The Game Changers Podcast with Eric Boles and Dale Dixon returns after a hiatus, and in this latest episode, they delve into the topic of fitness. Eric Boles, who coaches leaders to unlock their potential, shares his personal fitness routine, emphasizing the importance of conquering self-doubt and pushing through discomfort. He stresses that winning the morning by starting with exercise sets the tone for the rest of the day, building willpower and resilience.
Dale Dixon, the host, discusses the mental clarity and longevity benefits of exercise, citing scientific research. They highlight how physical fitness isn't just about looking good but also about feeling good, gaining confidence, and being in control of one's body. They encourage listeners to start small with a 15-minute daily workout routine, incorporating push-ups, sit-ups, air squats, and cold showers to build consistency and discipline. The episode emphasizes the significance of dominating oneself to thrive in the face of external challenges and the long-term rewards of prioritizing physical well-being.
The Game Changers Podcast with Eric Boles and Dale Dixon returns after a hiatus, and in this latest episode, they delve into the topic of fitness. Eric Boles, who coaches leaders to unlock their potential, shares his personal fitness routine, emphasizing the importance of conquering self-doubt and pushing through discomfort. He stresses that winning the morning by starting with exercise sets the tone for the rest of the day, building willpower and resilience.
Dale Dixon, the host, discusses the mental clarity and longevity benefits of exercise, citing scientific research. They highlight how physical fitness isn't just about looking good but also about feeling good, gaining confidence, and being in control of one's body. They encourage listeners to start small with a 15-minute daily workout routine, incorporating push-ups, sit-ups, air squats, and cold showers to build consistency and discipline. The episode emphasizes the significance of dominating oneself to thrive in the face of external challenges and the long-term rewards of prioritizing physical well-being.
Dale:
a faster heart rate and a few beads of sweat to unleash your best in life and work. Welcome to the game changers podcast. I'm your host Dale Dixon. I help leaders be their best on stage in front of the camera. And the chief innovation officer for a better business bureau, Eric balls coaches trains and inspires leaders to unleash their potential and the potential of those around them. We've had a bit of a break, Eric, it's great to be back together.
eric boles:
Man, it is great, a wonderful vacation time, but man, it's nice to be back on the grind again.
Dale:
And today we're talking about fitness if you didn't infer that from the opening.
eric boles:
Yeah, we are gonna have some fun today. Let me say it this way. We're gonna choose to have some fun today to talk about conquering self. We say stuff like that, like I gotta conquer self and I have to do those kinds of things. Many times it's conquering that desire to hesitate or to stay comfortable. more importantly, to lean into what I don't feel like doing. There are probably some out there who are listening right now who love to exercise, but I would just say the majority of folks aren't in that camp, right? Like they do it, they like the benefits of it, but it's not easy, it's not easy. And so I think us leaning into that today would be, that'd be great.
Dale:
I am a big believer that one should only preach what they practice. So take us through your fitness routine. What's it look like?
eric boles:
My fitness routine is, you know, now I say this to people, you know, in all fairness, there was a time in my life I got paid to work out. Okay? But I will tell you, when they stopped paying me, I didn't feel like working out anymore. Right? So those few years in the league were great when you're getting paid to do it, but when they stopped paying you, you're like, why do I still do it? Right? But the reality is my workout routine and what I do is what I do daily. You know, it's part of my, you know, it's my body spirit. And I will tell you, as much as I talk about, I gotta make sure my mind's right, especially gotta make sure my spirit's right. But I'll be honest, if my body's not right, it feels like it's the first thing that negatively impacts everything else. So, you know, and so for me, my workout routine begins with winning my morning. I mean, I'm gonna be as practical first thing I do every morning. is drink a glass of water. I get out of bed. First thing I do is I drink a glass of water, a bottle of water. Just get watering me first, right? When it comes to going to the gym, I win my morning. So I work out first thing in the morning. Not because it's fun, not because the covers aren't super comfortable. I think it was even Teddy Roosevelt, like, you know, why would you want to get out of your warm blankets? The reason is because it's just the process of... coming out of comfort and leaning into discomfort doesn't just build your body it also helps build willpower you know and so we get it we can grab all these little things and they sound great but they don't feel great first thing in the morning right especially when it starts getting cold but the reality is I win my morning because it's hard for me to win the rest of the day if I don't win the beginning of my day so for me personally if I don't get that workout in the morning the probability that I will still get the workout in the rest of the day goes down significantly. Doesn't mean I still at times don't do it. It just means the probability of success goes down drastically if I don't get that done in the morning. So for me, that's it. I wake up in the morning, I have a glass of water or a bottle of water, I get to the gym. And I tell people, even at the gym, I do what I hate first. You know most people you know, I can read all the different things and hang it but for myself personally I have to get my cardio in first why because I can lift weights all day that That's the stuff I enjoy right like my cardio used to be Dale I just lift I just lift the weights faster, right like I would just But you know that is part of that routine, but when I win that it's amazing I feel like It's the 20% of my day that makes the 80% difference.
