What we achieve, or fail to achieve, depends largely on our attitude & mindset. That’s why I created a positivity pledge for everyone who attended ASCEND Nashville back in 2016.
As I get prepared for a life-changing weekend at ASCEND Boston in November, I was going back through the workbook from last year. One of the first pages is the positivity pledge & I thought I’d share it with you.
Heck, just reading it this morning on Anchor got me fired up to make today an amazing day. When you take these words to heart and translate them into thought & actions, magic can happen!
Here’s the Primal Potential Positivity Pledge & I’ve included an image that you can print or save below.
I am here to grow.
Growth begins with my attitude & mindset.
I am here to find solutions, not to focus on problems.
I am determined to be a positive influence in my own life.
Life will present me with problems but I will not create them by being negative or cynical.
I know that perspective is a choice and a positive one will move me forward & enhance my life.
I will smile more.
I will laugh more.
I know that moving beyond where I am requires letting go of what keeps me here.
I embrace hard work because I know it’s the path to growth & transformation.
I won’t give in to fear.
I will practice being resilient, creative and hopeful.
I will stay positive no matter what energy is around me.
I am more interested in being happy than in being stubborn or right.
Setbacks don’t bring me down, they strengthen my resolve.
I look for a way, not a way out.
I won’t follow negative thoughts.
I will seek & find opportunities each day to make positivity louder.
Which line of the positivity pledge resonates most with you right now? For me it’s:
I will stay positive no matter what energy is around me.
What would you add to the pledge or what will you take from it?
Back in July you guys suggested that we turn the tables on the podcast and I be in the hot seat for an interview. I turned to my Primal Potential Masters Club to put together a list of questions and I’m sharing parts of the interview with you!
We are talking struggles, moderation, body acceptance, goals and so much more on today’s podcast. I share my thoughts on what has surprised me most about Primal Potential, when I decided to start my own company and lots of thoughts on my own personal journey and experiences as a podcaster/teacher.
If you have questions you’d like me to answer, put them in the comments and I’ll make sure to answer every one either in the comments or on my Anchor channel.
Please note: there is a curse word in this episode.
I am an introvert. For real, it’s true. It hasn’t always been that way but absolutely has been for the last 10-15 years. I am consciously choosing to not let my shyness be a barrier to connection but rather to break down that barrier, choice by choice.
One of the ways I do this is by seeking ways to step out of my comfort zone. I intentionally strike up a conversation with a stranger in the gym when I’d prefer to keep to myself.
I introduce myself to someone I want to connect with instead of hoping they introduce themselves to me.
Every day I look for opportunities to move towards things that make me uncomfortable instead of away from them.
I’m going to a party tonight. I’m going alone and I will know very few people there. The people I will know aren’t friends, they are casual, new-ish acquaintances at best.
Normally, I wouldn’t go. Today, I’m choosing to go.
Here’s what I realized when thinking about the party: uncomfortable isn’t bad. It’s not painful. I won’t get hurt. In fact, uncomfortable is totally fine.
If I go and feel uncomfortable standing by myself, that is fine. I will be fine. It’s not a problem at all.
If it feels uncomfortable to strike up a conversation with a stranger, I will be fine. It is not bad. It is not painful. It’s not a problem at all.
And, the only way to make uncomfortable things feel more comfortable is to step towards them, not away from them.
The same thing is true with all discomforts.
Does it feel uncomfortable to turn down temptation? That is fine. It won’t hurt. You can do it. It’s not a bad thing. Embrace the discomfort.
Run towards it, not away from it.
Does it feel uncomfortable to go to a new gym? That’s okay. It won’t hurt you. It’s not even bad. You can ease the discomfort by stepping towards it instead of running from it.
Uncomfortable is fine. Step towards it. Embrace it. You’re fine & so am I.
{edited to add}
I wrote this blog and then went about my work. I had to get Saturday’s podcast out the door, I had a handful of conference calls & in-person meetings, etc. Before getting ready for the party, I decided to hop on my bike to generate some energy since I was feeling pretty tired.
I get to one of the last pages of the book I was reading (Reinvent Yourself by James Altucher) and this is the picture facing me as I turn the page.
Today’s workout was a great one. It called for box jumps but I nixed those to be more tender with my knee after yesterday’s wall balls. Here’s what I did:
3 RFT
500m row
12 burpees
21 heavy ball slams
My shoulders were totally lit after those ball slams (which were in lieu of box jumps). Felt great to crush it!
On the food front:
I went straight to Whole Foods after my workout to get some bacon. I made up my cabbage salad bowl with bacon & avocado after the workout.
Throughout the afternoon I snacked on some pili nuts and drank a few bottles of sparkling water.
I chose to eat before the party since I don’t know what will be there. I had brussels sprouts and grilled chicken. I’m not planning to drink alcohol at the party but I’ll happily enjoy seltzer if they have it! If not, plain water will do just fine.
Make the most of your weekend! Give some thought to what will make you proud & then make it happen!
