Tag: optimism

ZZ Ward is one of my favorite singers. I met her last year and gave her a  copy of my book, Life’s Missing Instruction Manual. She read it and sent this to me (used with her permission):

ZZ Ward

“Hello Joe! I just wanted to let you know that I love “Life’s Missing Instruction Manual” the book you gave me at my concert! I read it every day, and I’m buying copies for all of those close to me!! It’s an amazing book and probably beats out the art of happiness for me which is also a very inspiring book. Any ways I just wanted to let you know!! Thanks again. – ZZ”

Thank YOU, ZZ!

Secrets Revealed Inside

I met a man on a plane once who told me he buys copies of Life’s Missing Instruction Manual, hides a one hundred dollar bill inside each, and gives them out to people who graduate or have some other milestone.

As the author, you know I like hearing this. 🙂

You can get the book (printed, Kindle, or audio version) at Amazon or wherever  books are sold.

http://www.amazon.com/Lifes-Missing-Instruction-Manual-Guidebook/dp/111865966X/

Just sharing. 🙂

Ao Akua,

Joe

PS – Be sure to check out ZZ Ward’s music at –  http://www.zzward.com

Member BBB 2003 - 2015

I used to hate exercise.

Even though I’ve worked out with legends in fitness, and personally met icons like Frank Zane, Lou Ferrigno, George Foreman, Floyd Patterson and others, I never liked exercise.

I even own one of the largest and most well stocked private gyms you’ve ever seen, which includes famed bodybuilder Steve Reeve’s personal Universal machine.

I used to smoke cigars in it.

If I could pay someone to exercise for me, and still reap the benefits, I’d do so.

Gladly.

But personally training with Body-for-Life fitness legend Bill Phillips has changed all that.

I now look forward to getting my workout done every morning.

These aren’t walks in the park, either.

My 25 minutes of HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) cardio takes all I have.

And the 45 minute weight lifting is something I almost hate to do but love having done it.

I’ve learned that I may resist it or resent it, but I never regret it.

But the best thing of all?

I’ve created something called obstacle immunity.

I learned the phrase from the book, Spartan Up! by Joe De Sena.

Inspiring, challenging book

De Sena created and runs the incredibly intense obstacle courses/endurance runs/insane peak performance events called “Spartan” that about half a million people have voluntarily entered.

Crawling up greased walls, running through mud, sprinting over rugged hills, dodging fires or any number of totally unexpected obstacles is what Spartan is all about. And penalties for not completing an obstacle are fifty burpees (fifty!), the most intense body weight exercise ever.

Spartan is designed to challenge you beyond what you think you can do.

It’s Hunger Games without the politics or the killing.

But it’s still intense.

De Sena says when you achieve athletic success in the unpredictable wild environment that his creative mind conjures up, you develop a resiliency to anything life can throw at you.

Your inner strength becomes almost super human.

I’m not suggesting you enter a Spartan race or Mud Run or CrossFit gig (unless you are inspired to do so), but tackling something as challenging as a burning morning workout sets my mind’s resistance meter to high.

If I can complete such a self-directed rugged workout, then I can do almost anything.

I leave the gym ready to handle life.

And the thing is, life is then much easier.

I don’t know Joe De Sena, or even anyone who entered one of his Spartan events, but his book validates what Bill Phillips and my trainer Scott York have said for years: getting that morning intense workout done gives you “a win” that makes you feel you can handle anything for the rest of the day.

As Bill Phillips, Scott York, Joe De Sena and even my father all say, exercise is medicine.

Too many of us want the easy street.

And we want it now.

I’m all for an easy life, but I’ve discovered life gets easier when you choose tough physical challenges and use them to fortify your mental ability to handle the rest of life.

I know the thrill of completing challenges -- 8 certificates, 3 medals, and 1 honorable mention

When you take on a physical challenge, and you learn to endure struggle by controlling your mind and delay gratification, the result is a type of unshakeable bliss and inner self-confidence you will never forget.

Plus you develop an internal ability to handle adversity.

You create “obstacle immunity.”

You will be almost unaffected by any problem, issue or challenge you may face.

Your ability to handle stress will have increased.

When you set out to attract your goals, you will not be easily disheartened or discouraged when you face any blocks along the way.

