Six Longevity Habits of the NFL SuperstarOn Christmas day, me and Amanda flipped on the Ravens/Texans game while sipping on homemade chicken noodle soup.
Even though the game was a blowout, it was a blast to watch – especially seeing the Raven’s quarterback, Lamar Jackson make history (most rushing yards in history). But there was another eye-opening moment post-game when a reporter presented Jackson and star-running back, Derrick Henry with football-shaped chocolate cakes. Rip it open and take a bite, the reporter said. But the two athletes kept their distance and politely turned down the offer. I gotta eat a real meal first, replied Jackson. (Which I can’t blame him, cake after playing football sounds unpleasant…) After seeing them turn down the cake, I thought to myself: “I wonder if there’s another reason there...” I didn’t look into Jackson’s training, but it turns out that “King Henry’s” training regimen sheds some light on his ‘no cake decision’:
Maybe that’s why he’s on his 9th season as a high-performing running back (in a league where the average player lasts 3.3 years). And he is showing no signs of slowing down – in fact, he’s stronger… more mobile… and quicker than ever before (accelerating to 21 mph). Even though, few of us require NFL-level athleticism and devotion to training – Henry has a champion mindset that we can all infuse into our fitness journey: "I think the willingness to put the work in, no matter where you are in life, if you're at your lowest of the low or the highest of the high, continue to keep that same drive, continue to want to get better at your game, no matter where you are, and I think that's what makes greatness great. That's the one where the elite separate themselves from the average.” – Derrick Henry Happy holidays, Kelan Ern P.S. For a much deeper dive into the mindset of the fittest people on the planet and how you can get your mind right about fitness and next level athleticism - check out a free issue of Mind-Body Breakthroughs.
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The Sandbox of FitnessA timely quote from fitness writer, Beth Skwarecki:
“Even if you think of January as when you get your fresh start on fitness and life, you can think of December as your sandbox, the place where you test out ideas and mull over what it is you really want.” Spot on. You can use this month to shape a vision for 2025… toy with new fitness goals… or reflect on lessons from last year - so then you are ready to hit the snow-covered ground running. Here’s something else about starting in December though. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been asking a few coaching clients: “You know what the best thing is about starting strong in December?” You are starting during the busiest season. You aren’t waiting for life to settle down. You aren’t waiting for calmer conditions. You are jumping in during the most challenging time of the year – and hitting your stride a month before everyone else. In many ways, if you can get into a solid routine in December, you can do it any time of year. It’s a launching pad for next year. Because once things calm down, you’ll already have the mental and physical foundation to take things to the next level and make even more progress (while everyone else is just getting warmed up). So whether you use December as a sandbox or a launching pad… Many people will use this busy season as a reason to wait. Instead use it as a reason to get started. Kelan Ern Fitness Coach P.S. This month there will not be a monthly newsletter. I’m using December as a ‘sandbox’ for improving the MBB newsletter… exploring new ways of adding value… and supporting you on your fitness journey. If you'd like to get the next issue when it's released you can join the weekly newsletter here. Benefits of the B.O. GymOne of my favorite John Wooden (the legendary basketball coach) lessons is when he moved from Indiana to UCLA to coach at a state-of-the-art facility.
(Or so that’s what he was promised) This new facility wasn’t built until 17 years later… In the meantime, Wooden had to run practices on the 3rd floor of the Men’s Gymnasium, which was poorly ventilated… had dim lighting… no private locker rooms… and was filled with other sports. So on one end of the basketball court was wrestling practice, the other had gymnastics and the cheerleaders tumbling next to the court. All this hustle and bustle in cramped quarters gave it the name: “The B.O. Barn” To make matters worse, games were played in this tight space, until the fire department forced them to downsize their seating so they had to have home games at the local colleges instead. However, despite this highly challenging (and odorous) practice environment a few unexpected consequences happened: “Because of our lack of a real home court an unanticipated benefit occurred. Our team became a much stronger road team because we were virtually on the road all the time... Adversity often produces the unexpected opportunity. Look for it. Appreciate and utilize it”- John Wooden This is just one example of how Wooden was light-years ahead of his time for coaching… leadership… and personal excellence. That’s why I devoted the latest Mind-Body Breakthroughs newsletter to help you get inside the mind of this genius and use his ‘mental playbook’ to charge through any challenges and break new records on your fitness goals. Check out his profound philosophy bee-low: Four Fitness (and Life Lessons) from The Wizard of Westwood Kelan Ern |
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