Hammer and Chisel Challenge - Week 2

Hammer and Chisel, Week 2, Month 1

So last week's post was super long, and I'm trying to keep my weekly recaps short and sweet, but at the same time informative. Feel free to comment on some of the things that you may want to know about the Hammer and Chisel Challenge, and as always, feel free to message me about my upcoming Online Test Groups!

Day 1, Week 2
I was pretty excited to start the week off strong. I didn't get to my workout until late in the evening which seems to be the norm for this challenge =). But today's workout was Chisel Cardio, and what killed me the most other than the HEAT at the gym was the pull ups, and believe it or not the "Side Step Up Kicks" only because it was the last exercise of each round, and it seems like every dang day is LEG DAY! Also, today I felt like I was lacking calories, so this may be something that you will have to play with. If you feel you need calories, you probably do. Don't try to cookie cutter your nutrition. If you need to add more calories, do it. You will begin to find what works for you as you go with the challenge.

Did a 1 mile warm up and 1 mile cool down run.

Chisel Cardio - Most of the moves minus the Forearm Plank Kick

Day 2, Week 2
Today's workout was Hammer Strength which was brutal after doing a 5K Urban Assault Run with my downtown 813 Fit Club. The Urban Assault run consisted of a 12 Days of Christmas Pyramid Workout while running a 5K through downtown Tampa. I could've easily replaced my Hammer and Chisel workout with the UAR, but I made a commitment, so I'm sticking to it.

The online test group assignment asks "what helps me stay on track with my workouts?" That's easy, I stay on track because of the people helping me stay motivated and accountable in the online challenge group, and also with the help of my own personal accountability partner.

Hammer Strength:

Day 3, Week 2
I did Chisel Agility today, and to be quite honest, I was so sore and didn't know how I was going to be able to finish this workout. I previewed the workout and it looked pretty simple, but of course watching, and actually "doing" are two very different things. I got it done LATE at my South Tampa office. I was looking forward to rest day on Day 4 =)

I did not run on Day 3.

Chisel Agility

Day 4, Week 2

REST DAY - I did an easy 5K trail run today at the Wilderness Trail System. I definitely felt sore in the beginning, but started feeling very strong as my run progressed. I can really feel the strength gains from Hammer and Chisel. 

Day 5, Week 2

Today was Christmas, and my Hammer and Chisel WOD was Hammer Power which was focused on "power lifting" movements. Again, I previewed the workouts beforehand and used the worksheets at the gym. The movements always look easy until you actually do them. I learned that the next time I need to add more weight, but I really loved this workout, and as always, it kicked my butt good. I think the most important part about this workout is to really make sure to use proper form. You can easily get injured or throw your back out if you are not careful, so start off slow, put your ego aside, and play it safe. Once you get the moves, you can then up your weights and go harder! 

I did a 1 mile warm up run, and a 2 mile cool down run. 

Hammer Power

Day 6, Week 2

Traveled to Pensacola from Tampa for the holidays and did today's workout with my brother. We did Power Chisel and 10 Minute Chisel Abs. This program is very versatile, you can workout indoors or outdoors. Although I prefer working out at the gym and outdoors, you can get a kick ass workout at home too. Do what you can, but just know it doesn't matter where you workout, just get it done!

I have noticed that this challenge consists of a lot of squats, lunges, and pull ups, which is right up my alley. You can always add the ab workouts (Hammer or Chisel Abs) if you feel that you need more core/abs during the week, which is probably what I will start doing more of in week three.

No run today. 

Power Chisel Workout:

Day 7, Week 2

I did Hammer Conditioning with my brother today. This was the last workout of week 2 and boy was it a "shoulder burner". The workout minus the warm up and stretch was only 25 minutes, but trust me, that was all I needed. I really enjoyed the movements of this workout, especially the renegade row burpees. This workout is a great combination of shoulders burners, cardio, strength, and core. 

I finished Day 7, Week 2 with a nice 6.5 mile trail run at the Univ of West Florida off-road trails. 

Hammer Conditioning:

Are you ready to take on the Hammer and Chisel Challenge, ask me about my upcoming online test groups, you will receive FREE online coaching from me, and motivation from others who have similar goals as you! Message me here!

