Health & Care Guide

Today I made a conscious decision to get out of my comfort zone and REALLY mix things up! Normally I train at an overcrowded, low-energy 24 hour fitness. It is just a gym to me and nothing special beyond that.

Instead of the usual cardio at 24 hour, I made the drive to Gold’s Gym Venice since I am fortunate to live within 45 minutes of the Mecca. What a difference from the moment you walk in that place. You can feel the energy of that gym. Its energy is almost tangible. So many legendary bodybuilders, athletes, actors/actresses and regular people alike workout here. They all want to experience something better.

This morning it was a cardio day. I found the only open treadmill in the back corner of the room behind a stairwell and spent a few minutes walking next to actor Ray Liotta. After warming up, I made my way to the elliptical machine and began my actual workout. This gave me a much better view of the room and a chance to take it all in. Ahead of me was famous bodybuilder Dennis James pumping away in a chest workout to the order of legendary trainer Charles Glass. Stone Cold Steve Austin went walking by soon after. What a trip! I thought to myself. I was not star struck, but appreciative of the unique opportunity to be in the presence of extraordinary people doing ordinary daily things. Football star and pro bowler Brendan Ayanbadejo walked in and we visited for a few minutes. We were friends from college and had not seen each other in five years. This trip was already a success. Walking out of the gym this morning, I see Tito Raymond training a client and Shawn Ray walk into the gym with Lonnie Teper. They were coming to film a preview for Ironman Magazine about the upcoming Arnold Classic in Ohio. I was pleased with the start of my day!

The point of the story is not to name drop all my celebrity sitings. It was to show that when we do things out of the “ordinary,” “unordinary” things start happening to us! More on this topic in a second…

I walked to the famous Firehouse grill after leaving Golds Gym. The diner is famous for its bodybuilder friendly menu and great food. I kept the diet clean with egg whites and oatmeal. Before returning to my truck for the next adventure of the day, I stopped off at Max Muscle, owned by Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler, to purchase meal replacements and ensure that I wouldn’t miss a single one of my six meals for the day.

Bound for Hollywood, I left Venice. I drove up Sunset Blvd and past Mel’s Diner, The Standard, Saddleranch and other famous locales. I continued on up into the foothills and arrived at the trail head for the world famous Hollywood sign. This is the most photographed and well known landmark in Hollywood. Why had I never been?

With a bottle of water and a camera, I set out on an hour long hike to get up close and personal with the sign. I’m not a hiker. Never been a hiker before. I am a hiker now! WOW did those hills feel awesome on my legs! The weather was incredible. The air was crisp, the sky blue, and the sun seemed to warm me from the inside out. I really felt happy being out there. I even took the opportunity to work on my tan. How many places on earth can you have your shirt off in February and be warm?

After a combination of hiking and jogging, I was as close to the sign as legally possible. I snapped a few pictures of myself standing proudly with the sign in the background before turning back. Talk about tough, I found out that trail running is no joke. I jogged all the way back to the bottom and my legs are sore now! This was certainly not a treadmill.

An important lesson came to me today. I once learned in a seminar that the habits that enabled the speaker to become a multi-millionaire worldwide, are the same habits that prevented him from being a billionaire. Do not overlook this. This man has tremendous “financial” success, and he admits that he is in his own way. The actions and behaviors that brought him such tremendous financial gain are preventing him from achieving the next level in life. What a re-frame!

I was never interested in hiking in the past. If the difference between being Joe fitness and Average Joe was one hike per month, I never would have realized it. Ask yourself how you can shake up every aspect of your life and force yourself out of your own way. When you do so, you will discover unlimited opportunity.

Respected businessman and billionaire Bill Gates struggles with creativity at times like any other human. He once drove a different route home from work each day for an entire year and never repeated himself. New neural pathways literally formed in his brain from the forced behavior and lead to massive changes in his personal and professional life.

For you this could mean, trying new foods, spices or a different running route. Maybe a new gym or new workout partner. Perhaps not eating the same thing twice in a week/month etc… to force yourself to really develop a long list of foods and meals that you enjoy. What a great way to help guarantee long-term fitness success and ultimately transformation!

As the saying goes, a mind once expanded can never contract to its original size. The behaviors that got us where we are today are likely holding us back from what we really want. Successful entrepreneur and mega millionaire, Bill Phillips, spoke of his vision 10 years ago in Body of Work, when he explained how he materialized his dream of owning a red Lamborghini. At that point in time, Bill defined exactly what he wanted and went about changing his actions and behaviors in order to get the car and attain “success.” He has since far surpassed the red sports.

Everything begins in thought, for every single one of you. If you want a better body, more health, a partner in life, younger looks, you must define exactly what it is. With the information and strategies shared here, doesn’t the process seem all the more practical when you do things differently?

I wish you a life of abundance! Have an AWESOME DAY!

Dr. Shaun Stuto is a Missoula Chiropractor| Chiropractors Missoula MT and the founder of Transormation Chiropractic in Missoula, MT. Call TODAY and Schedule an appointment (406) 728-1250

Filed under: Wellness