Enlightened Athlete's Guide to Meditation [PODCAST]

Today's Episode is about one of my favorite activities. Meditation. There's a lot of preconceptions surrounding this practice and some people are too unsure how to begin. My hope with this podcast episode is to introduce you to the practice of meditation by bringing it to the light and demystifying this SUPER beneficial activity of self care.

Topics covered:
-What meditation actually is. (In my experience)
-Different methods, variations, and practices
-Results from scientific research of physical, cognitive, and emotional improvements from regular meditation
-Apps, teachers, books, youtube videos, audio programs, and practices to help get you started
-All about our 21 day challenge and how you can join in at home!

Apps referred to:-Calm, Headspace, Insight Timer, Oak meditation App

Planner I'm using to track experience: The Madness Planner

Jon Kabat-Zinn MBSR Program: The program I started with

Cory Allen- Binaural Beats

Dr. Joe Dispenza Interview on Impact Theory- How to Unlock the Full Potential of Your Mind

Indifference Has No Place Here

Indifference has no place here. I have no time for indifference in my life anymore. There is no utility in it.

I have been indifferent in prior years and still on some occasions, I truly do not have much of an invested opinion. There is a warning that must accompany indifference in any situation. If you become too familiar with it, your ability to decisively make decisions weakens.

Think of it as a muscle. You stop using that muscle, it inevitably finds itself in an unconditioned state. Practicing indifference develops the habit of indifference. The habit of indifference leads to a lack of clearly defined goals, inability to make decision when the time is necessary, and ultimately leaves you in a state of perpetual paralysis. Carrying on not caring about anything.

If it’s not clear, this should be avoided. I think we should possess the ability to make decisions, to know what it is exactly that you want, and what you need to do to get that. Do not fear the feelings or thoughts of others when you become decisive. It will make those who wander with indifference uncomfortable. Making a strong decision can be frowned upon or looked at as unbalanced.

To not know what it is you’re working towards and having passion for nothing is what seems unbalanced to me.

“To not know what it is you’re working towards and having passion for nothing is what seems unbalanced to me.”

Practice making decisions, simple ones at first. Offer solutions instead of suggestions. Decide where you and your spouse will eat, make the call on where you and your friends are going out to. Decide what time you want to meet with someone. Do not allow indifference to let decisions happen to you. Make decisions often and swiftly.

I try not to be rigid with the result of the process, if my decision is not the ultimate outcome, so be it. The point in practicing this is not to get your way 100% of the time but to become better at offering solutions and making decisions.

You will be better at making the big decisions in your life or your business when the time comes if you have a lot of practice with the little ones.

Indifference has no place here.

Tomorrow Becomes Never: You Need Most, That Which You Most Fear.

What story are you telling yourself that's rationalizing putting your “thing” off?

This post may seem like it's not for you. I'd be willing to bet though, there is something that you're holding off from doing because of fear.

Read this whole thing!

My goal is to push the human potential further along. To help even one person find their "THING".  My vehicle to facilitate this for humanity is health and fitness. It’s one of the best ways to make yourself feel stronger, have more energy, and be less depressed.

You know the thing I'm talking about. The thing that you've always wanted to do. That business you've always wanted to start. That trip you've always wanted to take. That sport or martial art you've always wanted to try. Maybe it's asking that special someone on a date.

Possibly, that week-long trip to the Amazonian jungle to drink Ayahuasca. Ok, the last one may just be me but, you know your "thing".

It's what you've been putting off due to any number of reasons. Maybe you're worried that it won't work out the way you planned. Maybe you're worried what others will say if you start. Maybe starting this new adventure will cause you to lose old friends or break away from toxic relationships. 

I constantly feel fear. I’m pushing myself to achieve more and do more. I’m doing things I’m not certain will work out. It’s all scary as hell. I’ve let fear stop me before and I won’t let it ever again.

The truth is, fear is a liar. It is merely a projection of potential reality that hasn't even happened. You will feel the most resistance to the calling that your soul most needs.

That thing you're afraid of most. The thing that scares the living shit out of you.

THAT'S YOUR THING!!!!

“Like a magnetized needle floating on a surface of oil, Resistance will unfailingly point to true North.”

— Steven Pressfield, "The War of Art"

That's what you need to immediately create a plan for and start executing. Whatever scares you the most is probably the thing you need most to do for your souls’ evolution. Put a plan in place that will get you closer to your goal immediately and begin taking action now!

It scares you because you care about it. Stop holding yourself back and putting it off because, "now is not the right time". All the stoplights in life will never align perfectly with all green lights for you to move forward. Success is cooked up in a dirty kitchen.

Tomorrow becomes NEVER.

Your dreams will go with you to your grave if you keep waiting. 

