Self-Improvement in All Areas of Life

Self-Improvement in All Areas of Life

“Those who succeed most pay the most attention to self-improvement in all areas of life”
– Bret Contreras

Did you catch that?

All areas of life.

Not just at the gym, or in the kitchen or at your desk… every single aspect.

The good thing is, exercise plays an important role in achieving this balance. The idea may sound counterintuitive – how could adding more to your already busy day help to alleviate stress and allow you to put more energy into other aspects of life? Exercise is a way to psychologically detach from work, while also reaping the physiological benefits! Movin’ and grovin’ boosts our happy chemicals leaving, us feeling invincible and ready to take on the world. This explains why many jobs encourage their workers to get exercise and stay active in the office. When you check back in, you will actually be a more productive and efficient employee! I say that is a win-win for everyone. Use a little activity to sprout that motivation to grow your abilities in a new area. Your potential doesn’t cap off at your job or in your sport. Keep improving yourself and the results carry over to every aspect of your life – family, running splits, stress levels…the possibilities for a better you are endless!

What can you do today to make you better tomorrow? 

Lift – Are You Mentally Ready?

Lift – Are You Mentally Ready?

“It does not matter how much weight it is to lift. If I’m ready mentally for it – then I’m ready” – Arnold Schwarzenegger

Sure is motivating when Arnold Schwarzenegger (bulging out of the very shirt he is trying to sell) is convincingly screaming – “YOU CAN DO IT TOO!”

That you too can be strong. That you can be fit.

Who better to follow than the swole-master himself?

However, don’t let this “movement” give you the idea that if you aren’t a body builder then you aren’t doing it right. You don’t need to be tan, defined, and aesthetically perfect to be obtaining the benefits of exercise. Certainly don’t let it be the definition of your success either.

The benefits of lifting extend far beyond increased muscle mass and an unrealistic bicep circumference – increasing mood and bone density, lowering your risk of diabetes, depression and heart disease, and overall improving your quality of life!

At COR we actively support the movement of fitness for everyone – starters, experts, big or small.

So come with us if you want to be lift. DO IT! Because, we too are trying to make the world healthy – concentrating on fitness for everyone.

Strength training also plays a key part in something new we are bringing to you. We have another little trick up our sleeve with a program we’re introducing – hiking …and we can’t wait to share with you next week.

What are your thoughts? Is lifting moving you toward motion or away from the gym?

Reach New Heights of Success – Half Dome Hiking

Reach New Heights of Success – Half Dome Hiking

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” Colin Powell

Following a daily routine is comforting, creates stability, and provides us with predicability to accomplish daily success. It also means we are missing out on an opportunity to step outside of our comfort zone – where we experience growth and meaning.

Growth is about pursuing new opportunities that stretch us beyond our comfort zone. It’s about venturing boldly into the unknown. Defaulting to what is comfortable often leads to missing out on a greater contribution and experience. Sure, there is always a risk of failure. However, unless we assume that risk there will also never be that chance of success either.

Small risks are glorious, and while unsettling at first, you leave rewarded and open to amazing new life experiences.

COR is introducing you to something a bit off the map…switchin’ up the same ol’ routine. Our newest program and ultimate challenger – the 90 day Half Dome Hike. From competitive athletes to weekend warriors – as with any physical activity, preparation is critical to avoid injury, maintain adherence and minimize safety risks. Day to day workouts, packing preparation, health recommendations, dietary needs – we got you covered.

Here’s everything you need to know to get you started…for free – 90 Day Half Dome Hiking Guide

Not yet convinced you want to hit the trail? Let us help.

1.  The cognitive benefits have been tested for years now. Between the increased  exposure to nature, combined with the decrease in technology – hiking has been shown to enhance creative problem solving and improve a variety of other psychological indices. In addition, hiking induces positive affects of concentration, facilitates memory, increases your sense of accomplishment, and evokes a calming sensation.
2. Recent research has found how group walks in nature are associated with significantly less depression, perceived stress, and greater positive mental well-being. They concluded that hiking could be a potentially important contribution to “both public health and individual well being with benefits in mental health, coping with stress, and improved emotions”.
3. Hiking facilitates interaction with nature, social interaction when with friends and family, and promotes physical activity – all which support mental, emotional, and social wellbeing as well as mitigate the effects of stressful life events.
4. Physically, hiking does it all. Aerobic activity, strength from the hills, and balance on the rough terrain.
5. It’s free. The perfect activity for a large family, the frugal college student, or those lacking a of gym membership.

It’s time to knock Half Dome hike off the bucket list.

In 90 days we will help you reach new heights Create the confidence to conquer. Provide the preparation to prevail. Give you the coaching to crush the trails.

Free 90-Day Half Dome Hiking Guide

One Easy (and free) Way to Take Your Workout to the Next Level

One Easy (and free) Way to Take Your Workout to the Next Level

“The key to long-term success is a willingness to disrupt your own comfort for the sake of continued growth” – Todd Henry

This workout video of T-Swift doesn’t only have us laughing but now I’m finally reassured we aren’t the only crazy ones taking drastic measures to get pumped up for our workouts.

If you “hate cardio”, can’t wake up…maybe soreness kicked in or you straight up aren’t feeling it today…thankfully many tools exist to launch us into a great mindset and enjoy a productive workout. You can have accountability of friends, family, and coaches, triggers, goals, races, etc…but our personal favorite…

Music

For over 100 years, starting when an American investigator found that cyclists pedaled faster when listening to some tunes, researchers have been discovering the power of music in leveraging our workouts, mood…and even diet ?!

We all have those days when the last things you want to do is that dreaded long run…but music can override our physiological feedback that we would otherwise be focusing on..as well as change our perception of effort.

Try to tell me it’s not easier to run 8 miles when you have Eminem bumping in your ear. 

One of the leading experts on the psychology of exercise music wrote that one could think of music as “a type of legal performance-enhancing drug” and that it has the ability to “promote ergogenic and psychological benefits during high-intensity exercise”. 