Related Links:
Hammer and Chisel, Week One, Month One
Hammer and Chisel Week 3, Month 1

Hammer and Chisel Challenge - Week 1

Hammer and Chisel - Week One

I am documenting my Hammer and Chisel Challenge here on my blog. You can view day by day posts by following my IG or Facebook. This challenge has been everything that I had hoped for. I was looking for something that was similar to the P90X variety, and this falls right into it. The whole idea behind Hammer and Chisel is to get CHISELED. It's about strength and getting shredded. Now don't get me wrong, the program can be perfect for other goals such as: gaining more strength/endurance, becoming a better athlete, getting lean, losing weight, and maintaining fitness. I do not see this as a bulking type of challenge, although there is a lot of lifting weights. I can see how you can bulk easy by lifting more weight, but to be quite honest, so far it seems that there are a lot of reps, so using a lot of heavy weight wouldn't be possible for most people.

Beginners?
As I am going through this program, I am getting my butt kicked! There are modifications provided, but in my honest opinion, I do not recommend this challenge for people who are at beginner fitness levels. I would say that this program is for the hardcore intermediate to advanced. But again, this is just from my experience.

Runners?
As for any program for runners, it's best to do this during your off-season. Coming from Florida, there really isn't much of an off-season, it's more like you have to create your own off-season, which I feel is very important. Over-training is the worst feeling in the world, and I've done this many times. Sometimes you just have to put your ego aside, and just suck it up and take a break. Whether you are doing Hammer and Chisel during on or off season, I would recommend that you run 3-5X per week. I've been running almost everyday, but nothing too hard core. I normally do a one mile (sometimes 1 1/2 mile) warm up before my workout, then another mile or mile and a half afterwards. Depending on how my body feels, I may just do a run in the beginning, and not the end. I will do my longer runs on my Hammer and Chisel rest day which is on Thursdays.

Hammer and Chisel Workout Sheets - Click Here!

So let's go with how my first week went. Here is a quick run down on how my week went, and if you have any questions, feel free to connect with me here.

Day 1, Week 1
The workout was Chisel Balance, and it started out with pistol squats right off the bat which I'm terrible at! I struggled most with the Balance Row Pistol Squat and the Single Leg Dead Lift. It was a great first impression of what was in store for the week, and the next 60 days =).

I did a 1 mile warm up run, and a 2 mile run afterwards.

Chisel Balance - Split Squat Jumps

Day 2, Week 1
In my Online Hammer and Chisel Challenge Group, one of the things that was asked was "What was my goal for the challenge?" and I responded with to maintain my health and active lifestyle, but also work on my abs =) I am also training to gain strength and endurance for my upcoming trip to Nicaragua to film one of the toughest adventure races in the world called the Fuego Y Agua Adventure Run. Workout today was Hammer Plyometrics, another day of butt kicking!

I did a 1.5 mile warm up run, and 1.5 mile cool down run.

Hammer Plyometrics - Just a few exercises from this brutal but awesome workout!

Day 3, Week 1
ISO Strength Chisel was on the menu for today! I did this workout at the park with a fellow Coach and accountability partner Steven. I love the fact that you can do these workouts pretty much anywhere if you have the equipment. I'm traveling right now, so I've been working out at gyms and the outdoors. At home, most people use the workout DVD's and Beachbody on Demand Online Streaming, but I've been previewing the workouts the day before, and using the worksheets at the gym. Do what works best for you, and most importantly, make sure that you are doing the exercises correctly.

After the workout, we did a 1.5 mile run.

ISO Strength Chisel at the park!

Post Workout Meal

Day 4, Week 1
Today was REST DAY, so this is when I do more of my longer runs, but I was so sore from the previous workouts, so I opted to do a short 5K. As always, I believe in listening to your body. I have over-trained a few times during my journey, and trust me, it is not worth it. Put your ego aside, and play it safe, you'll get better results that way.

3+ mile trail run today:

Day 5, Week 1
Today's workout was ISO Speed Hammer. It was a very short workout, but man did it really pack a punch! For the ISO exercises, you basically do 10 reps of a particular exercise with on rep being 1 count followed by a 3 count ISO. After the 10 ISO reps, you finish it with 10 regular reps, which is pretty tough after basically doing the previous in SLO-MO.

