Being a Beachbody Coach in the Philippines

So I've been wanting to post a blog about this for the longest time. But first and foremost, let me just say that for those of you who have been reading my blogs for the past few years, I thank you for bearing with my non-professional writing. I am by no means an expert writer, nor do I claim to be =) The purpose for maintaining this blog is to help me for a number of reasons:

-  To help my family stay in touch with me
-  To help my customers and business partners seek information that may help benefit them in health/fitness, travel, and entrepreneurship
-  To keep me busy doing what I love

Now that we got that out of the way, let the bad blogging skills shine ha ha!

I officially moved to the Philippines in January 2019, but I have been traveling consistently for I would say at least 4-5 years. During that time, and most people do not know this, but I did not have a lot of income while I was traveling. And I know what you're thinking, well don't you need a lot of money to travel with? To be honest, you really don't if you do your research and do things on your own without third party assistance. Thanks to my online Beachbody Business, this is what kept me going for the past 5 years of traveling.

I've been an Online Beachbody Coach for about 9 years now. And for those of you who are not familiar with what I do, or at least one of the things that I do, well let me tell you briefly what it is I do as an Online Beachbody Coach. For starters, I AM NOT A PERSONAL TRAINER, and more importantly...I AM NOT A SALESMAN.  In a nutshell, I have a small internet company where I market the products of a company based in Santa Monica, California, and this company is called Beachbody. My business is separate from them, and I am not an employee, I am considered an Independent Contractor, and I have a private corporation. I am authorized to market their products which I've been using for the past 10 years, so just FYI, I am not selling something just to make money. I am sharing the products that I love because they worked for me, and that has helped me decide to help others who are in need of accountability and advice based on my experience through the years. I currently have thousands of customers (currently 2,600+) from the USA, Canada, Puerto Rico, UK and even international. Although the market for Beachbody Products is not available outside of those territories yet, I have been coaching people without borders through the programs for many years for free, this just shows you that it's not all about money for me, and why my passion for this has helped me create income to travel and now live here in the Philippines.

Another side to being a Beachbody Coach is that they offer a networking structure, yes....like Network Marketing as you will. Most people have no idea about how lucrative this industry can be. All they hear are the negatives of Network Marketing because of mainstream media, and others who have failed and talk trash about it. Well, I cannot speak for the media or the people who have failed in the business, but what I can tell you is that I am living proof that you can actually live a life based on this kind of business. I am not even one of the top leaders in the field, and that wasn't ever my goal. I didn't ever think that this would even become a full time income for me, it just happened organically because of all the people I helped from my experience. I currently have an organization of over 20,000+ people, and haven't had a job in at least 6-7 years. This small online beachbody business has also opened doors for me to work on other projects like a small web-based media outfit focused on obstacle course racing, and just recently started getting in the business of Cryptocurrency and trading. So I would say that there are so many more advantages to this line of work if people would just be open to what this really is, and are strong enough to handle the negativity. I've always said this, people can say all they want about what I do, but I am the only one responsible for feeding my family. To be honest, the people who were so negative in the beginning, are now my customers, and some are even my business partners, go figure.

So enough about that, how has it been living in the Philippines as a Beachbody Coach. As you know, the Beachbody market isn't even open here in Asia, so how do I stay active? Well, there are many challenges, so let me tell you what has been the biggest challenges for me, and then I will go into the pros of running an online beachbody business here in the Philippines.

The CONS (Challenges):

-  TIME ZONE, I am basically one day ahead here, and when it is daytime and normal office hours here, most of my business partners and customers are passed out asleep. So what does this mean? In order for me to communicate with my associates, sometimes I lose a lot of sleep because I end up working all night here.
-  EVENTS, most of the events are in the territories that Beachbody is in the market for such as the USA, UK, Canada etc. So yes I can travel and attend these events, but If I were to attend all of them, it would take a big chunk of my income which I could be spending on online marketing campaigns etc. Not only the fact that it would be costly, I would be a long ways from my new family here in the Philippines. So to counter attack this, I have been doing a lot of video calls and meet ups, as well as online group workouts with my team. That's one benefit of living in the digital age, one doesn't have to be somewhere physically to get all the information, but of course nothing beats the social aspect of any business. Human interaction is important, no matter if its an online business or not, humans need to be around humans, especially the ones who are forward thinkers like the people in this business.
-  TEAM, just like the events, I am away from most of my coach team, and although video calls are a good way to stay in touch, nothing beats that personal one on one interaction. Online team building is just not as good as team building off line.
-  INTERNET, the wifi in the Philippines is probably the worst in all of Asia, but to ensure that you have good connections, it's best to stay near Manila as anywhere else the connection is very poor, if there is any connection at all.

