Mom Does Know Best:)

Here is a really nice note from Sarah's (004) Mom.  I appreciate the kind words.  I enjoyed meeting and training with you and Mike while you were visiting.  You just let me know the next time you'll be back...I'd welcome the opportunity to roll more ropes with you guys. 

Josh

From Sarah's Mom:

As I was flying back to Texas a couple of weeks ago I was thinking about the time I’d spent with my daughter, Agent 004.   Of course, we talked non-stop for the 10 days I was there.  That’s what you do when you live 900 miles apart. 

But often the conversation would turn to Josh and what he said, the training move that she had learned, the nutrition information, his inspiration, blah, blah, blah.  This new man in her life, I have to say, left me a little concerned.  Why was this who she always brought into the conversation?  Who was this mysterious man?

But she arranged for her dad and me to work out with Josh when we came for this visit.   My thoughts were this.  We are in pretty good shape for 61 and 62.  Two years ago, when I retired, I made our health my new hobby.  We eat “plant strong” (vegan and no added fats) plus Mike is a long distance runner, lifts weights and practices yoga.  I cycle, work out with weights and get in some cardio at the gym on a regular basis.  So I was not nervous about this workout at all.  I have used a Bosu ball before – but not like this for goodness sake!  And those monster ropes – gimme a break!  I was so sore the next day.  But it is not just the workouts. 

Josh truly cares about his clients.  He does everything he can to make them successful.  He is a nag and a motivator.  And WOW is that important for my daughter.  You see she too was an athlete.   But 15 years later she needs a new approach to nutrition and exercise and I am convinced Josh is it.  She can tell you all you need to know about how many calories are in that brownie, how many fat grams and how much exercise you have to do to negate that.  But she has not been able to use that information to improve her own health.  But now with Josh’s help she is using the knowledge she has. 

I saw a huge improvement in her conditioning and just overall lifestyle on this trip.  After two bouts with gestational diabetes I have hope that this pregnancy will be better.  She’s had a recent set back with a back injury.  But I am positive that once she is not afraid to injure it again, she will be back in the gym with Josh throwing those darn monster ropes a lot farther than I can.   Now I understand why Josh is what she talks about all the time.  He is just what the doctor ordered at this time in her life.  I just wish that we lived closer so I could work out with Josh too.    

Karen

We did it...unbeknownst to me...Olaf may just be race ready

In less than 2 months, I have become an abundantly wealthy man.  Not in the monetary sense, I still live paycheck to paycheck:)  No, I mean I have gained a wealth of knowledge with regard to nutrition and exercise.  And, my spirit feels refreshed.

Two and a half weeks ago, I was already noticing these changes in my life. I realized how much I had already learned and decided I needed to give back what was so freely given to me.  So, I began volunteering at Rock Steady Boxing on Wednesday evenings and Thursday mornings.  Although,  I have only been doing it for two weeks, I feel I have learned even more about attitude, perseverance, dedication and acceptance (Rock Steady is the not-for profit working with those affected by Parkinson's)  I learned a valuable lesson last week while volunteering.  I had been collecting mats from people in between exercises and a gentleman by the name of Ron told me "he was there to workout and could put it away himeself".  It was at that point, that I realized I needed to treat these individuals just as I would anyone with Parkinson's or not.

Next weekend, I along with the other Agents (and families) will be running in the Komen Race for The Cure.  Josh encouraged me to sign up for the 5K run, which I did.  However, the last time I might have even run a 5K was in high school.  After our BOSU class this morning, Josh asked if I wanted to go for a 30-minute run with him outside...I begrudgingly said yes.  He did mention we would take a very easy pace.  Amidst strong winds and a less than ideal attitude, I pushed forth.  It didn't help to have Josh running backwards facing me and singing the Rocky theme song...if I had any extra energy I may have choked him!  But, I stayed focused and kept running.  When there was about 10-minutes left, Josh continually urged me to keep pace...for some reason he desperately wanted me to make it back to the start in 30-minutes total.  When we crossed the final street and where about back to the final straight, Josh said I had 10-seconds to get back to my car.  So, giving it all I had,  I pushed out one final sprint.  At that exact moment I finished and was gasping for air (yes - in 30-minutes).  Josh informed me that I had just completed my first 5K since high school.  Oh, by the way....just prior to the run, I held an elbow plank for a full 5-minutes and 3 seconds...something Josh said he has never even attempted.  I'll bet he does now...

