Find A Way To Get It Done

Puravida Fitness • September 22, 2022

Find A Way To Get It Done

A man and woman are standing next to a yellow tape that says police line do not enter

Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope"


There is always hope!


Winners believe that and find a way to get it done no matter the circumstances!


Nothing exemplifies this more than the "MIRACLE DAY" I saw with one of my clients in 2005. 


Other than my kids being born and my wedding day, this was the most memorable day! It happened back in October of 2005. I had the privilege of seeing my longtime friend and client Susan Peters achieve the victory of a lifetime! 


Susan was in a car accident in 1993 - hit head on by a snow plow which left her in a coma paralyzed.


Before the accident she was an active fit woman - loved riding horses, singing and working out. After the accident, she was a completely helpless person clinging to her life.


She spent the next 10 years in wheelchair unable to walk and having trouble speaking from the damage caused by the accident.


She then had to endure years of intense rehab and a divorce where her husband tried to take away the money awarded to her in the accident. 


I met Susan in 2000 when she showed up at my work - the Northwest Athletic Club. She was slumped over in her wheelchair and could barely talk. Her mom did most of the talking but we agreed to give training a try since I had experience working with people in a wheelchairs.


Right away I knew something was different about Susan. She had an engaging smile and great sense of humor. This was put to the test early on. 


She was driving her electric wheelchair home when she sneezed. This sent her wheelchair careening into the ditch where she ended up being stranded all night. She had such a low voice - no one heard her cries for help. 


Luckily it was a warmer part of the year and she was found the next morning. I called her while she was in the ambulance and she started joking about her "campout." That's how I knew Susan Peters was not going to feel sorry for herself! She was a fighter and had the attitude to walk again. 


So the training continued and slowly but surely. As she got stronger she walked from trainer desk to the first aerobic studio - about 10 yards. Then came the second studio - about 50 yards then around the track - about 200 yards. She was making real progress. Doctors said she would need the wheelchair the rest of her life but that was for the typical person suffering this type of injury. Susan was anything but typical.


One day in 2004 she announced she wanted to do a 5K. Many of the other trainers and people said "that's great" and smiled, but I knew they were just trying to be polite. They did not think she could do it. But I knew differently. 


We started to walk outside to help her adjust to the elements of and outdoor race like the uneven pavement, hills and weather. Most of our walks were at Earley Lake which was about 1.25 miles around. We mostly walked 1/2 to 3/4 mile but one day I told her we were going around the whole lake. She was game so we started the mission.. It was a hot day and she didn't do well in heat, but we pushed through.


Towards the end she wanted to quit. She was exhausted and her body was sore. She got angry and started cussing at me like a sailor. I made her finish and with a victory grin, she collapsed into my car. It wasn't pretty but we did it. It was a turning point. Even though she was tired she had reached a new level of confidence. 


So we did something big and bold. We signed up for the Monster Dash, a 5K race in Minneapolis around Lake Harriet. We dove into a well laid out plan of strength and balance training coupled with a walking regimen I had designed to build up her endurance. We also got more serious about her nutrition. She was an athlete so she needed to eat like one.


As the race drew near she was building momentum. It was cold and windy the day we went to train at Lake Harriet and that threw her off kilter. I called an audible because she was not doing well. Chiropractic care, a massage and active rest were a better way for her to spend the week before the race.


I called KARE 11 News to share Susan's story and they wanted to cover it. The night before my wife asked if I thought she would make it. My response was "I honestly don't know, but I know Susan will give 100% and that is all that matters."


We got up early on race day and got Susan stretched out and warmed up. The race scene was chaotic but we got to the starting line. I tried to have Susan rest as much as possible knowing she needed every bit of energy she had for this race.


The gun went off and we started the walk. KARE 11 arrived and started following us. Susan being Susan mugged for the cameras and talked a little good nature smack! She was killing it for the first half of the race. 


Then she started to wear down. But as she grew tired, a crowd of people started to gather to cheer her on. This was where the real magic happened. 


