I recently spoke with a young man who’s stuck in a rut.  He feels like he’s going nowhere, beating himself up along the way.  When you’re stuck, it’s a tough time to see a better future.  I’ve felt like him many times, even recently.

A mentor taught me, things don’t stay “bad” forever.  Eventually things start coming your way.  I believe our job is to whether the storm, plant seeds, and wait for the sun to bring new life.  Spring is that time.

In my 20 years of observing this phenomenon, It’s those that don’t give up that eventually run into good times again.  If you’re in a rut, don’t give up. It will get better.   Ask yourself, “If I quit now, what would happen?”

Reach out to good people, ask for their help.  You’re not alone.

I’m in Silicon Valley today speaking about family health.  Last night in the airport, I picked up Mockingjay, the last book in the Hunger Games series.  My oldest daughter is reading the books and asked me to read them. They’re good stories, but what I got out of them was Katniss’, the main characters, determination to stay alive for her family.  She pushed her body to the max, ate life sustaining foods, and would kill to protect those she loved.

This past weekend I had a great workout, thinking about Katniss, my daughter Anna, The Hunger Games, and dedicating my workout to my family. I had one of the best workouts I’ve had in weeks.  I did PK IGNITE, which is high intensity, total body with sprints, push-ups, burpees and more.

The lesson for me; No matter where I am, to dedicate my meals and workouts to a higher purpose- love of family, commitment to be and stay strong for them, and lead by example.  Sometimes you have to eat and train like your life depends on it, because it does.

Never give UP!  Simple, but true.

For at least 22 years I have been obsessed with what makes some people successful, and others not.  The common denominator every single time is, the ones who succeed never give up their dreams.

Abraham Lincoln “failed” for years to get elected to a higher office.  He nobly suffered the ridicule of being called a backwoodsman, an ape, a rail splitter, an uneducated man. His secret for success?   He never gave up or lost sight of what he believed was his destiny and went on to change the world for millions born, and millions yet unborn.

Milton Hershey “failed” for 10 years, going bankrupt several times.  (Anyone see the irony of choosing Hershey as a health example . They do make some dark chocolate products.)

Both never gave up on their dreams, because they believed in them.  That was their secret.

Believe in your dreams and never give up on yourself.  It’s just not an option.

Me speaking at the Working Mother’s Congress, NYC

Last night I had a dream, truth be told, it was a nightmare.

I was speaking to an audience and no one was paying attention, the worst fear for a speaker, besides nobody showing up. There was an unruly group towards the back, so I went over with the intention of motivating them. They started crying and one of them ran out of the room.

It gets worse. I walked toward the front to get the audience back and one of my mentors, Tony Robbins, was setting up to speak next. He totally snubbed me and proceeded with his presentation. I collected my materials and left with my tail between my legs. That’s when I awoke, sweating, horrified, depressed.

I rationalized, it’s just a dream, but you know how dreams can mimic and become reality. I felt like crap.  Have you ever had a dream that just seemed real?

I got up and knew I had to do something, or I’d wallow with this ill feeling. I got dressed, jumped in my car and drove. I stopped in a local town, got my bands out of my trunk, and did my be PK IGNITE workout, in the driving wind and pelting rain. I felt my blood flowing, muscles pumping, the passion returning. I was on fire, alive, awake……not dreaming.

PK IGNITE, my new workout, brought me back to reality. It did what it is supposed to do, help me start my day by being my best self.

Try to start every day with this workout, or one like it, so you can have a great day. Otherwise, that little voice, a bad dream, or negative self talk will stop you from being your best.

BTW- You can’t think yourself out of a bad mood, stress, or depressed state. You have to move your body to increase your heart rate, which helps your brain release those feel good drugs.

Wake up

My Gratitude, Food, & Fitness Journal

It’s easy to miss the real secrets of health success amidst the noise of flashy infomercials, to good to be true supplements, and contradictory health news in the media.  Don’t let these, or life real challenges, distract you from your life’s purpose.

I spoke to a client who recently lost focus, stopped eating well and exercising, and gained 10 pounds back.  Losing focus is one of the major ways we lose sight of our health goals, ultimately making us feel like we’ve failed. Not so.

Staying focused is your best ally to staying healthy. Here’s how we got my client, and how you can get re-focused. Warning, it takes some work, but I believe you’re up for it.

• Write down your vision, mission, goal; whatever you want to call it.  To get where you’re going, you’ve got to know where you’re going
• Have a great plan: Set your eating plan and exercise schedule at the beginning of the week
• Stay accountable with a health coach or mentor
• Keep a journal- I write down 5 things I’m grateful for every night, as well as my food intake and workouts, and review my goals every morning

I believe we all have something special to contribute.  Do it by staying focused.

“This is my immediate reward for doing 3 sets on the balcony this morning.”

Reward yourself for every positive thing you do, in simple ways like this. Be present and grateful.

Thanks for sharing!

How do you reward yourself? (No donuts right

One of my mentors and good friend, Linda Kedy has written a new book, “Cancer is Great For Your Health“.  I’ve know her for over 8 years and she asked me to write an endorsement and exercise paragraph for her book. I wanted to share it with you because I thought it might benefit you:

How to make health fun by partnering with the right person/people, on 5 Minutes to Fitness+ TV.