Simple doesn’t mean the task is easy, because it isn’t. However difficult, it doesn’t need to be complex. If I want to escape being trapped by my own problems, I must look beyond myself. While working a twelve-step program, I learned the best way to overcome self-pity is by helping others in need. By helping others, I am reminded that I may not have it as bad as I thought and that life isn’t all about me. We are all dealing with something difficult in our lives, and we can all use the support of a friend — especially one who isn’t looking for anything in return.

By stepping away from my own problems, I learn that they are in fact temporary and that I am only a victim to my circumstances if I allow them to consume me. Taking selfless action is the key to freedom, and what may appear selfless is truly the best thing we can do for ourselves — go figure. Matters that require my attention do not go away when I choose to focus on someone else’s situation, but my feelings of hopelessness and self-pity fade away. My confidence and sense of hope for the future are rejuvenated, however, and I am able to face life with a courageous attitude. Taking a step back allows us to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Action is often necessary in my own life, and damage caused may need repair. Creating space allows God to step in, strengthening us to move forward.

The challenges we face are meant to be obstacles, but they don’t have to be detrimental to our future success. On the contrary, these experiences can be the fuel that propels us toward acts of selflessness and courage — progress in spite of pain. The choice is ours: to use our struggles as a springboard to helping others and pressing onward, or to fall victim to the self-destructive beliefs of self-pity and self-absorption.

Choose to help others, rather than to be lost in self.

WORKOUT OF THE WEEK

From Juan Martinez, Owner/Trainer at WTS:

As a strength and conditioning coach, I believe in the power of movement for physical health and mental well-being. Regular strength training can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and help manage stress.

Workout : Core Crusher – Strengthen Your Midsection

Focus: Build core strength for better lifts and overall athleticism.

• Hanging Leg Raises – 10 reps
• Weighted Russian Twists – 15 reps/side
• Plank to Shoulder Taps – 20 reps
• Bicycle Crunches – 30 seconds
• Rest 45 seconds, repeat for 3-5 rounds

💥Want expert coaching to maximize your results? Book a free consultation today!

🚀 Get access to exclusive programming! Schedule a chat with an expert

The post A SIMPLE WAY TO HEAL appeared first on Elevated Lifestyle Academy.

I was convinced that my habits of self-medication were the only way to find comfort from the trouble I felt in my spirit and in my mind. I could never find peace, but I found relief from alcohol, methamphetamine, and pills. I was scared to let go of them and try to live sober. I didn’t want to lose my ways of escaping reality. I NEEDED IT.

Little did I know, the end of my madness would be the beginning of the life God had for me. The thing I was most afraid of was actually the greatest blessing of my life. So often, we hold onto jobs, relationships, and other situations because we think we need to fix them or figure out how to make them work. In reality, some things need to end in order for God to begin a work in our lives or to carry us into the next season of blessings. When we hold on to something that needs to end, we prevent ourselves from entering God’s blessing on our lives.

It is easy to fear the unknown, and it is natural to hold on to what is comfortable. But I have learned that faith is always required to step into new blessings, and growth is never found inside the comfort zone. The old season must end before the new season can  begin.

Have a great week,

Neal

WORKOUT OF THE WEEK

From Juan Martinez, Owner/Trainer at WTS:

As a strength and conditioning coach, I believe in the power of movement for physical health and mental well-being. Regular strength training can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and help manage stress.

Workout : Full-Body Power – Strength & Conditioning Circuit

Focus: Build strength and endurance with a full-body circuit.

• Deadlifts – 5 reps
• Push Press – 8 reps
• Goblet Squats – 10 reps
• Pull-ups – 5-10 reps (modify as needed)
• Rest 180 seconds, and repeat for 4 rounds

💥Want expert coaching to maximize your results? Book a free consultation today!

🚀 Get access to exclusive programming! Schedule a chat with an expert

The post THE END IS THE BEGINNING appeared first on Elevated Lifestyle Academy.

You must be willing to make yourself available—for something new, for transformation, and for the unknown. If we do not step outside of what we know and what is comfortable to us, we will never experience the miracles that are waiting for us on the other side. I urge you to try something new and to make space for others to pour into your life. Stop doing the things that keep you in the place from which you hope to be delivered. If we do not make space for light to come into our lives, it is unlikely that we will escape the darkness.

You must apply yourself and give your best effort. We cannot give up when things get difficult—and that is what so many of us do as we attempt large transformations. We cannot be surprised when (not if) we face resistance—we must press on. If you do not give your all, especially in the face of adversity, you cannot say you gave it your best effort.

