Today one of my favorite clients told me that 'my courage to follow my dreams' gave her a new purpose in life. And as I head back out on the road again, I realize that courage is definately needed everyday in my life. This journey is a scary one and a very lonely one. Even though I see people every day and it always seems like there are many people around me, it isn't so. I am not sure that anyone I know understands what is happening. I know there are others out there in my same boat, but in my circles they don't get it.
I am only 32. I'm a kid, really. I know that, but I can't admit it every day or I'd get bulldosed. Most people my age are having babies (as I am reminded every day) and going on vacation with their families. Not me. My business is my baby and my very patient husband bides his time on the couch while I follow my dream. It's not glamourous or much fun these days. Just alot of lonely work.
It's during weeks like the past couple when I question if I have enough courage to reach my goals. Alot of people think so. Deep down, I know so. But so did that crazy lion. Let's hope my yellow brick road appears soon.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
Life is like...
a basketball game. But not just any game. That game where something is on the line - an undefeated season, a scoring record, a championship or even just the ability to say you beat a certain opponant. As March Madness is in full swing, basketball movies fill the cable stations and while wathcing "Glory Days" last night, my own childhood glory days quickly fill my mind.
It's 1989 and our 8th grade team has gone undefeated in conference play - a first in school history. Being only 13, a girls mind is already spinning, but the pressure to win and not let anyone down was incredable. As we headed to the state championship tournament our coach said something that I will never forget. He said, "This opportunity only happens to most people once in their lifetime. You should remember every moment and be extatic that you have made it this far." At that time we had no clue what he meant. Again, we were 13 - we thought we knew it all and we were SURE we would see a winning season like that again at SOME point in our lives. Little did we know. What we were also sure of was how incredibly nervous we were to be playing against the best teams in the state. Against girls that would go on to be leading scorers and all time blocking champs in high school, not to mention the future college and even WMBA stars (the WMBA didn't even exist then). We knew we were out of our league, but we played with all our hearts. When our leading scorer got hurt, we fell apart as a team.
I think back to how scared I was. How mortifying a loss in the first round was going to be. But I also remember how helpless I felt because I couldn't contribute to the win any more than I already was. At that moment I vowed never to let one player cause me to not reach my goals again.
Little did I know that my future would be much like that basketball competition. Today is quite similar in that I am a bit out of my league trying to take a company national in an industry full of giants and companies with more history. But this time there will be no one to depend on but me. This time my destany is in my own hands and my ability to sprint up the court and hustle is the only limiting factor. I am still nervous, terrified and sick to my stomach on a daily basis. But then I remember my coaches comment about this only happening once in a lifetime. And he was right - this is a once in a lifetime deal that I have. And I don't intend to lose this time.
Good thing I have been practicing.
It's 1989 and our 8th grade team has gone undefeated in conference play - a first in school history. Being only 13, a girls mind is already spinning, but the pressure to win and not let anyone down was incredable. As we headed to the state championship tournament our coach said something that I will never forget. He said, "This opportunity only happens to most people once in their lifetime. You should remember every moment and be extatic that you have made it this far." At that time we had no clue what he meant. Again, we were 13 - we thought we knew it all and we were SURE we would see a winning season like that again at SOME point in our lives. Little did we know. What we were also sure of was how incredibly nervous we were to be playing against the best teams in the state. Against girls that would go on to be leading scorers and all time blocking champs in high school, not to mention the future college and even WMBA stars (the WMBA didn't even exist then). We knew we were out of our league, but we played with all our hearts. When our leading scorer got hurt, we fell apart as a team.
I think back to how scared I was. How mortifying a loss in the first round was going to be. But I also remember how helpless I felt because I couldn't contribute to the win any more than I already was. At that moment I vowed never to let one player cause me to not reach my goals again.
Little did I know that my future would be much like that basketball competition. Today is quite similar in that I am a bit out of my league trying to take a company national in an industry full of giants and companies with more history. But this time there will be no one to depend on but me. This time my destany is in my own hands and my ability to sprint up the court and hustle is the only limiting factor. I am still nervous, terrified and sick to my stomach on a daily basis. But then I remember my coaches comment about this only happening once in a lifetime. And he was right - this is a once in a lifetime deal that I have. And I don't intend to lose this time.
