There are 2 distinct fears that are embedded in every human that prevent us from making progress.

One of those fears is not FOMO, although sometimes it might feel like it is lol.

If you want to avoid FOMO (fear of missing out), then mark your calendar for Thursday, April 4th.

That is the first day that you'll be able to register for our upcoming Velocity Renewal Challenge, helping Must Ministries.

Simply put, the goal is to collectively lose as much weight as possible through the 21-day challenge to make sure YOU get the results you desire and I donate to Must Ministries. 

Win-win.

The initiative is to raise money for Must Ministries which serves people of all ages in need … transforming lives and communities in response to Christ's call. This includes:

• Senior Food Program - offers a monthly shelf-stable supplemental grocery box with some fresh options along with a rotating selection of household essentials to seniors in need.
   
• Must Mobile Pantry - serving 2.5 million pounds of food to nearly 32,000 of our neighbors in need.
   
• MUST Hope House - provides a safe sanctuary of rest for those who find themselves in distress. Open to men, women, and children, the 136-bed Hope House provides three meals a day and extensive support services

Not to mention healthcare to those in need, job assistance, and more.

As part of this new challenge, you'll also get a brand new science-based training program for all fitness levels, with or without equipment, that you can do anywhere. 

You'll also get a personalized nutrition plan based on your weight loss goals. 

You'll get access to me personally for guidance and support!

You'll get the resources you need like done-for-you templates (and food swaps), sample meal plans, how to make nutrition adjustments, and how to enjoy your favorite foods they HELP you VS HINDER you using science.

There will also be 6 bonuses for anyone that registers on day 1 (April 4th).

The challenge will be a one-time investment of $97 but all subscribers (such as you) will get $10 off, too on the first day (along with the bonuses).

So.. yeah.. no need to have FOMO if you simply put a reminder in your calendar for April 4th and get yourself registered on that day.

Ok, let's talk about the real fears that hold most of us back.

The first fear is not being enough.

And we typically attach that fear to our identity. I'm not photogenic. I'm too old. I'm not talented enough. I'm not smart enough, etc.

The second fear is the one that really hits hard...

The fear of not being loved or lovable.

Typically the 2 fears feed into one another.

Why does this matter and how does it keep us stuck?

Great question.

In my line of work, I see some truly fascinating displays of the human brain.

Things that made me question everything because it was so hard to understand.

More than anything else.. I wanted to make sense of some of the patterns I was witnessing.

People who take the time to submit their info and say, "I'm interested in your program!"...

And then they wouldn't respond to a single email I send them.

People who would reply to one of my emails and say, "I really need help!"...

And then wouldn't respond to a single email back.

People who would have health scares and would be desperate to make a change.

And then would say they couldn't afford it.

People who would say that achieving their goals would mean everything to them AND their family.

And then would say their spouse doesn't support them making this change.

I constantly found myself scratching my head, trying to make sense of the disconnect.

What am I missing?

If you really want to make a change, are you not able to put in the 5 seconds of effort to respond to a text or email?

If you're truly concerned for your health and well-being are you not able to get resourceful and budget for it? Like what if you needed life saving surgery and your out of pocket cost was $3k (which would be WAY over what coaching is).. would you not find a way?

If investing in yourself is really about setting a better example for your kids, did you not explain that to your spouse?

All of these questions I would ponder because it was difficult to comprehend.

Which led me down a rabbit hole that I have yet to leave...

Why do we do the things we do? 

Why do humans act this way? 

Why do we say we want something but our actions tell a completely different story?

Why do we spend so much on everything else EXCEPT our health and well-being?

Slowly but surely, I started to understand.

We value our problems more than we value a solution.

It may seem strange, but it's true.

You see, let's circle back to those 2 predominant fears...

Not being enough and not being lovable.

It's really difficult to face those fears or address them. Most people aren't even aware of those subconscious identities or beliefs so they do 1 of 2 things...

1. They confirm them without knowing it

2. They create an external source of blame so they don't have to face them

The way this presents itself is simple...

If I hold this identity to be true that I'm not enough, then once I start making progress, I'll subconsciously sabotage my efforts to confirm my belief.

This explains why someone might reach out about coaching and then do nothing about it. They checked the box of "reaching out," but they avoid the part of actually DOING so they can confirm their internal beliefs.

The second part is external blame and valuing their problems.

I binge eat, I'm an all or nothing person, I'm 50 lbs overweight, I have no time, I can't stay consistent, nothing works for me, and the list goes on.

These problems are valuable to us. They create a shield and protect us from the internal fears.

Because it's more comforting to point at the problem than it is to face it head on.

"If it weren't for my binge eating, then I'd be able to...."

"If it weren't for this 50 extra lbs, I'd be..."

"If I just stopped my all or nothing thinking, I'd be able to achieve..."

The problem keeps us emotionally invested in staying the same.

Because without the problem, there's no shield around the 2 fears of not being enough and not being lovable.

And that's too scary to face.

Binge eating keeps me safe and comfortable. It's the external source of blame and at least I can put a finger on it. It's known and predictable.

The same reason why people stay in a toxic relationship. They are emotionally invested in the problem.

The solution?

You must value something more than you value the problem.

Which may sound easy but it's actually quite difficult.

For example, let's say you want to improve your health because you want to live longer for your kids and set a better example for them.

You might be thinking.. I value that way more than I value my binge eating or self sabotaging or all or nothing tendencies or the 50 lbs I want to lose.

Except you don't.

Logically, you do. Emotionally, you don't.

And it's the emotion that moves us to action and decision.

We validate and justify with logic. We act and move with emotion.

If you have those 2 fears present and you haven't addressed your identity and you don't believe in your ability to create a better future...

You will continue to value the problem more than the solution.

The identity shift can happen quickly, depending on the person.

The value hierarchy takes a little more work.

They both require looking beyond the problem.

Who are you beyond the problem? What do you value beyond the problem? What is the compelling future that you desire? Can you visualize and emotionally invest in it?

Is there something bigger than yourself that allows you to do the scary thing and tackle the hardest part of the problem?

Did you ever play an instrument growing up? Remember, how there was always that really challenging part of a song that you would stumble through? You'd play really well, trip up in the middle, then just keep going.

Imagine ONLY working on that really difficult part of the song and ignoring everything else. And you only play the full song after you master that really challenging part.

Is this starting to make sense?

Do you see part of the reason why I've attached the challenge to a social cause that everyone can get on board with?

Being of service to others and helping those in need can be part of your new value hierarchy. It can be the thing you need to take one step forward.

It's certainly not the complete process, but it's an important step.

Consider your emotional investment in your current problem. Think beyond your logical brain that says.. I value setting a better example for my kids more than anything else.

That's logic speaking. Emotionally, you are still invested in your problem.

This is part of the human experience.

You may be writing this off and cursing me out, which is good. It's ok to have that reaction.

My job is not to change everyone.

My job is to be a filter for those who are ready and willing to change.

If you're ready and willing, I'll help you transform your whole life.

If you're not ready, that's ok too.

Either way, I hope this gets you thinking...

And I hope this gets you excited about April 4th.

Have a great day,

Coach Mikey