This is a special, random, unexpected mini-sode. Today, in fact, just a few minutes ago, my girlfriend Ella from On Air with Ella called to ask me about ASCEND.
When I picked up the call she said “I’m recording us” which was totally fine because we’ve had about a million casual conversations where after the fact we’ve thought – hey, that was some deep stuff. That could have been a podcast! Warning: because this was just a casual chat and we weren’t thinking of it as a podcast, I do cuss. Sorry ’bout it! This episode is marked explicit.
While today wasn’t deep, we still wanted to share with you our chat about ASCEND Boston, what it is and Ella joining the party for a special workshop!
I don’t usually drop Friday episodes but this is a short one and I really hope we’ll see you at ASCEND. Click here to get your tickets or read more below!
I really, really, really wanted to change. I wanted to be healthy, lean, confident, energetic, fit & sexy.
But, I wasn’t doing the work.
I wanted it more than anything. I really did. But, in moments of temptation, emotion, fatigue or any number of other things, I’d turn to excuses like, “I’ll start tomorrow” or “just one last hurrah to get it out of my system”.
Then of course I’d wonder, “Why do I suck? What is wrong with me? What’s it gonna take? Will I ever do it?”
After losing nearly half my body weight and shocking myself more than anyone else with my determination & persistence, I knew I had to help people like me.
It really wasn’t just about weight loss because to be honest, my weight wasn’t the only reason I had this “why do I suck?” feeling.
For a long time, I felt the same way about my finances. I was in debt. I was making decent money at my job but it was all spoken for before it hit my bank account each week because I owed on student loans, credit cards, a mortgage, car payments and a million other things.
I desperately wanted to be able to enjoy my money and find a way out of debt but I continued to buy clothes I didn’t need and coffees that were 4 times the cost it would be to make at home.
So with well over 100 lbs lost and nearly 130K in debt paid off, I knew I had to help others fight the fight. But HOW?
I’ve done a lot of things. Primal Potential is 3 years old and it’s helped hundreds of people with the Fat Loss Fast Tracks, the podcast, blogs, emails, Breaking Barriers & Carb Strategies.
BUT. It’s not enough. It’s not making the impact I know needs to be made. It’s not making the impact I know I’m here to make.
I knew that there were still hundreds, if not thousands of people who were inspired by the content but haven’t taken the steps to make meaningful change in their lives.
I had to do more. What’s the next evolution? But what? And how? How do I reach them?
ASCEND is how. It cuts through all the crap, rhetoric & theory and helps ME get to YOU. It’s for you and about you. It’s about actively MOVING to the next level of life & achievement. Right there. Right then. Together.
Last year, after feeling like I could only help so much with the podcast, I decided to host a live weekend even in Nashville Tennessee. I remember telling people, “I promise, it will change your life“.
A few days before the event in Nashville, one of my clients emailed me. She had been explaining to her young daughter that she was going on a trip to see Elizabeth Benton. Her daughter replied, “Because she’s going to change your life, right?”
Gulp. No friggin’ pressure! I remember talking on the phone with my mom last night and recounting the story to her. She flatly replied, “Well, you told them you would.”
As many of those original ASCEND attendees sign up for our second weekend event this November, I know they got what they came for, I know I did as I promised and here’s the best part.
ASCEND Boston will be even better. I am 10000000% certain of that. I was nervous going to ASCEND last year but this year I am just over-the-moon-excited.
Like I said, there’s only so much I can do on the podcast. We can’t dive deep into YOU. I can’t talk to YOU about your excuses and what’s really behind them. I can at ASCEND.
On the podcast, I can’t carve out the time for you to REALLY connect with yourself, what you want and what needs to change for you to get it. I can at ASCEND.
On the podcast, I can’t sit down with you and say “there’s a lot more behind what you’re saying is hard. Let’s power through that now. Let’s set you free from that.” I can at ASCEND.
I got so, so excited today while I was working on ASCEND. See, I’ve committed a minimum of 1 hour every single day, 7 days a week, between now and ASCEND in November to work on NEW breakthrough topics & challenges to share. As I sat for my hour today I thought, “I think this is my favorite one ever!!! I wish it was November already…” But I know that by then I’ll have 2 solid days worth of new & insanely powerful topics and challenges for us to go through together and I’ll be just as excited to explore each one with you.
I say with confidence & excitement: ASCEND will change your life.
And and I’m almost as excited that today is the day I get to invite you!
ASCEND tickets are now on sale! There is tons of information below including what, where, why, how much & what else! Just don’t forget: there are only a total of 80 tickets available for the event.
If you KNOW you need to be there and have heard how spectacular last year was, head to this link now to buy your ticket: http://primalpotential.com/ascendboston/
If you need to know more, I’ve got your back. Let’s cover all our bases.
You can listen to my thoughts, excitement and objectives in this voice note
You can read through some FAQs below.
When?