Good thing I have been practicing.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
The dirty line
So every year since we began operating it never fails that we "catch a boot camper" doing something they are not supposed to. Something that will derail their progress during the cours of the month.
The first time it happened was in the third or forth month of our first season and I got a call one Saturday afternoon. I was driving with my husband and two of our instructors who lived in Brookhaven called me. "You have got to get over here to Brewsters, there is a boot camper eating an ice cream cone!" And that is how it began...every where we went, we ran into campers. Sometimes doing regular things like going to the grocery store, other times doing not so regular things when participating in the boot camp program, like walking out of the pizza joint, or drinking a beer.
So last night when I got the call, it came from another lead instructor at a different camp. She and a friend overhead the girl at the next table talking about one of our workouts. And then they saw the beer. Immediately they called me and described the girl. I knew it would be one of two people based on the description. So now I had a decision to make. Wait until the girl wrote it down in her log, ask her directly or do nothing.
Being that this is the first week of boot camp and that St. Patrick's Day is coming up, I decided to see how group persuasion worked on her. Now this is a very delicate situation that sometimes can go very wrong. So a few minutes before the workout began and after I checked through the books of both candidates, I started to talk about food and good restaurants to eat at. I cautioned against drinking green beer and partaking in other alcohol related activities this upcoming weekend and then transitioned into the idea that drinking a beer at the restaurant just down the street from our neighborhood probably wasn't a good idea. And then I asked if anyone did so last night? I gave them plenty of time to answer and then I laid down the law - 60 squat thrusts for the group. That was enough to put this girl over the edge. She cautiously admitted it and saved the group extra work. And I let her off with only extra credit. Then I joked with her that she should find another watering hole for the next 30 days or maybe even give the program a try and not drink at all.
I thought I was being a pretty good sport about it and she laughed, too. But when it came time for the extra work at the end of the workout that she agreed to do, she quickly had an excuse why she couldnt' do it. I have to be at work at 7:30. Well that is where my patience ended. So 20 squat thrusts and 1 minute later she was on her way.
The point of this story is that The American Boot Camp Company's boot camp is an accountability based program - not just a workout routine. Without the nutritional plan, hydration check and asbtenance from junk food and alcohol, the program doesn't work. And as a lead instructor, it is often hard to convince people of that. Unfortunately it usually takes about two weeks. The frustrating part to me, is that for this girl, I didn't get two weeks because I am certain that she will drink this weekend. And that is so disappointing because on Monday, she won't see the progress that everyone else will. And on Monday, I will have to fight hard to not let her cross that line and give up.
So how will I do it? I will smile through the squat thursts and do them with her (and the rest of the group). Maybe no one will give into the temptation of Green Beer this weekend... I guess we will just have to wait and see.
The first time it happened was in the third or forth month of our first season and I got a call one Saturday afternoon. I was driving with my husband and two of our instructors who lived in Brookhaven called me. "You have got to get over here to Brewsters, there is a boot camper eating an ice cream cone!" And that is how it began...every where we went, we ran into campers. Sometimes doing regular things like going to the grocery store, other times doing not so regular things when participating in the boot camp program, like walking out of the pizza joint, or drinking a beer.
So last night when I got the call, it came from another lead instructor at a different camp. She and a friend overhead the girl at the next table talking about one of our workouts. And then they saw the beer. Immediately they called me and described the girl. I knew it would be one of two people based on the description. So now I had a decision to make. Wait until the girl wrote it down in her log, ask her directly or do nothing.
Being that this is the first week of boot camp and that St. Patrick's Day is coming up, I decided to see how group persuasion worked on her. Now this is a very delicate situation that sometimes can go very wrong. So a few minutes before the workout began and after I checked through the books of both candidates, I started to talk about food and good restaurants to eat at. I cautioned against drinking green beer and partaking in other alcohol related activities this upcoming weekend and then transitioned into the idea that drinking a beer at the restaurant just down the street from our neighborhood probably wasn't a good idea. And then I asked if anyone did so last night? I gave them plenty of time to answer and then I laid down the law - 60 squat thrusts for the group. That was enough to put this girl over the edge. She cautiously admitted it and saved the group extra work. And I let her off with only extra credit. Then I joked with her that she should find another watering hole for the next 30 days or maybe even give the program a try and not drink at all.
