Shawn Phillips | Start Strong Monday

My Macbook still feels new and now here comes the new iPad. New! Ya gotta love it.

The latest technology, the hottest fashion, the top new movies and music; we’re all about the “latest greatest.”

Health, fitness and dieting is no different—be it the latest supplement, breakthrough science of performance, or new trends in eating, for life.

Heck, even the most proven and reliable programs, ones that may have changed your life, like Body-for-Life, eventually become “Lather, rinse, repeat.”

[Listen to two audio clips below...]

How do you do it?

When the time comes to make a change, to explore a new approach, how can you choose your next fitness program or “guru” with confidence?

Millions of options. Only one you.

Choosing a new fitness path makes “Vegas odds” look good. It’s overwhelming.

Not only is there a mind-boggling array of options, there’s also a ton of crappy advice being peddled by of people intent on separating you and your money.

How did you choose your last fitness program?

During my decades in fitness I’ve seen people, programs, diets and “revolutionary” training systems come and go. I’ve taken a left when I should have gone right, accelerated when I should have braked, many a time—but its taught me something very valuable—how to identify inspiring wisdom from tiring nonsense.

In a moment I’ll share with you the most foolproof way to avoid being schooled, taken to the bank, robbed blind in broad day light by health and fitness scammers.

You’ll be surprised by how dang simple this is, really; when you know where to look.

No, it’s not the typical “popularity contest” of following what everyone else is doing. That’s never been my style.

The way most people—the huddled masses—choose a fitness, diet or weight loss program is the same way the choose movies and music: Popularity. They make the most common mistake of believing, “if everyone else is doing it, must be good.”

Of course “everyone else” has been getting fat, eating fast-food and shoveling Cheetos in their pie-holes. Did you follow that course too?

Other popular methods include making a “best guess” or leaping at the first shiny program to go by.

You can do better, you can find a “guru” and path with confidence by adhering to this fundamental rule I’ve learned from business world:

Hire for attitude.

Whether it’s a new fitness book, integrated program or custom plan, I treat it like I’m hiring a trainer. I’m not just reading for entertainment, this person is tasked with producing results for me.

It is a hire. Plain and simple.

“Hire for attitude,” is the golden rule of the top leaders in business. It’s what mega-best-selling author Jim Collins, refers to as, “Getting the Right People on the Bus,” in his book, Good to Great.

How this translates to help you find the right fitness programs is: Focus on the person, not the product.

Every program has potentially thousands of unique selling points, each so wonderfully amazing it’s easy to be swept away, caught in the fever pitch of urgency—which can have you making choices you live to regret.

Skillful marketing of fitness products can mesmerize you like a great magician, with you becoming a willing pawn in his game of deception.

But behind every curtain—book, product or program is a person with a story and intention. Want to know if the program is for real? Take a good hard look at the person behind it? Are they for real?

Focus on the person and the card tricks lose their power over you. Look directly past the slight of hand, focus on the person and you’ll see the truth—that which doesn’t change.

This is where it gets a bit tricky.

I’m not talking about whether they have a good profile photo or tell a decent story. You have to dig deeper and question who this person is—you may even use your intuition.

(NOTE: If it’s a mystery program with no person behind the program, run! For example, if it’s the forward to the book begins, “We the good people of Abbott Laboratories…” or something, opt out.

Authenticity and truth come out live and in person strongest.

Admittedly, this is challenging as you can’t meet every “guru” in person but there are other ways: Video and audio can tell you a lot.

When you see authentic passion of a Gary Vaynerchuk you know he’s for real. No one could fake that.

Same goes for The “Guru of Strength,” The Underground Strength Coach, Zach Even-Esh. Nothing but real there.

These are a few Strong examples that can help you find a gauge for authenticity.

Of course, the aggressive marketing slime that is trying to pitch unsuspecting people crap, like the plethora of Acai berry junk supplements, know this too. They have created loads of fake blogs with fake comments and fake people. It’s usually “Mark’s Blog” or some story about Betty-Sue who couldn’t lose weight until. You just have to use your noggin.

Question everything!

You’ve got to be able to spot this silly crap. It’s meant for people less aware and perceptive than you.

Your Authentic Guru Check List
Before signing on for any new program, ask yourself (and try to answer) the following questions:

     • Who is this person?

     • Is this a real person?

     • Why did they make this program?

     • Whom is it for? Do they say?

     • What’s their story?

Profile of a New Guru

There is no perfect training program or diet.

What makes one nearly perfectly effective is your belief. When you believe in the person it drives commitment.

Hence, I look for people I can believe in. Real people, with good intentions, experience and wisdom.

It’s this authentic Strength that I recently found in up-and coming fitness guru, John Romaniello.

I’m bullish on his brand-new program, Final Phase Fat-Loss, not just because it’s an intelligent hybrid of science and cutting-edge techniques but because he’s an interesting hybrid of truth and passion.

I recently had the chance to see him speak and spend a few days hanging with him. John’s a great story with great intention. It’s the sort of authenticity that can only be lived.

You can pull the curtain back on John and what you’ll find is more John—and maybe a bowl of his uncles homemade lasagna with meat sauce.

He’s a man you can trust beyond a shadow of doubt. He’s doing the right thing for the right reasons, he cares and lives his work.

And while his program is not for everyone, like with m book, there’s something for everyone to learn…

“Finding someone you can believe in, strengthens your belief and releasing your potential.”

36 Hours and Counting…

John’s program, Final Phase Fat-Loss, the secret to losing the toughest ten, the last ten, is in pre-release at this moment.

That means it’s available now, only to a limited number of people, the friends network.

For the next 36 hours Final Phase Fat Loss is available at 52% OFF it’s list price. With the vast body of information that comes with this system, that’s practically FREE! Amazing deal.

Click here to check it out while it’s on sale.Act now if you’re interested in John’s “guru” wisdom.

Until Next Week,

Stay Strong,

Shawn
Follow Me: /Twitter/shawn_phillips

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Meet The Author, Shawn

Known as "The Fitness Philosopher," for his deep, clear approach to the cutting through the fitness conundrum, Shawn is a 20+ year veteran in the field of Lifestyle Fitness and Peak Performance. Author of several best-selling book, with one of the most photographed physiques in history, Shawn, with his brother, Bill Phillips (Body for LIFE) catapulted EAS sports nutrition into the world leader and Muscle Media magazine and the documentary movie, Body of Work. He created the first computerized training system in PowerBuilding and the popular Variable Split System for Muscle Mass. Now, in his 40's, a husband and father of two young children, Shawn is passionate about helping busy, high-achieving "men in the middle" enjoy vibrant, energized, amazing, Full Strength lives! He has recently created the World’s 1st and only true premium nutrition shake for men, Full Strength — clinically proven to build muscle, burn fat and boost energy. His most recent book, Strength for LIFE is the "how to" guide to a Lifestyle of Fitness Freedom.