Episode 81Mar 6, 2026· 1:21:51
Break Free from Sedentary Living: Rhonda Goode’s Inspiring Fitness Transformation & Practical Tips for Bloggers
▸ Show notes from the creator
In this powerful episode of the Bloggy Friends Show, host Ashley Grant sits down with fitness instructor Rhonda Goode to explore her life-changing health journey. Rhonda shares how witnessing her family's struggle with diabetes and immobility motivated her to lose 120 pounds and rewrite her own health story—without quick fixes, pills, or fad diets. Learn actionable advice for bloggers, desk workers, and anyone craving more movement in their daily routine. Discover why “sitting equals dying,” how to start fitness from zero, the mental health benefits of exercise, and the truth about sustainable change versus fleeting motivation. Whether you’re looking for real-life inspiration or practical tips to break generational health patterns, this episode delivers raw honesty, accountability, and hope for a healthier future. Perfect for anyone ready to move more, feel better, and build a lifestyle—not just a phase.
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About this episode
In this powerful episode of the Bloggy Friends Show, host Ashley Grant sits down with fitness instructor Rhonda Goode to explore her life-changing health journey. Rhonda shares how witnessing her family's struggle with diabetes and immobility motivated her to lose 120 pounds and rewrite her own health story—without quick fixes, pills, or fad diets. Learn actionable advice for bloggers, desk workers, and anyone…
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Full transcript
00:11
What's up, my bloggy friends? Famous Ashley Grant here, and today I have a little bit of a different episode for you. We're talking about fitness. Now, I know what you're thinking. Ashley, this is a blogging podcast. What are we doing? But hear me out. Fitness has become a passion project of mine. And for the last four months, I've been busting my ash, trying to work out as much as possible and move my body as much as possible.
00:30
And here's why this matters to you. Whether you're a blogger who's working from home or you're stuck at a desk job all day, we are sitting way too much. And as my fitness instructor Rhonda Good says in this episode, sitting equals dying. And that hit me hard. Several of the things that she said has hit me hard. But today I am sharing a full interview with Rhonda. She's the incredible woman who at 35 looked at our family's health struggles and she decided to completely write her own health story. She lost 120 pounds and five dress sizes. And now she coaches others through their own transformations. This conversation is raw, it's real, and it's exactly what every single person who works at a computer needs to hear. If you're sitting at a desk job all the time, or if you're sitting at home all the time, I want you to grab your water bottle, maybe go for a walk while you listen to this, do something
01:17
to get moving while you listen, because I think by the end of this, you're going to be asking yourself, can I have more movement, please? Let's dive in. I'm just excited that you're here, and welcome to the show. So we're just going to kind of dive right in. You posted March 30th, 2018 about your gym anniversary. You had joined on March 31st, 2011. And I'm curious as to what was happening in your life at that time at 35 years old that made you join the gym. I was still at a desk job and I felt horrible. I had come out of working probably 70 hours a week and was slowing down. And so I had more time. available and thought, I really need to do something about this before it gets out of control. Because I watched my family and my mother and I thought, and of course a coworker is who talked me into joining the gym. And she lasted about four weeks before she left me. And I looked around and thought,
02:21
you know, I don't notice anything physically different yet, but mentally I feel better. I feel better if I'm here. And so I just kept going. And then when I wasn't sleeping in the middle of the night, I was at a 24 -hour gym at that point. So at 2 a .m., I'd still go back and I'd walk on the treadmill. And I just kept going. And I thought, I'm going to do this. I'm going to change the trajectory of my life. I'm going to do this for nobody but me. Whether there's anyone next to me or not, I'm going to do this.
02:55
So a co -worker talked you into it, but then... you kind of just fell in love with it? Well, I was really determined not to be my mother. Okay. And I tell everyone that there has to be a driving force and it's usually not going to be necessarily your partner or your best friend. It's usually within you. And there has to be something that says that whether you feel like self -esteem and worth is worth it or not, that I'm going to probably be here. And if I'm going to be here, What condition am I going to be in?
03:31
Yeah. And another thing that you said led you to it was the genetics factor. In multiple posts, you talked about having really bad genes on both sides, being headed in the same direction as your family. Can you paint a picture for the listeners as to what you were seeing in your family's health that scared you? And how did you break that generational curse? All of my mom's generation, not her parents. But her generation and all of her cousins were diabetic and high blood pressure. They were diagnosed in probably their 30s, 40s with high blood pressure first.
04:07
Then came diabetes. And diabetes, of course, is very common. And when people are diagnosed with it, it's often looked as if it's not a big deal because you're given plenty of medication to manage it. It's rare that people have doctors that talk to them about how to address it without medication because everything is handed to you in pill form first. And as long as it's managed that way and you're supposed to kind of watch your diet a little, it's good. And then starts the insulin slide where all of the oral meds aren't going to control it because you also aren't addressing your diet or your weight or anything else. So now you're moving to needles. And then you're moving to needles multiple times per day and then you're increasing your dosage. And I mean, this was early on, you know, for her in her 50s, but watching all of them. And then I, too, was guilty because I would go to family reunions and there were no family reunions on
05:09
my mother's side until after my grandmother died, which I thought was kind of interesting. It was almost like they looked and thought, oh, people just die because it was sudden. And I thought, we should probably get together. And so you would watch them, all of them, just pile a plate as high as they could pile it. And it was almost like a competition between the men, especially sons and their fathers. And I would watch them just go back and go back. And you would be guilty of it too. Not that you were competing, but it was just the environment you were in. And so the photo that I post kind of here and there on social media of me is not just a picture of me like when I was bigger, but is a picture at the reunion with my mother. And we both look like we are just in a food coma because we are.
06:04
I mean, our eyes are like we look like we're on drugs. And, you know, and when I look back at that picture, I mean, it was like, wow. I mean, that's, that's something. I mean, I looked like I was drugged out and I'm sure that I had just consumed all that food and it was an after photo and I was huge, you know, and I was not that old, probably, let's see, probably 23 at that point. And so, um, I mean, I started gaining weight as soon as I got married, which is very typical because of lifestyle changes and lots of females go on birth control and that doesn't help. And I did all of that too. So it wasn't just that I also had a desk job, but just looking at that. And then my father's side, same thing, all high blood pressure, all diabetic. His mom lost half of a leg to diabetes before her ultimate death from cancer. My father died from cancer, but had diabetes the entire time. And so dying doesn't scare me, as I tell everyone. Living
07:17
like that does, where you just are not in control of your life because everything is built around all of the medicines you take. You feel like garbage all the time. You're not physically active and you have no energy. And it just. compounds because i don't feel well so i don't feel like moving well i'm not going to move because i don't feel well and i haven't moved in oh 10 years and it's just you know and you just get used to it you get comfortable in it but watching all of them was i'm an only child with no children by choice and so for me i was like there's no one to take care of me yeah and so i really need to do something about this before it's too late because it can get too late yeah Yeah. It is interesting that you said that you look like you were drugged out because, you know, they've done studies and they've shown that sugar is has the same things, some of the same effects as cocaine. And yeah, that's it is a drug. It
08:21
is a drug. Yeah. Well, back in 2020, you said that you were down 120 pounds and five dress sizes. And you shared a photo from when you were 25, gaining weight every year with that best job, working 10 hours a day. Walk us through the transformation of what it was like to start making those physical changes, not just physical ones, but who you became as a person through the process. You know, at first when you start, well, I think for most people, I mean, and everyone will tell you that physical activity is the easy thing to start and do. And it is. I mean. You have to start, though. But once you make it a habit, that's easy. Addressing your diet and other things, it's not easy. I mean, most of us want things that are quick and simple. And I always cooked, but I cooked simple meals and still do. So it wasn't that I was necessarily eating out a lot, but I ate out more. I mean, when I would go to McDonald's at my biggest.