Since joining this movement of change, I along with the other agents finally have a chance to give back to Josh too.  Since he went all Vegan on us...he has lost a bit of weight.  No doubt that he will overcome this hurdle just as any that have been thrown in front of him...but it's kind of nice and fun to push back all of the things he tells us constantly.  The messages he has instilled in us, have become second nature already.  Eat right, get rest, drink water, breathe...As he once again makes a "change" (this time to his own grueling training/nutrition program), we will be right there with him.  So, what can you do...send cookies of course, just make sure that they are Vegan, he'll probably have them analyzed:)

P.S. - It has been a full month (and one day actually) since I smoked my last cigarette!

Olaf - 005

Hard Work Pay's Off for 003

A couple weeks ago, Erin (003) and I embarked on a total "overhaul" of sorts.  Training changed.  Nutrition changed.

We agreed that we would go all in, and following we would evaluate how she felt, where she'd progressed and what still challenged her.  In true agent form, she embraced it all.  She became vegan, and loves how she feels from it.  She trained hard for 14 out of 16 days.  (one on one sessions, classes, running and more).

Erin approached the overhaul with intent, she worked hard, she focused.  So, what does she have to say about it all?  Read on.

P.S.  This morning Erin was training with me (one of my personal workouts) and was really over the top.  Of the many different elements I integrate into my programs, one I bring back now and again is the old school push up with a 45 plate on my back.  Erin decided she wanted to try doing some of these with weight as well.  She did her first set with 10lb's, her second with 25lb's and her third she asked if she could try the 45...which is what I use.  I told her to go for 5 reps, I'd pull it and do another 5 no weight.  Again, she showed me!  Did all 5, then proceeded to do another 10 or 12.  Some might have been embarrassed, but not me...proud of her determination and progress is what I felt.

Great work 003!

Josh

Things have been challenging with me lately, mostly because I have not
been sleeping well. I am stressed at work, so I tend to watch the clock
and think. Before I know it, it's five hours until it's time for me to
get up at 4:45am for my workouts!

The other morning, however, I was rested and made it to the gym around
5am to meet Josh. Before he arrived, I completed about 12 to 13 minutes
of a decent abdominal routine and prepared to work back and biceps with
Josh. This was my first time pushing some weight in the gym in at least
four weeks! I've been using my own body weight with the TRX and the BOSU
for so long that I wasn't sure how I would do. WELL, WELL, imagine my
surprise when I was pushing the same amount as Josh on a few machines!
The TRX and BOSU have clearly worked a lot better than I thought they
had. I was definitely stronger than I had been six weeks+ before. Now,
in all honesty I need to mention that I have been so sore the past two
days (the good kind of sore that makes you hunger for more gym time), so
I know that my body is adjusting to the free weights again.

I have a workout with Josh in the morning and I am excited to push my
body to the limits. My biggest challenges now are 1. Getting more sleep!
I have to start leaving work where it belongs---(at work!)--and allowing
my mind to shut down for a few hours and 2. Focusing on more cardio so
that I can really give the Komen race my greatest effort.

I am excited about what the Spring holds. Greater core strength and
balance, a better cardio routine, a continual effort to eat clean, and
maybe a better night's rest A LOT more often.

--003

Visionary, Pioneer & Friend - Agent 117

One of the most fulfilling aspects of having created the BOSU® Balance Trainer is hearing success stories. Josh Neimark certainly has a remarkable success story.

Today, Josh is a new man. I never knew the “old” Josh, but I’ve seen pictures. I became friends with Josh after hearing his remarkable success/survival story which happened to include a healthy dose of exercising with the BOSU® Balance Trainer. In brief, diet & lifestyle had caught up with Josh and put him behind a major eight ball. With a grapefruit sized tumor in his chest and his body going into toxic shock frequently and uncontrollably, Josh sought out the best conventional medicine has to offer in the Mayo Clinic. He exhausted the expertise of doctor’s and conventional medicine to no avail and the prognosis was to keep trying more medicine and more tests. So what did he do? Josh made up his mind to get well.

