A re-introduction to DFG Wellness

Welcome back to DFG Wellness, a site designed to inspire and motivate you to be better in YOUR life.  It comes in many forms and tonight, I want to re-introduce you to DFG (Destined for greatness) Wellness and where this ship is headed.

When I first started this blog, I had a ton going on.   At one point I was programming for 15 gyms, owned 4 and was involved in the fire department much like I am today.  Life over the last 5 years since my last post has changed drastically and this blog will help to share my story of small successes each and every day so that you too might find the successes in your life.  At points, there will be video interviews with successful people in their eyes as well as written stories about people who succeed each day.

You see, success is a moving target.  It is never the same for any two people.  And the challenge with success is that what you consider to be successful today may change tomorrow as you experience life and take a new direction tomorrow.  In this respect, i want you to think of being successful in life as a moving target, a journey and not necessarily a destination.  It will change as you grow, as you gain more faith in who you are becoming, and experiencing your failures as much as your successes. 

What I hope to do is not only share my story of successes with you, but also to share my stories of failure with you.  Because really, success is built upon failure.  and the opposite of success is NOT failing, because if you don't fail, you can never succeed.  The opposite of success is quitting, or in many cases not even starting, or even looking at the path that may be the most successful. 

What does all of this have to do with tonight's post?  well, I want to set forth a philosophy moving forward for this blog.  In my next post, i will share how it felt to sell my portion of the gym as well as why i did so.  I want to share what I think of success in my next post, and how that ties in with everything in life. 

Stay tuned, for there is a lot to come on this blog.. from DIY projects (Successes and failures) to greater philosophical discussions of what it means to be successful and how to become successful and consistently successful .

I look forward to sharing my thoughts with you.

Coach K

YOU are a CHAMPION!

"Champions keep going when there is nothing left in their tank"- Eric Thomas.

How true is this?  What is the heart of a champion made of? 

The heart of a champion is made of integrity, passion, desire.  There is something that burns inside of a champion.  A champion looks around and even though he or she may see the obstacles ahead of them, they are aware that they will be able to overcome each and every obstacle.  They are not absent of fear, but act in spite of it. 

A Champion knows that there will probably be pain.  A champion knows that the pain is temporary, but pride is forever and quitting is never an option.   A Champion knows that what's inside of them is more powerful than anything they will come up against.  A Champion knows that when the shit gets going they will stand up, rise against the odds and become greater than they were before. 

A Champion looks to those who are there to support him. A Champion reaches out and helps others.  A Champion inspires others through their actions, their desires, their beliefs, their dreams.  A Champion often has great odds to battle, but even though the odds are stacked against them, will fight for every moment.  A Champion sacrifices what they are for what they want to become.  It is not in THIS moment that we will become a Champion, but THROUGH the hours put into becoming a champion. 

A Champion doesn't think about the consequences of achieving their goal.  A Champion doesn't blame anyone else for their hardship.s  A Champion stops looking outside of himself or herself and determines that what is inside of them is how they became who they are. 

A Champion creates what they desire and doesn't sit back and wait for life to give them opportunities.  A Champion has a mind stronger than their body will admit.  A Champion knows that the sacrifice they make today for their dream, desire and goal will be worth it in the end.  A Champion remembers that they are powerful beyond measure. 

Champions are NOT immune from fear, discouragement, frustration, fatigue, challenge, obstacles.  Champions are able to use these things to strengthen their fortitude to move forward to get to where they want to be.  Champions understand that the more they are frustrated, fatigued, challenged, and even maybe lonely, the closer they are to achieving the greatness they are destined for. 

What happens when things happen that a champion doesn't anticipate.  There may be hurt, pain, anger.  this is where a champion turns that into useful energy to push forward.  This is the difference between the average person and a champion is that instead of sitting in the pain, hurt, anger,  the champion will not stay down for long if at all.  A Champion may land on their back, but they will be able to get back up and fight again when they are weakened and tired.  

This is the time you will become a champion.  This is the time that YOU will do what it takes to earn your desires. This is the time where hard work will pay off.  This is the time where you will not make excuses.  This is the time where you will stop being afraid of the pain it may take to get where you want.  This is the time where you will make sacrifice to get what you want in life.  This is the time where life will become YOUR playground. 

