The Troops from Fitness First Bootcamp

Success or Lack of Success - Article by Don

How does it happen that two people take the same actions and appear to exert the same effort and still have massively different results? Good question, you might ask? Maybe the answer is as simple. Belief is the key to success. Starting with the belief that you CAN be successful and continuing along each step of the way towards that successful finish.I was watching the Olympics the other day, a tennis match between Roger FEDERER (SUI) - Rafael AREVALO (ESA). This was an amazing sight to see between one of the very best in the world and one of the "not very best" in the world (and I do not mean to offer offense to Rafael, he is just not at the same level as Roger). As I watched the play, I wondered at the mindset of each. Did Roger go into the game with certain knowledge of a win and use it to assist a lesser player in his game (thus bringing up the level of play Rafael was capable of) or did he just play the "full out" method and destroy his opponent. In watching this match I got the sense that Roger was playing his serves in his "normal" way and making his best hits with the intention of winning. During the times he was on the receiving end he returned the ball with skill, but not with "kill" and allowed his opponent to make the range of "unforced errors" that would be commensurate with his level of play. So, it seems that Rafael came into the match KNOWING he was going to lose and was able to play without the pressure and even appeared to be enjoying his match with one of the best in the world.How does all this relate to our success? Simple. Are we showing up knowing we are the best and always going to win or are we coming to play and thinking it is only a matter of time before we are "out of the game". That simple shift in mindset is what can determine our success or lack of success (failure is the result of no longer taking action - not a lack of success). And if the premise is correct, then how can we adopt the mindset of success so that we can be as successful as we desire?Take your first step by finding someone who is having success and know that "if they can do it so can I" (even if you think you cannot do what they are doing, begin the process by just "buying" the idea that you can do anything someone else can do). Take advantage of every instance in your daily life that you can call a success and beging to acknowledge them. Include all the "mundane" things you do, from successfully waking up, successfully getting out of bed, successfully getting dressed ... and so on. Also, take advange of things you might have called "failures" in the past like "I successfully managed to spill my coffee on myself today". And please include a good sense of humor in this activity (another thing for some to be successful at).Enjoy the things you do and do the things you enjoy. If your life is filled with things you have not enjoyed in the past, then find a way to make each more pleasurable. An example could be having a job that keeps you away from your family and knowing that you only have to do this for another fifteen years and then you can retire.Be - Do - Have. Simply, be the person who has success. Do the same things that person does. You WILL have to results.

The Pursuit of Greatness

How many of us have been diligently watching the Olympics and witnessing the amazing feats of the best of the best?

What is it about this pursuit of excellence that stirs up feelings within us and glues us to the television? Yes even myself, Raw Eagle who many of you will know as someone who would rather make television than watch it.

Actually on that point be interested to hear people's thoughts on an internet based health tv? I am thinking it would make for a lot of fun and definitely motivate us, rather than watching the propaganda fed to us on commercial television.

Ok back to the Olympics - is it that somehow we know within us all there is greatness? Something we can do better than anyone else on the planet, a destiny we were created for. The odds of us being born into this time period are 1 in infinity.

Has got me thinking more .... Who am I? Why am I here? Where is my greatness?

I believe I am hear to heal, to love and radiate and magnify joy in the world!!!

You are all beautiful and I love everyone of you even if I have not met you. Now as we head into the best weekend ever, may I wish the same for you

Health and Fitness

On Sunday was the City to Surf which I went along to and ran a time of 54minutes and 4 seconds - almost 2 minutes faster than my previous year. Last year I trained specifically for this event, with long runs, VO2 Max, lactate threshold, and interval training. This time with little specific training I ran a great time, and of course will be even better next year.

After event with friends sore and stiff, I was ready to play again.

My point here is that with an excellent base level of fitness and a focus in certain areas we can perform anywhere and anytime. To achieve this I regularly workout using various bodyweight, plyometric, cross fit, sprint and weights training. This balance has built a solid structure around which I can enjoy different events and recover well. Eating a diet consisting entirely of fresh ripe organic fruit and vegetables certainly helps also.

Also on the city to surf a 27 year old man died 200 metres from the finish line. I am unable to articulate the exact details but it is alarming that this could happen to a man in the prime of his life. So many times we focus on fitness and the body beautiful, feeding it with artificial substances and create a temporary facade but how many times are we actually promoting thriving or true health?

How many servings of fruit and vegetables have you had today?

My next event is the 100km Oxfam Trailwalker (which we will be running). Please send me you love and energy on the 29th August and as always have the best day ever and keep pumping