Mark Cigos

Nothing in this world feels better than WINNING – achieving something of importance, something that you worked your tail off to successfully accomplish. And although we sometimes believe that we achieve victories on our own, personal battles that are won through will, determination and hard work – we never truly do it all alone. Somewhere along the way, we have support, a cheering section of people or someone special motivating and pushing us to go out and get what we very badly want.  

Never lose sight of this.  

Winning is not everything, the journey towards the goal of winning is. And along that journey, no one can ever do it without some sort of influence or support to help them push along and make their dreams and goals become reality. The best in the world of business, sports, entertainment, politics and more – ALL have had some positive, motivating influence at one point or another along their journey to the top. Whether it was from reading great books from genius minds or about outstanding people, coaches or mentors who gave them their all despite any present tangible compensation or a lesson learned from someone who blazed the trail before them – everybody who is anybody became so because of somebody.  

And so it is that we all have a team around us, comforting as that may sound, for no one ever truly goes at it all alone. There are no REAL self made men or women. Everybody has somebody or something that they utilize to fuel their fire, their passion towards winning. The greatest ones acknowledge this. They understand the importance and the integrity of the journey towards success, and they never lose sight of it. They also understand the remarkable necessity that we all need a team around us to achieve and accomplish all that we set out to do.

Everywhere I go, no matter where I am I see people influenced by and experiencing wellness. It truly is remarkable – from smoothie bars, to yoga studios, running groups to LuLuLemon stores – “every body” wants a piece of wellness in the hopes of living a healthier, more active and more productive lifestyle. Will it stop? Heck no. In fact we have barely even scratched the surface of what many economists are calling the next trillion dollar industry, following in the footsteps of the automobile industry and the computer/internet industry. The growth is so astronomically rapid, nothing can slow it down. 

“Wellness” is not just about healthy food, vitamins, gym memberships and sports performance apparel. Its far deeper and more vast than that. Its about science, and technology coming together in the quest to provide mankind with healthier choices (through products/services) for their lives and the ability to prevent diseases before they happen AND to live longer. Its about moving people, influencing them and motivating them to want more for their health, their bodies and their legacy here on earth. Because when a human is healthy, active, happy and energetic – the brutal blunt truth is that they live a more empowered, more productive life.  

I cannot even imagine, for it has be far too long, making unhealthy eating choices. I am not perfect and my diet is not 100% organic or anything like that. My rule has always simply been this – choose the healthier alternative/option. Its all about the choices you make. It sounds simple, but its not. And I understand that. In fact for some, they are oblivious to wellness and what the world of wellness can do for them and bring to them – should they choose to embrace it. And this is why wellness can’t stop and will not stop. Because sooner or later, person by person, around the world, will see the undeniable benefits of dipping into the bottomless well of wellness – resulting into global mass appeal for anything and everything that has a wellness footprint on it.

The true key to this mass appeal will be a direct result of the ability of innovators and entrepreneurs entering/occupying this industry, to successfully educate and inform consumers globally. There is still so much unknown out there right now – which supplements to take, which diets to follow, which training programs to invest your time and energy in. And that’s just to name a few. The truth is this may very well be man’s greatest challenge in the history of civilization – the challenge and quest to enable optimal health, to uncover the fountain of youth and prolonged life through scientific findings from better choices of nutrition, physical activity and supplementation.  

There is no more valuable asset to a living person than their health. Show me a person with all the gadgets and money in the world, yet falls short on their health, and I will show you a person who truly only has one thing on their mind – health. Because the reality is, you can have as much money as you wish, if the world runs out, they’ll just print up more. You can indulge in as many material goods as you like, for if you were to consume everything and anything you ever wanted, someone somewhere would just think up something new you’d eventually want to get your hands on. But its our health that is our foundation – it opens the door to so much more. Think about it – with optimal health and the physical ability to do anything you want, there is nothing in the world you cannot do nor accomplish.  

With all this being said, how could you stop and why would you stop, making the right choices when it comes to your health and your life. The wellness industry surely will not stop – for it does not even know how to.

