If I handed you a horseshoe and said “Bend it,” what would you do?
Probably nothing, right?
Same thing if I offered you a metal bar.
You’d hold the cold steel and wouldn’t know where to begin.
Your mind wouldn’t have any idea how to start.
It would seem impossible.
But the other day I came home and handed Nerissa a bent horseshoe and a twisted metal bar.
“You bent these?” she asked in amazement.
Yes I bent that horseshoe and twisted that steel rod, under the guidance of strongman Dennis Rogers
“Yep,” I replied. “And I also drove a nail through a board with my hand.”
“How is that even possible?” she asked.
And that’s where I had an “aha” about how we can more easily and quickly change beliefs.
Let me explain…
I attended the Strongman University seminar with the legendary Dennis Rogers and strongman David Whitley. You may recall their names because I wrote about them on a previous blog post.
Both guys are powerfully strong, and prove it by ripping thick phone books, decks of playing cards, bending nails and spikes and steel bars and horseshoes, breaking out of chains, holding people high in the air with one hand, and more.
They come from a long history of strongmen (and women) who do feats of strength for a living.
I attended the event to find out their tricks of the trade.
Turns out, there aren’t any tricks.
These strongmen are actually doing what you see them do.
I blasted a nail through a board with my fist, as Dennis Rogers and David Whitley watched
While there may be magic trick approaches to getting similar results, Dennis and David and the old school authentic strongmen don’t use tricks.
They are using intent, will power, knowledge of technique, and a tremendous amount of focused sheer strength.
I know because it took everything in my body and mind to bend a horseshoe.
My muscles ached, my breathing was hard, my face was flushed, my neck veins were popping, and I groaned and struggled as my entire body and mind were focused on bending that horseshoe.
And I did it, too.
Not bad for my first attempt ever
But when I first held it, it seemed impossible.
After all, a horseshoe is hard steel and made for a horse.
It’s not designed to give.
How was I going to bend it?
But here’s what happened:
I saw David do it.
Then I saw a few other people in the event – including two petite but strong women – do it.
And then I knew it was possible for me, too.
In other words, seeing living proof of it being done convinced me – it changed my belief system – and I realized it was now possible for me, too.
This insight made me realize that when you want to change something in your life, you might need to read, see, or meet someone who has already done it.
Once your mind accepts the reality of change, it then becomes possible for you, too.
You still have to take action, of course.
The horseshoe will not bend by itself.
I have to pick it up.
I have to see it in my mind bending.
And I have to collect all the muscle and energy and focus possible within me and aim it at that horseshoe.
But because I know it can be done, I’m more inclined to give it my all.
And when the horseshoe bends, you feel like superman.
Same is true for all your goals.
Once you achieve one, the rest become doable.
You don’t have to pick up a horseshoe and bend it, but wouldn’t it be cool if you took on a daring challenge and completed it?
And if it’s a big challenge – like bending a horseshoe or steel bar was for me – then read about or watch a film about someone who already achieved the goal you want to achieve.
Their success will teach you and inspire you and let you know that what you want to do is possible.
And then, go do it.
Ao Akua,
"It is what you accept"
PS – What if you try and fail? Truth is, I wasn’t able to do all the feats of strength that David and Dennis taught. I couldn’t rip a phone book, tear a deck of cards, or bend a metal spike. I tried so hard that my muscles still ache today. So, did I fail? Not at all. As long as I keep trying, and remind myself that it is possible for me to do, then I will succeed. The “failure” was simply feedback that my grip needs to be stronger. And that means my “failed” attempts were actually part of my training. Just trying to rip or tear or bend was building my muscle. You never fail as long as you keep moving forward.
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15 Comments
That is incredible Joe!!!
Very inspiring…
Great post and congrats on doing some hard core old time strongman bending and breaking! You hit the nail on the head – you gotta work your willpower just like you work your muscles. They are connected – mental strength and bodily strength. Awesome! – Scott
So inspiring, thank you!!
Dr.Joe , that was really a wonderful experience for me. I will certainly try to practice those principles in my life. Thank you very much
Neville talks about our concept of ourselves being what we become and I think seeing someone else do something we desire to do, allows us to accept that as a concept of ourselves also. Just like running the 4 minute mile.
Incredible! Is that possible ?! Your will – it is such a force! Inspiring and I want to live! Blagodaryu.Blagodaryu
Congrats, Dr. Vitale! Yes, you’ve set another example of what an open-mildness to the possibility, will power, and persistency can do. Mahalo for sharing 🙂
Really inspiring Joe. Love it.
On a sidenote, I have a question for you regarding your upcoming book, the Prosperity factor. There are some cynics in my circle of friends that can’t understand why, a wealthy person such as yourself and Mr. Lok would go through the trouble of co-authoring a book with a bunch of nobodies. I tell them that they obviously don’t know the type of people you both are and that you are doing it to help out aspiring entrepreneurs. But what would you say to those people who “just don’t buy it”? Much respect! Thanks
Hi Mike. Your circle of friends calling you and others “a bunch of nobodies” is revealing that they aren’t your friends at all. I’d upgrade your friends. There’s no answer that will appease anyone who puts people down like that. Dan and I are looking for people who are ready to step up their career by hitching a ride on my name and success. It’s not for everybody and isn’t supposed to be. If it feels right and you see the benefit, then jump on this – despite what “the friends” think. 🙂 http://www.instantbestsellingauthor.com
You’re the man Joe! I agree, I need to dumb some of these relationships with people who constantly live in fear. I appreciate your time and your response. You’re an inspiration to many of us, so I thank you deeply for that.
Cheers!
That’s inspiring and encouraging. Thank you for this.
Joe,
I wanted to let you know how your books and programs have truly turned my life around. The first major change happened when I read ‘The Attractor Factor’ and used the clearing technique in it. Within a few months, from renting, I was owning a house, instead of driving an old car, I was driving 2015 Mazda CX 5 and many of my other long sought dreams came true.
Then the second time came from your program “The Secret to Attracting Money”. This was about a month ago. I practiced overcoming limiting belief exercise in CD2. Since then and within a few weeks, my book hit #1 on Amazon. This book had been on Amazon for about two years now. I have been interviewed and featured in various magazines and articles, I have even been interviewed even on TV!. Yesterday, I delivered a speech in my religious center which was a long time dream.
I believe you have true knowledge and am grateful to you for sharing it with the rest of the world.
Thank you so much.
Zeeshan Raza
Thank you, Zeeshan, and CONGRATS to you! 🙂
Doctor Joe is a honor can write you. I was thinking about make you this question for a while.. hope you can answer me. You said “nobody wants the same things, nobody want the same person, the universe have enough for everybody”…. I am using what you saying for atract one specific person…. By you experience, you think this work for atract someone especific?
Hi Dr. Joe
Thank you for sharing this story with us. I just heard about it when you shared it with us in Day 7 of Awakened Millionaires and it peaked my curiosity.
I wanted to learn more and see when the next training was but I haven’t found any links. Would you please be able to share with me and others a link or contact info to find out more info about these amazing acts of physical and mental strength.
Thanks again for everything you do for us.
Sincerely
David