The world was first introduced to COVID-19 just over two years ago. Here in Vancouver, British Columbia, we have been coexisting with the Coronaviruses for the better part of the past 19 months. Globally, we have all had to adapt and adjust ourselves to living in "The New Norm" moving forward. From mandatory mask wearing, to social distancing ourselves from one another, to washing our hands 100x/day, life has been a little strange to say the least. When the vaccines were first administered, there was hope that we as a civilization were headed in the right direction to finally ending this Global Pandemic. Most of us (Anti-Vaxxers excluded) lined up and waited anxiously for our first and second vaccination shots so that we would be able to visit with our friends and loved ones again, return to our social lives by going to restaurants and sporting events, and strengthen our own immune systems against this deadly virus. We were told that if we continued to wear a mask, wash our hands and maintain a safe distance (6 feet to be exact) from each other, that we would be saving lives. We were told that if we signed up to get our vaccination shots, the less deadly the virus would become. And we were told that if we all complied with the COVID-19 Safety Rules and Guidelines, the faster this Pandemic would end.

As of today, Thursday, December 23rd, 2021 (2 years, 1 month and 6 days since the first known case of the coronavirus) I am sitting in my office writing this blog in an EMPTY gym because gyms in British Columbia have been forced to close our doors once again, due to the recent surge in COVID cases.

Looking back over these past 19+ months, I can't help but wonder, were we lied to? Does wearing a mask do anything at all? Did I really need to go out and spend thousands of dollars on hand sanitizers for our gym? Could I have visited with my parents more then I was recommended/allowed to see them? Has the vaccination shot done anything at all?

As any of my clients that work with me either Online or In the Gym will tell you, I'm not your typical Trainer/Coach.

When it comes to designing Nutritional Plans, I never count calories.

When it comes to measuring progress, I don't use callipers or the scale.

And when it comes to training in the gym, I don't need a fancy watch to tell me how "intense" I am exercising.

Maybe I'm too old school (or maybe I'm just too old) but the day I that allow a Generic Fitness App to tell me how many carbs I'm "allowed" to consume or how many calories I "need" to burn, will be the day that I request assistance for wiping my own ass.

The other day, I had a new Online Client of mine send me a filtered progress photo. Now this was not the first and most likely will not be the last filtered progress photo that I receive from a client. Unfortunately we now live in an age where filtered photos are considered the norm. However as I gently reminded my new client - I as your Coach actually NEED TO SEE all of your physical flaws and areas of weaknesses, so that I can make an informed assessment on your physique when I make changes to your Diet and/or Training Program. Sending me a filtered photo that hides these flaws and weaknesses are only going to slow down our results, because the changes I make will not be based on accurate information.

My new client was apologetic and understood. However when I asked this person as to why they sent me a filtered progress photo of their physique their response not only surprised me, but more importantly concerned me more then anything else.

I have to be honest - I love money and I love muscles. But more importantly, I love the process of making money and the process of making muscles. I've actually always enjoyed the challenge of making both money and muscles. And for that reason, I would never accept a handout from a friend or family member, and could never consider taking shortcuts with long term anabolic steroid usage to help grow my physique.

For me, there is nothing more rewarding and gratifying then achieving a goal that I have accomplished on my own. It's like I always tell my clients - "I can only provide you with the blueprint to build your physique. You're the ones that have to put in the actual work and effort in order to achieve the results." And this is why I never have and never will take credit for any of our clients achievements.

As for a person's overall net worth? Personally, I could care less as to how much or how little money someone has or doesn't have. It doesn't change my perception of the person or the value in which I place on he or she as a human being.

With that said, I respect people who are kind, empathetic towards others, ambitious, hardworking, and have a desire to become successful in life. I find myself drawn more towards these type of people as they motivate me to be and do better each and everyday. People who constantly bitch and complain are draining. I have no time or desire to surround myself amongst these types of people, or put up with their negative energy.