This can help make you feel that anything is possible.

Any dream.

Any goal.

Any intention.

And guess what?

Anything really is possible.

Arguing for limitations is just, well, arguing for limitations.

I think Spartan Up! is incredibly wise, inspiring, and challenging.

Read it.

And then go do something big that will build inner strength.

What are you doing to challenge yourself?

What can you do right now?

Well?

Ao Akua,

Hercules Joe

PS — We all need help in going for our dreams. Consider Miracles Coaching.

Member BBB 2003 - 2015

Back in the early 1980s, my wife and I got up at 4 am every Sunday, loaded our car with our dirty clothes, and drove to the laundry mat.

We lived in too small a room to have a washer or dryer.

We went to the mat early to avoid the crowds.

We went there every weekend for 12 years.

We became best friends with the elderly couple who owned the mat.

They were fun to be with; always joking about how I looked like the walking dead at 4 am.

When my wife and I finally could afford a house of our own, the couple who owned the laundry mat bought us a new washer and dryer as a gift.

I never forgot it.

I never shared this story before in public.

But as I relayed it to a friend, she urged me to share it with you.

I’m guessing you still struggle in some area, too.

My advice is to hang in there.

It took me a long time to achieve success, but persistence and optimism paid off.

If I can do it, you can do it.

If you want help, consider — http://www.MiraclesCoaching.com

Ao Akua,

joe

PS — Miracles are possible for you, too. Believe in yourself, believe in the future, and invest in your dreams. You can do it. http://www.MiraclesCoaching.com

Click image to read for free - Volume 1 and Volume 2 now available

“I beat you again, Google!”

It’s my favorite thing to say.

I’ve been beating Google virtually every day for well over a year now.

I beat Google!

I shared my secret with a friend and he thought I should share it with the world.

Well, here goes:

Every day I go into my Google calendar and set my appointments and to-do lists for the next day.

Working out, calls, interviews, errands, etc., are all put into my Google calendar.

I also set timers to go off ten minutes before each task, sending me a text message to remind me of the activity.

Here’s what I do that I doubt few others do:

I intentionally try to get my task done before the Google text reminder alert goes off.

For example, in the morning, I get up, have my coffee, check my email, and head to the gym.

I give my all in an intense workout and then return inside to drink my protein shake and relax.

Right about then, the Google text alarm sounds off to remind me to go workout.

Since I already worked out, I feel I beat Google.

I look at my phone and exclaim, “I beat you, Google!”

It feels great!

I love this game!

Why is this so cool?

Every day I glance at my to-do list and do my best to complete each task before Google has a chance to remind me of each one.

In a way, I’m getting my brain to fire off chemicals of satisfaction.

Or, as Dr. Loretta Breuning might put it, I have controlled my brain rush.

Since my brain (and yours) wants to feel those happy chemicals spurt, I have created a little game to make it happen.

There’s a new book by Caroline Arnold called Small Move, Big Change, about microresoluting your life.

In a way, you set a small, doable goal to give yourself that feel good experience of accomplishment.

Do it in baby steps

Rather than resolving to do something big — like lose 10 pounds this month — you micro-resolve to do something today — like go workout — that is in the direction of the bigger goal.

The little wins give you the brain rush you need to feel good and realize you are moving in the right direction.

Bill Phillips taught me about the value of “a win” every day.

I’ve heard Bill say there are days where he “needs a win.”

Those are the days where you might be tempted to think life is stacked in everyone else’s favor.

Instead of feeling like a victim, and spinning off the ledge into some sort of self hatred or disappointment, you can set a micro-goal or micro-resolution, do it, and feel great again.

When I say I am going to do something, and I do it, I experience a “win” – and the chemical feel good brain rush that goes along with it.

It’s the same with my game to beat my own calendar in Google.

It’s simply a way to make getting stuff done fun, exciting and even addictive (in a positive sense).

I love hearing my phone alarm go off and I get to say, “I beat you again, Google!”

Ao Akua,

Joe

PS — My new album Reflection is an official bestseller in my self-help Healing Music singer-songwriter catalog. Hear samples and grab a copy of the CD (with a collectible booklet and free surprise gift) by clicking right here.

