The Inspiration From Others

As I wrapped up my time at The Biggest Loser Resort, I took a little time to reflect on all the amazing people I met during my time there.  It's so interesting to hear other people's story - who they are, what they have been through, what they have accomplished, and what some of their goals are. 

There was the woman who had beat breast cancer and was there to get back into working out. In kickboxing class, she saw the punching bag as cancer and beat the crap out of it - just like she had done with her own illness.

There was the 72 year old grandmother of 35 who hiked and attended all the classes. She shared how she started a private school that had become one of the top schools in her area.  Now, she was planning to open a summer camp that would combine theatre and agriculture. She proves every day that it's never too late.

There was the fitness instructor who had conquered her own health challenges by losing 95 pounds 3 years ago and was now helping others realize their full potential by encouraging them to stay focused on their goals.

There was the southern sweetheart with the charming accent and kind heart who encouraged everyone in every class. Working hard, pushing herself, and bringing everyone along with her.

There was young woman who always felt awkward and unaccepted and left feeling more confident and assured that she could do and be anything she wanted.

And there were countless others who climbed mountains for the first time, ran on a treadmill for the first time, picked up a weight for the first time, got in a swimming pool not caring how they "thought" they looked in a swimsuit, and those who just amazed themselves everyday with their strength, their courage and their ability to do more than they ever thought possible.

I felt honored to be around so many wonderful people and gleen from their drive, motivation and inspiration. It was an unforgettable experience.

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As the RADICAL Success Coach, Doreen Rainey helps her clients take charge of their professional and personal life. She is the founder of the Get RADICAL Women's Conference with Jillian Michaels and Niecy Nash. For more information about the 2011 conference, visit the website. Registration is now open!

Is It REALLY Hard?

I've been spending the past several weeks on the west coast hanging out at The Biggest Loser Resort getting a jumpstart on making my health and fitness a priority again (one of the reasons why I love my business is that I can do it anywhere!!).

One of the trainers at the resort, Sam Poueu, looked very familiar to me the first time I saw him.  Why? Because he was from Season 9 of The Biggest Loser. And as he had us sweating,  huffing and puffing yesterday, he talked about staying focused, not giving up and doing what most people won't do to get what we want.

He went on to say that one question he often gets continues to catch him off guard. What's the question?

"Was it hard to be on the show and lose 142 pounds?"

I immediately understood what he was saying.  As a life coach, I am no longer surprised by people's belief that things should be easy. That they shouldn't have to sacrifice, be uncomfortable, make difficult choices, be disciplined, and...do I dare say it...work hard.

I don't know if it's the media, savvy marketing, or our instant gratification syndrome that makes many of us believe that things shouldn't be hard. That somehow, people who get what they want don't have to do as much work as we would have to do to get that same thing.

Here are two definitions I came across for the word "hard":

1. Involving a great deal of effort, energy, or persistence.
2. Performing or carrying on work with great effort, energy, or persistence.

Name one successful person who hasn't given a great deal of effort to their cause.  Name one successful person that didn't need to maintain persistence to get the desired results.  Name one successful person that didn't have to push through setbacks, challenges and barriers to get the goals they set.  And I would venture to guess that every new level of success brings on new efforts and persistence for the next goal.

If you don't believe me, ask them. Schedule a meeting with your CEO and ask how hard it was to get there.  Have a conversation with an elite athlete and ask them if the training was hard.  Talk to an academy award winning actress and ask them has their journey been hard at times. Have coffee with a successful entrepreneur and ask if starting their business was a piece of cake.  Read the biography of someone you admire and decide if their life was a cakewalk.

If you want something - you must expend the energy. You must give 100% effort. And you must maintain your persistence.  Because guess what? It's hard.

Oh...and Sam's answer to that question: a definite YES!

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As the RADICAL Success Coach, Doreen Rainey helps her clients take charge of their professional and personal life. She is the founder of the Get RADICAL Women's Conference with Jillian Michaels and Niecy Nash. For more information about the 2011 conference, visit the website. Registration is now open!

