Howdy Y'all! I know you missed my crude, yet funny self. In 2016 I'll be writing more blogs to strengthen my writing skills which will help keep me sharp for volume two of my book. I vow to make them short, filled with helpful pointers, and fitness advice. Enjoy.

In life, there's no losing. Don't get me wrong, there's definitely losers. Take for instance that douchey friend who never paid you back, or significant other that dumped you, LOOOOOOO-HOOOOOO-ZUH-HER! I'm going to challenge you to spend ten minutes and reflect upon 2015. Take out a piece of paper and jot down the greatest accomplishments, ways to continue to grow those achievements, and then below, write out your mistakes. The more specific you are, the more you'll grow from this exercise. As humans, we tend to turn a blind eye at things we don't excel at, but what's even worse, we're afraid to try due to the fear of failing. 2016 is going to be the year of learning from the past and growing into a new and improve you.

My list looks like this:
Accomplishment/How to continue to grow
– Surpassed annual revenue at Show Up by 9% / Pay off start up debt & double revenue in 16
(Santa Monica 260% above goal expectation)
– Passed CSCS exam after failing one portion / Go to one convention or seminar every quarter
– Employed 7 trainers who are currently helping / Hire 3 trainers & increase clientele base to 100
45 clients
– Benched Pressed 315lbs / 315 for 5 reps
– Didn't conform to SoCal's soft stereotypes / Maintain character & country hunkness

Mistakes:
– Online dating i.e. Bumble, Tinder, Match. Trying to date in SoCal while working 70+ hours isn't easy. There's nothing inherently wrong with online dating, but I found myself wasting too much time “swiping right”. The time will come when I'll have a steady rock by my side, as Napoleon Hill said, “two minds are better than one.” Being single has helped me understand that humans may thrive better in groups, but a significant other shouldn't define who you are. In the meantime, I WILLcontinue to grow, smile, learn, and focus on helping others. NOTED, I am taking applications if you work out, educated, sarcastic, like to drink, sexual, can dish out & deal with sarcasm, creative, can ask questions, and not a dud- did I just describe a unicorn? I know there are PLENTY of awesome women down here and I've befriended the few that I've come across. To be fair, I've heard the guy dating pool is equally filled with tiny D&^% douchbags, who enjoy the mirror more than most females. You miss 100% of the shots you don't take, so in 2016 it's time to shoot twice as much.
– Social bee. It's no secret that I enjoy socializing. Half of the bartenders in Santa Monica know this handsome bearded mug, and have a whiskey neat poured when I sit down. Hmmmm, what's the problem??? Ohh ya; I want to branch out of my comfort zone. If you thought I was going to say stop drinking- come on now, I'm not a quitter! I WILL capitalize on my ability to socialize by networking better and getting more people to train at Show Up Fitness. Charm goes a long way; it's time to flirt with the devil.
– Online Marketing. When it comes to exercise and nutrition, I know a good amount. Marketing on the other hand is a different kind of beast. I've spent thousands of dollars marketing via online, ads, social media, and fliers. The ROI (return on investment) has been extremely poor. Instead of looking negatively at these attempts, all I can do is analyze and learn. Insanity is doing the same S&*^ over and over expecting different results. I WILL put my stubborn ego aside, and learn to delegate (or hire) the proper individuals so I can focus on what I do best.
– Listening to others over my gut instinct. Entrepreneurs are constantly trying to learn from other successful businessman. I found myself seeking too much direction in 2015, instead of acting on my own instincts. Ironically, I was in the same footsteps as my students. It's very typical of my students to shy away from training in the beginning of my personal training program. They're scared of hurting someone, so they hide behind a book to “learn as much as possible.” Instead of diving in to gain experience, they hide behind the fear of uncertainty- what if a client comes in and I don't know everything? ENTER THAT BASTARD THE COMFORT ZONE. In 2015, I continually sought marketing, business, and leadership books to develop my skills. Education is power, but there comes a point when it's time to get your knees dirty (get your mind out of the gutter).

2016 WILL be the year of growth, action, and helping more people. If you aren't learning or growing, you're dying. 2016 is the year to attack, and act confidently upon instinct. There are educated decisions to be made, but waiting for the perfect time to strike is foolish. Take a few minutes to reflect upon 2015 and write down your successes and mistakes. I challenge you to be better in 2016. Stop living your life in fear and comfort. Sheep follow sheep, in 2016 you need to be the wolf.