Dale:
As leaders,
eric boles:
as leaders
Dale:
we spend
eric boles:
we stand.
Dale:
so much of our time putting out fires and things we can't control throughout the day to get control of that first day. I mean, get the winds in early. It makes all the difference.
eric boles:
I said it this way, I heard it said this way, and I really enjoy the work done by Ryan Holliday, all the things he's talking about, you know, around stoicism. And, you know, he talked about, there was a quote he said one time, is, you can't control how work turns out, but you can control working out. Right? And I just like how that was put. And that is so true. Even, and Dale, I shared this with you before with all those leaders that I have the opportunity to coach and work with, exercise, physical exercise is a major portion of our conversations every time. It's busy and it's responsible, as everybody listening are right now and all the stuff we do. Recognizing that it's your mind, it's your body, it's, you know, to be. to take care of, to fuel the very thing that has to take care of everything else. No other way of saying it, but you're the golden goose. Every person listening, you're the golden goose that produces the golden eggs. And if you're not taking care of the golden goose, there's something wrong. And sometimes, but we don't always picture it that way. We don't always view it that way. But it is a, it's not a selfish act working out. It's one of the most selfless acts that you can do. And so, you know, I'm not necessarily in this conversation to tell people what they should do to work out. I'm not concerned about the method that you use. I am concerned about the value that you place on it. Like tons of different methods, but the value you place on taking care of yourself physically, especially for everyone listening to this, the responsibility that you carry, like, you know, in order to like, hey, in order to take care of the world, you got to take care of you. For some of you, many of you, you're helping take care of this world.
Dale:
there's so you mentioned the conversations that you have with leaders and fitness always comes up what walk us through that what's the genesis is it a an accountability kind of conversation
eric boles:
Really
Dale:
is hey,
eric boles:
is.
Dale:
you're not taking care of yourself?
eric boles:
Yep.
Dale:
Or is it they see you they see somebody who's fit and say and the question comes up, hey, how'd you how'd you get there? What do you do? Walk us through a typical conversation with a leader from a coaching perspective on how you help them process this.
eric boles:
It's one of the first questions I ask. I ask all the questions around what's your responsibility, scope, issues they're dealing with. We can go through the entire journey. Like, so many people can imagine. The greater level of responsibility, what people start discovering is the less control they actually have, right? And so there's this perception that the... The greater the title, the higher the role, the greater control, no. You have a greater responsibility. You are ridiculously in charge, but you're not ridiculously in control. So it's part of establishing what part do I have control over. And so it's not just the initial benefit of exercising what it does. It's the initial benefit physically. There's a secondary benefit at where it happens. mentally, there's all kinds of third, fourth, fifth level consequence, which is just the process of getting good at doing hard things. Like, man, there are some things that, everything that you do that's hard, some of it needs to be by choice. So, so many things you do that are hard that you don't get to choose. So, if I can choose to do a hard thing and I do it by choice, it helps. deal with the things that are hard where I don't necessarily have a choice, right? Like we say all the time, it may not be your fault, but it is your problem. Right? And for a lot of us as leaders, that's where we find ourselves. So to have something that you do physically that is, whether you enjoy it or not, but it's still a discipline to do it. You know, the fact that I can say no, and be like, well, I can just do it tomorrow. The reality is what I didn't do today, I can't make up for that tomorrow. You know, we used to have a saying in our football days is you may get another chance, but you'll never get the same chance. So every time I miss an opportunity to do something physical for myself, I like, it equips me to handle whatever's showing up in that day. Just this body, this brain, the blood that's flowing, the oxygen that it needs, the, you know. The youth stress that many times happens. I have several clients and there's actually not only the gentlemen I coach, but several ladies that I coach begin doing, just at their local gym, they do exercise, they run, they whatever, but they also start doing a little kickboxing against a bag, a little punching against a bag, and they were like, the benefit of it, because it's youth stress. It helps de-stress you. It is impact training without competition. So it's getting all that aggression and stuff out. And the way you feel after you're done, it's like a fresh energy, right? So instead of hitting people or imagining you're hitting people, you can just hit it back, right? But it's amazing how effective that is. Talk about discomfort.