09:22
And I was with my mother who would encourage me to get more food because, honey, you're going to be hungry if you don't. So I would get two double cheeseburgers and a large fry and a soda and consume all of it. And my mother would sit there and look at me after she'd also eaten an enormous amount of food and say, do we need to go back through the drive -thru and get more? I mean, it was just constant encouragement of.
09:50
You know, and I don't know if because my my parents didn't live through the depression. So it wasn't that it was just this mindset that they had. So you kind of have to unlearn that, that, OK, I may still eat some bad things, but I also know that I should probably stop at a certain point instead of just not stopping as I'm eating, you know, because people don't really understand for the most part when they're actually hungry.
10:20
Because it's, well, I eat at this time of day every day or I eat this much every time I eat or I always I don't like leftovers or I don't want to throw food out or whatever it is. And so they just keep going back. So you kind of have to unlearn that, too. And I think that's the first step from normal people that aren't going to get on these fad trains of doing all kinds of crazy things is that when am I actually hungry? So am I going to slow down and eating?
10:50
Because that's the other thing, too. People eating while they're driving, people eating while they're working at the desk, people eating all the time because they don't realize it. Or while they're watching TV. Or watching TV or whatever. Everything's mindless, you know. So it's stopping and saying, oh, I'm full. Yeah. I don't need any more, whether that's potato chips or whatever. I mean, I'm full. And then as you change your diet, I mean, I stopped eating fast food completely. I didn't give up soda for. probably the first year, just because it was like, well, I'm definitely not seeing the results I would like to see. And I was a Mountain Dew drinker, which is common in this state anyway. And, you know, I mean, as far as like how many I consume today, I don't know, but probably three, four. I've never been someone who has to have liquid with me all the time. So it's not as if I just drink, drink,
11:42
drink, because I didn't do that. I've never done that. I don't do it with water. I just, I don't. And there's a lot of times I don't drink with a meal. Because I don't necessarily feel compelled to drink. I drink when I'm thirsty. I drink when I'm working out. But it was the small steps like that. Because I've never taken any gigantic, crazy steps with food. I mean, I still eat, you know, carbs and chocolate, as I tell you, every day. Now, yesterday, at the end of the day, I was like, did I eat chocolate today? And sometimes I have to think about it. And it's like, oh yes, I did. Okay. Well, you've consumed your amount that you should have today. So you've had to think about it. You must feel like you need some more, but you're not going to do that. But now we all have bad days, whether that's emotional or whatever. And there are some days when I go, oh, I'm going to eat it again. Yeah. I don't
12:33
care. I'm going to eat it again. Yeah. You know, or I'm going to go to Cold Stone and get the biggest thing of ice cream in the chocolate dip cone with chocolate, chocolate, chocolate. Because I know I work out every day and I'm going to eat it, you know, but I don't do that weekly even. Yeah. So it's just a it's just a change of I'm still going to have treats. I'm still going to eat what I want, but I'm probably going to manage it better and eat less of it and maybe less often. Yeah. But, you know, so it's all that that you have to. And then as your mindset changes and you physically start seeing changes, of course, you became more confident. I mean, of course you do. Yeah. That's part of it. And then as you become more confident, many times the people around you get really threatened.
13:18
And it's very common. And I tell people a lot that, you know, do not be surprised when your family who isn't willing to do the work. Because my mother, up until she died, you're doing too much. You're going to burn your body out. You're working too hard. You're doing too much. You know, and I always used to tell her, well. It's going to wear out. So I can either wear it out, working it out, or I can wear it out sitting like you're sitting 25 hours a day. Like I'll take this. It is better. It feels better. So, you know, so, but it's just, and it's very interesting because most people deal with body dysmorphia when you start and you are always going to see yourself as the big person. And even now in the mirror, when I look at myself, when I see my shadow, Like in the sun. I mean, I'll never forget the first time I really noticed my shadow in the sun. I was like, who is that? Because you just don't believe that you're that size. So
14:17
when you go clothes shopping, you go a size or two too big. And some people are just more comfortable in bigger clothes. I mean, you know, I don't necessarily want a tight shirt for a lot of things, but there's also just going in a dressing room and going, oh, I can wear a medium. Or, oh, a small fit. Wow. You know, wow. Because, you know, you never really think that you'll get back to that. But that's also part of the realization, too, is that if you're starting in your 30s or your 40s or your 50s, that you're not going to have the body you had when you were 18 and 19.
14:56
It's not going to happen. And that's OK, because you really don't want to have anything back from 18 or 19 because you were usually really young and stupid. You know, so it's just what can how can I be the best version of this age? And what does this age look like for me when you look around you and see other people that are your age and younger and how horribly they live? Yeah, they're all like in pain. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So you've been adamantly consistent about one thing across everything that you've ever posted. No pills, no patches, no shakes, no surgery. Yeah.
15:35
And you even mentioned that watching your mother, your outlook became eat less, move more, stay away from pharma. So since you're so opposed to quick fixes, what do you say to people that want the easy way? There's always a side effect. Always. May not be soon. You may not notice it immediately. But ultimately, there are always going to be downfalls from taking the quick route. It's going to affect you physically in some way.
16:06
I mean, I have not known one person before Ozempic and all the shots. I've not known one person that had any kind of weight loss surgery that didn't have lifelong side effects from it. Not one. And some are severe where they've got to go back and have more surgeries. Some is just constant stomach problems, constant. You know, but I've never known one. And so, you know, all the quick fixes and all the, I mean, you remember back in the day when it was legal speed, like, I forget, it started with a D, but there was a diet pill that was on the market for years.
16:40
And then there was FinFin. But all these things were pulled after they realized that, oh, this is really causing heart attacks in people, you know, because it's legal speed. And so, again, I mean, if we're trying to get healthy. And then, I mean, if you're if you're going to just let your heart explode, then just let it explode from being fat and eating whatever you want. I mean, so, you know, I just I don't believe in farm at all. So, you know, so I would I'm like, stay far, far away from it. And there are always going to be people who say, well, I've had no side of it. They're always and I'm sure there probably are. Yeah, there's always a small.
17:19
percentage of you know and lucky them yeah lucky them yeah i mean i don't know if you know this or not i think i did tell you but i'm not sure 12 years ago i did try the shots and pills i was uh you know doing those phenamine pills and and all the crap and i lost 80 pounds And then I gained it right back the second I stopped. Oh, yeah. And I remember getting an EKG and the doctor literally saying to me, your heart seems like it's going to stop. Like, what is happening?