Click image to read book

Look closely at this photo…

Bill Phillips presenting medal to me

I am smiling as bright as sunshine itself.

You can’t imagine how joyful I felt when Body-for-Life fitness legend Bill Phillips presented me with a medal and a certificate for completing his 12-week transformation challenge.

It was my third time to complete his challenge in the last twelve months, and my third medal, but the first one presented to me in public by Bill himself.

I was as giddy as a star struck teenager meeting a super hero.

And I have met super heroes, like the Hulk Lou Ferrigno…

Meeting Lou Ferrigno in my gym one year ago (and me 50 pounds heavier)

And Superman Dean Cain…

Meeting Dean Cain (and I was 50 pounds heavier)

But look at me now…

I'm a champion!

If you’ve been following this blog, you know I have been on a physical transformation journey for one year now. It started when I attended Bill’s Transformation Camp in February 2013.

I have stayed true to Bill’s teachings. I eat right, workout intensely five days a week, follow his principles for self awareness, spirituality, generosity, forgiveness, supporting others in their quest, and more.

The results speak for themselves. I’ve released at least 50 pounds of extra weight, added at least 15 pounds of muscle, and feel like a young Hercules.

A lot of people are supporting me, too, as you can see from this art that was given to me:

Hercules Joe

Bill’s latest weekend camp is called LIFE. It stands for Learning + Inspiration + Fitness + Energy. I just returned from the very first one at his center in Denver.

I loved it.

It’s a refined and more on target version of his Transformation Camp. The eating advice is the same, the workouts are changed a little, the new stories are moving and inspiring, and the daily worksheets (now in full color) are more specific; more like a game you can play to win every day.

I'm very proud of this accomplishment

One big change is Bill wants us to begin with a life vision.

From there, create a year goal, a six month goal, and then a 12 week goal.

That assignment alone helped me feel inspired and fired up to keep moving forward.

It’s no longer about twelve weeks; it’s about life.

I strongly recommend Bill’s work. It isn’t about weight loss per se as it is about living with integrity and wellness.

I regard Bill as a hero in my life; a source of transformation and inspiration from way back in 2004 when I entered and completed five back-to-back Body-For-Life challenges (and received an honorable mention for one of them).

Bill is a genius at sorting through all the conflicting data about health and fitness, and boiling it down to what actually works across the board for all of us.

He’s not a jock so much as a spiritual teacher in the gym.

He’s the Socrates of fitness.

The Buddha of health.

The Aurelius of spiritual-physical balance.

I love the man and his work.

His latest book, Transformation, should be read by all of us. (He’s working on a new book, which I am excited to read.)

Comparing biceps with the legend (Bill, not me)

The people who attend his weekend events are from all ages and all walks of life. Each has a story and a struggle, and each is ready to transform under Bill’s guidance.

Every time I attend one of his events — and I’ve been to four now — I am always moved by the people, their life paths, and their commitment to positive change.

Previous posts about Bill Philips and my Transformation progress:

March 1 2013 http://blog.mrfire.com/transformation-on-demand/

May 16 2013 http://blog.mrfire.com/transformation-update/

October 22, 2013 http://blog.mrfire.com/transformation-part-three/

I fully endorse Bill Phillips. I am not an affiliate for anything he offers (he doesn’t know I’m writing this) but I fully recommend all of it.

I’m told his May event is sold out. He just announced a June camp for June 6, 7, 8. If I were you, I’d go. For more details, see  http://www.transformation.com/ or send an email to [email protected]

Meanwhile, follow your dreams with passion, commitment, and the fire of inspiration.

This post isn’t about me (okay, yes it is) so much as it is a reminder that you can achieve your dreams, too.

Anything is possible.

Expect Miracles.

Ao Akua,

Joe

PS – Lucky you. You can watch me workout with Bill Phillips in this quick video filmed by his wife Maria. I’m on my last set of reps, lifting 100 pounds (two 50 pound dumbbells) like a gorilla ready for his feeding. Enjoy!

PPS –  I wrote the song “Believe” on my latest album in part due to Bill and his beautiful wife Maria (who released 60 pounds) believing in me. Hear a sample by clicking right here.

My new album is everywhere!