ISO Speed Hammer - 10 Chin Ups after 10 ISO's 

Day 6, Week 1
Today was a challenge because earlier I filmed and ran 5+ miles at an obstacle course race called the Muddy Brute Challenge. I'll be honest, I was thinking about skipping out on my workout since I was a bit tired after running all day, but I was good, I took a little rest, then went to the gym later in that evening. If you want to check out the video that I created at the Muddy Brute Challenge, click here.

Chisel Endurance - Incline Press Video 

Day 7, Week 1
Total Body Hammer + 10 Minute Hammer Abs

This was a killer workout because I started getting used to the short workouts, and this one was double the amount of time as the other workouts, plus it was tough! On top of that, I had to do abs lol. I was glad to finish the week off strong. It was definitely a challenge, but that's why it's called a challenge right. Looking forward to week 2, feeling strong.

Total Body Hammer + 10 Minute Hammer Abs 

(Video on Side Delt Raises)

So that was a quick run down of my first week. I'm not sure if I can be as organized with the videos every week, but I will definitely do my best. As always, you can see my posts on IG and Facebook as well. If you would like to join me, or get in on my next Hammer and Chisel Online Test Group, feel free to message me here, and I'll get you started. 

Hammer and Chisel reminds me of P90X, but with all new exercises and a whole different structure in how they schedule the workouts. If you like P90X or even CrossFit style workouts, then you'll love Hammer and Chisel, especially if you opt to doing the workouts at the gym using the worksheets. I basically have the worksheets in my iBooks app, and I keep it handy with me along with a timer app. If you are more into bulking and lifting heavy, then I would go with the Body Beast Challenge. 

Looking forward to sharing more of my journey with you, stay awesome!

Related Links:
Hammer and Chisel Challenge, Week 2, Month One

Hammer & Chisel Online Test Groups Forming Now - Contact me! 

New Years Fitness Challenge - Free Coaching!

It's Your Time - All Fitness Levels! 

If you're reading this, then you must be somewhat motivated to start doing something about those resolutions that you just made, or about to make =). But before you commit to anything, did you know that the average person who makes resolutions quit by the month of March. Were you one of these statistics last year?

So ask yourself this, what makes this year any different from last year? What is it about your goals that you distinctly say "almost with a hesitation" that you are SERIOUS this time?

Maybe you are reading this, and still not sure if you are even ready to commit. You know that you want, and probably NEED to do something, but you just do not know where to start. Maybe you just need someone to lead you in the right direction, and help you stay motivated and accountable. Is that it?

5 Ways a Coach Can Help You Reach Your Goals

I'm not sure what it is, but something, someone, a bird, a cat, your kids.....whatever, a bug in your ear told you that "it's time".

It was tough starting out, but I had a great support system, something that 

you will get once you join my Online Fitness Challenge! 

3 Step Process Below

Whether you are unsure or sure, I am willing to see if you have what it takes to commit to your goals. I am willing to offer you my exclusive Free Coaching (my time) to help you achieve your goals, but there is just one thing that I need from you, and that's your "open mind".  When you open your mind, you will have a better chance to learning what options are available to you. And that's what they are, just options. Nothing will happen unless you make a decision to start.

It's quite simple. You need help, I give you options, you choose the best option for you, I coach you and keep you accountable along with others who have similar goals, you get results, and you turn your resolutions into reality. Does this sound good to you? If so, just follow the simple 3 STEP PROCESS below.

1. Watch this video:


2.  Choose your Challenge Pack by clicking here!

3.  Add me on Facebook "here" and message me with the following information:
- The Challenge Pack that you just purchased
- Your Goal for the challenge
- Why your Goal is important to you.

AND THAT'S IT! You see, it wasn't that difficult to make a commitment. Now just sit back and wait for me to help you get started. I am looking forward to meeting you and helping you get started, chat soon! =)

Looking forward to your SUCCESS!

"The Beachbody Challenge Changed my Life"

More on the Beachbody Challenge - Click here!

Start a Fitness Journey Today - Free Coaching from me!

