How to deal with NEGATIVITY as a Beachbody Coach

"I'm PROUD to be a Beachbody Coach, I don't expect everyone to understand it, that's not my goal"

I guess this post could also relate with any life obstacles, but being that I am a Beachbody Coach, I wanted to throw my TWO CENTS in and share some of the things that I have done to get through the negativity of what people say about Beachbody Coaching.

-  IT'S A PYRAMID SCHEME/SCAM: This one used to get me all the time because I always knew that there were actual "pyramid scams" out there, but I also knew that the business model of "Network Marketing" and Multi-Level Marketing" was totally legit. The reason why people are negative about the whole idea is because they do not understand the difference between the two, and for the most part, these people are not open-minded enough to try to understand, which in turn...they will never "get it". They also may have retrieved some negative and falsified information from a family member or a friend who was in the business of MLM, but unfortunately quit <---- AND did not succeed. Try getting the facts from someone who is making it happen "succeeding and not quitting", there's a huge difference.

My suggestion is to find out if they are open enough to get educated on the topic, and if they aren't, I suggest that you ignore the negativity because it would be just a waste of time.

I travel all over the world, thanks to the freedom of my Beachbody "Network Marketing" business. I've been an online Beachbody Coach for almost 6 years now, so if someone tries to "bad-mouth" me or what I do, then I just smile to myself because I am the one sitting pretty in Sweden right now with no return ticket while some of these "negatives" are working miserably under a boss. If people really want TRUE freedom, then becoming an entrepreneur is the only way to do it, and "network marketing" is the best LEGIT ticket to freedom without investing thousands.

"Ignore the negativity, educate only the open-minded, keep moving forward"

Atop the Skansen Kronan Fortress overlooking Gothenburg, Sweden

-  RESPECT:  Everyone deserves respect. It is a bit annoying when people talk about things that they know nothing about, but that's what the population does, and hey, I'm even guilty of doing it, so I totally understand when people do it.

Let's face it, in the Beachbody Coaching and "Network Marketing" industry. There will be coaches and newbie entrepreneurs who will make the industry look bad. I don't think that it's intentional, but it happens. This happens in every sector of business though. Just look at where you work, I'm sure that someone in your company/job have been fired. And some of these people begin to bad-mouth the company because they didn't feel that it was right for them to get FIRED. But let's be honest, people get fired because they aren't fit for the company or image. Some people will never "get it", and when they don't, they do what humans do, they talk negative.

Respect is all about being happy for someone no matter what they do for a living. Beachbody Coaching is about being in business for yourself while helping others get healthy and fit, what's there not to respect about that? I mean, I don't go around talking about how crappy your company or job is, so it's really not nice for anyone to be negative about being a Beachbody Coach/Entrepreneur.

If someone is disrespectful to you about what you do as a Beachbody Coach, just simply ignore them (it's a waste of time to try to defend yourself when these people just don't care), because if they are disrespecting you, then that only shows the type of person they are, and trust me, you don't need those toxic people in your life. Hit that DELETE button.

"Be respectful of what people do for a living, even if you don't understand what they do"

In closing, Beachbody Coaching and the network marketing industry is a billion dollar business. It can only reach those numbers when people are finding success and lives are truly being changed. Bottom line is, we must be doing something right! So remember this....when something is going right, there will always be someone who will say something about it, so keep doing what you're doing =). #CoachesChangeLives

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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! =)


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When People Say "I Love My Job"

"I Love My Job", I used to say that too! =)

I wanted to write a blog post on this because trust me, there is nothing wrong with people absolutely loving their jobs, heck....I've had a ton of jobs that I loved, but here's the thing....a job is still a job (where someone controls your income other than YOU).

I'm sure that most of you would agree that the main reasons why people work is to do one or a few of the following:

- Pay Bills
- Take Vacations
- Support Your Family
- Buy Things
- Investments
- Start a Business
- Stay Active

Now I have to say, all of the above is great, so why not be happy with your job right? Here's the thing, as long as you have a job where you are working under a boss, you will never have total control of your income, which means, you will never have complete time and financial freedom. If that's what you want. If time or financial freedom is not important to you, then truthfully, it really isn't necessary to continue reading.

