10 Lifestyle Companies Who Inspire Me

10 Lifestyle Companies Who Have Inspired Me

There are a lot of people who have inspired me, but there are only a few companies that have actually made a huge impact in my life. These companies have challenged me, helped me discover who I am, kept me connected with the people who matter most in my life, showed me how to live a healthy lifestyle,  introduced me to hundreds of people who have the same vision as I do, and so much more! Here are 10 companies who have INSPIRED me.

1. Beachbody - I cannot thank this company enough because they have helped me gain physical and financial success. Freedom is the ultimate gift that anyone could ask for because it's about doing what you want, when you want, anytime you want! Out of all the companies who have inspired me, this company is hands down my #1. Beachbody has given me health, happiness, time with my family, freedom to travel the world, and the ability to provide for my daughter. Thank you Beachbody!

Beachbody Coach Summit - Las Vegas

2. Spartan Race - I have never been challenged to the limits both physically and mentally by another company. Spartan Race has showed me what I am truly made of. This company has given me the opportunity to meet so many amazing athletes who have one thing in mind, to conquer every obstacle no matter how big or small, and to always continue to set goals to achieve my greatness within.

Spartan Race Special Ops Sprint - Tampa, FL.

3. Patagonia - I am all about giving back, and when I first heard about Patagonia's dedication to the environment and social responsibility, that was more than enough reason for me to support them. Patagonia is all about adventure and keeping our planet as safe as possible, so as an adventurer myself, I felt right at home.

4. Lonely Planet - The very first time I traveled abroad (Europe) was in 2001. I was able to plan a trip all by myself without any tour guides or travel agents, and I still felt completely comfortable. Lonely Planet has taught me about seeing the world how it was meant to be seen as an Independent Traveler, and NOT as a "tourist". Travel and learning about world culture is my #1 passion and Lonely Planet is my travel bible. I currently have invested almost a thousand dollars (maybe more) in travel education, and I'm happy to say that it has all been with LP. Travel is the best education that anyone could ask for, and thanks to LP, I have the knowledge to trek anywhere, and live anywhere. The world is my home, and I can never sit still, I must explore.

I was born to travel!

5. Apple - So how has this company inspired me? It's quite simple. Apple has invented simple products that have truly been an amazing part of my success as an entrepreneur, father, and athlete. From editing software to help me grow the sport of Obstacle Course Racing, to sharing my fitness and business journey online with thousands of people from all over the world using an iPad. This company has given me the tools to help me share my story and inspire others to live happier and healthier lives.
 
6. Facebook- I have connected with more people using facebook then any other social network online or offline. Nothing will ever beat that personal one on one human interaction, but this company has been a game changer in the art of connecting people from anywhere around the world. I have connected with old friends and family, rekindled relationships, and have met some wonderful people who have made a major impact in my life.

My Online Fitness Group on Facebook

 Need some fitness motivation? Message me!

7. Couchsurfing - Think of traveling the world and meeting people for the first time. Now think about those very same people treating you like family in their very own home when they don't even know you! Well, that's the type of community that Couchsurfing.org provides. Imagine traveling to the most beautiful places on the planet and not paying a dime for accommodations, there is nothing more awesome than that! I have created life-long friendships with the couchsurfing community, and I highly recommend that everyone should experience this type of travel, it's about really getting down and learning about the local scene and building relationships with the world. 

8. Hostel World - Another way to see the world and meet people from all walks of life is through hostelling. When I travel I choose to stay at hostels versus fancy hotels because when I travel, it's about exploring the outdoors for me and meeting other travelers. If I wanted to stay inside in a nice place to relax, I might as well just stay home. Hostel World allows me to hop from city to city, from country to country and meet other travelers along the way. I don't know how many times I've been inspired by someone who I just met at a hostel. If you want to hear some great travel stories, and get the best travel tips, then forget about guide books, go to a hostel and chat with real people who are traveling for months and years at a time.

Tikal, Guatemala

9. Crossfit - I do not consider myself a Crossfitter, or a Crossfit Athlete. But what I do like about this company is the culture and community. As a fitness enthusiast, I enjoy incorporating various types of workouts into my routine, and I love nothing better than mixing a little bit of Crossfit into my P90X workouts. I am a Beachbody Coach, but I do appreciate different ways to stay fit. There is nothing more inspiring than working out with people of all fitness disciplines and everyone respecting each other's training methods. It's not about the workout, it's about what works for you. I thank Crossfit for getting people off the couch and offering an environment that helps people stay motivated and challenged.