BattleFrog Championship 2015

BattleFrog Championship 2015

Check out the 5 minute video recap that I made from the BattleFrog Championship 2015 event. The event was hosted at the Rock Springs Run State Preserve venue. I had an amazing day filming, running, coaching, motivating, and hanging out with my media and coach team. Huge thanks to Coach Amanda Nelson and Coach Gabby Campos for helping me with this video.

Take the Beachbody Meets OCR Challenge

BattleFrog Championship 2015 - Watch Video:

It was great seeing everyone at this event, and hope to see more of you at the next one. If you need some OCR motivation or would like some Free Online Coaching from me using Beachbody Fitness, feel free to connect with me. Ask me about my upcoming online challenges, you will love them!

Watch more videos here!

With Ryan Atkins and Lindsay Webster

With Corinna Coffin

Start a Fitness Journey - Free Coaching from me!

Trail Running Balm Boyette Scrub Preserve

Watch Trail Running Video Below

You know when you see a sign that says "don't do it" something in the back of my head says "why". And not that I encourage this, but I have always been an EXPLORER. I have never questioned anything just to be a smart ass or anything, but I just always "wondered" what if?

So I went to this amazing place called Balm Boyette Scrub Preserve which is located just outside of Brandon, Florida. I have been to this place many times before when I used to ride mountain bikes every week, but this time was different, I went to this trail to RUN, not to bike.

P90X and Running

Most of the trails are primarily for mountain bikes, well at least the good ones are. There are boring double tracks, and if you are just a simple runner, and you really don't care about elevation changes, then that might do it for you. As for me, I enjoy running obstacle course races, I love running the mountains, I like going up and down =) because frankly, we just don't have mountains in Florida.

So this is what happens when the sign says "no foot traffic on mountain bike trails". I did it anyways! Keep in mind, if you run the trails during the week, there aren't a lot of mountain bikers out, so I definitely don't recommend doing this on the weekends because it could be a huge disaster, just be smart. Oh, and you didn't hear it from me! ha ha

Trail Running the North and South Abyss Trails

FYI, it takes about 2 miles before you hit the first actual trail. I ran a 5K to get to the North and South Abyss Trails, then had to run back (9 miles total for the day). I highly recommend that you bring some snacks with you and some water. I used Beachbody Performance Hydrate to stay hydrated and keep me energized, you can get samples of the Beachbody Performance Line here. 

Take your training to the next level with Beachbody Performance:

Miami Spartan Sprint | Vista View Park, Davie FL (2015)

Watch Video Below

Check out the Full Recap Video that I created along with my media partner and Mommy Coach Amanda Nelson. OCRTUBE.com is a not-for-profit and cause related media project that I started thanks to my Beachbody Coaching Business. Fully funded by my online fitness ventures, our purpose is to help the sport of obstacle course racing grow, and to raise awareness for our preferred charities. There is nothing better than having the ability to motivate and inspire someone to get off the couch, train for a race, do a race, all the while making a difference, is there really anything else?

Take the Beachbody Meets OCR Challenge

Enjoy the video, and feel free to connect with me here, or I'll see you at an upcoming race =)

Miami Spartan Sprint - Vista View Park, Davie FL - 2015

Watch More OCR Video here - Don't forget to share! =)

See you at the next race! 

Train for the next race, choose your own Challenge - Free Coaching by me!

Hammer & Chisel - Total Body Chisel Workout

Hammer & Chisel is NOW AVAILABLE, and I'm pretty excited about hosting my first Exclusive Online Test Group!

Join my Hammer & Chisel Online Test Group - Click Here! 

I was able to test out a couple of the Hammer & Chisel workouts on Beachbody on Demand, here is a quick video on the Total Body Chisel Workout. We did the workout at the gym and modified a bit by using the equipment from the gym. If you don't have access to a gym, you will need some dumbbells or resistance bands and a pull up bar (for best results).

Hammer & Chisel - Total Body Chisel Workout 

CLICK PHOTO to play video!

I'm interested in the Hammer & Chisel Fitness Program Only - Click here!

Take the Hammer & Chisel Performance Challenge:

TOP 5 Reasons Why Beachbody Coaches Are Misunderstood

As I am writing this post, I just realized that I have been a Beachbody Coach for almost 5 years! I can vividly remember when my brother gave me a set of P90X workouts (late 2010), thinking that I would never do them, but fast forward to present day, I have accomplished so much (physically and mentally) and have changed so many lives in the process. I would have to say that my decision to become a Beachbody Coach has been the best investment that I've ever made, not just for me, but also for my family. But along my journey, there were, and will always be people who will doubt what I do...........

