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Monday Mindset

Monday Mindset: I almost failed the Challenge.. 1024 768 Bryce Henson

Monday Mindset: I almost failed the Challenge..

Happy Monday!

Today we have nearly 15,000 challengers across the WORLD fired up to kick off Day 1 of our 6 Week Transformation Challenge!

With our new Fit Body Coaching App and  higher-level nutrition coaching, this will be the challenge with the best results to date!

In fact, my team and I have been going through the challenge program and have tested out the functionality & accountability over the last 3 weeks which has been incredible! No doubt there will be A TON of weight, body fat % and inches that are about to be burned up! 100%!!!!

Now speaking of challenges, I did another personal one yesterday which strengthened my body, mind and soul.

A 1,105 push up EMOM challenge at BK Strength led by US Navy Seal and The Project/LTD instructor Ray Care. This guy is an absolute BEAST!

Now, I am a very fit and conditioned guy, but after 550 push-ups, my triceps physically could not push my upper body up anymore.

Was I frustrated? YES

Did I quit? Absolutely NOT

So for the last 30 sets, I transitioned to 30 second plank EMOM which totaled 15 minutes of planking. I still hit my shoulders, tri’s and core and got a great work out and really pushed myself in the process.

The learning lesson is failure is only giving up. As being successful requires you to keep pushing forward by doing what you can with what you have.

The conditions are never perfect. You might be extremely unconditioned when starting. Your nutrition may be terrible, and you might think you will be able to find success.

Or you might be more fit than the average person so need to push yourself more. Ultimately, you are on a unique path, so the only challenge is with yourself.

So regardless of the temporary circumstances, you MUST work like he** to execute the plan, and when you hit a roadblock (which you definitely will)…do NOT put your hands up and throw in the towel.

Rather dig deep, get creative, adjust, transition and find an alternate path still heading toward the desired result.

Onward.

PS Some AMAZING info about Facility Reopening Plans are coming tomorrow, so stay tuned J

PSS That’s my best tough guy face, as rest assured I will be working on my tricep strength over the next 30 days, so watch out!!

Monday Mindset: Gratitude 399 260 Bryce Henson

Monday Mindset: Gratitude

Family!
I hope you had a great weekend and are fired up for the week ahead! I am starting a 7 Day Caffeine Day detox to reset my adrenal glands and cortisol levels which will strengthen my immune system.
Not going to lie, I am not looking forward to as I drink A LOT of caffeine. BUT see the big benefit in long term health.
And then big picture, I plan to do once every quarter. So once I get through my first (and have some experience with and can provide some coaching), am going to invite you all for the upcoming ones. This way, we can do it together for anyone wanting to join the fun J
Aside from that, we are in week 3 of our 28 Days of Fitness Client Engagement Program which is GRATITUDE week here at Fit Body Virtual Boot Camp! This is also the spirit of todays message.
And yes, the elephant in the room is still our COVID 19 quarantine. I hope and believe it will be our last month.
Regardless, think we can all agree there is a lot to be grateful for. In fact, there is A LOT of science showing health benefits of setting yourself to a grateful state.
What are these benefits of gratitude?
  • increased happiness and positive mood
  • more satisfaction with life
  • less materialistic
  • less likely to experience burnout
  • better physical health
  • better sleep
  • less fatigue
  • lower levels of cellular inflammation
Today I will leave you with a few things on my gratitude list. And I challenge you to create your own list to share with your loves ones.
1)   My life
2)   Our Fit Family (Clients and team)
3)   Our Southern California Sunshine
4)   I live where PALMS TREES grow (wasn’t always this way)
5)   My incredible mother (big day this coming Sunday for all our moms)
6)   YOU!!
Happy Monday and sending you some GRATEFUL VIBES!!
-Coach Bryce
Monday Mindset: Perspective 1000 496 Bryce Henson

Monday Mindset: Perspective

Family!

Hope you had a great weekend. And even being stuck at home, I hope you got outside, took a walk or a run and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

And even though we are cranking away in the dog days of Quarantine, there is light at the end of the tunnel as movement is beginning to happen throughout our country.

