Mindset

My Journey To Ultra - Baseline (Day 1)

My Journey To Ultra - Baseline (Day 1)

Embarking on a transformative journey in 2024, I'm taking on two monumental challenges: my first 50K mountain ultramarathon and my first Spartan Race Ultra on my 50th birthday. Despite recent health setbacks and injuries, I'm determined to reach peak physical condition. Join me as I document this journey of resilience and self-discovery - it won't be boring!

I Will Endure, I Will Experience, and I Will Learn

I Will Endure, I Will Experience, and I Will Learn

With so little time to prepare going into my Spartan Death Race (I fly out in 2 weeks!), I'm not going to be able to do anything to meaningfully alter and train my body for the physical demands of this kind of ultra-endurance event.  It's simply not possible.  Preparing to take the step up from around where my current conditioning is at to run a multi-day endurance race is usually achieved on the timescale of years (yes, YEARS, plural), not weeks, so I'm just going to have to "run what I brung" to use an old motor-racing phrase.

But I can't help having some real moments of deep self-doubt.  Like, literally tears streaming down my face while out on a walk or run, "who the hell do I think I am to attempt this?" and "I am in WAY over my head" kind of moments.

So, knowing that I can't change myself physically, and working through my moments of self-doubt, what CAN I do to prepare?

What I Learned While Climbing WAY Too Many Stairs Last Weekend

What I Learned While Climbing WAY Too Many Stairs Last Weekend

I went into last weekend's Step Up For Cardiac Health event with zero expectations.  I was just there to put in my best effort and support a good, local cause.  To end up finishing as the first place male and second place overall was honestly quite a shock.

I can't remember the last time I was first place at anything.  I honestly don't know that I've EVER been first place before.  Maybe sometime in grade school at a Sports Day event...? Nope- just remembered. Raina and I won first place in the Boys & Girls Club Car Rally back in 2002, I think.

Anyway, here are a few things I learned along the way…

Reality Check:  Do You Need To Lose Weight To Be Healthy And Happy?

Reality Check:  Do You Need To Lose Weight To Be Healthy And Happy?

One common thing people mention as a goal when we first talk about trying to eat better is weight loss.  For some, it's just "a couple of pounds" and for others, it's pretty significant.  The reasons behind wanting to lose weight may be to improve some health markers, to move better and feel less day-to-day aches and pains, to "look better naked" or for similar aesthetic reasons, or simply because of some preconceived notion of what they "should" weigh.  Some of those reasons also feed into emotional and mental well-being, and can affect our self-confidence, self-image and happiness.

The truth is, most people don't NEED to lose weight to be healthier, and with the right mindset, they don't NEED to lose weight to be happier or more self-confident either.

Read more…

"Recreational Hardship" - Why I Do The Crazy Stuff I Do

"Recreational Hardship" - Why I Do The Crazy Stuff I Do

In an article from Mountain Tactical Institute's website that was recently featured in their newsletter, the writer used the term "Recreational Hardship" to describe the idea of doing hard stuff when you don't have to (I.E. it's not your job, or a requirement for your life in some way) in order to train your body and mind to be resilient and persistent in the face of the challenges that life brings your way.  I really like that, as it clearly and simply defines, for example, participating in Spartan Race events.

Read on for more…

Fear of Failure / Fear of Success

Fear of Failure / Fear of Success

As part of a program I was going through when this blog post was originally written, we were asked to examine our fears with regards to the program, and that got me thinking about the nature of fear when it comes to failure or success of achieving goals or tasks we set ourselves.

There will always be things that are genuinely beyond our control that can influence our success or failure at something, but here we are talking about the things we CAN control – our own behaviours and choices.

So, what do “Fear of Failure” and “Fear of Success” really mean?

When You Can't Walk The Talk...

When You Can't Walk The Talk...

I’ve always been big on being someone who leads by example, and that has been a big part of my identity as a coach / trainer. I never ask my clients to do anything I couldn’t or wouldn’t do myself. I have always strived to “Walk The Talk”.

What happens, though, when you CAN’T “Walk The Talk”?

Loving Yourself While Still Wanting To Change

Loving Yourself While Still Wanting To Change

When it comes to making lasting change, one stumbling block that I’ve seen with clients and come up against in my own journey of self-discovery and behaviour change, is the apparent dichotomy between loving and accepting one's self as-is versus the desire to improve and be one's best self.

In simpler terms, "How can I truly love myself, yet still want to change?" (Read more…)

Why You CAN'T Stop Overeating

Why You CAN'T Stop Overeating

Have you ever wondered why there are certain things you just...CAN'T...STOP...EATING?

It may have nothing to do with willpower.

There's a whole industry dedicated to creating hyperpalatable foods that hit all of the sensory triggers that compel you to keep on plowing through that bag of chips, box of cookies, or bucket of chicken. They are like fireworks in your brain, a party in your mouth...you get the idea. (READ MORE…)

Change Your Self-Talk To Change Your Identity

Change Your Self-Talk To Change Your Identity

“What we dwell on, we become." —Oprah Winfrey

The quote above from one of the most successful women in entertainment history highlights the simple idea that what we focus our attention on begets more of that thing, even if only in our own mind, and it is in our MIND where our reality is constructed.

