So it's common practice these days (probably for the best) if we have a problem with our health, we see a professional. Whether that be mental, physical or otherwise. There is no shortage of methods, qualifications and options. What works best for you , you have to figure that out. 

What I believe makes someone great - and by great I don't mean massively financially successful. I mean great at creating change in anyone they are able to guide , coach or 'heal'. Not that theres anything wrong with making a bunch of money, I mean that is why we go about what we do on a daily basis, mainly revolving around money. 

But what truly sets people apart, and these are people you should seek or if your seeking guidance, or maybe even your looking at going down this path a career, I believe there are three factors. 

Having experienced the same thing or similar : not to compare who had it worse (as some people do) but its much easier to relate to someone if you've been down that road. Myself I've been down many roads, good and bad , which I guess have given me the versatility to relate to alot of people about things. 

Battle tested - its all well and good to have qualifications and a great attitude, but without the experience similar circumstances or on top of that not having gotten results with many , or any, people. Its unlikely that these are your likely to both achieve what you set out to do, at least not first go anyway. But thats good experience for both of you. But like I mentioned, if their theories and themselves aren't battle test, maybe shop around. 

In it for the wrong reasons - Theres nothing wrong with wanting to make money, or be quite well off financial, I mean most people goto shitty jobs for the hourly rate, not because the jobs great, am I right?  Be wary of people purely trying to sell you on something, if you feel their genuinely not putting your improvement/goal first. This is easier said then done. Most people who are good at what they do charge accordingly. But having said that there are many people out there charging you for basically nothing that will get you where you want to be, which is a shame because there is many other ways to generate income then play on peoples emotions and challenges. 

None the less, I hope you find answers, I hope you find a mentor or coach, and maybe even you to can then pass that on to others. This is just my thoughts on what makes people great in self improvement industry. 

Fittsy. 

many people have the conception that being a personal trainer you either listen to peoples problems all day or you are dodgy and promise people the world and give them an atlas. 
Admittedly there's both of those things going, but not with as many people as you think. Personally myself, I believe in what I do , I don't have any flashy marketing, money back guarantees, working side by side with a supplement company. Its just me my word, and how I accept payment from people. 
Why would people invest in me consistently without even knowing me? And then keep working with me consistently , even at the 'risk' of no money back if they fail to achieve what they set out.

Firstly its on  you, its always on you, I can show you the more effective way , but it's up to you to utilize that information, the same with me/my business/my physique. I've had mentors , trainers, coaches, some have completely changed me for the best, others I've let their knowledge and effort in me goto waste. 

We all do it, its part of life. Either accepting responsibility or laying blame. But the other thing , its not always about obtaining this 'one' goal you set out to do , sometimes its about the journey along the way, what you learn, who you become, how you grow. You might realize you have a new goal. You might realize you cant keep going full throttle from one goal to the next, you might think 'maybe I want to find the balance between working hard, and enjoying my life' 

An these are the people I work with, and that's why most of my clients continue to work with me long term, because were not chasing goals, were creating lifestyles - and amazing physiques to go with them. 

That really sounds simple , but it surprises me when I talk to people and ask them questions like 'where do they want to go?' 'what do they think of themselves?' 'what are they capable of doing' . Generally most don't have an answer and if they do its quite a negative one.

Although I'm in the helping people business, I to am also a work in progress, we all are. Something I've been working with lately, well more focused on particularly, is what I am thinking about most of the time. Its funny I would say i'm positive, optimistic, for the most part. But my the majority of my thoughts were not in sync with that. The same way someone who swears they want to get fit, is unconsciously eating all the wrong foods. I was thinking all the wrong things , most of the time.

The common theme across the board with this kind of thing seemed to be set a goal of 30 days of monitoring your thoughts, and if you thought extremely negatively , thought about things that made you sad or even angry - and could not shake the thought within 30 seconds or think of something else or refocus.
You had to start the 30 days again.   Harder then it sounds. 

While I've done this , or something similar before, I felt my thought process needed a tune up. The same thing with our bodies, sometimes we need to hire a trainer, see a specialist, get some structure. The thing is with our thoughts, we're the only one that control what's going on in there. 

So at first it was 3 days, then 7, then 16, and so on. Although if you've got something going on, a death, job loss, illness, this probably isn't the best time to attempt this exercise. (maybe it is) There are times when you are just arn't going to feel great. 
But for no reason? and consistently? It's time to try something like this then.

The best part it while I was consciously taking control of my thoughts (and my energy and vibration) . Things were clicking into place , business, relationships, training , everything was just flowing more and more.  Does that mean 'i'm cured' , no I still haven't done my 30 days yet so I'll keep working at it, and I have no doubt in 5 years I'll be attempting something similar to shake myself out of a 'rut'. 

If somethings worth doing though its worth doing everyday. 

Be nice , be positive , even when you do feel like it. 

​God speed. Fittsy. 

life goes in cycles , good and bad. Whats that saying 'bad things come in 3'. I remember a few years back my gym was down sizing, my girlfriend had left me before a planned over seas trip and life had just dealt me an average hand. So as per usual I found myself wandering the streets of Thailand in between gym sessions. 

Now this is where things get interesting. Here I am , down , lost, not to motivated, and I cant remember how or why this guy appeared - but I found myself deep in conversation with some random 'yogi' in the street. This is what will always stand out in my memory. Firstly he says to me 'I know you've had a hard life, especially since your Mother died' he reaches into his pocket and hands me a piece of paper with her name written on there. Ok. Then he says I know your girlfriend left you but that is actually a good thing, then again he reaches into his pocket and hands me a small piece of paper - again with her name on it. Spelt correctly - 'alright you have my attention' I said. He went on to tell me about my past , present and future in great detail. Which was in great detail , the future im not so sure because well... its the future. But what he told me the future was looking good. 

As quick as he appeared, he disappeared. Suddenly I had gone from down/lost, to feeling positive and somewhat happier, instantly. From a stranger, telling me some amazing things. Sure this guy POSSIBLY had some kind of look into the future and past - whether he did or not or it was just an really fucking amazing party trick. 
This is the difference between positive and optimistic/proactive people to negative pessimistic/destructive people whether they are yogi's that find you at the right time or your best friend who shoots you down when your feeling great, for no real reason. 

People can completely change your mind-state, outlook of the future, emotion and many other things, even just with a few sentences. IF YOU LET THEM.
Becareful who you take advice from , but be open to be guided by the write people. Never a judge a book by its cover , but also trust your instincts about who you listen to. And if people choose to talk about you , good or bad, take it as a compliment. 

Back then I was never really spiritual and I definitely didn't believe in fortune tellers. But here we are, me telling you about a fortune teller, yogi , changing the course of my life. 

He also gave me a necklace I still have to this day.