She stumbled, but would not give up. She knew she wouldn’t let herself quit and I was there to encourage her.


Then the F bombs started to fly as the pain in her feet and knees became unbearable.


Her tank was near empty... but she kept pushing through.


You know when you get your second wind? This was where Susan was when she saw the finish line. The crowd came alive with cheers! She came back alive and step by step made her way towards the finish line.


At that point The Minneapolis police had set up a special finish line using police tape just for Susan. She inched closer and the crowd noise grew louder. As she crossed the line I raised her arm in victory. It had been a long journey but she finished what she started! And I was so fortunate to be a part of it.


After the victory meal with her family and friends I finally sat down to watch the evening news. Susan’s amazing story led the news that night.


Watch the Kare 11 story here (scroll down for the original coverage in 2005


That day changed my life forever.


I learned the power of the human spirit.


I learned we all have super powers within us.


I learned that the only thing that stops us from achieving greatness is our own excuses.


No matter what your current circumstances are... you too can overcome.


If Susan can walk a 5K after being in a wheelchair for 10 years YOU CAN FIND A WAY TO GET BACK IN SHAPE.


So click the button below and let's find your way back to health with a SUCCESS SESSION!


Dedicated to helping you find a way,


Erik Peacock

Puravida Fitness

June 29, 2026
At Puravida Fitness, we hear it all the time from people in Lakeville, Burnsville, Prior Lake, Farmington, Apple Valley, New Market, Elko, and Savage: “I want to lose weight.” “I hate my body.” “I’ve tried everything and nothing works.” “My metabolism is broken.” And we get it. That frustration is real. When you feel stuck in your body, your energy is low, your clothes do not fit the way you want, and your confidence is slipping, it can feel like nothing is working. But here is the honest truth. For most people, the biggest thing holding them back is not their busy schedule. It is not their age. It is not always their hormones. It is not that they need another random diet, another gym membership, another YouTube workout, or another quick fix. The missing piece is commitment. Interested vs. Committed There is a huge difference between being interested in weight loss and being committed to changing your health. Interested sounds like this: “I’ll start when life calms down.” “I’ll try it for a few weeks and see what happens.” “I’ll work out when I feel motivated.” “I’ll eat better unless I’m stressed, busy, tired, traveling, or around friends.” Committed sounds different. Committed says: “I am doing this even when it is not convenient.” “I am going to follow the plan long enough to let it work.” “I am done jumping from one program to another.” “I am ready to make my health, fitness, and wellness a priority.” That is where real change starts. Commitment Comes Before Results Whether your goal is weight loss, building strength, improving energy, navigating menopause, getting back into a fitness routine, or improving senior fitness, the first step is commitment. Not halfway. Not only when it is easy. Not until it gets uncomfortable. All the way. To commit means to devote yourself completely. Whether it is your family, your career, your marriage, or your health, commitment means you are fully invested. To steal a poker term, you have to be ALL IN . Not testing the waters. Not waiting for the perfect time. Not looking for reasons why now will not work. You make a decision, and then you back that decision up with consistent action. Why Most Fitness Plans Fail Many people start strong. They join a gym or health club. They hire a personal trainer. They get excited about a new diet. They start walking, lifting weights, tracking meals, or cutting calories. Then a few weeks later, something happens. They see a new program on TikTok. They hear about a new supplement. They read about fitness peptides. They decide their current program is too hard, too boring, too slow, or not exciting enough. So they switch. Then they switch again. Before long, they are bouncing from shiny object to shiny object without giving anything enough time to actually work. That is not a lack of options. That is a lack of commitment to one clear plan. Your Body Does Not Need More Confusion If you are constantly changing your workout, nutrition, or wellness routine, your body never gets the consistency it needs to adapt. This is especially true for adults over 40, women going through menopause, and seniors working on strength, balance, and longevity. Your body needs the right plan, but it also needs time. A great personal trainer can help you build that plan, but no trainer, gym, health club, nutrition strategy, or wellness tool can replace your commitment to showing up and doing the work. Support tools may have their place. Some people explore options