Training Ground by Holistic Hero

My client, Brennan has been doing amazing work these past few months. Not only has he lost a ton of weight, but he is constantly growing in emotional health and mental health. Really grateful to have him in my life and peep the full conversation here!

I am a grade A instahoe. I'm trying to break free from my addiction to instagram and here are some of the things that I am learning.

Kobe Bryant's legend still lives on. I had to prepare a monologue this past week for an audition and I chose Kobe's poem, “dear basketball”. You could tell how much he loved the game and dedicated his whole life to his craft. Here are a few of the lessons I also learned from him.

I'm usually a pretty zen person that will tell you to rest if you need to and do what makes you feel happy. Although I still believe that, I also believe that it is so important to lean into discomfort. When you challenge yourself and push past discomfort you will find your new level of strength, stamina, and success. Lean into discomfort to reach your new level.

Loved this talk with my cousin and best friend, JR De Guzman. We shared so many great laughs and you get a taste of the conversations we have together. check it out here

I want to do more of these talks on my podcast with guests that I admire and respect. So grateful that I was able to get Billy Palladino on the podcast. He is one of the owners of Tribe Fitness SFand is also an amazing holistic lifestyle coach and personal trainer. In our conversation we talked about how he remains motivated in this time and he kept reminded me of the importance of taking care of the people around you and doing it for them. I think he is such a great leader for those reasons. At the end of the interview we also talked about how to set proper SMART goals.

The truth is some people might annoy us because they are … annoying or a nuisance, but also some people might annoy us for different reasons. Here is a quote from “You Are a Badass” by Jen Sincero: “The things that bother us about other people bother us because they remind us of things that we don't like about ourselves or their behavior triggers a fear or insecurity that we have, but maybe not reality that we have.“ Some people can bother us just by reminding us of our insecurities or fears. Some people are just too perfect and it can irritate us. Zac Efron is that type of guy and he is not even trying to be. But one thing I am learning about jealousy is that the cure is inspiration. Instead of asking the question “why”, we should instead ask “how”. Zac Efron, you inspire me.

"Offense wins games, defense wins championships." I remember this mantra from elementary school basketball and I use to really pride myself on my defense. Defense is crucial to success in any sport, but also in life. There are 4 things that I want you to try playing better defense with. 1. Defend your mind. 2. Defend your time. 3. Defend your health. 4. Defend your money.

Lessons in Nature I have never been to Japan, but there is so much to appreciate about Japanese culture. Most of the cars that I have owned have been from Japan. The cameras that I have used are all Japanese companies. Many of the game shows that we watch here in the states are influenced by Japanese shows. Japan just gets so much right and I think we can learn so much from their culture. One thing that I heard about was something called shirin-yoku which means “forest bathing”. Essentially it is a form of eco therapy. It is exercise, but also a mindfulness practice. I am sure you can go on an amazing adventure in the forest led by some hippie and it could change your life, but you could also just go to the forest for a few hours and see how nature heals you. This past weekend, I spontaneously went with my friend Minja on this great hike close to Half Moon Bay. We parked at the top of the mountain and hiked through the he forest absorbing these breathtaking views of Half Moon Bay and explored for miles (well maybe just a few). It was so good to have some clear space away from the city and being able to explore a completely new place. Being an INFP, I kept thinking about the lessons that I was learning from this experience. Here's a few: 1. Fulfillment comes on the path, not at the end. 2. Deceleration is also important. 3. Intermittent Work is Efficient Work 4. Embrace the Grind.

I do not know if everything happens for a reason, but I want to believe that it does. There is no fact that things are happening for our good, but I have faith that they are. Steve Jobs said, "You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future." Here's to believing everything is happening for a reason and is happening for your good.

It is so easy to talk about my clients, but also refer to them as my friends. Sergio is someone who I know is always there for me and I try my best to be there for him as well. I love our conversations because we get to talk about almost anything and even by just hearing his voice I am sure that you will know that he has an amazing heart. He is a man of many skills and strengths and I hope our conversation offers you a little bit of insight into navigating through the challenges and negativity that come with quarantine. I know that in the beginning of the quarantine, he was really affected by the situation but I believe that he is learning how to make the most of the situation.