I thought I was being a pretty good sport about it and she laughed, too. But when it came time for the extra work at the end of the workout that she agreed to do, she quickly had an excuse why she couldnt' do it. I have to be at work at 7:30. Well that is where my patience ended. So 20 squat thrusts and 1 minute later she was on her way.
The point of this story is that The American Boot Camp Company's boot camp is an accountability based program - not just a workout routine. Without the nutritional plan, hydration check and asbtenance from junk food and alcohol, the program doesn't work. And as a lead instructor, it is often hard to convince people of that. Unfortunately it usually takes about two weeks. The frustrating part to me, is that for this girl, I didn't get two weeks because I am certain that she will drink this weekend. And that is so disappointing because on Monday, she won't see the progress that everyone else will. And on Monday, I will have to fight hard to not let her cross that line and give up.
So how will I do it? I will smile through the squat thursts and do them with her (and the rest of the group). Maybe no one will give into the temptation of Green Beer this weekend... I guess we will just have to wait and see.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Letting me down
So I was reminded today about how diverse a lead instructor needs to be when leading a group of multiple fitness levels in a results based program. Another instructor mentioned that a camper told them they felt like they were "letting me down" in their performance. My initial reaction was that I didn't want the camper to feel that way and that I should talk to them because they really weren't letting me down.
But then I took a minute to consider my role as a leader of the group. I have to make sure first that everyone is safe each day. From where we do the actualy workout (are their holes in the field, is there enough light, is there any traffic to consider), to how we transition from place to place, to how each exercise is explained and demonstrated with proper technique. I have to them make sure that everyone is challenged from the fittest person to the very out of shape person to just the right degree that they are uncomfortable constantly, but not so far that they get injured or demotivated. Then I also have to make sure the mentally I am motivating each person. Do they get enough education, positive support during the workout and firmness when necessary? Does each person feel good about themselves when they leave the workout and for the rest of the day when they are not with me, are they recovering properly? Then I have to consider if they are treating their bodies right. Are they eating enough of the right things when they leave the workout to refuel their bodies? Are they drinking enough water to stay hydrated? And I won't even touch on the support, organziation and training for the instructors that help me, or the sales to fill the camp or the administrative duties.
So as a lead instructor, I have alot to think about just during the 45 minute workout. And I always have to keep in the back of my mind - how do I help each individual reach their goals in the time they spend with me?
So what does this have to do with a camper feeling like they, "let me down"? Everything. The way you present yourself as an instructor each day is key to making all of the above responsibilities flow and mesh. Building up the raport with the client and causing them to trust you to help them is the ultimate goal for an instructor. Once you do this, they listen to every word that comes out of your mouth, so you have to come "game on" to every workout.
So at the conclusion of yesterday's workout, I carefully mentioned to a client that I know has been teetering on the edge of her comfort level and is ready for that next level that I think she has more to give. And she knew it. She just needed someone to tell her. She in turn mentioned to another instructor then that she felt like she was letting me down. And in a way, she was. By not giving her all she was letting me down, but more importantly she is letting herself down. However, she would not have know this before I mentioned because she has not been to this point in her journey before. Now that she knows, she will change her actions. She will bring her best to every workout and try just a little bit harder to not let me down and in turn to not let herself down.
Now had I gone with my first instinct, I may not have been able to demonstrate the importance of a firm yet fair approach to being a lead instructor. As a lead instructor, we can't always be their friend or their "mom". We have to show the clients that we believe in them by our tone of voice, not by physically holding their hands and patting them on the back. We have to be firm with them when they need it and not let them stay comfortable because we think they are out of shape. We have to show them that we care about their safety and will not let them get hurt, but we can't baby them by allowing them to walk when they get tired. We have to keep an eye on the back of the group at all times no matter where we are and show those people at the back that we will not let them off the hook because they are not in the great of shape. And at the same time, we must let these people know we care about their progress by spending a few seconds each day one on one with them, telling them how great we think they are doing. We don't need long speaches, just a quick acknowledgement that we see them working hard, but we know they can do just a bit more.
And when they give us more, we have to throw a party so big that the entire park heres you.
All that, just so one more camper can trust you, and so one more camper can think they let you down. And one more camper can begin their journey outside their comfort zone into a new zone of results.