One of the best jobs that I ever had was working for the Hyatt Corporation. I worked for this amazing company for about 7+ years. The people were great, the benefits were on point, the free luxury hotel rooms around the world could not be beat, and it was a great learning experience. But again, my life was dictated by a boss. When I wanted to go on a trip, I had to request time off, or try to find someone to cover my shifts for me. If I used up all my vacation and sick days, I could not go on vacation. I missed a lot of things that I wanted to do, like spending time with my family on Christmas. I missed out on a lot of things that I wanted to do because I either couldn't afford it (limited income), or I had to "work". I had to bite my lip a ton of times because my bosses were not always open to change, my creativity was not as important as what was already set for the company, so I felt very limited, which didn't allow me to grow like I wanted to as person. The list goes on...

Some people will say, "well that's just life", you can't change it. Or, "you have to take the good with the bad, at least you have a job" etc. That's the thing, if you are okay with letting people lead you to living a mediocre life, then that's your prerogative =) It's your life! I wanted something different.

I wanted to live life to my fullest potential. I wanted to go on trips whenever I wanted to, for as long as I wanted to. I wanted to spend time with my daughter anytime without a boss telling me when I could or couldn't. I wanted more control over my life. In a nutshell, I wanted to build my dreams, not the dreams of my boss. I knew that if I could help my boss live his dreams, then I could do it for myself......so guess what? I DID!

My daughter is my world! 

So what do you want for your life? Becoming an entrepreneur was one of the toughest things that I've ever done, but it was the best decision that I ever made.

When you decide to become a entrepreneur, there are struggles. Here are the "Inevitables of Success":

1.  You will feel pain
2.  You will cry before you get it
3.  You will lose some friends
4.  Your family may discourage you
5.  People will hate you for no reason, other than the fact that you want a better life
6.  You will almost talk yourself out of it hundreds of times
7.  You will doubt yourself thousands of times
8.  You will think you're going crazy
9.  You will develop weird habits
10. You will lose some money
*BUT IT WILL ALL BE WORTH IT!

So the next time you say, "I love my JOB", ask yourself these questions:

- Do I love my job more than I love spending time with my family?
- Would I rather be working or traveling the world?
- Would I like to sit around the break room with co-workers, or watching my kids grow up?
- Do I enjoy making other people successful, and myself mediocre?
- Does my job limit me to do the things that I really enjoy out of life?

So instead of saying "I love my job", how does this sound...."I LOVE MY LIFE".

If you would like to find out how I started a Online Beachbody Coaching business part-time while working 3 jobs, 100 hours per week, and then was able to quit and live my dreams as an entrepreneur, then click here, or message me here. I look forward to meeting you!

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How To Be A Successful Filipino Beachbody Coach

Success as a Filipino Beachbody Coach

For the record, I am a Full Time Star Diamond Beachbody Coach, and also a PROUD Filipino-American. I decided to create a blog post about this to help other Filipino-Americans understand that it is very possible to become successful as a Beachbody Coach, as well as an ENTREPRENEUR.

I have been a Beachbody Coach since late 2010, and when I started, there were not very many filipinos pursuing the goal of becoming a Beachbody Coach. Even to this day, you do not see very many Filipinos on the recognition stage at the Beachbody Coach events. My question that I always ask myself is WHY? Filipinos are one of the most hard-working, loyal, and committed people on the planet, so why aren't there very many filipinos flocking to the opportunity? Since my success with P90X in late 2010, I have been contacted by hundreds of filipinos from all over the world about getting in shape. One of the questions that I always get is "Can I still get good results while still eating filipino food?" Yes, there is a huge difference in the food culture with the filipino community, but just like anything, it's all about wanting to change some things in your life, to change some things in your life, and sometimes it means having to do things differently from what you're accustomed too.

There are many reasons why I believe that you cannot find very many filipinos striving for success as a Beachbody Coach, or an entrepreneur for that matter, and I will share some of them with you below, but I will mainly focus on ways that filipinos can be successful in this fast-growing industry. Before I begin, I would like to say that I love my filipino culture, and this post does not represent all filipinos. I know that there are many filipinos who are moving up the ranks in the Beachbody Coaching Business, but it would definitely be nice to see more. Also, for the record, I do not support and promote racism, and although this post is about success as a filipino Beachbody Coach, anyone can use and customize this information to succeed as a Beachbody Coach whether they are filipino or not. Beachbody Coaching is for everyone!