BECOME A CHAMPION.  NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER FUCKING GIVE UP.  NEVER EVER FUCKING GIVE UP.  

YOU ARE A CHAMPION!

Don't be a prisoner of your mind

Humans-  an interesting species.  A species driven by their mind.  Higher cognitive function.  A blessing, and a curse.  A dichotomy in which we exist.  The ability for free thought and communication.  This is a power that comes with both great responsibility and caution. One that can become our best attribute or on the same stroke can be the most destructive sequence we will ever have. 

Our minds are an incredible thing.  With our access and our ability to think, we have created so many options, successes, pathways to get out of our challenges, but in the fact we have created this, we are absolutely capable of creating obstacles, challenges and ways to set ourselves up for disaster.  Our mind is the most powerful tool on the planet.  

You see, we use only a small percentage of our brain actively, even subconsciously.  We have yet to understand the mechanics of how things work, but we understand this to be true.  What we tell ourselves becomes our reality.  

You see,  that's the trick,  "The Secret" if you will.  That we become our thoughts.

Yes,  I quoted the famous movie and book, but not only that, I have also quoted so many successful individuals in that statement.  Simply put, we become what we think.  This is paramount in understanding change in our world. 

We often become imprisoned by our thoughts.  We live our life day to day, form crisis to crisis and that begets crisis.  we live paycheck to paycheck and never understand why when we think there are too many bills that another one pops up.  Many of us ponder or even stop to think about what it would be like if we weren't living that way.  and we wonder why it continues to pile up. 

We become imprisoned by what people think, how they perceive us, what we think we can NOT achieve, rather than focussing on what he CAN achieve and not worrying about the results of other people's thoughts.  Successful people have figured out that it matters not what others think, but what they, themselves, think.  Their thoughts become actions.  And in that right actions become their life. 

So how does this apply?  To you, to you who may not be able to see it now.  To those of you out there that are stuck in the cycle, the rat race, the treadmill we know as our life? 

Here are 10 things I have learned over time with my situations, my experiences and my time as a coach. 

1- SET GOALS.  they should be HUGE goals,  I mean FUCKING HUGE!!!!!  They should be so massive they scare you.  If they don't, then go back, re-evaluate, change them and make them YOURS.  OWN your goals. make them a part of your essence, your being, your existence.  They will become so engrained in your mind that they will just happen

2- WHO CARES what others think.  People are inherently critical.  We are taught to say no at a young age.  This means we are taught at the most basic level that we are NOT supposed to do things.  What if we said YES from the outset?  Aren't we supposed to learn lessons along the way? Others will ALWAYS have something to say about your life, what you choose and what direction you are headed.  FUCK THEM- it's YOUR life.  You know what you are after.  When they drive you into a state where you are in a corner cowering,  take a STAND, and fight back for your thoughts.  Don'r WORRY what happens to them.  They run THEIR life,  you run YOURS.  You are the only person with your thoughts.  Everyone else will assume and make judgements.  who cares. 

3- TAKE ACTION-  There are so many signs pointing in the direction of where we should be going.  Alot of times, we ignore the signs, the BIG ASS signs that are right in front of us.  How many times have we heard of people trying to find love when it was right in front of them?  Or how about when you have a decision to make that's not easy, and once you make it, it seems everyone comes out of the woodworks and says "we were hoping you would make that decision". 

one of our biggest challenges to taking action on things we KNOW we see right in front of us is our fear.  We are afraid that the decision will leave us in a state of action and then we won't know what to do.  It is this uncertainty that creates our response as humans... the fight or flight.  it's scary, unkown and uncomfortable.  

4- BE COMFORTABLE WITH UNCOMFORTABLE- our moments of greatest growth typically occur when our goal is WAY Bigger than what we ever imagined, or we at our most uncomfortable state.  Imagine for a moment, you are getting into a pool.  It's the heat of summer and the pool seem cold.  you stick your toe in the pool, it seems extremely cold, but then you adapt, and it feels ok.  Then you stick your leg in.  At first, it seems so cold you don't want to move.  When you do, you get shivers because it seems so cold, but then, your body adapts,   and finally you figure "fuck it", plunge head first into the pool and for JUST A MOMENT, it is uncomfortable,  and after a few laps in the pool, it feels like you have been in there all day long and you have no issues... This is much like the events in our life.  Many times we are so scared of the cold, that we never take the plunge into the water.  we are afraid of giving up the warmth of our environment to attempt to tackle the cold of the water.  Get comfortable with it... it is what we need for growth. 