The PROS:

-  EXPENSES are super low. This is a great place to start and maintain an online business because your money goes a long way especially if you have an internet business from the USA, Europe, Singapore wherever the currency is much higher.
-  TROPICAL, it is absolutely beautiful here, and so many things to see. The Philippines is a great place to live because you are so close to all the other Asian countries. Working here is like you're on vacation everyday!
-  MARKET, although Beachbody is not technically here yet, there are tons of people here who are into health and fitness. It's a great way to start helping people and doing the workouts with them. Eventually Beachbody will open market here, and you may already have customers and business associates just for being a product of the product, and sharing how amazing these workouts are.
-  OUTSOURCING, as a loyal user of the website Fivver, I am a true believer in outsourcing work so that I can be more productive in what I do. There are a lot of people you can meet who are experts in the online world, so outsourcing to the locals here is a great benefit, and it's super cheap too!
-  COWORKING, just like other parts of Asia, the Philippines has their own coworking spaces and communities. Although I would much rather work from home and be close to my family, I sometimes prefer working at a coworking space because some of these places have super fast internet. Not only is their lightning fast internet, you can also network with other online entrepreneurs from all over the world and talk about business ideas. It's a great place to learn more about the Digital Nomad life, and how to connect and learn from the people who are traveling and working for a living.

ASK ME ANYTHING

So I know that this post can also benefit anyone who has an online business, I just wanted to share the pros and cons about what I do as an online beachbody coach, and running an online marketing business. The Philippines is an amazing place which is why I decided to set up base camp here indefinitely and start a new family here. It may be a good place for you, or it may not be, but I absolutely love it. I do tend to miss my family back home in the states, especially my daughter in Florida, but that's the cool thing about having an online business, you can always pick up and go as you please, and that's what I love the most.

If you would like to connect with me about business ideas, entrepreneurship, crypto, and/or travel, please feel free to connect with me on facebook here. I am always open to connecting with other like-minded individuals.

WORK WITH ME

BTW, if you are wondering if you would be perfect for starting an online business marketing and sharing beachbody products and services, let me first tell you in my experience what type of people tend to be drawn to this line of work. Being in this business for 9+ years, I would have to say that the following people tend to do well in this business and become super successful:

-  Single Mothers
-  Females who are GOAL-DIGGERS and are very independent
-  Parents and families or are supportive of each other
-  People of have a Social Influencer way at looking at things
-  Single Dads
-  Internet and Affiliate Marketers 
-  Personal Trainers who are BIG THINKERS
-  People who are TEACHABLE, if you're a Mr. No it All, move on, this is not for you. 
-  People who understand or are willing to understand the power of Network Marketing
- People who want to create PASSIVE INCOME, and earn while they sleep
-  People who have a knack for helping others!

Of course anyone can do well in this business if they are willing to do the work, and stay consistent, but I just wanted to share what I've seen in the years that I've been in this business. So if you made the list above, you may want to consider giving it a go, you never know where this path may lead you =)

Till next time.......

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Color Manila Challenge - Philippines

Color Manila Challenge

I had the opportunity to film the CM Challenge in Manila a few days ago, and I have to say that`I really enjoyed this event. Most of you who watch my youtube videos know that` I am focused on helping the sport of obstacle course racing grow around the world, and one of the best ways to help with this expansion, is to help people understand that this fast growing sport is literally for everyone.

Most people have heard of Spartan Race and Tough Mudder, two of the biggest brands in the world, and when people see the videos, sometimes they get intimidated by the elite athletes who look super fit, and the obstacles that`look mega huge and impossible to conquer. But I'll have you know, everyone had to start somewhere, and not all obstacles are difficult. There are obstacle course racing events specifically for beginners and people who just want to have fun, which to be honest, this group of people are the ones who are responsible for the main growth of this sport, it isn't the elite athlete.

Who is Arnel and OCRTUBE?

The CM Challenge in Manila, Philippines is one of those run events that` focus on fun and NOT`competition. Its about camaraderie and just having fun being active with your friends and family. The cool thing about the CM Challenge is that`it combines the idea of the popular color runs with the excitement of obstacle course racing. The company focuses on less running, more obstacles, and ultimate fun. Oh, and yes there are some obstacles that`you could see at some extreme races, but most of them are fun inflatable obstacles :). With the non-inflatable obstacles, there is no penalty for not completing the obstacle, you can simply decide to try it or not. The CM Challenge Run is not a timed event, it is simply a fun run event to bring out the kid in all of us, and do something that`our bodies were meant to do, run and play.

Here is a quick video that`I created for the Color Manila Challenge, it was a blast. To find out more about their upcoming events, or to sign up, simply go here and invite your friends!

CM Challenge - Manila, Philippines

Watch more videos!

