I’ve always been a believer that the first step to focus is in eliminating distractions, so I’ve been intentionally “purging” my condo to start out 2015.
I started with my closet, then my kitchen, then my desk, then ended with my bookshelf.
My local Goodwill is reaping the benefits š
I came across this book, “Eating For Life,” by Bill Phillips. It’s funny how books and pictures can trigger the strongest of memories…
He was one of my first mentors, even though he didn’t know who the heck I was. Throughout high school, I drank 4-6 Mountain Dews every day and when I finally kicked the habit and decided I was going to try to make the world a healthier place, he was an inspiration.
His first book was Body For Life and when he came out with this second book (above), I was a first year graduate student at Georgia Southern. Then, I heard he was doing a book signing at a Books-a-Million in Jacksonville, FL.
It was in the middle of the week, I had a big paper due in a couple days and Jacksonville was a 3-hour drive, each way. Hmmmm…
Yeah, like any good procrastinating grad student, I drove there. Alone. Got home at 2am and I had class at 7am.
And it was totally worth it.
I listened to him give a short talk and waited through the long line so I could meet him. By the time I finally got to the front, I was such an idiot.
He asked me what I’d like to do with my life, and I mumbled through something like, “Ummm, I, ahh, would like to maybe train people someday?”
But he was so supportive. Once I calmed down (and remembered how to talk) I told him about how I was also studying sport psychology and I’d like to help people understand how their mind and body can help them live their best life.
He told me I was on the right track, that there would be a massive need for people in my profession.
That was 12 years ago…and he was absolutely right.
I just got done sharing with my Sport & Exercise Psychology class on Monday that nearly one-third of the U.S. is obese and this is the first generation in two centuries where the children will have shorter life expectancies than their parents.
In retrospect, I would make this trip all over again. I’d always sacrifice sleep for inspiration. And if you’re reading this, you’re in some way connected to healthy living. My hope is that you have someone who is inspiring you, supporting you, pulling you up and challenging you to be better. The importance of mentors doesn’t diminish with age.
Enjoy the day. Bring others with you!
Scott
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