Grandma's On A Roll...

To say I've taken a bit of a hiatus in my writing would be an understatement.
The past few months have been a whirlwind of building my business here in Manhattan, enjoying the city life as much as possible, getting adequate rest, and drinking adequate coffee to sustain #1 and #2.  The general consensus is that apparently you will rest when you die, and "enough caffeine" is merely an illusion.  But yay for the challenge!

On a related note, people often ask me how I like the city seeing as its been over a year now since moving from NC. 
I love it.
I do.
Its chaotic, busy, will drain you,...and yet the energy of such craziness pulls and you can't help but want more.  One thing I am tremendously grateful for is life in a shoe box.  Sounds crazy, but when you're forced to get rid of 75% of your mess, you realize its just STUFF to begin with. 
Perspective.
Nic-nacs are the decorative spawn of Satan......my grandmother just rolled over in her grave for the second time.  (The first being when I fell in love with a yankee).
Now don't get me wrong, I have no intention of raising a family in this space,...there's not enough meds in the state of NY for that, however it works for now.  And well, when you're paying roughly $4.50/sq ft, you realize that adding another room may force you into a questionable second job and a disappointed father.
Tempting, but no...

I am reminded of how different life is when I visit family every few months in NC.  The potential for seeing a rat is relatively low (always a positive), it doesn't smell like hot poo, and nothing beats a highway drive in the afternoon with the windows down.  You gotta take the good from each chapter of life and appreciate the small things. ;)

Training...
My own training is going well, and everyday I'm reminded that my body needs more care/recovery than several years ago.  I say this like I'm 2 years from adult diapers and a walker, but the 'ol post-30 joints don't feel 22 anymore.
I continue to lift heavy, get in cardio when I can, and simply maintaining right now until I gear up for another strength phase in a few weeks.  The biggest thing for me is making sure I get enough sleep.  I'm averaging about 5 hours right now, which is not ideal at all.  It leaves me looking haggard and a walking health hazard for my first 2 clients each morning.
They joke that I have zero sympathy at that time of day, and yeah they are probably correct. ha.
But cheers to getting up and starting the day off with a dose of weight-training, tough love, and desire to curse your trainer.  A win for everyone!

In more exciting news, I'm currently putting together some information/curriculum if you will for newbie trainers.  Beyond the textbook program design and understanding exercise variations, it deals more with the interpersonal aspect of training.  Communication, body language, understanding different personalities and how that will impact your effectiveness as a coach, psychological differences in training men vs. women, etc etc...
Its jam packed full of stuff from 11 years experience and information derived from other well-respected and successful coaches in the industry.
My inspiration for this sparked as I watched trainers come in and out of the "job" one after another like it was just a pit-stop along their career path, ultimately unable to establish themselves.  They were missing something.  They were missing something HUGE.  And regardless if they ever went back into a career in this industry, their experience with a client ultimately effects me.  Why?  Because I can't tell you the number of times a client has come to me with a story that begins with something along the lines of: "my last experience with a trainer was horrible,...I didn't feel like they even paid attention to me."  Or, "my last trainer pushed me too hard and I always left feeling like a failure."
Whether the stories are true doesn't matter, it is how the person perceived the experience so it is ultimately their reality.  Thus, it will influence their expectations in OUR session. 
I get a little fired up about this because our ability to either encourage or crush self-confidence is tremendous.  
All that to say, I'm working on this information to help mentor aspiring coaches,...and I always welcome client feedback, so please email me if you have some thoughts on this topic.  It helps make us better coaches, and well, I can always appreciate an email titled "You are a pain in my butt,...literally."
...gotta love my folks' candidness.

Well, its back to the grind....gearing up for my evening clients.  With only 3 cups of coffee today, this should be interesting for all parties involved...

One Year Later...

I just took an unbelievable power nap.  I say it like I'm ready to run 10 miles before taking over the world.  Not exactly.  But on a positive note, I'm not ripping my eyes out in sheer exhaustion.
Sunday win.

Its been a hectic week as I covered for a few colleagues getting in one last summer vacation.  I still don't know what day it is, but had a blast throwing in some new peeps on the crazy train.  Sweat, laugh, push harder, repeat.  Never a dull moment, that's for sure.
The best moment came when one guy said "Your nice smile is just so deceiving.  My glutes hate you."
Ha,..you're welcome.  Its no secret that men often dislike any type of leg training. *Not ALL, but I rarely meet an average gym-going male who is thrilled to squat, lunge, or do anything that will cause soreness in the posterior region.  I'm convinced if they had to wear yoga pants on a daily basis, they would do squats until blue in the face.
These guys love yoga pants.
Apparently on the 7th day God made yoga pants,...and Adam cheered.
So needless to say, after a couple of sessions there was a new appreciation for total body training,...and relaxed fit jeans.

NYC Life and Leisure...

I am truly convinced that I will either be severely injured by a taxi or a pigeon.
Both are absolutely ruthless in NYC, but its the pigeons that are sending me over the edge.

In a city of millions, these God forsaken birds are simply not phased by human beings.  It never fails that as I'm trecking it across town, I come extremely close to punting a few on accident.  I used to feel bad about this, as I am not one to wish harm on an animal for no reason,...HOWEVER this was before one went all kamikaze on my head last week.
I went slow motion Matrix-style to dodge the flying hazard, and nearly gave myself whiplash.
It suddenly put the quiet subway rats in perspective....they might be gross, but at least their not in my face.

Hard to believe that it was exactly a year ago this Thursday that I flew up for interviews.
I remember seeing the skyline thinking holy crap, is this real?  Am I ready?  I'm literally leaving everything I know.  And then like clockwork, the details of how my life would be if I ignored my internal "yes" and continued my path would play in my head.
It was the greatest internal battle between what is and what could be and NEEDS to be, that I've ever experienced.  Even to the point that others' belief in me or lack there of became irrelevant.  Not that I didn't value the support or want it in my life, but the fact was that it was MY personal conviction and determination, focus, and willingness to work hard that would make the difference,....not their opinion.
Talk about some eye-opening moments.  NY will do it to you, that's for sure.
Looking back, I am so thankful for the struggles.  Sometimes what we may perceive as "closed doors" are merely hurdles... 
Just jump.  Leap.  Get off your butt and be willing to do whats necessary to get over it!  Believe me, I say this to myself just as much as I do my clients.

One year...
I've learned so much, but the one theme which surfaces every time is Change...Its inevitable, necessary, but how we grow within it and respond to it is ultimately a choice. 
We will either be an agent of change, sensing a necessary step from what we've always known towards something new and greater to fulfill our purpose,...being open to struggles, growing pains, and the opportunities along the way.
OR, we will travel life's path as a victim of change,...with constant opposition to anything outside of the familiar, "safe", or comfortable.  Refusing to relinquish control and adapt to any potential growth opportunity for fear of the unknown.  Its the infamous "life happens TO me" mentality, and there is nothing more confining.

The changes I've initiated and/or adapted to over the last 365 days range from a smaller living space to a constant reminder that despite experience, experise, and desire within your field, in this city you are replaceable. Talk about a tough pill to swallow,...and yet when this reality sets in and really sets in, you will either cave or seek excellence Every.  Single.  Day.
Not merely being great at what you do, but actually DEFINING what you do.
For this extra push, I am grateful.

So cheers to one year...The good, the hard, and the scary.  Its been a beautiful ride so far and here's to much more ahead... :)