Carl Daikeler

On September 19, 2012, the first day of Leadership, I opened my hotel room door and there was the USA TODAY newspaper on my doorstep.

The headline on the front page read, “Obesity On The Rise”. This is fitting, I thought. Here we are at a Leadership Retreat to celebrate our successes and improve on our misses, and here’s a story telling me we aren’t reaching enough people.

I picked it up for a closer look and this map blew me away. It actually made me angry.

Nearly 13 states will have obesity rates over 60% by 2030. That’s 18 years. That’s the world a child born today will inherit when they’re only 18. Is this what you want for your kids future, and the future of their kids? I know I don’t.

It got me thinking, How can any of us in this business think that it’s okay that some weeks we invite people and some weeks we don’t?

If we are going to be the leaders, I need you to do more than show up at a retreat, take notes, and learn from other leaders. I need you to do more than share this post or send out a couple of Facebook messages every day.

I need you to wear the badge of leadership like you have been drafted into service with a duty to work harder, because I believe you have been.

In that USA Today article, they say that Tennessee is one of the states in the top five of obesity. That’s a prediction of course, like predicting who’s going to win the Super Bowl in 18 years or who’s going to be President. But, the trends are worth noting. They’re worth noting because trends can change, and if what I’m seeing from some of our leaders who are following the 3 vital behaviors and using their results to inspire others, then I believe this prediction will not come true – especially in Tennessee, thanks to our very own Richard Neal.

I love that video. It’s informative and inspirational. It’s not about Richard, it’s about his story. It’s about what he’s doing, and how that kind of success is available to all of us. Beachbody set up the four pillars of success: fitness, nutrition, peer support and rewards, but only you can bring them to life so they help people. You have to be diligent. You can’t wait for the guy next to you or the woman in front of you to do something. You have to be in control of your time allocation. And I think to some degree, you have to be like me – angry that we are not further along, and committed to do something about it.

Those who were at Leadership have already seen the “Tennessee” video at as part of my closing. You may have followed highlights of my rant on Facebook and Twitter. Although the rant was written for Leadership, the message is universal and if we want to change the course we’re currently on, this message needs to live beyond the Leadership Retreat, beyond this week, beyond the upcoming Holiday season. We can determine what those statistics in 2030 will look like, but we have to take action now. We’ve got the solutions and we need to put them in the hands of people who need them so desperately.

You’re a leader. I know you have a big heart, because you’re in this business with me to help people. You’re capable of being that spark in your town that ignites a revolution, and I need you to want to be that spark. The people of Tennessee need you. Millions of Americans need you. You are a first responder and you have been called into action. Are you ready? I am, so LET’S DO THIS.

—————————

If you want to watch the full closing (it’s about 17 minutes) click here.

Help End The Trend By Sharing This Post!

•