Arnel is a Digital Nomad, Donation Based Filmmaker, Online Beachbody Coach and Sponsored Adventure Traveler #LagalagExploration. Connect with him here.

Ask me how I travel 7-12 months a year and how you can too!

Hiking Mount Arayat - Pampanga, Philippines {Video}

Here's a QUICK VIDEO on my hike up Mount Arayat. My girlfriend and I did two peaks: Pinnacle and South Peak. We'll be back to conquer North Peak next time =)

Please note that Mt Arayat is rated a 7/9 so I recommend that`you have an above average fitness level to enjoy this hike.

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Some Photos:

Waterfalls at Arayat National Park

Hike this mountain with PinayHikes.com

Overlooking Pinnacle Peak 

Hiking Mount Arayat - Motivation Video

My new Youtube Channel 

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How to Find Your Vehicle to Success

Define SUCCESS?

For me, success is happiness, and being able to live life on my own terms. Success is not about monetary goals, it's more about knowing that the more wealth that you create, the more you can ultimately make a big impact whether it be giving back to a charity, church, your family, or even yourself.

Do you want to make an impact?

Making a difference in this world is not for everyone, but making a difference for you....well, most people would agree on that. But how do you do that right?

Through my years "on the job", I was always searching for the BEST business opportunity, the best way to make money, and even the fastest way to earn it. I learned a lot, what not to do, what works for me etc. Now, I cannot say that I am an expert, but what I can do is share with you what I've done and how it can benefit you.

Network Marketing. Yeah, let's go straight to the point. This is my sole source of income, and I believe that it is the best type of residual income out there, other than buying into a franchise which most people rarely even have the income to make a half million dollar investment to succeed.

The first time that I was introduced into the network marketing industry was through a company that developed consumable products such as soap and laundry detergent. They were a great company, and I loved the people and the camaraderie, but I just wasn't passionate about the products. Yes, the products were amazing, but not enough for me to get excited to share them with my friends.

Many years passed by, and I kept searching for other business opportunities, not necessarily network marketing businesses, but just anything that I can try my luck at. I've dabbled in online casinos, travel concierge services, nightlife marketing, eCommerce, affiliate marketing, and even day trading. But guess what I went back to? Network Marketing! Why? Because it works! And here's why:

It's all about finding a product or service that you love and use. It's not about the selling, it's about the belief. Is it something that you would share with your family and friends? If not, then it's not a product or service that is right for you. Do you believe in the company's ethics code? That's very important too! It's also about educating yourself about the Network Marketing industry itself, and how it works, what makes it legit etc. There is a reason why network marketing is a WHOPPING billion dollar industry, and why it also creates more millionaires than any other industry out there. Do you know why?

Because it's a PEOPLE BUSINESS. It's about people helping people. It's about building relationships, making friends, camaraderie, helping people because you love doing it, not because you can make money from them. That's where people fail in this industry.....they make it all about money, and that's the worst thing that you can do. People aren't stupid, they know if they are trying to be sold to, that's where most people fail, they're doing it all wrong!

The people who are successful in network marketing are true professionals who came from nothing and learned the ropes, and the one's that you see flooding your Facebook feed with annoying products and fake posts, well......those are the amateurs.

We were born to network and meet new friends

Ometepe Island, Nicaragua

Ok, for all of you who are not "people persons", trust me, I know where you are coming from. I can be anti-social at times (well maybe a lot ha ha), but we're human, we need human interaction, I know...it sucks lol =). But what I've found in what I do with network marketing is that, you can impact lives without even talking to people. I have learned many ways to do this, but one of my best avenues for success have been from blogging, and I am not even a writer, I'm actually terrible at it, but it is the best way that I've learned how to express myself and connect with others. Do you relate? Trust me, there's something for everyone in this industry, and I'm here to help you find what works best for you!

With technology these days, you can potentially build a multi-million dollar business from your smartphone or laptop. Training systems are at your finger tips 24/7! There are so many ways to connect with people without doing the traditional old way of home meetings and using a white board....yuck! This may be great for people who love being in front of people, but I've met a lot of people like me (hates being a salesman), and it's all about finding your strength and running with it. As technology changes, so does the network marketing industry, and mind you, for the better!!!

