Fit Family Foundations

My wife of 16 years, Shelly Fernandes , prefers to remain behind the scenes. That's a role she knows how to perform very well, and the main reason why our family lives the life we do. But for one time only (maybe, maybe not), she joined me on the mic to talk about life's ups and downs, and why every second of it has shaped us into the couple we are and built the family we have, on a special Valent...

Yours truly recently underwent character assessment testing through CoreFive Analytics, a data-driven consultancy that provides character assessment and development services to world-class athletes, among other elite-level performers, across western Canada. Of course, no one will ever mistake me for an elite athlete, but that hasn't stopped me from consistently working on developing the most elite...

When it's time to make life happen, we have a habit of being our own worst enemies. We dissect every possible negative scenario that could happen, to the point where we're paralyzed by fear and talk ourselves out of it. I have been guilty of that for a long time, most recently over the past 4 months as I have designed my latest project - the Fit Family Foundations membership program. But all chang...

Amanda O'Mara is proudly rebuilding - her life, business and dream home - after one of the most devastating wildfires Colorado has ever seen. It has taken every ounce of mental, emotional and physical strength to reclaim what that disaster stole - and at times giving up was an option. But Amanda, founder and owner of Impact Coach Academy, has taught many fitness professionals - yours truly among t...

The word " adulting " gets tossed around a lot these days, and I'll bet it means something different to everyone. For far too long, I thought it meant getting a good job, making good money, paying the bills and raising a family. But being adults doesn't mean we should stop acting like kids - doing the things we love, finding new things to be passionate about...simply living our best life. ENJOY!

Suky Sodhi has her finger on the pulse of what it means to be in the “people business," a product of an ultra-successful career in the staffing industry that spans more than a quarter century and 18 countries, and has helped her not only survive - but THRIVE - throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. She has overcome numerous recession cycles, with her response to the ongoing pandemic being a shining exa...

As an award-winning leader in the field of Behavioral Medicine and Medical Psychology, Dr. Mark Hogue has helped physically gifted athletes and performers intentionally develop the inner character that separates good from great, and great from elite. Yet, the impactful work he has done throughout a career that spans nearly 50 years applies to anyone focused on building the best version of themselv...

The past year has been exciting, eventful, surprising, overwhelming, intimidating -- and at times, more than I thought I could handle. Still, 2021 was everything I and my family needed it to be, and it has set us up for an exciting 2022. Tune it as I look back at the year that was, and why it has prepared us for what lies ahead. ENJOY!!!!

Families disagree. Families fight. Families reconcile. It's all part of the growth process that can pull families apart and bring them back together - stronger than ever. My family is no different. My stepson, Nicholas Helias, and I endured our share of struggles for years. But it took being hundreds of miles apart for four years for us to work on ourselves, regain perspective on our lives and reu...

Marc "The Fitness Ninja" Zalmanoff has turned three simple yet profound words — Make Good Choices — into a worldwide movement. So I highly recommend you make a good choice and listen to what this ultra-successful business owner, entrepreneur, coach, best-selling author and podcast host says about his lifelong passion "to leave people better" — and the story behind the path he has taken to make it...

From "eating clean" to spot burning belly fat, it's time to separate fact from fiction so people can stop scratching their heads as to why they're not making gains or getting healthier. And of course, you know I'll have an amusing story to ramble on about to go with dropping some knowledge on you...because that's what I do. You just may not want to eat - clean or otherwise - before listening to it...

Black Friday means something completely different for overly diet-conscious people who indulged — and in their minds, badly overindulged — on tasty foods and refreshing beverages during Thanksgiving dinner last week. My response to those people... So what? And at the risk of sounding blasé and uncaring, I shared why we can fully enjoy a holiday meal without feeling like we have careened off course...

After having guests from Texas and the Canadian province of British Columbia on previous episodes, I didn’t have to look far at all to find my latest guest. Bryan Pugner has helped so many people over the years, including here on the Lower Shore of Maryland as the Lead Pastor of Coastal Community Church in Berlin, MD, which happens to be less than a 5-minute drive from my home. And he's done it by...

Kevin Tang is many things in life — an adoring, supportive father to his 8-year-old daughter, Keira; an analyst from Vancouver, British Columbia, with a busy work schedule; passionate musician who plays a mean trombone, late bloomer in the fitness world who's now an aspiring bodybuilder and fitness coach. And like all of us, he's a work in progress. Kevin shares his intriguing story, the life-shap...

I turned 50 years old last week, which of course brought out the countless questions from family and friends about whether I suddenly feel different. If anything, reaching the half century mark has further solidified what I have thought about for several years. I will NEVER retire. I've seen what can happen when retirement doesn't unfold the way you expected. On this episode, I share the personal...

I'm proud to call Jonathan Lautermilch my coach, mentor and friend. But there are so many other sides to him too - owner and founder of Smart Shark, co-owner and co-founder of Fit Pro Collective, a 13-year veteran of the fitness industry, best-selling author of 2 books (soon to be 3), co-host of the "Real Talk with Real Fit Pros Podcast" and Renee's loving husband. And of course, He's the man who...

IT'S STORY TIME!!!! Yes, I have a story that will amuse you...and teach you an invaluable lesson headlined by the old saying, "Actions speak louder than words." You're either serious about transforming your life...or the thought of transforming your life simply sounds good to you and nothing more. Either way, your actions (or lack thereof) speak louder than words, and paint a very clear picture of...

Life during the pandemic has changed our lives forever. But have we made changes that allow us to live our best lives? In this episode, I share how the past year and a half left me with no excuses and a golden opportunity to go from unemployed to business owner. It's been risky. It's been scary. It's had its share of ups and downs. But I wouldn't change a second of the path I have followed, and th...