Everyone Needs Helps & Support

How do you do it?

I get a lot of questions from a lot of different people on a huge number of topics, and a great deal of it centers around training. But there’s one I get a lot from a different demographic – one that includes fathers – and it really encompasses a variety of aspects of life. It’s “How do you do it?”

My initial response is usually, “Do what?” and it usually moves back to them asking how do I have goals in the gym, show enough willpower to get ripped and lean, all while still being a “normal” human being, father and husband.

I’m NOT normal

First, let’s make one thing clear – I’m definitely not normal. But in relation to this, there are a number of factors in play and each one is extremely important. I have a huge support system at home and that’s absolutely necessary in making all of this – training, magazine covers, running a successful business – possible.

My wife, Rachael, bought into this since day one, which happened to be more than 16 years ago. She knew my vision and she jumped on board. That’s been a major factor in putting this all together. I can honestly say I wouldn’t have been able to do this without her support.

How do you find balance?

I will be the first to admit that I need help in finding the proper balance in my life. In this business, you are constantly trying to build. But that’s not just the fitness industry. In any business, you are trying to grow and it’s easy to fall into the mindset of work, work, work and neglect your family. Believe me, the balance is very tricky and it’s simple to find that border or line and work so much that you cross it.

So how do you find that balance?

Well, there are a couple of things you can do to help you reach your fitness goal or any other ventures you may have: Do them while everyone else is asleep, sleep less and sleep faster.

The “sleep faster” part I especially love and something I got from Arnold. He references the “sleep faster” approach frequently, which means 5-6 hours of sleep is all you need when you are excited about life. That may come as a shock and a daunting challenge to some of you, but I assure it can be done and can make a huge difference in balancing everything when it comes to business, fitness and family.

Believe me, I wouldn’t be on the cover of FitnessRX if I didn’t get up at 3 a.m. everyday, plain and simple. It 100 percent wouldn’t have happened. But since I get up at 3 a.m. – since I sleep faster – I made the time. This 3 a.m. time period is the only time I have the chance to go after my personal goals, whether its powerlifting or fitness. That’s the choice I made and it’s been beneficial in a number of areas.

I may get less sleep, but it allows me to train and reach those goals, which, in turn leads me to have time to run a successful business and still be a dad and husband.

It’s far from easy

Is it easy? Of course not, but anything worth achieving isn’t going to be easy.

The thing that drives me daily is my “Why.” I get up with every intention of living out this statement – I will be the most impactful person in my industry and change generations of Gregory’s for what I achieve in this life.

Simply put, I want to motivate generations that carry the Gregory name down the line, while also helping teach them to do the same wherever their passion may lie. The same ideas can be applied to your life, whether it’s training, business or family. I’ll reinforce the idea that balance and trying to succeed in all three isn’t easy, but it goes back to your “Why.” If it’s a strong “Why” and you have a serious amount of discipline and work ethic to match it, you can continue to reach new levels.

As Eric Thomas said, “Once you want success as bad as you want to breathe, then you will get there.”

Have someone to share it with

It may sound like that only applies in sports, but I want that same mentality to carry over from sports into life. Deliver when the big moments arise and make sure you maintain balance in your life.

I’ve always had big dreams, but they become much more special when you have someone to share them with. I thank my wife and kids for dealing with my craziness and big dreams, but it’s because of them that I get to live those dreams out each day.