There’s not a week that goes by without at least one total ‘stranger’ stopping me out of the blue and asking me… “Can I ask you what your secret is for keeping yourself in such great shape?”
Now you have to realize – I’m not exactly an “imposing figure”…
But in the last 2 weeks – this has happened literally almost every day. Everywhere I go… Publix, Target, Whole Foods, the bank, the beach…
So – I took that as a sign to write about ‘my secret’…
Now, the beach is a no-brainer because I’m just wearing swim-shorts – so it’s easy to see my whole physique (almost). I’m usually with my kids – and sometimes their friends…
It’s sometimes tricky for people to figure out “who I am”.
Am I the babysitter? …the older brother?
When they realize I’m their Dad – then they get really surprised. Because, truth is – most dads have a wickedly rounded beer gut flopping out over their swim-shorts – at the center of an un-toned, rapidly aging body. And it’s an extreme rarity to see a dad of 3, with washboard abs, 9% body-fat and a well-balanced, aesthetically pleasing physique.
It’s important to note here – this is not all about the superficial aspects. Because my ‘secret’ lies in the non-superficial elements of keeping myself in-shape – in mind, body and spirit.
But even when ‘fully clothed’ – people can still see that ‘I’m fit.’ It just shows… But they can also sense I’m not in my early 20’s. Maybe it’s the several white hairs in my goat-T which hint I’m more in the ‘middle-age’ zone, from a chronological perspective.
Physiologically – I’m not even close to 40 years old. At my last physical, my doctor joked… “I’ll see you back here, for your next check-up, in ten years, Joey.”
Now before I reveal my secret – let me just list a few neat things about being healthy & fit as a single, ‘middle-aged’, dad:
1 – It should make finding my “wife-for-life” a bit easier. Let’s face it – most women would rather not be with an out of shape and unhealthy mate. Simple.
2 – My kids think it’s cool to see how other people check out their dad – and ask “how I do it”, etc..
3 – I’m a role model for my kids; as they see what I do and participate in some of my workouts too. They also learn how to eat by direct experience on the weekends/days they are with me.
4 – I’m rarely sick and I look forward to waking up every day to experience all that life sends my way.
5 – I’m a role model and an inspiration for other middle-age parents. They realize, especially after speaking with me, “they can do it too.”
I can add more to this list – and maybe you can too (feel free to do so in the comments section below)…
But now – it’s time to share my ‘secret’… This is how “I do it…”
‘A’ is the MOST important and it sets the stage for EVERYTHING else…
A – Being fit and in-shape is part of my values. I’ve been horribly out of shape/unhealthy in the past – and that way of life is not for me. Since it’s part of my values – it all goes deeper than the superficial aspects of simply “having a great body” – IT ALSO TOUCHES THE MIND AND THE SPIRIT. It enhances this multi-dimensional ‘connection’.
B – Exercise and eating right (most of the time) are not options – they are actions/habits in line with who “I am.” I want a high quality of life. I want to lead by example. I want to ‘Live to the Max’.
C – I enjoy my workouts and the foods/meals I eat. I don’t have to force myself to do anything. I crave it all. I look forward to it all. (If you are not enjoying your workouts and the foods you eat – you may need to re-evaluate it all – SO YOU ARE DOING THINGS YOU ENJOY WHICH WORK IN YOUR FAVOR)
D – My workouts are 90% body-weight training. This allows me to workout literally ANYWHERE. Some of my best workouts when I travel are done on a playground. (the other 10% involves, bands, dumbbells, medicine ball). I am free from the confines of “the gym” – although I can walk into any sweat shop and get busy with the best of them – BUT, by doing it my way.
