True Fitness Is Deeper Than Superficial Vanity
January 15th, 2009If you’ve been following me for more than a few months – you’ll know that I have a different take on fitness success… I’ve said before, maybe in slightly different words – you eat well, and exercise not JUST too look incredible – but too feel your best and to ultimately live your life to the fullest, in all aspects.
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When your body, mind and spirit are ‘tuned-in’ and well primed – everything you do is that much better. As a matter of fact, your potential to do more meaningful ‘things’ is tremendously enhanced and chances of success are greatly improved.
I know when I talk about fitness from the ‘mind, body, spirit’ angle – some people start to get the puzzled look on their face. But, it’s really not that complicated…
See, there’s a word that keeps coming up in some of the emails I get, some of the blogs comments people are leaving and in some of the posts in my private forum.
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The word is Self Image.
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Why do I bring self image into this conversation?
Because a healthy and vibrant self image is the easiest and strongest way to be in touch with your spirit. I’m not talking about an outwardly fake, offensively boisterous personality – I’m talking about the kind of self image that exudes confidence, happiness and a genuine appreciation for, and enjoyment of, “life”.
I’m a voracious reader. In the last 4 weeks I’ve torn through 3 fairly thick books. I have a never ending desire to learn – not just about ‘other topics’ relevant to my activities and business – but the desire to learn about “me”, the ’self’ – and in doing so, I learn about “you”. Let me explain…
In life, especially throughout childhood – the only information we have to go on is what we get from the people that are closest to us, such as family, friends and teachers (and unfortunately – the mass media).
I’m talking about the kind of information that molds, shapes and influences who we become as adults. Every generation has its own set of societal ‘ways of life’ – and digging deeper, we can see that different classes of society (lower, middle, upper, etc…) has its own subset of ‘ways of life’.
The deeper we dig, the more specific the ‘ways of life’ get – until you reach the level of ‘immediate (and nuclear) family unit’.
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Let’s take my family, as an example.
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My father came from Sicily when he was 13 years old, with the rest of his family. My mother’s parents came from Calabria – and gave birth to my mom in Brooklyn, NY. They all came to the US to give the future generations (me, my siblings, cousins, our kids, etc…) a better chance for success and a better way of life.
They taught us what they could, mostly by example – and some they tried to deliver in their own words. All of our grandparents were hard workers – tailors, seamstresses…
After serving in the US reserves (helo. medical rescue) – my father became a carpenter’s apprentice – and went on to become a master carpenter – capable of building just about anything. (He has since retired – and is now a Certified Personal Trainer, believe it or not).
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The one thing I learned from my family is “work hard (I say ’smart’) and go after your dreams.”
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But just like any other family – there are limitations on what you are capable of passing on to your offspring. There’s nothing wrong with this – it’s just a fact of life. And this is where the opportunity for self exploration and self education presents itself.
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What do I mean by self education?
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Simply put, it’s the material you learn outside of formal institutions such as schools, colleges – AND – outside of your familial ‘boundaries’.
Some people naturally tap into this – while others don’t even realize it’s there, waiting to be awoken.
I realized this in my teens – and I’ve been using (and refining) it ever since…
One of the easiest ways to do this is through books.
There are thousands of brilliant people who have walked this earth long before we did – whose writings will remain eternally true and infinitely helpful.
When I say brilliant – I’m not saying these people are any different form me and you. See, we are all pretty much given the same ‘tools’ when we are born. – What we choose to do with these tools during our life, COMBINED with the various influences in our life, is where the differences become evident.
One such book, which I’m reading right now, was originally written in 1960, by Dr. Maxwell Maltz. The title is Psycho-Cybernetics. Despite the fact that this book was first published in 1960 – it’s still a perennial bestseller. The primary reason being that this is a life-changing book.
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This is one book I wish I found 20 years ago – But you know what I say… “It’s never too late.”
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I think I’ve written long enough today – and I thank you for sticking with me. So I won’t go into a review of the book. You’ll be better served by just going to Amazon and getting a copy. Even if you can read 2 or 3 pages a day – you’ll be emailing me in a few weeks to says ‘thanks’ for recommending it.
And it doesn’t matter where you are in your life – this book is a valuable perspective on self image, self value and the realization of your ’self-potential’. Even if you’ve “accomplished all that you wanted – and are 100% happy” – the tools and lessons in this book will allow you to help those around you in ways you can’t imagine.