17:45
What are you doing? And they were like, you should not be doing what you're doing. Yeah. But yeah, I gained it all back. And it sucked. Yeah. I mean, that's the thing with almost all quick fixes and all fad dieting, which is why I don't prescribe any of it, including keto. I know sugar is bad for you. I mean, I know that. I'm not stupid. But I also think it's. unrealistic for the majority of the population to say, I'm not going to eat sugar. And I understand too, that it's a withdrawal thing. Yeah. I mean, if you really stuck to it and took it out of your diet for at least a month, I'm sure you'd feel much better. I'm sure I'd feel much better, but it's just not a bridge I'm willing to cross. Not right now. Maybe I will someday, but you know, right now it's not going to happen. You gotta have a chocolate, gotta have happy foods. Yeah. Well, let's talk about consistency over motivation.
18:36
You posted motivation subsides over time. Discipline is required to keep going, keep showing up and working out even when you don't feel like it. Those who quit lack discipline. That was pretty direct of you. So talk to me about the difference between motivation and discipline. Well, everyone is motivated when you start because you're motivated when anything is new, whether that's a new job, exercise, a new relationship. Everything's fun when it's new. And then everything loses its luster. Over time. So then you have to make a choice. And all of my folks will tell you what they drag themselves into the gym. They don't feel well. They always feel better when they leave. They may not feel great. I mean, they may be getting sick. They may have had a bad day. They may be exhausted, but they still feel better when they walk out the door than when they walked in the door. Period. And that's just
19:27
the way it works. Yes. Yeah. But I mean, that's the way it works. Well, how do you show up on the days you don't feel like it? Well, that just probably comes from work ethic more than anything else. I mean, I never called into work on my desk job until the very end in the last few years when I really, really, really hated it. And then I started using up some time because I was like, oh boy, because I never took vacations or anything else. And so I started taking some time off then.
20:00
I'm a hard worker and I always have been since I was 17. I mean, I started working full time at 17. So it's just what's in me. And I know that regardless of how I feel, I show up because they show up and they always show up. Period. At least a few do. Yeah. Yeah. Get a get a rotating revolving door of people. Yeah. Yeah. So, you know, and if you don't show consistency, I mean, most people. are looking for consistency period in all aspects of their life and so they know they're going to get it with me they know that I'm never going to cancel a class or call a sub and so I'm there they don't want to come see me that's fine but they always know I'm going to be there and so I wouldn't I don't even consider no matter how bad I feel no matter how tired I am I still drive myself in Yeah, I remember even the day after your mom passed you, you were there, and I was shocked that you showed up.
21:00
Yeah, yeah. Well, switching gears, you say the scale is a liar. You said you always tell people to measure when you start, and the scale moves very slowly and will disappoint you every time. So if not the scale, what should people be tracking? Definitely measurements and then how their clothes fit, obviously. Everyone has their favorite pants or... their favorite shirts or whatever the case may be. So as you start working out and your body changes, you'll notice that not only do you lose inches, but your body just shifts. Things just shift. That's just how it goes. And then for a very long time, like every six months, I would notice shifting because it was like, hmm, I can't point it out, but. This shirt fits different than it did, you know, and so it's definitely not. And people talk about non -scale victories all the time. And those are definitely something to take note of. I mean, if you can't
22:00
climb a flight of stairs without losing your breath and then you can, clearly that's a victory. But when it comes to you and looking at your body every day, because none of us are happy with what we see. I mean, that's just human nature. um, you know, you have to, you have to really track like measurements and how things fit that you have been wearing for the last two years. You know, every time you grab that pair of pants and then they start getting too loose or the butt sagging or they're falling off. And then it's like, Oh, so something really is happening.
22:32
Yeah. Well, it's like, even today I'm wearing a shirt that I haven't been able to wear in 10 years. Yeah. There you go. Um, and I remember one of the posts that you did, there was a picture that you had posted and you said that, uh, When you were filling out your retirement paperwork, you were wearing an extra large and the shirt you were wearing that day was like a small, I think it was. And I was just like, yeah, that's what I want. Yeah. Yeah. So you've repeatedly said that eat chocolate and carbs every day that you do that. But you also said I do not endorse no carbs and no happy foods. But how do you balance what you're eating and enjoy it while you're still seeing results? Like what's your approach to food that doesn't feel like deprivation? Um, I try to manage things. So, um, I mean, I still am. Pasta is my favorite thing in the world.
23:16
I could live on pasta. Uh, and so I used to, what I used to do is, um, and I would always justify it is I would get those nor, uh, little bags of pasta. Yeah. 600 calories. Okay. So I would eat that for lunch and be like, this is 600 calories. Everybody eats 600 calories at lunch. I mean, 600 calories. So, you know, I would have that for lunch and then I would fix dinner and fix meat and vegetable and then more rice -a -roni or whatever, you know. And it was like, yeah, well, you know, whatever. So now if I'm going to have pasta for dinner, which I do, not daily, but I mean, I do, you know, as my main course kind of thing. I mean, I'll throw in some meat and veggies on it with it, whatever. But at lunch, I'll have a salad, which I have every single day. And yes, I'd never get tired of my salads. And I know people think, how can you eat the same thing every day? And I think that a lot of people say that it's like,
24:18
well, when you're going to fast food restaurants, you don't think about the fact that you're eating the same crap like a burger from here or a burger from there or, you know, or fried chicken. I mean, it's really like all the it's all the same. Like, you know, so I mean, people don't really think about that. So. I stick with my salad every single day. It's the same. I may vary what I put on it slightly. And no protein. I do not.
24:43
And I don't eat heavy during the day because I work out again at night. So my heaviest is at night. And I usually don't eat until 8 o 'clock. And no, I don't go to bed at 9 or 10. So, I mean, I have that conversation with people all the time, too. You shouldn't eat that late. And I'm like, well, what time do you eat dinner and what time do you go to bed? Yeah. So to me, it's just like I don't get home until after seven. So I eat at eight, but I also don't go to bed until twelve or one. Yeah. So it's about the same, you know. So I don't really think it's detrimental because to me, it's apples and apples. Like you're up four hours, you're up four hours after you eat dinner, whatever the case is. So I just try to manage like if I'm going to eat pasta, you know, at night, then maybe I'm definitely not going to have a baked potato with the salad.