Here are some ways to become a SUCCESSFUL Filipino Beachbody Coach:

WHITE RICE - Get rid of it! Now this might seem pretty intense, but the truth hurts. It's no secret that if you want good results (you know like abs), it is best to get your CARBS from whole grains. Trust me, it was very tough for me to switch from white rice to brown rice, but my goal was bigger than my craving for eating white rice. You don't have to quit cold turkey, try eating it in moderation first, then slowly make the switch to brown rice. Once you have achieved your health and fitness goal, you can simply eat it as a cheat meal every now and again. This goes for a lot of filipino foods that are not very healthy. In order to become successful as a Beachbody Coach, it starts with you, making yourself better and healthier. Just because you do not eat white rice everyday doesn't mean you're a filipino sell out, it means that you care about your health, your life, and your family, so don't let anyone tell you differently. I've seen way too many filipinos live short lives because of chronic illnesses that could have been prevented by eating healthier foods. Make good food choices, be open to Beachbody Fitness and Nutrition, and share it with the community, you can make a difference!

Drinking my Shakeology before attending a Beachbody Event - Las Vegas

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NOT ALL SUCCESSFUL FILIPINOS ARE DOCTORS - Growing up in a filipino household and attending a lot of filipino events, there was always people talking about how successful this filipino doctor was, and how rich they were as a medical professional. Almost every single time, I would hear someone brag about how rich their doctor friend was. I mean, I get it already. These people have worked hard for what they have, but what about the other successful people? What about the restaurant owners, the financial gurus, the self-made people, and franchise owners? Why weren't they getting any credit? I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs. My grand parents owned small retail shacks and restaurants. My father ended up owning a number of restaurants, and even a very successful catering and concession business in Florida. I grew up wanting to be in business for myself. The idea of working for someone just DID NOT interest me one bit, and I knew at an early age that it wasn't for me. So yes, I get it. Not a lot of filipinos grew up in households with entrepreneur minds, but that doesn't mean that you cannot be one. Beachbody Coaching teaches you how to become an entrepreneur, and how to make it on your own. Most filipinos have the mind set of working for other people all of their working lives, it's how they were raised. But I want to tell you that filipinos come from a very hard-working culture, so why not work hard for yourself? All it takes is a decision, because you already know what hard work and dedication is all about. So take that hardcore work ethic, and go in business for yourself, it will be a lot more rewarding! There are many medical professionals who have retired and have gone on to make Beachbody Coaching their full time gig. Isn't is cool to be able to help people as a medical professional as a hobby versus a career? Doctors volunteer their services and help people all over the world. Whether you are a doctor, lawyer, or whatever.... Beachbody Coaching can allow you the freedom of doing your passion when you want, where you want, and most importantly, on your own terms. Now that's freedom!

Straight Up Facts on Beachbody Coaching

INFLUENTIAL -  We all come from a culture where we are easily influenced by media, and other things such as your job, friends and family. I think it's ok to be influenced, if what is influencing you is positive and can better your life. I think that this is always a challenge by not just filipinos, but for everyone. I remember growing up and hearing conversations like: go to school, get good grades, go to college, and get a good job! "Everyone is doing it!" Now I'm definitely not knocking education, in fact, I highly encourage it! But instead of going for a good job, why not start a business? Don't wait after 20-40 years to find out that all that time you were making your boss rich and paying for his/her family vacations, when you could've been building a strong financial future for you and your family. Beachbody Coaching teaches you how to build a business part-time while you are working full time at your job, and in 2 to 5 years, you will eventually be able to enjoy a 6-7 figure residual to help you live the rest of your life, the best of your life! It doesn't have to take 20-40 years to retire if you play your cards right. Be careful who you are influenced by, if it doesn't benefit you and your family in a positive way, then most likely you are wasting your time, and nobody has time for that! =)

Run your Beachbody Coaching Business from anywhere! 