Regarding today’s message, I received the below note recently from a friend, thought leader and mentor of mine, that I found value in and wanted to share.

It puts things in proper perspective and trust you will get value as well.

Please feel free to share it with someone in need and let’s make it a GREAT WEEK!

-Coach Bryce

This too shall pass, and it will all be over soon. I don’t just mean the tough times, the dark days, the hard workouts, or dips you are going through in life. This also means the best days, the celebrations, the puppy months, the date nights, the big games.

Every 5-year-old turns 6.
Every play has an ending.
Every football game has a 4th quarter.

“Death twitches my ear. ‘Live,’ he says. “I am coming.’” – Virgil

Monday Mindset: Coach Tom 727 712 Bryce Henson

Monday Mindset: Coach Tom

Happy Monday!

We just finished up our Stronger Together Challenge and excited to keep the momentum going as we launch our Fit Body 28 Days of Fitness today! The program includes a weekly theme (this week is Hydration) along with a daily physical challenge to make sure we have some fun while keeping healthy & fit during Quarantine.

Aside from that and getting into today’s message; I am sad to report I received some very sour news last week. My grammar school basketball coach and best friend from my youth’s father, Coach Tom passed away unexpectedly.  He was 69, and tested negative for COVID 19, but as my friend Thayne said, in the last few years he let off the focus of self-care.

And while very sad, there is always a lesson which first and foremost, is to live with urgency and passion. As tomorrow is not promised for any of us and the most fulfilled and happy people I know, are in pursuit of a mission or purpose, bigger than themselves.

And the other giant lesson he left is to be intentional about the life you lead and the impact you want to have. As in the end, it’s not the materials things that you acquire (which will all be returned), it’s the legacy you will leave and the impact you had on those around you.

And for me, Coach Tom made a big impact.

Truthfully, he was rough around the edges, was a bit grumpy at times, which turned into downright scary if you upset him. He had very high expectations for our basketball teams and always ensured he held the line of discipline and structure in his program.

Which going through the experience, wasn’t very desirable most of the times in the actual moment.  But, he left an incredible positive mark on our teams mindset, work ethic, & desire to work together which led to the big success we had as a team.

He was also a very good-hearted man. And even though very tough on discipline, it was very easy to see it came from a good place which empowered us to work harder because no matter what, we knew he cared about us.

He didn’t like “flash” and cared mostly about the fundamentals of the game and a focus on out conditioning our opponents as being a foundational strategy for success.

And when things got too tough, he knew when to let up, and give praise, appreciation and an even a hug to ensure team morale was positive.

So in closing, here are the lessons from my Coach Tom that you can implement in your life.

  • Be tough & disciplined, but caring.
  • Train hard, whether or not anyone is watching.
  • Practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect, so train every day as its game day.
  • Forget about being flashy; rather focus on & master the fundamentals.
  • Expect more of yourself and be a team player.
  • Care about the people around you.

Sound advice for us all. RIP Coach Tom. Your lessons will live on..

Let’s make it a GREAT WEEK.

-Coach Bryce

 

Monday Mindset: “Circumstance doesn’t alter responsibility” 714 1024 Bryce Henson

Monday Mindset: “Circumstance doesn’t alter responsibility”

Happy Monday!

I hope you had a great Easter weekend with your family.

With our new found Zoom video conferencing skills, I was able to host a zoom call with 30 family members in Michigan which was set up due to the amazing mother’s passion to keep the family connected. J

And while it was fun to see everyone in better spirits, and sharing our gratitude list, which is very much needed..

But in playing off the paradox mindset from a couple of weeks ago, I believe it still very important to be real about our current adversities. As staring them down in the face is the only way we will push past them and overcome them.

So in the spirit of being candid to strengthen your mindset, and start off our week.

Here we go…

This Quarantine situation is not fun. It sucks actually. And yes, much of this is out of our control. 😤

And just like you, there’s not a day that goes by (sometimes hourly) that I don’t receive some sort of less than ideal news. That’s our reality. 🤯

But the fact remains, that just because our circumstances are less than desirable at the moment, this does not change your responsibility to yourself and love ones, & most notably your family. 💪

As one of my mentor’s Michael, from Romania who immigrated here in his twenties, says “Bryce, suck it up cupcake.”

