Good morning, everyone! I hope you’re feeling inspired and ready for the day. Quote of the Day: “The quality of your life will never exceed the quality of your thoughts—that’s not motivation, that’s law.” Years ago, I chose to take control of my life. I decided to live with intention, to be proactive, and to make things happen instead of just reacting to whatever life threw my way. My first step? Reading more, learning deeply, and studying the version of myself I wanted to become. This journey led to a year of purposeful isolation. I limited my social time, spoke less, and shifted my focus to observing rather than engaging. Over that year, I noticed something powerful and undeniable. When you truly listen to someone, they reveal the way they think, how they view the world, and how they see themselves. Stick around long enough, and you’ll see that their life mirrors that mindset. The most organized, focused, and confident people consistently have success in their careers and finances, while those filled with doubt and a negative worldview often struggle with relationships and moving forward in life. And here’s the most amazing part: the less you talk, the more others want to open up and share. It’s like a window into their internal world. But here’s the hard truth: “The quality of your life will never exceed the quality of your thoughts—that’s law.” Why? Because our brains work like incredibly powerful filtering systems, constantly scanning our environment for things that match our beliefs and expectations. This process, called “selective attention,” explains why when you believe in something, you see more evidence of it around you. Psychologically, your brain seeks to reinforce what you think. This is why a negative mindset can be so damaging—it literally blinds you to positive opportunities and reinforces your doubts. And on the flip side, an empowered, positive mindset tunes your brain into possibilities, resources, and chances that support your growth. Consider this: every time you’ve tried a diet, committed to a workout plan, or set out to change something, you did it because you believed, at least initially, that it could work. Many people struggle to work out and track their food consistently. Why? Because deep down, they either don’t believe it will work or don’t believe in themselves enough to stick with it. Belief isn’t just wishful thinking—it’s the key that opens the door to action.

In early 20th-century America, fitness was woven into everyday life. Physical activity wasn’t a choice—it was part of survival and livelihood. But as technology advanced, lifestyles shifted from naturally active to increasingly sedentary, turning fitness from an essential habit into a discretionary pursuit. Today, fitness is often seen as a luxury, a hobby, or a response to health warnings rather than an integral part of life. This shift in mindset has had lasting impacts on health, mental well-being, and socioeconomic divides. To counter these trends, we created Get Lifted University and Get Lifted Prep—programs designed to make health and fitness accessible, achievable, and naturally integrated into life. Instead of making fitness something you check off only when health issues arise, our programs help make it a way of life, not a task. The Journey from Necessity to Choice Early 20th Century In the early 1900s, American life was physically demanding, with most people relying on manual labor and daily activities that kept them active. Physical readiness was a societal expectation tied to livelihood and, for men, even national duty. Exercise was inherent in daily tasks. Post-War America: 1950s and 1960s After WWII, rapid industrialization and economic prosperity transformed lifestyles. Desk jobs became common, and convenience technology like cars and household appliances reduced daily physical demands. This shift to a more automated life began to separate fitness from routine life. Rise of Gym Culture: 1970s and 1980s The fitness resurgence in the 1970s and 80s made exercise a lifestyle choice. Fitness centers, aerobics, and workout videos introduced fitness as a personal endeavor, often tied to aesthetics. As gym memberships and home equipment required disposable income, fitness became increasingly linked to wealth and leisure rather than universal need. The Convenience Era: 1990s to Present With technology becoming central to life, many Americans saw daily physical activity decrease. Fitness shifted to something squeezed into busy schedules, creating an “exercise anxiety” that made working out feel like an obligation rather than a benefit.