Read the full article for some ideas on how to take control of your self-talk to build the identity and self-image you want…

The Truth Behind "Athletic" Body Fat Levels for Women

The Truth Behind "Athletic" Body Fat Levels for Women

Have you ever wondered what your body fat percentage "should" be?

With the general standard that higher than 33% body fat for women is considered obese and the considerable stigma around that term, the outrageous claims of low body fat for celebrities and "fitness influencers", and the unrealistic images in the media (often photoshopped, but sometimes the result of dangerous weight-cutting / dehydration pre-photo-shoot), we've been given some really skewed perspective to work with.

Read the full article for the TRUTH behind the body fat percentages of some really athletic women - it might surprise you!

What Does "Healthy Eating" Look Like FOR YOU?

What Does "Healthy Eating" Look Like FOR YOU?

On a coaching call this past week, one of our members expressed her frustration with one of the lessons that asked her to “Imagine a really awesome, healthy, delicious meal.”

The problem was that what her brain told her a “really awesome, healthy meal” should be didn’t at all look like something delicious to her.

Achieving the health and physique outcomes you want and maintaining them is all about finding the balance that works for you between what you’re doing now and that unattainable “perfect” ideal diet.

Here’s how it works…

Is There An "Off-Season" For Fitness?

Is There An "Off-Season" For Fitness?

We've all heard of the "off-season" for competitive athletes. It's that time of year when they're not in competition, and are either backing off on training to recover for their next season, or amping up their training to be in better condition. Either way, managing the off-season well is often crucial to the performance of an athlete from season to season, and in increasing career longevity.

But what about those of us who don't compete?

What if our "sport" is simply being better at our lives - being stronger, healthier and happier? Is there an off-season for that?

Well...yes and no.

Finding Purpose / Direction In My Journey - Coach JP's Journal

Finding Purpose / Direction In My Journey - Coach JP's Journal

OK - I’m Struggling

Over the past couple of months, but this past eight days in particular, I’ve experienced what I would describe as the culmination or confluence of a number of different stresses and struggles. It’s felt as if the sum of all the difficulties and challenges of this past 14 months has finally burst the floodgates and beaten me down. As a result, I haven’t been journaling this past eight days because I didn’t want it to be just a repeating message of negativity.

Why I've Put Away All My Spartan Race Medals...

Why I've Put Away All My Spartan Race Medals...

I’ve been struggling this past month with a feeling of…ambivalence, I guess would be the word (or maybe indifference?), when it comes to my own training and nutrition. This may seem a strange thing to hear from a personal trainer and nutrition coach, but hey…I’m just as human and fallible as any of you!

I made a commitment to endeavour to lead by example this year, and this is hardly the example I want to set, so I’ve been keeping these thoughts / feelings to myself and just trying to work them out behind the scenes. Again, though - sometimes I just need to get stuff down on “paper” (or the current digital equivalent) to work stuff out, so here goes…

Reflections On A Rough Start To 2021

Reflections On A Rough Start To 2021

As I sit here, NOT running my first training sessions of 2021 this morning due to a gout attack (something which is, thankfully, quite rare for me these days, but this one was particularly ill-timed), I find myself reflecting on what I plan to do with myself this year, and the challenges I may face.

I have set myself four main tasks to work on this year to help me become a better coach and leader, and in particular to aid me in leading by example with those over whom I have some influence (however small):

  1. Practice and improve my craft as a Nutrition Coach.

  2. Explore my limits as a Multi-Disciplinary Athlete.

  3. Further develop my skills as a Cook and Baker.

  4. Practice and improve my craft as a fitness, nutrition and lifestyle Content Creator.

Here’s what I’m thinking…

Is "Eating Clean" Driving You Crazy?

Is "Eating Clean" Driving You Crazy?

When most people think of obsessive behaviour around food, they think of the classic “food addiction” kind of person, who craves and/or gorges themselves on unhealthy treats, or an “emotional eater” who eats to feel better about themselves or their lives, to distract themselves from their other issues, or simply because they’re bored. Sometimes, these behaviours can lead to eating disorders like bulimia as people punish themselves for their indulgence. These are real problems, and take work to overcome. (If any of that sounds like you, we can help, or at least point you in the right direction – Contact Us to start the discussion)

Today, though, I want to talk about the other end of the spectrum, which is at least as damaging to your mental and emotional well-being, and often comes about when someone has worked their way through one or more of those classic food addiction or emotional eating issues, or has been a chronic dieter. While eating healthier overall is an admirable goal, constantly worrying about “eating clean” or berating yourself for not being restrictive enough or “perfect” at sticking with a better diet is very unhealthy. In fact, it has its own disorder – orthorexia.

Once Again, I Have Failed

Once Again, I Have Failed

Sunday, September 29, 2019
On yesterday’s Valley Vertikiller 25K Clinic training run, I failed.

Right around the 15K mark of a planned 20K distance (with 1,100m of climbing!), my legs fought back against my will with a vengeance. Excruciating cramps in my hip flexors, quads and adductors literally brought me to a standstill, and I had to will my muscles to relax enough to keep moving forward. Every step from that point forward was an exercise in suffering and anger.