And he is right…

As despite of the circumstance, you still must lead yourself to be the best version of you. You still must get your workouts, your hydration, nutrition, and your reading in. 🎓

You still have to be a responsible leader for your family, a great parent/child/coworker, and an even better human. 🏋🏻

You still have a responsibility to yourself and others who are counting on you. And remember, even though it doesn’t feel like it right now, many people have gone through much worse. 😱

That true perspective is criticality important for you to keep top of mind. 👌

In closing and to toughen your mind even more so you can continue to brave the storm, with one of my favorite lines from Sylvester Stallone, in the Rocky film series:

“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!”

Keep your head up and keep moving forward.

We are in this and STRONGER TOGETHER!

#FBBCSTRONG #FAMILYON3

-Coach Bryce

Monday Mindset: How a $400/month online coaching program changed my life… 1024 768 Bryce Henson

Monday Mindset: How a $400/month online coaching program changed my life…

Happy Monday!

I have shared my original fitness story before, so some of you might remember my first physical transformation started in January 2007 after a year of living “depressed in Los Angeles” without any prior exposure to a fitness program. And through good fortune, a dear friend who was incredibly fit moved to Orange County, and over a 6-month journey, introduced me to weight training, and clean eating..

Adam’s coaching foundationally changed my life…

But it wasn’t until January of 2012, while living abroad and my fitness getting stale (same routine and diet was slacking) that I took the ultimate leap in coaching which gave me confidence to start my own fitness coaching program called Fit Body Boot Camp!

At the time and very truthfully, my fitness was suffering considering the big move abroad, and I knew I needed a coach to recharge my work outs, provide more accountability and give coaching on nutrition..

The problem was, my Brazilian Portuguese wasn’t too strong at that time, and while I could converse, I couldn’t truly engage in meaningful conversation. So finding a personal trainer at my gym wasn’t the best solution due to the language barrier.

And knowing I had another 8 months before I returned to California, I decided that it was too long a stretch for my fitness (and life) to suffer….

So while it wasn’t my first choice, I started looking online, and found 2 fitness and nutrition coaches based in the States, Rob & Kim. They had create an online fitness coaching program called Jet Set Body.

Candidly, it was a steep investment for me ($400/month) which they provided & programmed a daily work out, a monthly meal plan and a weekly coaching call.  And after much diligence, research and seeing other results from their program, I ended up taking the leap of faith, pinched my pennies, and signed up for it!

While excited to get going, admittedly it took me a few weeks to get into full swing into the program as I hit some road blocks, as my only other coaching experience was with my friend Adam back in 2007.

Ultimately, the work outs were hard, they were delivered in a new format and I had to get uncomfortable as the food programming followed a different philosophy I was accustomed to..

And while I didn’t expect that going in, I am glad I set my mindset that I would follow the coaching program to the fullest degree for the first 90 days to give it a fair shot, and then reassess as needed; which is exactly what I did.

Just like anything in life, very candidly, it took me a few weeks to adjust to the regiment & coaching and I almost quit on a few occasions.. But by the 3rd month I was in full force and the results started to come through like I had hoped.

The weekly check ins, work outs, meal plan accountability was the kick in the butt I needed to dial in my fitness. As such, I ended up staying with their coaching program for a full year right up until Tatiana and I launched our first in-person training & coaching program (aka Yorba Linda Fit Body Boot Camp) at the very end of that year upon returning to California.

So as it turns out, this online coaching program was a major factor and catalyst in giving me the confidence I needed to launch FBBC and a big reason I am writing you this email today.

Friends, this is a 1000% true story and even included a shirt less “after” picture as Kim asked me to take for their social proof site (which I am partially embarrassed to include at the risk of coming off vain). And an additional pic with Rob and Kim a few years ago, as we first met “online” but became “real in person” friends until this day.

So my message today is that we all need a coach in life…

Someone to push us further than we would push ourselves. Someone to challenge us. Sometime to add accountability in a zone of their genius (not ours). And someone to call us on our BS when life’s “excuses” pile up.

