2759: [Part 1] Pick Your Passion by Ross Enamait of Ross Training on Personal Development & Hard Work

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[00:00:27] This is Optimal Health Daily. Pick Your Passion, Part 1 by Ross Enamait of RossTraining.com and I'm Dr. Neal.

[00:00:35] Welcome back to Optimal Health Daily where I simply read to you from the best health and fitness blogs for free.

[00:00:42] This is kind of like an audiobook but with articles instead and articles from a bunch of different authors and always with permission from the sites of course.

[00:00:50] Now, today's episode is a little longer than normal so whenever that happens I'll read the first half today and then finish it up for you tomorrow.

[00:00:58] So, with that let's hear part one as we optimize your life.

[00:01:07] Pick Your Passion, Part 1 by Ross Enamait of RossTraining.com

[00:01:13] In past articles, I've discussed important attributes such as patience, perseverance, diligence, and intensity.

[00:01:21] Clearly, these are significant variables that must be considered when working towards any meaningful goal.

[00:01:26] Yet without passion, each variable is limited.

[00:01:29] How much patience will you exhibit without passion?

[00:01:32] How much intensity will you put forth?

[00:01:35] What about perseverance or diligence?

[00:01:37] When it comes to maximizing potential, passion is an absolute must.

[00:01:41] Swiss philosopher, Henry Frederick Amiel, summed up the significance of passion with his words,

[00:01:47] quote,

[00:01:48] Without passion, man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron, before it can give forth its spark.

[00:01:57] End quote.

[00:01:58] Merriam-Webster defines passion as a strong liking or desire for, or devotion to some activity, object, or concept.

[00:02:06] Passion is a driving force.

[00:02:08] It is the spark that ignites the flame.

[00:02:11] It illuminates the path on your road to success.

[00:02:14] Without passion, the road will eventually darken.

[00:02:17] You'll lack direction, focus, and desire.

[00:02:20] The Power of Passion

[00:02:21] Passion often defines the individual.

[00:02:24] It isn't something you can fake.

[00:02:26] You either have it or you don't.

[00:02:28] For example, consider the young fighter who literally fights his way out of poverty.

[00:02:32] His passion steers him through adversity, propelling him towards a successful career.

[00:02:37] But what happens when the fountain of passion runs dry?

[00:02:40] Perhaps the fighter experiences the taste of money and loses the fire that once burned within.

[00:02:45] All of the natural talent in prior years of training cannot make up for a lack of passion.

[00:02:50] Many professional athletes become victim to their own fame.

[00:02:54] They find a life that they never knew existed.

[00:02:56] They are no longer fighting to better their lives when they become surrounded by fame and wealth.

[00:03:01] During such times, they must follow the advice of Abbey Uberdi.

[00:03:05] Quote, renew your passions daily.

[00:03:08] End quote.

[00:03:09] A perfect example of this concept comes from legendary boxer Bernard Hopkins.

[00:03:14] Earlier in his career, I'm sure he was passionate about bettering his life, financially, and that of his family.

[00:03:20] That's no longer the case, however, as he's already earned millions.

[00:03:23] His passion still runs strong, however, even into his forties.

[00:03:27] Hopkins is not distracted by money.

[00:03:29] He remains passionate about winning and cementing his own legacy.

[00:03:33] Therefore, you don't need to choose a single passion today that you must then live with forever.

[00:03:38] There's a good chance that your interests will change over time.

[00:03:41] You are free to seek out new passions.

[00:03:44] Using myself as an example, my passion has certainly changed over the years.

[00:03:48] I renew my passions regularly.

[00:03:51] Passion for a day is never enough.

[00:03:53] You cannot ride the coattails of past passion and expect to find future success.

[00:03:57] I have not competed in many years.

[00:04:00] I am happy in my role as a trainer and coach.

[00:04:02] I'm obviously passionate about improving my athletes, but I still must find my own passion for training.

[00:04:08] I cannot live through my athletes.

[00:04:10] I must come alive on my own.

[00:04:13] What I do in the gym is for me and only me.

