Last week, I celebrated another trip around the sun. And, as is my wont on such occasions, I took stock of what has happened in the last year: what has been learnt, what has been gained or lost, what successes or failures have occurred – and what can I learn from them. There might be something in the adage, “Another year older. Another year wiser.” after all.

While there have been successes and failures, and much learnt, the core tenet of my work with Power of One Fitness remains the same. 

Help people to be better, physically and mentally, without “hacks”or shortcuts, using everyday language and simple movement patterns. 

Sure, I am still the science nerd, who geeks out on the latest research. But if you ever find me extolling the virtues of the latest social media trend of doing some crazy movement “hack”, please know that my account has been hacked (see what i did there?), and you aren’t talking to me.

Simple is Best!

The well worn business acronym of KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid), does actually hold some weight in my head, especially when it comes to health and fitness. Others like, “Blue Sky Thinking” not so much. But keeping things simple is key to success when you are trying to be the best you can be from a physical standpoint.

Making things complicated means making things confusing. (I am but a simple personal trainer after all!) And making things confusing, means they become difficult to start, let alone continue with.

And, as has been mentioned before in this newsletter, the health and fitness industry has an issue with making things complicated. Anybody for “Rear foot elevated split squat fake throw stomps”? I mean… Come on! Seriously? I love it when clients come up with their own names for exercises, and we start using them. “Backward buckets” and “Cherry Blossoms” are two of my all time favourites. And while they mean nothing to everyone else, the respective clients know exactly what we are talking about. 

Which is what it should all be about. 

Keep things simple. Make them your own. And repeat. Suddenly the client is making progress as they ‘own’ the exercise. And that is AWESOME! That is why I get out of bed every morning. I just love helping clients make progress. (Cue happy coach dance! And cries of “Ding! Ding! Personal best! Woohoo!”)

Works of Art

Going back to the quote at the top of the page, it struck me as a wonderful way of describing people who are making themselves the best they can be. They become beautiful. They become works of art, because of all that they know and are trying to accomplish. As one of the early self-help authors, Robert Collier, succinctly put it: “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”

I aim to live up to that maxim, and have success with my clients, both in-person and online. And I’d love to help many more people be stronger, fitter and healthier, so if these musings have inspired you, please get in touch as I’d love to hear from you, and add you to the success stories I can muse on next year. 😃