CULTURE - I can't give up white rice, working out is a western thing, I can't speak good english, I don't have a big network, I don't have a lot of friends, my job is a workout so I don't need to workout.....I've heard all the excuses in the book. Just like anyone else, filipinos will also make excuses why they don't have any money and time to live a healthier lifestyle, and even become a Beachbody Coach. Listen, it's not a culture thing, a money thing, or a time thing, it's your life that we're talking about here. Rather than making excuses about not having enough time to workout, or not having the skills on how to become a better version of yourself financially, maybe try focusing on what is the most important thing in your life, and start making things happen. I used to make a lot of excuses, and I hid behind them all the time, because it was the easy way out. You may think that you have to work harder as a minority, but that should even be more motivation to become successful, to fight for you and what you believe in, and to show the community that yes, filipinos can also be successful as a Beachbody Coach. Now I'm not saying that Beachbody Coaching can be the solution to your health and wealth problems, I'm saying that it is, and I am proof of that. =) If you want a better life, I encourage you to refrain from making any culture excuses, just start making things happen. If you need help, I am here for you!

Working out in Baclaran, Philippines

Arnel Banawa is a Star Diamond Beachbody Coach focused on ending the trend of obesity though Beachbody fitness and nutrition, helping the sport of obstacle course racing grow, and promoting independent world travel. Connect with me on Facebook!


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How I Manage My Beachbody Business with OCR (Obstacle Course Racing)

2 Big Passions - 1 Wonderful Life!

I think everyone at some point struggles with juggling different things in their lives whether it be a job, children, sports, hobby, or a business. This happens to me almost all the time. Being a full time Beachbody Coach is something that I absolutely love doing. I mean, check this out, I am responsible for helping people make big changes in their lives everyday from health and fitness transformations, to eliminating debt and gaining financial freedom. Before becoming a full time Beachbody Coach, I had 3 jobs, ran a nightlife marketing company, and worked 100 hours a week, it was insane!  I worked my Beachbody business in between my breaks, in the bathroom (TMI I know) =), and wherever I could get it in, I sacrificed a lot of sleep. If I only had 5 minutes to work my business, trust me, I took full advantage of it, and 2 and a half years later, I was able to quit my 3 jobs, and retire from a nightlife business that was not very healthy for me and my daughter.

Fast forward to mid 2011, I was introduced to obstacle course racing by my brother Fermin. By this time, I was in the best shape of my life (in my 40's), and I was ready to take on something that would really test my overall fitness, and I was so excited that I found it in OCR (obstacle course racing). It became an addiction, which is very common in this sport, especially if you are a newbie. Today, there are OCR groupies like there were Dead Heads back in the 1970's!

As I began more and more involved with OCR, there was a time where I began to distance myself from my Beachbody Coaching business, just because I was having so much fun traveling and meeting other people who were just as passionate as I was about this extreme sport. Yes, I still worked my coaching business during the week via my laptop, but I would then travel and do races on the weekend. I remember what the CEO of Beachbody Carl Daikeler once said, "Beachbody should not be your life, Beachbody should give you a life", and I really took that to heart and ran with it. I had already built my business to a comfortable level that allowed me to do what I wanted to do, travel simple, and live freely. But it wasn't until I attended Coach Summit 2014 in Las Vegas that I realized that I was not balancing my life and my business, or should I say, "my 1st passion". Beachbody Coach Summit is like the Super Bowl of Beachbody Events, it's where anyone who wants to be successful as a Beachbody Coach GOES. If success and FREEDOM is what you want out of life, then Coach Summit was a must to attend. I have never missed a Coach Summit event since becoming a Beachbody Coach in 2010, and I never will.

So here I am at Coach Summit at the MGM Grand Las Vegas, sitting with my coach team, having a little POW WOW, and some of my coaches were literally telling me that they felt that I was not focused on them, and they felt that I was more focused on my race travel, and they felt like I didn't care about them. This really truly broke my heart because everything that I was doing: races, traveling, spending time with family etc. was all given to me by my commitment to my Beachbody Business, and to my team who I proudly call my second family. I was devastated, I felt like I let them down. I was being nothing but selfish, and I knew at that point that I needed to create more balance in my life.

I am committed to my team, always and forever!