So how can you use this as a vehicle to success? Here are my success points to using today's Network Marketing business concepts as a vehicle to your success in anything that you want to do:

-  Find a company that has products and services that you love
-  Make sure that the company has integrity and has good ratings with the Better Business Bureau
-  Start small by just learning about the industry, the long term benefits, and incorporate the business into your lifestyle
-  Don't sell, do share
-  Start a blog about anything that you love, and incorporate online banners and links from the products that you love and use from the company that you have chosen to partner with.
-  Don't change who you are (NO, NO, NO!!!), use the products and services to enhance your life and share it
-  Be consistent. If you make it part of your life on a daily basis, it will be organic with your network of friends. Don't do "sudden burst" business posts, like all of a sudden you're a business consultant yeah right, that's fake....just be upfront with people and let them know that you are testing the waters and don't be afraid to get their opinions.
-  Your job is still a priority while you are just getting started with a new business, but treat your business like a business, and it will be a business. Treat it like a hobby, and it will always be a hobby.
-  Believe in what you do, get rid of toxic people in your life. Find true supporters and surround yourself with people who want "REAL" (and I quote) real success for you.

All the above is what I've personally done with my network marketing business and it has allowed me to expand my ideas into other business projects that I am passionate about. You may not like the idea of network marketing as a financial vehicle, and that's ok, this was the vehicle that I used and love and what has taken me to the next journey in my life. If you choose network marketing, or you are on the fence about it, feel free to message me, I can help. If you decide to go another route and choose a different vehicle to help you with your success, then that's great too! It's all about respecting and supporting each other, and I'll be honest, there just aren't enough people doing this. Keep moving forward, and I hope to see you somewhere around this beautiful planet =)

Thanks to Network Marketing, I am able to travel the world and pursue my passion in filming 

obstacle course racing events, it's been a blessing!

2017 OCR European Championships - Netherlands

WHY PEOPLE GIVE UP

You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with

If there is ONE THING that I know, it's that most of us humans would like to be more happy, healthy and successful in whatever we decide to do.

It really brings us back to our childhood when we were all so innocent. We didn't know anything about hardships, paying bills, relationships, negativity, jealousy etc. All we wanted to do was explore! If we wanted to do something, we would do it. As kids, we were very persistent. We didn't stop until we were able to walk, run, and cry until we ultimately got what we wanted. I remember as a child how much I loved Cocoa Puffs Cereal. My mom knew this, and she would hide the cereal and strategically slide it on the highest shelf in the kitchen, but I always found a way to get to it. It didn't matter if it was on top of the Empire State Building, I was going to get it!! I know all of you have a similar story on how you acheived some of the most impossible feats as a child. We just had NO FEAR!

AND THEN WE GREW UP

Or at least some of us did =). Growing up was tough! Our parents started trying to tell is what to do even though we already knew everything!! =) We couldn't get what we wanted anymore because our parents didn't have enough money, we had to start doing chores around the house, and school....we had to start a learning structure, people started trying to control us.

As we matured, we learned more about being hurt, relationships, jealousy amongst people we thought we were friends with. People started to lie to us, take advantage of us, make fun of us, and it just wasn't the world that we expected it to be. We started to grow up and learn about what life was really all about.

AND IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT SUNSHINE AND RAINBOWS

We learned about who our real and/or fake friends were. Sometimes the support from our family just became non-existent, or was never there to begin with. Our boss at work showed favoritism towards another employee, or your supervisor became an A-hole just because you were making more money then he or she was. Some of us unfortunately had to take on multiple jobs just to make ends meet, and even then, we couldn't pay our bills. For most of us, vacation time was just not part of the equation anymore. Happiness and relaxation just vanished like a fart in the wind!!

LIFE JUST BECAME TOUGH, so we just shut down and started to GIVE UP!

Some of us started setting goals based on the income that was currently coming in. We couldn't see passed our current situation, and for a lot of us, the question was, "why should we?"

You see, I'm no expert on this topic, but I'm sure that most of you would agree that LIFE just got in the way of everything. People just began to get bombarded with stress, and distractions from other people or things that really didn't matter. People stopped believing in themselves, and started listening to the negativity that was going on in their lives. It just became a world of SUCK!

The bottom line is that people quit because TIMES GOT TOUGH.

People quit because they listen to what others say, and not what's in their heart. People started to care about what others (people who had no bearing on your success) think, and not focus on who's putting the food on the table. People quit because they lack the income they deserve. People quit because they haven't found anything worth fighting for. And sometimes people quit because their decisions lead them to a life of drugs and alcohol.

I was a borderline alcoholic before starting my fitness journey back in 2010

I don't want to be the A-hole and be the one to say that GIVING UP is not going to make things better, so I'll just let you to ask yourself that question. Is it?

I have given up plenty of times in my life, so I am far from being perfect myself. But there comes a moment when enough is enough. When are you going to start LIVING YOUR LIFE? It took me many years to get out of a financial and mental rut. I know that many of you reading this right now may be going through a really tough time in your life right now, I understand. I've been there, and I still fight my daily battles. All I can say is that what you're going through doesn't have to be that way. It took a lot for me to come out of my hole and see the sunshine, but I somehow made it, and if you let me, I would like to share with you some of the things that helped me get through the tough times, and how that lead me to stop giving up on me.