25:30
that day maybe i'll have soup a lot of times these days i'm just eating the salad that's all i'm eating in the middle of the day and having a protein drink like a muscle milk in the morning if i'm really really hungry i'll throw a bagel or something into the mornings but i'm back on the muscle milk train right now so yeah so i've been doing that most mornings and salad and then i eat dinner at night and then usually i have the chocolate after the salad Usually. I always have a salad first and it's like, oh, it's time for chocolate. Yeah. So what's your go -to fixings for the salad? What do you put on it? Has to be a spring mix. I prefer a 50 -50 blend. I don't mind spinach, but I have to have some colorful lettuce. So here I am at the grocery store every week and I vary between two stores that I shop at all the time, but I get the big plastic bin of salad. So here I am looking at it. To see
26:23
if it's colorful enough for me and if it's also not wet. Because in the plastic bins, they last all week if it's not wet. So this week I couldn't find any that was sufficient that I liked. So I went with my spring mix, but it was too much greens. So then I went and bought some artisan lettuce and some purples to add to it. So that's first. It's got to be colorful. I do not want any iceberg lettuce in my salad. I think that's just a cardinal sin. There's no nutrients in that anyway. So it was, it just tastes like water, you know, and it's usually wet and I, I like a dry salad. So, um, uh, cherry tomatoes, they gotta be cherub or sweet tomatoes. I don't like just any tomato. The Ruby Reds private selection are the best. Cherub tomatoes, um, cucumbers, sugar snap peas, feta, always feta. throw on some croutons they got to be the fat ones though like puffy fat they can't be those cheap looking
27:32
square ones that are hard they got to be like the Texas Roadhouse crunchy spongy ones so I get those and garlic butter throw a few of those on and some ranch but I don't drown my salad in dressing like some people like I put a good amount but not you know how some people are just so anyway So, yeah, that's it. That's the go -to every time. Now, this one's kind of a vulnerable one, and if you don't want to answer it, if it's too personal, just tell me again. I don't want to answer it. But in February 2025, this year, just weeks after your mother had passed, you wrote, her retirement years were plagued with nothing but sickness and disease. It didn't have to be this way. My biggest fear is her last year, and I'll do everything I can to avoid it the right way. How did watching your mother's health journey shape not just your fitness goals, but your entire philosophy about aging and what you
28:26
want your future to look like? Watching my mother, because my father passed, he was 69 when he passed. So it's been seven years. And then my mom's brother passed at 65. Wow. And so she lived longer than her family. including almost all of her cousins, which was astonishing to me because although they were all in equally bad health, she was, I would have considered her the weakest of all of them. And she lived the longest. So I didn't really realize how just how stubborn she was until probably the last year. And I mean, I guess that's what kept her here. I mean, she was Really, really stubborn. And I know people, when they age, there's a lot of personality changes and things like that. But she was extremely stubborn and could not leave the house at all the last almost two years of her life. I mean, it was definitely a solid 18 months. It was really close to two years. So could no longer get up from
29:40
a chair and walk to the car. And the car was parked, not in the garage, but right at the bottom of the steps. So she was in a small house, had to walk through one small room and get down three or four steps, no matter which door she chose to get to the car and could not do that. And could not go down the steps to get in my car and couldn't do it. So housebound, literally housebound. And then also got to the point where she could barely. make it to the bathroom. So I had to start using a porta potty inside the house and, you know, and someone having to constantly clean that and clean her. And it was just in, and at the end, I mean, bed sores, all the things that come with it from setting all the time.
30:34
And so she had a lift chair that she ordered in the last year of her life because she could no longer physically get up. and she dislocated her shoulder trying to clean herself after going to the bathroom. Oh, my God. And it was really downhill from there, really downhill. But, man, was it a long hill slide. It was long. I mean, and I kept thinking, how much physically worse can someone get? So when my mother would sit in her recliner, her stomach was so big that it would literally almost touch the floor. And because she'd been big for years and then had no stomach muscles at all. I mean, that's what happens because when you have no muscle tone, that's what happens. And so just sitting her slumped over again, drugs out of her mind between all of the meds she was on for all of the ailments she had. And then sometimes I would come in and bring her food. And of course, I gave her whatever she wanted, whatever she asked for. That's what
31:35
I got. Because at this point. There was, who cares? I mean, and so whatever she wanted. And there was more than once that she was, her sugar was so low. I couldn't even get her awake enough to eat. I mean, she was completely, but yet not in any, I did, I did call one time. I did call EMS one time because I couldn't even get her to come to herself enough to even acknowledge me there. Wow. And her sugar when they got there was like 54. But other times it was just a typical like she was just out of it. We just sitting prison in your own body. Wow. And you can't do anything. I mean, her mind was I mean, her her mind was definitely affected at the end. Don't get me wrong. But, you know, prior to the last little bit, I'd say the last six months, you really declined mentally, too. But prior to that, I mean, it's just, you know, mentally, you're OK. to be in that age range. I mean, you're okay, but yeah, just a prisoner in your body and a
32:40
prisoner in your home where you can't do anything. You can't leave. You can't do anything. I mean, we all have days where we don't want to leave our house or we don't want to do whatever, but to not have the choice. Oh no, I'm out. And so it kind of made you double down on fitness. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I can't even imagine. Yeah. I can't even. Like, cause I'm, I'm watching things with my own mom right now and it's just, it's hard.
33:08
It's really hard. Yeah. It's really hard. Yeah. Cause there's nothing that you can do. And like with her, I mean the time, I mean, I remember when she was in the hospital for some ailment, probably three years before she died, maybe four, you know, she comes home and it's like, I want to try to do better, you know? So I'm showing her some exercises she can do in the chair. You know, if you'll just start trying to do this, lift your knee off the ground, lift your leg off the ground, lift your arms above your head.
33:44
Try to walk from here to there. Get the walker and try to just walk from here to there. We're talking five steps and back. You know, OK, OK, I'll try. I'll try. You know, and it would last for not even a week, you know, and then at a certain point, there's nothing you can do. Except watch it. There's nothing you can do. And so, yeah, I mean, whatever she wanted. I mean, her order of food of Christmas last year. Because I told her when I left Christmas Eve, I said, OK, so Sonic opens at five on Christmas Day.
34:25
So because, you know, most places are closed. So send me what you want. It was. five or six menu items and at the end of the text it said I know this is a lot but it's what I want and she didn't want more than a bite or two of all of it you know each thing but it was you know queso and chips and tater tots and a burger and a milkshake and I mean whatever I mean it was just I mean, the order was like $37. And when I went through the drive -thru, I thought, you know, you just get whatever she wants. Because there was no arguing with her either. I mean, you just could not, you couldn't reason with her. And so, you know, and there was nothing, there's nothing you can do. You just have to go along. And, you know, I used to think, I have no idea what will ever take her. Because I could not believe the condition that her physical body was in and that she was still breathing. Just could not believe it. And it's always some random,
35:34
weird, most of the time thing, you know. And what finally got her was a final UTI and an antibiotic that absolutely sent her out of her mind. Wow. That had to be so hard to watch. It was a rough week. Yeah. It was a rough week. Do you feel like it's changed you? Or that it's just made you, like I said, just double down on fitness? No, it's changed me. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Do you want to talk any more on that or do you want to move on? Move on. Okay, let's move on. Well, it sounds like a good time to talk about mental health. So mental health and movement. You had mentioned in 2020, in January 2020, that the endorphins from exercise have a larger effect on your mind than your body at first. You said feel better mentally, watch depression, anxiety, and lethargy. I can't even say that word. Minimize and then watch your body transform slowly. Let's talk about the mental health benefits you've experienced. How has moving been medicine for
36:35
your mind? I think for a lot of people, you know, I mean, especially now in today's world, I mean, everybody's diagnosed with something, which, and I'm not trying to minimize it, but it's literally everywhere. And I think most people know, especially if you're older than, say, 20, that smartphones and social media are where we're at mentally, period. Because no one interacts anymore with people. People don't know how to interact with people. They're not comfortable with it. They're kind of lost. And so most people are just lost.