After that event, I promised my team that they were going to be my priority from this point forward. I mean come on, I was able to live my life because of my team. I didn't build my business on my own, it was all about team, and that is how I was able to be where I was, FREE from a boss. I had freedom because of my business, so why was I neglecting that part of my life? It was a wake-up call for me, and I will never again make that mistake. Sometimes it is easy to get influenced by outside sources, and yes I was having a blast with my races, and I still am, but it's all about balance, and making the people who mean most to you a "priority" in your life.

So how do I manage my Beachbody Business today while still keeping my passion for obstacle course racing? It's very simple:

-  I don't let the sport of obstacle course racing influence me to think that OCR is the only thing in my life that I am passionate about.

-  I share my passion for Beachbody with my OCR friends, and let them know who I am, and what I do. If people don't like what I do, it's doesn't matter to me, because it's not for them, it's for my family.

My life is all about my daughter, and my family

- I continue to work my Beachbody business during the week, but dedicate my time with my races specifically on Saturday and Sunday granted that I do not have a Beachbody event such as Coach Summit or Beachbody Super Saturday.

- I focus on working out with my Beachbody fitness programs and drinking my Shakeology everyday while incorporating other OCR specific workouts to help me excel in the sport.

- I will stay focused on what I love the most about my two passions: ending the trend of obesity, building leaders (not followers), and helping the sport of OCR grow on a global scale.

- Sharing Beachbody with OCR, and sharing OCR with Beachbody =) It really is the right combination!

- I will use my passion for my Beachbody business and obstacle course racing to help my family live a better life. That's what it's all about for me! 

I think it's always good to know what your priorities are, what puts food on your table, and if what you are doing is helping and/or empowering people. I think both of my passions do this, but I will never forget that without my Beachbody business, I would not have found interest in obstacle course racing, and have the opportunity to travel and race whenever I please. Not everyone can be a Spartan Pro Team Athlete or a PAID Sponsored Athlete in the OCR industry, and even if you are, just like anything, how long will that last? I'm sure that most people would agree that having multiple sources of income is a smart thing to do, and I'm just glad that in the future when I decide to retire from OCR and just want to travel and pursue other passions, that I will be able to do so, thanks to my Beachbody business.

I am always expanding and looking for new leaders! 

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I AM NOT LUCKY

I am not LUCKY!

I recently saw a travel post called "How To Get Lucky" from my friend Nina who I met while I was backpacking through the Philippines in Sept/Oct 2014 and it inspired me to share a little bit of my own on the topic from my 4 months that I spent in Southeast Asia. This is a re-post from what I shared with my Coach Team on a private facebook group page:

RE-POST: I'm Not Lucky

I just wanted to share something with you guys. Just recently, I had the opportunity to travel to Asia for almost 4 months thanks to my "mobile" Beachbody Business, yes I'm a Digital Nomad =). You know, "If you have access to the internet, you can work your business anywhere type of business". Well, during my travels I met a lot of other people who had their own digital companies, just traveling around the world, going where ever they please, doing whatever they wanted, and just enjoying their freedom, kinda like me. We talked on secluded beaches and mountain huts overlooking hill tribe villages about how we were able to do this (have the freedom to travel and work anywhere), and we talked for hours! The one thing that I always remembered us talking about was when people we met who were on weekend getaways or 10 day holidays (short vacations) would say that we were so lucky....that I was LUCKY to have the opportunity to just be able to travel anytime I wanted, for as long as I wanted. And to be honest, yes I am lucky, but what does that actually mean? Do they think that I just won the lottery and I am just sitting on a beach enjoying what I didn't work for?

Let me tell you something team. For a lot of people, they may think that I am lucky, or that my Coach Lindsay is lucky (btw, my Coach and friend Lindsay went from a single mother, miserable bartender with thousands of dollars in debt to a self-made millionaire in only 4 years), and all of these people you see who are successful, just traveling the world, and jet setting with their families. But I have to say that we are NOT LUCKY. We, and I mean I worked pretty damn hard to get the FREEDOM that I have today.

I Went From Night Life to the Fit Life - Click Here to Read My Story!

