Every so often, I receive an email from a friend, client or colleague who shares something that motivated them. I watch each video that is sent to me, because quite often, they fuel my own tank of inspiration. The following video is a message certainly worth sharing.
Eat & Train to THRIVE
Part I: Eat to Thrive
For the past year, I’ve been eating with the mindset to maintain a lean physique. Prior to the past year, I competed in four figure competitions that kept me in either extreme discipline mode or at least an awareness / habit maintenance mode.
Under the coaching of Carter Schoffer, my nutrition has entailed protein, vegetables, fruit, starch (oats, rice, sweet potatoes, legumes), healthy fats, super shakes and supplementation. Along with that, I drank a ton of water and a fair amount of coffee (usually sweetened with splenda or stevia and a non dairy creamer – soy, almond or coconut milk).
Throughout the recent holiday months, I permitted myself some flex after last year’s holiday season was dedicated to the round-the-clock preparation and discipline for the Arnold Classic. I knew however, flex in my habits (read: alcohol and dessert) equaled a slightly softer physique which is fine, but not the physique I ultimately want for myself.
In a casual email exchange, Carter and I were discussing the disparity between my goals and my efforts. Carter is a special coach and he knows how to get through to me. The following is an excerpt from a larger email exchange Carter and I had. I have cut and pasted portions of his thought process because I think it‘s fair to say, even I, need a kick in the pants at times and I thought you all may benefit as well, from his thought process regarding “elite”
The True Measure Of Our Thanksgiving
“Not what we SAY about our blessings, but how we USE them, is the true measure of our Thanksgiving.”-W.T. Purkiser
I hope everyone (who celebrated) had a lovely Thanksgiving and holiday weekend. As I mentioned a few days ago, I am not sure I can quantify how thankful I am for the path I’m on and the people who continue to be a part of it.
Put On Your Rocky Cap
“It ain’t about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward, that’s how winning is done!! Cause if you’re willing to go through all the battling you gotta go through to get to where you want to get, who’s got the right to stop you?? …It’s your right to listen to your gut, it ain’t nobody’s right to say NO after you earn the right to be where you wanna be and do what you wanna do. Now if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth, but you gotta be willing to take the hits!” -Rocky Balboa
The Rocky movies are famous for his training. I love how Rocky’s opponents are always training with the fanciest equipment and “methods” meanwhile, Rocky is getting the job done with the basics combined with raw, hard work. And somehow, Rocky always comes out a well-prepared beast! Hmmmmm 