Dale:
talk talking about the discomfort of it and the importance of
eric boles:
of
Dale:
doing
eric boles:
doing
Dale:
something
eric boles:
something
Dale:
that's
eric boles:
that's
Dale:
not
eric boles:
not
Dale:
comfortable.
eric boles:
comfortable. I
Dale:
I
eric boles:
don't
Dale:
don't know
eric boles:
know
Dale:
that
eric boles:
that
Dale:
as a
eric boles:
as
Dale:
civilization
eric boles:
a civilized income,
Dale:
we have
eric boles:
we have
Dale:
ever
eric boles:
ever
Dale:
been
eric boles:
been
Dale:
more
eric boles:
more
Dale:
comfortable
eric boles:
comfortable
Dale:
as the
eric boles:
as
Dale:
human
eric boles:
the human
Dale:
race
eric boles:
race.
Dale:
you
eric boles:
When
Dale:
think
eric boles:
you think
Dale:
about
eric boles:
about,
Dale:
we
eric boles:
we
Dale:
have
eric boles:
have
Dale:
constant
eric boles:
constant
Dale:
temperature
eric boles:
temperature
Dale:
of
eric boles:
of
Dale:
our choosing.
eric boles:
our choosing.
Dale:
And
eric boles:
And
Dale:
there's
eric boles:
there's
Dale:
always
eric boles:
always
Dale:
food
eric boles:
food
Dale:
available
eric boles:
available
Dale:
for
eric boles:
for
Dale:
most
eric boles:
most
Dale:
of us
eric boles:
of us.
Dale:
I would
eric boles:
I
Dale:
venture
eric boles:
would venture
Dale:
against
eric boles:
against
Dale:
for people
eric boles:
for people
Dale:
listening
eric boles:
listening
Dale:
to this
eric boles:
to this
Dale:
podcast.
eric boles:
podcast,
Dale:
There
eric boles:
there
Dale:
is
eric boles:
is
Dale:
plentiful
eric boles:
plentiful
Dale:
food
eric boles:
food
Dale:
available.
eric boles:
available.
Dale:
and doing
eric boles:
Doing
Dale:
something
eric boles:
something
Dale:
that
eric boles:
that
Dale:
is
eric boles:
is
Dale:
uncomfortable
eric boles:
uncomfortable.
Dale:
and forcing
eric boles:
and forcing
Dale:
yourself
eric boles:
yourself
Dale:
into
eric boles:
into
Dale:
the
eric boles:
the
Dale:
uncomfortable,
eric boles:
uncomfortable.
Dale:
I believe
eric boles:
I believe it's
Dale:
is really
eric boles:
really
Dale:
important
eric boles:
important
Dale:
as
eric boles:
as
Dale:
we
eric boles:
we
Dale:
live
eric boles:
live
Dale:
in such
eric boles:
in such
Dale:
a comfortable
eric boles:
a comfortable
Dale:
space
eric boles:
space
Dale:
all
eric boles:
all
Dale:
the time.
eric boles:
the time.