I made a decision over 4 years ago that I was sick and tired of where my life was. I hated working 3 jobs. I hated not having money to support my daughter. It killed me to watch the travel channel knowing that I couldn't afford to experience all of these amazing places, plus I was 30 pounds overweight and unhappy. I told myself that it's time to get my life together, and stop making excuses, and blaming others for my failures. Beachbody was my answer (I got in the best shape of my life with Beachbody Fitness), it was my ticket to my dreams. So I busted my ass for 2 1/2 years really hard and I was able to rid myself from a BOSS, you know....a J.O.B. (just over broke)

So as I sit on a secluded beach with some other digital nomads listening to these people calling me lucky, I say to myself.......nope, I'm not lucky, I just had the BALLS to do something with my life. I am where I am today because I have helped my community. I have changed lives, and at the same time, changed my own. I am not lucky, I worked hard for everything, and I still do. If anything, I am lucky to have a team (YOU) that cares enough about me to trust me to lead them to success.

For that, I am lucky.

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And that was a message to my Beachbody Coach Team, and what I wanted to share with all of you. The point of this share was not to brag, but to honestly let people know that I am not lucky. I simply made a decision to listen to my heart, fulfill my passion, delete TOXIC PEOPLE from my life, help only the willing, and just live my life how I was meant to live it.....HAPPY.

Watch my VIDEO - Almost 4 months in SE Asia in only 12 minutes:

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Travel Is My Passion

 Travel is my Passion!

My backpacking trip to Asia is fast approaching and I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am! I had my first taste of traveling abroad back in 2001 when I backpacked Europe and visited 5 countries. It was an amazing experience that I still continue to talk about till this day. After that trip, I knew that travel was something that I wanted to do for the rest of my life. The question is, how could I do it?

Many years have past since then, I have been able to go on other backpacking trips, but I was always pressured to come back because of finances. Just like many backpack travelers, I also worked hard, saved what I could, so that I could go on to the next trip. That method started to get old. I wanted to find a way that I could still work and travel, but it had to be something that I was passionate about, something that I loved doing, and I wanted to make sure that it was something that I could do to help people.

Check out my VIDEO from Semuc Champey - Guatemala

After many trials and tribulations, and failed business projects, I stumbled upon the Beachbody Coaching Opportunity. I actually graduated from P90X, which most of you know is one of Beachbody's #1 selling fitness programs, and one of the most extreme workout programs. At the time, I did not know that Beachbody offered an opportunity for their customers to become ambassadors (Independent Business Owners - Coaches) for their products, and once I found out, I was very excited about it. I didn't start off as someone who wanted to start a Beachbody Coaching Business, I just wanted the discounts on the supplements. Who wants to pay retail for anything right? But as I got more and more involved, people began to get inspired by my dedication and passion for health and fitness, and they wanted me to coach them! And that is how my hobby for fitness turned into a business. My Beachbody Coaching business has now allowed me to do things that I have only dreamed of. In only 2 years (of consistent hard work) I was able to quit 3 of my jobs and become a full time Beachbody Coach. The most exciting part is that I run my business completely online, which means that I could be anywhere around the world and run my business just as long as I have an internet connection! So remember when I was asking myself how I was going to be able to travel the world? Well, I finally found a financial vehicle, and all it took was for me to make a decision to start a fitness journey and help others achieve their goals.

For more information on P90X - click here!

Travel to me is like paradise. When I am not home, I actually feel like I am home. Travel also challenges me because everywhere you go, there are obstacles such as having to learn different languages, getting lost, figuring out what you're eating, and dealing with border patrol =). But that's all part of it, the adventure, and that is what I long for.

I have met so many people who have never left their city or country that they were born in, and that is mind-blowing. To me, the absolute best education is travel. I've met so many people during my travels, people who have left their corporate jobs to live freely, students who wanted to travel but never made it back home because they found their passion, and the list goes on. You hear it all the time when people are stressed at work, they say "I need a vacation", and I say, "don't take a vacation, just travel".

I will be leaving for Asia next week. I do not have an itinerary, I don't have a tour guide, and I don't even have a return ticket. I will be posting updates here on my blog if you want to stay posted on some of the exciting places that I will be visiting. As usual, everywhere that I go I will be spreading the word of health and fitness to the world. Because remember, if it wasn't for my health and fitness, I would not have the opportunity to travel the world, and for that, I am forever thankful.