Guess what? Nobody knows what will happen. I can't guarantee you success or riches. I can guarantee you will grow as a person and learn VERY valuable lessons if you take that leap.

If you're one of the lucky people who had the support, encouragement, and courage to make that leap, congratulations! You're now on the journey of true self exploration and expansion.

“Tomorrow becomes NEVER.”

All of us come from individual situations and have our own story. Maybe you had a rough beginning but the best part is, you get to write the ending! You will fail. Yep. You're going to run into failures a lot. That's great!! That's where you'll learn. That's how you grow.

I have never been happier than I am now and the actions I took are not considered the right way to do things. There is no right way to do things. 

I know I'll never be done growing and I love that. Let’s grow together! Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on new products, blog posts, and videos!

If your “thing” is making the leap to learn about health and nutrition and get in the gym. If it’s turning your life around by TAKING CONTROL of your health and learning how to eat, reach out.

Please reach out to me at EnlightenedAthlete.com, message us on Facebook or Instagram, comment on this post, or shoot an email to info@enlightenedatlete.com. I would love to help you start your journey and see what ways I can make your journey a long-lasting, positive one!

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Lean Into The Hurt A Little. [VIDEO]

I love assisting people reach their health and fitness goals. I teach them how to squat, press, lunge, jump, sprint, and pick things up off the floor without hurting themselves. I love talking about nutrition so they stop gaining weight and feeling like they’ve been hit by a bus.

I teach people the importance of a holistic lifestyle and how to maximize their health. They learn how to stretch, why this or that hurts and we fix it with corrective exercise.

Movement and the physiological aspects of health is what I was put on this earth to share.

Physiological and movement education however, is not the full extent of what my profession entails. During sessions, there lies just under the surface, an unanticipated adaptation. Just under the surface of what seems like chaos; loud music, clanging weights, grunting, spitting, sweating and swearing there is a beneficial change happening.

No, I’m not talking about bigger biceps and tighter glutes (butts do get tighter, and biceps bigger though).

It’s an adaptation between the ears.

Along with their physical progress, I watch as people build more self confidence, do something they thought was impossible, conquer goals, and develop MENTAL FORTITUDE.

Mental fortitude is the ability to tell your brain to shut up when discomfort is presented in any form. It is what makes you sit down and do the work you don’t want to do, it’s what makes you keep running when you want to puke and fall over.

My profession requires I have the skill set to be able to bring out, immediately, the potential I see in my clients and make sure they don’t quit on themselves when it gets tough. I must be able to help them discover their strength when the workouts, and life for that matter get hard.

Being mentally tough allows you to handle anything life throws at you, professionally, personally, and in the gym.

I love this part of my job the most. I didn’t know I was going to get to do that, but it’s a necessary component. My clients become stronger physically AND mentally.They don’t give up when it gets hard.

I teach them to lean into the pain, become friends with it if only for a short while. Don't run away or avid it. It’s ok to be uncomfortable. Remember that.

I’ll state it once more because so many need to hear it. It’s ok to be uncomfortable.

Alright I’m going to share with you a video I found to be a reminder of why leaning in to the hurt is useful. I was sent the following video by a gentleman named Chad through Facebook. He’s a fellow self-improvement fanatic and I couldn’t be more grateful for his kind words and him sending me this video.  

It’s one of the most motivational videos on this very subject that I’ve ever seen. It’s long but for your own sake, watch this instead of another fu*king useless episode of The Bachelor. You’ll thank me once you make that decision.

Upgrade Your Mindset With Gratitude Immediately! [VIDEO]

Just wanted to throw up a quick video about my gratitude practice that I've been engaging in almost daily. In life when you start to feel down, we inevitably begin to dwell on the negative aspects of our lives. It's just the way our brains are wired.

The brain is constantly looking out for potential danger, even when there isn't any threat of real physical danger. 

Being constantly aware of potential danger leads us to unconsciously focus on things that are merely bothering us. So that is why these things become the focus of your attention. Letting your brain run wild will lead you down a dark, slippery road to apathy and depression.

FORGET THAT.

You can rewire your brain to focus on positive aspects of your life. To focus on the situations and circumstances you can be grateful for. Practicing gratitude is the easiest way to change your mental and emotional state in a radical way. Stop letting your mind run freely, out of control with no guidance. You must manage your thoughts, not the other way around.

I've been really ruminating on this phrase I heard from the formidable force that is Jocko Willink.

DISCIPLINE = FREEDOM

You must discipline your mind. You must teach it to focus on the positive. You'll have more energy, exude confidence, be a more effective, husband or wife, father or mother, and a better leader. 

The priming exercise I follow is one I found from Tony Robbins himself. Its a powerful tool to rewire your brain for the better. Here is Tony Robbins taking you through his priming exercise he uses at his events: Priming Exercise