Investing in Personal Growth to Build Faith, Health, and Resilience – Your Champions Brew

Have you ever noticed which arm instinctively takes the lead when you fold them? Go ahead, give it a try. Now, challenge yourself to fold your arms the opposite way. Feel that discomfort?

It’s fascinating how something as simple as changing the way we fold our arms can evoke such unease. But here’s a thought: Could this discomfort be the very reason why so many people resist change in their lives?

Happy Friday, Brew Nation!

Grab your favorite coffee cup, sit back, relax, and get ready to sip on some enriching and thought-provoking content that will equip you to thrive in all areas of your life:

• Build Faith – To grow in any area of your life, you must be intentional to invest time in that area.  Building my faith is one that is very important to me and one of the ways I do that is a daily discipline of reading my Bible and learning from mentors who are much more mature in their faith.  I recently finished Clayton King’s book One Minute Prayers for Busy Leaders.  This book is an assembly of short devotions and prayers that take only a minute to read but that may be all you need to have a substantial impact on your everyday life.  Below is one of my most marked up devotions.  It was titled “The Blessing of Building Up”:

Proverbs 18:21 is one of the most stunning verses in all the Bible.  Listen to the simplicity of this: “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”  What does that last part mean? I believe there’s an indication that we can discipline ourselves to love speaking life into other people.  We can get into the habit of using words to bless others.  When we do, our words bear fruit (love that!) in their lives, but they also bring life and joy to us as well.  There’s nothing better than speaking encouragement to a friend or family member and watching their eyes light up with joy.  The added benefit is that it also fills us up too.  We get the extra blessing of being a blessing to a friend! (Emphasis added my me!)


I believe this book can help you to gain insight and wisdom in key areas of your life.  I would like to be a blessing to you.  Drop a comment in the blog post and I will enter your name in a drawing to receive a free copy of this devotional from me.

• Exercise daily and Eat Healthy – I have had many people ask how I was able to lose 80 pounds several years ago.  I had that story documented in MensHealth online version (Click here for article).  Recently, I have had folks ask how I was able to keep the weight off.  It really is simple, but not easy.  In last week’s Champions Brew I summarized The Law of Design.  It’s all about the systems and tools we use to sustain and continuously improve the changes we make in various aspects of our lives, be it health, leadership, finances, or relationships. Today, I’ll reveal some of the tools from my own health journey that have helped me stay on track. It’s not always easy, but with these tools as part of a comprehensive system, I’ve been able to sustain my health and wellness goals..  I have to manage it on a daily basis:
• Exercise journal – I am working on my 6^th exercise journal that document my exercises that I have done since I got started on January 11, 2017.  In this journal, I document the workouts that I do and the calories that I burn during those workouts.  Whenever I hit a plateau, I turn to my journal for inspiration, revisiting favorite exercises and challenging myself with increased weights or reps. It’s a powerful way to track progress and keep pushing forward.
• LoseIt app – When I use it, I lose it.  I continue to track my daily calorie intake using this app.  I think my longest streak of days entering it in was over 1,000 days.  While I occasionally rely on my calorie-counting skills alone, the app has been a reliable ally on my health journey. It also helps me monitor my water intake and weight, keeping me accountable and motivated.
• Fitbit watch – I have been a Fitbit fan since I started on this journey.  I am probably on my 3^rd watch.  Primarily, I use it to track resting heart rate, calories burned during a workout, and of course, steps!  No doubt it helps to keep me on track.  It reminds me if I don’t have enough steps for the hour andit celebrates when I hit my goal.  AND,  it keeps good time! 
• Gym membership – Having a gym just 1.5 miles from the house has been critical.  The convenience makes it easier despite those days that I really don’t feel like going.  How many of you have heard the saying that “The heaviest weight you will lift in the gym is the front door!”?  By having a membership, it puts some skin in the game as well.  I have read data that nearly 65% of gym memberships go unused in a year’s time.  Pretty good revenue model for the gym and it keeps the gym equipment available for me.  Be one of the 35%!!
• Jeremy Scott Fitness app – I am a fan of challenges when it comes to fitness.  I started my true change when I joined the 47-Day Transformation under the guidance of Jeremy Scott Fitness (whose physical location is in Scottsdale, AZ).  But, this app and following him on Instagram provide me with new, creative workouts that keep me going.  There is an app out there that can help you, too.
• Accountability group – Being part of an accountability group has truly been a game-changer. We text each other daily, sharing our progress, challenges, and victories. We even use hashtags to track the calories we burn during workouts. The support and inspiration within this group are invaluable, and I never want to let them down. If you don’t already have an accountability partner or group, I highly recommend finding one. It can make all the difference!

