I watch people train. It’s what I do. For the last few months, I’ve noticed a guy at the club I’ll call "Bob". Solid athletic build, probably 35-40 years old, maybe 5’8” or 5’9”. He’s strong and consistent with his lifting, but he’s carrying some extra body fat—around 20-25%. Between his strength sets, he drags... Continue Reading →
Daily Steps vs. Real Cardio: Why Your Treadmill Walk Might Not Be Building the Fitness You Think
We’ve all seen it in the gym: someone walking on the treadmill at a steady 2.5–3.5 mph, earbuds in, maybe scrolling on their phone. It looks like “cardio time.” But is it really moving the needle on their fitness, heart health, or VO2 max? As a fitness professional who’s had countless conversations with members, this... Continue Reading →
What Is Your VO2 Max and Why Does It Matter?
VO2 max is simply the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use during intense exercise. It’s measured in milliliters of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute (ml/kg/min). Higher numbers equal better cardiorespiratory fitness—and it’s one of the strongest predictors of longevity and maintaining independence in your later years. The topic of VO2... Continue Reading →
If You Want to Play on the Floor With Your Grandkids at 85, This Is What You Need to Be Doing at 55
This past Friday morning, as I was wrapping up my cardio, one of our members, Tim, was finishing his treadmill session right in front of me.As he stepped off, he pulled off his headphones and turned my way. I paused the video on my tablet, said good morning, and asked how his workout went. He... Continue Reading →
3 is not 20: Performance Over Stories
From roughly 1992 to about 2000, I was involved with the old Amway business. I never made much money, but it introduced me to the world of personal development, and for that, I will be forever grateful. One of the leaders of my organization, Kenny Stuart, gave a talk once titled “3 is not 20,”... Continue Reading →
There’s No Such Thing as Treading Water
The inspiration for this post comes from one of my longtime mentors, Andy Andrews. He’s a New York Times bestselling author multiple times over and a keynote speaker. He’s consulted with the federal government, the military, corporate America, and the world of sports. When Nick Saban was still coaching, he would bring Andy in annually... Continue Reading →
R U Focused?
Last Tuesday, during our morning cardio session, I could tell something was off with one of my clients and best friends. She wasn’t her usual upbeat self. When I asked what was going on, she opened up about the three big things scrambling her mind: her stalled progress on weight loss, frustration with her job... Continue Reading →
Strength Training Is NOT Cardio—And Why You Need Both to Stay Independent at 85
I started lifting weights at age 15 to get stronger for golf. As a high school freshman, I was good enough to make the golf team, and toward the end of the year, I had the chance to join the local gym. My sole purpose was to boost my golf game—nothing else. But unfortunately for... Continue Reading →
If Your Why is Big Enough…?
As a master health and nutrition coach, I talk to many people about their weight loss goals. One statement I always make is that I want this to be the last time they ever start a weight loss program. My purpose is to instill in them a belief that they can succeed and to lay... Continue Reading →
Are You Driving Blind? The Journey from “No Pain, No Gain” to Measured Recovery
The concept is simple and visual: If you own a high-end sports car—a Ferrari F80 or a Porsche 911—you would never dream of driving it without a dashboard. Without a dashboard, you would have no idea of your speed, RPM, whether the check engine light was on, or whether the engine was overheating. You would,... Continue Reading →