Have you ever heard of the story of the frog in boiling water? If you put a frog in a pot of boiling water it will instantly leap out. But if you put it in a pot filled with pleasantly tepid water and gradually heat it, the frog will remain in the water until it boils to death. Crazy, I know.  But to be honest, I've seen humans play out this scenario time and time again. For example, there's a convenience store near my gym. I've become familiar with the staff there since I go there quite frequently. I've noticed a girl who works there…

Matthew 7:14: "For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it."

One of the craziest things about us humans is that we have a tendency to make things more difficult than necessary.  It's like my dad used to say "if you do it the hard way, you get it done right."

Almost every time I meet with a new prospective client they give me all the "politically correct" answers for wanting to get in shape...

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:13.  This passage is one of my favorites. It guides me whenever I am facing challenges.

This past weekend I was blessed to attend a women's conference at Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie.  I love these types of events!  Not only do I get to spend time with my sister and friends but I get to be filled up with worship music, inspirational speakers, humor and motivation!  You can't help but feel good when you are there!  

"What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" Mark 8:36

All too often, I encounter the client who seems to have it all together on the outside, but in reality their souls have been forfeited.  

When my nieces and nephews were younger I had the ultimate privilege of hanging out with them on many occasions.  Sometimes just because and other times when care was needed. Even though I wasn't their mama, they took notice to the things I did. 

10 years ago I won a special business coaching weekend down in Orlando, Florida.

I had the privilege of being one of four people who got to work with some top business coaches on how to grow my personal training business.

One of the assignments before the weekend was to do a thorough presentation of my business.

We had to bare it all.

The first step to achieving massive success in any area of your life is COMMITMENT.   Not just part of the way but ALL of the way.  The definition of COMMIT is to devote yourself completely.  Whether it be family, work or a specific goal such as fitness.

"As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly." Proverbs 26:11.  I've used this passage before but it bears repeating, especially as we head into a new year.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1  Back when I was playing college football I was trying to gain weight to put on muscle,  I came across this radical program from Eastern Bloc Europe called the "Bulgarian Burst."  When I read through this program, it contradicted much of what I had been taught about weightlifting and putting on muscle.

At Puravida Fitness, we not only train and do nutritional coaching with our clients both in our gym and online but also manage their fitness and nutrition plans using effective systems and technology to keep them accountable to their goals. Over the last few years, our success has been driven by happy clients who have given us referrals and written positive reviews about our services. While quality is something that we value at Puravida Fitness, we also strongly believe in gratitude.

I remember watching my wife run the Twin Cities Marathon.  She trained hard for the race.  I had never seen her so dedicated to accomplishing a goal.

2 Corinthians 4: 8-9 says "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed"

I don't know about you, but I love Christmas music. Memories from my childhood include sitting next to my dad in church while the trumpet played and he sang out the traditional tunes and going caroling down the street to our spread some cheer to our neighbors. 

Many transactions we enter into are based upon our 'credit score.'  It is a measure of integrity which basically says when we borrow money we are good at paying it back.  What about our own personal "credit score?"

Every day I write at least 3 things I'm thankful for.  I believe an attitude of gratitude is important for a healthy mindset.

There are many things I am thankful for - my family, friends, health and doing a business I love. But one thing that might seem strange to be thankful for is ADVERSITY.

Last week I experienced some much needed "pruning."  Being a type A personality I'm always going and had a BIG list to finish by the end of the year.  I was going nowhere in a million directions.  Lucky for me I surround myself with "wise counselors" who tell me the truth.  

Skiing is one of my favorite things to do.  I'm excited to get out there more this winter because it gets me outside and makes me feel like a kid again.Skiing here in Minnesota is fun but going out west to the real mountains is a whole different league.  One of the most challenging things on mountains are mogul hills.