Those of you looking for some motivation, a very personal trainer and a complete reference guide to lifting weights, eating right, burning fat, gaining lean muscle and ultimately sculpting the body you truly desire – look no further than these two books – The New Rules of Lifting and The New Rules of Lifting for Women. 

My fiancée and I search endlessly on a weekly basis local book stores and the internet, always looking for reference material that will better inform us and educate us on health, fitness and living a better, more empowered lifestyle. We have come across some real gems, and some that should never have gone to print. These two books fall into the first category. The author, Lou Schuler, as quoted from thenewrulesoflifting.com website, “has been a health and fitness journalist since 1992 and was a fitness editor at Men’s Fitness and fitness director of Men’s Health” – so you know this gentleman knows a thing or two about what he has written in these books.   

Like the self-help and motivational book categories – which have quickly become the best selling book categories in the world – new books on health, diet, fitness, wellness and overall wellbeing are hitting bookstore shelves in droves each and every week. The dedicated sections in these stores has expanded immensely as of recent – providing consumers with no short supply or choice of resources to better inform and educate themselves – ultimately guiding them and motivating them to lead a healthier, more active and more productive lifestyle.  

Enjoy.

How many times throughout our day, throughout our life, do we actually take the time to focus on what we are doing and feel what we are doing at that very moment of doing whatever it is we are doing? Say that 10 times fast. And how often to we truly experience something with all of our senses and practice or execute living in the now? 

Without getting all spiritual on you, I am going to explain a little more in detail the message I am trying to get across here.  

I was weight training with a friend of mine recently. This gent has been training hardcore-disciplined for years, probably the most remarkably fit human being I personally know. As we were moving strong through this grueling working out, I could not help but notice his unbreakable concentration and focus. No chit chat, no socializing, no nothing. Even more so, I was truly intrigued as to how he worked each and every muscle, each rep, each set and each exercise. He would not just lift, or pull, going about the workout as something on his to do list that day – he would literally feel each movement, putting his entire self into every ounce of energy that he invested in. 

You could see the focus, the discipline, the feel, the intensity. Nothing about his workout was by accident – this was pure pre-meditated AND outstandingly being executed in the now. We talked about his method of training after the workout, and surely enough, in addition to his goals and planning for each and every investment he makes into his body at the gym, focus and feel are the two primary ingredients for his ultimate success. Made me re-think my present workout and past workouts – made me think how more purpose driven my friend’s time at the gym that day was than the great majority of ours actually are.  

Now I have been training hard for many years – and I would truthfully say that my workouts over time have only gotten better. But after witnessing that focus and feel, I can without a doubt say, may be what most of us are missing from our physical activity as well as our day to day lives that we live. Think about it, what if everything we did – from working out at the gym to our health, careers, relationships and time with the family – was executed with more focus and feel/experience? How more enhanced and meaningful would everything be that we do, that we experience? And what kind of results would we achieve and see?

Can’t deny it, call them what you want – health clubs, gyms, yoga centers, spas, etc – there seems to be a facility to help improve your physical activity, mental wellbeing and overall health ON every corner you look. But don’t take my word for it, simply drive for 10 minutes and take notice – there is something truly remarkable going on here.  

This is not some fad, some new trend – this is something that has been heating up over many years and is now at the boiling point. People are joining gyms/health clubs in droves. Yoga centers/studios are popping up all over town. Spas are being built that house a multitude of services – from messages, to facials, to manicures/pedicures, to therapeutic baths. In addition to all this, there are an abundance of pilates studios opening up, self defense studios – like karate, Tae Kwon Do and more. Not to mention the rise of physiotherapy clinics – which if you’ve walked into one lately, is a business that never stops serving people. The waiting rooms are more outrageous than your local hospital’s ER. All of this cannot be denied. It is real and it is happening right in front of us.  

