When Life “Challenges” You – How Do You Respond?

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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.

Your trainer for life – your trainer forever,

Joey Atlas

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