37:16
And they're in these mental jails because they don't know how to do anything outside of the box that's in their hand. And they don't know how to communicate with people. They don't know how to relate to people. And they don't get out and do things for the most part. And if they do, they're still on their phone the whole time. And so at the gym, you don't, for the most part, see people on their phones. They're there to work out. It's a forced phone break. Now, I've met a couple that do, especially in spin class.
37:56
I still think it's weird because to me, it's like it's 30 minutes. Can you not give your mind a break for 30 minutes and just work out? I mean, whether you're thinking about nothing or bubbles in the air or whatever. I mean, even if your mind is blank, but just let it be blank. Yeah. So we're afraid of that. You know, but I think that just working out in an environment with people that you can choose to interact with as much as you want or not. And then moving has such a huge effect. And it's the whole groupthink mentality that is both a positive and a negative can be a very negative thing. But at the gym, groupthink is the best thing you can have because it'll be those people that. encourage you or ask you where you've been or all the things.
38:48
And, you know, and there's some that are annoying about it. The attendance monitors. Yeah. I mean, there are, but, and, but those are the people that, you know, will make you accountable. And so there's just something about being somewhere, working out everything that is happening in your life. And a lot of people, I mean, I tell people like, that's why med ball slams are so fun, but. It's like for most people, it's working out whatever you're feeling, whether that's anger, sadness, whatever it is. You typically can let go of it for that amount of time during a class, usually.
39:27
I mean, and I have I mean, I've had days, especially during sicknesses of my mother. I mean, I've had days where I break down in class. It happens. But, you know, I just keep going. But. I've had people break down in class. I mean, it happens. But most of the time, people can just focus on the current present where they're at. And that's a huge mental release for everyone. And then when people choose to not go to the gym and something, I mean, things happen. Life happens. Work happens.
40:00
All that. It tends to be that when people stop going because of X, Y, Z, and then they don't go back or they take an extended break, you can watch their mental health and they will tell you that their mental health will suffer significantly. Because at first it was, well, no, I couldn't go. And then I, oh, well, I'm not going. And then, oh. And so they'll find themselves back in the serious black hole that they started in.
40:30
So, yeah, I can definitely relate to that. And part of the reason I chose group fitness is because I knew that I needed other people around me and I knew I needed other people to kick my ass if I didn't show up. Yeah. So, yeah, it's good stuff. It's good for the mental health. It's good therapy. Yeah. Especially whenever you're really angry. No, it is. It is. Yeah. Yeah. And because murder is wrong. That's right. And those are the days you pick up heavier weights and stuff. So, yeah.
40:55
And try not to get hurt. Yeah. Well, one thing that appears in a lot of the posts that were like earlier on, I haven't seen you post this much recently, but you said in 2018, God gives me the passion and energy to do what I do. He protects my body every day. Does faith still interact in your fitness journey? It does. I mean, I think that, you know, most people call me things like the legend and all this sort of thing because I've been working out at the pace I have for so many years. But, you know, everyone has. times in their life when it's just a job.
41:30
And that's for everyone, no matter what your job is. And this for me is definitely my passion because of my background. And I do believe that it's amazing that I haven't been injured, like seriously injured because of the pace that I go all the time. And it's as I tell people and you, you know, that it's not as if I'm just working out at the gym. I mean, I also walk the dog tour three times a day and then do all the other things.
42:02
So, you know, in that regard, I mean, I did hurt my knee one time and it was in 2018. And it, you know, I don't know exactly what I did. I mean, both of my knees hurt now, but that's beside the point. But I was in a break. I had to wear a knee brace and I probably wore it for maybe like a week at the gym. I still, of course, did all my classes and was like, yeah, you know, suffer through. And I went to church Sunday and I never asked for anyone to pray for me ever.
42:34
And I was like, I need y 'all to pray for this knee because it really hurts. And I don't know what's happened. And it's my job. And I was also like, it's my job. And if I don't go to work, I don't get paid. It's my job. So I was like, and so, and then at the same time, because this is just how life works. My father ended up in hospice that week. And so I was lying on the floor in his room with a heating pad wrapped around my knee with a brace on it and lying on the floor spending the night there, you know, and then getting up and going to teach class the next morning. You know, I was like, well, you just got to get through it. But I do believe that there is definitely. some protection and that like, he knows this is my purpose and he, he keeps me as safe as possible. And he also tells me when I'm doing stupid things and to back off a little bit. And I mean, I do, and you know, and I have to, I have to nurse things
43:35
now. And, um, you know, things that used to hurt, not very often hurt way more now, way more often. I mean, they do. And part of it is age and part of it is, well, teaching 25 hours of class for the last 15 years. um, and doing them, you know, as we say, I do the classes, I don't just stand there. So, um, but yeah, I think there's definitely a little bit of a divine protection. I mean, I'm not stupid. I mean, I don't think that I have some magical power or anything like that, but, and, and I'm very cognizant of the fact that I just turned 50 and, um, that, you know, I don't know how much longer I can keep up the pace I go. Yeah. I mean, physically, I don't know. Cause some days I'm like, yeah, cause there are some things that, I mean, I expect my shoulders to hurt and I expect my arms to hurt and I expect my hips to hurt. And I mean, you know, and I expect my knees to hurt. But then there are some
44:28
days where that knee is like, oh, and then there are some days my lower back is like, oof, and back scares me. I tell everybody, backs scare me. So it's the one thing that, you know, and it's why I try to preach to people about how they're doing squats and how they're doing things. Because most of my folks are not young. So that's why you'll do the modifications. Yeah. But yeah, so. Well, do you think, do you see taking care of your body as a spiritual practice? Well, the Bible does tell you that the body is your temple, is the temple of God. So, you know, and there's a whole thing in the Bible about gluttony too.
45:05
People get real mad about that. But, you know, if it is God's temple and it's, you've been given it to take care of. I mean, we're supposed to take care of ourselves spiritually, mentally, and physically is definitely a part of that. So I think that that's what we're supposed to do. I mean, we're supposed to labor to eat. We're supposed to work and to do the things that we need to do to survive and thrive in this life.
45:35
You're going to have to be physically fit to do it. This is true. And I have read that I pray more in your classes than anywhere else. God, don't let me die. God, don't let me cast out. God, don't let me throw up. Well, one thing that you've said a lot is I'm not for everyone. You've acknowledged this a lot. Finger style isn't for everyone. So you've even mentioned that some people are scared of you and that you chase people down after class. If you were to put it all in a bow, what would you say is your teaching style?
46:06
Like who thrives with you? Oh, definitely people that want to work hard and push their own limits. You know, because I tell people all the time, you can always do more than you think you can. And that's just for everyone. And, but when people are brand new, I also, you know, if I see them pick up 10 pound weights as they're, even they're bigs, I'm like, probably shouldn't do that. You know, I mean, if you want to argue and you want, okay, okay. But I'm going to tell you, you probably shouldn't do that when you're just starting out.
46:38
So, you know, but I mean, I had two brand new people in class last night. They seemed real happy. I mean, they're young, you know, and I'm like, that's why they're happy. You can't kill them. They're young. But I think people that want to work hard and, again, people that want consistency are the ones that stay with me because they know I'm always going to be there and I'm going to do my best to make them work hard. So, yeah, those are definitely my people. Lazy people are not my people. And people that just want to check a box are not my people. Well, that's why you said the first year and a half I was working out with you, I wasn't actually working.
