Let Your Pain Be Your Fuel (Motivational)

I watched hundreds of motivational videos and listened to countless motivational speeches, and many of them have helped to get me fired up to take action. But for some reason, none of them have had quite the same affect on me as this one did.

There is something raw and real about what Marc Megna is saying in this video that really got to me. Maybe it was because he is talking about his own actual experiences, rather than just some imaginary idea. Perhaps I'm just at a point in my life where this message held greater significance for me. For whatever reason I was tearing up by the end of watching it. It's a powerful video... I hope you draw something positive from it as well:

I think part of what I really like about this message is that it helps me to see that challenges I face as opportunities to grow, rather than something to avoid or feel sorry for myself about. I've taken on a lot of new projects this year and I've faced a few obstacles, as I think most of us have, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed and to start saying "why me?". But isn't it more productive to embrace these challenges and face them head on? I believe it is.

The idea isn't that we should pursue "pain", or look for struggles in life, but rather that we shouldn't shy away from it either. We can overcome that pain. We can learn from our struggles. We will grow from it... and the bigger we get, the smaller our problems will seem. Be grateful for the opportunity to become a stronger person... to grow into your greatness.

Remember these quotes:

"We are made strong by what we overcome."
"Whatever does not kill you will make you stronger."
"Don't pray for an easy life... pray to be a stronger person."
"Without pain there is no gain. Without pain there is no glory."

After you watch it I'd appreciate hearing from you... can you relate to it? What did you get from it? Please take a minute to post a comment below.

Stay strong!

What Is My "Why"? (Motivational Message)

Let me tell you about the highlight of my day today: My 2 year old daughter Kaitlyn picked up our copy of the DVD "The Incredibles" and while pointing at Mr. Incredible on the cover, said "Poppa!".

Then several times while she was watching the movie, she'd point at Mr. Incredible on the screen, then point at me and say "poppa" again. This just made my day!

This also made me think of what's important to me in my life. What inspires me to do what I do? What drives me to achieve my goals and motivates me to become successful? What is my WHY? To illustrate my inspiration I made this short video, touching on what's important to me, including family, friends, the people I help and the work I do, as well as the more superficial motivators like wealth and success.





When you have a strong enough "Why" you will always find out how. It's important to be clear on your "why"... consider everything that is important to you in life, and consider what really is driving you to be the best you can be, and strive to better yourself as a person. I'd like to hear what drives you... please share in comments below! Remember, there are no "wrong" answers here.

Here is another great video I found that will get you thinking in the right direction:




I just wanted to share these thoughts with you today... I hope it got you thinking, or gave you some motivation!

Go for yours!

Mr. Incredible

Want Fast Results Right NOW? Time to Get Real and Face These Facts!

I want to talk about five basic facts you need to accept in order to get the fitness and performance results you're after.

This past weekend I had a chance to watch the beginning of the Olympics and was very impressed with the athletic performance I witnessed!  It really makes you appreciate the years of sacrifice and dedicated training that goes into developing an athlete of Olympic caliber.


It got me thinking about how any worthwhile goal in life really does require a significant level of committment and effort.  For some this is difficult to accept because in many ways we live in a culture that expects "instant gratification".

As a trainer it's my responsibility to get real with my clients to help set realistic goals and to understand the committment they need to make.

1. It's going to involve hard work! To get long term results you will have to get outside your comfort zone, both physically and mentally. You will have to sweat, push through muscular fatigue, experience muscle soreness, and work really hard! Accept it... it's a fact.
   
2. You will need to make some changes in how you eat. Just because you are now training doesn't mean you can eat whatever you want. To get the best results you will need to clean up your diet.
   
   
3. Exercise and healthy eating are a lifestyle. This is not a quick fix for a short term goal... this needs to be a lifestyle change. Forget the "diet" mentality and adopt this as a new way of living. Otherwise that fat you lost will come back faster than it came off!
   
   
4. Results take time. Don't look for short-cuts. Consider how long it takes to get out of shape... be patient and set realistic goals for achieving results and you will be successful. A well designed program and expert coaching will certainly help you get there faster, but you still need to be patient, persistent, and consistent.
   
