I have just returned from the 2009 Team Beachbody Coaches Summit. It was one of the best weekends of my life. Why? The answer requires a brief history lesson.
In 2003 Monica and I bought Power 90 and invited Tony Horton into our home every night. It changed our physical lives and was one of the best decisions we ever made. When I look back at how much that decision has impacted us, it is really hard to believe. Monica got more out of it than I did. Sure, we both lost weight, but Monica also gained a group of incredible friends through the Beachbody message boards and by attending some of Tony Horton’s Fitness Camps. I, unfortunately, did not…until last year. Like many things in my life, I should have listened to my wife.
Last year I decided to go to the Summit with Monica to meet all of these people that she had been raving about. I met some of the most incredible people and wondered why it had taken me so long to become a part of the community. What is so special about these people? Again, the question requires explanation.
The short answer is that they truly love each other. I don’t mean the kind of love that Monica and I share…that would be weird. I’m talking about a genuine caring about other people, their fitness, their lives, their struggles and, of course, their success. I used to believe these kind of people were rare, that I would be lucky to have just one friend who cared about me the way these people care about me, and that if I ever found that sort of person that I would hold them so close to my heart that they would never get away. What I discovered was that people like this are not rare at all. In fact, they are abundant. I am so fortunate to have spent the weekend in their company.
Who are “these people”. The short answer is that they are Beachbody Coaches. Yes, Team Beachbody is a business. We sell products like P90X; but we do more than that. Team Beachbody, in my humble opinion, is about helping people to get in the best shape of their lives and it is rewarding in a way that simply cannot be measured with anything beginning with a dollar sign.
The weekend activities were a blast as well. Thursday night we went to a small gathering at Tony’s house in Santa Monica. Tony’s personal chef Missy Costello cooked an outstanding, and very healthy, meal for us and we got to meet some of Tony’s “real world” friends. Tony is an interesting guy. I suppose celebrities all have regular friends, but Tony never ceases to amaze me with the people he attracts. Most of them are really just average people. They like to do crazy workouts on the beach, or rock climb, or ski. It was really fun to meet them. We also got to check out the set for Tony’s One-on-One series (i.e. his home gym). It is awesome. His new thing is the bozu ball and he demonstrated some pretty cool ways to use the thing. He’s a madman. I love him. He just never stops pushing himself to the next level. Thanks TH.
It was at Tony’s house where I made new friends – Tommy and Ashley Mygrant. Tommy was a finalist in the Million Dollar Body Game. I knew a little about Tommy’s story, and he had our votes, but we had never met before. I spent three days with this man and my words are inadequate to explain his excellence. Tommy is about 5’7″ and he weighed 270 pounds. 270 pounds people! Sorry Tommy, but that is HUGE dude! Tommy lost 70 pounds using P90X and won $50,000 for changing his life (the video says $1,000. The $50,000 was for the 8 finalists). He didn’t win the $250,000 Grand Prize, but after staying up until 3:30 am talking to him last night, what he gained doesn’t have a price tag. He saved his life, maybe Ashley’s too. And now he’s saving other peoples lives. I am so lucky to have met Tommy and to know this truly excellent person. If you ever have a chance, just spend some time talking with him. He’ll make your life better. Here is Tommy’s transformation video. Incredible…just incredible. Thanks for your time Tommy.
Of course, business went on and we had a lot to do. Friday was filled with presentations and awards. Monica, as a Five Star Diamond Coach, received her share of them, including recognition for being a founding member of Team Beachbody. We also got to catch up with old friends. People like Mike and Tami French, Brad and Suzie Eickman, Tony and Dawn Barca, Aaron and Jessica Mathis, Cathy Carini, Sherri Parkinson, Tina Klinesmith, Doris Flaiz, Helen Heynen, Mark Briggs and Tessa Nolin, Angela and Scott Robinson, Phyllis Stewart, Missy Costello, Seth Gilbre, JuliAnne Forrest, Blake and Angie Warrington and many more that I’m sure I’m neglecting here. These people are not just fit, they are “supersonic fit”. They are inspirational in the very best way. Believe me when I say that if Tami French tells you that you are fit, you are FIT. Mike and Tami are relentless about their fitness and stand as true examples of how to lead a balanced life and be unbelievably fit. To be honest, I’ve been busting my ass getting ready for Summit. I’ve done doubles, been rock climbing, and even rode my bike to work (50 mi) last week. You want to be motivated? Hang out with these people for a while. They are infectious. You want to catch what they have.
After all that was done Tony worked us over with a version of the One-on-One Road Warrior that he put together to train Usher. Helen demanded that I go right to the front with her, so we could receive as much punishment from Tony as possible. Tommy and Ashley were there as well. We got our money’s worth. Finishing with a version of the sphinx push up, that I’ll have to video to adequately describe, the floor was covered with sweat. Working out with Tony and about 200 of your friends is pretty incredible. The energy is incredible.
Saturday was a rollercoaster ride. It came at us so fast, that I can hardly remember everything that happened. Here is the video report from the Beachbody Network News that tells the story better than I could here. Congrats to $250,000 winners Dallas Chase and Kristy McLean. Way to BRING IT guys! Oh, and the new stuff they have coming out is crazy. There is a program called “Insanity” that is done by Shawn T. It is a 60 day a$$ kicker that the test group people say is the hardest thing they have ever done. I can’t wait Shawn, let’s see what you GOT!.
So now we are back. The Summit is over. Next year we are going back to Hawaii on the Top Coach trip again…period. It was such a great opportunity to remind ourselves why we are involved in this business. Its not about the money people. ITS ABOUT THE COMMUNITY!
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