Find someone or something that you will NEVER give up on!

My daughter is the most important person and the best thing that ever happened to me

This is how I learned HOW TO NOT GIVE UP:

- I started to workout and eat healthier on a budget because I had no money
- I started to surround myself with positive people who had vision and supported my goals
- I found my WHY. Someone or something that I would never give up on. She, my daughter was always more important than my struggles, and I made sure that she was in front of me every single day. When I wanted to quit, I would take my wallet out and look at a photo of my daughter as a reminder why I would never quit on her.
- I found an accountability partner that no matter what, would never let me quit. If I was upset, or didn't want to workout, my partner would simply kick my ass back in gear, we all need that.
- I wrote down my goals, and shared it with people. I even made a cheesy vision board which I was never a believer, until I saw it actually working and started checking things off my bucket list!
- I learned about time management. Time with family, time with business, time with myself, and time with God.
- I learned that travel was my escape. Find your passion that will help you become more creative in helping you reach your goals, not a passion that will distract you.

In my opinion, World Travel is the BEST investment in eduation 

Munich, Germany

And that's about it. I know that not everyone will relate to what I did, or the things that helped me learn to not give up, but I encourage you to find what works for you. If you need any help, please don't hesitate to connect with me. I look forward to helping you live your life now!

Hiking Up Machu Picchu on a Budget

Watch my video below!

So there are a lot of ways to visit the Sacred Valley, and although I feel that the best way to experience Machu Picchu is by partaking in one of the 1-11 day treks, there are far easier ways for the non-hikers. If you are the adventurous kind like myself, there are about 6 off the beaten treks to take, anywhere from the Inca Trail (1-4 days), to the Salcantay Route - 5 to 8 days (Mount Salcantay reaches up to 20,500 feet high), to even the Lodge Trek where you rough it during the day, and sleep in lodges at night (7 to 11 days). I didn't have that much time unfortunately, but I just wanted share with you my little journey on how I visited the Sacred Valley, and how I did it on a budget. If you're rich with FAT POCKETS, then that's great, take me with you because I would love to go back! One day I plan go back and do the Salcantay Route!

I arrived in Lima, Peru via bus from Guayaquil, Ecuador. Of course you can fly, but like I said before, I do things on a budget so that I can travel 7+ months out of the year. You can of course fly straight into Lima which I will do next time, but I actually had a film project in Ecuador, so that is why I was there. Ecuador was amazing btw, if you ever go there, you must visit Banos!

From Lima, you can either fly or take a bus to Cusco, which was once the capital of the Inca Empire, and now the main hub to Machu Picchu. I took the bus and it ran me only about $28 USD, which I booked via a website called Busbud.com. It took 21 hours, so if you don't have much time, you may want to fly. You will find various bus companies, but I chose CIVA because it was much cheaper, but still had good reviews, and it ended up beating my expectations. CIVA also has different categories of buses such as ECONO, SUPER, and if you have a little bit of extra money to spend, EXCLUCIVA is where it's at! Just FYI, the buses in Peru are known to sometimes be better than a lot of the airlines! I mean, the buses will feed you up to 3-4 meals depending on the distance. You'll be lucky to get pretzels from an airline these days! I don't mind taking the buses because you are able to see more of the country, and I really enjoy seeing different parts of the places I visit. With flying, you miss out on a lot of amazing scenery.

Cusco ended up being a lot bigger than I expected, which I really didn't like. I gravitate towards the smaller towns and villages. Although I didn't care for Cusco as much, there is still plenty to do, and activities to book prior to visiting Machu Picchu. One thing that I wasn't able to do, but wished I did was visit Rainbow Mountain. It's about 2-3 hours outside of Cusco, but definitely worth the trip if you have the time. Just to warn you, the trek is about 6 days if you want to do it the right way, and get this, some people say the level of difficulty is MUCH higher than trekking up Machu Picchu! There are also one day treks to Rainbow Mountain, but I only recommend that if you have limited time.

Rainbow Mountain - Photo Credit: Forbes

GETTING BACK ON TRACK

From Cusco, the goal is to get to Aguas Calientes, which is the main town at the bottom of Machu Picchu. Yes, it is that tough to reach Machu Picchu, that's why it's one of those places that you have to visit. There is NO DIRECT way to visit the Sacred Valley, it's a journey, and one that you can customize yourself.

I recommend buying your Machu Picchu Tickets at least a week in advanced!

Click here to get your tickets, bypass the ticket agency fees

Okay, so prior to Cusco, I originally purchased a train ticket to get me from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, but come to find out, the train station that I booked with (Inca Rail) was about 2 hours away in a place called Ollantaytambo. I think there is a rail company in Cusco (Peru Rail) that goes from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, but not sure, if there is one, it is definitely going to be pricey, because the train option is not cheap, unless of course you're rich =).

