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I was a very heavy young man in my mid to late twenties.
350 pounds to be exact.
I was spiraling out of control when it came to my health because I was too focused on my career.
Well, two careers.
By day, I was an HR recruiter and by night, a comedian.
It didn't really hit me until I was laid off in 2009 because of the financial collapse.
There I lay, in my bed, mind racing, wondering what to do with my life.
Anxiety hit me like a ton of bricks.
I forgot my name once when I was sitting at a red light, peering off at the Tonight Show studio window (with then-host, Jay Leno helming the show) when I saw myself sitting in my truck.
BAM!
I forgot my name. I couldn't remember it. I started trying to think of my wife's name.
Jamie. JAMIE. JAMIE!
I called her, frantically trying to make sense of what was going on.
I was having a mental breakdown.
It was the worst day of my life.
Now, what's this have to do with inspiration?
It's what happened next that made a world of a difference.
My mom got me Weight Watchers.
And this is not a promotional piece for that program.
But it's what kickstarted me toward this life I live today.
Weight Watchers isn't just a diet plan.
It's a shift in mindset.
A mindset to do better.
To not only improve my body but improve my mind. My habits. My way of life.
Shifting habits and altering your daily activities and outlook takes time, patience, consistency, and some courage.
It takes the willingness to change so you can perform your best.
It takes leaning on others for help.
And this is what brings me to you. I want to help.
I want to be a pragmatic voice in your professional (and hopefully personal) life, offering insights to you for maximizing your skills and value offerings.
When my mind is set on losing weight, I can easily avoid donuts and wings (and those are my faves).
Now if I'm hungover, my mind gives in to temptation or is quite frankly taking off the day...so I toss all sense aside and just tell my wife to head to Taco Bell.
Now there are cheat days...but if those days become weeks, now it's a trend. Now it's a habit. Now it's a bad habit.
This is not how you are supposed to live.
It will take willpower to overcome those temptations that fall outside of your gimme days.
But you can do this. You've already put that in motion by picking up a copy of this book. And I thank you for that!
So my goal is that you'll find some help, inspiration, and even tips to kickstart or improve your career.
I once heard that most people get a job, very few get a career, and the lucky ones find a calling.
Let's use this and some other resources out there to get to the latter.
Don't we all want to get paid doing what we love?
Why can't you be that person? Who says you aren't good enough?
I know you can. It just takes one small step. One small task. One small project.
You've got this. Now let's get to some motivation!
