"Dad, let's go do something."

My 9-year-old's words made me look up from my phone.

He's an active kid, and I was tired.

"I need to just chill for a bit. I'll come do something with you later," I told him. His head dropped as he shuffled back outside. My face flushed as I realized how badly I'd bungled that interaction.

My face had been buried in social media. So much for a present father.

Not only had I been too occupied to spend time with my son, but I realized that I'd been pretty inactive outside of my regular workouts. I'd let the holiday vibe of eating (too much) and relaxing (watching too many shows) glue my butt to the couch.

Little by little, I was teaching my kids to be lazy.

Luke, I Am Your Father (NOOOOO!!!!)

As a teenager, I swore on everything short of my sweet grandma's grave that I wouldn't become my father (I'll never join the dark side!). And yet, I catch myself doing and saying things just like he did. While many of us try to avoid becoming our parents, others of us had great parents and strive to be just like them.

On both sides of the coin, it's clear that we are strongly affected by our parents. Parents who scream at their kids were probably screamed at by their parents.

Unhealthy children often have unhealthy parents.

I realized that I was forming unhealthy habits in my kids through my own unhealthy habits and inactivity. I want my kids to have a foundation of proper health and movement. I don't want them to be chained by my bad habits (chopping off hands with lightsabers, sedentary lifestyles, etc), I want them to be freed by my good ones (destroying evil, staring pensively off into the distance, and being a strong man).

Ultimately, I was reminded that my health affects more than just me.

Start With Why

You are a busy parent. And by busy, I mean that you savor every little quiet moment at the store, in the shower, or right after the kids finally fall asleep.

Add healthy habits to the hurricane that is your calendar? That sounds exhausting!

I get it.

As a parent, what helped me realize that training and being active with my kids was understanding that I was training and being active FOR my kids. As Simon Sinek (and probably every other guru around) says, start with why.

My motivation changed from "big muscles" and "looking and feeling good" to "being able to keep up with my kids", "inspiring my kids by being a strong example", and "teaching my kids how to value being healthy".

While I believe that discipline trumps motivation most times, motivation helps create discipline every time.

Maybe you don't have kids, but what is your motivation?

Or, who is your motivation?

Is it kids that are watching you destroy your body with poor eating and inactivity? Is it a spouse who no longer finds you attractive? Is it family members who are concerned about your terrible health decisions? Is it shame of being the fattest and unhealthiest of all your friends?

The vision of my kid's unhealthy future became my motivation.

It Certainly Helps

I've heard the statement, "Money can't buy happiness, but I've never seen anyone sad on a jetski."

Having your motivation nailed down doesn't solve all of your problems, but it certainly helps. It's hard to get up early to workout, but it might be easier thinking about someone that you will disappoint if you don't.

Not everyone has a someone that is motivating presence in their lives. That's where we come in. Once you join our training group, someone from our team checks in with you daily to keep you accountable and motivated.

Your kids may not shame you into shape, but we will.

Your friend may not always check in on your progress, but we do.

Your wife may not want to see progress pictures, but we do.

You don't need money to be happy, but it certainly helps. You don't motivation to work out, but it certainly helps.

If you haven't found your motivation, or even if you have, my team can help you create motivation and turn it into discipline.

Find out more below.

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