Thankful To Have Been Born

October 22nd, 2024  7:11am 

 Dear Workout Hero, As you probably already know, today is 43rd birthday, and it's already shaping up to be a very memorable one! 

Tomorrow I'll tell you all about the fun surprise that awaited me this morning as I opened up my gym around 4am -- Wow! I never in my wildest dreams imagined something so cool happening to me like that and it deserves its own email. :)

Let's just say I have the bestest, sweetest, and most thoughtful clients ever that make me feel very loved and blessed! 🥰 

Along those lines, today I'm going to share a very valuable tip towards making your fitness journey a success that is often overlooked...

  I discovered it last year around Christmas time.  For Christmas, Workout Hero Legend Mary gave us all in our little workout group a lovely book, called Big Panda and Tiny Dragon 

 Here is how Amazon describes that book: Big Panda and Tiny Dragon embark on a journey through the seasons of the year together. They get lost, as many of us do. But while lost, they discover many beautiful sights they'd never have found had they gone the right way.  

 Told through a series of beautiful drawings and quiet, sometimes silly, conversations, the panda and the dragon explore the thoughts and emotions, hardships and happiness that connect us all. In nature, they learn how to live in the moment, how to be at peace with uncertainty, and how to find the strength to overcome life's obstacles together. 

 I opened up that book and the first entry I found was a beautiful drawing of Tiny Dragon sitting on the back of Big Panda, riding him like a horse.

Both traveling along a fence with a gorgeous mountain landscape in the background.

 "Which is more important," asked Big Panda, "the journey or the destination?" "The company." said Tiny Dragon.  

There is your tip #16 if you're keeping track, Workout Hero :)  

 You hear me talk all the time about this fitness journey It's funny how we get going into this fitness journey based on a lot of self-interest.

 A lot of people enjoy the process, like doing the workouts, they bring their own rewards... gets us feeling good for the day...

 That would be the "journey" side of Big Panda's question. 

-or- 

Some are totally motivated by the results.  The "after" picture.  Looking a certain way.

Achieving certain health markers.  Losing a certain amount of weight.  There it's all about the destination. Workouts and meal planning and all that are just a means to an end.  

Just like Tiny Dragon says, one isn't any more important than the other.  

One isn't necessarily "better" than the other.  What makes a world of difference, though, is WHO is on the journey with you.  Which is where being a Workout Hero sets you apart because you're on this journey with your fellow Workout Hero.  
 I've been in and around gyms for most of my adult life, and trust me when I say this...  ... you, the Workout Hero, are special.   So sweet. So funny.  So supportive. Unselfish and kind.  

Smiley and good-natured.
 Good-looking, giving and cool.

 So understanding, hard-working...

while also being so fun!  Driven to better yourself in honor of your loved ones.

 Setting that example and being the role model for others.  Yup, you sure are in special company, Workout Hero, and I sure am honored to be your Guide.

 Today for my birthday wish, I am wishing you and your fellow adventurer success and goodness as you continue to walk this Path of the Workout Hero alongside each other.

 Till we meet again, know that your awesome future awaits no matter how old your Guide here gets!
:)  

Your Guide & biggest fan,
Mr trainer man Erick

 p.s.  
you also smell nice and have a lovely singing voice when it comes to singing "happy birthday" :)