Just like any industry or opportunity where success and failure are abundant, there will be doubts, negativity, and a ton of misunderstood claims and concerns.

My goal with this post is to help people understand what Beachbody Coaching is all about. I am by no means in the "convincing business", but I would like to shed some light with some of you who don't quite understand what a Beachbody Coach stands for, and why thousands of people are drawn to this amazing opportunity.

So here goes.......

TOP 5 Reasons Why Beachbody Coaches Are Misunderstood:

1.  SELLING - Most people don't realize that everything that we are involved with has to do with selling. Your job, the restaurants that you eat at, the movies that you watch, the couch that you sit on, the 5K or race that you just ran, the charity you donated to, and the ring that you bought your spouse. Behind everything that you see, breathe, touch etc you were sold by it. Beachbody Coaching is no different, but the fact that it's a real opportunity that isn't afraid to "SAY IT", makes it a target to people who don't see it for what it really is. You work every day of your life for someone which is admirable, but if someone chooses to do this on their own, and create their own future, why knock them down? I strongly agree that if people are not happy for someone's success (or someone's journey to want to become better), it's only because they aren't happy with their own life. It's simple, I encourage you to be open and understand that Beachbody Coaching gives people an opportunity to be happy and healthy and share it with people. If that is not inspiring to you, then I don't know what is.

2.  SCAM - If Beachbody Coaching is a scam, then that means your government, your job, your church, the military, and everything that has some sort of "pyramid" structure is a scam. Network Marketing (MLM) is a billion-dollar industry, and it doesn't get that huge by being a scam. Yes, there are fly-by-night companies, and people have been burned (like your brother, friend, cat and dog), but this happens in every industry, so quit blaming the MLM industry. Last time I checked, most companies that you work for only has one CEO, and it ain't you. MLM is the only industry that can give anyone an opportunity to be their own CEO, and what's so negative about that? Again, I encourage you to stop knocking the people who are trying to make something out of their lives and the well-being of their families. If you think it's a scam, it's simple, just do your research like I did and the millions of successful people before me. Be happy for people just like you would like people to be happy for you, it's just that simple. RESPECT.

3.  RECRUITING - Let's face it, you will not like every Beachbody Coach that you run into. Just like any industry, there are newbies, rookies, and annoying sales people.....and then there will be the PROS, the ones who learned from their mistakes and didn't let anyone get in their way of success. We all have to start somewhere, so give that new Beachbody Coach a break, they are trying. When you get approached by a Beachbody Coach who you think is trying to sell or recruit you, I would actually be impressed by that because they either want to help you, or they think that you are sharp enough to become an Entrepreneur. Remember that time you went to a restaurant and you received the worst service ever, but maybe you decided to give them another try, and the second time around was the best experience. Beachbody Coaches are from all walks of life and just like you and I, they all display different personalities. If you base Beachbody Coaching on just one person (or a few newbie coaches), you are not giving the company or opportunity a fair chance. Most of you have a house, a car, and a cell phone because SOMEONE TALKED YOU INTO IT, and made you think that this is something that you needed, when in all reality, we could all live without all of them, we have before. You have a choice to fully understand if you and your family can benefit from Beachbody Coaching either physically or financially. Open your mind and learn more about it before you start making false and negative statements about it. You'll be surprised what can happen when you open your mind to something new.

