Peter Twist & Overcoming Challenges

    When one thinks of Peter Twist they tend to think about the brilliant Canadian strength and conditioning expert with the beautiful long hair. Peter is hands down one of the best presenters in the industry. He is captivating, intelligent, passionate and well....very attractive. His passion for what he does literally radiates off of him during any and every workshop. Going into the keynote address where Peter was being given the 2013 Idea Fitness Inspiration award I was thrilled to actually get to hear him speak in person. (I tend to not take a lot of the sport specific, speed and conditioning workshops but have watched many of his presentations online.)

    Listening to the introduction from his good friend (and another incredible presenter) Douglas Brooks - it was obvious this would be a different presentation. Unknown to Me Pete had overcome head/neck cancer. I believe it was 2010 when he was diagnosed and listening to his story brought tears to my eyes. - Ok to be honest the tears started during Douglas's introduction. Pete went on to explain that he received "chemotherapy and radiation at the highest level one can receive and that it left a severe burning sensation in his mouth, face and neck." I guess why I am writing about this is because the one thing I got out of the presentation was that no matter what challenges you have in your life you must meet them head on.  We may not all face a tumor the size of a baseball resulting in stage 4 cancer in our life. But we each face challenges. Not only is it how we react to these challenges that determine the outcome - but how prepared we are.  Pete says "Challenge yourself to be your best when your best is needed. Rep by rep - experience by experience." We need to be at our best so that when these challenges arise. We are ready. For some of us - even if we aren't at our best we can make it through but imagine if you were at your best; physically, emotionally, spiritually how much easier that challenge would be.

    I guess as I type I think of some of the challenges I have had in my life. While I really want to keep my posts upbeat and on a health/fitness topic I tend to be an open book. The story I am about to share has had a huge impact on why I am in the industry today. I have always felt to be truly blessed with the life I was given. I grew up with my parents divorced - but neither one bad mouthed the other, both had a respect for each other and a love for my sister and I. My sister and I were best friends growing up. Even though she would often beat the crap out of me. I had a small, very close family. I was well liked and did well in school. Even from a young age I had a positive, I AM ME attitude. For sure I danced to the beat of my own drum. While we didn't have tons financially my mom always made sure we had what we needed. I had no problem with boyfriends and had a great group of friends. I was very active in my church and had a strong relationship with GOD. I feel it is because I know how lucky I was/am that I always had a soft spot for those people who need "help" or need "fixing".

    At the age of 22 I met *boyfriend*. He seemed like an incredible person who simply had a pretty rough life. Our relationship moved pretty fast and next thing you know we were living together about 8 miles out of town. Things changed very quickly once we moved in together. He was always where I was. My clothes were now a huge issue and he determined what I wore. Some of my favorite TV shows were no longer allowed because "only certain types of people watch those". I had to hide all pictures I had from the past and he wouldn't allow them. My friends and family were limited and often monitored. I was told I was fat and ugly. I had books thrown at me in Barnes and Noble all because a family friend gave me a hug in the store after not seeing each other for years. *Boyfriend* worked in a bar and often I had to hang out there with him. I was never a big drinker - in fact I didn't drink at all until I was 21 years old. The lifestyle change and stress of it all had me gaining weight like crazy. I was in an abusive relationship. I remember walking into Claire's and talking to my step sister Emily. She asked me how things were going because she saw him in the mall all of the time (I worked down the mall a bit from her store). It was this moment I realized this. He had never hit me. Never physically hurt me - but I knew I was lying to Emily when I said good. I was scared to tell her the truth. To skip through a lot of the details there was a night that I had to call my sister to come and get me. A knife was involved and that was it. I left. *Boyfriend* went from "I’m sorry" to "I hate you" to suicidal in the matter of minutes the next few weeks. I thought it was bad before with him being where I was - he was everywhere. I was hiding at my Step Dad's house. My sister’s apartment. It got to the point I had to live in a hotel for a while. The stalking was bad. I was terrified for myself and those I cared about. His rage would get the best of him and he would threaten to kill me. I had to get a protection order - luckily he didn't show up in court. People often have a hard time believing this if they know him simply because you don't see it from outside the relationship.

    For a long time I was scared. It took a while for the anger to come but once it did I was angry. All of the fear led to constant stress. I wouldn't sleep. All added up to me weighing 238 lbs. Keep in mind I am 4 foot 11. I had never weighed more than 105 lbs. My health started to fail me. I was going numb. Having panic attacks. This has been my big challenge that I have had to overcome. The relationship, being stalked, and changing my life after. I was not prepared for this challenge. I was not at my best. During the challenge (and in a very short time) I reacted by giving in. I put on over 100 lbs. I am not the same person I was. I am much stronger. I have a different outlook on things. 

    But one thing about this challenge is that without it - I don't know if I would have found my passion. What I am doing now. My weight loss journey over the past 5 years is what gives me the drive to do what I do. I know firsthand the benefits weight loss can have. I know how empowering it is to lose that weight and to feel STRONG. I love helping people feel strong. It's a big reason I love to do kickboxing with my clients. We may not be tough but we sure feel like it.

    Our challenges may be on a daily basis. Job we hate. Unable to get over the loss of a loved one. Miserable relationship. They may seem insignificant to others challenges. But we each fight our own challenges every day. Never should they be downplayed. Remember Pete's words. "Today I will GIVE everything I have, what I keep inside I will lose forever.” Keep fighting. Your challenges strengthen you. They empower you. How you react to them - define you. Be your best at every moment to be prepared for these challenges - rep by rep, experience by experience.