I spent most of my adult life working in the insurance and financial products industry. It was never my passion, but after more than 25 years I had achieved a nice six-figure income and a comfortable lifestyle. However, I was unfulfilled and unhappy in my job.
In 2001, after my oldest daughter was born, my wife Tracy signed us up to compete in an international body transformation contest. There was a big cash prize that went to the winners and we were motivated. We submitted our application along with our "before picture" and began the process of changing our entire lives. The program was only twelve weeks so, the changes were abrupt and uncomfortable. However, we managed to make the necessary adjustments and at the end of the twelve weeks, we knew we had done something special.
We submitted our "after pictures" and waited. The judging did not occur until months after we had completed our program. However, since we thought we had a shot at the big money, we had to maintain our condition just in case we were called for an impromptu photo shoot. So, we kept up the diet and the workouts for another six months.
Finally, we heard that we were finalists and in the running for the cash! However, because this was the first year the contest had included people from around the world, we were up against couples from Australia and Europe. I sensed that the international contestants were getting special consideration because the sponsors wanted to engage with those markets. We had our pictures taken and we were given lots of nice gifts. Our images were used for promoting the contest and the sponsors' products. We also appeared in magazines and books. However, we didn't win the money.
What we did though, was so much more valuable. We created a new lifestyle for our selves that we maintain to this day. We both went on to become certified Personal Trainers and I went on to become a Health Coach and start my own business helping people improve their health and fitness. Yes, it would have been more fun to also win the cash but, being healthy is so much more valuable.
Today, I meet clients in my home and at their homes and help them achieve their health and fitness goals. I love my life because I get to talk all day with people about topics that matter to me and to them. I love that I can be a resource and help people make real, positive changes in their lives.