I guess Drake’s been reading up on the scientific journals as well…”[finding] his tempo like [he’s] DJ mustard” is really what got him here.

When healthy individuals performed sub maximal exercise, they not only worked harder with faster music but also enjoyed the music more when it was played at a faster tempo. This is suggested to be an evolutionary effect of our brain expecting that whenever there was music, there was movement.

Two other savvy uses of Music…

The singing/rapping/talking test:

How hard are you really working? Can you belt out Kelly Clarkson’s bone-shaking high notes or are you huffing-n-puffing trying to make it to the end of the HIT session? This is a great judge of our effort and a helpful tip for measuring relative intensity and keeping us in necessary workout efforts. If you’re doing a mod-int workout..I should expect you to be able to talk, maybe rap…but not sing. Vig-int? Anything more than a few words and you gotta step it up! (except we always encourage you to sing or dance at the end..(Go Elena!)

Music makes brussel sprouts taste good:

Okay well I actually like brussel sprouts..but for the picky eaters out there – this is game changing.

News fresh in the world of music research – the music you’re listening to could greatly influence your taste perception.

A recent study linked background music to the enjoyment of food and sweet taste perception.

What went down: Participants who were digging the music while eating something sweet (like chocolate ice cream) experienced a sweeter taste. BUT when they didn’t like music, that same chocolate ice cream was nasty and bitter.  You don’t need scientist to confirm music elicits positive emotions..but they did…and they found it correlates with our perception of sweetness.

Put it to the test: Next time your forcing down the veggies or serving the kids dinner – crank up your fav jams… see if your experience enhances the sweetness of “blander” foods. So long dessert!

What makes you what to wake up and grind? How can we help you set in motion a course of action that will allow you to unleash your best and most enjoyable workout?

3 Simple Ways to Never Work Again

3 Simple Ways to Never Work Again

“I find that the harder I work, the less I call it work” – Thomas Jefferson

The more energy you apply to your work, the more meaning you place on that work.

“Workaholics”get a bad rap, but research has found a large difference exists amongst types. Typically someone with an uncontrollable need to be constantly working ends up burnt out, stressed, dreading what they do, and sick. This study found the opposite for some folks.

What was the differentiating factor between workaholics?

Enthusiasm.

Jefferson was right – the harder one is working and caring about what they are doing, the more engaged they become, and the less they consider it work. “Work” becomes something they enjoy.  Involvement, drive and enjoyment were directly related to positive engagement and health as well as decreased stress and burnout.

“An acquired positive expectancy, therefore, is related to positive motivations and health. This theoretical stress framework suggests that if the enthusiastic “workaholics” are enthusiastic due to positive outcome expectancies we expect low stress levels, low reports of “job stress”, and good health.”

“If the nonenthusiastic “workaholics” have low enthusiasm due to low expectancies of success(helplessness, hopelessness), CATS predicts higher stress levels, more complaints of “job stress”, and health problems.”

Our expectation of our experience, and further the motivation to “get work done”, is nothing more than our semantics and neurology – it doesn’t have anything to do with what we are actually doing, other people, the situation – rather, it’s the meaning and value we place and our interpretation of it. The research found that if we expect a positive outcome, and therefore go into the work with increased enthusiasm for that result, we respond accordingly.

This directly applies to YOU and the effect of this Monday Motivation. Sure, I can move you to action with these weekly newsletters (a girl can dream, right?) – but how you stick with it is up to YOU. Have you stayed discipline in your pursuit to make this the most manic and mad March you’ve ever lived? Do you see value in your work and go after your day with enthusiasm? This newsletter may be the start – but the rest is on you to make it happen.

It’s about having enthusiasm and a positive outlook on your “work”.

“I have to go to work”

“I need to work out”

“This is hard word”

Why do our days revolve around “work” that we “need” to do? The negative connotation of the word “work” itself often entails an arduous task – something forced upon us that will be spent in misery.

There exists three simplistic ways to drastically change our perception of “work”:

– Find value

• Blur the line between work and life…and make your life a piece of work! Create it, be in control of it, and have ownership in the choice that you have to make it your own.

– Establish a routine

• Establish a routine and this whole “motivation” thing becomes irrelevant.

– No more excuses

• Lastly, cut the excuses. Just be done with that option.

If you’re taking part in the March Madness Mania (and if not, I’m sure you’ve experienced this on your own) – you are half way through our challenge and by now you’ve found that getting to your workout is second nature. You walk up to COR, check in at the desk, set your keys down in the cubby, start foam rolling…the rest is history. The need for motivation goes away when you make this part of your lifestyle – yet you maintain enthusiasm and drive to continue.

Something can motivate you to action but to sustain that purpose, YOU must find the value behind what you are doing.

What are you doing this week to turn your “need to work out” to “I can’t wait to work out”? What about your work – whether it be your exercise fix, your job, or chore – fuels you?

Improving Your Physical, Emotional, & Spiritual Health

Improving Your Physical, Emotional, & Spiritual Health

“We live in a world where the yellow brick road has many forks and can take us on many incredible journeys … But this is exciting news. It means we can choose the life we want for ourselves. You choose that life by doing the best you can right in this moment. Right now. By being bold in this moment. Right now. There is no other moment to wait for.” – Dick Costolo’s Foreword from James Altucher’s, Choose Yourself

When do we ever truly know the outcome?  We don’t. But we can choose right now to do the best we can and make the most of the moment.  You can choose to be bold. To ‘choose yourself’. James writes an entire book on how he turned his life around from a point of dark failure, depression and poverty by following 5 key principles.

1. Improve your physical health (focus on exercise and diet)
2. Improve your emotional health (be around people that you love and trust)
3. Improve you spiritual health (always expressing gratitude)
4. Capture your brilliance (write down ten ideas every day)
5. Give without expectation (give your ideas away)

This TED Talk sums it up in 10 minutes, but let’s highlight the first principle that that James emphasizes.

Improve your physical health

“From that internal health the rest will come, whether it’s business, art, health success”

Before we want to succeed at anything (which is defined entirely by you), the very first thing that we must get together is ourself. The quickest and easiest way to see results is through exercise and diet. Beyond the many physiological changes that occur, exercise not only guides us toward a healthier and happier lifestyle but also one where we are more driven and optimistic. Doing this one thing for yourself, in return improves your sense of livelihood and influences those around you as well.

The book defines this in very basic terms – exercise, eat healthy foods, drink lots of water, and get plenty of sleep.

As for the second principle – surround yourself with awesome people…we make that one easy too

“There’s no one path. There’s every path. Every path stars with this bold moment. Did you choose yourself for this moment? Can you be bold?”

What is part of your daily practice to #chooseyourself?

5 Steps to Maintain Daily Energy (without coffee)

5 Steps to Maintain Daily Energy (without coffee)

“We are at our very best, and we are happiest, when we are fully engaged in work we enjoy on the journey toward the goal we’ve established for ourselves. It gives meaning to our time off and comfort to our sleep. It makes everything else in life so wonderful, so worthwhile.” – Earl Nightingale

At the age of 16, if you were told you had 12 months to live – I think you too would be rather motivated to scientifically unwrap how we can derive the most meaningful life. 23 years later, author Tom Rath explored the key elements of energizing our work through deep research, interviews, and stories from leading scientists in his book Fully Charged.

His research conclusion: “The odds of being completely engaged in your job increase by more than 250% if you spend a lot time doing meaningful work throughout the day”

Harvard Business School’s conclusion:  “After 12,000 diary entries, 64,000 workday events and 238 workers across 7 companies” – “of all the events that engage people at work, the single most important – by far- is simply making progress in meaningful work”

Here are the top 5 ways to be Fully Charged according to Rath and health research:

1. “Every day you let something keep you from following a dream, you lose an opportunity to create meaning” – Interests + Strengths = Meaning

A 2013 study of over 12,000 workers around the world found that those who derived meaning from their work were three times more likely to stay. Meaning has the highest single impact of any variable, and the strongest source of motivation is meaningful work…particularly doing things that contribute to a collective good. This can be any involvement – your job, your fitness, your family – any activity you engage in should be more than a note on your ‘to-do list’ but a have purpose.

2.  “If you want to make a difference – not just today, but for many years to come – you need to put your health and energy ahead of all else” – Eat/Move/Sleep

Personal well-being is as important as your work engagement. If you are neglecting to fuel your body with nutritious foods, lacking exercise, and are burning yourself out from work – how do you expect to have a meaningful contribution to the lives of others? Good news is that this doesn’t have to be some grand, difficult plan. Make one step in the right direction toward either your sleep, eating, or exercise and it will lead you to an upward spiral in the other two areas. These small lifestyle choices influence each other every day.

3. “People who have very high energy levels in a given day are more than 3x more likely to be completely engaged in their work that same day” – Work with purpose! 45+15!

“There is a great deal of support for the general notion of workingin intense bursts paid with a period of time to recharge”. The top 10% treat the period of working time like a sprint – a highly focused burst of ∼45 minutes –  making the most of the working time with intense purpose. This if followed by a ∼15 break to rest up, walk around, move, and have the freedom from structured work to renew. This schedule followed in the Finland education system has been found to not only be effective in school but also in business.  Rath suggest adjusting up/down from there to determine what ratio allows you to remain fully charged.

4. “Small wins generate meaningful progress” – Small wins everyday

“Chipping away at a dream in small steps is deeply motivating” and “even in the worst situations, you can find opportunities for growth”. Seek out the small things that engage you to make daily forward progress.

5. “The actions you take throughout every single day accumulate to shape your years, decades and overall life. However, when you think about a typical day, it’s easy to take these moments for granted” – Choose Positivity 

Rath’s research found that people who reported having great interactions through the day were nearly FOUR times as likely to have a very high well-being. No doubt, life throws curve balls which we can’t control…but we can always control our next interaction and choose to put a positive spin to that conversation.

What are your strongest internal motivators? What are those reminders that give meaning to why you do what you do?

Good vs Better – New Year Fitness Goal Setting

Good vs Better – New Year Fitness Goal Setting

“You have brains in your head

You have feet in your shoes

You can steer yourself any direction you choose

You’re on your own.

And you know what you know.

And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.” –Dr. Seuss

We all approach our fitness goals from one of two mindsets. Dr. Heidi Grant Halvorson’s  comparison between the “Be Good Goal” mind-set and “Be Better Version” mind-set couldn’t explain it more perfectly.

The Be Good mind-set is all about focusing on proving our ability while the Get Better mind-set focuses on developing the ability and learning new skills. It’s the difference between wanting to show you are fast, smart, (insert goal here) versus wanting to actually get faster, smarter, etc.

The Be Good mind-set is constantly comparing ourselves to others, and a belief that our skills [do you believe in yourself] are fixed and talents are unchanging – this leaves us vulnerable, doubtful and anxious….major performance killers.

A Get Better mind-set fosters self-comparison, a focus on progress, and developing abilities. Thinking in terms of learning and improving, while accepting that we may make mistakes along the way, maintains motivation and persistence despite setbacks that might occur. Not only that, but we find work to be more interesting, enjoyable; we procrastinate less and plan better; we feel more creative and innovative…AND experience less depression and anxiety.

As many hit the ground running (…literally!) with 2016 fitness goals and ambitions, transform from a “being good” to “getting better” mind-set – throwing in language like “improve, learn, progress, develop, and grow” allows us to think in terms of progress rather than perfection. It’s easy to set forth on our new goals traveling with a Be Good mind-set – comparing our progress to others, and basing our standards, choices, and activities off our surroundings.

When it comes to new habits and goals, particularly in the realm of health, it’s key to individually personalize our experiences, routines and decisions in order to sustain and develop lifestyle changes. Learning what works best for you while staying actively involved in the process sets you up to travel your best path and achieve your most enjoyable experience!

“Change really is always possible – there is no ability that can’t be developed with effort” – Dr. Heidi Grant Halvorson

What’s your Get Better fitness goal for 2016? How do you plan to travel your own path?

One Step Closer to Happiness

One Step Closer to Happiness

“Active natures are rarely melancholy. Activity and sadness are incompatible” – Christian Bovee

Anyone who ever said they didn’t feel better after a workout is lying. We weren’t meant to be stagnate individuals and a dose of activity does wonders.

Move your body. Move your mind. Move SOMETHING.

No matter if you’re on the beaches vegging on vacation or stuck indoors with snow and rain – simply don’t forget to move every now and then. Small bouts of movement repeatedly can be as beneficial as a long workout.

Harvard Medical Publications advise us to take advantage of what both physical and mental activities provide. On the physical side it could be anything as simple as getting up and taking a lap around the office. It could also be on the mental side – take a three minute break to do to a crossword puzzle, read a book, volunteer, doodle. The principle of active engagement is not only the top rated identifier in markers of successful aging but it enhances memory, decreases depression and risk of dementia.

No matter if you’re the young athlete or weekend warrior, professional or that newbie just trying to get through one more rep –  this is where gains are made.

Small gains add up over time – persistence and movement is key.

You’re body and brain will thank you later.

A great day is only one step away – literally.

What are you doing this week to get movin? How do you monitor happiness?

The #1 Habit of Effective Athletes

The #1 Habit of Effective Athletes

“The commitments we make to ourselves and to others, and our integrity to those commitments, is the essence and clearest manifestation of our proactivity.” – Stephen Covey, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Week 2 of the New Year – How are those 2016 commitments going?

Covey’s 7 Habits are gold. His message is a simple reminder of the core influences occurring behind-the-scenes of our new commitments. How do we decide if we are fulfilling our goals, how do we judge the success of ourselves, and how do we set forth setting new aspirations?

It was at the beginning of high school when I first stumbled upon Stephen’s son’s teen version of this book.  If there is one small takeaway – the foundation for the other six habits – it’s his first message.

Proactivity

Covey’s #1 Habit: Be Proactive Athletes

What does that mean? 

Focusing on what you CAN change.

There’s tons of psychology chatter, sports performance research, and behavior change evidence behind his concept, but here’s it to you straight –

“Just remember that every moment, every situation, provides a new choice. And in doing so, it gives you a perfect opportunity to do things differently to produce more positive results.” 

That’s all.

Simply said – Every moment is a chance to align our goals and actions. We respond pretty well to it too. Proactivity becomes both our approach to our commitments as well as our actions.

We judge our productivity off our sense of integrity – the coherence between our goals and actions…when our values, actions, beliefs, etc. integrate it becomes something that builds upon itself. This explains the exhilarating, momentous, encouraging snowball effect of accomplishment and working towards goals.

Proactive folks focus on the things they can change – in sports, these are your everyday details (finishing out those reps, keeping technique on point when fatigued, etc.).

It’s also how we respond to our environment.

“Response-able” – your ability to choose a response:

#1 way to start – what we say (and sometimes what we don’t say) – whether that be spoken or through out thoughts.

Language: A proactive person uses proactive language. A reactive person uses reactive language.

I can, I will, I prefer, etc. > I can’t, I have to, if only

Taking the initiative to find the solution (ex: How to fit the workout in while traveling – “I can do a body weight tabata circuit in my hotel room”)  > Dwelling on the problem and waiting for someone to fix it for you (“I can’t exercise because the hotel gym is nasty”)

Not all things are within our control, we need to identify those that we can change and focus our efforts on thosecommitments.

“Proactive people focus their efforts on their Circle of Influence. They work on the things they can do something about: health, children, problems at work.”

“Reactive people focus their efforts in the Circle of Concern — things over which they have little or no control: the national debt, terrorism, the weather.”

Gaining an awareness of the areas in which we expend our energy is a huge step in becoming proactive. *where the magic in accomplishing goals happens*

What are doing something about this week? Share it! Are you triggered by a stimulus or do you choose your response?

How do I start off a new beginning/commitment (like a new semester!)? Writing all the things I want to do, how I’m going to commit, and stick to it. Keep that integrity, push forward, and be proactive! 

Everyday Resolutions

Everyday Resolutions

“For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald

This week welcomes the New Year, the most popular day for making resolutions.

Making goals, striving for improvement, an excuse to be better…that excites me…so what better day to write a long newsletter about new year’s resolutions, how to make them, and how to keep them…right?

Except one thing.

Why do we need an excuse to start something new?

To make a change. To take on a challenge. To improve ourselves. To make a difference.

“There’s no time limit, stop [or start] whenever you want.”

You don’t need a New Year to make a resolution. All you need is today – this Monday. Or really…ANY MOMENT!

I’m all about an excuse to improve myself, try something new and start my day with a purpose. Here’s where it becomes a problem…too people only do this one day a year – January 1st –  but the turning of a number shouldn’t be our catalyst for change.

Too often we simply set a goal based on what we ought to do, what we read in magazines or what we see other people doing and their expectations – workout more, eat better, be nicer, yada-yada-yada.

Where’s the meaning in that? Forget about what you or other people think you ought to be doing, and look at what you really want!  Do you want to feel more rejuvenated, lively, clear? Do you want to be able to move without pain, kick the soccer ball with your children, or take a walk with your wife? Do you hope to build better relationships? Improve your memory?

Resolutions can often lack a foundation of meaning and personal relevance. What we need is something fundamental, central and important that truly carries purpose. This purpose comes from inside, something that’s based on what’s important and what you dream for later.

What kind of person waits all year to act on a decision anyway?  Why wait for that “one day” to make a decision, when there are another 364 equally great resolution-making days available to you?

Here’s a thought: Let’s do it every day.

Let’s not wait for one day a year. Waiting is exhausting and no fun. Start today. You have the courage to change your life in any way that suits you, and not just on January 1. That power and accessibility of change is there every day.

“I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.”

What goal have you put on the ‘goal wall’ (you can even mail them in!) or been working towards?

The Everyday Holiday Training Mindset

The Everyday Holiday Training Mindset

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” – Theodore Roosevelt

Not only is this quote fitting as we enjoy the holiday training season, but it doubles as a reminder of what we need to hold on to every day.

Holidays resonate with many for various, meaningful reasons. The typical accompanying sense of gratitude and joy shouldn’t only be embraced once a year, but every day. Those moments of defeat, frustration, and dread…the days where we want to be any where but where we are right then and there (*cough cough* work on Friday at 3pm, holiday training trip, traffic, insert your daily complaint here)…why wouldn’t we latch onto this holiday mindset every day?

It isn’t only during the holiday training season that we are presented with moments to be grateful and the chances to express those – it’s every day.

Through our work, thoughts, moments of giving, skills possessed, conversations, routine activities, passions – each waking day is a chance to live fueled with this joyful spirit, enjoyment and gratitude.

Nothing in life is guaranteed. We are given the gift of 24 hours. To not do everything in our power to make those the greatest 24 hours would be a shame. As we take the time to revel in the joy, giving, and optimistic goal setting of the season, realize this doesn’t need to happen one day a year.

Make this a part of your day. Every day. Starting today.

Sometimes it takes missed opportunities, adversity, cherished memories, or lost loved ones before you recognize the chances that you had and continue to have daily.

This video is a reminder to “focus not on what you can’t do…but focus on what you CAN DO…and be the best you can be“. Something as simple as the gift of playing a sport, what many of us take for granted, can be taken from us at any moment…just as it was this young boy. When faced with one option, he took it to places no one expected and became an athlete who defines today’s message.

“This is the only thing I can do – I’m going to become great at it”

Again – choose not to focus on what we can’t do, but focus on what we can do…and be the best we can be.

1. Can’t do something? Find something you can. There always exists the strength within you to test new limits. Offer your greatest self to others, and use this as an opportunity to grow in new ways.

2. Hold on to this...be grateful for those opportunities and those memories with friends, teammates, and families; for that chance is something not everyone is allowed, and can get taken from you in a blink of an eye. How easy it is to become preoccupied with the rush, stress, and daily annoyances…but keep in mind the little things…the reasons behind what you do each day, and the meaning behind your actions.

Recognizing the opportunities presented to us amidst our most troubled times empowers us with perseverance and energizes us with gratitude. Treasuring what we have, had, and what’s to come – with our valued memories, the unique abilities we possess and our excitement for even greater things ahead – allows us to remember what we have to cherish.

Treasure the moments we have with loved ones and the opportunities presented to us all the time – through our sports, in our community, at home, while working…no matter the struggle or glory. A resilient quest to be our best self, paired with gratitude, was a lesson a former teammate exemplified throughout his years of swimming. This contagious attitude and mindset is one we can all exemplify.

Live each day carrying out this lesson of gratitude and resilience. With every chore, stroke, word, repetition, gift, and step this week – make it your absolute best. You have the ability to, don’t take it for granted.

How do you plan on living out this week’s message? What are you grateful for this week?

Become the Placebo, Believe in Yourself

Become the Placebo, Believe in Yourself

“Virtually nothing is impossible in this world if you just put your mind to it and maintain a positive attitude.” -Lou Holtz

It’s cranking out that last rep when there is nothing left. Rounding the final home stretch of a 5k. The last of 20×100 sprints off the block.

Anyone who’s exercised has experienced that surge of energy that pushes you past what you thought was possible.

In the tiring moment when you could collapse, just as you are about quit…you find that notch and crank it UP. Physiologists believe that our brain sends out these “quitting signals” as a protective mechanism before every fiber, tissue and muscle in our body has been exhausted. We reach this “limit”, when perhaps we may still have a physical reserve available to us…if we can find a way to tap it.

Research data (and anyone who has first-hand experience competing in a sport) has already made it obvious – most performance is enhanced in a competition setting. In addition, the performance improvements of a placebo have been made evident.

So what about the effects of a placebo when you are already at your max, such as during a competition?

At a time when you are already tapping into your last reserve of physical capacity, is there still more physiological wiggle room?

New research suggests that a placebo improved performance by both reducing perception of effort and increasing potential motivation –  both cognitive and noncognitive processes appear to have influenced placebo response. Runners thought they were receiving a performance enhancing injection, when it was actually salt water! Their performance improved from placebo intervention more so than in response to the control…at a time when these runners were pushing the greatest of the limits [checkout this interview Dr. John had with the main investigator of the study Dr. Ross].

If we can experience these benefits for changes outside of ourself (i.e. injections, pills, treatments), we can induce the same change with out a pill or change! It’s already been concluded that there remains a physical reserve in us and the placebo (aka strong belief) proves extraordinarily powerful…and serves as that extra edge.

Engage in that and become the placebo.

Researchers have found “that placebo treatments—interventions with no active drug ingredients—can stimulate real physiological responses, from changes in heart rate and blood pressure to chemical activity in the brain, in cases involving pain, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and even some symptoms of Parkinson’s.”

As Lou Holtz says:

“Ability is what you’re capable of doing.”  (Showing up each time and putting forth an honest effort…which we learned is more than we think is possible)

“Motivation determines what you do.” (*cough cough* some Weekly Monday Motivation…let this email fire you up!)

and

“Attitude determines how well you do it.” (BELIEVE you can do it…and have a reason why you can!)

You don’t need something outside yourself – all it takes is a belief in the possibilities with an equally strong commitment to do the work in order to create the conditions for change.

Be the placebo and create the extraordinary experience you want – you’re the best performance enhancing drug!

What are you going to believe in this week? Comment or e-mail us!

Resilience: Learning to Bounce Back

Resilience: Learning to Bounce Back

“To be something we never were, we have to do something we’ve never done.” – USA Navy Seal, Eric Greitens

At some point, we’ve been comforted by the typical, “it’s not about how many times you get knocked down, it’s about how many times you get back up“, silver-lining. Sure, this timeless, pick-me-up serves as the simple condolence filling our voided spirit with optimism…but the emerging scientific evidence proves this universal truth extends beyond your simple interaction with a challenge.

In the past decade, the concept of resilience, and it’s links to improve well-being continues to be on the rise. …and the most important predictor of resilience –  a positive outlook.

Are you the one who grows after trauma or the one who gets swallowed by it? 

Resilience isn’t only for the hero on the frontline or the most decorated Olympian –  we each are exposed to high levels of adversity throughout our life…even our day.

Think back to the last time you experienced a setback, difficulty, or loss. Did you respond by dwelling and venting on the disappointment, or did you find the spark of meaning amid the darkness?

How quickly did you bounce back? How resilient are you?

If you want to know more why this affects your life and your chances of growth, and how to incorporate it into your life..keep reading (link to article)! ( *hint* it’s much more than the gains you make despite an injury or life’s daily annoyances…but your family, health, and overall well-being)

Perhaps we don’t choose to be in the current situation, but what’s more important is how we handle it. Treasure the challenges, and recognize these opportunities for growth that serve to your benefit…make this a great week!

 What challenge are you maximizing in order to reach your dreams?

4 Ways to Build Strength with Resilience

4 Ways to Build Strength with Resilience

Realizing you can handle life in the face adversity in only a thought away, and allows you to maximize a challenge. The growing interest in resilience among mental health care providers globally has created a need for a simple way to consider the complex interactions that predict adaptive coping when there is exposure to high levels of adversity. Ranging from performance plateaus, mental illness, violence, natural disasters, losses, and daily conflicts – un-ideal situations are inevitable. Rather than dealing with the repercussions and associated negative emotions, what if we were prepared to be more suited for our experiences?

Why are strength and resilience important and how do you get it?

We each experience our own challenges, and it isn’t the loudest complainer who has it the most difficult. Each of Fredrickson’s studies demonstrate resilient participants experience the same level of frustration and anxiety as those less resilient; their physiological and emotional spikes were equally high. This reveals that resilient people aren’t a rare human species, immune to negativity… they simply let go of the negativity, worry less, and shift their attention to the positive strength more quickly. Resilience serves beyond a reactive skill-set advantageous in the face of adversity, it’s these same characteristic traits improving our well-being, physical and mental health, and ultimately enriching our lives. The best way to cultivate this – experience.

1. Stay Up

Positive emotions are the most important predictor of resilience. Research concludes positive emotions can undo the effects of a stressful negative experience. This isn’t suggesting you acquire a delusional, brightness-blinding life, but rather have a positive outlook in difficult circumstances.  People who are resilient tend to be more positive and optimistic, better able to regulate their emotions, and can maintain their optimism through the most trying circumstances compared to those less-resilient.

2. Snap Back

It’s all about how quick you can “bounce back” from stressful experiences and effectively using those positive emotions discussed above to rebound from, and find positive meaning in, stressful encounters. The experience of positive emotions contribute to the ability to achieve efficient emotion regulation and find positive meaning in negative circumstances. Further research demonstrates that resilient people are even able to change their responses to match the demands of our frequently changing environmental circumstances.

3. Write Down

A conscious focus on blessings may have emotional and interpersonal benefits. A study conducted using subjects with neuromuscular disease were randomly assigned to either a gratitude condition or a control condition. Guess who thrived. The gratitude-outlook groups exhibited heightened psychological and physical well-being across several of the outcome measures relative to the comparison groups, including strength. These results not only reinforced the importance of a positive outlook, but also concluded that gratitude has a positive impact on optimism and goal-orientation.

4.  Build Out

The British Psychological Society suggested a strong link between confidence in yourself and resilience. Strong confidence yields greater resilience when a setback occurs, knowing you are capable of a better outcome. Developing resilience through youth sports can benefit a child’s overall success in academics and life, as well as in athletic achievements. Combine the involvement of attentive parents, coaches and mentors, with the increased intellectual stimulation from physical activity and skill-work, and it allows children who participate in sports to reap social and emotional benefits. Teaching children resiliency and strength within their athletic program at a young age can boost their self-esteem and future well-being. COR works with a range of ages, helping foster these in our KADP, high school strength program, and even our adult boot camp!

Perhaps we don’t choose to be in the current situation, but what’s more important is how we handle it. Treasure the challenges, and recognize these opportunities for growth that serve to your benefit.

Scared to Exercise? 5 Steps to Banish Doubt and Eradicate Fear

Scared to Exercise? 5 Steps to Banish Doubt and Eradicate Fear

“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit at home and think about it. Go out and get busy.”

– Dale Carnegie

Going out, taking action, and making the first step is HUGE. How do you expect to trust in your abilities if you are sitting on the couch being scared of exercise? Being active in the moment (even if that is “failing”) brings you one step closer than when you were doing nothing…surprisingly you soon get to the point where you say, “hey, I’m actually capable of more than I realized”.

Fear arises from situations that could yield failure, suffering, success, isolation, foolishness, disapproval, etc. Fear of exercise makes sense, for years and years it’s promoted survival! Nowadays you may not be concerned with running from lions, but while the stimuli has changed it still serves the same purpose. Instead of fighting for our lives it’s now a spot on the podium or a job at an office. Fear is a natural response, it should be welcomed, appreciated, accepted…and it’s OK to feel…what we’re concerned about is how it’s originating.

DOUBT.

Most times people have fear of exercise and doubt when venturing into something new, uncomfortable, or with previously undesirable effects – it’s to protect us from getting hurt…but these are often exaggerated and acquired by expectations based on our experiences.

So how do we dissipate fear? How do we approach the next step with vitality, reassurance, excitement, and purpose?

We banish doubt. 

“Fear dissipates when doubt is banished” 

It’s easy to go with what’s comfortable, accept defeat, or live in fear of exercise where we don’t need to take action, but that fosters a life of inaction, stagnation and lack of purpose. To banish doubt you must TAKE ACTION – be willing to forego security and stability to step into the unknown and take a risk.

Everything you do produces a result – no matter the place, time or position – it’s what you do with those results that counts! Eradicate fear by knowing you have it what is takes. Results (no matter the outcome) yield experience and knowledge that enable growth. As soon as you acquire the 100% trust in your ability and an unshakable belief, the idea of possessing even the smallest ounce of doubt is long gone. You’re ready and soon won’t be able to think otherwise.

Taking action can be reflection, it can be going out and creating something tangible, or preparing for the future. Various methods exist to build the courage and confidence in yourself to tap into your potential. Realizing you CAN do what you are capable of given your particular skills, at a certain time and under certain conditions is empowering and enables us the strength rise to the challenge (and even seek them!).

Stop doubting and start living! 

1. Get out there! Experience! Internalize the good! Performing and gaining experience prepares you to be better it. No matter the outcome..switch your mentality to not see it as failure but GROWTH that prepares you for the future. Practice that speech for you presentation, nail your 3-pointers…it’s easier to focus on the reasons we will fail than all the reasons we are ready so log all these steps you’re take toward being better and think back to them!

2. Expose yourself to others overcoming similar challenges. This will transform the expectations you see in yourself. Finding these positive outcomes in those with shared commonalities and experiences enables us with the understanding we can achieve the same thing! #inspired. Surround yourself with people who are striving to bump up the weight at gym, overcoming an injury or ending world hunger too – follow those people doing great things that you want to achieve as well!

3. Simply DREAM IT! Think about the times you rocked out, draw a picture of the future, visualize the game winning shot.

4. Pep talks! Keep reading these newsletters  we are influenced by what others say about us and believe for us. Encourage others to explore and challenge themselves as well.

5. Our physiological and emotional state can easily put us out-of-whack. A broken pencil is now a life-ending tragedy. Lack of sleep, nutritious food and physical activity has the power to completely alter our perception and ability to process a situation. Increased fatigue and decreased cognition is not what we want…stay up on sleep, pack your plate with colors, and stay moving. Put yourself in the position to be the best you.

Feel confident, ready and fueled with a purpose to go out and conquer the week! Have unshakable belief! Bandura stated, “People see the extraordinary feats of others but not the unwavering commitment and countless hours of perseverant effort that produced them”. Focus on the possibilities…not the limitations!

What are you doing to prepare, take action and propel with readiness to produce the desirable outcomes? Are you practicing, taking risks, or believing?

Weight Loss Tip: Get in Motion, Stay in Motion

Weight Loss Tip: Get in Motion, Stay in Motion

“Great works are performed, not by strength, but by perseverance.”

– Samuel Jackson

From time to time we find ourselves in a rut – stuck, frustrated, bored, beat down or simply going absolutely nowhere. It’s during these times that we have the opportunity to discover some of our greatest abilities, deepest realizations and moments of growth! This truth is demonstrated through something as fundamental as the Laws of Physics.

Here’s a little Physics101: Newton’s First Law says that an object in motion stays in motion unless acted on by an unbalanced force.

This “Law of Inertia” makes it clear – in order to stay grinding on what you want to get done, you have to first get moving and secondly eliminate the unbalanced forced…persevere!

This is figuratively speaking (yes, there is much more to these laws of physics) – pushing through the tough times (weight loss, muscle gain, work stress, etc.) and relentlessly pursuing despite adversity – but literally speaking…GET MOVING! I’m asking you to stand up and take a walk.

The small act of activity can do wonders biologically to alter our states of mind, accelerate weight loss, improve our physical health, and transform small, subconscious behavioral changes throughout our day.

Einstein, the legend himself, even compares the act of exercise to these laws of life – “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving“. While Einstein relates the simple act of movement through a universally accepted law, his message conveys the criticalness of the staying in motion. Whether you want to finish a paper, start an exercise plan for weight loss, or take your performance to the next level, you must start somewhere. Whether it be small actions each day or simply taking a walk – stay continually active in your pursuit!

Great acts are surely performed with perseverance and finding ways to thrive despite difficulties, but add a little physical motion into the mix and you are providing yourself the best chance of optimizing your potential.

We have grown to become a society of convenience, and I am as much a part of it (and guilty) as any one else!

Staying active throughout the day, is just as important as the power hour gym sesh you squeezed in before work (still shout out to you for fitting that in!). Small bursts of movements are better than none at all!

So make that trip to the restroom, go talk to our friend in the office over, make that extra block for your mid-day Starbucks fix, or a second to step outside for five minutes – even if your’e not seeking weight loss, this makes a difference! Studies suggest it improves your memory and attention, reduces fatigue, tension, confusion, and depression! ..and it’s free! MOVE!

This movement spillovers to other areas of your life. Throw a ball with the kids, take a walk instead of scrolling through Facebook at lunch, or simply stand up for a couple minutes while you’re grinding out a paper.

How do you plan on incorporating little bouts of movement into your day to better improve your life?

Finding Your Greatness

Finding Your Greatness

“Greatness is just something we made up.

Somehow we’ve come to believe

that greatness is a gift

reserved for a chosen few.

For prodigies. For superstars.

And the rest of us can only stand by watching.

You can forget that.

Greatness is not some rare DNA strand.

It’s not some precious thing.

Greatness is no more unique to us than breathing.

We’re all capable of it.

All of us.” – Nike

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JnYcuRW_qo

The heights of our capacity are fascinating… it’s for this very reason our striving for greatness has become a fundamental human drive. To push beyond the limits, question the possibilities and possess an innate purpose to offer something for the betterment of others (whatever that be) energizes a sense of greatness in each of us.

Immerse yourself in the research and you will find no conclusion on the origin of greatness – it is far too complex to be captured in a single approach. Even how we conceptualize greatness is inconclusive.

What is “greatness” anyways?

The only conclusion we can possibly agree upon is that NO single, defined reason, trait or ability alone can generalize one’s ability to achieve or possess greatness. Greatness manifests in the interaction of complex factors which we can only make an effort to understand.

The power these complex interactions between variables of environmental situations, genetic variations or skill sets reside in each of us and the 24 hours in our day.

How do you choose to interpret that and what are you going to make of it?

“Athletic greatness” for example draws on a different set of abilities, skills, and dispositions than that of “academic greatness”. Even the complexities amongst a sport demonstrate that two people can obtain the same result but through two very different routes. Greatness is nothing but a word which we individually choose to define and perceive both in our self and others. Greatness is nothing more than our perception.

Great could be taking your first step in a mile or it could be your meditative practice. Only you define what great is and what you aspire – never be afraid to do that and believe the ability resides within you.

Must all paths to greatness require extraordinary talent? Is it sheer luck? Are you waiting for the opportune time, developmental circumstance, or influence of experiences?

Engage and take action in meaningful work and your greatness will follow.

The ability to be great resides in each of us.

Be your own kind of great – anyone can be great, anyone can do it.

What will you do?

The Determining Factor of Success

The Determining Factor of Success

“Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.” -Winston Churchill

How do we choose success?

A tight correlation has been recently discovered between a person’s perception of their health and their actual health status. This study found that those who believe that weight is outside of their control have less healthy BMIs, make poorer food choices, and report lower levels of personal wellbeing than those who don’t.

Why? Because if it is outside of their control and if they “don’t even have a shot” of course they are going to engage in behaviors that are rewarding in the short term!

The ability to focus on solutions in the face of adversity, to see growth – that is the determination of success.

Dr. Jason Selk speaks on this in 10 Minute Mental Toughness – “We humans are better at seeing problems than we are at seeing solutions. This itself is a problem, because what we dwell on expands“.

Those that think they are stuck with what they have – whether that be athletic performance, career, body type, poor eating, personality ticks, behavioral habits – are less likely to make an effort to change and often become distressed.

When we begin to focus on problems, our brain releases neurotransmitters that cause us to feel ‘not so hot’, they significantly limit your intellectual abilities and creativity. This is all occurring biologically and comes down back to how we perceive ourself, our control, and that overall image. It makes sense that we generally give up on hopeless causes…they wouldn’t be advantageous and our biological tendency is to focus on problem centric thoughts.

However, the second you cross the barrier and search to focusing on solutions – you release a whole new set of neurotransmitters that cause you to feel better, increase your memory, mental capacity and creativity.

“Being focused on solutions means keeping your thoughts centered on what you want from life and what it takes to achieve what you want, as opposed to allowing thoughts of self-doubt and concern to occupy the mind“, Selk’s research found most solution-focused people achieve this 40% of the time, but RELENTLESS solution-focused people replace 100% of undesirable thinking with thoughts emphasizing solutions.

You possess the ability to achieve success. The first step is believing it’s in your power to change. The second is to choose to be relentlessly focused on the solutions and seeing growth.

1. Have the choice 2. See the solutions

That’s what this is all about! Want to be pleased with your efforts and progress? It doesn’t matter if you are striving for an Olympic gold medal or cleaning the kitchen – if you have a growth oriented mentality and focus on solutions you will be satisfied!

You have two choices – believe you have the capacity AND fight to overcome the challenge or let problems intimidate you and slump to defeat.

What is on thing you can do differently to make this week better? What is in your control?

Mo’ stache, Mo’ Moves, and Mo’ Motivation!

Mo’ stache, Mo’ Moves, and Mo’ Motivation!

"I’ve always made a total effort, even when the odds seemed entirely against me. I never quit trying; I never felt that I didn’t have a chance to win. “ – Arnold Palmer

62 PGA Tour winning legend, drink connoisseur and World Golf hall-of-famer – but among his array of accolades, Palmer’s proudest to date is his triumph over prostate cancer.   

“Success in golf depends less on strength of body than upon strength of mind and character.”

This “strength of mind and character” Palmer built through disciplined practice later applied to a whole new challenge. Through success as an athlete, Palmer exemplified a resilient mentality…one that proved to be no different as he battled cancer. The mental and physical benefits built upon an active and athletic lifestyle set the foundation for Palmer’s determination and strength to survive – first in the game of golf, but later in the game of life.

Although retired from the game, Palmer is an advocate for lifelong exercise and healthy habits. So are we.

Do you know the key to battling prostate and other cancers? A healthy lifestyle.  

Maybe you’ve begun to notice the super rad beard John’s [soon to be ‘stache] been sporting. #30MOCOR That’s because COR is taking on the Movember Challenge – and we want YOU to join us! For the month of November, we will track everyone’s attendance at COR. This includes yoga, double workouts, workshops, boot camp, Zumba, (sorry not physical therapy, stay healthy!), etc. The members with the highest attendance will win a prize…excited yet! Also, we’ll be raising money for Cancer Research Institute. Donate to our team here!

Knowledge is power right? Next time you see us rocking the ‘moustache’, ask us what a good diet and life in motion can do to prevent cancer and lead a life free of health issues.

At the heart of COR, we strive to foster growing, giving and moving…now we are taking it to a whole new level. Every day we focus on optimizing lives, but these next 30 days we are committed to tackling the biggest health issues faced by men – prostate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health and physical inactivity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b63egyOo4lE

So mo’ stache, mo’ moves, and mo’ motivation!

How are you going to step it up?