47:16
It didn't count. At least I got serious. Yeah. Yeah. So and who knew that when I finally started listening to you, the changes actually started? Who knew that was going to happen? Well, let's talk about success metrics. You said it's not class numbers anymore, but rather it's people getting stronger, getting off their meds, improving mental health and being able to do everything they need to do. Tell me about some of the success stories that have meant the most to you. Well, I mean, some of my folks like other people weren't there when they started, so they didn't see them.
47:50
So, you know, I've watched people take off 30, 40 pounds. And if you look at them right now, you would think. Well, gosh, they look kind of skinny or whatever in today's society. But for them, 30 or 40 pounds was big for their frame, for their body and for their knees. As you know, every pound of weight is three pounds pressure on your knees. So in watching them get stronger and start with small weights and grow into big weights for them, you know, go from fives to 15 pounds. And maybe we'll push that over their head. I mean. That's what is great because it's not about the fact that you can do that, but it's about the fact that when your body can do that and you're building muscle and you're stronger, you're just going to have a better future because you've got muscle tone. And watching my people that are definitely in their senior years and they're still doing yard work and all their grocery
48:52
shopping, they're not grocery delivering. Most of them. I mean, they're still doing the things that you have to do to live, you know. And when you're 80 years old or 70 years old and you can still do everything that needs to be done around your house, whether that's cleaning or the yard work or going to get your own groceries. I mean, getting up out of the chair. No problem. Those are the things that are important. And so. And then I've got several people that have, you know, gotten off blood pressure meds and off diabetic meds. And I mean, you can't ask for any better than that. That's, you know, I mean, yeah. Being able to tell a farmer to suck it. I mean, that's the best thing ever. Yeah. Yeah. Well, you've said also that your tribe or fitness army shows up consistently. You've mentioned that you've got people that are doing two to three hours with you in a row, even after a 12 -hour shift,
49:47
and that they choose you over the new pretty gym. What creates that level of loyalty and community? And what role does accountability play in sustainable fitness? Well, again, definitely because they know I'm going to be there. And for some of the folks that are working split shifts and switching shifts and all that sort of thing. They just know that I'm going to be there and they're going to feel better if they show up. And so they do show up no matter how tired they are, because again, they'll still usually feel better. And even if they're going home to sleep for the next shift, they'll come work out because they know that I'm going to be there. And, you know, I'll take requests. Sometimes I'll say, what do you want to work on or what do you want to do? And, you know, and somebody will say something. A lot of times nobody says anything, but I try to build things. and workouts really to hit everything.
50:43
So I try to always incorporate things that are going to hit the entire body. So if you're there, you're going to get everything you can possibly get in that time frame without having to be there for six hours or whatever the case may be, or use 20 different machines. Because a lot of people are just intimidated by equipment and machines and things like that. So I try to keep things simple. And also when my folks can't come, I mean, I have a few that can't come and they'll ask me to send them workouts. And so, you know, I'll send them workouts, but for them to do at home or a different kind of workout with like, based on the fact that they have bad knees or whatever the case is. So I think it's just that, and then the community there is no different than the community anywhere. I mean, so when they. spend time together of course they become interested in each other's lives and and it starts
51:40
an accountability thing because it's like well if you're always here and then you're not here for three days where are you something's wrong where are you you know that sort of thing and it's just a check -in i mean there's and we've had a lot of people through the years go through some really bad stuff i mean it's life i mean it you know and and so we try to be supportive and do what we can when bad things happen to people because bad things do happen to people.
52:06
And so, you know, we try to build people up and do what we can to try to help support them and as best we can. And that's what people want. I mean, people want, people just want, it's not about belonging, but people just want a sense of commonality. We're all here for the same reason. We're all here for the same purpose because we're all going to get old. And if we're going to get old and as you know, my mantra for everyone is no matter what age you walk in the room, there's somebody in that room that's 15 years older than you or older than that. And you look at them and the shape they're in and you think about where you're at at 25 and you see that person at 40 or you're 40 and you see that person at 70. How do you want to live? Yeah. Yeah. I mean.
52:55
Marilyn knows I've shouted her out many times. I'm chasing the 20 -pound weight she uses. Well, I mean, you know, and she's almost 72. Yeah. And old girl could catch her ass. I mean, and genetics play a role. Don't get me wrong. Yeah. But, I mean, they do. But a lot of it is you choosing your own future. A lot of it. Well, speaking of the future, we're coming into the holiday weight gain season. So what do you tell people during the holidays when they're surrounded by all this yummy food, breaking routines and the old, I'll start in January excuse? Well, a lot of people, a lot of my folks, once you stop being addicted to food, once you stop looking at food as a crutch for everything you're feeling, whether it's happy or sad or whatever, because, you know, people will tell you that they eat if they're happy, they eat if they're sad and whatever. They eat mindlessly. But once you kind of break that. The holidays aren't as big of
53:54
a deal because you no longer go into, if you're going to parties or all the work functions and yes, people are dragging all this food in and whatever, but you just look at it differently because you no longer look at it like the cow at the trough. You look at it like I can have a bite of this or, and what is your favorite thing? I mean, just because people bring in things, you know, don't eat it if you don't like it.
54:22
And then if you take a bite of it and it's not fantastic, then you go sled behind the wall and throw it in the trash if you need to. But don't eat things that aren't delicious to you. I mean, if I take a bite of something chocolate. It happened recently. I won't. But it did. And I was like, oh, this was not nearly as good as it looked. Oh, no. And I thought, oh, no, I'm not eating this. Yeah. Like, I'm not going to eat this.
54:46
So, you know, most of the time at all of these parties and functions and things. But there's very little things that you just love. I mean, because everybody kind of has their thing. So focus on what you really like. Have some of that, but don't take a bite of everything just because it's there. Yeah. I mean, you know, you don't have to eat it just because it's in front of you and you don't have to eat it because Aunt Sue made it. Like if you don't like Aunt Sue's dressing, then don't eat it. Just, you know, and if you need to come up with an excuse and say, well, I got to watch my weight, you know, whatever. But just don't feel a lot of people just do that stuff because they feel obligated to. Yeah. It's like you don't have to, you know, partake in things that you don't like. Well, the funny thing with me is whenever I started all this, like it was my birthday and everybody was like, are you even allowed to eat cake? Would
55:38
your instructor get mad at you? I'm like, what? It's like, so, you know, you still have to be reasonable. But if you have big families. I mean, gosh, when I first got married and all my grandparents were alive and things, I mean, you had to go to everybody's house because everybody cooked and, oh, they were all going to be offended. You had to. Yeah. So for Thanksgiving and Christmas over Thanksgiving, you really just, no, that's not true. Sometimes you did split it in between Thursday and Friday. But Christmas, you always split it between Christmas Eve and Christmas.
56:09
But, I mean, you're talking six meals. between parents and grandparents. And so, you know, you, you had to go to everyone's house. So when you run into those situations where people are newly married and big families or lots of whatever, you know, it's harder sometimes. Although I think now people are very different and they still kind of take to one big gathering and it can be harder, but it's okay to gain three, four pounds. It's okay. Cause you know, if you're consistent and you were at the gym the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, you're going to be there the Friday after and it'll come back off. Good.