Travel is my passion....what is yours?

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What It Takes To Become A Fitness Entreprenuer

This is a very broad topic, but I'm going to try to keep things as simple as possible =). Some of the most successful entrepreneurs out there have found wealth because they have discovered a product or service that the general population wants or needs. It's all about supply and demand in the business world.

 With Joe DeSena - Spartan Race Founder

The one thing that really sets a Fitness Business a part from any other business out there is that it's a "life changing" business. You can actually literally change and save someone's life! It's not about selling electronic gadgets or gizmos, it's about helping people become happy, healthy, stronger, fitter, and confident. When people talk about investments, it's all about how much will your ROI will be, but think about it, all of that investing in stocks, bonds, and real estate doesn't matter if you are not in good health. Let's face it, you will be able to make better decisions if you are happier and healthier. You will be able to enjoy your investments only if you are alive to enjoy them.

"Comfort stunts growth" - Joe DeSena, Spartan Race

Health and Fitness is the best investment that anyone could ever make. I have seen many successful entrepreneurs who have built 7-figure businesses only to later pass away at a young age due to poor health and eating habits. Why work that hard and not be able to enjoy it for years to come?

 Katrina Hodgson and Karena Dawn - ToneItUp.com

It's a no brainer! Whether people want to admit it or not, we all would like to be more happy, healthy, fit, and have more freedom. Entrepreneurs such as Tony Horton, Jillian Michaels, Greg Glassman, Katrina Hodgson and Karena Dawn have all figured this out. They all believe in what they do, and all they did was share it, and that is how they were able to find success as a Fitness Entrepreneur. Was it tough? Absolutely! Do you think they wanted to quit? I'm pretty sure they did. But there's something about being in the fitness industry that gives you the advantage. You may be having a bad day, but the moment you decide to workout, everything changes! It's a feeling that you can NEVER get from your iPhone or the car that you're driving. It's a feeling that you can only get from eating healthy and exercising, and that's the power behind health and fitness. These entrepreneurs have built their confidence, they understood how to handle set backs, and this is what helped them become strong and do things that the average person would never do.

With Tony Horton - Creator of P90X

Living the healthy and fit life is the secret to long life and success in anything that you do. So if you think about it, it truly is the best business in the world! The question is, how can I get started? Well, there are plenty of ways such as getting a degree from a college, getting your personal training certification, and/or affiliating with a company who compensates you for being healthy and fit, that's what I have done. I mean, why buy from a GNC when I can buy from myself and keep the profits!

"If you want to be successful, then surround yourself with successful people"

Anyone can become a Fitness Entrepreneur, but not everyone will. So what does it take to become a successful Fitness Entrepreneur? Here are some things to consider:

- Requires "shameless" self-promotion. If you care what people think, and not what you believe in, then any business will be tough for you.

- Requires having a system that can be duplicated.

- Requires thinking the exact opposite from the average person

- Requires passion for helping people

- Requires long-term thinking and delayed gratification

So the next time that you are eating that healthy meal, or working out at the gym or at home, think about this....I could be getting paid for this! And you are absolutely right =) Health and Fitness is a lifestyle, and also a vehicle that can give you true Financial and Time Freedom. There are a lot of options, but if you are interested in finding out what I have done, then feel free to connect with me. I can show you how I fired 3 of my miserable jobs, and now travel the world by running an online Beachbody Coaching Business. How would you like to eventually have the opportunity to create a 6-7 figure online fitness business with literally no employees! I can show you how =).

 Zuzka Light - ZuzkaLight.com

Whatever route that you take in the fitness industry, just make sure that you absolutely love what you're doing, and you are helping people along the way. Do it with passion, do it like you don't need the money, and it will eventually come. Good luck and I look forward to your success as a Fitness Entrepreneur!

Make Fitness Your Business!