As ultimately, many times the excuses can be very legitimate road blocks. But these legitimate roadblocks (aka excuses) will continue to stand in your way of success unless you push through them or find a way around them (however uncomfortable that is in the moment).

This is my story on how fitness coaching changed my life. And my team and I’s burning passion is that we can serve you in the same way. Whether online (for the moment), and/or at our brick and mortar location.

Head up, we are IN THIS and STRONGER TOGETHER!

#FBBCSTRONG

-Coach Bryce

Monday Mindset: “The Stockdale Paradox” 585 276 Bryce Henson

Monday Mindset: “The Stockdale Paradox”

Happy Monday!

Do you know about “The Stockdale Paradox”?

The name refers to Admiral Jim Stockdale, an American soldier who spent 8 years in a prisoner-of-war camp during the Vietnam War. He was tortured over 20 times and was never given any hint of a release date in the near decade he spent in near isolation.

Despite all this, Stockdale managed to survive and thrive as will you!!!!

Here’s how he dealt with this, as described to Jim Collins in the book Good to Great:

“I never lost faith in the end of the story,” Stockdale said. “I never doubted not only that I would get out, but also that I would prevail in the end and turn the experience into the defining event of my life, which in retrospect, I would not trade.”

“You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end–-which you can never afford to lose–-with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.”

The Stockdale Paradox is certainly fitting for our times as I have studied it a few times before.

And was reminded of it this past weekend when I listened to this episode of Craig Groeschel’s leadership podcast; episode “Leading Through Crisis”.

I shared this with all the teams I lead yesterday and would highly encourage you to invest the 30 minutes in yourself to have a listen! As we are ALL LEADERS and need to lead ourselves, family, coworkers and communities!

Click HERE!!

Head up, we are in this and STRONGER together!

#FBBCSTRONG

-Coach Bryce

O Jeitinho Brasileiro – The Brazilian Way… 548 346 Bryce Henson

O Jeitinho Brasileiro – The Brazilian Way…

Happy Monday!!!

 

What a week. Head up as you are alive!

 

Just think of how many people, since the dawn of time, would trade spots with you right now in an instant.

In the below video, I shared 2 stories of my life that I shared on Friday and believe can help you during this challenging time we are in as humans.

Below are the high-level bullet points, but be sure to click the video below and share it with someone who needs the message.

 

 

Click HERE!

 

  1. “Jeitinho Brasileiro” aka The Brazilian Way.

 

  • Story of Brazil
  • Absence of Resources, you must get resourceful

 

  1. I am grateful my kids get to see empty grocery store shelves.”Bedros Keuilian, CEO of Fit Body Boot Camp

 

 

Click HERE!

 

 

In closing, I will leave you with a quote to reset your mindset to embrace the hard times & suck factor.

 

“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.” ― G. Michael Hopf

And remember, we are in this, and STRONGER TOGETHER!

