Okay, I’m not actually retiring from the Fitness Industry, however I would be lying if I said that the thought hadn’t crossed my mind at least once or twice over the past six months. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE my job and enjoy working with every single client that trains with our company. However 2020 has presented numerous obstacles in which I, like many other Small Business Owners have had to try and overcome.

COVID-19 Closes Down Businesses

First, COVID-19 attacked the Globe and then shut down hundreds of thousands of businesses (some of which will never open their doors again). Like most Business Owners, I began to stress that our business too, would eventually succumb to this global pandemic. However due to an amazing and loyal clientele base, not only were we able to continue to keep our doors open, but we actually became even busier during the early stages of this pandemic. Most of our clients wanted to train more, not less. They understood the value in remaining healthy and fit both physically and mentally during these times of chaos, uncertainty and despair. And for our clients that are elderly and/or immune compromised, well instead of coming to see us at our training facility, they began to work with us online through video communication programs such as Zoom and
Go ToMeeting. I’ve had clients that work with us both in person and online tell me that their workouts with us has kept them positive and optimistic about the future. And ofcourse this makes sense. Exercising after all does release Endorphins and helps stimulate the release of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin.

The Aggravated Appendix

Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 is a day in which I will never forget. As this was the day I said goodbye to my appendix for good. Honestly, even though I had lived with my appendix for close to 35 years, the break-up wasn’t too bad. Ofcourse like any break-up, it had it’s messy moments. And like most relationships, it was hard to let go. In fact, it took 2 CT Scans, 3 Litres of Liquid Laxatives, an Enema, and a team of Surgeons to split us apart. However, once the dust settled and any remains from the Enema were all gone and flushed down the toilet, I was free from that abusive relationship.

Unfortunately my freedom was short lived as I was told by the Doctors after my surgery that I could not lift anything heavier than 10lbs for 8 weeks! Now for someone who has a non physical job and/or who sits at a desk all day to make his or her living, this might not be much of an inconvenience. But for a Personal Trainer/Coach who spends close to 12 hours a day on the gym floor teaching, spotting, and demonstrating exercises that all include WEIGHTS, this is damn near IMPOSSIBLE to do.

The thought of taking 8 weeks off from my business scared me half to death. And the thought of taking 8 weeks off from my business during a PANDEMIC, put the nail in the coffin. But the thought of proving the Doctors wrong, is what motivated me to get back into the gym less than 5 days after I was discharged from the hospital. I want to state that I have the utmost respect and admiration for those Doctors, Nurses and my team of Surgeons. However I also know what my body is capable of doing and refuse to follow generic guidelines which are given to the average sedentary person. I’m also a stubborn fool that refuses to lay down and quit when times get tough.

The Never Quit Mentality

I think it’s incredibly important to work on one’s physical health. However I also think that it’s equally important to work on one’s mental health. In times that might seem hopeless, such as the times that we are currently living through, I believe a strong mindset is what’s needed in order to survive and come out on top as an even better person. Rather than blaming COVID-19 for the current and future hardships that we might face, I prefer to take on each challenge that I’m faced with day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute.

It’s easy to become overwhelmed when looking too far into the future which is why I choose to live in the present. I don’t worry about the things that I cannot control and only spend my time focusing on the things in which I can control. As we continue to tread through these uncharted waters of COVID-19 and begin to adapt to our “New Normal”, my focus turns towards following the advice of our acclaimed Provincial Health Officer for British Columbia, DR. Bonnie Henry:

“Be Kind. Be Calm. Be Safe”

Yours in Good Health,

Nick Cosgrove
Forever Fit Performance