I
consider myself the “average guy” who is on this path of self-discovery.Along the way I decided that I want to make a
difference, especially in the areas of health and fitness.It’s all about that journey for all of us and
I’m no different.
As
the son of a career soldier and a Japanese mother, I’ve had the advantage of
traveling the world as a child and living in many different areas.While I don’t have what anyone would consider
‘roots” to any one area, I do look at myself as lucky.Learning about different cultures, even
within the United States, has expanded my perception.
From
early on in my life I was exposed to the healthy side of life as well as the
unhealthy side.My father was a
life-long smoker and lived his life unhealthy.I remember him saying how much he hated to eat spinach as well as many other
veggies.It was no wonder that he
suffered from many cardiovascular diseases which led to his passing in 1983
under the age of 50.
Just
as I was lucky in being exposed to many cultures, I was also lucky to see both
sides of health.My Japanese uncle,
Keiji, represents what one could be like when living a healthy lifestyle.Even into his late 90s he showed
vibrancy.Seeing so many sides of life
led me to look at my own.I did manage
to serve in the Marines and the Los Angeles Police Department.I love action and fitness was part of
repertoire in both lines of work.
I’ve
made my fair share of mistakes.Even in
health and fitness.Like I said earlier,
I’m like the average guy.Yet, I went on
a quest to want to learn more, especially in the area of how we think and
believe.My question became, “What is
that driving factor that leads us to do what we do?”
I
will never forget my father coming up to me back in high school and saying,
“Son, I know you’re into sports and exercising.That will all change by the time you get into your 30’s.You’re not going to do any of that, your life
will change.”That was his mindset
regarding health and fitness.He stopped
exercising and didn’t really believe in it.At the age of 39 he had his first heart attack.And just under 10 years later he passed away
from the complications of a stroke.
His
attitude about health is much the same I’ve witnessed in many parts of the
United States.Since the 1970s I’ve seen
many changes to the health of the average person (which is the one area where I
am different).I wanted to answer the
question I thought about above.So began
my journey into learning.
From
graduate level studies in psychology to courses in personal training, I
absorbed it all.The practical
application of hypnosis I learned at Hypnosis Motivation Institute in Tarzana,
CA helped quite a bit in knowing how to change the mindset of people.Earlier, as a direct response copywriter, I
learned how certain words can have an influence.My studies in psychology via the academic
route helped, though it was the study outside of it is where I really
learned.Traditional universities do not
teach methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Rational Emotive
Behavioral Therapy (REBT).So I decided
that I wanted to learn more, beyond the university walls.
I
took courses in REBT as well as EEG Neurofeedback.I was able to combine all of this with trainings
in fitness as well.I received my
certification in personal training from the National Academy of Sports
Medicine.While working on my
dissertation I learned about epigenetics and how our lifestyle affects the
expression of our genes.I also studied
extensively in neuroscience and became a member of the Cognitive Neuroscience
Society.
I
could go on and on about this credential and that credential.It’s not going to do you a bit of good,
except I do my homework in what works and what doesn’t work.While I educate my clients and others in how
to change their mental state towards fitness, I also live by example.
In
June 2012 I set my all-time best in non-stop pull-ups by doing 57.My best in the Marines was 44 pull-ups.I also did over 1000 push-ups in 30 minutes in
June 2012.In recent years I received my
5th degree black-belt in Kenpo Karate and the same in American
Modern Jujitsu as well as becoming a Senior Instructor in Jeet Kune Do.There’s more in that arena too.
I’m
a big believer in moving forward and not resting on past laurels.I will keep challenging myself to perform at
my best as much as possible.I can’t
tell you to do the same thing if I am not doing it either.So, keep challenging your mind and body to
get and stay healthy and fit and I will do the same.