56:43
We'll make it okay. Well, speaking of gaining, you had posted that your body gets used to everything you do when you work out. And at some point you're going to need to change it up. So when people hit a plateau, what should they do about it? Well, unfortunately, sometimes like the best thing that they could do is work out at a different time. And when you're retired and you only come in the morning, you're not going to come at night.
57:09
No. So so it's hard for some people because you really should switch your work. I mean, I try to switch up workouts as much as possible. Yeah. I mean, try. But at the same time, there's only so many things you can do. So, you know, I try to keep things varied as much as we can. But a lot of it is that working out at a different time of day or. Choosing not to go to the gym and taking the hike instead or. You know, doing something difficult outside that you would never do otherwise, but you're going to have the energy to do it. So like for here, people hiking the pinnacles, there's an easy pinnacle hike and there's a hard pinnacle hike, you know, but doing things like that instead of going to the gym every once in a while. I know, but it's really about varying your eating schedule and when you're working out sometimes. it's hard for people because people get in routines so it's really it's really
58:07
hard for people to switch up especially people that work and have many people retired I think retired people are more stuck in their routines than the people that work honestly because it's like no every morning at 7 45 I have coffee you know and it's like okay so and I'm like that I don't like my routine messed with at all. I mean, I don't, and you know, I do not, I have my specific morning routine. I have a specific afternoon and evening routine. I don't like my routine messed with. And when I wasn't as old as I am now, you know, occasionally I would take the extra walk just so around the park and, you know, but just breaking it up a little bit sometimes.
58:47
And even You know, you don't always have to carry big weights. I mean, I used to tell people all the time when they were trying to just start in fitness and, well, I don't have time to go to the gym, whatever. It's like, well, do you walk? Well, I just started walking. Okay, well, start walking and then add some wrist weights to your walk. You know, I don't tell people to add ankle weights very often because ankles and knees, like, I mean, it's one thing if you're 19, but as you get older, they don't really like that weight thing to me added to them. But it is hard for people to change up routines. It is. And sometimes it's just a matter of changing what you're eating. And like if you're carb heavy, always at lunch and switching it to dinner, which sounds crazy. But your body doesn't know if you do things like that. Like sometimes I eat a salad at night. It's like, oh, you know. But that's
59:43
it. And you will hear people, too. And I did find it to be true. I don't do it anymore because I just don't enjoy it. But you will hear people say that I've been working out forever. And like there are some people that really go into that, you know, 80 percent clean diet thing and 20 percent. It's not me. But they would have like their cheat meal on the weekend and they would go eat garbage and notice that they would take weight off from doing it. which sounds crazy, but it is true. I mean, any kind of thing you do that switches up what your body is used to, whether that's food or working out, a lot of times, not always, you'll notice that you'll drop weight. It's weird. But you also have to know that you're going to fluctuate. Everybody does. Got to make your body confused. Yeah. So you kind of already touched on this, but if someone was starting from zero and they're overweight, they have health issues, they're intimidated,
1:00:40
whatever, what would you say step one is? I think step one for most people is still to go to the gym, which sounds really intimidating. But unless you're going in like, I mean, they exist. We have one here in town. Unless you're going to like the muscle gyms. Most gyms are filled with pretty average looking folks. There's not, you know, I mean, it doesn't mean you're not going to be intimidated, but for the most part, when you walk in a gym, people around you are going to introduce themselves. Hi, nice to meet you.
1:01:12
What's your name? And they're going to tell you the equipment you need for the class if I'm not there yet. And they're going to suggest to you that, you know, just do what you can. That's what they'll always say to you. That's what I'll say to you. Just do what you can. But whatever you do when you start is better than sitting on the couch at home. Or they'll tell you you need a different class. Yeah. Like what happened to me? Yeah. Yeah. But it's hard to start. But you have to be determined that you're going to do it for you. Because it's never for anyone but you. And when it is, you don't, it doesn't work. That's right. I know we've been taking a little bit of time and I'm trying to respect your time. So I might have to bring you back on for more. But in 2018, you said 21 days is a habit. Try working out for 21 days in a row and see if you stop. Is that still your recommendation for people? Oh, yeah. Because that's just science.
1:02:08
I mean, there's books all about that, right? That if you do anything for 21 days. Books? You don't read books. Yeah, I know. I don't. But yeah, if you do anything for 21 days, that makes it a habit. So, yeah. Okay. Yeah. In January 2020, you shared your comprehensive do's and don'ts list. You shared you do have to show up even when you don't feel like it. You don't have to buy specific clothes for the gym. If you could give listeners just three non -negotiable do's and three don'ts, what would they be? Oh. Do go to the gym and close your comfortable in.
1:02:40
Comfortable to sweat in. Comfortable to move in. Don't worry about what you look like. Nobody's there to look cute. People are there to work. And don't worry about what you look like in the mirror if you're in a class. No one's looking at you but you. Everyone else is looking at me. So you're not the focus. You may think you're the focus, especially if you're new, but you're really not. Really not. So do take water to the gym. And be prepared to sweat. I mean, if you have not... been moving and some people naturally just don't sweat. I think those are the weirdest people ever. And I kind of am envious of them actually, but they, I know I have like two of them. I'm like, y 'all, I mean, I'm just drenched, but be prepared to sweat and have water because you don't want to get dehydrated and get lightheaded while you're working out. And it does happen, especially people starting, you've never done
1:03:42
it. So, and do focus on The small things that you can change first, like especially with diet, the little things. So everyone has their really bad habits or a bad habit. So whether that's eating. I had someone once that told me that they had nachos every night in their toaster oven. And because we were having a discussion about the fact that they were pre -diabetic and in their 30s. And they were coming to the gym, but they weren't seeing a lot of results. And I said, well, what's your thing? Everybody has their thing, whether it's a bowl of ice cream at night. Like, everybody has their thing. And they said, oh, well, I have nachos every night.
1:04:24
And I said, well, perhaps you could consider maybe nachos three times a week. Drop it back. Pick days, you know. I'm willing to do that. Well, then you're probably not going to see any changes. I mean, you've got to make some small steps. That's probably why I'm so anti -going. No sugar, no carbs. It has to be things that are livable. And for most people, that's not livable. It's just not. So just focus on the small things that you can do. And then I guess the other do would be always measure when you start. Always measure. Yeah. And stay away from the scale. Because. The scale will really upset you. It'll make you cry. Yeah, it will. And as you gain muscle, you do indeed gain pounds when you gain muscle. And your body just fluctuates and changes. So, you know. So, yeah. Wear comfortable things. Show up and focus on the small things you can do. Don't compare yourself to other people.
1:05:27
Don't compare yourself to you 20 years ago. Because for most people, that's not going to happen. And don't listen to all the people in your life who tell you that you're not worth it or that the time you're spending is not worth it. Or if they're suddenly jealous of the time you're away from them, that it's not worth it because you are the only one that you know you can depend on. And if everyone else around you is gone, what does your future look like? Well, that was intense. Yeah. I think we're going to stop it there because I do have a lot more questions, but I hope you will consider coming back and chatting with me some more. I guess it depends on how I edit it. Because, yeah, I had some other stuff, but... You can add a couple more. I can?
