Fence Sitters Beware!

You've purused the website.  Read the emails.  Re-read the testimonials.  You've even hovered your computers cursor over the "Join BTWG Now" button, yet... there you are.  Still sitting on the fence.  Hey, it's cool.  I'm not judging you.  In fact, I get it.  I understand.  I've done my share of fence sitting as well.

When confronted with opportunities for life change, no matter how positive the change may be, fear arises and we can become paralyzed and cling to the fence for dear life.  There becomes an internal struggle between the comfort of what we know (even if we aren't healthful or happy where we are sitting) and the fear of the unknown terrain that lies ahead.  It's a scary place to be.

I learned a lot about fear and fence sitting when I was in the Coast Guard.  Once I took the oath and went off to basic training and then to my unit, sitting on the fence was no longer an option.  When the call came, you didn't think, "hmmmm... it's pretty nasty out there... do I wanna go, or do I wanna stay here?"  Nope, you just jumped up and went.  Staying in the comfort of the station was no longer an option.  There is a saying in the CG, "You have to go out.  You don't have to come back."  That sort of reality teaches you a lot about how to control fear.

This may be an extreme example, yet the point is that in certain situations we don't have the option of sitting on the fence.  Yet, for most of us, when it comes to our health, fitness, and well-being, we can sit on the fence.  All.  Damn.  Day.  We can sit there and pine for a future wellness or happiness we KNOW exists once we are off the fence.  That is, until just like Newton's Laws state, we are acted on by an outside force.  Ironically, while it is fear that keeps us on the fence, it can also be fear that pushes us off the fence.  This can come in many forms, such as when the doctor gives you the news that you are obese, or pre-diabetic or hypertensive and if you don't change your lifestyle you will be taking a dirt nap waaaaay too young in life.  Fear can be a powerful motivator for change.  Yet, it's a poor form of motivation, it's a heavy energy, and it isn't sustainable.

"Fear and faith have one thing in common.  Both require believing in something you cannot see."

While fear isn't an ideal form of motivation, at times it can be the catalyst for a positive change.  It's about learning to embrace your fear, accept your fear, integrate your fear, and then move forward regardless of the fear.  To have faith in the unknown more than you have faith in your fear.

There are other forms of motivation, such as reason and logic.  And this may be you.  You look at joining BTWG from a logical perspective.  You are thinking through all the scenarios.  You are questioning if you need the guidance and support offered with BTWG.  You are thinking if you should invest this kind of money into your health, fitness, and well-being.  You are looking at this from EVERY possible angle. And I would agree that in most life decisions we should use a measure of reason and logic.  Yet, therein also lies a danger.  We are all familiar with the saying, "Paralysis of analysis."  Where we can become stuck on the fence BECAUSE of our thinking mind.  It can become a trap, if we let it.  Again, it's about viewing your options and considering various aspects of the program and what the future may or may not hold.  Yet, establishing a point in which you make a decision.  You decide if you are going to continue living the way you have been, or if you are going to get off the fence.

When it comes to some things in life, there are no certainties.  There is no certainty that you will have what it takes to flourish in BTWG.  There is no certainty that embracing a healthful lifestyle automatically promises you will live well into old age.  However, in some things, it's also a no brainer as to what the appropriate choice is - if you aren't happy, healthy and content right where you are, and there is an opportunity before you that shows greater promise to manifest that into your life, you jump.

There is another force that can motivate us for change.  A force that is even more powerful, sustainable and renewable.  Yet, for many, it's also the most misunderstood and frightening of all.

Love...

Love is the highest and most pure form of motivation.  Love is the highest vibration and energy.  When our motivation is sourced in love, we can act in alignment with our Highest Self.  We are in alignment with our soul.  We are acting in accordance with universal law and truth.  That's pretty lofty, right?  Yet, when it comes to getting us off the fence in any facet of life, love is the best fuel for change.

When we received the call to go out for a rescue and the weather was sketchy... as in, while we are going out of the safety of the cove, everyone else is coming in kind of sketchy... it wasn't out of fear that we went.  It was out of duty.  It was our "job".  And, on some level, it was out of selfless service to humanity.  It was out of love - to risk our safety for the safety of another.

Ultimately, getting off the fence and joining BTWG and transforming your life is very much the same.  Taking control of your health, fitness, and well-being IS your duty.  Being at your best in order to better serve those around you IS your selfless service to humanity.  To confront your fear for the well-being of another is the ultimate expression of love.  Getting off the fence is the next step you take in your journey.

