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Here we are at the start of a new year—and whether you want to admit it or not, there are things in your life you want to be better in 2026. Let’s not call them resolutions . Let’s call them goals . One of my core values as a Lakeville personal trainer is Kaizen—a Japanese word that means constant, steady improvement. Real progress doesn’t come from extremes; it comes from consistent, intentional actions over time. And those actions should apply to all areas of life, not just the convenient ones. When it comes to fitness, the number one goal I hear from clients across Lakeville, Farmington, Burnsville, Prior Lake, Savage, and Apple Valley is simple: “I want to lose weight and get into better shape.” It’s a great goal—but here’s the hard truth. Nearly 80% of people quit by February. After 30 years of fitness coaching and working inside health clubs and private training studios, I can tell you exactly why. Three vital pieces are missing. 1. A Strong Purpose — Your WHY Most people stop at surface-level thinking: “I should get in shape.” “I should exercise more.” That’s not a WHY. That’s guilt. Your WHY has to run deeper. It has to matter when motivation disappears. Ask yourself: How will better fitness improve your daily life? Will you have more energy? More confidence? More years—and better years—with your family? Years ago, I trained a woman who sat in the ski chalet every winter while her family skied without her. She wasn’t just missing workouts—she was missing memories. That became her WHY. Because it mattered, she stayed consistent with her exercise and wellness plan. The following year, she skied with her family. That’s real weight loss success—not from hype or motivation, but from a clear, powerful purpose. 2. A SMART Goal (Not a Vague Wish) “Getting in shape” isn’t a goal…it’s a dream . A real fitness goal follows the SMART framework: Specific – What does “in shape” mean? A target weight? Running a 5K? Improving strength? Measurable – How will you track progress objectively? Attainable – Be honest. Challenging is good. Unrealistic is not. Relevant – Does this goal improve your overall health and lifestyle, or does it take away from what matters most? Time-bound – Deadlines create urgency. A trip, race, or event gives your training purpose. Every time I’ve seen clients commit to a real deadline, effort goes up—and excuses disappear. 3. A Real Action Plan (Not Guesswork) Most people join a gym, wander around aimlessly, and hope exercise alone will fix everything. Nutrition becomes reactive: Cut all carbs Try the latest diet Start over… again Ask yourself: Is this plan realistic? Can I maintain it long-term? Will it still work after I reach my goal? The truth is, most people don’t have the time, energy, or experience to build a sustainable plan on their own. That’s why progress disappears the moment they stop “trying.” This is where professional fitness coaching, personalized exercise programming, and long-term wellness strategies make all the difference. Make 2026 Different If you’re serious about improving your health, weight loss, and overall fitness in 2026, these three pieces are non-negotiable: A clear WHY A SMART goal A sustainable action plan Without them, it’s just another year with the same results. With them? Your chances of success increase by over 80%. If you’re ready to stop starting over and want expert guidance from a Lakeville personal trainer serving Farmington, Burnsville, Prior Lake, Savage, and Apple Valley, now is the time to build something that lasts. Your goals deserve more than good intentions. They deserve a plan.

As 2025 comes to a close, it stands as one of the most challenging—and transformative—years of my life.In the span of eight days, I lost both of my parents.

Yesterday was the 40th running of the Twin Cities Marathon - The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America! If you are like me, you stop everything to take it all in. Marathon Day is one of my favorite days of the year! A happy place! So much goodness packed into one perfect fall day! And yesterday was no exception! 34 years ago my friend and I were curious. What is the marathon anyway? It was hard to visualize people running 26.2 miles from the Metrodome in Minneapolis to the Capitol in St. Paul. So without the assistance of Google maps, runner tracking apps or cell phones, we headed to St. Paul to "find the marathon." We rolled down our windows, drove up the Snelling Avenue hill and listened for people cheering. Sure enough we found it!

The key to a successful fitness routine is finding the right personal fitness trainer. A good trainer will help you stay motivated and meet your goals, while a bad one can leave you feeling frustrated and uninspired. So, what should you consider when looking for a personal fitness trainer? We at Puravida Fitness want you to achieve your fitness goals and be the best version of yourself. This is why we have written down the top five things you should look for in a personal fitness trainer.

This is a sign that hung in my college football weight room. It meant a lot to me. It's what motivated me to put in extra work and ultimately become a scholarship athlete and starting offensive guard on the football team. It wasn't always like that though. My life could have been drastically different - and not for the better.

Today marks Day 11 of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris. Ever since I was a kid, these games have been awe inspiring to watch. In second grade, I was so inspired that I wanted to be just like Nadia Comaneci. I begged my mom to sign me up for gymnastics. Aside from some random cartwheels on the playground, a failed attempt at the uneven bars was my first and last stab at gymnastics! Since then, the closest I've ever come to being in the Olympics is running a marathon.

Ever hear the saying "your mind is a battlefield?" It's so true, and something we all fight everyday. I say, win the battle in your mind and you'll win the battle with your body. Those thoughts that keep you stuck from achieving the health and fitness results you want are really mental strongholds. A stronghold is a secure place where armies can plan, strategize and attack then retreat back to their safety. Your negative and self-limiting thoughts camp out here and attack you every time you try to move forward and succeed. Unfortunately, we allow these strongholds to control our lives. But in reality, we have the ability to overcome them.

Inflammation is not always bad. We need some inflammation Inflammation is actually a process that helps the body fight things that could cause harm like infections and injuries. It's a healing process that is completely normal and healthy. However, too much inflammation over time keeps the body in a constant state of alert and can begin to negatively impact organs and tissues. Like many things, inflammation is good to a point and when it crosses the line and becomes chronic and excessive, you now have a problem.

Too often people sell themselves short or let limiting beliefs stop them in their tracks. I love this passage from Proverbs 18:21: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." As you put limitations on yourself, you are really speaking death over yourself.