4.  BELIEF - When I completed my first obstacle course race, I was hooked, and I have gone from competing at races to now helping the sport grow.....I am a believer of the sport. Most people who go into something and make it non-negotialble, they end up being a walking billboard for it. Most Beachbody Coaches have had LIFE-CHANGING experiences with their health and fitness. I've seen Beachbody Coaches lose over 100lbs, get off MEDS that they've been on for years, pay off their mortgages, start charity foundations, donate and earn millions of dollars! Why wouldn't these Coaches believe in what they do? If you had a life-changing experience, and people began to get INSPIRED by you, wouldn't that make you a believer? Most Coaches are still going through their journey, and they are simply sharing it with you. THAT IS IT. We come from a society that leads us to believe that we have to graduate from college, get a safe secure job, have a family, and live happily ever after. Times are changing, the job market is tough, and people are looking for a way out. LIFE is short, and Beachbody Coaches understand this, and they are trying to make things happen. You will not find a more positive and uplifting group of people that will back you 100%. When's the last time your BOSS said, "hey, I want you to have my job because you deserve it". It doesn't happen in the workplace. Everyone says that they want you to be successful, just not more successful than them. Beachbody Coaching is different, and if you really do your research, you will find that your success is based on the people that you truly help, now again, if that's not INSPIRING and motivating, I don't know what is!

5.  EXPERTS - So there is this thing called "STATUS", I know, because I used to have it. People think that just because you don't need a Harvard Degree or be super intelligent, that Beachbody Coaching is not a superior business opportunity. That's a crock! In fact, there was a study that was published in the best-selling book "The Millionaire Mind", and it said, "the average millionaire didn't become successful by their academics, they said that it was based on their social skills". I have seen doctors, lawyers, celebrity personal trainers, IT professionals, and VERY successful business owners become Full Time Beachbody Coaches. You do not have to be a fitness or nutrition expert, we have a research and development department for that. You don't need to pay rent for an office facility or a gym, you can work remotely from anywhere around the world with your laptop and smartphone. You don't need a half million dollars to pay a franchise fee, it's only $39.95 (get a challenge pack and that fee is waived) to start, and you have the opportunity to make a 6/7 figure residual income with virtually NO EMPLOYEES. Imagine having a life that you deserve without being an EXPERT? Once you decide to stop caring what others think, that's when big things eventually start to happen with your life. Stop trying to be an expert with things that don't matter, and start working on being an expert with things that do matter, like you and your family.


TOP 5 Things That Beachbody Coaching Has Helped Me With:

-  OWN BOSS: I choose when I go to work, where I work, and what I wear to work. I choose when I can spend time with my family, where and when I can travel, and whatever I want to do.

-  TRAVEL: I can live my passion and travel the world without worrying about what's in my wallet. I don't have to worry about going back home because of a job, I go home when I miss my family, or I just take my family with me.

-  FAMILY TIME: No one can tell me when I can spend vacations with my family, or when I can spend time with my daughter, I do this because I have the time freedom that I busted my ass for.

-  OCRTUBE.com:  I have the amazing opportunity to start a cause-related media project to help the sport of obstacle course racing grow, it's a great passion of mine! OCRTUBE.com is fully funded by my Beachbody Business, which takes care of my travel expenses, equipment etc. So the next time you watch my OCR videos (which has over a million views and raises awareness for charities), please remember that if it wasn't for my success with my Beachbody Coaching, these obstacle racing videos would not even exist. This is a huge reason why I am grateful as a Beachbody Coach.

I film obstacle races for FREE, all for the growth of the sport. 

-  LEADERSHIP: I never thought that I would ever have a chance to lead others to live better lives. This business changes people, and it did just that for me. I am dedicated to helping people enjoy their lives. I am committed to sharing how it has changed my life, physically and financially.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me here. Are you ready to learn more about Beachbody Coaching, and what it can do for you and your family, then please connect with me, I look forward to meeting you! =)


Start your Fitness Journey Today!

BattleFrog Series Miami - November 2015

Full Race Video Below

I believe that this was the first time that I have ever filmed a BattleFrog Obstacle Race with near perfect weather! It was just beautiful during the event!

The fast Miami course was not as intense as the Atlanta event a few weeks before, and with only one Platinum Rig, it's probably a good thing since the BattleFrog Championships are just around the corner. Some of the athletes who placed at the Miami event were at last week's World's Toughest Mudder, which to me is pretty insane.

With 3rd Place Female - Corinna Coffin

With Team Dynasty OCR

Take the Beachbody Meets OCR Challenge - Click here!

With KK Paul - 1st Place Female

With Ken Corigliano - 1st Overall

The BattleFrog Series Miami was hosted at Amelia Earhart Park, and the again, you couldn't ask for more perfect weather! Enjoy the video that I created, and I hope to see you at the next race!