Related Links:
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- Personal Training versus Beachbody Coaching
- Shakeology Affiliate Program


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My Top Fitness and Business Apps

My Top Fitness and Business Apps

I constantly get asked which apps and tools I use for my Beachbody Coaching Business, workouts, and OCR (obstacle course racing) projects, so I decided to write this post. I'll be honest, I don't think that I use anything different from what most people use. I am also not the type of person who goes out of their way to look for the "next best app". I find one that I like, test it out, and if I like, I use it, simple as that. And I really do not use a lot of apps, because who has time for that? I use apps to keep my business and my life simple, not complicated. So here goes!

To keep things simple, I have categorized what I use, hmmmmm.....that must be the "Emerald" personality side of me =).

FITNESS:

Runkeeper - I've been using this app for over 2 years now. Mostly used for running, the app also tracks other activities as mountain biking, walking, cycling, hiking, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowboarding, skating, rowing.....ok you get the picture!

P90X - I love working out at the gym, outdoors, and at home. The P90X app allows me to take my P90X workouts anywhere and track it. It tracks P90X, P90X Plus, P90X2, and P90X3. You will never run out of workouts with this app. Available for iPhone and Android.

Get a Free Team Beachbody Membership here, then once you purchase the P90X App (Only $2.99) simply log in with your Team Beachbody Login. 

P90X App

How to Do P90X at the Gym - Click here!

Timer+ - I use this mostly when I am leading outdoor interval training workouts, as well as my own workouts. I also sometimes use "GymTimer". Both are free!

iCross WoD - When I want to change things up, I will sometimes use this app to incorporate Crossfit workouts into the mix. I also use the Spartan WODs which comes to me via email.

Body Beast Mobile App - Must purchase the Body Beast Program in order to use this app. Body Beast Purchase Options, click here! Once purchased, you can use your Team Beachbody Login to access the mobile app here.

Body Beast Mobile App

My Yoga Online - Now I know that there are a lot of FREE yoga apps out there, but I think My Yoga Online offers the most unlimited online yoga workouts. They are constantly adding new workouts from the top yogis in the industry. When I travel, I use this a lot! For only $9.95 per month, you get access to thousands of yoga workouts! Click here to join.

My Yoga Online

BUSINESS:

Zoom - This is the app that I use the most for my business. I use this to stay in touch with my coach team and fitness challengers, as well as host team video calls. It is facebook friendly, and anyone with a Mac, PC, iPhone, iPad, Phone, or Android device can use it. It's just plain awesome!

Zoom.us

Google Calendar - Clearly not an app (at least I don't think it is), but this is what I use to schedule my races, meetings, and reminders. I like the fact that it is very customizable and is very user-friendly. 

PHOTO EDITING:

PicMonkey.com - Ok, this is not an app, but this is the online photo editing software that I use to make collages, banners, promotional materials etc. It's free, but if you want more access to the premium features, it's only $4.99 per month.

PicMonkey.com

InstaFrame and InstaCollageFrame - For collages from my iPhone and iPad.

Snapseed - For photo editing, screen shot editing etc.

PhotoToaster - Some photos come out grainy, so I use this app to smooth things out.

TimerCamera - I use this mostly to take group workout photos (Fit Club, Trail Runs, Beachbody Events etc) from my iPad. 

VIDEO EDITING:

iMovie and Final Cut Pro for Mac - Again, these are not apps, but everyone always ask me what I use to edit my videos, so that's what I use =). There is an iMovie app, but I am terrible at editing videos from mobile devices, I need to by on a computer. My daughter edits most of her videos from her phone, I am not at that level yet =).

Check out my Obstacle Course Racing Video Playlist on Youtube

TRAVEL:

Globe Convert - I travel a lot, and so I use this to help me do currency conversions in other countries.

GlobeConvert

Kayak - The app that I book most of my travel for flights, car rentals and some hotels. I use the HostelWorld app to book backpacker accommodations.

HotelsCombined - I use this mostly for hotel bookings, it's like Kayak, but only for hotels.

Lonely Planet - I am a huge Lonely Planet fan, and although I would much rather use an actual travel guide book, sometimes it's more convenient to use the app, plus it doesn't take up a lot of room in my backpack! 

Lonely Planet Travel Guide App

And that's about it! When I am all done with my meetings, team calls, editing, workouts, and traveling.....I then use this app --------> NETFLIX =).

 NetFlix

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