Sustaining health and wellness requires dedication and the right tools. While it may not always be easy, incorporating these tools into your routine can set you on the path to a transformative health journey. Remember, I wouldn’t need all of these tools if it were effortless. So, whether it’s an exercise journal, a tracking app, a fitness watch, a gym membership, a dedicated fitness app, or an accountability group, pick one and get started on your own health improvement transformation.

• Read More –This week is a review of Law #8 in The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication – Apply Them and Make the Most of Your Message by John Maxwell.  Each week, I am traveling with you through a new chapter of this book.  I hope that you have purchased a copy of this book and are following along with me! 

Law # 8 – The Law of Pain

Good Management of Bad Experiences Leads to Great Growth

“Sometimes you’re the pigeon.  Sometimes you’re the statue.”

Managing bad experiences well epitomizes the power of the Law of Pain. While nobody enjoys being in the midst of a difficult situation, how we choose to navigate through it can have a profound impact on our success as a growing leader.

Here’s the thing about bad experiences for all of us:  Everybody has them and no one likes them.  So what? Now what?

In this chapter, John Maxwell talks about five (5) ways to turn your pain into gain:

1. Choose a positive life stance – When faced with a challenging experience, it is crucial to adopt a positive life stance. Our attitudes and limiting beliefs shape our perception of the situation. By rising above circumstances and refusing to let negative experiences define us, we can maintain an optimistic positive mindset.  Remember, you can control what you can control, and by expecting positive outcomes, you increase the likelihood of achieving them.
2. Embrace and develop your creativity – Instead of letting bad experiences discourage or anger you, channel that energy into creativity. Find innovative ways to respond to setbacks and discover new solutions. Sometimes, a fresh perspective can lead to transformative insights. Embracing creativity allows us to approach challenges with a proactive and open mindset, enabling personal growth.
3. Embrace the value of bad experiences – Although it may be challenging to see the positive aspects of a negative experience in the moment, reflecting on past encounters often reveals valuable lessons. President John F. Kennedy humorously remarked that becoming a war hero was as simple as having his boat sunk. Similarly, hindsight can help us recognize the hidden potential for growth and resilience within challenging circumstances.
4. Make good changes after learning from bad experiences – Turning bad experiences into catalysts for positive change requires taking action. Acknowledge that not everything can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced. Reflect on the lessons learned and evaluate how you can make meaningful adjustments moving forward. Train yourself to choose self-discipline over regret and let your emotions fuel your determination to improve.  This first requires a choice.  One of the top movie quotes of all time (ranked #19 out of 100 by the American Film Institute) was when newscaster Howard Beale quipped, “I’m mad as hell!  And, I am not going to take this anymore.”  Good movie.  Great scene.  See the full outburst here. 
5. Take responsibility for your life – Whew.  This type of feedback is often a cold bucket of water.  Overcoming bad experiences involves taking responsibility for your life and refusing to adopt a victim mentality. Growth and personal development flourish when we acknowledge our role in shaping our own destiny. By taking ownership of our actions and decisions, we empower ourselves to move forward and make positive changes.

No matter what you have been through, you can grow from it. The Law of Pain reminds us that challenging experiences can serve as powerful catalysts for personal development. By choosing a positive life stance, embracing creativity, recognizing the value in adversity, making positive changes, and taking responsibility for our lives, we can transform pain into growth. Embrace the opportunities inherent in difficult situations and unlock your potential for personal and professional success.

• Quote of the week:   “Change is hard at first, messy in the middle, and gorgeous at the end.” – Robin Sharma

What You Need to Do:

Call to Action:  Are you an encourager?  Try it out and see if it doesn’t bring a smile to the face of the person you are encouraging AND fills you up as well!!

It’s an honor to be your trusted “Friday Coffee Guy”.  Each week, I’m excited to provide yet another round of curated content that I’ve been reading, listening to, watching, or thinking over. The purpose of the Champions Brew is to inspire, equip and encourage you to become the uncommon leader you were designed to be. I am so grateful for your decision to invest a few moments with me! I hope you enjoyed this week’s edition of Champions Brew. If you did, I would appreciate it if you would share it with someone who might enjoy it as well and ask them to subscribe! I will make sure they automatically get this email every week.

Until next time, Go and Grow Champions!

P.S. – Are you a podcast fan?  Maybe the Uncommon Leader podcast is for you.    Are you interested in being a guest on the Uncommon Leader Podcast?  Do you have a story to tell?  Email me [email protected] and let’s have a chat and set something up!!