I just came back from the Idea Personal Training Conference. 1,000 passionate fitness professionals all learning and connecting! Man, I’m fired up. I was so impressed with the event that I signed the whole team up for next year. I know that one of the keys for us to make the greatest impact with our members is to pursue growth and learning. This never ends.
On Saturday night I had the pleasure of having dinner with my friend and colleague Andrew Simpson and his staff. Andrew runs a sports performance facility in Maryland. I was so impressed with Andrew’s team. They are on a mission together to create something great and it was awesome to see.
One of the young coaches on Andrew’s team is a guy named Travis. Travis is just 23 years old. I can’t remember how the topic came up (I was probably bragging 🙂 ) but Travis found out that I was a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu black belt. Travis was impressed and mentioned that he wishes he’d started BJJ.
Here are a couple of things Travis might not have realized.
First, I was only a couple of years younger than him when I started. We never think it’s a good time to start something. There will never be a perfect time. While we’re waiting for the perfect time, our lives are passing us by. Start that weekly date night with your significant other now. Begin the exercise program. Start saving some money, even if it’s very little to start. The momentum that you will build will put you so far ahead.
The other thing that I neglected to mention to Travis was that early on in my Jiu-jitsu career I almost quit. I was getting overwhelmed with all there was to learn. I had a lot going on in my life and I was mostly getting in my own way. Something told me to keep going and I haven’t looked back since. It’s turned out to me one of the most fulfilling parts of my life. The lesson is to keep going.
I’m using jiu-jitsu in my example but it goes for anything. Many people start on things. How many people make New Year’s resolutions? They can keep at it for days, weeks, or even months. But how many stick it out for the long haul? If there is any secret, this is it. Keep going. Once you stop, you have to exert so much energy just to get started again. Once that ball is rolling, keep it moving. I’m looking forward to the day when Travis joins the black club!