5- BE GRATEFUL-  be grateful for the smallest moments you may have.  Have an "attitude of Gratitude" for all of the goodness in your life and that of the goodness yet to come.  Gratitude begets greatness.   We need to recognize that we have been given our opportunity to have greatness in our life through accepting the greatness that exists within us each and every day.  Being grateful comes from a place of humility in which we recognize that each and everything is special in our lives.  When we recognize that it is special, we become mor einvolved in creating more special moments, events, people and things in our life. 

6- GIVE ALOT, Take little- This is one of the hardest lessons I have learned throughout my life.  I am a generous person by nature.  It is easy to take givers for granted, because they seem to be giving and giving and never stop.  But this comes from a deep place within their soul in which they understand this concept.  What if we ALL gave TWICE as much as we took from others.  What if we were to stop and truly consider that we could CHANGE the world by giving back to others rather than trying to always look out for number one?  It's a tough concept, but easy to apply.  Pay it Forward is a GREAT concept for giving, but so is smiling at people and saying hello.  

7- Build a HUMAN relationship- In an age of technology where technology replaces human connection, we are so concerned about our Facebook status, our twitter tweet, our instagram photo, that we have forgotten the human connection.  there really ARE humans out there that when we put our electronic devices down to pay attention to, actually engage in discussion and remind of us why we are on this planet.  Next time you are out with your friends, try to turn your phone off, or heck just enjoy the moment with those friends.  the human in front of you is very deserving of your attention and actually deserves better than for you to be buried in your phone. 

8- Look inside yourself often, and face your demons, because otherwise they will come haunt you.  this is a HUGE step in becoming great and I think one that MOST industry leaders may ignore or put aside.  We all have demons, scitomas and thought processes.  we all have pasts, and have a history which helps us make the decisions we make on a daily basis.  We have to recognize this and accept that part of ourselves.  A lot of us will try to ignore that we have that past or not even really be open about that past with others.  But when we are quiet with ourselves, we can help determine which path of action to take and what course to follow.  Allow yourself to feel what is going on at the core.  remember that our feelings are the pulse of our soul.  Feelings determine for us what is right and wrong for our life. 

9- Listen twice as much as you talk.  THIS is a huge one for me too.  I LOVE to talk, but I can't tell you that I learn the most when I shut my mouth and just let someone talk.  we all do.  People LOVe to talk about themselves.  One of the abilities of a great leader is the ability to teach people to lead.  In order to do that, we need to learn about them.  People whom have found their greatness are "sharers" of others stories.  They often stop, listen to another person, ask a question or to to elicit a response, and then at some point can introduce that person and tell their story. 

10- Be humble.  this was another huge lesson I had to swallow.  I am a very confident individual, and often borderline ego.  However, I have learned that ego is not the best course of action, and can create turmoil.  It is important to realize we are only as good as we are at this moment.  But it's not our job to tout how "good" we are.  Let the results speak for themselves.  Let your life speak for itself, because at the end of the day, ego can get us into trouble, where recognition of our limits, but having the ability to push past them is a HUGE and incredible trait to have.  this is where inspiration comes from,  not Ego. 

I hope at least some of this sinks in.  Am I right?  I am not trying to be right or wrong, but simply trying to share with you some thoughts I have been processing today about life.  May your day be filled with Greatness.  More thoughts to come. 

Coach K

What are you doing to create Change?

I opened my eyes, looked around the room, sat quietly and listened to the fan blowing in the room.  I looked up at the ceiling and studied the room for a moment.  I got up, wandered into the bathroom to get ready for the day.  It was dark still, and I had woken up early with the intent of getting my breakfast ready before I left for the "office' at one of the businesses I am a part of.  