I never pressure anyone into change.  I never push and I never pull.  I encourage.  I support.  And I guide.  That's it.  I hope that the insights I've shared here motivate and encourage you to jump.  Today.  And join us for the Winter 2017 round of BTWG.  You have until midnight THIS Sunday to register.  So, here's that button again.  Are you gonna stare at it some more?  Hover your cursor over it?  Or, are you going to embrace your fear, wrap it up in love and jump off that fence?

D-Day is Here!

Today is Day 1 of the Spring 2015 BTWG program.  The initial fitness testing was completed on Saturday and it was really great to meet the New Recruits and to reconnect with some of our veteran BTWG'ers who are returning for another round. 

I have several new things kicking off with this group and I know it's only going to make BTWG even better than before.

• Expanded coaching staff.  This year I have Coach Lori and Coach K-Dub (Kelly) sharing the coaching duties.  Both have been with me for several years and coach at our gym and both have completed BTWG.  So, I know their Recruits will be in good hands.  I will oversee all their training and correspondence with their team, so in many respects their teams will have more eyes on them than those working directly with me.  A BOGO deal if you will :) 
• Christ-centered option.  We are offering for the first time in BTWG a Christ-centered option for those who are Christians, those who are spiritually seeking, or those who might be interested in learning how to integrate their spiritual life with their health and wellness.  While this has always been a part of BTWG, this time we will be offering specific tools to help in an even bigger way.  I have wanted to make this happen for many years and K-Dub is helping me make it a reality.  Something not many people know is that for the past 18 months I have been taking classes online through Northwest Nazarene University working towards my ordination as a minister so this is something I am certainly passionate about and feel called to do.  Many years ago I learned how to use spirituality as a vehicle for transformation and for deepening my relationship to my Creator.  For me, my faith and my fitness/wellness are inseparable.  But this didn't happen by accident.  It was through conscious effort, practice, and intention that I learned how to live a wholistic life of body, mind and spirit.  I couldn't be more excited and inspired to offer this to those who are interested.
• Slooooowing Down.  In years past the New Recruits would get a ton of material upfront, including their BTWG Training Manual, workouts, nutrition plan and homework all in the first week.  While there is merit in this "shock and awe" approach :)  ultimately, the coaching team opted to give things a fresh approach this round.  So, I will slowly be leaking the information out to the Recruits as it's needed and taking things a great deal slower this round.  The intention is to emphasize the mental/emotional/spiritual aspects right out of the gate.  Plus, we have twelve weeks, so there is NO rush.

Stay tuned for more updates and be sure to "like" us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/bridgingthewellnessgap

Follow us on Twitter:  @btwg

Or, check out our Instagram page:  bridgingthewellnessgap

Peace,
Chris

Spring 2015.. It's On!

After a two year hiatus, BTWG returns for the Spring 2015 round.  This group has 15 "New Recruits".  There are several first timers and even a couple BTWG "Veterans" returning for a tune up.  I couldn't be more excited to get back to coaching this programming and imparting to others what has been taught to me and what I have learned through my own direct personal experiences. 

The "Welcome Aboard" emails have been sent and I've already heard back from a few of the New Recruits.  Our Initial Fitness Testing is on Saturday and ONE WEEK from TODAY we officially kick off our 12-week journey. 

Stay tuned for more news and updates!

In Strength (and Stillness),
Chris

BTWG at CCS&C

Now that is a lot of initials!  Check out some action shots from Sunday's MovNat inspired workout with some of the BTWG New Recruits.  If you are in the current BTWG class you have access to 3 free classes a week at Circle City Strength and Conditioning:

• Tuesday Yoga 9:30 - 10:30am
• Thursday Yoga 6:45 - 7:45pm
• Sunday workout with Lori 12:00 - 1:00pm.  This is a great opportunity to learn how to perform your assigned workouts properly as you can ask Lori questions.  She will be there to put you through a unique workout each week and help you mix things up to keep it fun, interesting and effective.  Case in point, check this out...

 Brandy working on Ring Rows...

 

 Georgia navigating the "Stone Hops"

 Audrey and Brandy MovNatting at CCS&C 

BTWG is Underway

The Winter 2013 class of BTWG is officially underway as of this past Monday.  22 "New Recruits" have been selected for this class.  The initial testing is wrapped up, the Orientation session is complete and the Recruits are on their 5th day of the program. 

As the founder of the BTWG program, this is always an exciting time for me as I have the opportunity to share what I've learned and experienced over the past 20 years as a wellness coach and I have the chance to help people make a positive change in their health, fitness, and well-being.

Please stop by the BTWG main blog on a regular basis to see what's happening during this exciting time of BTWG.  Also, be sure to check out the blogs hosted by the Students, Mentor's and Coaches in Training, all of which are listed on the right side of this blog.

