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Geoff has lived a life full of twists and turns. From losing his father to cancer, to losing his childhood home, he went from gifted student to battling addiction, before finding his way back through music and fitness. Now with over a decade in the fitness industry, Coach GB helps his clients optimize their BIG 4: Sleep Schedule, Stress Mitigation, Nutrition Protocol, and Movement Practice. One of the talents he has developed over the years is being able to ask the right questions to advance any goal. He's attended workshops, been mentored, and attained certifications in Calisthenics, Kettlebells, Adult Gymnastics, Strongman, Barbell Strength Training, CrossFit, and Krav Maga. His training and protocols align with his ethos of training that focuses on longevity and improving human movement patterns. One of his proudest achievements is co-founding a non-profit gym for Baltimore city youth, MissionFit. CONNECT WITH GEOFF: www.gratefulsweat.comhttps://grateful-sweat.mn.co/ CONNECT WITH COACH JON:NUTRITION: https://www.freedomnutritioncoach.com MENTORSHIP: https://www.jonmclernon.comYOUTUBE: https://freedomnutrition.rocks/YouTubeCRUSH YOUR CRAVINGS GUIDE: https://www.freedomnutritioncoach.com/book FREE 7-DAY CHALLENGE: https://www.freedomnutritioncoach.com/7-day-challengePODCAST: https://freedomnutrition.rocks/btba-podcast
This weeks episode is with MissionFit. A Baltimore based non-profit supporting youth in strength and personal development. We spoke with their directors, Josh and Wes about topics ranging from understanding the needs of youth, to their role as educators within social justice. Time stamps: MissionFit Intro (2:05), Recognizing Needs (3:52), They're Telling You (6:41), Providing a Safe Haven (8:58), Being An Ally (13:37), Internal Unrest (15:07), Self Awareness (17:25), Working As A Team (19:22), The Gut Punch (24:35), The Payoff (27:03), Motivation (31:25), Anita Baker (33:22), Shoutout To The Coaches (35:21)
In this episode we interview the executive director, Joshua Day, Director of Development, Wes Jamison, and one of their strength ambassadors Corey. MissionFit aims to destroy barriers of access and knowledge that prevent our youth from achieving health, and to build a community that makes health and wellness possible and a priority for everyone.
Geoffrey Blake is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of MissionFit (www.missionfit.org), a non-profit organization and gym serving Baltimore's youth. He's also a talented musician and good friend to us. In EP40, GB shares his often difficult journey moving to a new country as a kid, losing his father as a teen, and struggling with drug addiction for many years. He chats about music helping him to overcome these obstacles and how he has grown and thrived from these difficult experiences. He digs into the beginnings of MissionFit, why he believes in it, and his vision for its potential. Geoff is a great model for us all and generously shares his truth and wisdom on this episode! Join our community to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/chocolatecroissants/ Official Sponsor: RØDE Microphrones (www.rode.com) Audio assist by Joe Hamilton (joe.john.hamilton@gmail.com)
Geoff Blake is co-founder and executive director of MissionFit, a non-profit organization providing free fitness classes to Baltimore's inner city youth. Today, Geoff will share his philosophy of being a "two feet forward" jumper to move forward. More at www.bemovingforward.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn @Bemovingforward The Corporate Cliches Adult Coloring Book is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble online: Just go to Bit.ly/corporatecliches
What started as an innocuous post on Reddit?s (relax) Baltimore board turned into me checking out MissionFit Baltimore?s spacious and lofty work out area. I met with MFB?s trainer Geoff Blake, who taught me a new way to do squats (Bulgarian Split Squats) and alked about MissionFit?s vision. After our conversation I got to meet...