Firm yet fair.
But then I took a minute to consider my role as a leader of the group. I have to make sure first that everyone is safe each day. From where we do the actualy workout (are their holes in the field, is there enough light, is there any traffic to consider), to how we transition from place to place, to how each exercise is explained and demonstrated with proper technique. I have to them make sure that everyone is challenged from the fittest person to the very out of shape person to just the right degree that they are uncomfortable constantly, but not so far that they get injured or demotivated. Then I also have to make sure the mentally I am motivating each person. Do they get enough education, positive support during the workout and firmness when necessary? Does each person feel good about themselves when they leave the workout and for the rest of the day when they are not with me, are they recovering properly? Then I have to consider if they are treating their bodies right. Are they eating enough of the right things when they leave the workout to refuel their bodies? Are they drinking enough water to stay hydrated? And I won't even touch on the support, organziation and training for the instructors that help me, or the sales to fill the camp or the administrative duties.
So as a lead instructor, I have alot to think about just during the 45 minute workout. And I always have to keep in the back of my mind - how do I help each individual reach their goals in the time they spend with me?
So what does this have to do with a camper feeling like they, "let me down"? Everything. The way you present yourself as an instructor each day is key to making all of the above responsibilities flow and mesh. Building up the raport with the client and causing them to trust you to help them is the ultimate goal for an instructor. Once you do this, they listen to every word that comes out of your mouth, so you have to come "game on" to every workout.
So at the conclusion of yesterday's workout, I carefully mentioned to a client that I know has been teetering on the edge of her comfort level and is ready for that next level that I think she has more to give. And she knew it. She just needed someone to tell her. She in turn mentioned to another instructor then that she felt like she was letting me down. And in a way, she was. By not giving her all she was letting me down, but more importantly she is letting herself down. However, she would not have know this before I mentioned because she has not been to this point in her journey before. Now that she knows, she will change her actions. She will bring her best to every workout and try just a little bit harder to not let me down and in turn to not let herself down.
Now had I gone with my first instinct, I may not have been able to demonstrate the importance of a firm yet fair approach to being a lead instructor. As a lead instructor, we can't always be their friend or their "mom". We have to show the clients that we believe in them by our tone of voice, not by physically holding their hands and patting them on the back. We have to be firm with them when they need it and not let them stay comfortable because we think they are out of shape. We have to show them that we care about their safety and will not let them get hurt, but we can't baby them by allowing them to walk when they get tired. We have to keep an eye on the back of the group at all times no matter where we are and show those people at the back that we will not let them off the hook because they are not in the great of shape. And at the same time, we must let these people know we care about their progress by spending a few seconds each day one on one with them, telling them how great we think they are doing. We don't need long speaches, just a quick acknowledgement that we see them working hard, but we know they can do just a bit more.
And when they give us more, we have to throw a party so big that the entire park heres you.
All that, just so one more camper can trust you, and so one more camper can think they let you down. And one more camper can begin their journey outside their comfort zone into a new zone of results.
Firm yet fair.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
The choices we make
Every day each of us makes some type of choice. Some choices are good, some are not so good. In boot camp, sometimes it is the difference between choosing to have a good attitude and choosing to not give up that makes all the difference between whether a camper sees progress or not.
So each day during the session I send out emails and today's email is my favorite because it is about making the choice to be positive and give it your all. In the competitive environment that I face every day as a boot camp owner and with the fitness industry in general, staying positive can often be very difficult. But the email I sent to my campers below says it all.
See for yourself.
Your Choice Today
There are two primary choices in life; to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them. Denis Waitley
As you continue with what is possibly a new way of life (even if it is only temporary), please try to embrace it. Your instructors were not always leading the pack, but were once in your shoes. We are here to help guide you and to help you learn to make better choices. We understand that you might make a bad choice now and then, and we ask you to understand that we are going to point it out when you do. We question some of your choices to make sure you fully understand what might be new concepts on food and exercise. We are here to help you! So let’s try to look at the following as choices that we consciously make each day:
Please make the choice to be honest in your books, regardless of the extra encouragement that might come with that honesty.
Please make the choice to participate to the fullest in all the workouts. Sometimes you get tired or sore, but try to push through that and use the energy of the other campers and the instructors to help you.
