39: Jen Widerstrom – Discovering Strength

October 18, 2020December 30, 2022 / Scott McGee / Leave a comment

Jen Widerstrom’s resume will tell you that she is a celebrity fitness trainer, Coach on the NBC show The Biggest Loser, former American Gladiator, model, best selling author of the book Diet Right for Your Personality Type, entrepreneur, and Fitness Director for Shape Magazine. But as we know on this show, sometimes: “Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; and everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted.”

If there is anything in her bio that stands out and shows her heart, it is that Jen was rated the nations most authentic trainer. To me, she is a girl from Illinois trying to help others to embrace their true selves while pursuing a lifestyle that better suits their wellness goals. In this process she herself is repeatedly growing, learning, and healing. You see folks, we are all humans, going in and out of our own suffering, its just that some of us have learned to use those obstacles as opportunities. The strongest have learned to use compassion to bring others up in the process. What we do with our pain and our love defines our character, and Jen continues to prove she is not only a gladiator, but she is an unconquerable soul.

I hope you enjoy the insight, humanity, and compassion in this episode. It will raise your awareness in the power of service and dedication to helping others become strong, from the inside out.

With gratitude,

Scott

Social Media: @JenWiderstom @ScottMcGee @TheSisuWay

Websites: Widerstrong.com TheSisuWay.com

36: The Character Mile – Movement is a Gift

January 7, 2020January 7, 2020 / Scott McGee / Leave a comment

This episode is about The Character Mile and the reminder that Movement is a Gift, Health is Wealth, the Present is a Present, and that we have the freedom and opportunity to choose not only strength, but gratitude. Our paths are unique, but the courage, resilience, and willpower to overcome is universal. For those that don’t know, The Character Mile was a challenge to complete one mile every day during the month of December. One mile might not not seem like much for some, but that’s not what it was about. It was about character, consistency, commitment, and a celebration. The health we have, the ability to move, our senses, our will to move forward on our path – is all a gift. There are no ordinary moments.

This episode is dedicated to the community of people across more than 14 countries that not only participated in it The Character Mile, but found connections, awakenings, and appreciation for what they GET TO do. In the episode I read some of the comments and emails I have received as well as play some of the audio messages from our own character community that participated in this challenge. You see, it was never just about the running, the time, or how you completed it, it was an expression of character and gratitude. Gratitude isn’t just the best attitude, its a super power… greater than any negative.

Every difficulty in life presents us with an opportunity to turn inward and to invoke our own submerged inner resources. The trials we endure can and should introduce us to our strengths. -Epictetus

Thank you for listening, participating, and revealing your character!

Humbly, Scott McGee

P.S. I hope you don’t forget to celebrate and get yourself and a loved one the MOVEMENT IS A GIFT shirt. It is under the store tab on TheSisuWay.com

Social Media: @1scottmcgee @TheSisuWay

Website: TheSisuWay.com

Email: TheSisuWay@gmail.com

Phone: (470) Sisu-Way

21: Andy Petranek – Stepping Up through a Beginner’s Mind

September 9, 2018December 30, 2022 / Scott McGee / Leave a comment

“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, in the expert’s mind there are few.” — Zen Master Shunryu Suzuki

Andy Petranek couples curiosity and enthusiasm and applies it to learn new perspectives for a better way. He is an early adopter, coach, athlete, entrepreneur, family man, and a life-explorer who travels with a sense of humor. He loves to work on developing and improving himself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, but more importantly he strives to help others do the same. He lives his life based on the words of his grandfather, “Never stop learning. Never stop growing.”

I open the show with a lesson on Shoshin. Shoshin is a word from Zen Buddhism meaning “beginner’s mind.” It refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a subject, even when studying at an advanced level, just as a beginner would.

What is most fascinating about Andy is his curious mind and his ability to choose strength. These themes are evident when we take a step back and observe from a different perspective. From this framework, we take a look at some of the events that have lead Andy to become the father that he is and his ability to change lives for the better across the world through The Whole Life Challenge.

Strength is a Choice,

Scott

Show Notes:

2:20 Shoshin – Lesson in a Beginners Mind.

6:10 Spoon Challenge – See it for the first time with a curious mind.

11:20 Perspective Chair Challenge

13:30 Opening question on purpose and emotion

17:25 85 year-old self Challenge

21:00 Musical background and the life bowling analogy

29:10 Trumpet player to Marine – What was he looking for?

34:20 Outdoor Eco Challenge races – Lost for 36 hours, learning, and pushing himself

“Trust your compass”

52:40 Learning a new skill like unicycling.

56:15 The 10-Minute training to overcome weaknesses.

1:04:10 Back Tucks and what you can learn about life through them.

1:07:48 CrossFit History

1:15:13 How do I have a better impact on the wellness of my clients? Beginning of The Whole Life Challenge

1:22:11 “Its the transformation of humans. Its working on virtues. Its developing peoples courage and commitment and testing their resolve. Being in the game of life, rather than thinking of winning or losing.”

You have the power to change your life for the better.

1:26:00 We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence therefore is not an act, it’s a habit.

Virtues are formed in a man by doing the right actions.

1:27:28 The 7 Daily Habits

1:33:30 Awaken with Gratitude

1:37:20 Fatherhood, post-it notes

1:44:55 Lessons learned from The Andy Petranek Podcast

“You’re taking curiosity, enthusiasm and applying to people to learn new perspectives for a better way.”

1:54:25 Stepping Up – Newsletter

2:04:20 Fitness – Movement is a Gift

Links and Social Media:

AndyPetranek.com WholeLifeChallenge.com TheSisuWay.com