DO WHAT YOU KNOW: FILTERING HEALTH ADVICE

I had a perfect example last night of what Sam was talking about in yesterday’s post. My wife, who is in love with anything that involves being outdoors (preferably in the mountains), decided she wanted to improve her rock climbing abilities so she can be more like spider-woman… So, what did she do? Well, she’s researching the guy up there…. Chris Sharma.

If that picture up top doesn’t give you an idea of the crazy stuff this guy does, check out this video below.

Honestly, my first reaction when she showed me that was surprise. I don’t expect her to climb any crazy arches over water any time soon – and I’m willing to bet she doesn’t either. So why that guy? Of all the people she could look up to and research and model and learn from, why Chris Sharma? He’s one of the best; that’s why.

Think about it, has anyone ever had a role model who wasn’t amazing at whatever he or she did? Growing up, how many little kids who played baseball said they want to grow up to be Mario Mendoza. Never heard of him? I didn’t think so. The Mendoza Line is named after him… but not in a good way (learn more here)

No, we looked up to Michael Jordan and Nolan Ryan and Deon Sanders… guys who excelled. Guys who blew the competition out of the water. The true MASTERS of their sport.

Now let me make sure everyone is clear on one thing – Sam and I definitely don’t pretend to know absolutely everything about health and fitness. In no way are we perfect when it comes to this stuff. We don’t claim it and we definitely don’t think it. So please don’t take either of these posts as us claiming to be the Michael Jordan’s of fitness. Instead, what we’re trying to really hammer home here is a pretty simple concept:

Whatever your goal might be, find someone you can look up to, emulate and model your behavior and actions after.

However, there’s one thing to keep in mind when doing this as it relates to health and fitness. You want to make sure you’re emulating/modeling someone on the same playing field. Now, you might think that goes against everything I just wrote about… so let me explain what I mean by that.

Too often as a trainer I had guys compare themselves to bodybuilders or I had women in their 40’s compare themselves with fitness models in the early 20’s. The good part about this? It gave them something to shoot for – a goal for their hard work. The bad part? Well, most of those people don’t REALLY look like that.

“I’d say probably 80 to 90 percent, I’m not kidding you, of all the stuff I see in magazines is complete hogwash.” – Rick Schaff, Photographer/Author

See what he means in the video below – his interview starts around 2:38. Then there is a second amazing interview at the 6:20 mark.

“There’s all kinds of techniques and tools you can use to completely manipulate the body. In fact, some of the before and after pictures… they could be done in the same day.”

So really, what I’m trying to say is it’s a balancing act. You never want to sell yourself short when it comes to what you can achieve through hard work, dedication and time. I know if you would have told me even five years ago that I would become a trainer and become fit and active I would have laughed in your face. At that point in my life, I was so entrenched in my beliefs that I thought it was impossible.

But at the same time, pick who you listen to and you who emulate wisely. Don’t hold yourself to a standard that isn’t real. Find someone with a similar body type or similar goals – or someone who has experienced similar trials. Someone you can relate to and connect with on a deeper level than just an image.

Besides, isn’t that what a role model is all about? They’re someone you look up to in all aspects, not just the superficial ones.

Some food for thought for today.

Keep up the good work and keep doing what you know,

Nico