Pete RohlederThrough my career, my intentions and purpose have always been to help people improve their lives through exercise. I have done so as a trainer, a performance specialist, a lecturer, and a business owner. Two years ago, I tried to extend my hand to help on a larger scale: blogging.
Though I poured everything I could into the blog, something was missing. The message and passion I shared daily with my clients and students were somehow lost in translation. Perhaps it was my branding, or overthinking the structure of the website, or that I allowed fear to influence my voice and tone. Whatever the reason, I failed.
But, for those of you who know me, you know my approach to life- strength through struggle. Failure helps us grow if we are open and humble to learn from it.
Why have I decided to try it again? My passion for empowering people and helping them take charge of their health and fitness won’t let me stop. Call it an obsession, but helping people understand how impactful movement and exercise can be on all states of life, drives me. It’s a calling and a purpose. Further, I have insight into a topic (movement and exercise) that many seem to do but tend to miss simple solutions to achieve results more efficiently. It’s what I do, and I do it well.
Also, the daily reminders of the “state of movement” in the United States have moved me:
- Life expectancy continues to drop for Americans1
- 39.8% of US adults 20 years and older are obese, with 71.6% being overweight (including obese)2
- The estimated annual cost of obesity in the US $191 Billion, and drives health care cost up 29%3,4
- 77% of adult Americans do not get the recommended amounts of exercise each week, which could lead to years of health problems4
After 16 years in the field, I am astonished that in today’s boom of health and fitness media and technology, we as a society are unhealthier than ever.
I’m frustrated by the accompanied approach of apathy, denial, and a demand for instant gratification.
There are warped attitudes and mindsets of instant results, negativity, and indifference regarding health, fitness, and exercise. The impact of this on our emotional, psychological, and physical state is out of hand. This vicious cycle has affected all of our journeys at some point, and quite frankly, enough is enough.
Though I’m one voice, if I can inspire even just one person to embrace a lifestyle based in movement, then my efforts are worth it.
SO, HERE’S MY PURPOSE FOR BEING HERE AND WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM MORE TO MOVEMENT:
#1: AN AUTHENTIC, CLEAR BREAKDOWN OF THE SCIENCE BEHIND MOVEMENT, ALONG WITH TANGIBLE TAKEAWAYS SO YOU CAN TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH, FITNESS, AND PERFORMANCE.
There are so many options out there to improve your movement journey. From booty blastin’ workouts to the 5-minute body sculpt, to the even more ridiculous no-workout lose weight programs, gadgets, and gizmos. Some are great, and some are not. Many sell “body-in-a box.” I’m here to tell you that most of it is limited and comes up short. Why? Because they don’t understand how the body works. They don’t understand the biomechanical, physiological, and anatomical mechanisms that affect the body. This culture has led to an overwhelming distortion of the sobering and realistic truth: it’s not easy. It’s work. But, armed with accurate knowledge, it can be efficient. That’s where I come in. I will break down these complex processes to give you the know-how to achieve your goals, sans gimmicks and temporary fixes.
#2: PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE THAT IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE VIA BLOG ARTICLES AND PODCAST EPISODES.
“Knowledge is power,” and if we genuinely want lasting, impactful results, we must learn the why, so we can understand the how. My goal is to provide you with resources in a more accessible way, either through my written word or over the airways through my podcast. The better access you have, the quicker you can implement these strategies into your life.
#3: INSPIRATION AND ENRICHMENT TO ENCOURAGE YOUR SELF-DEVELOPMENT.
So many of us approach health and fitness only as a method in which to reach a physical goal, so much so, that we neglect to, dare I say, enjoy the journey. But how are we to enjoy something that is typically long, and requires significant amounts of effort, motivation, discipline, and commitment? Another component of this blog is to help you embrace your journey, no matter your starting point or destination. And embracing that journey requires an acceptance that you will face challenges and discomfort. This blog aspires to provide inspiration and enrichment throughout your journey and encourage you to view obstacles differently: as a means of growth. Where others quit and submit to discomfort, choose to be motivated by it. Call me a dreamer, but I believe anything is possible when you set your mind to it. If you are willing to work for it, you can make it happen no matter the obstacles you may encounter. Helping you cultivate and embrace your journey is my purpose, and this purpose is my passion.
So wherever you are, keep moving.
[1] Khazan, O. (2016, December 13). Why Americans Die Younger Than Europeans. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2016/12/why-are-so-many-americans-dying-young/510455/ [2] FastStats – Overweight Prevalence. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/obesity-overweight.htm [3] National League of Cities Institute for Youth, Education & Families. https://www.healthycommunitieshealthyfuture.org/learn-the-facts/economic-costs-of-obesity/ [4} Biener, A, Cawley, J., Meyerhoefer, C. The Impact of Obesity on Medical Care Costs and Labor Market Outcomes in the US. Clinical Chemistry, 2018; 64 (1): 108 DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2017.272450. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180208180356.htm [4] Molina, B., & Price, L. (2018, June 28). Only 23% of US adults are getting enough exercise, CDC report says. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/06/28/cdc-report-only-23-americans-get-enough-exercise/741433002/
Pete Rohleder