Jillian Michaels Talks About the Get RADICAL Conference

The First Challenge

You will do more than you ever thought possible when the reward of "doing" surpasses the comfort of status quo.

I saw a perfect example of this when I watched the season premier of The Biggest Loser. As soon as the teams (made up of couples) got to the ranch, they immediately had a challenge.

They had not met Jillian or Bob. They hadn't been to their rooms. They hadn't had a chance to meet and talk with each other. Instead, they went straight to the gym and, as a team, were told that they had to ride 26.2 miles on a stationary bike.

Now, all of the contestants were morbidly obese. Several men weighed over 400 pounds, and one weighed over 500 pounds. These were people who hadn't walked a slow mile in years - maybe decades. So the idea of pedaling that long seemed impossible.

I could almost hear the excuses and doubt playing in their heads at that moment:

• I haven't ridden a bike in years
• I can't ride that long
• I'm too big
• I'm not strong enough
• This is too much
• This is too hard

But then the host, Alison Sweeney, said something that changed everything.  She informed them that the 2 teams that finished the bike ride last would have to immediately leave the ranch and return home.

The look on the contestants face suddenly changed. The doubt turned to determination. The excuses went from "I can't" to "I must". The idea of being sent home on the first day they arrived at the ranch became their driving force. The reward (staying at the ranch) became stronger the status quo (or the excuses).

The contestants climbed on those bikes and pushed through the pain, the discomfort, the sweat, the cramps, and that little seat, to get the reward they so desperately wanted - the opportunity to stay in the game and change their life.  While 2 teams did go home, every person did more than they ever thought possible.

What about you? What are willing to do to stay in the game and change your life? When will you see that the rewards of reaching your goals and having the life - and the lifestyle - you want is worth breaking out of your status quo.

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Doreen Rainey is a Life Coach and Speaker who helps her clients Get RADICAL! For a FREE 30 day membership to the RADICAL Lifestyle Women's Network or to subscribe to her bi-weekly newsletter, visit her website. Join Doreen in the Washington, DC area for the 2010 Get RADICAL Women's Conference featuring Jillian Michaels, Fitness Trainer from The Biggest Loser and Rhonda Britten, Emmy Winner Life Coach from Starting Over and Celebrity Fit Club.

4 Months, 23 Days

There are many milestones in life. Your first steps. Your first kiss. College graduation. Marriage. Children. And then... the big 4-0. That's what's happening to me this year. It seemed like yesterday I was celebrating my 35th birthday for the 4th time. Yet, time is ticking and the day is drawing near.

I've always been a "birthday" person, meaning I LOVE to celebrate them. Dinners, parties, trips, gifts, party hats, and streamers! You name it...I want it. But as thoughts of how I'd celebrate this year raced through my head, I started thinking of what I could do that would be a very personal accomplishment. And while I came up with something that isn't that original, it's something that will give me a great sense of achievement - I want to run!

For those that follow this blog, you know I've spent this past year getting in shape, losing weight and taking better care of my health. But with all the exercise I've done, I haven't been a runner. Over the next several months, that will change.

Now, a good goal to set would be a 5k. A challenging goal to set would be a 10k. But the RADICAL goal? A half marathon. Which is exactly what I've decided to do to celebrate my birthday. I just signed up for the Chicago Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon taking place on August 2, 2009 - 1 day before my b-day!

As I shared this with some people, I could hear the laughter. That told me I was on the right track, because, as you know, I believe that if people aren't laughing at your dreams, they aren't big enough. And believe me, some people are howling, crying, and doubled over with this one. Looking at me today, there are very few people that would think that I'll be ready on August 2nd. But I don't care. This isn't for them. It's for me!

What about you?

With all the challenges the country is facing - jobs, investments, the economy, and health care - people are revisiting and refocusing on the things that are truly important and looking for ways to achieve more of their personal goals.

Why not take on a personal challenge that will give you an inner sense of accomplishment? It might not be to run a half marathon, but perhaps you want to learn a language, take up sowing, write a book, or pick up a hobby you put down long ago. Whatever it is - I know you'll do it well!