Be grateful. Without gratitude, I fail to recognize the opportunities in front of me. Without gratitude, I forget about the grace and mercy God has shown me and the blessings He has bestowed upon my life. I am grateful for the challenges I have faced in the past, and I am grateful for the opportunity God has given me to live a different way. I am grateful to see the truth about who I am, what God has for me, and what He can do for you too.

We are meant for more. 

Have a great week,

Neal

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,”

Ephesians 3:20 NIV

WORKOUT OF THE WEEK

From Juan Martinez, Owner/Trainer at WTS:

As a strength and conditioning coach, I believe in the power of movement for physical health and mental well-being. Regular strength training can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and help manage stress.

Workout: Strength in Simplicity – Back to Basics

Focus: Master basic, powerful movements to build long-term strength.

• Bodyweight Squats – 4 sets of 12 reps
• Push-ups – 4 sets of 10-12 reps
• Dumbbell Rows – 4 sets of 10 reps per arm
• Plank – 4 sets of 30 seconds
• Glute Bridge – 3 sets of 15 reps

Start simple, but stay consistent!

🚀 Get access to exclusive programming! Schedule a chat with an expert

The post YOU WERE MEANT FOR MORE appeared first on Elevated Lifestyle Academy.

As I reflect back on this time of year, thirteen years ago, I remember the first time I made a sincere attempt to give my life over to God. I had been baptized and I had tried sobriety and recovery before, but I had never tried living without being in the driver’s seat. I was always on the fence, and always behind the wheel. It was my way, with a few suggestions and some subtle changes. I could never fully surrender to a process of lasting change.

I was convinced that I was incapable and unfixable, and I was halfway correct. I was incapable of doing this on my own. What was required of me was my willingness to let God in and to take my life over. That required faith, but I didn’t have much faith, because I was still wrestling with the existence of God. I certainly didn’t have faith that any god could help with my situation or change my life.

Despite these things, when I found myself at one of the lowest points of my life, I decided to pray. I had enough faith to throw out one last request. I knew that if God did exist, He would likely respond to a call of desperation and surrender. I had never fully given in, but this time, I did. Much to my surprise, I found myself in custody hours after I prayed. I was given a bed, a meal, and an opportunity to get off of the drugs and finally stop drinking. This was the beginning of my new life.

I don’t have all the answers, and there was a long road of hard work and development ahead, but all I needed was a little faith, and I received a lifeline. Sometimes, all we need to do is take one small step to begin the rest of our lives moving in the right direction.

You gotta have FAITH.

Have a great week,

Neal

WORKOUT OF THE WEEK

From Juan Martinez, Owner/Trainer at WTS:

As a strength and conditioning coach, I believe in the power of movement for physical health and mental well-being. Regular strength training can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and help manage stress.

Workout: Grounding Lower Body Circuit

Focus: Feel strong and grounded with this lower-body workout.

• Goblet Squats – 4 sets of 10 reps
• Romanian Deadlifts – 4 sets of 10 reps
• Step-Ups with Dumbbells – 3 sets of 12 reps per leg
• Walking Lunges – 3 sets of 20 steps
• Calf Raises – 3 sets of 15 reps

Are you ready to transform your upper body strength? My online personal training program offers personalized guidance and accountability.

🚀 Get access to exclusive programming! Schedule a chat with an expert

The post A LITTLE BIT OF FAITH appeared first on Elevated Lifestyle Academy.

So, what do we do about the things we cannot “work on”? These are my anxieties—the things that are out of reach and out of my control. Again, I pray over everything in my life. I pray about things I do, and I pray about the things I cannot do, but the other part of the equation is more difficult for me. I must release the things I cannot control. If I do not let them go, they will steal my peace and corrupt my focus.

Whether it be doubt or impatience, I have a tendency to pick things back up again. I must remember to pray over my anxieties and to release them fully into the hands of God. If I learn to trust in God’s hand on my life, I can confidently release those things and focus on what I can control. I have so many areas of my life that require my attention—I should never have enough time to reach for the things I wish I could control. To simply let go can be my greatest challenge.

The stronger my faith and the more I trust God, the easier it is to let go.

Have a great week

Neal

WORKOUT OF THE WEEK

From Juan Martinez, Owner/Trainer at WTS:

As a strength and conditioning coach, I believe in the power of movement for physical health and mental well-being. Regular strength training can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and help manage stress.

Workout: Push Through the Noise – Upper Body Strength

Focus: Focus your energy and push past mental fatigue with an upper-body workout.