Spartan 300 Workout with the girls from Bandit Crossfit

10. Family - Now I know that this is not a company, but FAMILY is the most important thing in my life. There is nothing more inspiring than being in the company of my very own family and close friends. I do everything with my family! We workout together, do business together, play hard together, travel together, cry together, motivate together, and pray together. For me, family is everything!

 My #Fitfam

 My daughter and I =)

So that's it, my Top 10 Lifestyle Companies Who Inspire Me! Which companies have inspired you?

Find out more about me - click here!

Take the Beachbody Challenge - Change Your Life!

P90X2 - P.A.P. Upper Workout

P90X2 workouts are primarily geared towards advanced fitness levels.  As an Obstacle Course Racing athlete and Spartan Racer, I use these workouts a lot as they are similar to some of the Crossfit workouts. It's basically like indoor Crossfit, which can also be done anywhere! As long as you have the P90X2 Workout Sheets (or the P90X app) and the equipment, you can take it to the gym or the outdoors, and that's the beauty of P90X, it's not just for in-home fitness, it's for wherever you choose to do your workouts. I travel a lot, and I can't take my gym with me, so I always make sure that I have the workout sheets, or even the P90X app so that I can do the workouts on the go! There is something pretty darn cool about doing these workouts all over the world, and sharing it with people! No gym, no worries, just workout!

Check out my run workout with my Dad below! =)

Today I did the X2 - PAP Upper Workout, and I also did a 2 mile run with my father around the neighborhood. He even did some sprints with me, he's 70 years young, and a friggin BEAST! I hope to still be killing my workouts when I am 70+ =). What an inspiration! So let's get into the workout! Are you ready? Well, let's get it on!

The WARM UP begins:
- Heel Walk
- Feet Smackers
- World's Greatest Stretch
- Inch Worm
- Fire Hydrant
- Scorpion
- Groiners
- Low Plank on Foam Roller

 World's Greatest Stretch

Scorpion (I always look funny doing this)

Groiners

 

 Low Plank on Foam Roller

The MAIN WORKOUT consists of 2 complexes, each complex has 4 rounds! All I can say is "pace yourself", this is a good one! FYI, this is one of the last workouts of the P90X2, so it is one of the hardest ones.

FIRST COMPLEX: (4 rounds)

- Renegade Row, in plank position lift dumbbell to chest level (each side) and push up in between. 10 reps.
- Plyo Push Ups, 6 plyo clap push ups fast
- Plank on Med Ball, 1 minute (if you don't have a med ball, just plank on an elevated surface.
- Superman with Weighted Bar, 1 minute, if you don't have a weighted bar, you can use a broom stick or even a rolled up towel.

Renegade Row

P90X2 - Plyo Push Up

Elevated Low Plank

P90X2 - Superman

Click here to make me your Free P90X Coach! 

SECOND COMPLEX: (4 rounds)

- Towel Pull Ups, these are tough, great for obstacle course race training because it helps you with your grip strength, which you need for those rope climbs =) (10x)
- Medicine Ball Pike, you do 10 of these fast! Don't have a med ball just do it without, it's still a good core exercise without a med ball.
- Step Up Hammer Press, do 5 with right leg up, then switch leg and do 5 more. The key is to use the same weight for all 4 rounds.
- Roller Angel, lay on your back on a foam roller and try to keep your back flat on the roller, elbow + hands as close to the ground as possible, movement is up and down. (I didn't have a photo of this, iPad malfunction lol)

Towel Pull Ups

 Pike Up without Med Ball

Step Up Hammer Press

COOL DOWN

This workout was definitely a BEAST. I first thought that it would be boring to do 4 rounds of each complex, but then I understood the reason behind it. It's about mastering the movements, and getting better with your strength and endurance, which is very important as an athlete. I've seen way too many people get bored with a workout, and move on to another exercise and get injured. You just really need to suck it up, and focus on getting better with each exercise, instead of trying to do too many movements. When you master certain exercises, you will get better overall, and will be able to tackle the next big thing. My piece of advice: don't worry about what everyone else is doing, focus on you and your goals! 