Ollantaytambo is where most of the 4 day treks start from. The best way to get to Ollantaytambo if you are on a budget is to take one of the combi buses (local passenger mini vans) from Cusco. Yes, you can take a taxi, but you will get ripped off. Even if you find a good deal with a taxi ($20-40), it WILL NOT beat the price of only 10 soles ($3 USD) if you take the local mini van. Again, the ride from Cusco to Ollantaytambo is about 2 hours. There is also a bus that can take you from Cusco to a stop called "Hydroelectrica" just a bit before Aguas Calientes for about $30+ R/T (you can probably find cheaper rate at $20 I heard), but you still have to trek about 2 hours to get to Aguas Calientes, the trek isn't that difficult, mostly flat dirt and gravel road.

To get to the combi mini buses in Cusco, they are located at the corner of Ave Grau and Calle Pavitos. There is no specific time they leave, they try to fill up the buses to make more bang for the buck. The mini buses leave as early as 2:30 am daily, no reservations needed, just show up with your 10 soles!

From Ollantaytambo, I took the Inca Rail to Aguas Calientes, and this was the most expensive part of my journey, it was about $116 R/T, and that was the cheapest (Executive Ticket). Inca Rail does provide a complimentary beverage, snack, and a piece of chocolate for the 55 minute or so journey. If you chose a different ticket such as the Presidential, I think you get a fancy meal, and some cocktails.

Ollantaytambo is a really cool place, I would stay here over Cusco, they even have their own National Park (costs 70 soles, about $20 USD) and various hikes.

The Inca Rail dropped me off right in the middle of Aguas Calientes, where it was only a 5 minute walk to my guesthouse that I stayed at which set me back only $17 per night (Don Andre). Yes, there are some fancier places to stay, but my ass isn't going to be in the hotel, my plan was to explore, not to admire my bed linens.

Have a better Machu Picchu Experience, get in shape before hiking up!

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Now if you read this far, you saw that I recommended that you purchase your Machu Tickets at least one week in advanced right, well I didn't ha ha. I actually purchased mine the day before. Here's the reason why. The main website (see above) that you purchase the tickets from is really crappy, and what I mean by that, it is very difficult to navigate, and if you are not spanish, the website does not work very well in english. I even tried to book my ticket in spanish format, but it still didn't work. Come to find out, it was my Visa Card. They only take certain visa cards, and mine happened to be the wrong one =) At that point, I tried booking with a ticket agency just to get it over, but even they were horrible to deal with, and charged outrageous booking fees, up to $20 more than what the original tickets cost. So what did I do? As soon as I arrived to Aguas Clientes, I went straight to the offices of the Regional Directorate of Culture, and I bought my ticket directly from them, with no fees! Just FYI, they only take cash, so make sure that you have some SOLES, or get some at an ATM which is near the main plaza. There is also an office in Cusco where you can purchase your tickets directly as well, that is if you are having issues with the website. But again, please do not do what I did, because you might not be so lucky. Get your tickets at least one week in advance =).

I recommend getting the Machu Picchu + Mountain Ticket, it only costs $61

There are two mountains to choose from, either one is great! 

The mountain views are amazing, and you get some serious extreme exercise!

I recommend spending at least two nights in Aguas Calientes because depending on how you make it to Machu Picchu, you may need some time to recover.

SO YOU FINALLY MADE IT TO AGUAS CLIENTES!

Aguas Calientes is where most of the 4 day treks end up before heading up to the hike up to Machu Picchu. If you are doing the same thing that I did, you can start hiking up from Aguas Calientes (the hike from Aguas Clientes to the entrance of Machu Picchu is FREE). The hike is about 1 1/2 hours on average if you are taking your time, or you are out of shape. It is pretty much straight vertical with some flats that crossover some of the shuttle bus double tracks. If you do not want to do the hike up from Aguas Calientes, you can take the shuttle bus which is about $10-12 each way. Be warned though, there is a long line for the shuttle buses no matter if you have a shuttle ticket or not. Let's put it this way, it was faster for me to hike up and down versus waiting in line for a shuttle.

I purchased the Machu Picchu + Mountain Ticket (Montana Mountain or "Old Mountain") because the more popular one "Huayna Mountain" was all booked up way before I started looking at tickets.  If I am not mistaken, the Huayna Mountain is shorter but steeper, and has some actual ruins, versus the "Old Mountain" is longer, still very treacherous, but without any ruins atop the mountain. The average hike time to the top of the "Old Mountain" is about 2-3 hours. If you are in pretty good condition, you can do it in far less time, my buddy and I did it in exactly one hour.