At this point I’m realizing there is plenty more for me to share about this – so, I’ll surely be expanding on some of these points in future posts. But, for now – please feel free to share your thoughts, comments or questions below… I’d love to hear from you…
I hope you’re having a great week – and you are ‘Living to the Max’ – or at least making efforts in that direction. To help you along, I’ve been writing some pertinent pieces of info…
Here’s a summary of articles, blog posts and information you may have missed during the past week or so… All in one place for your reading convenience
1 – Atlas Home Gym: I’ve created a special new site for the ‘HG’ version of the Atlas Unit. There are already some great articles and videos on the site. But I will be adding MANY more to grow the site into a ‘home gym powerhouse’. I think you’ll really like this =>> Home Gym Blog
2 – Yoga Exposed: Are There Really Any Benefits of Yoga? <= this is an article I just posted on the ULBHTM Blog click to visit => Are There Really Any Benefits of Yoga?
3 – Back-Pain Article and Free Back-Pain CDs <= this is an article I recently posted on the Optimum Flexibility Blog click to visit => Back-Pain Article and Free Back-Pain CDs
4 – Co-Ed Total-Body FUSION Fitness DVDs: I should have the masters in my hand any day now, and once reviewed, I ship them out west to my fulfillment partners in Utah. I’m putting together an incredible bonus package to go with this dvd set. I promise it will knock your socks off. On a side note – Kristy and I will be marketing these dvd sets separately as we both have slightly different audiences, she will be creating a bonus package more suited to her audience.
5 – Half-Day Coaching/Training Sessions in New York and Connecticut: I’ll be ’sneaking’ into the lower New York and Connecticut area for the second half of July. If you are in that region and are interested in a Half-Day Coaching/Training Session. Click on the ‘CONTACT’ page and send me an email.
Thanks for stopping by here today. I appreciate you taking the time to read what I write for you…
Please feel free to share today’s post with anyone you know who can benefit from any of the helpful info I’ve shared with you.
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Meet # 1 Jacksonville Personal Trainer, Joey Atlas
3 years ago I officially retired from personal training in the Jacksonville, Florida area. I was so busy training clients – I had no life, no time for myself or my family. My waiting list of clients was getting longer and longer every week. And I was working from sun-up to sundown.
“I was blessed to have so many incredible clients – but it was killing me. I simply got burnt out…” — Joey Atlas
I needed to step away for a while to find balance. And then take time to think about my return to personal training – not only in the Jacksonville area – but around the world on special short-term assignments (training celebrities for movie roles, training athletes for sport specific purposes [golf, tennis, etc], coaching for whole families, consulting for companies, etc…)
Well, the time has come for me to “get busy” with one-on-one and group personal training again…
In the last 4 years I’ve developed a complete, worldwide presence on the internet with my home, office and travel fitness dvds, and online fitness programs selling in every country around the world, wrote my first book, Fatness to Fitness, which hit # 1 on Amazon.com on release day, and have been hired as an ‘undercover fitness mind’ by several companies looking to improve what they do (just Google “Joey Atlas” for more info, if you are new to me).
And now, most of my time is spent consulting on special projects – But I’ve managed to adjust my schedule to start taking on a few clients each week. I already had a waiting list ready to go – and a few people have already started training with me…
I’m ready now – Are you?
I am now going public with this information as it is only fair to everyone who has inquired over the last few years. I did promise to let everyone know when I’m ready to get back into it.
I’m excited about this but a the same time I know up-front that I won’t be able to take on all clients who wish to train with me – So, this will be a ‘first come – first served’ scenario – and I will add you to the waiting list if I can’t fit you into my schedule immediately.
If you are seriously interested in getting yourself into great shape – with a sane and balanced approach to realistic fitness for today’s busy lifestyle – then click here => Contact Your Personal Trainer, Joey Atlas …or you can call me @ 904-419-7720 – Leave a message if I don’t answer, and I’ll get back to you when I catch a break. Please don’t call just to ‘chat’ or to ask for free fitness advice over the phone. I just don’t have time for any of that.
Please copy these questions (and your answers) into the contact page if you choose to email me.
1 – What are your top 2 goals?