Dale:
So
eric boles:
So,
Dale:
riff on
eric boles:
riff
Dale:
riff on that the importance
eric boles:
on, riff on. Oh man, Dale,
Dale:
of
eric boles:
you
Dale:
pushing
eric boles:
just hit
Dale:
yourself
eric boles:
it. You just hit it. There is a, and I mentioned her by name, there's one of the leaders I coach. She's just no other way of saying it. She's phenomenal, merited. And she is a, you know, really global leader in the things that she's involved in and that she does. But she does Spartan races, man. And we're not talking about somebody who was a college athlete. Not at all. She was a, she's an actual realist. She was in finance. She didn't begin really leaning into this, you know, working out aggressive to the degree she was. I believe not until she was in her 40s, right? And so we're not talking about somebody who started right away, but my goodness, the... the practice of making yourself uncomfortable on purpose. There are so many areas of our lives where the need for comfort, and we don't even realize how we're addicted to comfort. I mean, we just don't deal with inconvenience very well. And so to inconvenience yourself on purpose, it's not compartmentalized. It actually impacts other areas of your life. And the reality is there's no such thing as embracing change without being uncomfortable. And if you're never uncomfortable, if you're, when's the last time, I tell people, I ask individuals, when's the last time you had to physically strain against something, physically put, I am not saying being unhealthy. So those who are listening to me right now, we're not telling you to go out and run, start practicing for Ironman Triathlon, right? Even though those are the ones who do.
Dale:
Hehehe
eric boles:
But. I am telling you, our goal to... be effective and it be better with as little cost as necessary is comical. Like it really is. Like it's in my football playing days, and people have heard it before, but we say that champions are celebrated in the light but they're made in the dark. People hear that and they're like, oh, made in the dark. Well, there's some literalness to that. It's not just when people aren't looking. It's your ability to be made into a champion when there's no audience. That means it's just you and yourself, right? I can stop, but I'm gonna keep going because I need to keep going. If no one else is around, I am a champion when I'm dripping or I'm sweating and I push myself and there's no one else around but me. Now, if I can do that when there's no one around, right? I mean, that's the battle. So again, this isn't for the sake of, if I work out real good, the benefits are I look better and I feel, you know, and it's more pleasing aesthetically. No, one of the people I work with right now that I love works out religiously. Just doesn't have the same kind of metabolism where as hard as they work it doesn't always show up. But they know on the inside and they know what they're doing. Like their confidence has gone up because they know the work they've put in. And we've been able to, from a mindset, from an understanding standpoint, understand the greater good in it. So looking better physically, okay, that might, they can add a little bit, but that's a secondary benefit. It's the confidence in how they feel knowing that I've done the things with no audience. So now my confidence goes up when there is one, right? Because I am comfortable doing hard things. And I just believe one of the best places to do that for people is in their physical fit. Look at all the benefits. If you ain't fueling this machine, what are you fueling? I mean, what the what? What other device are you going to use? What other vehicle are you going to use besides your own health?
Dale:
The grit and determination that is built
eric boles:
built
Dale:
and
eric boles:
at
Dale:
forged
eric boles:
Ford.
Dale:
through doing the hard things, getting
eric boles:
getting
Dale:
the workout in day after day
eric boles:
the
Dale:
when
eric boles:
workout
Dale:
you don't want
eric boles:
day
Dale:
to do
eric boles:
after
Dale:
it.
eric boles:
day. We don't want to do it. You know, one of the other things, and the beauty of this is, and I've said this many times before, but I got to remind myself of this too, because in full transparency for the audience, I, my shift to working out for my good versus working out to play or to score or just for aesthetic purposes. That was not an easy shift, right? Like that's a different shift. Like exercises that are more functional for my joints and my lower back and all these exercises that are, you know, they don't really feed the ego the same way the old ones do, right? You know, all the lifting and the power, you know, I didn't realize just how weak my hips were. I tried to do CrossFit once and the key word was once. I haven't been back. But one of the reasons I just didn't realize how weak I was, how imbalanced I was, no matter what it may look like. I wasn't functionally strong at all. And working through that process, having to do something that's hard that I wasn't good at was an... a hit to the ego, right, in a strong way. But I am so grateful for the process. And I'm telling you right now, there's a couple of classes I'm in and I can't even, you know, it's almost embarrassing. There's one yoga class I'm in. My spot is right between these wonderful two old ladies who put me to shame every time. And they're the ones encouraging me going, oh, you're getting better. You did a little bit better. And I'm like. Thank you so much. I'm laughing about it, but man, there's not one part of it I enjoy. And people were like, why do you do something you enjoy? Because it's good for me. Like it's good to do hard things. Like it's good. Everything isn't supposed to be convenient. I know there's extremes in it, but I am telling you, man, it's amazing. Um, like finishing a task until it's over. Like I got to, like the number of times if this is gonna be my workout, I'm not leaving until I'm done. That has nothing to do with nobody else. But there's so many times I leave right before I know I'm actually done. I mean, who know, right? It's more than what most people do. But I know I could have stayed a little longer and it does translate. That's why we always say like, you know, your success. you will know deep down on the inside whether it's something that you deserve. And the word deserve means of service, right? It doesn't mean I'm entitled to this. It just means I know I put the time in when no one's looking to get the benefit when people are.