The reality is studies/surveys have shown that people will not drive more than 5-10 minutes to reach their gym/health club. If it is any further than that, the chance of them making the most out of their membership or even signing up in the first place is less likely. So if you are in the hunt to sign up somewhere to get that new year resolution underway – stay within that 5-10 minute radius. But with the abundance of new facilities opening up we are more fortunate as a society than ever before, having those resources conveniently near by, enabling us to lead a more physically active, healthier lifestyle.  

The point I am trying to make here is this – like Starbucks coffee shops – gym/health club facilities and more, are open for business all around us, making it easier and more convenient to purchase/utilize those products and services. There are no excuses anymore. This did not happen by accident. These facilities were built as a result of extremely extensive market research. The truth revealed itself – people want to lead healthier lifestyles, healthier lives. Simply build it, and they will come.  

Seems like bottling up all that anger, tension and stress inside, is truly more dangerous than we believe to accept.  

A flood of study finds continue to flow in with proof that holding inside, feelings and thoughts that upset you and/or discomfort you in any way, are horrible for your health and can do far more harm to your overall health, than to your reputation should you choose to let them out.  

In addition to this – sticking with that high stress, underappreciated job may also be slowly chipping away at your health and killing you not so softly. With the escalating responsibility put on many employees today, along with a low salary and the confidence slashing of feeling underappreciated by their employer – an increasing amount of society puts their job/their career as one of the major reasons they are unable to sleep sufficiently, eat nutritiously, have the adequate energy to exercise and have a clear, peace of mind to spend quality time with family and with themselves.  

My advice to both – Let it all out, blow off some steam sometimes. I am not promoting a one way ticket to anger management. I’m simply saying that at times we need to vent, get off our chest and out of our mind, what we are feeling and what we are thinking. Secondly, change jobs. Some people become so complacent that you’d swear they were just dying to work in a job that will sooner or later kill them. Before its too late, make the move. Don’t be that person that spends the rest of their working days complaining about where they work, and who swear that they should have left years ago. Quit and change.  

And in addition to their obvious benefits, doing both of the above mentioned, will add years to your life and increase your overall health and wellbeing. Its never too late. There are no excuses. All it takes is one simple step. So move.

Great site I truly suggest you all check out – stickk.com 

Here’s a brief description from their website, of what stickk is all about: 

On stickK, you draw up an official commitment contract that binds you to achieving a personal goal, be it big or small. By agreeing to this contract, you publicly state your goal and commit to achieving it. Or, if grand public pronouncements aren’t your style, you can tell only people you select. Either way, you’ve committed to a goal and people know about it – so now it’s your reputation at stake! 

A website/tool like this can only be a positive. By either helping you achieve that goal to quit smoking, exercise regularly and/or lose weight to name a few, I am confident many will benefit from the stickk.com experience.  

Check it out. What have you got to lose? Oh yeah one other thing, it’s a FREE service.

Face it, no one on this planet, can or ever will want more for your life, more than you. Not your parents, your best friend, sibling/s and/or husband/wife. Only YOU can/should set goals for yourself. Only you know where you want to go and what you want to achieve. And at the end of the day, it is only YOUR will, desire and passion that is going to move you to accomplish those dreams and wants.  

BUT, having a partner by your side could help propel you to move more.  

As many of us find ourselves hitting the gym, pavement or yoga classes as part of our new years resolution/s to lose weight/stay in shape/get fit/lead a healthier lifestyle – the reality is, it can sometimes be difficult making that transition and journey on your own. So why not partner up? Why not ask your sibling, close friend or even colleague if they would like to accompany you to this weekend’s aerobics class. Or perhaps ask your jogging fanatic neighbor if you can join him on his next run. Everyone needs a spot in the gym at one point or another, bring someone along. Partner up baby! 

I can guarantee you that partnering up will 1) enhance enthusiasm/motivation 2) increase discipline and 3) enable you to stick to it longer 

Its worked for me many times in the past and still continues to do so successfully. The Crossfit group classes I attend are just that, group classes. Its those around me and with me that establish that support system I need to take it to the next level. For no matter how self-motivated of a person you are or are not, everybody needs somebody to move further in life. And that equally is true in the gym, in the classes and on the pavement.