If you are not doing a multi-day trek to Machu Picchu, I recommend doing the hike up from Machu Picchu, then one of the mountain peaks, the Inca Bridge, the village, and then hike back down to Aguas Calientes. After that, you'll be craving a CusQuena Beer, maybe a few of them!

And that's how I did Machu Picchu on a budget. You don't have to spend a lot of money to see this "Wonder of the World", you just have to be adventurous, do a little bit of research, and be willing to be independent of tour companies to save some cash. If you have any questions, feel free to message me, but most of all, go out and explore, it's a beautiful world out there! =)

Hiking Up Machu Picchu

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How The Yee Peng Festival (Lantern Festival) Relates to Your Beachbody Business

Let me first tell you a short story when I was traveling through Thailand a couple years ago. Starting my Southeast Asia Trip in the Philippines, I didn't have an agenda at all. Years ago, I was the type of person who would plan everything before I left, accommodations and tours, the whole nine yards. These days, it's all about going with the flow and just enjoying life how it is thrown at me.

I arrived in the Philippines on September 2014 and traveled all over my parent's home country (I'm filipino), Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia. Like I said, I didn't have a plan. All I wanted to do was relax and enjoy. I didn't even have a return ticket to go back home.

When I arrived in Thailand around the end of August 2014, I was excited to explore the mountains and witness indigenous village life with no plans to even visit the popular Thai Beaches. I spent some time in Bangkok, but I was ready to see the real Thailand, and just get away from the big metropolitan city. I headed to Chiang Mai because I heard that there was some good mountain biking and off the beaten path activities which I enjoy the most.

Check out my Southeast Asia Travel Montage Video - 2014

As soon as I arrived in Chiang Mai, I checked into my guesthouse, and the host asked me if I was going to the Lantern Festival? Feeling a bit embarrassed because I didn't really know what was going on (remember, I was just going by the flow) I said, "sure, why not, what's it all about?"

The host at the guesthouse told me that it's a tradition that happens every year where people release a lantern in the sky to let go of illnesses and misfortunes from the previous year, and the time to "make a wish" to hopefully have a much better year. The only way for your wish to come true is if you do good deeds the following year, that's the catch!

This kinda reminded me of what I, and thousands of other Beachbody Coaches do with their businesses. The annual Coach Summit for Beachbody Coaches, is like the Lantern Festival for the Thai community.

Just like the host mentioned, the wish that you make will not come true unless good deeds are performed. Just like anything in life with new years resolutions, and specifically my business with Beachbody, success with Beachbody Coaching will not happen unless we do good deeds by helping others reach their goals. It isn't just about the goals that we set out for ourselves, it's about the other 50%....other people.

I was just on a Leadership Call last night, and the host on the call reminded me of just that, Leadership is based on 50% of my goals, and the other 50% of the sum of the people and leaders that I help. For me, that's so powerful, and such a great reminder.

So I ask this question to all of you: Are you doing your good deeds this year for your goals to become a reality? When you release your Lantern at the next Coach Summit, will you have made an impact the previous year?

Watch Coach Summit 2017 Video

Whether you are a Beachbody Coach or not, I encourage you to set goals, and help people along the way. It's not about putting everyone else before you, it's about creating a give and take with the people who matter most. When push comes to shove, it is all about creating real relationships that last a lifetime. Who wants to hike up the DOI INTHANON (the highest mountain in Thailand) by themselves? It's lonely at the top, why not bring some friends with you! =)

#TogetherWeAreBetter

Beachbody Coach Life - Cambodia 2014

When I Became A Beachbody Coach back in 2010, I Never Thought....

Yes, I've been a Beachbody Coach for almost 7 years now!

And although I am far from being where I envision myself, I have to say that it's been an amazing journey. They say that in order to stay focused and happy, it is encouraged to always point out the things that are GREAT in our lives. So let me start my day by sharing what my Beachbody Coaching Business has given me, I am so thankful!

1.  I haven't had a job working for a boss in almost 5 years.

2.  I've visited almost 40 countries.

3.  I started a cause-related video media project which brings in millions of social media views and helps me raise awareness for charities around the world.

Thanks to my Online Coaching Business, I am able to travel around the world,

and spread the word about my OCRTUBE media project

Watch my OCR Videos here

4.  The FREEDOM to spend as much time with my daughter and family without a job telling me when I can.

5.  I am in better shape than I was in high school.

My First P90X Transformation Video

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I would like to point out that it may seem like I am bragging, but I honestly have to tell you that I am not. I am celebrating my successes just like I would like to encourage you to celebrate yours. By putting this in writing, it makes a bigger difference in not just making bigger goals for yourself, but it can inspire others to achieve more. I've learned that it's not just about me, it's about truly helping others.

Was it easy?

