When The Hard Work Is Done

Hard to believe a little over a year ago I was accepted into the McNair Scholars Program, and I set my eyes on graduate school. I had no idea the amount of work in store for me, and more importantly, I did not anticipate the friendships and memories I would make along the way. What is the main point of the program? It is designed to help first generation, low income, and underrepresented students develop the tools and their potential to succeed in obtaining a doctoral degree. I knew this going in, and I was ready to "full court press" and get into graduate school.

At this point, I have done everything I could to get into graduate school. Still a little unsure of which program I will select (Master's in Health Promotion or Doctoral in Exercise Physiology/Space Life), I am confident that I will have the privilege to select my school when decisions are made. Getting to this point was not a walk in the park - I began to work hard right from the beginning knowing that the McNair Scholars Program was going to provide the assistance along the way. I jumped at any opportunity to build my resume and develop connections with faculty. Because of the hard work and persistence I put in, I am in a good position.

The purpose of this post is not just about my journey, but it is advice for current and future scholars and anyone who has goals they want to achieve. When hard work is put in, the rewards can be great.

During the spring, before the intensive summer research institute began, my cohort was working on developing our research proposals. However, I was already thinking further ahead on networking with faculty. Knowing who I wanted to work with at Texas A&M University, I set up contacts and visited the university as well as the neighboring Johnson Space Center over spring break. This opportunity gave me the chance to put a face to my name, learn more about the program, and know if A&M was the right fit for me. You can look at a website for countless hours, but you cannot get the feel of the university until you actually visit. Sadly, I was not able to meet with Dr. Bloomfield, my number one choice for my mentor, but I did not get discouraged.

Here is where the benefits of networking come in! I made a connection with Dr. Smith at the Space Center, and he personally emailed Dr. Bloomfield to tell her to contact me. Over the early summer, we had a phone interview and made our first connection. At the same time, I was putting lots of hours into my summer research and preparing to take the GRE. When summer ended, I found another program I was interested in pursuing in health promotion and built my resume and connections with faculty. To further my credentials, I began a teacher training to become a certified yoga teacher which will be completed at the end of February. When my applications were being completed, I reached out to Dr. Bloomfield again, and having already made an initial contact, she asked to have a Skype interview. The interview was successful and at the end, I was given conditional acceptance and will know the final answer on January 10.

So, this is where I stand now. I have done everything possible to build my credentials and network with faculty. I would not be here without the hard work put in, and although at times I doubted myself, I did not give up when times were rough. I have a decision ahead of me to make, but I know what my gut is telling me - I am just not ready to reveal it yet! Although this post was about my journey in the McNair Scholars Program, it is a testament for reaching any goals that we set for ourselves. Things will not just happen without putting forth the effort.

Visualize Results, Not Possibilities

Dreams. They get to the heart of what defines us and reveal our deepest desires. If we took some time to examine our dreams, we might be guided in our choices. I often think of my dreams: go to graduate school, get a good paying job, get married, have kids, and live in a nice home. Are my dreams really what I want though, or are they mindless pursuits? I never considered this before and decided to take some time to really envision my direction. What good is reaching a goal if it was never part of what your soul really desired?

I escaped to my home in northern Michigan this weekend because I reached an ultimate peak of freakout! With exams, finishing my research paper, and starting the graduate school application process, I was experiencing burnout. I needed time to get away and reflect - being home is the best place for that. I took some time to feel my inner desires and know that I was heading in the right direction by dreaming.

How you get so fly?...

from not being afraid to fall out the sky.

-Jay-Z, "Beach Chair"

I love this quote! By taking chances and not being afraid to dream, we can unlock the deepest musings of our soul. We need to visualize results, not possibilities. Think of possibilities as foreplay - how would you like it if you never got further than that? We need to visualize the end results! And maybe when we do that, we will realize some of our dreams don't feel right, and that is okay. Actually, that is better than okay. That allows us to shift our direction towards what we really want to get out of our journey. 

Once we know our dreams, we need to share them! We often keep them to ourselves, but through sharing them, they will become more real and attainable. I challenge you to ask someone what their big dream is this week. Read on so I can share mine with you.

What are my dreams?