Good morning, everyone! I hope you’re all doing well. Quote of the Day: "You can act your way into feeling, long before you can feel your way into action." Put simply, action drives emotion; emotion doesn’t drive action. Yesterday, we discussed the importance of aligning with health and fitness by approaching it as something you embody—not as something you do out of obligation. The first step is recognizing that fitness and health are core elements of daily self-care, just like showering, brushing your teeth, styling your hair, washing your car, or cutting your grass. Some aspects of this routine you’ll love, some you’ll enjoy, and some you’ll do simply because they need to be done. This mindset shift removes the pressure of viewing tracking and exercise as “must-dos” and instead places them in the realm of “who you are.” If you’re someone who always dresses well and takes care of yourself, it becomes second nature. It’s just who you are—or more accurately, who you choose to be. The second step in aligning with health and fitness is understanding that you won’t feel your way into wanting to do it. Let’s be real—how long have you been trying to lose weight and keep it off? How many years or even decades? I don’t ask this to discourage you but to highlight that if we wait for the right feelings to move us into action, years and decades will pass, and we’ll be in the same space and further away from our goals. When I say “let’s work,” I mean let’s take action. Action is the only solution. Faith without works is dead. Consistent action is what creates results and transformation. "I worked out all month, but I didn’t lose weight." So what’s the next step? Stop working out? No. The answer is to take more action. "I tracked my food all week, and I gained a pound." So what’s the plan now? Quit and gain even more weight? Or are you going to adjust and keep going? Think back to school days. Most of us failed a test or quiz at some point, and none of us felt like retaking it. But without continued action, we wouldn’t have learned, improved, or achieved the growth that came from those experiences. The average American reads at a 7th-grade level, and I encourage you to look up this statistic. It was eye-opening for me, but it makes sense. Many children are pushed through school instead of being genuinely challenged and supported. Our early years are when our subconscious learns how to navigate emotions, and if we don’t gain those skills, we inevitably struggle with them as adults.

In life, many people let their moods dictate their actions, reacting impulsively instead of responding thoughtfully. Reacting is driven by impulse; responding is using our ability to analyze and make intentional choices. A solid plan can keep us on track, even when emotions get in the way, making planning essential for achieving personal growth and resilience. Even as we aim to control our emotions, no one is above being affected by them. However, having a clear plan allows us to use those feelings productively rather than letting them derail our progress. For example, when we face challenges, returning to the plan keeps us focused on long-term goals like prosperity and growth. Consider the story of Jesus in the desert, where he resists temptation by returning to his plan, or the character in The Book of Eli, who stays on his path despite distractions. Both show the power of staying grounded in purpose, no matter the obstacles. Planning in Practice: Managing Emotional Eating One area where planning can make a real difference is with emotional eating. If you struggle with this, try planning your meals in advance, making sure all options add up to the same calories. That way, no matter what you feel like eating, you’re still on track. You Have to Want It To truly break free from the grip of emotions, you have to genuinely want change. If you’re constantly finding reasons to skip workouts or avoid food tracking, it’s often because your temporary feelings are in control. When people argue against solutions before trying them, they’re often choosing to stay within their comfort zones, even if it means staying stuck. Using Your Mindset to Drive Success When you desire success deeply, your goals start to fuel you. That same energy that can hold you back—keeping you in bed or avoiding exercise—can be transformed into motivation to push you forward. Set up your environment to support this: lay out gym clothes the night before, plan meals, and visualize yourself achieving your goals.

New week, new opportunities! Let's check in with ourselves! How did last week go for you? Did you accomplish what you set out to, or was there something that felt challenging? Also, take a minute to reflect on one thing you are proud of from last week—maybe sticking to a routine, hitting macros, or getting in extra steps. Finally, what's one thing you want to improve on this week? Writing it down can be powerful! I always tell people in my groups to come with their wins and losses. We don't want to gloss over things we need to improve on or ignore the things we did well. Transparency is key; we are all looking to improve and learn from each other! We are here to support you- drop your answers and any questions/thoughts below! ..... @Alfreda Dulaney @Alicia Fontenot @Alli B @Ana Qunin @Andrea Thompson @Andrew B @Ayomipo Fagbenro @Bri Ross @Brittany Smith @Damien Banks @Dawn Brown @Kate Bradley @Cari Hornikel @Carolina Arcia @Ciara White