BattleFrog Series Miami - November 2015

More Obstacle Course Racing Videos - OCRTUBE.com

Take your OCR Training to the next level with the Beachbody Performance Line:

Four Holiday Fitness Myths

Four Holiday Fitness Myths - Fitness Tips

Other than the Full-Day Netflix Movie Marathons, pumpkin pie, and the SWEET potato casseroles, the greatest obstacles are not really the obvious. According to a Sports Dietitian at eNRG Performance, Rebecca Rick, it's really all about our own misconceptions. Here are four of the most common ones, and four easy solutions to help you finish strong and start the New Year with a BANG!

MYTH: Americans gain an average of 5 pounds between Thanksgiving and the New Year.
FACT: Most people don't even gain their plumpness during the holidays. The average weight gain is about 1.7 pounds according to a study by the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
YOUR MOVE: Don't obsess about what you eat, but definitely be strategic about it. If you overindulge during dinner, don't repeat the same thing for dessert. If you're attending a holiday party, bring a healthy dish, at least you know that you will have at least one healthy option.

MYTH: You're too busy to workout.
FACT: You're not, especially during the holidays. Yes, the high calories that you eat can make you feel a little sluggish, and the cold weather can make some outdoor workouts brutal, but if you're cashing in on vacation days and time off, then more than likely you have more time to sneak in a workout.
YOUR MOVE: Get creative! Look at the extra free time that you might have and take advantage of that opportunity. Get your family involved, and ask them to keep you accountable. Bundle up and do some holiday walking tours. Look for some free workouts or online challenges, there are plenty of gyms, personal trainers, and online coaches who are trying to gear up for the new year and host introductory classes and challenges to keep you on point during the holidays.

Holiday Hotel Workout with the Family

MYTH: You're already fit, so you're less likely to plump up.
FACT: For those of you who are already fit and healthy, then you know that maintaining fitness can be as much as a challenge as going through a weight loss journey. Being fit does not shield you from overindulging in sweets and big portions during the holidays. If you plan to kick up your eating spree, then it's pretty simple, you will need to kick up your workouts. More reps, more weight, longer workouts, runs, walks etc.
YOUR MOVE: Relax, but stay focused. You don't really have to do the same workouts that you normally do. You can do other workouts with increased intensity, or with longer duration. Most people who are fit understand that fitness is a lifestyle, so just moderate the holiday binging and plan to hit the workouts strong afterwards. Also, help others who are struggling during the holidays, because it will help you understand why you have committed to being healthy and fit in the first place, and believe it or not, people are truly inspired by that.

MYTH: Whatever weight you gain, you'll lose it in the New Year.
FACT: Odds are that you won't. Although the majority only gain a pound or two during the holidays, most of them never lose it, in fact, most of them continue their holiday bad habits. Most people never really follow through with their resolutions, and according to a study done at Cornell University, people tend to buy more calories from January to March. Yes, they buy healthy foods, but more than anything, they continue to also buy their unhealthy foods as well.
YOUR MOVE: Treat grocery shopping like vacation packing: make a list and stay disciplined. If it's not on the list, don't buy it! Keep your healthy grocery lists on your phone for future reference. If you join a gym or start an online fitness challenge with your friends, make sure that you set goals together. Find a Coach who is not just in it for your wallet, find a Coach who really cares about your well-being. When you surround yourself with positive and like-minded people who are going on the same path as you, it will help you transition into a better lifestyle.

Anyways, hope this posts helps you, and if you need some extra motivation and a good kick-start to a new beginning of health and fitness, feel free to connect with me, I'll be happy to help you =).

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Trail Running at Alafia State Park - Lithia, Florida

One of the BEST trails in Florida, the Alafia River State Park Off-Road Trails are considered EPIC by the Mountain Bike Association of America. It is the elevation changes that not only entice the Florida mountain bike community, but also the local trail running enthusiasts. The Alafia State Park host a few endurance sports events such as the XTERRA Trail Run which is why this spot is a mecca for trail running and obstacle racing athletes.

