Power of the Past and Hope for the future

It all Started in 1967

The day finally arrived. With 25 cents in my hand, I was ready for my first POS purchase. I carefully selected “Slimming with Yoga”, a Dell Purse book. I didn’t know anything about yoga, but I liked the yellow leotard and the model’s happy face. Little did I know, I started the path to my fitness career that day.

At home, I studied the pictures and followed the instructions carefully. I fell in love with learning about fitness and health. When the opportunity to create an “Our Own Troop’s Badge” for my Girl Scout troop, I chose fitness.  You had to demonstrate the ability to do 50 jumping jacks, 50 sit-ups, 50 push-ups, touch your toes, and prepare a healthy meal. 

Over time, my collection of Dell Purse books grew to eight. Fortunately, I kept the books in a safe container, and they survived a flood and later a fire. Symbolic in nature, I am happy to have these books as a reminder that I am responsible for my health and wellbeing. 

Pathway for 2021

As we go into another New Year, another opportunity to succeed and flourish lays before us. Instead of Dell Purse books, we have Peloton and other options to get healthy and fit. The simplicity of Nike’s “Just Do It” slogan makes it clear what you need to do. 

Yet here we are today. Obesity continues to climb. Less than 5% of adults exercise for 30 minutes each day. The typical American diet exceeds recommended intake levels. The consequences are widespread and trending in the wrong direction. Is this the legacy we want to leave?

Years ago, I met the fitness legend, Jack Lalanne and his wife Elaine Lalanne at a fitness conference. He told me it is not that hard to live a healthy lifestyle, it just has to be an absolute priority. No matter what time he went to bed the day before, he remained committed to a 4:30am ritual of exercise and healthy eating to set the day off right.

The problem we are solving is not because we don’t know what to do. We are not unintelligent or indifferent. Too often we turn to the ready-made excuses of it’s my genetics, my big bones, my employer, or the fast-food empire down the street that caused the problem. Long ago we gave up our freedom to choose – actually, we gave up our desire to choose.

There is hope…if you are willing. We must begin with a strong feeling of wanting something, a state of mind, or a craving for something better. Each day we choose our path. We are rich in potential and the possibilities are endless. As Neil Gaiman reminds us, “You’re alive…that means you have infinite potential.”

While I left the fitness industry, I continue my pursuit to crack the code on human potential and motivation. As a Chief Human Potentialist, life coach and professional speaker I am building a global Human Potential Community to affirm human potential and counterbalance negativity and stress. 

If you want to be part of the movement, email me at: Debbie.Stock @debbiestock.org or send a private message.