Apply these principles that I learned from video games for more fulfillment, a feeling of belonging, and more drive. 1) Save Right Here. Instead of taking time scrolling through Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Friendster. Spend time going over memories in your photo albums or create a journal of the top 1-3 positive events in every day. 2) Find Your Clan. The people that you surround yourself with will not only influence your behavior and how you see the world, but they can also make you feel like you are a part of something greater than yourself. An essential aspect of being is belonging. 3) You Are Always Leveling Up. No matter what happens in life if you feel like you are failing or winning, you are learning. In video games, there is no such thing as leveling down so take that same concept into your normal life. Everything we go through we are learning. Perhaps you are ready to try different workouts or maybe some new skills. It is time to level up.

Does your mind line up with your dreams? Our mind works like a thermostat in almost all areas of your life. If you believe you should have a certain level of success, your mind will get you there. If you believe you have a big purpose, your mind will get you there. What does your mind believe that you deserve? Lisa Nichols is a great motivational speaker. Find out more information about her here: www.motivatingthemasses.com. She speaks on making your mind match up to your purpose. I love this quote at the end where she said talked about people asking her, "How did you do it?" She said, "I never thought I couldn't."

Father's Day was June 21, 2020 and it got me thinking. I am grateful for my dad and wish that I could be there in person for Father's Day. Instead, I feel like I always need to stay in San Francisco but honestly family is and should be a huge priority for me. I wish I could be there in person. I would love to be a great father one day, there was an inspiring video that I saw by Zach King that touched my heart about being a father. I know I want to learn to prioritize family way more. The second P is perspective. Our parents have all had their own experience with their parents too. Mind blowing. But the experiences that people go through can often shape the way they are with those around them. I think perspective is a great tool for understanding. I also put one of my favorite talks ever to highlight a black motivational speaker named Inky Johnson. He not only gives a motivational talk, but also shows us perspective to what it was like growing up in the ghetto and how he needed to work so hard to get out.

I want to be a Spartan Warrior. One of my favorite movies growing up was the movie, "300". I love the brutal beatdowns the Spartan warriors gave almost everyone that faced them. You see some of the most epic front kicks of all time as well. But what is more impressive to me than Spartans laying the absolute smackdown on everyone in sight is how they used their shields to protect those around them. Spartan mothers use to tell their kids, "you better come back with your shield or on it." Meaning you better come back holding that piece of armor or dying in battle with one of your badass homies holding you on top of it. They asked an exiled king about the significance of the shield and he said because every other piece of your armor is to protect yourself, but your shield is to protect those around you. I love how they saw the importance of defending those around them and taking on their shields. I listened to an incredible message by @dhariusdaniels and he is quickly becoming one of my favorite speakers. He shared a story about the Good Samaritan and how Samaritans were looked down upon by many religious leaders, but in this instance out of three people (two were religious people) walking by a dying man on the side the Samaritan was the only one to hop in and send a helping hand. Dharius said that in this instance the religious leaders may have gotten doctrine right, but love wrong. Dharius Daniels gave 3 key lessons from that story. 1) we need an epiphany. The Samaritan didn't see the robbery, but he saw the outcome. We might not always see systemic racism in front of our faces, but we can always learn more through media, books, and hearing stories. I was talking to my client this morning about emotional healing and the truth is the first step to healing any issue is self-awareness. 2) We need intentionality. The Samaritan went out of his way to see where the other person was. Learn to build bridges. Make new friendships, support new businesses, learn more about other non-profits, and so forth. 3) we need empathy. The Samaritan didn't know what the beating felt like, he just knew that he was hurting. Dharius talked about grief when someone loses someone close to them. He mentioned the power of the ministry of presence. Just showing up for those around you. Take up your shield and stay in the fight.