   
5. Exercise must be a priority. The main reason most people don't exercise is because they don't have time. However, no one has time unless they make it. This needs to be high on your priority list for you to be successful in reaching your goals. It's important... give yourself the time you deserve to get in shape.

I hope this gives you something to consider as you work towards your own fitness and performance goals. If you understand these facts you are well on your way to success!

Stay Fit,

Josh

Happy New Year! What Are Your 2010 Resolutions?

Hey, this is just a quick message to wish you all a Happy New Year!

I hope 2010 brings you much success, health, wealth and happiness.

This is a big year for me. I turn 40 this summer, so I'm challenging myself with some big goals over the upcoming year:

• To get and stay in the best shape of my life! This means I will get leaner, stronger, and healthier than I've ever been. I've written down my specific strength goals for each exercise, my bodyweight and body-fat % goals, and the exact dates I will achieve these goals.
  
• Take my business to the next level. This also means making more great training resources available to you guys... including articles, videos, and finishing the ebooks I've been working on forever!
• Spending more quality time with my family. Our daughter is 14 months old now, and the last year has gone by SO fast! I want to make sure I appreciate every minute of her growing up, and still make time to spend with the most beautiful woman I know... my wife.
• Planning time with no plans. Setting aside a little time to just "chill" and relax... an essential part of maintaining good health!

One of the keys to achieving your goals and being successful with your resolutions, is to write them down and then to share them with others! Actually writing your goals is similar to making a contract with yourself, and when you let other "supportive" people know about them it makes you more accountable.

With this in mind, I invite you to share your New Years goals and resolutions on this blog. I would love to hear your plans for 2010, and I'm certain it would be motivating for the other readers! So take a minute to seriously consider what changes you want to make in your life, and what results you want in 2010 and leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you!

Thank You and Happy New Year!

Stay Fit,
Josh

-->Leave Your Comment Below:

Merry Christmas!

Hey, just a quick shout out to say Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!

The New Year is approaching... time to re-focus on your goals and continue to challenge yourself to improve your fitness and performance!

All the best,

Josh

Happy New Year!

Hello again!

I haven't blogged in a while, as I took a little time off over the holidays. We hosted Christmas this year, and had some family staying with us for a couple of weeks. We had a great time, and Kaitlyn got to meet many relatives and celebrate her first Christmas and New Years Eve! I also got a couple of nice "training" accessories as gifts (Power Wheel, JumpStretch bands, resistance belt), as well as a Blackberry. Yes, I am now a Crackberry addict... but it sure is a great business tool!

Over the last few weeks I've done alot of thinking about my plans for 2009 and reflecting on the year gone by. In my opinion making resolutions is not an ideal way to make constructive changes in one's life. Setting goals and resolutions can be useful in some ways, and I still encourage my clients to write down their goals, but when you're choosing a direction for your life this may feel like there is a negative "pressure" to follow these resolutions / goals, or else!

A more affirmative approach is to focus on making positive "choices" going forward, that involve pursuing what you really "want" (rather than "should"). If you really consider what you are passionate about, and decide to take action in that direction, you are not only more likely to succeed, but more likely to be happy. The context should ALWAYS be positive. This means focusing on what you want, NOT what you "don't" want. For example, instead of choosing to quit a bad habit, decide to adopt a new, healthier activity! Another way to look at it is to think of who you want to BE, rather than what you should DO.

I hope that makes sense to you.

Considering this, I am choosing to take charge of my fitness and physical potential , by making my own workout time a priority again. Physical and personal development is what I'm passionate about, and why I got into this industry, so I'm going to do more of what I enjoy myself! I also resolve to help as many people as possible improve their own health, fitness, and performance. I will do this by improving my knowledge base (more courses, seminars, etc), producing more of my resources (ebooks, DVD's, newsletters, clinics, etc), and fueling my own energy and enthusiasm for what I do so that I can continue to motivate those I come into contact with. Of course, my first priority is to be the best father and husband I can be!

This is my choice for 2009 and beyond, and it will drive my success and guide the projects I take on. What do you choose for yourself?

For your inspiration, I've included a great clip from Rocky Balboa... this short speech alone makes it worth watching the movie! Enjoy.

Wishing you great health and success.

Josh Hewett