Your Level or Mine?

I have discovered one limiting factor that keeps people from engaging with a life coach or health advocate like me is the misconception and fear that I am going to beat them over the head and tell them that everything they are doing is wrong. Sorry to disappoint, but that notion is simply wrong.

First, allow me to explain that an effective life coach meets you where you are - your current level of thinking and state of being. Then through strategic questioning and discussion, a life coach is able to help you identify your own challenges and their underlying causes. Some of these challenges may be obvious to you and others may be right in front of your face, yet unrecognizable due to your pre-programming or belief system. While working with a life coach many simple shifts and small changes are revealed that can make profound changes in your present and future life. The greatest successes of a life coaching program are when you have your own “Ah-ha!” moments. When YOU create the change you want to see in your life and your world – the results are much more profound.

On the health advocate side, I would never insult the intelligence of my clients by telling them that smoking is bad for their health. Anyone smart enough to pick up the phone and call me already knows that. And I know from experience that until someone is truly ready to quit smoking, it is a futile effort for me to engage in such a battle with them. The route I choose to take is to introduce positive practices to counteract the negative effects of a bad habit. What I’ve found is that the good feelings from the positives quickly begin to outweigh the interest in the negatives, thus leading to voluntary cessation of the bad habit. My philosophy is that if you are going to do something bad, then do several REALLY good things to counteract it. Simple breathing exercises, hydration, nutrition and movement can help counteract the negative effects of the 10¹⁶ amount of free radicals inhaled in one cigarette.

Vegetarianism – Often we ridicule, deny or question that which we do not understand. I’ve found that people are extremely defensive when it comes to their eating habits. The first comment I often hear when people discover that I’m a vegetarian is “I can’t do that…” First of all, there is no place for the word ‘can’t’ in anyone’s language. Secondly, what people don’t know is that I spent the first 21 years of my life as a staunch “meat-and-potatoes” guy who refused to eat anything green! It took some drastic signs (both positive and negative) to shift my mindset and make me commit to a lifetime of vegetarianism. I’m here to tell you that if I CAN do it, you CAN too! But once again, I refuse to enter into a ‘battle’ with a client who is not ready to make the change.

If eating meat is where you’re at and you’re not ready to change, then I implore you to focus on the quality of meat you consume. Is it healthy? Is it organic? Is it free range? Is it free from toxins, drugs, steroids and un-natural feed? If you followed it from the plate back to the farm would you feel good about the process? The first objection and limitation for many is simply the price of buying organic, healthy foods. Do you know why organic costs more? Because it’s worth it!!! Quality costs more – plain and simple. Focus on quality and not quantity - for it’s the quantity that also gets many of us in trouble! When you eat healthy foods, they contain more nutrients per serving unit – therefore, you don’t have to eat (or buy) as much, thus equaling out the price! It’s an interesting concept – try it on for ‘size’ (no pun intended)!

Another misconception about life coaches is that they are counselors who want to re-hash the past and delve into the source of previous problems. While history and experience are often the best educators and predictors of the future, it is not usually productive to live in the past. We are all products of our past, but the future will be a product of what we do right now. A good life coach will help you understand where you are right now and where you want to be in the future - and then help you pave the road to success, your goals and your dreams.

If you want a better life, then understand you may have to make changes – some may be simple shifts, other may be massive mindset adjustments. I cite Einstein’s definition of insanity: “To continue doing the same things the same way, but expect different results.” I say, don’t be insane – make change! I’m here to help you.

What the Health?! Why is America so friggin FAT?!

Q: Why is America so friggin FAT?

A: That’s a BIG observation, and statistically 64% of Americans are overweight. Here’s why:

• We have become a “fast food” nation of people who crave convenience. Our technologies and systems cater to laziness. From the drive-thru meal to the TV, remote controls, conveyor belt assisted movement in airports, microwaves, computers, cars… the list goes on. We hardly have to think or even move on our own anymore.  

• The food production industry cares more about the $ than your health. Bigger, faster, cheaper is how they turn profits - and their profitable products turn people into unhealthy, nutrient deprived, energy drained, diseased, semblances of what “life” and vitality should be. Processed, preserved, fast, cheap, enriched, fortified, “low fat”, no carbs, boxed, canned, frozen crap = our health crisis. Nature and natural = life and health.
• Trust – we trust the FDA and government regulatory agencies to protect us. Wearing a seat belt protects your safety while driving, but it doesn’t give you license to drive drunk or fall asleep behind the wheel. We need to wake up and take personal responsibility for our health. You can control what goes into your mouth and body. Don’t ever rely on a label or government approval. Do you believe lobbyists have power over politicians? If so, refer back to the previous bullet point.