Provoking Greatness: Unleashing Hidden Potential by Misti Burmeister This on demand audio series is a part of the Executive Girlfriends' Group Vignette Series. Chicke Fitzgerald interviews Misti Burmeister. The original live interview was 2/19/16. When complacency and survival have overtaken a thriving and effective team, you have three choices: ignore their gifts, address them poorly, or leverage the gifts that are shared in Provoking Greatness and discover how to unleash the hidden potential in your team when it matters most. A greatness coach for leaders, business motivational keynote speaker, and author, Misti has dedicated her life to helping leaders find and strengthen their V.O.I.C.E., improving communication, collaboration, and commitment. Misti also serves on the board for MissionFit, a non-profit dedicated to creating a safe space for at-risk youth to discover their greatness through weightlifting and community. Her website is http://mistiburmeister.com/ To order the book click HERE For more information about the Executive Girlfriends' Group see: http://www.executivegirlfriendsgroup.com
Walking down the streets of Bethesda more than a decade ago, hearing the loud beeps of impatient drivers, and seeing a pedestrian nearly get run over, I thought to myself, “I’ve gotta get out of here. I don’t want to be like these people.” I had quit my job a week prior, unaware of my financial situation when I resigned, and as a result had $37 to my name. I was filled with anxiety, desperate to find a sense of belonging and wondering how I would pay my rent in a couple of weeks. It was soon after that moment of despair when I heard these words for the first time: you become like the people you spend the most time with. At the time, that someone was pretty much just me. And spending time with me was exhausting. Nervously roaming from one coffee shop to the next, talking up the people at the gym, and rushing from one informational interview to the next (150 in six months), I prayed for an invitation. “Someone please invite me to your home, hire me, or at least sit with me for a while,” I pleaded to the universe. Six months went by, I met dozens of people but continued to struggle with “belonging”, though I would not have been able to express it that way. “Surround yourself with positive people, and you’ll become like them,” I heard from motivational speakers and well-known businesspeople. So, I tried it. I asked for invitations, and even for mentors. I wanted them to take me by the hand and show me exactly what to do every day, how to behave, and where to spend my time so that I could become successful. Of course, it never works that way, but I was invited to events and lunch meetings. Still, I struggled with my own expectations of what they should be doing to help me succeed. “Why aren’t they making critical introductions for me, giving me important opportunities, and showing me how to become successful?” I asked myself, “Don’t they know that’s their job as my mentor?” I didn’t understand. Then, one day, I started paying more attention to people who moved me emotionally, often through small acts of kindness. Here’s one: While I was at an inspiring event in DC, I noticed someone walk up to the host before the event started, hand over a beautiful bouquet of flowers, and say, “It’s already a big success. Great work.” Later, I found out that person had never met the host prior to this event. The thoughtfulness and generosity of that moment inspired (and instructed) me greatly. Then, I remembered a man who briefly came into my life during my time in Bethesda. His name is Bob Artz, and he came to our informational interview with an expensive set of CDs called The Goal Achiever. “Listen to these,” he said, “I think they’ll help you.” I devoured that program and scraped the funds together to buy A View from the Top, which I listened to repeatedly. Then there was the day I walked into Arenal, the CrossFit gym where I work out, and was approached by Ruslan, a talented trainer, who said, “Misti, you don’t seem like yourself recently. Is everything okay?” No, everything wasn’t okay. I didn’t realize how much I was struggling until he asked, and then hugged me. His actions inspired (instructed) me that day. Then, just last week, I had my first meeting with a woman who runs a successful non-profit here in Baltimore. During the meeting, I invited her to my book launch, which was a fundraiser for MissionFit, a new non-profit in Baltimore. That night, she sent me this email… I truly want to wish you the best of luck on Thursday night. I unfortunately do have a board thing that evening which prevents me from attending. I did, however, make a small gift to the organization in your name. I never checked to see how much she donated—it didn’t matter. What mattered was the incredible feeling of connection and belonging I felt when I read that email. What mattered was the opportunity I had once again to be inspired, instructed, or if you prefer, mentored. Beyond seeking out traditional mentors, consider how much we learn by noticing the behaviors that provoke a feeling within us. Whether the feeling is good or bad, we learn. We need to pay attention to the actions that inspire us to do more and become more. There are no perfect mentors, but there are zillions of opportunities to learn from the best teachers. They’re around us every day. Can you feel them? Do you see the random acts of kindness happening around you every day? Look for them. You’ll find them, I promise. They are there just waiting for you to notice. Observe how these uplifting moments make you feel and then look for opportunities to imitate those actions. You won’t need anything in return. The act of generosity alone will fill you up and leave you feeling successful. Interestingly, I’ve found that elusive sense of belonging most often when I share without expectation, invite others to be a part of what I’m up to, and support them in the work that’s meaningful to them. Now, rather than looking for mentors I notice the ones that show up and then seek to imitate them. Do you? Here’s to Your Greatness, Misti Burmeister P.S. For instant access to interviews, and to get Your 3 Practical Tips for Building a Motivated Team, click here, type your email address in, and click “Download Now.”