like fitness peptides, hormone support, or other wellness strategies with a qualified medical provider. But those things should support the foundation, not replace it. The foundation is still: Strength training. Consistent movement. Balanced nutrition. Recovery. Sleep. Accountability. And commitment. Stop Restarting. Start Committing. If you feel like you are always starting over, it is time to ask yourself an honest question: Am I committed, or am I just interested? Interested people quit when it gets hard. Committed people adjust and keep going. Interested people chase the next new thing. Committed people follow the plan. Interested people wait for motivation. Committed people build habits. Interested people want results. Committed people earn them. That difference matters. You Do Not Have to Do It Alone At Puravida Fitness, we help people in Lakeville, Burnsville, Prior Lake, Farmington, Apple Valley, New Market, Elko, Savage, and surrounding communities build a fitness and wellness plan they can actually commit to. Whether you are looking for weight loss, strength training, menopause fitness support, senior fitness, better energy, improved mobility, or a personal trainer who can help you stop guessing, we are here to help. Our goal is not to give you another random workout. Our goal is to help you build a plan that fits your life, challenges you appropriately, and gives you the accountability you need to finally follow through.  Ready to Go All In? If you are tired of spinning your wheels… Tired of starting and stopping… Tired of blaming your schedule, age, hormones, or metabolism… Then it may be time to stop being interested and start being committed. Your breakthrough starts with a decision. And we are here to help you make that decision pay off. Click the button below to schedule your complimentary Success Session with Puravida Fitness, and let’s build a solid plan you can commit to. Your strongest, healthiest, most confident self is waiting. The question is: Are you ready to go all in?
June 12, 2026
Every Monday, I eat the frog. No, not literally. “Eat the frog” means doing the toughest, most unpleasant, or most challenging thing first. For me, that means starting the week with my leg workout — and taking it one step further by putting the hardest exercise at the very beginning. Why? Because leg day is not just a physical challenge. It is a mental one. When you walk into the gym on a Monday and choose to do the hardest thing first, you are setting the tone for the rest of your day and the rest of your week. You are telling yourself, “I do not run from hard things. I face them.” Why I Start Monday with Leg Day For many people, leg workouts are the most difficult part of strength training. They demand effort, focus, energy, and mental toughness. Squats, lunges, presses, deadlifts, and other lower-body movements challenge your entire body. That is exactly why I put them first. As a personal trainer serving Lakeville, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Farmington, Prior Lake, New Market, Elko, and Savage, I see this all the time: the thing people avoid is often the thing they need most. Whether your goal is weight loss, improved strength, better health, more confidence, or simply building a more consistent fitness routine, learning to do the hard thing first can change everything. The Hardest Exercise Comes First It is one thing to say, “I am going to work out today.” It is another thing to walk into the gym or health club and start with the hardest movement on the plan. That first hard exercise becomes more than just a lift. It becomes a mental win. When you complete the toughest part of your workout first, you build confidence. You prove to yourself that you are capable of pushing through discomfort. Once that first battle is won, the rest of the workout feels more manageable. That same mindset carries into the rest of your day. Fitness Is Mental Before It Is Physical Most people think fitness is only about workouts, calories, and exercises. Those things matter, but long-term wellness starts with mindset. There will be days when you are tired. There will be days when motivation is low. There will be days when you do not feel like going to the gym, joining a group fitness class, or sticking to your weight loss plan. That is when discipline matters. Eating the frog teaches you to stop negotiating with the hard thing. You do it first. You get the win. You move forward. How This Helps with Weight Loss and Strength Training If your goal is weight loss, strength training should be a major part of your fitness plan. Building muscle helps support your metabolism, improves body composition, and gives you a stronger foundation for long-term health. Leg workouts are especially powerful because they use some of the largest muscles in the body. Training your legs can be demanding, but it also delivers a major return on effort. When combined with smart nutrition, consistency, accountability, and the right personal trainer or group fitness program, strength