[00:04:15] I don't train with my athletes.

[00:04:17] We often do entirely different things.

[00:04:19] I need to chase my own goals.

[00:04:21] No one can pick these goals for me.

[00:04:23] I decide for myself.

[00:04:25] The fact that I train fighters doesn't mean that I still train as a fighter.

[00:04:29] My passion has changed significantly over the years,

[00:04:32] and I'm sure that it will continue to change into the future.

[00:04:36] Flawed Approaches

[00:04:37] Understanding the significance of passion isn't enough.

[00:04:40] We must take it a step further and bring passion to our training.

[00:04:44] Do not falsely assume that passion is exclusive to competitive athletes.

[00:04:48] We are all entitled to passion.

[00:04:50] We can all use it to our advantage.

[00:04:52] I have not competed in many years, but am as passionate as I've ever been about training.

[00:04:58] Unfortunately, many fitness establishments fail to elicit passion among their participants.

[00:05:03] They go about it all wrong.

[00:05:05] These establishments often fall into one of two flawed categories.

[00:05:09] One, Guilty by Association

[00:05:12] The first group tries to guilt you into training.

[00:05:14] They use scare tactics regarding health and longevity

[00:05:17] in hopes that they'll scare you into changing your habits.

[00:05:20] And two, pick our passion.

[00:05:23] The next group tries to pick your passion.

[00:05:25] They tell you what to be passionate about.

[00:05:27] It is their way or the highway.

[00:05:29] Both models are flawed.

[00:05:31] No one should be tricked into training,

[00:05:33] and no one can pick your passion for you.

[00:05:36] Exercise is not a punishment,

[00:05:37] and it isn't something that you should be forced to do.

[00:05:40] I thoroughly enjoy my time in the gym.

[00:05:42] I am passionate about training.

[00:05:44] I don't get paid to train.

[00:05:46] I make my living training others.

[00:05:48] They don't care what I do in my free time.

[00:05:50] My training time is my time.

[00:05:53] I have my own passions that I pursue each day in the gym.

[00:05:56] It isn't work to me.

[00:05:57] It is something that I crave.

[00:05:59] The fact that exercise offers health benefits is an added bonus.

[00:06:03] It isn't why I train.

[00:06:04] I'm not running from death or trying to postpone the inevitable.

[00:06:08] I embrace each day and live life to the fullest.

[00:06:11] Passion is what drives me.

[00:06:13] Not fear of death or poor health.

[00:06:15] I am never more alive than when I'm busting my ass in the gym.

[00:06:18] I often receive emails from readers on the site

[00:06:21] who have watched videos of me training.

[00:06:23] A week doesn't pass without someone asking where I find my motivation.

[00:06:27] It is as if they think I'm crazy for training so hard.

[00:06:30] They cannot comprehend it.

[00:06:32] Meanwhile, I am the one who is truly puzzled.

[00:06:35] I cannot imagine training without passion.

[00:06:37] I cannot imagine putting forth a half-assed effort.

[00:06:40] My mindset is very simple.

[00:06:42] Go hard or go home.

[00:06:44] It's an easy choice that I make each day.

[00:06:46] And please do not be confused.

[00:06:48] I'm not reading this to tell you what to do and why to do it.

[00:06:51] I hope to help you find your passion.

[00:06:54] In the words of Dr. Howard Thurman,

[00:06:57] quote,

[00:06:57] Don't ask yourself what the world needs.

[00:07:00] Ask yourself what makes you come alive.

[00:07:02] And then go and do that.

[00:07:05] Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.

[00:07:08] End quote.

[00:07:09] A useful analogy.

[00:07:11] When discussing passion in regards to training,

[00:07:14] I like to use a career versus job analogy.

[00:07:17] Job.

[00:07:18] A job is an activity that you perform for money.

[00:07:21] Your primary reason for working a job is to earn a paycheck.

[00:07:24] Some jobs are better than others.

[00:07:26] But most of us have had jobs that we dreaded.

[00:07:29] We weren't there to pursue a lifelong ambition.

[00:07:32] We were there to get paid.