#FBBCSTRONG

Coach Bryce

Fit Body Boot Camp

Monday Mindset: 3 learning lessons from COVID-19 439 302 Bryce Henson

Monday Mindset: 3 learning lessons from COVID-19

Happy Monday!
Grateful to be sending you this message!
Interesting times to be alive (which is a gift) and for as much of the challenge, there is good that comes from any challenging time and this is no exception.
Before I get in today’s message, our locations are open and continuing to serve. We will be in close touch until situation calms and our team is proactively creating at home work outs and online coaching as we speak if there becomes a need to ensure you stay healthy, fit and immune system strong..
Today’s message is long and packed with info so get ready.
I am here to present 3 learning lessons & reminders from the current COVID-19 scare. And then will finish with some education, perspective and action steps you can take to keep you as safe as possible with a strong immune system to keep you healthy!
And as my Saturday mindset mentioned, a giant call to action is to turn off the main stream media (aka “bad news”, not just now, but moving forward long term); and research, study, look at the data and respond, not react.
And of course, take action steps keep your immune strong (which we will get to below)!
1.    Life is fragile so live with urgency!
Very good reminder, life is fragile.  Sometimes it takes a health scare to remind us. If it all ended for you today, are you living the life you desire?
Take a second to think about that…
The good news is that at this moment in time, the data is not suggesting even a minority of the earth’s population will encounter grave effects even if virus is contracted, especially in 1st world countries like ours with high levels of sanitation. And it’s definitely not time to panic, but a good time to ask are you living your ideal life?!
Are you healthy, fit, focused, loving, caring and working towards something that fulfills you every day?
At the moment, some research, which I will share below and developments continue to happen, it currently suggests that the chances that you will be severely taking down by Corona is extremely, extremely small…
But if it did, can you look back at your life with fulfillment? Or do you have regret?
If it’s the latter, this Corona virus scare can be a gift and giant wake up call!!
Get yourself taking action on a life you want NOW!!!!
2.    Humanity is very resilient.
Humanity is very resilient. If you do a quick google search, humanity has survived much worse pandemics than this with much less technology, sanitation, and hygiene standards. We have survived through wars, plagues, famines, natural disasters, the rise and fall of civilizations and the list goes on….
Friends, this will be no different!
Humanity is intelligent, we have the ability to think objectively, we research, we invent,  we can communicate & work together which we will!
3.    Humanity is intelligent, is tribal and we have the ability lead.
Humanity evolved and has dominated earth through not only our intelligence, but our tribal ability to work together through community. Present day, if you put any of us in the plains of Africa alone, we have no chance against any Lion, Elephant or Crocodile.
The fact is our ability to thrive is not just based off intelligence alone, it remains on our ability to work together.  This is extremely important for all of us to be reminded. Very directly, we all need to remain cool, calm and collected through this effort.
Full disclosure, I am history junkie and have previously studied pandemics; and while definitely not an expert on this matter or claiming to be, I’ve seen many scientists predict that our biggest threat to civilization via a pandemic isn’t an actual disease (as human intelligence and ingenuity is strong), it’s the civil unrest that could result from a disease.
People freaking out, going crazy, rioting, buying all the toilet paper (sorry, had to), reacting through their “amygdala” which is the least evolved animal brain that controls emotion including fear… And not with our “prefrontal cortex”, which the most evolved human brain as its commonly referred to, is the biggest concern!
The good news is we all possess a prefrontal cortex and high levels of intelligence. We need everyone to think, remain calm, be strong leaders for your family, your spouse, your kids and your community.  This is always, and especially at times of concern!
A question I continue to ask myself is are you helping the effort and leading by example?
These are my 3 reminders and learning lessons from this past week as there is always good that comes from even the most challenging of situations.  And to add more value, I will finish up today with some information, research and action steps!
Instead of watching the news, please do proper research. Center for Disease Control is a great resource.  I am also including information from Dr. Mansoor Mohammed, PHD. Dr. Mansoor is a recognized authority in the fields of medical genomics and personalized medicine.  He is the holder of several patents in the general fields of molecular diagnostics and genomics research and condensed some research he put out as of Friday, March 13, 2020.
Please also keep in mind, he is just 1 leading authority and expert,  so dig in and continue do research credible sources (NOT the news).
Dr. Mansoor Mohammed, PHD
  • BSc. Specialized Honours in Molecular Genetics | University of Guelph | Guelph
  • Doctor of Philosophy with Distinction in Molecular Genetics & Immunology | University of Guelph | Guelph
  • Postdoctoral Clinical Cytogenetics Fellowship | UCLA and Baylor
COVID-19: CO for Corona, VI for virus, D for disease, and 19 because this novel strain of the virus was first discovered in 2019.
Believe it or not, most people get infected with human strains of coronaviruses at some point in their lives. These illnesses are usually short-lived with symptoms that may include:
·      runny nose
·      headache
·      cough
·      sore throat
·      fever
The current mortality rate of the COVID-19 virus is about 3%. This is significantly less than the previous SARs (~9%) or MERs (34%) viruses, but higher than the common seasonal flu (0.1%). It is important that we understand these morbidity and mortality %’s. They are highly skewed toward the elderly, very young and/or otherwise health-compromised individuals.
The COVID-19 virus emerged in a seafood and poultry market in the Chinese city of Wuhan in 2019. The disease was likely contracted from close contact with an infected, as yet
unidentified, animal. Human-to-human transmission then quickly occurred through the
‘perfect storm’ scenario of Wuhan at the time: very large population; holiday season
accompanied by significant travel; and some unique characteristics of the virus.
There are currently no vaccines available to protect against human coronaviruses, BUT there are steps you can take to help prevent infection:
  • keep your immune system strong (exercise, sleep 7-8 hours per day, drink water, eat darky leafy veggies, avoid sugar).
  • wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
  • clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.
  • avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay home while you are sick.
Lastly, here are a couple additional recommendations (for the most at risk).
  1. Be particularly alert if you or your loved ones are on any form of chemotherapy or immune-suppressing medications (such as those associated with organ transplants).
  2. Be particularly mindful of both the very young and elderly in your care. Their respective immune systems are generally not as robust as might be required to effectively combat COVID-19.
I know this was a lot, but wanted to provide insight, value, research and perspective, which will continue until the situation calms..
Please take action to keep your immune systems strong, be the strong leader your family and community needs, and take deep breathes and in doing so you will respond not react. Remember, we are in this together!
#familyon3
-Coach Bryce
Fit Body Boot Camp
Monday Mindset: Criticism & The Naysayers 582 512 Bryce Henson