If I told you all the things that I had to go through to get the things listed above, you probably would say, "no thank you". Here's the thing, I was tired of being told what to do. I was tired of working for someone else's dreams, and not mine. I was tired of having to go back home when I was having so much fun on vacation. I was tired of not having quality time with my family.

I was tired of just being tired.

It took a lot out of me....blood, sweat and tears to create a life by design, but if you were to ask me if it was worth it, I would say.....ABSOLUTELY!

So based on the things that I have listed above, I have created more goals on top of that, and here they are. Again, I am putting this out there to hold me accountable, and to maybe find others that have similar goals so that I can make new connections. Did I do this on my own, heck no! There were hundreds of people responsible for creating my life by design, they know who they are =). But I have new goals, bigger goals, and I'm searching for more people with VISION. Do you have vision? Are you ready to live your life?

1.  I haven't had a job in almost 5 years, now my goal is to create opportunities for people whether it be a job or a chance to become an entrepreneur.

The First Local Beachbody Event in Tampa before there were Super Saturdays!

(2011)

2.  I've visited almost 40 countries, but there are 196 countries, so I have a long ways to go!

3.  I started a cause-related media project called OCRTUBE.com, my goal is to continue my mission of spreading the benefits of obstacle course racing (along with health and fitness in general) around the world through social media efforts, and eventually donate millions to global causes. I aspire to become a Philanthropist. 

4.  I have more freedom to spend time with my family, that's the most important thing to me. But how awesome would it be if I can show others how to gain physical and financial freedom for themselves? For me, that's one of the most meaningful things anyone could do.

5.  Yes, I am in better shape than I was in high school. Now it's time to help others! From this point forward, I would like to help at least 3-5 people per month get in the best shape possible. So if you're ready to start a fitness journey, please feel free to contact me, I promise to always be there for you.

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The First Fit Club that I opened in Tampa, FL - 2011

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When I became a Beachbody Coach back in 2010, I never thought that I would accomplish half of these things because I was an extreme introvert, and I still am, but this business really changes you, and that's addicting. Once you begin to see some positive changes, it's really hard to look back, so what do you do? You continue moving forward. What about you? Are you ready for change?

Now looking for aspiring entrepreneurs for our global expansion project

Contact me about starting an online fitness empire part time from home

My Favorite Part Of What I Do

The man who taught me about Entrepreneurship - my father

At a very young age, I remember helping my father with his restaurant and food concession business. I would wake up everyday, and I would witness my father working all the time. It's almost as if that's all he did. He was still in the Navy at the time, and on the weekends, he would be selling food at festivals and fairs all over the USA.

I'm on the very far right with my Stretch Armstrong

I didn't know what an Entrepreneur was, all I knew was that my father believed in working for himself. He told me one day that if you want something, you have to go and get it yourself, and that by working for someone else, you would never be able to achieve your fullest potential.

As I got older, I began to understand what my father was teaching me. I started to find work on my own and ventured out of the family business, but I always felt out of place. I always felt like I should be the owner of the companies that I worked for, or at least, that's what I envisioned. My father planted a seed in me that I could one day be an Entrepreneur and build my own business just like he did.

My father came from poverty in the Philippines. He is not college educated, and never considered himself as a professional. He's a hustler. He's a family man. He's my inspiration.

My father is my inspiration

Spartan Race with Dad

To see my father come from a 3rd world country and become successful in a 1st world country is inspiring. If he could do it, why not me?

As the years went by, I took on plenty of jobs, and even started businesses that either failed, or became successful, but I somehow lost my passion.

As humans, we are always looking for happiness. Some people find happiness and success at a very young age......I didn't. I took me awhile to find something that I was truly passionate about.

6 years ago, I found my passion in health and fitness and helping others along the way. Prior to that, I was out of shape, miserable, and was a borderline alcoholic. P90X changed my life.

Never forget where you came from

Everything that my father taught me at an early age started to come back to me in full swing. With my life in shambles, it was time to rebuild.....mind you I was already in my late 30's to early 40's. It has taken me all this time to find my true calling.

You see, life is mysterious. It doesn't work like you always want it too, but in the end, with patience, and the willingness to learn, things happen when you don't give up. Was it hard? YES. Is it still hard? ABSOLUTELY!

Anything worth doing will bring on many challenges. It's really about finding something that helps you propel forward. It's about finding a reason to believe, and finding that thing or person to fight for. In this case, it's my daughter and my family. Yes, I have goals and hobbies, and things that I like to do for myself, but my family will always be number one.

I work hard everyday for my family

There are a lot of things that I love about what I do. But if you were to ask me what my favorite part of what I do is......it would be the FREEDOM. It was never about the money, never was.....it was always about living my life on my own terms.

That's my favorite part.

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