Today I broke out of my comfort zone because of a conscious decision to mix things up big time. My normal workouts take place at 24 Hour Fitness. It is a low energy, low intensity environment and just a basic gym.
Golds Gym Venice is a 45 minute drive from my home so I decided to forgo the usual cardio at 24 Hour and take advantage of living so close to the Mecca. I could feel the difference the moment I walked in. The energy was so tangible you could slice it with a knife. The gym is frequented by bodybuilders, actors/actresses, athletes and normal folks who want to train at the most notable gym on the planet.
Today was just a cardio day. I warmed up for a few minutes on the treadmill and to my left was actor Ray Liotta! Cool! After warming up, I decided to do elliptical instead of treadmill and moved across the room, giving me a different vantage point. Right in front of me there is well known Bodybuilder Dennis James with legendary trainer Charles Glass pumping away. Then Stone Cold Steve Austin goes walking by! Is this place for real? I\’m not star struck. It did feel strange though to be surrounded by so many well known folk\’s all inside the same room. An old friend from college, and pro-bowler, Brendan Ayanbadejo came up and chatted for a few minutes. I hadn\’t seen him in 5 years. The trip to Gold\’s was worth it already! On the way out, I see Tito Raymond training a client and Shawn Ray and Lonnie Teper coming in to do a shoot for Ironman magazine\’s preview of the upcoming Arnold Classic. What a start to the day!
I do not share this story to name drop celebrity sitings. The point the story makes is that when we step outside our own routine lives, and do things out of the \”ordinary,\” EXTRAORDINARY things start happening. Stay tuned for more on this…
After leaving the gym, I went for breakfast at the Firehouse, a famous bodybuilders diner just walking distance from Golds Venice. The menu is \”bodybuilder\” friendly and has outstanding food. Egg whites and oatmeal were on the menu for me because I was keeping things clean. On my way back to my truck, I stopped off at Max Muscle owned by Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler. There was another adventure in store for me and I did not want to miss a meal, so I purchased 3 meal replacements.
Bound for Hollywood, I left Venice. I drove up Sunset Blvd and past Mel\’s Diner, The Standard, Saddleranch and other famous locales. I continued on up into the foothills and arrived at the trail head for the world famous Hollywood sign. This is the most photographed and well known landmark in Hollywood. Why had I never been?
With a bottle of water and a camera, I set out on an hour long hike to get up close and personal with the sign. I\’m not a hiker. Never been a hiker before. I am a hiker now! WOW did those hills feel awesome on my legs! The weather was incredible. The air was crisp, the sky blue, and the sun seemed to warm me from the inside out. I really felt happy being out there. I even took the opportunity to work on my tan. How many places on earth can you have your shirt off in February and be warm?
I jogged and hiked to as close as legally possible to the sign. I proudly took a few pictures with the famed sign in the background before turning to head back. I discovered that trail running is not easy, and it is definitely not a treadmill. I toughed it out and jogged all the way to the bottom of the hill and my legs are sore now!
I was reminded of an important lesson today. A seminar speaker once said, the habits that enabled him to become a multi-millionaire speaker worldwide, are the same habits holding him back from becoming a billionaire. I hope you guys caught that. He has a lot of \”financial\” success admittedly, but even he knows that his actions and behaviors which have brought him tremendous gain are holding him back from the next level! How is that for a re-frame!
In the past I was never a hiker and was never interested in hiking. If one hike per month meant the difference between being an ultra-fit person and an average joe, I never would have known. Hiking was not an activity or behavior I participated in or even thought about for that matter. When we look at each aspect of our life and ask how can we shake them up. What can we do to force ourselves out of our own way, we will uncover limitless opportunities.
Respected businessman and billionaire Bill Gates struggles with creativity at times like any other human. He once drove a different route home from work each day for an entire year and never repeated himself. New neural pathways literally formed in his brain from the forced behavior and lead to massive changes in his personal and professional life.
For you, this might mean a different running route, new foods or spices. Perhaps a new workout partner, new gym or fresh pair of running shoes. Refrain from eating the same food twice in a week. Force yourself to develop a taste for new and healthy foods deepen your menu of meal choices. This is a surefire way to guarantee ultimate transformation and long-term fitness success.
As the saying goes, a mind once expanded can never contract to its original size. The behaviors that got us where we are today are likely holding us back from what we really want. Successful entrepreneur and mega millionaire, Bill Phillips, spoke of his vision 10 years ago in Body of Work, when he explained how he materialized his dream of owning a red Lamborghini. At that point in time, Bill defined exactly what he wanted and went about changing his actions and behaviors in order to get the car and attain \”success.\” He has since far surpassed the red sports.
For all of you, everything begins in thought. Whether you want a better body, to look younger, vibrant health, an attractive mate etc…you must apply the information and strategies discussed. We have discussed a lot of strategy and given great examples of changing things up in your life can bring about dramatic changes. Doesn\’t the process seem easier now?
Have an awesome day!
Dr. Shaun Stuto is a Missoula Chiropractor and the founder of Transormation Chiropractic in Missoula, MT. Call TODAY and Schedule an appointment (406) 728-1250