Please make the choice to engage the help of an instructor when you need it. If you have a question, ask! We want to help you!
Remember, where you started…
"Right now you are one choice away from a new beginning - one that leads you toward becoming the fullest human being you can be." Oprah Winfrey
…you have already made this choice!
This is where you should be each day…
"Your decision to be, have and do something out of ordinary entails facing difficulties that are out of the ordinary as well. Sometimes your greatest asset is simply your ability to stay with it longer than anyone else." Brian Tracy
And don’t forget this about your choice to join this program and start down a new path to a healthy and fit lifestyle:
It's in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.
Anthony Robbins
See you soon! Make the choice to be there, be on time and have a great attitude!
So each day during the session I send out emails and today's email is my favorite because it is about making the choice to be positive and give it your all. In the competitive environment that I face every day as a boot camp owner and with the fitness industry in general, staying positive can often be very difficult. But the email I sent to my campers below says it all.
See for yourself.
Your Choice Today
There are two primary choices in life; to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them. Denis Waitley
As you continue with what is possibly a new way of life (even if it is only temporary), please try to embrace it. Your instructors were not always leading the pack, but were once in your shoes. We are here to help guide you and to help you learn to make better choices. We understand that you might make a bad choice now and then, and we ask you to understand that we are going to point it out when you do. We question some of your choices to make sure you fully understand what might be new concepts on food and exercise. We are here to help you! So let’s try to look at the following as choices that we consciously make each day:
Please make the choice to be honest in your books, regardless of the extra encouragement that might come with that honesty.
Please make the choice to participate to the fullest in all the workouts. Sometimes you get tired or sore, but try to push through that and use the energy of the other campers and the instructors to help you.
Please make the choice to engage the help of an instructor when you need it. If you have a question, ask! We want to help you!
Remember, where you started…
"Right now you are one choice away from a new beginning - one that leads you toward becoming the fullest human being you can be." Oprah Winfrey
…you have already made this choice!
This is where you should be each day…
"Your decision to be, have and do something out of ordinary entails facing difficulties that are out of the ordinary as well. Sometimes your greatest asset is simply your ability to stay with it longer than anyone else." Brian Tracy
And don’t forget this about your choice to join this program and start down a new path to a healthy and fit lifestyle:
It's in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.
Anthony Robbins
See you soon! Make the choice to be there, be on time and have a great attitude!
Sunday, March 2, 2008
A sign of things to come or a missed opportunity
So as I come to the end of the first chapter in this new adventure of expanding The American Boot Camp Company, I found it only fitting that I take a run in Rocky's footsteps up the down the avenue and up the stairs of the Philadelphia Museum. Rocky's statue isn't standing at the top any more, but rather off to the side. What I did find at the top was rather ironic.
As I ran up the stairs making sure to hit each step just like I tell my boot camers, turning over my feet faster with every set of stairs, I thought about the movie that was made there and the recognition that the city received from one single scene. And as I completed the last flight, sure enough I looked up and there was a group of people in a down dog position with two men standing over them calling out commands. A boot camp. Sunday morning, 6:50AM.
And all of a sudden the thoughts of opportunity returned to my head along with thoughts of missed opportunity. Am I too late? Have I missed the boat? Or is this a sign of things to come? Where being outdoors on a 30 degree morning isn't just for us crazy people, but a way of life?
I sure do hope that the future holds more Sunday morning boot camps, many of which are called The American Boot Camp Company.
HOOHAH! Can't wait to get back to Atlanta.
As I ran up the stairs making sure to hit each step just like I tell my boot camers, turning over my feet faster with every set of stairs, I thought about the movie that was made there and the recognition that the city received from one single scene. And as I completed the last flight, sure enough I looked up and there was a group of people in a down dog position with two men standing over them calling out commands. A boot camp. Sunday morning, 6:50AM.
And all of a sudden the thoughts of opportunity returned to my head along with thoughts of missed opportunity. Am I too late? Have I missed the boat? Or is this a sign of things to come? Where being outdoors on a 30 degree morning isn't just for us crazy people, but a way of life?
I sure do hope that the future holds more Sunday morning boot camps, many of which are called The American Boot Camp Company.
HOOHAH! Can't wait to get back to Atlanta.
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