In pursuing peak performance and unwavering resilience, it’s essential to broaden our horizons and seek inspiration where you find it. This week, I’m delving into Dr. Gabrielle Lyon’s new book, “Forever Strong,” which offers a fresh and inspiring perspective on health and aging while aligning seamlessly with many principles of my programs at SEALFITand Unbeatable Mind: Train smart, Train hard, and Train daily. In this blog, I am exploring Dr. Lyon’s insights and groundbreaking wisdom and how they align with the ethos of mastering oneself in service to others.
Mastering Self to Serve Others
Being healthy is not just about how you appear in the mirror; it’s a profound commitment to yourself, your family, and serving others. As I often say, to be Sheepdog Strong, you must first master yourself. Being the master of your health is Dr. Lyon’s mission as she sets out to change the face of our approach to health and healing. She challenges the societal obsession with shedding extra pounds and guides us to shift our focus towards building robust muscle. To be “Forever Strong,” we must align with the core concept of being in prime condition, making no excuses, and focusing on self-care to live a life of purpose and service.
Insight 1: Muscle Over Weight Loss
Dr. Lyon introduces a paradigm shift in a world inundated with diet fads and a constant emphasis on the number on the scale. Her message is clear: “Strength is something you can build, inside and out.” She encourages us to change our approach to health by becoming muscle-centric. Being muscle-centric means focusing on building muscle over losing weight. “Forever Strong” spotlights the muscle, the body’s largest endocrine organ, as the cornerstone of a healthier, more fulfilling life. Building and maintaining muscle is vital to mental health.
Insight 2: A Holistic Approach to Health
This book isn’t just about pumping iron; it’s a comprehensive approach to health that harmonizes nutrition, fitness, and mindset. All the health principles outlined in Dr. Lyon’s work solidify what I have experienced and taught over the decades to become resilient and physically and mentally strong. I appreciate Dr. Lyon’s work as it echoes this sentiment and maps out how to integrate nutrition, live with mental fortitude, and successfully incorporate physical fitness into our daily lives.
Insight 3: Evidence-Based Guidance
As I wrap up my Ph.D. program, I have learned the importance of research to validate a claim and assertion regarding physical and mental health practices. I appreciate that this book is rooted in evidence-based approaches, and am confident that the pathway she maps out will work for anyone regardless of age, position, or location. “Forever Strong” is an unwavering message and a rallying cry to take control of our health, strength, and future.
Embracing Resilience
The fitness and nutrition industries are a quagmire of superficial solutions and fleeting trends. The hard truth is that we must work for it daily with focus and determination to be healthy. “Forever Strong” answers the call of the healthcare crisis we are seeing here in the United States and other parts of the globe. If you love learning and deepening your health and wellness knowledge, I encourage you to check out this book. Remember, we are all in this together, and in times like these, it is apparent that continuing the journey of mastering oneself is worth it. Hooyah!