Dale:
there are a number of studies that talk about the impact on mental clarity. So this is the payoff for the rest of the day, and you alluded to this. But when you talk about the level of mental clarity that comes to thinking ability, when we exercise, and then I'm also reading Peter at his book out live,
eric boles:
Mmm.
Dale:
where he lays an amazing case for the benefits. of exercise for longevity. So you talk about we're responsible to those we serve. And we need to be bring our best to the table every day. The only way we can do that is through exercise. And he talks about the book that the he sent his researchers out to look at the impact of exercise and lifting weights, specifically resistance training. And he didn't believe the results of the scientific research as they came back in. And he said, go back and run the numbers again,
eric boles:
Come on.
Dale:
because of the positive impact on health on longevity, health span, as he calls it. So when we talk about this idea of exercise, it's not just, you know, for the day, it is for the lifetime and the impact is real, the science is there that backs it up.
eric boles:
You know, I'm so glad you brought up the research and the science. There's so much data, so much information that you grabbed. And obviously I'm intrigued by it, not only from a client perspective, but just I've been on the governance board for the YMCA. I've been involved with YUSA for a long time. I've been involved with so many different, you know. super involved with insurance companies and healthcare. So all the different data and, you know, of course I work with a lot of actuarial, so they look at probabilities and all the things that go along with that. But for a practical example, one of my favorite people who I see at the gym every morning, and we just call him pastor, cause he's an old pastor, but he's almost 80 years old. And he is there five days a week. And he just didn't start. I've been seeing him there for eight years. You know, that's when I started going to this particular gym. He doesn't, it's the routine and he's moving weights. He's picking up weights. Now, I don't do dead lifts as well as he does, right? Because his form is perfect, right? But to listen to him and to understand how he does it and more importantly, the positive attitude that he takes, the difference, but he's just... taking control of his body. And I heard it said once before, but he literally lives by the mantra that he goes, hey, if I don't dominate myself, outside forces will. I mean, just think about that, man, come on. I just looked at him, I said, that's what I'm talking about right there. If I don't dominate myself, outside forces will. And I am telling you, so every time we have a chance to exercise, I got a picture that way, It's a practice of dominating myself. Like I am building up not only my body, but I'm building up some willpower that I am in control. There's things gonna impact me that I have no control over, like we say. But in that, I can do that. And man, I'm telling you, every time I see him, he's like a walking example of what it is. Now, we all wanna live a long time, but more importantly, I just want to live well as long as I live, right? OK, I may not be able to control how long it is, but can I do it as well as possible for whatever length of time that is? And there's no getting around it. You know, I have yet to see somebody feel bad because they exercise too much. I've never seen that. I've seen people probably sleep too much, indulge too much, not get, get maybe even in a slight way. certain things that they can't let go of. It's amazing that we won't miss our workout, but we have that extra cup of coffee or that extra Starbucks trip and not realize how much five or 600 additional calories are going in our body, you know, and, but not consider, you know, or more importantly, look at the fuel that we, if you're driving a car that uses gas, right? Like you probably... Think about what goes in your car if you really like your car. The question is, is the thing that go in your body, are they good for your body? It's crazy how much we would take care of a machine that we might keep for, what, three to six years? But this body we wanna experience for a lifetime, and we do not think about what's going into our body. And unfortunately, the compound effect of bad habits. I mean, it shows up.
Dale:
does. So what do you think I'm just gonna we didn't talk about this, but I'll throw out a challenge. I'm thinking about the listener who is super busy has not gotten to work out in maybe hasn't been to the gym in a long time. And they're like, where do we start with this? And I would just say four things tomorrow morning, get up 15 minutes earlier than you normally would. So it's only 15 minutes,
eric boles:
That's right.
Dale:
do as many pushups as you can do as many setups as you can. And do as many air squats as you can
eric boles:
There
Dale:
basically
eric boles:
you go.
Dale:
just squatting down
eric boles:
Yep.
