I met Leon a few weeks ago while enjoying farm life upstate New York. I was searching for a place to work out and immediately resonated with him when I walked into his gym. Leon enjoyed wrestling while in college. Then enrolled in the military to join the Coast Guard. When we met, he shared how he had lost 50+ pounds and how accountability played such a big role in his success to maintain his weight. Leon opened a CrossFit gym 3 years ago and began training others. In our conversation today, we discuss overcoming the mental hurdles and why so many people struggle with reaching their fitness goals, plus much more.
Highlights
- If we can get 1% better each day, then we can be 100% better in 100 days
- Leon started Crossfit in 2011 and it changed his life.
- Wrestling in high school helped shape his habits for improving every day.
- Leon loves Crossfit for the sport of it.
- One of the things that makes Crossfit strong is that it’s a community.
- One of Leon’s goals as a coach is to be less of a hard ass and to be compassionate and meet people where they are.
- If you can’t lead by example, then you shouldn’t be leading.
- Aim small miss small. Always start with fitness goals that are digestible. Don’t jump straight to a marathon. Start with a 5k. Then move to 10k.
- Find something that you enjoy as fitness. Don’t just do something to lose weight.
- Many people do not understand the power of consistency.
- Consistency over perfection.
- There is no money in healthy people.
- People hesitate to buy healthy versions of food because of cost but it is more cost-effective to eat healthy than it is to watch your health deteriorate.
- It’s critical to learn what quality food is and how to select it.
- Managing stress is critical to managing health and weight.
- Heart disease is still the number one cause of death in the USA. Nutrition, stress, and lack of sleep are key contributors.
- Only 12% of the population are healthy and exhibit no underlying health issues.
- Don’t give up on yourself. Pay attention and get rid of the excuses.
Recourses:
Study: 12% of American Adults Metabolically Healthy.
https://sph.unc.edu/sph-news/only-12-percent-of-american-adults-are-metabolically-healthy-study-finds/
Leon on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/head_jack88/?hl=en