I mean really think back about how it started and why...

 

Also who is the biggest names in the industry?

 

I think about it all the time - especially when people enter 

physique contests. Thing is; entering contests is a very personal 

endeavor. You go for 12 weeks eating a strict diet and see incredible 

results in your physique and then go out on a stage in front of a crowd 

of people to see how you do against others in your division. 

 

The whole process then can be a little of an ego bash if things don't 

go as you had liked and the entire process gets a bad taste. Some people 

go from show to show for a higher placing trophy. Because they are looking 

for that exposure and opportunity winners get. 

 

I have always tried to encourage people to understand that it is the 

process of getting into shape that is the reward so always try to 

stand on the biggest and nicest stage as possible. 

 

I always think of some successful people in our industry that have 

competed before and NEVER won. 

 

Do you know the Body By Jake guy who has tons of fitness products 

started off training for the Mr. America contest? 

 

 

Then there is Tony Little the other television commercial guy. 

He looked great too.

 

 

Then one of the biggest names in fitness has to be Jack LaLanne!

 

Jack LaLanne started everything - the first gym chain and people 

took shots at this guy like crazy - doctors told their patients not to 

go to his gym and lift weights.

 

His gym European Health Spa had over 200 locations in the USA and 

was then sold to Bally's - check him out on wikipedia he was an incredible 

guy at promoting fitness. 

 

The reason I write this email is because contests and a lot of fun and 

being the champion is awesome but the knowledge you gain from 

entering shows is really the prize. 

 

I tell people my events are more "shows" than contests and everyone is 

a winner. 

 

Today I believe Tony Horton is the new Jack LaLanne of the fitness 

industry. Some people may say Jillian Michaels is a bigger name but 

I still think Tony is more the real deal. I like having Tony at my event 

but many people don't yet see the connection between what I do and Tony. 

 

Other than that you have Arnold who went from winning shows to 

becoming a Movie Star (different). He didn't get called into Hollywood movies 

because he won shows - he had to really work his way in - if you 

ever watched Hercules in New York you will see how bad he was...

 

But, then Terminator came out and with saying very few words:

"Your clothes - give them to me." He was able to capture that 

larger audience and get people outside of the sport of bodybuilding 

to know who he is. He became bigger than the industry. 

 

But, he also had he own mail order products for years before that. 

He sold cassette tapes on workouts and mailed them out. 

 

Many people own "Arnold's Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding" which is 

a huge popular book. Maybe it is "How To" stuff my so is personal 

training...

 

There is this connection between fitness and products for how to 

help people get in shape. Winning a trophy is a personal goal and a little selfish

it the fact it's all about ourselves - teaching people how to get fit and in

contest shape is about OTHERS. 

 

And there is also a difference between a champion and an FITNESS ICON. 

 

I encourage people to enter these shows and learn and then promote 

themselves by helping others in the fitness industry. Try to think of the 

bigger picture. 

 

Now take Lori-Ann Marchese for example. 

 

She went from doing show to show and winning a bunch of them. 

 

Then she goes from magazine article to cover to cover. 

 

So, then I ask her "Where are you going with all this?" 

 

And I ask many contestants the same thing after I see them from show 

to show to show. "Where does this all lead?" 

 

I have never had a clear answer on the end result. 

 

Then I ask deeper questions - and got answers. 

 

I start with:

"Tell me what you learned so far." 

"How can this information help people?" 

"Who can benefit from this?" 

"What is unique about what you do?" 

"What struggles have you gone through?" 

"How can that relate to others?"

"What are problems people are having?"

"How can you help with a solution?" 

 

Now check this out  < - - Follow Link 

 

Now I'm impressed - it's about taking everything you learned 

and helping as many people as possible. 

 

Go here and see - - > this is what it's about 

 

I am very proud to say (in a way) I helped with this.

 

- Brian

 

 

 

Here is the link again - - > this is what it's about