Dale:
those three exercises. And then the fourth thing is at the end of your shower as you start to rinse turn the water to cold.
eric boles:
There we go.
Dale:
because I'll tell you what that's going to be the most uncomfortable thing you do all day. But you will have done it. So it's really, I mean, it's starting that small and that easy.
eric boles:
I'm laughing because just the anticipation of turning the water to cold, you will already feel like you're cold before the cold hits you. But just, but you, if there's somebody who's going to do that tomorrow, you haven't had an adrenaline rush like that in a long time.
Dale:
You I guarantee it while I do it every day. So I've got a tub of 50 degree water that I get in at least
eric boles:
Oh,
Dale:
four
eric boles:
let's
Dale:
times a week.
eric boles:
go! Let's go!
Dale:
And,
eric boles:
Yeah.
Dale:
and for four hours, I feel at least four hours, I feel the adrenaline rush.
eric boles:
Oh.
Dale:
I mean, it's the it's the worst three minutes while I'm sitting in that. But by the time you know, you get out and,
eric boles:
Yeah.
Dale:
and you're just charged up and ready for the day. It's like bring it on.
eric boles:
Hey, I tell you, I go to my buddy, damn cryotherapy, three times a week, jumping that thing, cryotherapy, and it's three minutes, and it's, I try to
Dale:
Minus
eric boles:
sing,
Dale:
212,
eric boles:
dance.
Dale:
yeah.
eric boles:
Yeah, yeah, I try to sing, I try to dance, I try to do anything I can to make that three minutes go fast, but I'm telling you, every time I come out of that thing, I just feel like I can take on the world. Like, if I can do that, right? That
Dale:
100%.
eric boles:
is awesome.
Dale:
I think, I think as you know, as many push ups as you can do as many sit
eric boles:
Okay?
Dale:
ups
eric boles:
Okay.
Dale:
as
eric boles:
Let's
Dale:
you
eric boles:
do it.
Dale:
can do
eric boles:
Yeah.
Dale:
air squats, and then a cold shower. That was four things tomorrow morning, if you have not been working out, and just use that as the starting point and then you can go from there.
eric boles:
Yeah, no, that's great. One additional thing I'll add to somebody, if that's what you're gonna do in the morning, one of the best ways to do it is right now. Layout if I'm wearing a pair of shorts and just a t-shirt and that I'm gonna do this in have that already sitting Next to your bed or wherever you can see it So you can't walk past that and not see that right? There's just something to seeing the shirt and the shorts there right now Throw them on that leads to the next step if you can put them on you're gonna end up doing push-ups The sit-ups the air squats and then you take a shower after there we go This has been great, man. I enjoyed this.
Dale:
Absolutely anything else you want to add?
eric boles:
No, just, I say no and then I begin adding stuff.
Dale:
Thank you.
eric boles:
No, but just like we say about everything, consistency over intensity, consistency over intensity. And so, you know, what seems like a small start today ends up being a huge impact later. It's amazing. What, just the consistency that the... impact the benefits of consistency. And it's just a little bit every day.
Dale:
100% Thank you for that.
eric boles:
Absolutely, my man.
Dale:
We will hit it to well, we're gonna hit it today. So
eric boles:
Hahaha
Dale:
I'm gonna ask a huge favor. If you're listening to this podcast, would you do us a big favor? Would you subscribe to the podcast and your favorite podcast listening app if you haven't subscribed already, so you will be notified the moment we drop a new episode. Also, while you're there rate and review the podcast really helps push us up higher in the ratings and help other people find this content when they're looking for it. Also, you can connect with myself at DaleDixonMedia.com and you can find Eric at TheGameChangersInc.com. TheGameChangersInc, all one word, dot com is where you'll find Eric Bowles. We're also active on LinkedIn. Look us up there. If you do hit that connect button on LinkedIn, just let us know you're listening to the podcast and you don't want to sell us something in the marketing arena. Do you get those? Yes, if you're helping us grow podcast audience, don't worry about friending us on our connecting with us on LinkedIn. But with that said, we would love to hear from you if you're listening to the podcast. So Eric, you have yourself a fantastic week.
eric boles:
You
Dale:
Here's
eric boles:
too,
Dale:
to some
eric boles:
my
Dale:
more
eric boles:
man.
Dale:
exercise.
eric boles:
Awesome. Appreciate you.