November 3rd & 4th in Cambridge, MA (just a stone’s throw outside of Boston, right along the beautiful Charles River) There will also be a casual meet up with food & drinks on Thursday night November 2nd. Sessions will start at 8am Friday November 3rd so make sure you’re there by then!
Where?
The Courtyard by Marriott Boston-Cambridge in Cambridge, MA just minutes from Harvard Square.
How much?
Tickets are $597. It was important for me to lower the price from last year when tickets were between $797 and $979. This year I challenged myself to give more to more people for less money. It’s about impact, for me. Not income.
What does the price include?
Go here for more info (but read the rest first in case I cover another one of your questions).
Is ASCEND a weight loss event?
No, it is not, though it will absolutely help you take ANY goal, including weight loss, to the next level. This is about you, getting what you want, and figuring out how to not let previous obstacles & roadblocks stand in your way anymore.
How is ASCEND different from what I talk about in the podcast?
The podcast is general. The podcast isn’t about YOU. The podcast doesn’t allow for personalized attention and activities. It’s information. ASCEND is investigation. Personal investigation and a concentrated focus on YOU.
If you have any questions and you’ve reviewed all the above information (and links), don’t hesitate to reach out! I’m happy to chat it through with you!
I really hope to hang out with you in Boston in November! Here’s that link again to learn more about what’s included in the ticket price & to purchase your tickets.
Please note that tickets are non-refundable & non-transferrable. Fortunately, you will not regret attending this event. It might be the best weekend of your year! 🙂
Let’s talk nuts. First, the title here isn’t a typo. You are nuts.
If you’d rather listen to this blog than read it, click here to listen on my Anchor channel. Please note that Anchor is not my podcast – it’s a short-form audio only casual content channel where I share daily thoughts, challenges & answer your questions.
I’m gonna keep this part short. If you aren’t happy with your life but you aren’t creating change, you’re nuts.
One of the most powerful and transformative quotes I’ve ever heard is from the poet Rumi:
Why do you stay in prison when the door is so wide open?
Is change easy? No. But is being unhappy easy?
No!
Hard choices, easy life. Easy choices, hard life.
I was in a habit of eating fast food & Hostess cupcakes. I was in a habit of getting snacks from the vending machine and overeating daily.
The choices were easy because they were familiar but my life was not easy. It was agonizing. I was miserable.
Changing my choices was hard, but certainly not harder than being unhappy and feeling hopeless.
It’s perspective, my friends.
If you aren’t happy but you choose comfortable and easy over amazing & hard – you are nuts.
You are in control. Progress is worth it.
Why do you stay in prison when the door is so wide open?
Focus JUST FOR TODAY on what you can do to move towards your goals and do the damn thing!
Ok…
Let’s talk about my nuts.
Actual nuts. I get a lot of questions about nuts. Are they fat? Are they protein? Carbs. It depends. First of all, peanuts are actually legumes – part of the bean family. They aren’t nuts.
The rest of the true nuts (tree nuts) – almonds, cashews, macadamias, etc – differ greatly in their nutrient composition.
Cashews, for example, are higher in carbohydrate than almonds.
Almonds are higher in carbohydrate than macadamia nuts.
Macadamia nuts have more fat.
Here’s an awesome chart I’ve borrowed from almonds.com to give you a sense of how various 1-ounce servings of nuts compare.
Know what nut isn’t on this chart? You might not have ever heard of it: pili nuts. They’re suuuuper tasty. Of all tree nuts, they have the lowest carbs and the highest fat. They’re also a great source of magnesium. We’re talking only 1g of carbohydrate and a whopping 24 grams of fat per serving.
Don’t go nuts with them though! Pun intended. They’re a hefty dose of fat so take it easy.
Wanna talk about today’s workout? I’m excited to say that I did wall balls – my first time squatting in a few weeks and it felt pretty good.
2 RFT
25 deadlifts
50 wall balls
50 cal bike
Not having squatted in a while, my quads definitely had a hard time adjusting to the wall balls but I pushed through, gave 100% effort and feel really proud of the workout. I made time to foam roll & ice right afterwards just to make sure I’m not aggravating my knee. Since I tested it out today, I’ll go back to babying it for a few days.
On the food front:
I didn’t really eat last night’s dinner. I made it but wasn’t too hungry so I put it back in the fridge and had it for breakfast this morning.
Around 1pm I had 1/4 cup of those pili nuts – nom nom nom. Then, I did the classiest thing of the day and prepped dinner to bring to a restaurant. Yup, I’m headed out to watch the first Patriots pre-season game at a bar and I’m brining my own meal.
Is it allowed? No. Will they throw me out? Probably not. If they tell me to put it away, I will, but I don’t think they’ll say anything.
I’m making up my cabbage salad bowl with raw shredded cabbage, hardboiled egg, avocado & bacon and taking it on the road with me.
Could I order fish & veggies at the bar? Or a burger without the bun? Of course. But it wouldn’t be as tasty or filling as my cabbage salad bowl so I choose that!
Make it a great day! Make choices that make you proud.
