“Live Like an Olympian”
My main goal for this year has two inspirations: the 2014 Winter Olympics and my clients at EMPOWER Personalized Fitness. The Olympics have always been a fascination of mine. The world uniting under one location is certainly a remarkable and encouraging site. However, what really excites me about the games are the Olympians themselves. Their unwavering dedication, passion and commitment to their craft is breathtaking. To think that the average age for an Olympian during the 2012 Olympics was just 26 years and the maturity displayed amongst them, being far beyond their years, is truly remarkable. There is a reason why this is such a select group. There is a reason why these boundless individuals are the world’s best. It all stems from dedication and thus my 2014 goal has unearthed:
I will live every day with the dedication and passion of an Olympian.
One of the things I like best about myself is my ability to self motivate. It originates from the unrelenting support and love that I am showered with from my family, growing up and now. They have sincerely made me feel like I can accomplish anything and not only that but be the best at it. I am sure that an Olympian has some sort of a similar support structure (but perhaps more pressure) that motivates them through life and in their practice. Recently my self motivation has been primarily displayed while working out. I never succumb to a physical challenge by emotionally giving in. I feel however, that my motivation has not been as transcendent into my life outside of exercise as I would like it to. I have long term goals for myself and my future family and I should be doing something every single day that takes me a step closer to them. Sure I am working hard at the studio and have certainly brought dedication and passion into my work, but it is not enough. An Olympian is the world’s best. My disposition this year is to do everything I can with commitment and purpose. To live each day like the whole world is watching my performance. To never lose sight of my goals, nor forget about my support structure.
Speaking of my support structure, my second inspiration for this year’s resolution are my clients at EMPOWER Personalized Fitness. My hope is that this aspiration elicits a ‘pay it forward’ mentality within those around me. I want to embody the Olympic spirit in such a way that it becomes contagious. A good majority of my clients come to the studio because they need guidance and motivation. Although it may be my primary job to improve their bodies, I also take my responsibility as their trainer to improve their minds. Health and fitness is a way of life, not simply a weekly appointment. I want to empower as many as I can, like my family has done for me, to realize that the world is your Olympics and you are the torch bearer. You are the one chosen because you have what it takes. I want them to be able to take that torch and carry it with them through every event in life. If you are at work, perform your job like an Olympian. If you are a parent, raise your child like an Olympian. If you are in the grocery store, shop for groceries like an Olympian. I am genuinely concerned for each of my client’s well being, but hopefully this doesn’t work so well that all my clients become so inspired the no longer need my services!
I will live every day with the dedication and passion of an Olympian and with hope that this select group will become a whole lot bigger.
Angelo received his Bachelor of Science degree as a Health Fitness Specialist through East Carolina University in 2011. He is also certified through the American College of Sports Medicine as a Certified Personal Trainer. Angelo’s original passion for group fitness stems from his work with Les Mills and his group fitness certifications through the Les Mills organization.