• Hormones, steroids, antibiotics, fertilizers, and other un-natural ingredients that go into our fruits, veggies and animals to make them grow bigger and faster – guess what? – They have the same affect on the people who eat those products – surprising? Common sense calls for organic everything! 
• No sweat – modern living in the USA revolves around comfort. Air condition in our homes, cars, offices and public places provide perfect ambient temperature – and thus, no perspiration. Lack of exercise and movement further eliminates sweat from our lives. Dehydration and the intake of “water substitutes” such as coffee, soda, energy drinks, and other toxic “sugar water” beverages insure that no toxins escape our bodies through the pores of our skin. Inflammation results, blockages occur and the fat and toxins build up.
• Brainwashing. This one really pisses me off. TV and media have done a great job changing our perception about what is “healthy” through creative advertising. Pharmaceuticals, “lite” beers, diet sodas and many more commercials do a great job of depicting bikini-clad models, athletes and other people who are “healthy” and happy in appearance. Really? Why don’t they depict the sick, fat, diseased and side-effect ridden 64% of Americans who are REALLY consuming their products? Get a clue people – if it’s on TV or in an ad, the company is out to make $ first and foremost. How often do you see a commercial or ad that simply promotes tomatoes, apples, water from a mountain stream, fresh air or sunshine? Business is business, I know. But YOUR health is YOUR primary business! Ignore the ads and pay attention to how you spend your $. We have a voice in the marketplace. Maybe one day the ads will change based on consumer demand (or the death of all of their customers).

• Perception. “It can’t happen to me. I won’t get fat, or have a heart attack, or a cancer diagnosis. And if I do, there will be a drug, magic bullet, or surgery to fix me.” I implore you to Google our nation’s pathetic health stats. If the food industry, medical professions, diets, etc… were working, wouldn’t our health stats be improving, not declining? If stats are not enough to convince you, go park your car outside of a WalMart, McDonalds, 7-11, or other place where at least 64% of America shops – sit there for an hour or so and observe what’s going on in our country – then resolve to do something about it – first and foremost – PERSONALLY.

Health Reform in the USA starts with US – We the People - and the choices and decisions we make on a daily basis. Choose to GRO in the right direction!

What the Health?! Part 1

An interview with myself - based on many previous questions I’ve been asked.

Q: What does a ‘health advocate’ or a life coach really do anyway?

A: Quite simply, as a life coach and health advocate, I help people live better lives. I believe that everyone should be happy and healthy and it is my mission and passion to help them discover happiness or improve their current state of health. I believe that the greatest source of happiness should be from a healthy mind and body. A health advocate promotes healthy lifestyles and educates people on what a healthy lifestyle REALLY is. A life coach empowers and motivates people to take control of their health, vitality, energy, concentration, focus, stress level, time, priorities and other areas in their life through the daily choices and decisions they make. If you don’t think health is a source of happiness, try losing it! A life coach helps people understand where they are now, but focuses them on the future and the achievement of their goals. Grassroots reform is my method of helping people "GRO".

Q: A lot of the information you give is not new and is not rocket science – in fact, I remember my grandmother telling me the same things when I was a kid. Also, there is a great deal of information out on the internet for free. So why should someone hire you to tell them what they can get for free?

A: All good points. Here are a few more to add to your list: We all know that eating broccoli and drinking water is good for us, but most of us don't. The sunshine and fresh air are free, yet many of us never get outside to enjoy it. Most of us have a perfectly good pair of legs that work well, yet we never walk or exercise and use them to their full capability. I bought and paid for a one year gym membership as a gift for a friend of mine who was constantly complaining about being out of shape – only to learn that she did not grace the doorstep of the gym even once – because she felt “too out of shape to go to the gym.” I learned that what is “free” often lacks value. I also learned that most people need a higher level of accountability than what they (or even their loved ones) can summon for themselves. In working with people of all shapes, sizes, ages and types – I’ve learned to meet people on their current level and then develop a plan for them that works within their own parameters while continually expanding their limits and belief systems by implementing positive, measurable change and constant improvement. I’ve also tried to meet people on their current financial levels too by offering some simple, free advice on my blog to get them started. My book Health and Happiness: an owner's manual for the mind and body is packed full of great advice and ranges in price from $11.95 to $20 depending on the version, format and binding they choose. I try to make my events, seminars and workshops affordable and beneficial for everyone too. For those who need extra attention or one-on-one interaction, I have developed coaching programs that can be delivered face to face, by phone or by email. The goal is to have something for everyone in my program. What some may consider common-sense, obvious advice, others may find to be profound, life-changing enlightenment. Some of my information may be universal and some of it may be very specific for the particular person I'm working with. The impact of my delivery and the follow-up and accountability is what really makes my coaching effective and information most valuable.

To be continued...