I also did a nice little 2 mile run around the neighborhood with my Dad. My father is 70 years young, and stays very active, which is very inspirational to me! Here are some pics from our run today. Working out with my father is very special to me, because he reminds me that "age is just a number". My father has participated in two Spartan Races so far, and placed 3rd AG at his last race in Tampa, FL. That's my Dad, so very proud of him! =)

Running Sprints with my Dad

Nice run around the neighborhood

My Dad has completed the following programs:

- 10 Minute Trainer 

- Beachbody Ultimate Reset
- Shakeology Challenge

He continues to be active with: T25, Insanity, and P90X. He also attends Pensacola Fit Club twice per week, and runs every week. I want to be just like him when I grow up! =)

My Dad says, "Age is just a number"

Good job Dad! =)

For more information on P90X2 - Click Here!

Take the P90X2 Challenge!

Crossfit versus P90X

Crossfit versus P90X are both fitness programs guaranteed to enable you achieve lean fat mass, and elite athletic performance after a rigorous training schedule is followed through. Crossfit can be viewed in two ways;

- As a sport
- As a training modality

In the event that you are undertaking the Crossfit fitness program as a sport, then it means that you may be an athlete who is training for a match or a Crossfit game and this requires you to acquire various sets of skills different from those of an individual who is just using Crossfit as a training modality.

What is Crossfit?

If at all you are taking Crossfit as a training modality, this then means that you are out to achieve your own individual goals health wise. This is in regards to those who need to decrease fat, pregnant women and those who basically want to break the monotony of their daily life. This means that those in this category are not necessarily training for any type of organized competition.

On the other hand, undertaking a P90X Challenge will enable you undertake a ninety day fitness program which is filled with various routines of both cardiovascular and aerobic training. You can also incorporate P90X into any fitness routine instead of following the 90 day workout schedule. One of the advantages the P90X fitness program has is that the method used in training is called muscle confusion which is geared towards confusing the muscles of the body by aggressively challenging them in a variety of ways. This is of course by using;

- Different weights
- Bands
- Calisthenics

The best thing with P90X is that it can also be used in the gym or park and this is so long as you follow the P90X worksheets or the P90X app. The P90X app for Iphone is great and every trainee or trainer should actually consider having it and this is because the interactive features make it fun and easy for one to stay focused and motivated throughout the program. With this app, you actually become accountable which enables you to push through your plateaus like never before! In addition to that, you are also able to conveniently track your reps and weights and also view your customized progress reports which you can share. How amazing is that!

The P90X worksheets are also great when you use them in the P90X fitness program and this is because you will be able to track your progress which is one of the most important aspects when it comes to fitness. Do consider employing it and you will be glad that you did!

The Science Behind P90X2

I am a fan of both Crossfit and P90X, but I prefer the functionality and simplicity of P90X. If you are training for the Crossfit Games, then I understand the purpose behind olympic lifting, but I don't need that for everyday life, and as an Obstacle Course Racing athlete, I don't feel it necessary. I've been to several Crossfit facilities, and the energy is on point, so I understand why people can get addicted. People need motivation, and the camaraderie is an exceptional bonus! I actually prefer Crossfit Endurance. 

Meet Singles into Fitness

With P90X, there are many ways to get motivated. To be honest, anyone who works out from the comfort of their own home with P90X is HARDCORE to me, because self-motivation is very hard to do, and most people need the support from others. Here are some ways to do P90X outside of your home:

- The gym, just use the P90X Workout Sheets (see below) or the P90X app
- Bring your equipment outside or to the park!
- Attend a Free Fit Club. Check out meetup.com for Free P90X Group Workouts
- Join my Online P90X Challenge Group with others who have similar goals
(Free Online One on One Workouts provided upon request)
- Join my Online Fit Club 

Crossfit versus P90X

Whether you prefer to use the Crossfit or P90X program, always listen to your body, pace yourself, and make sure that you are performing the exercises properly. And as usual, it is always recommended to consult your physician before starting any exercise program. Best wishes on your fitness journey! =)

For more information on P90X Programs - Click here! 

Get P90X Worksheets here:
- P90X
- P90X2
- P90X3

Choose your P90X Challenge:
- P90X Challenge
- P90X2 Challenge
- P90X3 Challenge
*Each Challenge Pack includes P90X Program, Free Trial Club Membership (with Meal Planner), Shakeology Superfoods Nutrition, and Free Coaching. You will also be added to an Online Challenge Group via facebook, and will have access to unlimited online one on one workouts!


P90X2 - The P90X geared towards Elite Athletes!