So.
You’ve decided to make a change in your life – here, with us. This is a decision that we do not take lightly. We know the journey is hard. We know it requires discipline and focus. We know that in this world of over-marketed comforts and dangerously made foods and “nutrition gurus”, you need a guide.
We are that guide. We can help you embrace the work that it will take to get you to your goals. We never promise a quick fix – and learning that reward takes effort – a lot of effort, is what we are all about.
Your decision to change is your decision and it’s important to embrace that right away. It may be a decision that your family and friends do not share – or they would be here with you. You’ve decided to move forward without them and that’s ok. Lots of family and friends are supporting – but there are times when, sadly – they are not. Here is how that version of the story typically goes:
You actually start enjoying the healthy direction you are headed down. A few weeks / months later you even begin to see some changes. Changes you didn’t think were possible. The slippery slope usually begins with a comment:
“You still going to that crazy gym with those crazy people…?”
You laugh it off. You actually see it as a badge of honor at first. You’re a bad ass now and they can see it!
What they see is that you are moving away from their acceptance of conformity and complacency. And the comments continue. The sly comments, irresponsible suggestions, facebook articles and videos start rolling in from all kinds of untold sources. Your friends and family are “just concerned”. So they turn up their “concern”.
Then you decide to try and balance it out. These guys are your friends and family right? They mean well all the time. So – You start being irresponsible with your diet again, You miss a day here, a couple days there – and before you know it you are back with the easy lifestyle you had before. All changes eroding away.
Goals not attained. Sheep status reengaged. Frustration, confusion – nothing ever works! Don’t blame them. They are just being who they are.
At some point – you need to make a decision to save YOU. You do not need everyone’s approval in the pursuit of your goals. You made the choice to make a positive change in your life. It’s not an easy task. If it was – everyone would be fit and healthy.
Obsessed. Crazy. Over the top.
All words that anyone in pursuit of a personal goal will hear. It’s so easy to look at someone on a different journey than yours and dismiss them as crazy.
There are a few things in my life that I am passionate about. My family first of course, but my business and my training I pursue with relentless passion. Anyone who’s gotten remotely close to me will find that it’s these two things that have defined me in my later years.
I’ve recently heard the comment – in jest of course, that there should be more to me than “just lifting weights”. It hit me kind of sideways for a moment. While it was a dig at the amount of time I put into my training – to me it was a clear attack on my character.
Most would laugh uncomfortably and probably throttle back, slow down. If people are making fun of you – you must be doing something wrong, right? You should never do anything to rattle the sheep – to spook the herd. Get in line, do what everyone else is doing. How dare you do something different than me?
Me however – I’m not a herd animal. My eyes are on the front of my face for a reason. I have goals – huge f@#*ing goals.
I learned a long time ago that if you want anything in this life – you are going to have to fight for it. Especially if it’s worth having. No one is going to give it to you. And if its free and easy – its probably disguised shit.
The parallels between building a reputable business with a thriving community, and training at a top level for competition performance are exactly the same. They require sacrifice. Sacrifice of time. Sacrifice of relationships. Sacrifices of comfort. More often than not you will find yourself relentlessly training or bettering your business while the rest of the world carries on with their lives. I spend a lot of time alone working on both – and applying everything I have to gain ground. I live for the little victories, celebrate the big victories, but also relish the mundane steps it takes to get there. I mess up, and learn great lessons from it. I understand it’s not an overnight process. It takes aggressive patience to keep moving forward often times at a snail’s pace – but forward nonetheless. You have to be Obsessed. Crazy. Over the top.
To me its sacrifice that is worth it. It’s a fight worth having everyday. There is nothing easy about it. I want more from this life than cruise control is going to give me. Sacrifice and work are life to me.
Believe it or not – you are going to need this type of passion to reach your goals. You are going to have to make sacrifices that make you uncomfortable. If you want anything better from your life – you are going to have to fight for it. Day by day, everyday. Align yourself with a team of people on the same mission. The Staff and the community here at Iron Legion understands the level of dedication and commitment it takes to get where you are so wanting to be.
The journey is worth it. Embrace the work, enjoy the process. We will be there for the wins – and we will be there for you even on the darkest of days. Because we get it.