training can help you build momentum that lasts. Start the Week with a Win The reason I eat the frog every Monday is simple: I want to fight my toughest mental and physical battle early. Once I push through that challenge, the rest of the day feels less daunting. The rest of the week feels more manageable. I have already proven to myself that I can do hard things. That one win matters. And for many people, one win is what creates the next win. Looking for a Gym, Health Club, or Personal Trainer Near You? If you are in Lakeville, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Farmington, Prior Lake, New Market, Elko, or Savage and you are looking for a gym, health club, personal trainer, weight loss support, group fitness, wellness coaching, or strength training program, the first step is simple: Show up. Do the hard thing first. Build confidence early. Set the tone for the week. Eat the frog.
May 28, 2026
If you’ve spent any time online lately, you’ve probably seen influencers talking about peptides like they’re magic solutions for weight loss, recovery, and longevity. While peptides can absolutely support your health and fitness goals, there’s an important truth many people are leaving out: Peptides work best when combined with proper workouts, nutrition, and coaching. At Puravida Fitness, we help clients throughout Lakeville, New Market, Elko, Apple Valley, Burnsville, Savage, Prior Lake, and Farmington build real, sustainable results through expert coaching, smart fitness programming, and long-term wellness strategies. Peptides Are a Tool — Not a Shortcut There’s no question peptides are becoming increasingly popular in the fitness and wellness world. Certain peptides may help with recovery, injury support, appetite regulation, and even aspects of longevity and performance. But peptides alone won’t create lasting transformation. Take BPC-157 , for example. It’s widely known for helping support healing and recovery in injured areas. I personally used BPC-157 this past winter after tweaking my knee, and it definitely helped speed up recovery. However, I wasn’t relying on the peptide alone. I was also: Following a clean, anti-inflammatory nutrition plan Doing consistent mobility work Staying active with smart workouts Avoiding movements that aggravated the injury That combination is what created results. You cannot take a peptide, continue eating junk food, skip the gym, and expect your body to magically heal or transform. GLP-1 Medications and Weight Loss: The Missing Conversation Another major trend right now is GLP-1 medications for weight loss. These medications can be extremely helpful for appetite control and blood sugar regulation, which can absolutely support fat loss goals. But there’s a major issue many people are overlooking. If you are losing weight without: Strength training Eating enough protein Following a structured fitness plan …you may lose a significant amount of muscle tissue along with body fat. In some cases, up to 50% or more of the weight lost can come from muscle and even bone mass. That creates long-term problems: Slower metabolism Increased risk of weight regain Reduced strength and energy Higher osteoporosis risk later in life At our health club and gym near Lakeville and Apple Valley , we focus on the long game. Real health is about building a stronger body — not just seeing a lower number on the scale. Why Coaching Matters The people getting the best results with peptides are not simply taking injections and hoping for miracles. They are: Following structured workouts Building healthy nutrition habits Prioritizing recovery and sleep Working with a knowledgeable personal trainer or coach Creating sustainable lifestyle changes That’s where coaching changes everything. At Puravida Fitness, our team works with clients across Burnsville, Savage, Prior Lake, Farmington, Elko, and New Market to create personalized fitness and wellness strategies that actually last. Safe, Physician-Supported Peptide Guidance Because safety matters, Puravida Fitness has partnered with a properly certified peptide pharmacy that works directly with physicians to ensure quality and medical oversight. If peptides are something you’re considering exploring for: Weight loss Recovery Performance Longevity Wellness support …it’s critical to do it the right way with professional guidance and a complete plan. The Bottom Line Peptides + Coaching = Awesome Results Peptides can absolutely support your goals — but they work best when combined with: Strength training Smart nutrition Consistent workouts Recovery habits Accountability Expert coaching If you’re looking for a trusted personal trainer, fitness coach, or gym in Lakeville, Apple Valley, Burnsville, Savage, Prior Lake, Farmington, Elko, or New Market , Puravida Fitness is here to help you create results that last.  Check out our peptide partner to learn more, then schedule a Success Session with our team to discover which approach may be the best fit for your goals, lifestyle, and long-term health.