Lessons from 2012: What it takes to be a top transformer with MM Team Fitness.

Showing Up for Yourself

During the break I sorted through hundreds of videos from the past year. Found some previously unused footage and made a few stills for the new website gallery. What really impressed me as I reviewed the video were the phenomenal transformations I observed in a number of clients. For some it was 30+ lbs of fat loss, for others adding lean and reshaping their bodies, achieving numerous PRs in many events, and for most, significant improvement in function and mobility that transferred over to many activities in their daily lives. Truly transforming their lives in ways they never thought possible.

As I thought about the top transformers of the past year, I asked myself what the common thread was amongst this group that made the difference. Why did they change the most? Genetics, special supplements or diet, do these clients have more time than everyone else, carefree lives, what? 

A recent FB post by fitness coach Scott Abel came to mind stating that it all comes down to one common denominator, “the ability to show up for yourself when it really counts”. 

MM Team Fitness is very diverse, male, female, 22 – 60+ yrs of age, a variety of backgrounds, education, personalities and occupations. Many with several children, some single parents, considerable travel with professional careers, tons of stress, a drive of 40+ minutes to get to the gym, tight budgets, no time, short on sleep, physical/medical limitations, the list goes on. 

As I thought about all the challenging issues clients face, I realized that there was little association between the level of success in the top transformers and the level of adversity in their lives. Regardless of what many would consider insurmountable obstacles to success, the top transformers still figured out a way to make it work, and work beyond expectations. 

In fact, despite significant adversity the ones that excelled did so quietly. They never once asked why they weren’t making progress, only asked about ways to improve, never gave excuses for poor performance, chalked it up as a bad day and got over it. Never cited hardships in their lives as barriers to progress (and there were plenty behind the scenes), and communicated issues when they arose and sought immediate resolution before progress was impeded. They communicated and listened.

Every day when they got out of bed, sometimes for the 3rd time because of their sick or newborn children, or work, regardless of the adversity they faced when they opened their emails, they still “showed up.” They consistently managed adversity, learned from their mistakes, didn’t let emotions derail their progress, came in to the gym and gave it their best effort. They sacrified some of lifes luxuries (excess food and drink) to keep team coaching within their monthly budgets. They maintained a healthy dietary intake through stressful periods, did their homework, took advantage of all the information on the website, nutritional app, and networked with others who had learned to manage adversity and continue to move forward. When traveling they’d hit the hotel gym, pushups in their rooms, sprints in the hotel stair well after a long day of meetings or seminars. They surrounded themselves with positive social support and eliminated the negativity in their lives that was holding them back.  

In the end, showing up for yourself everyday is the most important thing you can do. MM Team Fitness provides all the tools for YOU to be a top transformer into whatever shape or form YOU choose. We don’t hold your hand, make the routines simple or easy, or blow wind up your shorts just to make you feel good about yourself when really, you could be doing better. You’ll have to pay someone else more for that. 

Failure like fear is a choice.  There will always be excuses for failure, in the end it was by choice. Choose wisely.