2 – Why do you believe I am the right trainer for you?
3 – Where do you want to train? (home, office, etc…)
4 – What part of Jacksonville, Florida do you live in? (Keep in mind I also travel worldwide on special assignments if you are interested in this.)
5 – When is the best time to fit your training sessions into your daily schedule?
6 – Do you want to do this alone or do you have others who are also interested?
It’s no secret – the majority of people struggle with excess body-fat issues… More specifically, the ongoing challenge of losing weight – and keeping it off for good…
For most – it seems like a life-long battle that never ends…
If I had to categorize all the emails and blog comments I get – The number one request is for help on losing weight – and keeping the excess, unwanted body-fat off forever… all in a busy, modern lifestyle…
So, about a year ago – I started outlining my method for strictly helping people achieve real fat-loss – and keeping it off, for life…
Most people will be surprised to know that this method and approach requires very, very little amounts exercise – some experts would even say “it’s not enough exercise…”
And that’s one of the key points in this unconventional approach…
It’s not about constant workouts and an ‘obsessive’ fitness lifestyle – No, it’s much more subtle than that – as we are strictly focusing on simple, direct and real body-fat reduction – and NOT a full blown fitness regime better suited for single, 22 year-olds……
Modern life for the average person, people like you and I, is far too busy to stick to a rigid program that requires too much time at the gym – Or too much focus on meal spacing, food timing, managing of micro-nutrients/macro-nutrients, and all the other offers of unrealistic weight-loss methods…
What I’ll be sharing with you in the near future – will surely be considered controversial by many…
However, I would be more willing to simply call it ‘unconventional’ – as it certainly does go against the grain of all the stuff we see and hear in the mainstream media…
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As I wrap up the finishing touches on this – Before I send a free-copy to you – I would like to hear from you, below, about some things are are very important to your success – both in the short term – and the long term…
What are your biggest questions about fat-loss and weight-reduction?
What burning questions do you have about food in your regular daily schedule, eating when on vacation, reaching your goals in a busy life, keeping it going when traveling for vacation, being on road for business, family obligations, etc…
Whatever issues you’ve had in the past – Whatever confuses you – or frustrates you – Tell me below in the comment form…
Pose your most pressing questions – because, in addition to what I’ll be sending you – I also want to address the exact things that have blocked you from reaching your desired potential, show you why that has happened – and then give you the solution that conquers all of that…
Last week I mentioned I’d be sending out this next issue of ‘LIVE to the MAX’ to highlight some things that are going on in my life – that, undoubtedly have, are or will be going on in yours – If not with you directly – surely with someone you know…
Let’s take this one subject at a time:
DIVORCE:
Many of you already know I’ve already been divorced once. Well, I’m in the midst of divorce # 2 right now. It’s an “amicable” one – But even amicable divorces are loaded with their own challenges, especially when a child or children are involved.
That being said – I have MUCH to be grateful for – in going through these 2 episodes of my life. I have grown in ways that ONLY these 2 marriages could have helped me grow.
I have learned things about myself – and other people – that I could have ONLY learned by going through these 2 marriages that I speak of…
The person I have become – the person I have grown into – could only have grown as such – by going through specific experiences designed to properly prepare me for the rest of my life. And for all of this, I am thankful.
A diamond becomes a diamond after certain elements are combined and then exposed to incredibly extreme levels of pressure and forces…
We can choose to apply this example as a metaphor to our own lives.
I’m not a diamond yet – but I’m so much closer now. And the future looks undeniably bright – as I strive to make the most out of my life – and ‘live to the max’.
CAREER:
This is an area of life where countless people never get a chance (or take a chance) to ‘live to the max’…
Last week, during an evening fit-walk, I was on the phone with my brother, Dom, for about 90 minutes.
