can choose whatever you find fun. Most people re-discover activities that they long ago discarded when their energy levels dropped after years of inactivity. Whatever you do, make it fun and enjoy the journey!
I chose powerlifting and strongman as my facilitators back into the vital lifestyle but you can choose whatever you find fun. Most people re-discover activities that they long ago discarded when their energy levels dropped after years of inactivity. Whatever you do, make it fun and enjoy the journey!
Driving a desk does not improve your health!
It took 17 years of me driving a desk to realize that my passion didn't lie within the promotion of the products and services that my former employer offered. I thoroughly enjoyed my interactions with my employees and our customers but over time I felt that something was missing. The tipping point, quite literally, was sheer tonage. Or, more accurately, discovering that I was exactly one pound shy of the 300 lb mark. Once upon a time, I was a strong, vital, young adult who played many recreational sports and competed at state level in powerlifting. While I was lucky that the passage of time had only resulted in the accumulation of many, many pounds of bodyfat, I knew from my previous fitness background that at the age of 41, I was on the way to joint problems, cardiovascular disease, and type II diabetes.
Even though I had once been considered physically active and fit, years of attending to my career had combined with years of neglecting my health. I think it's easy to do, if you look around, not many of us have the vitality we did when we were 25. Fortunately for me, the 300 pound mark was enough of a wake-up call that I made a committment to regain my health. Drawing on my previous experience as a Personal Trainer and powerlifting competitor, I made a desperation grab back into the memory bank and tried to recall behaviour patterns that were almost 20 years old. I became my own Personal Trainer and forced myself to break longstanding habits of inactivity. I started going to the gym again even though I did not like it at first!
From the gym, I met new friends and associates that had similiar interests and goals. I joined a strongman team, Team Barbarian, and even competed in a novice level strongman contest. I was starting to have fun again and I started to realize how much my inactivity had stunted my vitality. Vitality is empowering. It breeds confidence, committment, and decision. It promotes wellness and the ability to resist sickness. Plain and simple, it makes you look and feel better.
Hokey as it sounds, I felt re-born, like a phoenix. The first step is always the hardest and I knew after embarking on my journey that I could help others regain their vitality too. The day I resigned from my comfortable, well-paid management position was one of the happiest days of my life even if some friends and family thought the decision was questionable at best. And, truthfully, I was quite saddened to leave behind so many friends that I had worked so closely with for many years. However, I remain as excited today as I did that day I walked out the door of the building leaving my keys and company car behind. I couldn't then, and still can't wait to help others find their vitality!
Even though I had once been considered physically active and fit, years of attending to my career had combined with years of neglecting my health. I think it's easy to do, if you look around, not many of us have the vitality we did when we were 25. Fortunately for me, the 300 pound mark was enough of a wake-up call that I made a committment to regain my health. Drawing on my previous experience as a Personal Trainer and powerlifting competitor, I made a desperation grab back into the memory bank and tried to recall behaviour patterns that were almost 20 years old. I became my own Personal Trainer and forced myself to break longstanding habits of inactivity. I started going to the gym again even though I did not like it at first!
From the gym, I met new friends and associates that had similiar interests and goals. I joined a strongman team, Team Barbarian, and even competed in a novice level strongman contest. I was starting to have fun again and I started to realize how much my inactivity had stunted my vitality. Vitality is empowering. It breeds confidence, committment, and decision. It promotes wellness and the ability to resist sickness. Plain and simple, it makes you look and feel better.
Hokey as it sounds, I felt re-born, like a phoenix. The first step is always the hardest and I knew after embarking on my journey that I could help others regain their vitality too. The day I resigned from my comfortable, well-paid management position was one of the happiest days of my life even if some friends and family thought the decision was questionable at best. And, truthfully, I was quite saddened to leave behind so many friends that I had worked so closely with for many years. However, I remain as excited today as I did that day I walked out the door of the building leaving my keys and company car behind. I couldn't then, and still can't wait to help others find their vitality!
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