Wanna talk about this? Got a comment or question? I’d love to hear from you – and so would everyone else who reads this blog – So click on ‘Comment’ below and let us hear from you.
Your trainer for life – your trainer forever,
Joey Atlas
Popularity: 17% [?]
Tags: maxwell maltz, psycho-cybernetics, self image, vanity

January 15th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Hey Joey, I loved your post (nice guns, by the way). I’ve just finished a post about Psycho-Cybernetics, too. It includes a photo of my nose (which may or may not need surgery, depending on the health of my self-image!). http://visionadvancement.wordpress.com/2009/01/16/howtoclarifyyourvision/
January 15th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
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January 15th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Joey,I think your hot,you have a wonderful face and mind..are you single,,,
January 16th, 2009 at 12:22 am
*Paul – thanks for thanks for the reply.
*Pam – thanks for your kinds words – I’m flattered. You’re just a few years too late
) – I’m happily married. – But thanks for asking. I admire people who speak what they ‘feel’.
*For those asking where my Facebook page is – here it is:
http://www.Facebook.com/pages/Joey-Atlas/42040337383
Stop by and join me.
January 16th, 2009 at 5:43 am
yes i,m a firm believer in what u say.you are what u eat.eat heathy and u c life alot more positive ,meaning u want to achieve something in life.i have achieved plenty by bein positive ,from my car accident to being a elite athlete.
January 16th, 2009 at 7:56 am
It is so very interesting. I like how you delivered the blog Joey! it’s a great job many of your readers will be inspired when they’ll visit this blog. I am looking forward to your other posts.
January 16th, 2009 at 8:42 am
Hi Joey,
There is an edited, updated version of Psycho-cybernetics by Dan. S. Kennedy – do you know about it and would you have any recommendations?
Thanks!
Jo
January 16th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Hi Jo – yes – go with the updated version.
Let me know how you do with it – it’s amazing stuff!
Joey
January 16th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Hi!
It is all about self image! It is what we spend our lives trying to improve it !It is “the whole story” as we say in my country.
January 16th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
hi Joey. Great job you are doing. I truly agree with you that fitness is way beyond superficial vanity. My thought pattern about it is this: we are actually Spirit beings and this being is housed in a body and has a mind. For you to function at your peak, the spirit needs a healthy body to do that. It would be difficult for anyone to function through an unfit body especilly when one is over weight, then the spirit( which is you) moves about with an escess load which makes it difficult to function properly.Fitness also affects our self image,we are able to exude the confidence in the spirit man, outward when we are fit.also being fit makes us able to maximise our potentials cos we are able to make a healthy connection from the spirit to the body.Cheers.
January 16th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Thanks Joey regarding the book, sounds great, I will definitely try and get hold of it very soon, sounds like great advice and helpful hints for all of us. Yes, I agree, its never too late to learn whatever age we are.
Thanks again
Anjie
January 19th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Hey Joey-absolutely loved the article. I will pass it on to my clients. Thanks
Jen
February 24th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Thanks for the data on good foods for people Joey-thank you again,Bill
February 25th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Thank you Joey…for ur’s valuable fitness information and care.
February 25th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Joey,
Thanks for taking all the time to share so much good information about fitness and diet. I have been a fitness nut for 25-30 years and have read all the good and bad stuff associated with the industry. So many uneducated people fall into the trap of false claims and bad diet supplements. We need people like yourself who are truthful and want to get the honest message out. I find all your fitness and dietary information to be extremely factual, honest and motivating. Thanks so much for all your dedication to the health and well-being of so many people.
April 29th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Joey,
Having come from a rather large family of nine, self-esteem was critical for me, especially as a young chubby,athletic, creative girl. I learned early in childhood that not only
did my parents do the best they could with 9 kids, but developing self assured, confident kids
is probably one of the greatest gifts a parent can offer. They did an amazing job! I try to do the same for my daughter every moment possible, rather than focusing on her aesthetic beauty; I focus on her soul, her spirit, her brilliant mind, her compassion towards others and her innate wisdom (she is very aware of healthy living too).
Thanks for your blog, and after graduating from college a year ago at age 43 — it’s never too late to learn, grow or evolve. I try not to have any regrets of what I should have done in the past, but to simply live in the moment… Am eager to read your recommended book. Thanks!
Take Care, Liz
April 29th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Lizzie – good stuff, you know who loves ya…
The book is on Gino Rigatoni’s book shelf – I sent him a copy.
PEACE!
Joey