Dom, Marisa, Joey
He’s 3 years younger than me – but we’ve always been close in many ways. We have many similarities – but also some clear differences. Our mother wonders sometimes if we are both hers!! (we also have a sister too, Marisa – I’ll cover her in the future
Dom looks up to me in many ways …says he “wishes he could be as reckless as me…” (JUST KIDDING)… But I also look up to him in certain regards. For example, he epitomizes the definition of a “good daddy” – and while I’m pretty good myself – He makes me want to be even better. That’s just one example…
He’s also VERY funny – But I am at least neck and neck with him there.
For example – in this photo – If you could see the whole thing – before I cropped it, you’d get the full effect…
One of our Police friends stopped by. Dom went inside to grab some fake teeth and a hat. He then had the cuffs put on him – and jumped into the back seat, stuck his cuffed hands out the window and… Boom – Instant Kodak moment – Classic! I laugh every time I look at that photo.
Dom In Police Car
Anyway – Dom has always been the ‘conservative’ type – While I’ve always been the ‘risk taker’ – especially when it comes to career…
He is essentially in the same field as me – Health/Fitness/Nutrition – But in a slightly different capacity. Most of his time has been spent in a physical rehabilitation setting, working with pre and post surgery patients – as well as work related injury rehab cases.
It has been a steady and “safe” job for him – for many years – and to him it was ‘comfortable’…
I must mention – there have been events and forces in his life – which made that job even more “safe and comfortable”…
In addition to that – he also has a steady and loyal following of private clients he sees several times a week for personal fitness training appointments.
He is VERY good at what he does – and carries a very similar style and philosophy to mine (smart guy!)…
But in addition to that – He also has a VERY special gift for creating very appetizing, healthy, yet simple meals that fit the busy fitness lifestyle – Meals and snacks that you, and many people you know, would GREATLY appreciate and welcome into your life.
Anyhow – Our phone conversation revolved around the subject of imminent regulatory changes in the field of physical rehab medicine and therefore at the rehab office where he works – and hence the uncertainty of his position at the clinic.
Dom is married to my sister in law, Liz – and they have a daughter, Sophia, my lovely niece…
He is responsible for a lot.
This uncertainty of his position is causing a certain level of anxiety and uncertainty… and I’m trying to show him this is his time where “the elements are being exposed to forces and pressures that can turn them into the diamond…”
Truth be told – he doesn’t belong there – He has many talents to offer this world – Talents that other people pay dearly for to develop…
We also talked about:
1 – What is the subtle message the Universe is sending you right now? What signal is it sending you?
2 – Fear is only something in your mind that you imagine. Fear is not tangible – you create it in your own head. We fear uncertainty – or ‘what if’?… When you think about the worst case scenario in most modern day situations – you realize you truly don’t have much to fear anyway.
3 – In 30 or 40 years, if you look back at your life to this current time – Would you be happy with your actions in life? – Would you feel you truly tried to make the most of it by going after your true passions and motivations? Or would you regret just ‘playing it safe’ – and possibly resent the fact that you don’t know “what could have been if I…” ?
This chapter of his life is still open – its currently being written as we speak – And I’m trying to fuel his motivation to be the one holding the pen – who writes most of it – if not, all of it…
He has some special talents – he has some valued skills… He just needs to decide which ones he wants to pursue – and then, hop to it…
He knows I’m here to support and help him.
And I think if you are still reading this – you would gladly support him too. All I ask is that you show him some encouragement, by posting your comments and thoughts below – the more the better…
He knows this world holds much possibility when you decide to put yourself out there – now he just needs to ‘feel’ it a bit…
He and I may work on a project together that addresses healthy yet, simple and tasty meals and snacks for busy people, that fit into the fitness lifestyle – Or he may do it on his own – Either way, it will be incredible.
Dom & Joey Cooking It Up Healthy
I didn’t think this post would turn out to be this long… amazing what comes out when you start writing…
I thank you for being here – and for being a part of all this.
which hint I’m more in the ‘middle-age’ zone, from a chronological perspective.