A note to all the Recruits:
Remember, while you have been provided specific workouts you can follow, this program is about YOUR practice and YOUR life.  So, if you have other modalities of being active, you are welcome to employ those activities in place of what you have been provided.  Just be sure to communicate with me and keep me posted in your weekly update and I can help guide you to what is appropriate with your goals and your vision. 

Also, remember that if you need more personal guidance and assistance, you can attend the free workouts at Circle City Strength & Conditioning which are:

• Tuesday Yoga from 9:30 - 10:30am
• Thursday Yoga from 6:45 - 7:45pm
• Sunday workout for BTWG'ers only from 12:00 - 1:00pm

BTWG Student, Becky, during a 1 on 1 session with

Coach Chris.  Sandbag Squats.  Just another example

of mixing it up with your training.  Nice form, Becky!

What Was Taco Bell Thinking?

Oh, wait.  That's right... Taco Bell wasn't thinking when they ran an ad which they quickly pulled after enough grumbling from the public.  What's the beef all about?  The commercial starts with, "Bringing veggies on game day is like punting on 4th and 1.  It's a cop-out; and secretly, people kinda hate you for it."  Really, Taco Bell?  Here is the ad which can still be found floating around the internet, thank you YouTube.  

I get it. Most people would rather throw down on some fast food tacos than raw veggies.  Taking a quick look into the current state of health and obesity in the US drives that point home faster than Taco Bell can whip up a batch of their pre-packaged taco mystery meat.  And, I get it that places like Taco Bell count on us spending our food dollars with them rather than on veggies - though calling anything served at Taco Bell "food" is a stretch in the use of the word "food".  Yet, promoting that bringing veggies to game day is lame AND that people will think you are a big d-bag is pretty over the top and inexcusable. 

Of course to drive the point home, the dude in the commercial brings over a bunch of limp, way-past-the-expiration-date-sad vegetables rather than something that resembles.... say... this!

Go ahead.  Hate me for bringing this.  I dare ya!

 

I have an idea, Taco Bell.  How about you sell your "food" in a manner that displays what you are really serving up.  Let the hero in your commercial show up with a big bag full of this and see how much love he gets...

 Click to enlarge.  Sounds delish, right?

As always, my point isn't about being controversial.  Being controversial about food is pretty easy and there are already way too many talking heads and bloggers out there to get people worked up.  My vision is about helping others to wake up to what is in our food supply and to know what this stuff does to our bloodstream, to our mind, and to our spirit.  My point is about giving you the opportunity to make an informed decision - you are free to select Taco Bell all you want, but you should at least know what's going into your pie hole when you make that choice.  My point is about waking people up to the marketing and propaganda which has an direct impact on how we behave, the choices we make, how we spend our money and how we nourish ourselves.  Example: In 2010, the fast food industry spent over $4 billion on marketing.  Ya think that might distort the perception and actions of more than a few Americans?

I'll leave you with this "food for thought":

"The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. ...We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of. This is a logical result of the way in which our democratic society is organized. Vast numbers of human beings must cooperate in this manner if they are to live together as a smoothly functioning society. ...In almost every act of our daily lives, whether in the sphere of politics or business, in our social conduct or our ethical thinking, we are dominated by the relatively small number of persons... who understand the mental processes and social patterns of the masses.  It is they who pull the wires which control the public mind."

Edward Bernays, the father of public relations and marketing.  1928, in his book "Propaganda".  Use your google-fu skills to learn more about this cat and then tell me you are above the control of marketing and advertising!    

Free your mind.

Know what's in your food. 

Vote with your dollars.

Be an activist for your bloodstream.

We Don't Get Fooled Again...

All calories are not created equal when it comes to your waist line and your wellness.  Zero calorie drinks can still contain toxins, sketchy artificial ingredients, and all sorts of chemicals.  Not to mention the addictive qualities of many soft drinks and "fake" juices.  Artificial sweeteners also trigger insulin secretion which promotes fat storage, stresses the pancreas, and trigger the brain into craving more sweet foods and beverages, i.e. the "vicious cycle" that many struggle with.  The ONLY Coca-Cola product you should even think about drinking on a regular basis is MAYBE Dasani water.  Is that to say you should never drink a Coke or Diet Coke again?  Of course not!  An occasional can of poison won't kill you, just don't make it a regular part of your diet and keep it to an absolute minimum.  If and when it feels right for you to eliminate it all together, do so.  Your bloodstream thanks you.  Just don't be fooled by the marketing and ads. 

Perhaps this video would be more appropriate: