One of the most common statements that people made was, “You didn’t look nervous at all.” And honestly speaking I wasn’t nervous, even though there was a lot riding on what I call, “That moment of clarity.” So was the reason why I was so relaxed because I have “ice water in my veins?” NO.

The number one reason that I was not nervous is because I truly believe in what I am sharing and the positive impact it can have on people’s lives. Talking to those millions of people through CNN Headline News was just like talking to my corporate clients, individual clients and students.  As a coach I have tried daily to live the message of health and fitness and am passionate about others living that message as well.

My time on CNN is not about me; it is about the message that great physical health leads to strong emotional and mental health, higher productivity in your work life and personal life, and a wealth of energy to reach your overall goals. I was too excited about getting that message out to even think about being nervous!

I am grateful to so many people for the great Health Coach segment and the others to come. Here are some reasons that our segments were and will be successful.
 
1. I played a small role on a big team. Robin Meade and Bob Van
Dillen are true professionals and awesome people; so, they had it lined
up so well, that all I had to do was focus on my strength which is
Health and Wellness Coaching.
 
2. Lauren Keating and Lindsey Knox are super producers and did a great
job of outlining what the expectations were and lined up some great
viewer questions that many people could relate.
 
3. I saw the segment behind my eyes before I saw it in front of my
eyes. Ever since I started working with people to live healthy and
active lives, I always knew that television would be a route where I could reach many people.  Growing up my friends and I used to always jokingly say, “We are doing it, like we’re doing it for TV.” We pretty much spoke
the future into existence.
 
4. Every question that I received, I envisioned the person being in
front of me. I drew a picture of that person in my mind and empathized with their situation. When you begin to focus on helping others, all of your nerves, hang ups and insecurities usually go out the window. There’s no room for all of that “stuff” when you are called to help others.
 
5. We had lots of fun on the set. Robin and Bob are comedians for
real. We laughed so much on the set, that it really kept the
atmosphere light. Contrary to popular belief, most people perform
better when pressure isn’t that high. We were smiling throughout the
shoot, and I think that it really translated through the camera.

 6. Finally, every day I am given the chance to learn and be inspired by so many people around me. I took a piece of every client, student and friend into the CNN Headline News studios with me. Their belief in me and my message, their transformations into healthy and happy individuals and their passion to share my message continuously gives me the confidence needed to continue my mission. . . whether I am talking to one person or millions.

 I’m so grateful that I had an opportunity to share with the world my
passion for health, wellness, and fitness. I look forward to being in
your living rooms and computer screens and helping everyone take more
steps to living healthy and active lifestyles.
 
Take care, God bless, and remember you can be fit, or you can be Fit2DMax!

We worked for weeks at a time to ensure that she could regain full functionality of her ankle, knee as well as the rest of her body.  We also worked toward helping her to lose some of her weight so that it would make it easier for her to lift her body on to the platform.  After months of sweat and tears, Ivory, my student, and my friend was able to step up on the platform 15 times for 3 rounds!  It was such a major accomplishment for her that she broke out in tears.  It was such a touching moment that I let out a tear of joy.  Nothing feels better than when you face something that you were terrified of and not only did you get in front of it, but you stepped on top of it in victory! For Ivory the ability to step on the platform signified that she had conquered  a thing that has set her back for years;  Her ability to be fit and healthy.

When was the last time you had a breakthrough moment?  What type of breakthrough moments are you looking forward to in the next month?  The next year?  The next five years?  Breakthroughs happen when we face our fears, work on them diligently, and see our success even when it may not be as visible as we would want it to be.  Stay the course for the goals in your life that are worth achieving and you will see success!

This past weekend I was one of the coaching staff members for a team that won the SIAC Track and Field Championship.  The Morehouse Maroon Tigers were crowned as champions on Saturday April 21st at Edwin Moses Stadium in Atlanta Georgia.  As you could imagine there was a sense of accomplish, joy, jubilation, relief and excitement for the victory that our team chased all season long.  Winning this year’s championship taught all of us a number of things:

1.  Hard work does pay off

Many times in life, we work towards things and feel like the energy expended towards a goal is in vein.  Hard work in a focused direction can and will pay off.

2. Commitment isn’t a commitment until it is tested

Some folks devote time and effort towards reaching a goal but please understand that the dedication allocated toward the mark will not manifest into the desired result until it is seen through to the end.  There will be trials and tribulation that you will face, but champions rise above those things and see it through to the end.

3. Team work is required to accomplish community success

It takes a group of people working towards the same goal day in and day out to achieve community success.  You can make it to the top alone, but if you can reach the mountain top and pull some people with you, when you fall, there will be some people there to hold you up.

4. Success in one area can translate into the other areas in your life

Success can be specific actions, but it is also an energy, or better yet a state of mind.  When you have a winning state of mind, it can translate to other areas if you direct your mind to apply it in that way.

5. Duplication of success traits can put you in a position for repeated success.

Don’t reinvent the success wheel.  If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.  If you notice that someone is having success in a particular area in their life, find out what they are doing to achieve that success and do it.  If you had a time in your life that you were more successful, re create that experience and do those things to reclaim victory.

The success formula for the Morehouse Tigers was very simple:

1.They set goals. 

2.They assessed strengths and weaknesses.

3.They studied their competitors.

4.They worked on improving their strengths and minimizing their weaknesses.

5.They made sacrifices to ensure that they could invest the time necessary to outwork their competition. (including 5:30am practices and long weekend runs)

As one of the Coaches for Morehouse, I learned a lot this past season.  If we can grab those same lessons from these young men, we all will win more in our lives.

I know you are thinking, “Is that it?!!”, but I stand by that advice!  Here’s why.  I started running track when I was a child.  I was a novice and didn’t know that much about running form, or the right shoes to wear or even the right way to stretch.  I had tons of questions for Coach Moore (My middle school track coach).  My first couple of questions were general ones.  I asked Coach Moore, “What should I do when I get out there?  Do you have any advice for me?”  The answer that he gave me was a simple one.  He said, “Keep on going and don’t stop.”

So here it is, my first Cross Country race.  I’m the new guy on the team and it’s my time to show what I can do.  In my first run I started out slow.  Everyone else gets out ahead of me.  As I continue to run I noticed that my teammates stopped to take breaks.  I continued to run.  The voice that echoed in my head as I passed each runner was that of Coach Moore saying, “Don’t stop”.  I didn’t stop.  I kept on running.  Listening to Coach Moore took me a really long way because on my first run with the team, I moved up to second place on my first day.  Not bad for a newbee.

In life, too often, we overlook the simple advice that people share with us.  We are looking for the advice to come to us on a magic carpet, or we are looking for revelations to come in a platinum package.  In actuality the deep and profound answers to life’s obstacles can be extracted from “Simple advice”.  So, what kind of simple advice do you need to follow today to reach your maximum potential?  Which words of wisdom have you over looked?  What is the best advice that you ever had but you haven’t followed it yet?  Think about the best advice that you ever had and let it ring in your mind like a top 40 hit.  You’ll be glad that you did.  I know I am!

Usually when one works out, if they are really challenging their limits while working out, there are defining moments during the workout where fatigue sets in, and the mind and body wonders, “Can I do one more?”.  Most people say heck no, and stop.  The unfortunate thing about that decision is that it usually translates to work performance, business decisions, martial challenges, and a lot of other things that people would like to see more success in.   The words that I use to reverse that mind set is “One more”.  When I say one more, I am usually referring to the last repetitions in a work out.  I am asking the person to push past their comfort zone and to push for another rep.  It is a a mental decision but it is initiated through the spirit first.

Everyone has a spirit that pushes past the impossible, that navigates through the undo-able and that makes the unmake-able.  Some call it the holy spirit, some call it the human spirit, others call it your inner self, but whatever it is, you have “IT” and it works just like your muscles.  The more you train it, the stronger it becomes.

When I encourage my students to do one more, 9 times out of 10 they complete that extra rep and as a result, they are better for it.   So in conclusion, think about what can you do “one more” of in your life that will enhance your situation.  Can you give your children one more hug to let them know that you care for them and support them?  Can you do one more project to influence your employer to give you a promotion at your job?  Can you do the research for one more investment that can set you up financially for life?  Challenge your self to push past your comfort zone.  When you do “one more”, the possibilities are endless.

http://youtu.be/kkKuoBUkJ-E

The United States isn’t perfect but we have plenty of financial, religious, and life style opportunities that are not given to other people in many parts of the world.  In America, the only thing that truly prevents us from living the lives that we want to live is our willingness to relinquish our rights that people have fought and died for.  If you want to be the next Millionaire, you can educate yourself to become financially literate so that you can accumulate wealth.  If you want to worship at a church, synagogue, or cathedral, there will be no barricades preventing you from going in.  And finally if you want to live a healthy and active lifestyle, no one will prevent you from exercising or from shopping for the foods that will make you healthy.  Freedom to live; Freedom to become who you want to be; Freedom to do you.  Don’t take your freedom for granted.  Take advantage of every opportunity that you have to live the greatest life possible.  Be free.

Hey everyone Fit2DMax is proud to announce the refueling of Fit2DMax TV.  This means that you will find more helpful information about health and wellness, including the latest and greatest about the new trends for fitness.  As we approach the summer and the weather heats up there are a lot of events that are coming up and Fit2DMax TV will be there to cover it all.

Our first installment of Fit2DMax TV will be about the “6 pack” and how to slim down your stomach by the 4^th of July.  The re-launch of Fit2DMax TV couldn’t have come at a better time as Fit2DMax is celebrating 8 years of service in June.  Look out for us on Friday May 27^th on www.youtube.com/fit2dmax to get motivated, get excited and to get Fit2DMax.  Take care, God bless, and remember you can be fit, or you can be Fit2DMax.

Fit2DMax sneaker review 1st edition

This is the very first installment of the Fit2DMax sneaker review.  I have to be very honest with you.  I like sneakers!  I’m a very big sneaker fan.  I like different type of sneakers and all different colors.  There is something about a fresh pair of kicks that puts a little extra pep in your step.  We all know that if you buy a pair of Jordan’s that you won’t fly in the air like he did, but if the sneaker looks good and feels good, then who cares.  So now that I have confessed my passion for good quality sneakers, I present to you my review of the Nike Free 7.0 V2.  At this point the sneaker is at least a year old but it will not prevent me from paying homage to a great shoe.

Weight:  This is an extremely light weight training shoe at 10.0 ounces.  It has the feel of a racing flat but weighs just enough to use for your long runs.  Score: 10

Flexibility:  The Nike free has tremendous flexibility in that outsole portion that sits under the balls of the feet have ridges thus making it easier for the toe box of the shoe to bend.  Score: 10

Comfort:  When I tried them on they were very comfortable.  The Nike Free has great arch support, a pretty good insole, and more cushioning than you would expect for a shoe that is so light.  For the most part the shoe fits like a glove but if you have a wide foot it make get a little snug in the toebox area. Score: 9.5

Durability:  The Nike free sports the Nike signature BRS 1000 outsole.  With an outsole that has thickness in the right places, this shoe is strong right where it needs to be.  Score:  9.0

Style:  Style is something that is based solely on personal taste, so with that being said I’ll go with my taste.  I like the style of the sneaker because it definitely doesn’t try to do too much on design.  The models that I’m sporting right now have a white base, with grey trimming on the edge of the toe box and on the medial/middle part of the foot.  The Nike blue “swoosh” on the side part of the shoe gives it just enough color.  Score: 9:0

Best use:  Utilize as a light weight trainer for moderate up tempo runs, Interval/Track training, and Road Races.

Be on the look out for the next Sneaker review.  Until then, take care, God bless and remember you can be fit, or you can be Fit2DMax!

Maxim Nazaire is the author of the book Real Fitness, Real Nutrition.  He is a nationally recognized fitness expert.  Nazaire currently acts as a Corporate wellness Consultant for Fit2DMax incorporated.  He has consulted and managed wellness programs for The American Diabetes Association, Parson’s Engineering group, Gwinnett Technical College, and the Team Challenge program for the Crohns and Colitis Foundation.