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Although I do enjoy mountain biking, I also truly enjoy the primal feeling that I get from just running through the woods. Check out a couple videos below from my trail run. There are a number of trails that cater to the beginner and advanced riders and runners. The videos below are from the North Creek Trail (first video) which is considered and intermediate trail, and super fun! And the second video is from Gatorback, a "double black diamond" trail which is considered the most advanced trail at Alafia State Park. Enjoy the videos, and I hope to see you out there next time!

North Creek Trail

Gatorback Trail

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My Review on the Mastermind Event Orlando - 2015

Mastermind Event - Orlando 2015

I'll be honest, I was a little hesitant on going to an event that was not specific to my Beachbody Coaching Business, but I decided to open my mind, and give the Mastermind Event in Orlando a shot. I am the type of person who understands the power behind PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, but I am like most people who struggle with the consistency of it in my daily life, I do much better when I attend LIVE events. This is not to say that I need the constant motivation to help me, I am pretty self-motivated when it comes to building my business and working out. Where I feel that Personal Development comes in huge in my business is with leadership.

Hilde Saele and I

Orjan Saele and I

Leadership skill sets are crucial to building businesses of all types, and I'm not talking about being a BOSS to employees, it's more like being a leader to other leaders. There's a big difference between being a boss, and creating leaders. I am definitely more interested in helping people become entrepreneurs versus employees. Now there is nothing wrong with having a job, trust me I know how grateful I was when I had 3 jobs to pay my bills, but I would have to say that I am much happier now working for myself and being my own boss, and I would like to simply pay this lifestyle forward to as many people as I can =).

So like I mentioned before, I understand the power behind Personal Development and I feel that I get a little more excited, and stay more focused when I attend a LIVE event. When you attend a LIVE event, there are some huge benefits:

- You get the BIG PICTURE
- You meet other like-minded entrepreneurs
- You have access to LIVE trainings from Top Leaders in the industry
- You gain the information that you need to take your business to the next level

Imagine having a BILLION DOLLARS in sales under your organization?

Legend Tom "Big Al" Shrieker and I

The Mastermind Event in Orlando was hosted at the Renaissance Orlando Sea World Hotel Property. The 3 day event was jam-packed with credible speakers representing various direct-selling companies from around the world. This event kind of reminded me of a similar event in the obstacle course racing world (OCR World Championships) in which athletes come from all over the world and represent different companies, as well as countries. The Mastermind Event was just like the OCRWC. It wasn't specific to just one company or country, it was the entire industry as a whole coming together like a family, it was just amazing.

The organizer Art Jonak has been in the networking industry for over 20 years. He has visited over 81 countries a lives the true networking lifestyle. This is someone who I connected with right away because I am also considered an avid world traveler. He is a brilliant man, and I give him huge props for creating such a wonderful event.

The Founder of the Mastermind Event - Art Jonak and I

Some of the other speakers that I connected with were Orjan and Hilde Saele, Tom Shreiter, Ex-NFL Player JJ Birden, Wes Linden, Christopher Medina, and one of my all-time favorites, Sarah Robbins. There were other speakers such as Darnell Self, Chris Brady, and John Addison just to name a few.

Ex-NFL Player turned Network Marketer - JJ Birden and I

University Drop out turned MLM Millionaire - Wes Linden and I

The whole weekend was just packed with training, motivation, and inspirational stories. Most of the featured speakers were ranked #1 in their companies as Top Producers and/or Recruiters. The information was "generic" and was geared towards helping everyone no matter which company they represented. I found the information to be very similar to what I normally learn at some of my Beachbody Company specific events. There were some strategies that I feel I had to tweak a bit before sharing it with my team, but the information was pretty much on point and very useful.

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If you were to ask me about who this event would be for, I would say someone who is in the direct-selling industry who is just above the beginner level and up. I think it's important for anyone who is planning to attend this event, that they build their foundation with the company that they are representing, learn the system, and then use this event to hone their skills to help them get to the next level of their business.

Chris Medina and I

In my opinion, the Mastermind Event was fantastic. It's the only event in the world that combines everyone from different direct-selling companies together all under one roof. It's an event that I feel is very important to have, especially for the growth of the direct-selling industry. I can see this event as a way to grow the network marketing profession, and I highly recommend it to everyone who is serious about becoming successful. I will definitely be back with my team!

From Kindergarten Teacher to 7 Figure Earner and Philanthropist

Sarah Robbins and I

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