I walked out into the house, and just stopped for a moment as I listened to the silence that surrounded me.  It was calming, and gave me a chance to think about what the day would turn out to be.  I had to re-direct my thinking because I had visualized some challenges that i knew would be tough to deal with that day.  So I created a new line of thinking, changing the entire outcome of what I wanted for the day.  I focussed on the results of the day and what I wanted ti to be.  I focussed on the faces of the people I could hope to inspire.

I had to stop and think to myself for a moment.  What if every person were to do that in the morning.  What if each of us were to stop for 2 minutes before heading out the door and just visualized what we wanted to do that day, what we wanted to accomplish and how we wanted to make the world a better place.  Would it make a difference? 

The answer is a resounding yes! Think for a moment in your life, at moments that were not going your direction.  What did it take to turn that situation around?  It took creating change.  

You see, in our lives, we are not reactors, but rather we are creators of change. Most of us become reactors to change rather than realizing the power we have.   We have the ability to create change in every arena of our life.  

Wait, you just said we don't have to react to change, but rather we can create it?   ABSOLUTELY YES!!! 

YOU are in control of ONE person in this world... YOU.  When you realize that YOU have a sphere of influence, and that sphere of influence can help you to create the change you want to see in the world, then you will become ultimately powerful in life.  This is not by any means, a way to get people to do what you want them to do, but rather it is a way to realize we can instigate change through helping others understand we ARE the change that needs to occur.  

More often than not things remain the same because people react to the change they are faced with.  They get angry, upset, sad or blame someone else for the situations in their life. They become victims, or persecutors, or enablers.  They begin to live in the drama triangle.  They begin to cycle through and react to each situation they are presented with in one of those roles rather than accepting that THEY are in control of their reactions, their responses and their ACTIONS, 

When we realize that we control our own thoughts, reactions and actions, then we become ultimately powerful in helping to create the change we want to see. 

Let me give you an example.  In one of my businesses, I saw a huge challenge with how the community was being put together, in how certain groups were being perceived by those outside the group. Rather than react through rolling my eyes every day(which probably happened more than I wanted it to)  I sat down with some of the people in the group and explained my side as an owner of the business and how it could affect them both positively and negatively.  I also made some recommendations as an owner to keep me happy so I wasn't on their back all the time.  This alleviated a LOT of stress for them and made it easier to work with me. 

Now, in a grander scale, the impact you want to make on the world has to be your personal legacy and mark.  Each one of us has a powerful message inside of us to deliver, whether to the world, our kids, our significant others.  There is a message of change in you to be heard.  The challenge with that is that you are limited by what you believe your impact can be. 

We are going to pick up part 2 on wednesday or Thursday....  until then, keep thinking about the changes you want in your life and what you want to create in those around you. 

Our moments of Greatest Weakness Part 1

In our moments of our greatest weakness, we must be at our point of greatest resolve.  it is our resolve which helps us to withstand adversity.  Adversity gives us the power to create an opportunity, an opportunity for growth, for change, for being great.  Adversity looks you in the eyes, challenges you, pushes on you, hits you, slams you on the ground, and tries to knock you out.

The questions you have to ask yourself when this happens are these: Will I take the easy way out and allow it to beat me?  Will I allow this to change me or will I stand up, will I fight, will I forget the pain, the hurt, the stinging? Will I get up and stand up for what I believe in?  How bad do I want whatever it is that I am after.  Am I willing to get up one more time?  Am I willing to give everything I have to make it happen?  Am I willing to ensure that I get what i want?

Are you willing to take the hits to go after what you want?  You see too often in life we lay down, we forget the power within ourselves to impact change within our own lives and in the lives of others.  You CAN make a difference in your own life.  All of us have to stop, look in the mirror and seek what it is we desire deep within ourself to overcome the fear we have within us.

You see, none of us exist without fear.  In fact I was asked this evening if I am ever afraid.  I would be naive or arrogant to say I never experience fear, however due to training for my career, due to the ablity to look at and realize fear is a state of mind, and also to create a rational thought in spite of fear and act based on that, I won't get paralyzed when fear hits.  we all have fears, we all have situations, experiences, things in life which create uncomfort.

