March 31, 2007

Augie's Quest

I'm here in San Fransisco this weekend at the IHRSA show - International Health, Racquet and Sports-club Association. Going to a fitness convention is so fun and energizing. Everyone is wearing bright colors, great music pumping through the expo hall, and everyone has a smile and is jazzed up about health. Last night was the annual benefit for fighting ALS disease and honoring a man who has been a father to the fitness industry. This evening brings in over 1.5 million dollars for ALS research. The gentleman who invented the Life-cycle, Augie Nieto, was diagnosed several years ago with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and has made it his quest to fund research to find a cure. The evening is always so touching and empowering to see this man be so courageous and bring together the powerhouses in the fitness industry to raise dollars for research.

Last night, Mich Albom, author of Tuesdays With Morrie, was the keynote speaker. He basically retold the story of the book in which he spent Tuesdays with his old college professor who was dying of ALS disease. The book is a sad and very heart warming story unveiling what life to truly about. But to hear Mitch tell the story himself was unforgettable. The one message that will stay with me forever was this: When Morrie was dying he still asked questions to all his friends and visitors about themselves. Mitch said to Morrie in so many words...."If ever a person has a right to be selfish, it's your turn Morrie. You've earned the right to say -Let's not talk about you, let's talk about me." Morrie answered, "But when you listen to others and help them, you are giving and GIVING IS LIVING". When you are giving to others, you feel alive and energized. When you are always taking from others, life doesn't feel as good. Isn't that the truth - Health and fitness is about LIVING! Instead of taking every day - give of yourself to others and your energy level goes right up. I know that's part of the reason I love my job. Everyday, I am filling my personal bucket by helping others and it fuels me to keep striving for more.

The evening was as always-emotionally charged. Augie and his wife are completely brave in their quest to find a cure for ALS - their positive attitude as Augie is suffering is absolutely something that moves me each year. I hope that you can start giving more and taking less. Of course - taking care of yourself is imperative for you to be a good giver. I just had to share this....if you haven't yet, please read Tuesdays with Morrie. It sums up what life is about and it brings to you a place of giving - Health is both mental and physical and as I walked the aisles of the expo and saw all the fit people working out on the machines - I get the physical. But last night at "Augie's Quest", I saw, heard, and felt the metal side of health.

http://chrisfreytag.prevention.com/2007/03/ihrsa.html