I never had aspirations to work in the Fitness Industry. The only reason I started lifting weights in the first place was to build a physique that would stop me from getting my ass kicked daily at school and would attract girls at the same time. Little did I know at the time that you can still get your ass kicked if you’re big and that most women could care less about how muscular a man is. Unfortunately, intelligence and developing a personality take precedence over chiselled abs and bulging biceps.
Although my initial goal was purely out of vanity and perhaps even a bit misguided at first, it still got me into the gym. Training taught me how to remain disciplined, committed and consistent toward achieving my goals. The more I trained the more results I began to notice with my physique. As other people around me started to notice these results as well, they began to ask me for advice on how they too could develop their physiques. Soon after, I had gym members asking me if I could teach them how to train properly. I remember having a small roster of twenty clients before I even had my Personal Training License!
This of course is what eventually propelled me into my career as a Business Owner/Personal Trainer/Online Coach. And after two decades of working in the fitness industry, my passion for helping people improve the quality of their lives through diet and exercise continues to remain at an all-time high.
What Does it Take To Become The GOAT?
Like anything in life, if you have aspirations to become the greatest of all time in your sport, industry and/or career, then you have to be willing to put in the work. Talent and genetics alone will only you so far in life. If you lack a strong work ethic and do not have the discipline required to remain focused on achieving your goals, then you will be lucky if you even break into the top 20%, never mind become the GOAT.
When it comes to running a successful business, I’ve always believed that you have to be willing to make sacrifices. Whether that means giving up your weekends, waking up before dawn and going to sleep after midnight, neglecting meaningful relationships, and/or pausing your social life at times, if you truly want to become successful in life, you really will do whatever it takes to become successful.
But Should You?
I like to think of myself as being somewhat successful. I own a profitable business, have a full roster of clients who want to work with me, and live primarily off the passive income I generate through real estate and my portfolio. I don’t consider myself fortunate because I worked my ass off to get everything I have in life. No one gave me anything. Quite honestly, I don’t think I would have been able to make the sacrifices needed or have the work ethic that is required if I had been given a handout.
Looking back now though, there are some things I would have changed with regards to how I approached getting to where I am today. And I would be lying if I said I had no regrets. On the contrary, I have numerous regrets. So much so, that I continuously find myself asking myself if I did need to make all those sacrifices and remain so focused and disciplined throughout all those years.
I ended a long term relationship to put all my energy into my business when I first got started.
And then I just ended up alone.
I worked 12 hours a day, 7 days a week to make more money.
And then I just ended up tired and burnt out.
I lived off 3 hours of sleep for 8 years straight.
And then I ended up having a Grand Mal Seizure.
And although I might be somewhat successful, I do not consider myself to be anywhere close to the GOAT when it comes to my career or within my industry. I would question if I even would make that top 20% at this point.
Why Not?
Check out part 2 of my 2-part series blog – “Aspiring To Become The Goat – Part 2″ next week and I’ll tell you.
Yours in Good Health,
Nick Cosgrove
Forever Fit Performance