• Barbell Bench Press – 4 sets of 6 reps
• Dumbbell Shoulder Press – 3 sets of 8 reps
• Lat Pulldown – 3 sets of 10 reps
• Cable Tricep Extensions – 3 sets of 12 reps
• Hammer Curls – 3 sets of 12 reps

Are you ready to transform your upper body strength? My online personal training program offers personalized guidance and accountability.

🚀 Get access to exclusive programming! Schedule a chat with an expert

The post Cast Your Anxiety appeared first on Elevated Lifestyle Academy.

Several years ago, I began praying for my friend. Things were not going well for him and he was not showing the effort that was needed to improve his situation. He was addicted to narcotics and had overdosed on more than a few occasions. He was revived and revived again. He got better, then he got worse. He became homeless and he went to prison. He would do well for a while and then he would become sick again. He would build it back up and then tear it down again. All the while, we remained friends. I would encourage him and support him however I could, but it was never enough to do what he needed to do for himself.

At times, I became angry because I wanted my friend back. I missed his personality and I missed his friendship, but more than anything—I wanted him to live a good life and be there for his family. Oftentimes, the only thing I could do was pray and have faith that God was hearing my prayers. All of the things that were out of my control were exactly the things I prayed about. When I got tired and angry, I prayed for strength and patience. When I didn’t hear from him, I prayed that God would bring him back into my life. Somehow, I always found the patience (even if I lost it for a brief moment or two) and he always came back around. He never stopped calling and I never stopped trying.

Last year, I was going through a difficult time after losing my mom, and one of the most encouraging people in my life was this same friend. He has been doing really, really well for a while now. Not only doing well for himself, but he is encouraging others and lifting them up. He has changed his life and he was able to be there for me in a time that I needed him most. The story isn’t over and he and I both know the work must continue, but the progress in his life and his ability to support me in such a tough time is nothing short of a miracle. It is something that only God can do. He knows this and I know it too.

The second story is much shorter, but very powerful: I met my other friend about two and a half years ago. We got along well and began working together to improve his circumstances—once again, things were not going well for him and he was not doing the things he needed to do to improve his situation. He didn’t understand why things kept happening and I didn’t feel like he understood the importance of his role here on earth, so I began praying for him. I began praying a specific prayer: “God, please speak directly to _______, and put a call on his life.” I began saying this prayer regularly and have continued to say the same prayer regularly, ever since that day.

Last week, he texted me earlier in the morning: “I had the craziest dream. I woke up at 4 a.m. because I heard my name out loud, but nobody was there and there was nothing on my phone. It was the craziest thing. It felt like a call to purpose.” I immediately knew what had happened and I told him what I had been praying for the last two years. We both felt the chills.

It is important to pray about who we meet, what we do, and what we need God’s help with. He is the reason we are here and he is behind us when we align ourselves with his calling on our life. If we ask for his help, I promise you: He will respond. But, if you don’t talk to him through prayer and if you give up on praying because you don’t get your answer quickly—you will surely not experience the fullness of God. So, I want to encourage you to pray, pray more, and to pray without ceasing. He hears us.

Have a great week,

Neal

WORKOUT OF THE WEEK

From Juan Martinez, Owner/Trainer at WTS:

As a strength and conditioning coach, I believe in the power of movement for physical health and mental well-being. Regular strength training can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and help manage stress.

Workout: Energy Boost – High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

Focus: Boost your energy with quick bursts of high-intensity work.

• Jumping Jacks – 30 seconds
• Burpees – 30 seconds
• Squat to Press – 30 seconds
• Mountain Climbers – 30 seconds
• Rest 60 seconds, repeat for 4-6 rounds

🚀 Get access to exclusive programming! Schedule a chat with an expert

The post THE POWER OF PRAYER appeared first on Elevated Lifestyle Academy.

If your friendship is dependent on perfection or minimal mistakes, I believe you are misunderstanding what it means to be a true friend. My mom and dad both set an amazing example of what it means to be a friend. A friend is someone who sticks by you, even if the world is against you. A friend does not abandon you when you make mistakes— they stand with you. A friend holds you accountable and sets the standard, but they don’t make you feel less than or devalued during low seasons. A friend is there for you and believes in you. They give you the strength and the vision when you have none.

Years ago, I told my sponsor I didn’t have a ton of faith in the work he was recommending that I do. Without hesitation, he said “That’s OK, I have enough faith for both of us.” This principle is essential to friendship— when my friend doesn’t have faith in themselves or faith in the process, I have enough for both of us. It will carry us through and if we fail, we fail together.