My dream is to operate a business empire to shift our idea of healthcare from treatment based to preventative based by stressing fitness and nutrition.

     ...I want this dream because I want healthy lifestyles easily accessible for people.

My dream is to have a relationship based on love and friendship with my soul mate somewhere out there.

     ...I want this dream because I deserve to find my soul mate.

My dream is to have my own or adopt kids.

     ...I want this dream because I want to have that connection parents have and impact a child's life.

My dream is to travel the world and see different cultures through my own eyes instead of through reading or television.

     ...I want this dream because I believe there is so much to be learned from people who are different from you.

My dream is to fight for equality and fairness, break down stereotypes, and make changes for those who are oppressed.

     ...I want this dream because I know what it is like to belong to a marginalized group and I want to see it changed.

The Past - Not So Relevant

Well, I was going to make my first video post this weekend, but then I got sick, so that wasn't going to be happening. Stay tuned next week for my first video!

Let me introduce myself:

I'm Andrew. and I am a student at Central Michigan University finishing my major in Neuroscience and applying to Master's of Public Health programs. I am geared towards helping people redefine success in their lives by starting with the physical body and working our way inside to find inner peace. I am currently developing my professional "feel," and my challenge is targeting my ideal clients. If you are ready to feel more alive and get rid of unnecessary clutter that is holding you back, let's talk further!

My cocktail line.
My "brand."
My current career challenge.

Not talking about my past.

Let me repeat that - not talking about my past. How often do we get caught up in things that happened yesterday, last month, last year, or even further back? We need to look towards the future and live in the present. The past is only going to bog us down and hold us back from our true potential. However, in order to let the past go, we need to analyze it, so we can understand its hold on us. Then, how about we say goodbye?

Remember, the past is not as relevant as we make it seem. 

What are my three biggest screwups?

1. When I first got to Central Michigan University, I was set on what I wanted to do and signed my neuroscience major without a question in my mind. I never took time to explore what truly made my passion burn and wish I had held off. Going into health fitness/nutrition, I could be taking classes that got me interested.
2. Silence. By silence, I mean not taking a stand for fairness and equal rights. As a part of several marginalized groups, I wish I had not stayed silent for so long. Now, I am becoming more active to help voices be heard and stop oppression.
3. Lacking expression. For too long, I have always felt like I needed to fit into the "normal" group. Screw that! Now, I am open with myself and learning to become more of an individual and let my personal light shine.

What did I learn?

1. I learned that it is okay to change my mind, and most importantly, my major gives me an edge on other applicants because I bring something unique to the table. I like being different.
2. I learned that is never too late to start making a difference, and I have time to make up for all the years that I was quiet.
3. Who cares what other people think? I am who I am, and I love who I am. If others do not, then they are missing out on what I have to offer. 

Can I see a pattern in the lessons I learned?

I think the underlying issue is lack of confidence. With confidence comes the ability to take control, make an impact, and do it while being fabulously expressive!

How did what I learned change the way I approach things?

I approach things with more confidence and a desire for change! I see when other people are facing similar struggles, and I am apt to help them. Its what I want to do with my life. 

Funny, I thought the past was holding me back because that's the perspective I had. However, it shaped me. I am stronger now because of it, and as of today, I am saying goodbye. I hope you can do the same.

Easy Truth

The Burning Questions

The important thing is to never stop questioning.

     One question can begin a chain of questions that can open our hearts and minds to things we may not have noticed before. Session 4 of The Fire Starter Sessions is all about asking the burning questions, and most importantly, being honest with our answers. 

1) When someone at a party asks me what I do, what do I say? And how do I feel when I say it?

     This question can be unsettling to some because we feel like we need to qualify ourselves - we may feel that we underachieving and not where we thought we would be in life. However, we need to own it, take charge, and be real! Forgot about trying to be impressive and be true to yourself. Be interested in your life and people will see that interest in you. Can't we all try to be more genuine?

     When someone asks me what I do, I say that I am a student at Central Michigan University. Right now I am going through the motions finishing my major in Neuroscience, but my passion is health and wellness coaching and helping people redefine success. I am a yogi and a starting beater on the Quidditch Club of Central Michigan. I feel "on fire" when I say this.

2) What do people thank me for most often? What do they come to me for, or say about me, most frequently ("positive" or "negative")?