It was the middle of winter when Josh dusted off his old bicycle, pumped up the tires, and went out for a ride. This was his first step and each day Josh kept going. About a month later, he discovered the BOSU® Balance Trainer. It quickly became one of Josh’s favorite tools and he never lost his commitment to fitness and health.

More than 80lbs. lighter, tumor gone, and looking and feeling great – Josh is a new man like I said.

Now he is on a mission to help others CHANGE. He’s created a web based platform called Yootrain.com to help fitness professionals interact more productively with their clients, as well as helping more clients than they otherwise could without the leverage of the Internet.

I’ve taught Josh a lot about BOSU Fitness since we met. He came out to San Diego and did some intensive training days with me. Now Josh is teaching others about BOSU as well as inspiring them to Change.

Look for a lot more to come!

Be the Change you wish to see. - Ghandi

David Weck
Agent 117
Inventor of the BOSU Balance Trainer, among a number of other ground breaking products.

David's life work and commitment to individual wellness has played a big role in my own achievements and growth. His products and teachings have allowed me (and countless others around the world) to truly change my physical and movement capabilities. I have learned a great deal from David and continue to do so. His ongoing research and exploration continue to drive new and innovative training methodologies, and from knowing David...the new ideas, refinements and practices are not likely to ever stop coming. If you would like to learn more about the BOSU Balance Trainer, David, Rolling Ropes or other products/training, please click on the link below. Absolutely Agent approved!

Josh

www.bosufitness.com

Raw Emotion

It isn't often that I am lacking for words, just ask anyone who knows me. However, a recent experience which filled my mind with things to say, also left me contemplating so much. So, I thought it best to let it all settle in before sharing with you.

I never thought that I would hear an individual say the following, "Parkinson's Disease is the best thing that has ever happened to me". To hear that spoken by not one, but 4 people, all independent of each other, left me simply dumbfounded.

Kristy (Agent 002) had asked if I would attend a training session at her not-for-profit, Rock Steady Boxing. She had asked that I share my story with the group, as well as demonstrate the BOSU Balance Trainer, which we would then incorporate into the training circuits that day...

(Rock Steady Boxing Foundation was founded to give people with Parkinson's disease hope by improving quality of life using boxing for fitness).

Upon arriving to their gym, I was surprised by not only the sheer number of individuals there, but also their age range. As young as 40's to well into their 80's (the photo in this post is of an 86 year old...who by the way you don't want to mess with...she even has her own pair of pink boxing gloves:)

I was introduced to the group, and shared my own story. Following, it was time to begin training. Like a warrior calling for the fight to begin, Kristy yelled out "Are you Ready...To Rock Steady"! The music went on (and loud), bodies started moving through various stations and the energy in that gym was incredible. I was stationed up in the boxing ring with a BOSU. I would guess that none of the participants had ever seen one, let alone step onto one. I had the opportunity to work with each and every one of them, doing a series of squats, step up/step backs and simply balancing atop the dome. As you can imagine, this would be quite a challenge for many of this group...and not one of them complained, was hesitant or gave up...ever.

Throughout the workout, many of these people told me how inspiring my story was to them. About 30-minutes in, considering what I was witnessing, I was struck with the most raw emotion I could possibly feel. There I was, holding the trembling hands and sweat soaked bodies of some of the strongest people I have ever seen.

I watched their eyes, their bodies and their energy. These people don't say words like "I can't" or "I won't". Those have clearly been stricken from their vocabulary. Perhaps we should all strike them from our own.

When I saw Susie that evening, I couldn't even begin to paint the picture of what I had experienced that morning. Let alone, try to explain how some of these people felt lucky to have Parkinson's. As I learned from them, some had been terribly introverted all their lives, until they had to get up and fight...in turn becoming advocates for themselves and others. Some had never experienced physical training, and found themselves in exceptional shape today. For others it was simply the fact that they were part of a group, a movement, a fight.

These are true warriors. True Agents of Change.

If words like "can't" or "won't" even enter my mind, I will simply reflect on what I saw that day at Rock Steady. I suspect those words will run out of my head pretty quickly.

If you would like to see some photos of these amazing individuals in a slide show, click HERE.

If Rock Steady and the group will have me back...I will be there to help teach...and perhaps more importantly...to be taught.

For more information on Rock Steady, visit www.rocksteadyboxing.org or on Facebook by clicking the included link.

Josh