Don’t ever hesitate to be a friend. It will change your life and you might just change their life, too.

Have a great week, 

Neal

WORKOUT OF THE WEEK

TIB RAISE 3 X 10

CALF RAISE 3 X 15

LEG CURL 3 X 10

PETERSON STEP UP 3 X 15

SINGLE LEG SPLIT SQUAT 3 X 10

1 MILE RUN

The post YOU MIGHT JUST CHANGE A LIFE appeared first on Elevated Lifestyle Academy.

During the message, one of our pastors said, “How you see people impacts how you treat people, and how you treat people impacts who they become.” – J. Lewis

This applies to the people closest to us, but also to anyone we come across. When my thoughts are negative and I am holding onto resentments toward a person, my thoughts will interrupt my attempt to love them or treat them with kindness. I cannot carry things inside of my heart and my mind, expecting them not to impact my actions. When I focus on people’s mistakes or when I refuse to embrace the beauty of differences in other people, it is unlikely that I will treat them well. It is quite probable that my negative thoughts will pour over into my actions and behaviors towards others.

We have all heard the stories of what happens to people who are bullied and pushed to their limits. I have heard other stories about women or men who have turned to sexual immorality, homosexuality or sworn off marriage completely; all because of how their spouse treated them during marriage. There are countless stories of kids who experienced childhood trauma, growing up to become rebellious, angry, dangerous, etc etc…Truthfully, nobody owns our behavior except for ourselves, but we are still responsible for how our actions impact others. 

I want my heart to be pure and my behaviors to be kind. I want the people I love to love themselves; and I want the people I meet to feel good about themselves after we encounter one another. It isn’t my job to condemn others, but it is my job to encourage them and to help them flourish or succeed. That can only come from loving words and kind behaviors, and those actions are derived from a loving heart. 

Have a great week,

Neal

The post THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS appeared first on Elevated Lifestyle Academy.

Sometimes, you just can’t do it. Trauma, mental illness, grief, and similar experiences impact our patterns of thinking and behavior. When something so daunting is fresh in your heart and mind, it consumes you. I never want to stay in that place when it happens, but it has been important to give myself grace on the days I can’t seem to get my emotions together. If something impacts you this deeply, it’s usually for good reason. We shouldn’t ignore the magnitude of losing someone special or enduring something traumatic.

Sometimes we need to let the storm pass; other times we need to put on a jacket and grab our umbrella. We have to let the rain fall for as long as it needs to. It’s unrealistic to think we can stop the rain, so I have to find peace in the waiting period. It is in these moments that I usually discover things about my life that need to be changed. When life slows me down, I become more aware and begin to focus on small repairs. When the rain lets up, I’ve built up the strength and confidence to dress for the weather and give life another go.

Rest. Heal. Recover. Reset… BE STILL.

Have a great week,

Neal

The post STILLNESS IN THE RAIN appeared first on Elevated Lifestyle Academy.

Eventually, I realized how many of my problems were being cause by my own decisions and behavior – things I can at least begin to change and mature. Mental health is a real thing but I can’t run around like a maniac without facing some consequences for bad behavior. But, also knowing that God thinks I am capable of making it through something (when I do not) gives me a confidence and strength that I only feel come from my faith in him. Every time I press on and push through, my faith becomes stronger and stronger. 

I never used to view my problems this way – NEVER. It is difficult to do it now, but easier and easier the more I practice gratitude, show up my best, and invite God into every situation. He will make us better and give us everything we need. Today, I am thankful for opportunities to grow. I am thankful for opportunities to lean on my brothers and sisters, and for the opportunity to give Him the glory. 

Let’s get to work. 🙏🏼

Have a great day 

Neal

WORKOUT OF THE WEEK

From Juan Martinez, Owner/Trainer at WTS:

As a strength and conditioning coach, I believe in the power of movement for physical health and mental well-being. Regular strength training can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and help manage stress.

Workout: Full-Body Conditioning – High Volume Burn

Focus: Conditioning

• Kettlebell Swings – 15 reps
• Thrusters – 12 reps
• Battle Ropes – 30 seconds
• Rowing Machine – 250m sprint
• Rest 120 seconds, repeat for 3-5 rounds
• Rest 120 seconds, repeat for 3-5 rounds

🚀 Get access to exclusive programming! Schedule a chat with an expert

The post Consider It Joy  appeared first on Elevated Lifestyle Academy.