1:06:29
Yeah. Alrighty. Let's talk about the people who disappear and people who have fallen off the wagon hard. And you'll ask them, you know, when will I see you again? And what do you say to someone who keeps starting and stopping? How can you get them to break the cycle or how should they go about breaking the cycle? It is hard for people to, but that's why I'm so adamant about don't stop because any excuse you can find to stop. I mean, a day or a week's vacation is different. But you know my people check in. If they're going to be gone for a week, they tell me. Because they know I'm going to message and be like, hello. But people that just start and stop, they tend to always be the ones that stop permanently. And there's just nothing you can do. And again, if you don't want to do it for yourself, then no one else can make you. Well, you're pretty scary. I mean, so, you know, and there are some that I just, I mean, I've lost
1:07:32
people over there clearly. I mean, a lot of people just come and go. I mean, that's just part of it. But I've definitely lost people that have gotten mad at me. I mean, I can name them on one hand. I mean, I know who they are and they know who they are. Yeah. But, but that it's always, you know, those people that. Well, they come to me. It's not like I go to them and say, hey, you look just like you did three months ago.
1:07:55
I mean, it's not like I do that. They're like, gosh, can you, I'm just not seeing, you know. And then when we start having the discussions about the nachos or that you're going home and drinking a bottle of wine every night. Yeah. I mean, you can't. And then that whole thing about you can't outwork a bad diet. I mean, that's the, you know, that's the phrase. I'm like, I mean. Depends on how bad your diet is. I mean, that's why I believe in living the way I do and, you know, eating some of what I like. It just depends on how bad your diet is. But it's really hard for people that start and stop. I mean, I will occasionally try, but there are times when I just am like, there's nothing I can do.
1:08:37
I mean, you know, you give up. I can only imagine. And it's got to be rough because, you know, you'd see what could be done. And then if they're not making the change. Well, it's always rough for me when I see people's potential. But then again, I'm like, do you not have anyone in your life? I mean, my mother was such a driving force for me to not be that. And I think when people either don't have that because they haven't experienced it yet, because if you're younger and you're in your 20s, your 30s and your mom's 50s, then no, it's not bad yet. Yeah. I mean, but it's coming, but it's coming, you know, so. I think that when people don't have something like that to drive them and, and they're just not naturally want to be physical, that it's hard for people, a lot of people to just stick with it. But the other thing is, and I used to preach this all the time too, and I've made Facebook posts about
1:09:32
this years ago, but you know, it was like, well, I have kids and they all play sports and you know, like, okay, well your kids are probably not going to be the next Michael Jordan. And any little trophies they get for all these sports they're playing aren't going to mean diddly to them when you're 70 and can't move. And so if your kids' activities are taking up all of your time when you have work and house and everything else to do, then you really should think about what you're handing your kids' future. Because your kids are the ones that have to deal with your future if you have kids. And would they rather have a healthy parent? Or a parent that dragged them to the ball field six nights a week and gave them trophies that meant nothing. That's all I'm saying. I know that I used to take my husband to he was in soccer. And because I didn't want to just stand there on the sidelines, I walked the field because at least I was still
1:10:28
moving. Yeah. So maybe they should at least do that. Yeah. Yeah. Well, one of the things that you. posted that kind of broke my heart is you shared a heartbreaking story about someone who approached you outside the gym. They wanted to talk to you about their health. They came to one class, but they never returned. Four years later, they received a terminal diagnosis. And you said the fact that they didn't do what they needed to do gnaws at you. That's heavy. How do you process stuff like that whenever you hear these stories from others? Yeah. And I still know who that person is. And they are dead. And, you know, and I tell people to like none of us know what our future holds as far as I mean, any of us can get a diagnosis today, tomorrow.
1:11:11
And that's why I preach what I preach. Control what you can because none of us ever know. But when you know that. Obesity and bad choices makes you more prone to get diagnoses like cancer and that we've known this for years. Uh, it's always difficult when you see people that don't choose to make lifestyle choices and then get those diagnoses. And it's, I mean, to me, I would always be, what if, what if I have no idea if it would have mattered? I have no idea, but it, it's difficult.
1:11:52
It's difficult for me too, to see people that come in. Cause I had somebody on probably four months ago now, probably. And she came in. definitely overweight and brought a child that was overweight with her to class. And the child didn't want to do anything. And so she is trying to get the child to move. And again, this is learned behavior. So clearly this child sits when they're not, well, they sit at school and then. whether it's video games or whatever it is, this child is forcibly lazy and now looking at you and saying, I'm not going to do that. I mean, she fought with her the entire class and they never came back. They didn't come back because regardless of how the parent wanted to do, who was also really out of shape, because she couldn't get her child to do it with her, she's not going to come back because A, it's not worth the fight.
1:12:56
B, maybe she thinks that, you know, It's not worth my time being here either. And I can't not come without her. Yeah. Probably wasn't a child that was the age for childcare. I mean, it was older than that. Yeah. But those are the ones that really just get to me because it makes me angry. Okay. Because it's like, you know, you have chosen your life. And then you have now passed it on to this child that you're responsible for their rearing, their activity and their food.
1:13:33
Yeah. And of course, we see that everywhere. But and I knew they would never come back. And so they came to one class and that was it. Yeah. Well, I mean, that kind of leads into something else that you had posted. You said sitting equals dying. Don't roll the dice on your future. That's stark. So paint the picture of what rolling the dice looks like in 10, 20, 30 years to the people that just continue sitting on their butt. Well, I mean, I've witnessed it. I've watched it. And even when we're hurting, which for me now is daily, pretty much daily, something hurts. But the more I sit on it, whatever it is, the more it hurts. And that's what all of my seniors and people with back problems and replaced knees and all that they know. And that's why they're at the gym, because sitting on it isn't going to help and not using it isn't going to help.
1:14:30
So regardless of what ailments you have or don't have, your body was meant to move. Yeah. I mean, that's why society is where it's at now versus years ago when everybody had physical jobs. like getting up and changing the TV without a remote. I mean, everything has become automated and we look like it. And we ain't seen in Wally. Yeah. We are. Yeah. I mean, we, we are definitely a product of an automated society where anything that you ask someone to do, they're like put out. Yeah. Like I have to get up. What? What?
1:15:12
So. Again, any of us could receive a terminal diagnosis at any time. I mean, we cannot ever predict what we're going to see or face. But that's why I'm adamant about control while you can, because we know that obesity and diabetes and all of those things lead to other ailments or immobility, period. Once you're immobile and you lose muscle mass and muscle tone, same thing for people that like break a hip in their 70s and end up in a hospital bed. And then they end up usually a lot of times in a nursing home because muscles atrophy. So I don't care what age you are, if you're sitting all the time and you're not using your body, then eventually you're not going to be able to use it. So you need to start using it. Yeah. Or you'll lose it. Yeah. And that's kind of what started this podcast and why I named it More Movement, Please. It's like, you know, the fact that I was sitting all the time and recognizing that I needed to be moving
1:16:25
more. Yeah. And, you know, I guess we'll finish with this, that you've said repeatedly that fitness isn't temporary. This isn't just a temporary