Monday Mindset: Criticism & The Naysayers

Happy Monday!
 
I hope you enjoyed Women’s Day yesterday which is a nice celebration for all the amazing ladies in the world!
Today’s message is focused on building a tough mindset to handle criticism and the naysayers, which is unavoidable for your (or anyone) wanting to achieve success in any aspect of life.
I was reminded of this as I was coaching a new FBBC owner this past week. He is new to the business and really sad and frustrated in that he was receiving some criticism on social media.
He had to let go a coach, who was an absolutely fantastic coach & who built strong relationships with many clients but had many issues behind the scenes (routinely late, combative, not a team player, deliberately missed meetings & trainings, etc.). Ultimately, this was causing major issues with the team over a period of many weeks, turning into months.
After coaching conversations, write-ups and warnings without any improvement; he made the decisions to uphold his team standards & culture, and part ways with the coach. Based off the laundry list of issues, it was clearly the right decision (albeit unpopular to some of his clients without visibility) which created some backlash and public criticism for the decision.
He was seeking guidance, in which I reminded him that doing the right thing, isn’t necessarily the easy or popular thing, but it’s needed for integrity and long-term success. Some of your clients might be upset or leave (and understandably so since they cannot see the full picture), but keep your head up, continue to treat your team and clients well and hold them to high standards. By doing this, it will create a strong team and the best long-term client experience, and you will get through this even stronger. And even though it doesn’t seem like it right now, the cream always rises to the top in the long run.
With that, I was reminded of you, as it’s a great analogy for fitness and for life. You see, whenever you dare to do something great (like getting into shape), there will be many people that either don’t understand or doubt you.
Some genuinely don’t have your best interest at heart, although many do and just don’t want to see you get hurt. And even sometimes, your success is threatening to them as it shines the proverbial spotlight on them (and their lack of fitness focus), which creates discomfort and eventually criticism.
You have seen it and probably experienced it already when you were out with some friends, and you were sticking to your nutrition plan (even though you caught some slack for it). “Oh come on, have that dessert, live a little.” Or “You don’t have to be that strict, you’re no fun.”
Some of your work colleagues or even family might send a little skepticism your way “take it easy on the workouts, you might hurt yourself” or “you seem obsessed with that boot camp, always checking on FB.”
The reality is, that while most peoples are intentions are good, your effort or success can be threatening. And therefore, criticism and the naysayers, rooted in human nature, is 100% going to happen to you, and anyone who dares to achieve anything great.
In fact, right at this moment in time and I hate to break it to you, but there is probably someone gossiping and criticizing you and me both!
But if you want to be successful, you cannot let that get you down. The reality is that you know you are on the right path. You know you are doing the right thing. You know you are making the right choices. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone, except yourself!
So keep your head up and continue to march on loud and proud, no matter what criticism comes your way. As one thing is for sure, it definitely will.
Head up, onward and make it an AWESOME WEEK!
-Coach Bryce