[00:07:33] I had a work-study job back in college that was as exciting as watching paint dry.

[00:07:38] Boring is an understatement.

[00:07:40] Now consider your time in the gym.

[00:07:41] Does it feel like a job?

[00:07:43] Do you dread the work?

[00:07:44] Are you working aimlessly with no real direction?

[00:07:47] If you answered yes, it is time for a change.

[00:07:50] Now onto career.

[00:07:52] I am now fortunate to have a career that I truly enjoy.

[00:07:55] A career involves pursuing lifelong ambitions.

[00:07:58] I don't consider my career to be a job.

[00:08:01] I love my work.

[00:08:02] I don't have a job where I check the clock every few moments

[00:08:04] to see how much closer I am to my next break.

[00:08:07] For me, there is never enough time in the day

[00:08:09] and I am always eager to get started the next morning.

[00:08:11] I work very hard, but the work is something that I welcome.

[00:08:14] I enjoy it.

[00:08:15] I am passionate about my profession.

[00:08:17] I am also fortunate to be passionate about my time in the gym.

[00:08:20] I don't approach my training with a job-like mentality.

[00:08:23] It is something that I truly enjoy.

[00:08:26] Now consider your time in the gym.

[00:08:28] Are you working towards specific goals?

[00:08:31] Are you eager to overcome your next challenge?

[00:08:33] Are you excited about hitting a new personal record in the gym this week?

[00:08:36] If you answered yes, you bring passion to the gym.

[00:08:39] You welcome the hard work as it brings you closer to your next goal.

[00:08:43] To be continued.

[00:08:48] You just listened to part one of the post titled

[00:08:51] Pick Your Passion by Ross Enemite of RossTraining.com

[00:08:55] and I'll be right back with my commentary.

[00:08:58] Dr. Neil here for my commentary.

[00:09:00] So here's the deal.

[00:09:01] Let's take a step back and be realistic.

[00:09:03] You may be listening to today's post and going,

[00:09:06] Oh, well that's easy for you.

[00:09:07] I can't just quit my job and do what I'm passionate about.

[00:09:11] And please understand that is in no way what I would say.

[00:09:15] And I'm going to guess that's no way what Mr. Enemite is saying

[00:09:18] or what any of the other authors are trying to tell you.

[00:09:21] If you're able to do that, fantastic.

[00:09:24] But in the real world, it's not so easy.

[00:09:27] What we're learning from research with regards to stress management, for example,

[00:09:31] is that let's say you go to a job that you can't stand.

[00:09:35] As Ross mentioned, let's say it's a job that's as exciting as watching paint dry.

[00:09:40] But you need that job.

[00:09:42] You need that job to pay your bills, maybe to get further ahead in your career

[00:09:46] because you have your eye on something else.

[00:09:47] What we're learning about that kind of stress is that when you go home,

[00:09:53] what goes on at that time?

[00:09:55] Are you going to the gym that makes you happy?

[00:09:58] Are you doing things like visiting with others that makes you happy?

[00:10:03] On the weekends, do you get to go do things that you're passionate about?

[00:10:08] If you do, that's a way to help offset some of this stress.

[00:10:13] So please don't throw your arms up in the air and say, what's the point?

[00:10:16] Instead, the time you do have, is that a time to allow you to follow your passions?

[00:10:22] Do those hobbies that you really like to do?

[00:10:25] And who knows, maybe as you pursue those passions in your free time,

[00:10:29] when it's making you happy, maybe that'll start to get some momentum.

[00:10:33] And maybe that will translate into something completely new,

[00:10:36] something that you didn't even see coming.

[00:10:38] So maybe today or this week sometime,

[00:10:42] you pick one thing that you really enjoy doing,

[00:10:44] something you're really passionate about, and do that.

[00:10:49] All right, that does it for today.

[00:10:50] Have a great rest of your Sunday.

[00:10:52] I'll be back here tomorrow where we'll finish up this post,

[00:10:54] and where your optimal life awaits.

[00:10:56] Oh wait.

[00:10:57] Turn off!

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