Fear is a part of adversity, a part of challenge, a part of the unknown.  truly when we act against or with adversity, we must overcome the fear of the unknown.  We all have the power within us to do this.  It is up to you to seek the power within you, to channel it, to focus i on what it is you want and desire.  For without that focus, without that drive, that passion, it will not happen.  You must ignore the nay sayers, the people who say it's too hard.  You must use that as fuel for your next step.  You must channel the energy from those who support you and not worry about those who don't.  You must change your attitude to a never give up attitude because it's really hard to beat the person who won't give up... Have you ever tried?

What you want in life will not just automatically come to you.  Yes, you have to do your best to put it out there what you want, but the trick is not to wait for it, but to take action on it.  to ensure that the moments you discover in which you can realize your on potential are recognized.  To walk through the door rather than turn from them,  to turn the TV off and hit the gym rather than let life get in the way and beat you down.  You know and understand from JUST living, we get beat up.  we get beat up physically, emotionally, spiritually.  Are you going to stand around and let it keep happening or are you going to stop putting up with it, and take control of you, your own destiny and make the changes in your life towards what you want?

You need to be willing to put in the blood sweat and tears to make it happen.  It's not just being in the right place at the right time... while it my be part of it, it is time to realize that the successful person does what the unsuccessful person is not willing to do.  Do you rise above it and go after it? ARE YOU READY??

Destined for Greatness - Focus on Success Seminar, Saturday January 28th

Want to make 2012 YOUR best year ever? Join Coach Kevin Hughes as he presents his Destined For Greatness “Focus On Success” seminar on Saturday January 28th at 11 AM at CrossFit FTF, located at 349 N Minnewawa, Clovis, CA 93612.  

Kevin will share his thoughts and experiences he has acquired from his journey as a coach, fireman, business owner, and life coach.

We all enjoy his well timed words of inspiration and motivation on a daily basis through his online posts, so this is a wonderful opportunity to learn how to apply them to your life as a parent, athlete, employee, business owner, student and the like.

Picture taken from: http://journeyintech.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-madness-meaning-of-success.html

Kevin has spent the last 15 plus years as a coach and motivator for thousands in business and personal life success.  His passion for helping and encouraging others is apparent in all that he does through his coaching at FTF, his life as a firefighter and his Destined for Greatness Life Success coaching.  This opportunity will be given in real life, real time and real emotion.  His heartfelt presentation becomes a discussion of opportunity, internal reflection and goal attainment.

Come listen, learn and really dig deep inside of yourself as you hear this amazing presentation.  This presentation/discussion will last between 2 and 3 hours. Refreshments will be provided as well as notepads.  Please bring an open mind and a willingness to go beyond your comfort zone.

Cost $20

I REFUSE and I WILL

It is with great honor that I REFUSE the following:

I REFUSE to accept excuses from myself for not making myself better every day!

I REFUSE to expect less of myself than what i am capable of

I REFUSE to allow myself to listen to others doubt in my ability

I REFUSE to hear thsoe whom are always harping at me for going against the grain. 

I REFUSE to believe I am not good enough

I REFUSE to ever give up

I REFUSE to let myself listen to the voices of fear in my head

I REFUSE to be overcome by FEAR

I REFUSE to look away from the challenge

I REFUSE to let the beating of my heart not have purpose

I REFUSE to allow myself to see failure as bad

I REFUSE to see the negative

I REFUSE to feel bad about myself

I REFUSE to let myself stop because it might be hard

I REFUSE to accept failure as an excuse for getting back up

It is with even greater honor that I accept that I will do the following: 

I WILL always give my best

I WILL push to my limits and maybe beyond

I WILL stop making excuses

I WILL go after what I want

I WILL take the first step today towards a better tomorrow

I WILL look into the eyes of my fears and beat them down

I WILL Get back up when I fall

I WILL Fall 8 times and get back up 9

I WILL smile when it hurts

I WILL laugh when I want to Cry

I WILL realize my potential

I WILL GO AFTER IT TODAY!!!!

I WILL NO LONGER ACCEPT THAT I CAN NOT AND ONLY KNOW THAT I CAN!

You have more power in your mind and hear than you will ever know.  You have seen people do incredible things.  It is time you push yourself beyond your comfort zone.