Anything to move people to get in shape, stay fit, shed some pounds and have fun, I’m all for it.  

Welcome to Nintendo Wii – a product that should/could very well be considered a wellness industry breakthrough. Think about it – in society today, the majority of people are either glued to their computers, tv sets and/or video game consoles. Inactivity, overweight, ill health and obesity are on the rise in large part to these distractions. These distractions are keeping people from moving – getting the physical activity they need to lead and maintain healthy lifestyles.

Then along comes the Nintendo Wii. There is a god.  

Wii has been out on the market for over a year, and in that year’s time, it has outsold Microsoft’s XBOX 360 and Sony’s Playstation 3, combined. Why? How? I thought Nintendo’s days were done, I thought that the days of Super Mario Bros and Duck Hunt were a thing of the past. Not so fast – true pioneers, icons and leaders never stop reinventing themselves. Which is exactly what Nintendo has executed with the Wii.  

Unlike the great majority of video game consoles, the Wii’s main highlight, its trademark and strength – is that fact that you have to MOVE to play. From hitting the game winning homerun to saving the planet, all Wii games make you literally get into the game. It is truly remarkable. In fact, there have been reports from all around the world of Wii owners/players losing weight and experiencing physical activity like never before. For many Wii players, they are playing sports (games) they have never or not for a long while had the chance to play in the real world, whether it be tennis, football or baseball. 

With all the endless opportunity and possibilities for the world of Wii – comes the recently released Wii Fit. Here is a brief description of what Wii Fit is all about, from the Wii Fit official homepage.  

Wii Fit is the new video game fitness phenomenon for Nintendo Wii.
It makes exercising fun for the entire family.
Work every muscle in the body including:
abs, arms, back, chest, legs, gluteus maximus, and more…
Wii Fit features over 40 exercises and games with varying levels of difficulty.  

This obviously places Wii in a league of its own, and provides the video game guru and fitness enthusiast with something that can truly be beneficial for everyone’s health, while still being fun, for all who experience it.  

Enjoy.

Your outstanding support for this blog has been so greatly appreciated, that I want to give you more. Each Wednesday, start look forward to receiving, absolutely free of charge and directly into your email inbox – my just launched, e-newsletter, Talking Temple. 

Talking Temple will be a more in depth look into the world and lifestyle of health and wellbeing. I will provide/share more advice, breakthroughs, news and insight – guiding you and helping you to lead and live healthier, longer, more empowered lives. This blog will only get bigger and better, for that is my ultimate goal – I want you to look at Talking Temple as a supplement to my blog, enhancing your overall experience. I mean seriously, there are no limits as to how much I can share with you – so why stop at just the blog? 

What I need from you is even MORE feedback. The only way this blog will successfully grow is by hearing what YOU have to say. Submit comments on this blog, send me emails, do whatever you need to do to be heard. The more you share with me, the more you share with everyone that visits and experiences this blog. In the upcoming weeks, I would like to start featuring some of you most recent experiences/stories in regards to health and wellness. Whether it be a new training regimen you started, nutritional program you have incorporated into your life, the latest cutting edge performance apparel you purchased, or the newest supplement/s on the market that have enhanced your energy levels or helped you pack on muscle. Keep the content coming.

There is so much going on right now in this “wellness revolution”, that there is no shortage of life enhancing breakthroughs or personal success stories. Like my quest to turn it up a notch with this blog and my new e-newsletter, I hope that you will in turn indulge yourself into the content I put forth. But don’t just read it – use it. Action is what makes things happen. Unless you move to act, nothing that is desired will ever be achieved or accomplished.  

If you did not receive in your email inbox last night, Talking Temple Issue One – please email me at mark@markcigos.com to subscribe. But don’t stop there – sign up your friends, family, those you care for, love and want more for in life. There are no limits as to how many people you can sign up/subscribe. Simply email me their email addresses. So what’s stopping you? Its free!