You are right. I believe these three words are some of the most powerful words you could ever say because they not only humble you, but it also helps you have empathy and see another side. I have been trying to say that a lot more lately too. Even though I have been posting normal content the past week, it does not mean that I am not doing work for the Black Lives Matter movement in my own way. And I believe that everyone has their own way of supporting. If that is lifting up other black people in their circles, having important conversation with their friends and families, donating to non-profits, or volunteering their time. I know that I plan on continuing my support to black entrepreneurs, continuing to look for non-profits that I can give to and even volunteer with, and I have a plan to tell stories of black fitness professionals through photography and videography. So I will admit, I got a little frustrated when I see all these posts about people going back to life as if they are normal again. And even though I felt lightweight judged, I gotta admit that people who are posting those stories or posts are right. We can all use our platforms in different ways and we need to continue the conversation and the fight. You can do it in your own way, but just don't let the movement fade away. I recorded a podcast this morning, but I am choosing to push that recording back a little bit to introduce you all to an amazing talk by ET the Hip-Hop preacher titled “381 Days”. I believe that everyone should give this talk a listen. I remember yesterday, I was chatting with my friend @roxipianko who is an amazing historian and she was talking about how if we want to see real change in our lives right now, we also need to see how real change was made in the future. That is exactly what ET the Hip-Hop Preacher talks about in this talk Make a commitment to change and continue this fight. #blacklivesmatter

Online dating is an interesting thing and some of these apps are getting so great at making their experience unique. Now you can put these prompts on your photos and videos and it is awesome. But one thing that is a bit of a challenge is talking about yourself and essentially selling yourself to someone who judges you based off of 1-5 sentences. Yea, good luck! It can be a tough process because sometimes our self-talk can actually be a very defeating and challenging place. How do you see yourself? What are your "I am" statements? In the book Limitless, by Jim Kwik, he says this, "They say the two most powerful words in the English language are the shortest: "I am." whatever you put after those two words determines your destiny." Because of something called, "Priming". When you believe you are a fast learner, then you will act as if you are so. If you believe that you are not worthy of a great relationship and love, then unfortunately you will act in a way that proves you right. Figure out your "I am" statements and write them down - positive or negative. Then rearrange your lists so the positives are at the top and see if you can replace the negative ones with identities that serve you, instead of swerve you (lol I don't even know if that means anything). Kwik also writes, "The highest drive we have is to act consistently with how we perceive ourselves -- it is one of the most powerful forces in the universe. Use it to your benefit."

This is a conversation that I had with a good friend of mine, Syd, about Redefining Masculinity. Don't let the words in your define the way that you live, but instead redefine the words that you want to live by.

How often has someone asked you how you are doing and then you just responded with one word, “good”? It is so easy to get caught up with these automated responses and not even know how we are really feeling. I had a moment this past weekend when I was truly breaking down. I felt like I was crumbled inside, but I was reminded of my conversation with a mindset coach, Vik, and he told me that every feeling has a meaning behind it. I just created a podcast about what I had been going through and I want you to look at your life and see what is it that you are needing? If you want to crush the battles outside of you then you need to also conquer the battle inside of you. Hope you can find out what you need because the world needs every bit of passion and every bit of love that you have to offer.

How often have you thrown in the towel when things start to get a little more challenging. I know for me, especially with this new way of life where almost everything is done in the privacy of your own home it has been harder for me to give my all. The other day on my run, I felt like I wanted to quit before my goal was completed. Then a thought came into my head. It came into my head and became a mantra, "don't stop when you have done enough, you can only stop when you have done it all." With the #blacklivesmatter movement, as allies we need to continue this fight until we have done it all. Don't stop when it stops getting convenient but see this fight through. Be practical and sign the petitions, donate to black non-profits, support black businesses, and do whatever you can to fight systemic racism. But whatever you do, keep fighting until we are done.

Our world is hurting right now. The Coronovirus Covid-19 pandemic has shifted and wrecked many of our lives. On top of this ongoing issue, there is another conversation that we need to focus on and that is the #blacklivesmatter movement. This more than ever is where we need to stand united, but police brutality continues to exist along with racism. I see friends and family members on facebook talking about how these protests and riots are not the answer. While I do agree that violence is never the answer, we need to understand that our African-American neighbors are hurting. Even if we do not share the same skin, we need to seek to understand. We need to let our black communities know that we are here and ready to stand with them and fight for them. Empathy is what we need right now.

We all have those days that we look forward to. Some girls when they are growing up imagine their future wedding day. When I grow up, that is what I am looking forward to as well. But what I am learning from the 90 Day Fiance is that there are so many other days before that. We need to make today matter. It is also so easy to get worried about the future and forget about the tasks that are right in front of us. If we get so focused on our worries of tomorrow, we are going to forget about the work of today. Make today matter. Peace sign, much love.