     People most often thank me for advice and being a positive influence. People look to me for encouragement and know that I will support them when others will not.

3) When do I feel powerful, passionate, free, incredibly useful, excited, inspired?

     When I am playing Quidditch or on the sidelines giving advice and coaching - I feel all of these when I am having my voice heard and can share my talents. Whenever I am practicing yoga or exercising, when I am giving advice, and taking risks, I feel I am in the zone.

4) What do I think my form of genius is? What am I amazing at (work or life related)?

     Coaching, being a good role model, a brother, a friend, and inspiring others to take action.

5) Who do I think is really cool or elegant or powerful?

     We admire people who share our aspirations. I admire Jillian Michaels (her no excuse attitude), Tara Stiles (started a yoga studio in New York City), Danielle Laporte (life coach), and Mastin Kipp (up and coming life coach).

6) What's chronic, repetitive, or inflame in your inner or outer life?

     Not believing I am allowed to follow my own path and constantly comparing myself.

7) What's always in the back of my mind?

     Quidditch - it is not just my love for the sport but the team dynamics and chance to help teammates improve.

8) What would I like to stop doing?

     I want to stop worrying so much, and I want to stop being self-conscious. I want to stop looking for approval and be confident on my own.

9) How much money would I like to be making?

     I would like to make $100k a year to start out.

10) How would I like to be seen, recognized, acknowledged, awarded, praised?

     I don't need big romantic gestures (although, I wouldn't mind), but I just want to feel more needed. 

11) So...what would I like to do with my life and career? Money is no object. Dream.

     I want to travel the world helping people live more holistically through fitness and eating better. I want to have a yoga studio in New York City or on the east coast. I want to share my life with someone. I want to be recognized.

Integrating Body, Mind, and Soul

     Yoga has changed my life, and I continue to deepen my practice every week. I believe in the science of yoga, and I am thankful I can explore this path. 

Recreating the Definition of Success

How do you want to feel?

Let that sink in for a minute or two.

     I am completing session 3 of The Fire Starter Sessions, and that is the key point of this passage. Society has everything backwards; we always have our minds set on goals - getting good grades, achieving my degree, a beautiful home, and someone by my side for life - and have tunnel vision until we reach those goals. However, here is a revolutionary idea: let's decide how we want to feel inside and then produce a goals list to help us achieve those desired feelings. What good is reaching our goals if we get there only to be disappointed because we don't feel happiness. Some of our targets may not give us the satisfaction we first thought they would. 

     Something important to note - desired feelings don't have to be "out there." They can be simple. What is important is that they are true to ourselves. So, we need to get clear on how we want to feel, and then, do whatever is necessary to feel that way. When that happens, we create magnetism with our feelings. When we feel how we desire, it will come easier and attract more of that feeling. Isn't that a great thought? Its okay to want to feel a certain way. We need to take hold of ourselves and stop feeling guilty for desiring to feel a specific way. Then, our focus will be on how circumstances make us feel instead of how they initially appear. 

Feelings first! :)

Stay focused!

Feel good!

Better results!

Simple, right?

How do I want to feel in my life?

• Comfort
• Confident
• Risk-taker
• Passion
• Confrontational
• Expressive
• Present
• True
• Loved
• Approachable
• Important
• Noticed
• Energized
• "On fire"
• Peace

Of these core desired feelings, which five really turn me on?

1. "On fire"
2. Present
3. Expressive
4. Confident
5. Risk-taker

What does "on fire" feel like? Burning passion!

What does present feel like? In the moment!

What does expressive feel like? Confidence expressing my thoughts and feelings!

What does confident feel like? Standing tall!

What does risk-taker feel like? Taking chances - adventurous!

Five things I will do to generate these feelings:

1. Continue to work with Lynn on building my personal philosophy.
2. Deepen my practice of yoga.
3. Finally, talk to my parents about who I am dating.
4. Participate in class discussions.
5. Something adventurous - I'll know when the moment arrives.

Three people to help me feel this way:

1. Lynn - my life coach, "business partner," and friend
2. Amanda - one of my best friends
3. Brian - he allows me to learn more about myself that I've hidden for so long

So, I ask again, how do you want to feel??