One of the things I loved about teaching was the new group of kids who came through the doors each September.  Just like the kids, we can often use a fresh start when September comes. 

Philippians 4:13 is my favorite passage. It says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  This verse fires me up!  I recite it before BIG lifts and challenging situations because it gives me confidence and makes me feel STRONG.  Sometimes I feel bulletproof but other times I feel like a complete wussy. One of those times was earlier this year.

Before coming to Puravida I ran marathons. Some were by myself and some were with a great group of running friends.  I absolutely loved to run!   I started running when I was 16 years and covered a lot of ground in the 30 years that followed.  All of my races and training programs brought life lessons, but my last marathon stands out the most. 

 

Philippians 3:14 says "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."  When working toward any worthy goal you are bound to experience frustration and setbacks.   I've always been very goal oriented and have definitely experienced frustrations and setbacks. But as the passage says, I always pressed toward the mark for my prize.

It might look like your fitness goals are done for 2022.  Don't give up! Call an audible.
 

Does every day seem like a fight?  Well in reality - it is.
 

Does every day seem like a fight?  Well in reality - it is.
 

I've been experiencing some of my biggest pet peeves lately...the one where a person is constantly complaining, but chooses to do NOTHING about it.  Or better yet, they use weak language, especially the word "try."   Let's face it. When someone says they will "try" to show up at your party, do they actually show up?  NO.
 

Fitness goals are essential on several counts. These goals hold us accountable, redefine our perception of what’s possible and what isn’t, and push us through temporary pain for a longer-lasting change. But finding out a way to set fitness goals that you’ll actually want to attain can be a bit of art and a bit of science.

The other day I heard this song from the 90s by a rock band called Extreme.  The chorus goes "stop the world, I want to get off."  It made me stop and think.  
The world has been crazy over the last few years.  At times I am left feeling disoriented and would like to stop the world...and get off.  Luckily I have a good coach who keeps me from crashing and burning.

Isaiah 43:18-19 says: "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

One of my friends made the comment the other day that everything seems to go right for me.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. - Romans 8:37

Maybe you were once athlete, a soldier, or super fit.  Then life happened.

Kids...career...keeping up with the Joneses....scooping up the dog poop in your yard.

You know all those things that wrestle for your time leaving you exhausted.

"Whoever walks with integrity walks securely." Proverbs 10:9
 

Have you ever had a moment at the gym where you’ve felt like you just don’t really know what you’re doing? Or watched someone do an exercise in a totally different way from you?

At the end of last week I felt like an old man. My joints ached, my energy was low, and I was mentally foggy.   When I went mountain biking my legs felt like they were full of cement.  I turned to Matthew 11:28, one of my favorite passages, for guidance: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Lately, I've experienced some setbacks with my finances and my business.

It feels like life has given me a hard push knocking me back and leaving me feeling stressed and anxious.
 

I just got back from my annual turkey hunting trip with my dad to the Black Hills - perfect timing to resend this oldie but goodie to you guys.

I love hunting because it requires patience and endurance...and definitely builds character. You learn to keep going with the hope that you will be successful even when dealt lousy conditions or setbacks.




 

Proverbs 24:16 says "For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again."  Who can forget the Rocky movies?  As cheesy as they are, they are forever etched in the  American culture.  It seems like every Rocky movie featured a big fight in the end where Rocky was getting beat up but is able to muster up enough strength to come back and win.