As I sit back and reflect on 2018 I realize that I have so much to be grateful for. My business is busier now then it ever has been before. I have a strong support system from both my family and friends/clients. And besides from a few minor injuries, my health is doing just fine. I’ve worked my ass off to get to where I am and I don’t plan on stopping or becoming complacent, even once I’ve achieved my target goals. And although this “Do or Die” mentality has served me well over the past twenty-something years in both my fitness and business ventures, it has done very little to remind me of what’s truly important in life. And that’s living a life of enjoyment, fulfillment, love and happiness.

Now I’ve never been one for the mushy stuff, and it’s safe to say that I rarely if ever let my emotions get the best of me. However as I become older, I’m beginning to realize that there’s much more to life then aesthetics, social status and self validation. I assume these are things that we all learn (or for some of us hopefully learn) as we age. Yet, in an society in which we are constantly judged by how much money we make or how good we look, it can become easy to get lost in a world full of vanity, popularity and narcissistic behaviour.

It’s Not All About The Money & Muscles

We all have idols. And I think it’s important to have an idol. Someone that you can respect and look up to, and use as motivation to help you achieve your own target goals. Ever since I can remember my idol has always been Arnold Schwarzenegger. As a kid I idolized Arnold for his muscles and ability to kick everyones’ ass. As a teenager, I idolized him for his fame and fortune. Today, I continue to idolize Arnold, but not for any of the reasons that I use to idolize him for. Now I idolize him for his intelligence and strong work ethic, his ability to continue to give back to others who are less fortunate, and the role that he has taken on to help improve our environment for future generations to come.

But Arnold is human and like all of us, he does have his faults, many of which have been publicized over the years. But I don’t let his faults deter my opinion or respect for his accomplishments. Instead I find myself being able to relate to him even more, because he is not perfect, and has made many of his own mistakes himself.

Today, despite the fact that his muscles are not as big as they once were, or that he no longer has box office hits, or that he is no longer the Governor of California, Arnold has still found a way to continue to reinvent himself. And this is what I admire and idolize him most for. This is also what I wish to strive to do with myself as I become older and more mature. There will come a time when I will not be able to squat 500lbs. There will come a time when I will not be able to work 7 days a week with no break. There will come a time when I will not be able to say that the word “tired” is a word used to describe the weak and pitiful (I really do say this allot). And when this time comes, I want to be able to reinvent my own self. This is why it’s important that I not just focus on my short term goals, but that I also strive to achieve and maintain my long term goals so that I continue to better myself and those around me well into the future.

Be Helpful, Not Hurtful

As someone who teaches people how to train effectively and eat efficiently, I can tell you first hand that it take alot of time, patience and most of all, ENERGY to help people achieve their health and fitness goals. But I can also tell you that it takes even more energy to put down, make fun and/or ridicule someone who is trying to better themselves through diet and exercise. I honestly cannot stand when I see people in the gym or online criticizing others who may not be in the best of shape or performing an exercise incorrectly. This type of behaviour is just mean and cruel and in my opinion, is only displayed by people who suffer from their own insecurities.

When it comes to diet and training, we all started somewhere. I’m sure many of us made fools of ourselves in the gym at one point or the other. I remember when I first started training, everyday was Chest and Arms Day. I didn’t even know what a squat or lunge was! And as for training my back? Why bother? I couldn’t even see it! I didn’t know how to read food labels and therefore I thought foods such as sugar-induced, overly processed cereals were part of a “Healthy and Balance Diet” because the labels on the box told us so. I also thought gatorade would help me perform better in the gym because the athletes on TV would endorse it. And surely all that whole wheat bread I was consuming, had to be good for me. It is after all “healthier” then white bread right? Ugh……

My point is that just because someone lifts heavier, run faster, and has a bigger social media following on Instagram and Facebook, DOES NOT make that person better then anyone else! I know plenty of people who exercise daily and follow a clean diet who don’t feel the need to brag about their accomplishments and shame others for not doing the same.

Lead By Example

Look, the New Year is coming soon and all of us know what this means: New Year Resolution-ers will be invading our gyms! But rather then dread the arrival of these iron virgins, why not embrace them with a friendly smile or helping hand? There are plenty of exercises out there for us all to do and therefore there is no reason that you should feel that an extra dozen people will be in your way. Learn to share equipment with others. Be respectful of the amount of time that you spend on a machine. Wipe down the equipment after you use it and teach others to do the same.

I have no ambition to become someone’s idol, however if I can motivate others to live a happy and healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise, then I’m more then happy to do it. And if I can show the world that meatheads and eggheads can coexist peacefully within the iron jungle, then even better!

Don’t fall in love for looks and don’t do the work for the money and I’m sure you will find your own true happiness along the way.

Yours in Good Health,

Nick Cosgrove
Forever Fit Performance