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!

Stay Fit Minute #3: Shovelling Snow Sucks

OK, this was one of my first StayFit vids, so ignore the hack acting! (LOL)

Winter now has a pretty solid foot-hold, and we've had some decent snow-fall (although nothing like last year so far!). This Stay Fit video will demonstrate a series of exercises to prepare you for the inevitable snow-shovelling many of us have to face. I have a client who complained who used to seriously hurt his back almost every year while shovelling snow. I put together a series of basic exercises for him to help prevent this, and I'm happy to say it has.

As a matter of fact, every winter there are many people who injure their backs while shovelling the new snow-fall because of muscular imbalances and being out of shape. I thought it would be helpful to post these exercise basics to prevent these types of injuries.

I don't consider this a complete training program, but becoming comfortable with these movements will help. Once you are stable enough, I would also include the deadlift movement (introduced later). I also suggest you switch sides often when shovelling, and remember to use correct shovelling technique!

-JH