9,000+ Health/Fitness Enthusiasts Take Over VEGAS

So it's been over one month since we came home from this INCREDIBLE event in Las Vegas.  Our heads are still swimming with all the awesomeness that took place while we were there.  I have no idea where to even start...but the beginning sure seems like the best place, right??


This trip was VERY unlike the "typical" Vegas trip...this was definitely NOT a vacation. We definitely viewed it as more of a business trip than for pure enjoyment. We were running around from the moment we landed Wednesday night.  Right after we checked in to our hotel (The Signature which is connected to the MGM) we took a road trip to Whole Foods to stock up on goodies for the week.  For information on how all that went down and how to eat healthy while you travel head over to The Cook & The Coach Facebook page and look for our post on June 23 about it.  

THURSDAY
Thursday morning we attended an awesome training event that was put on by Lindsay Matway who was the 2013 Top Coach.  This event's them was SHINE!  Lindsay invited a number of her top coaches to come and speak on different topics that have helped them grow their businesses...I LOVE learning from so many amazing people.
We also were able to hear from Carl Daikeler, Beachbody's CEO.  Even if you aren't a Beachbody coach I highly encourage you to search out some of his speeches.  He has a great message for anyone that is looking to grow as a person either personally or professionally.  One particular point that we took away from his speech was in regards to facing your fears and weaknesses, and instead of running from them, facing them head on.  Rather than just being ok with a weakness or fear, find a way to grow so that you can overcome the things that are holding you back from everything you've ever wanted!

Thursday afternoon we worked out live with Chalene Johnson and did her newest workout, PiYo with over 1,000 other coaches.  After the workout we attended the opening session where we heard from Beachbody's executive team, fellow coaches and celebrity trainers.  There were some big announcements about new products being released:

• The first wasn't a big surprise but we heard a little bit more about PiYo.  
• Secondly, they now created 21 Day Fix en espanol or in spanish.  You won't have to be distracted now during your workouts to look up and read subtitles. 
• Next they announced a new nutrition based product: the 3 Day Refresh.  We are super excited about this product because we believe it will be a great catalyst for people to jump start some healthy eating habits.  
  
• They also announced that Shakeology has NOW been clinically proven to yield statistically significant reductions in weight, cholesterol, and HbA1c (index for avg blood sugar) among participants!  Check out this video for more information: http://youtu.be/WJRIb7CYA0U?list=PLktOa7oMVQlKpQTjN44lQsVnPbeIXAZRP
  
• Lastly, they announced that there is going to be a new Tony Horton program released this September. It's called P90...and the program will be geared towards anyone that is just wanting to start somewhere with fitness...and isn't looking for an "extreme" program but wants to learn the basics and just get moving!

The last big announcement was that next year, Summit will be held in Nashville and not Vegas...which makes us very happy :) 

To end our Thursday night, we got all dressed up and attended the Sequins and Studs party.  The party scene isn't really our favorite BUT Laura had earned tickets to the party by working hard in April and May.....PLUS we actually got to have a quick photo op with Chalene Johnson. She was running around photobombing people...so obviously we let her.  And to cap off the night they had a huge fireworks show!

FRIDAY
Friday morning came pretty early...5:30 am to be exact...because we were up and waiting in line for the live T25 workout with Shaun T.  It was totally worth it though.  The more we're around this guy, the more we love him.  His message is SO uplifting and positive.  

After we finished our workout we cleaned up, grabbed some breakfast and ran over for the general session to listen to Darren Hardy speak. You literally just go from one motivational speaker to the next...that was kind of the theme of the weekend!  If you have never heard of Darren Hardy, we HIGHLY recommend you pick up his book The Compound Effect or go check out his website www.DarrenHardy.com.....his message applies to everyone and is applicable for any experience life throws at you! 

After lunch...guess what...we listened to MORE amazing people talk about what has made them successful in this business.  The thing that seemed to be constantly repeating itself in almost every session (from Darren to Hardy to Carl Daikeler to a top coach) is you need to always be growing and working on YOURSELF and if you focus on helping others you in turn will help yourself.  It is this constant cycle:

Friday afternoon I was able to participate in a VIP area and workout with Tony Horton.  There were thousands of people in the room we were in, but I was 1 of maybe 100 people that got a front and center spot.  You better believe me that I brought it during that workout.  I worked out like I was auditioning to be in the next P90X workout infomercial.  I'm still waiting for my phone call, but it was an amazing experience. 


Later that afternoon we ended up running into Tony in the hotel of the lobby of our hotel and he was gracious enough to take the time to snap a photo of with us.  I know he gets swarmed all the time especially at an event like this, so it meant a lot and spoke a lot to his character that he took the time to do that.  


The rest of our Friday evening was fairly low key unless you get excited about eating a 3 lb lobster and 26 oz New York Strip.  That is what I did, unfortunately I had to split it with 2 others.  Laura was invited to the Star Diamond Reception by her coach, Lacy Salander...so she was hob knobbing it with the who's who of the Beachbody world.  Next year we will both be qualifying for that one.  

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Saturday morning involved another early morning workout, but is was one like I have never seen or been a part of before.  There were probably 8,000 coaches all packed into a parking lot outside.  The energy was electric and an  overall amazing experience.  We got a 15 minute workout from multiple celebrity trainers including, Tony, Shaun, Chalene, Autumn, Rachel, and Dan.  Needless to say it was a great workout.  

After the workout we attended our final general session in the MGM arena.  This session was awesome for a couple of reasons.  We were able to hear Diana Nyad  speak. This woman...at the age of 64, swam from Cuba to the Florida Keys.  Talk about a story about never giving up! She told bits and pieces about her life, how she got into swimming and then how that turned into long distance swimming.  She also told her story about swimming the 110 miles form Cuba to Florida!!!  She was quite the inspiration and encouraged us to set goals that are bigger than you can imagine, and then simple DOING the daily things it takes to reach those goals.  

Our day continued into the afternoon with more amazing trainings from some of the top coaches.  We listened, we learned and we walked away from it all ready to go out and share that knowledge with our teams.

Summit 2014 ended with a celebration of top coaches and customer success stories.  It literally ended with a bang!!!  Carl Daikeler, Beachbody CEO, got "fake" shot out cannon as part of the skit they put on for Top Coach Lindsay Matway. There were a couple of highlights that night, one being we got to hear from the Top 10 Beachbody Coaches from 2013.  Each of the coaches was given a chance to speak for a few moments. We were amazed, but really we weren't at how most of the coaches referenced or thanked God for helping them get to where they were on that stage.  It really just helps us solidify our belief that we are part of an organization that believes the basic Christian morals of loving others and doing whatever we can to help others.  It's not about making a ton of money (even though it's possible)...it's not about status...it is all about growing as an individual yourself and then helping other people do the same. 

The other amazing part of the night came when they they awarded the winners of the Beachbody Challenge and these two lost over 400 lbs combined!!! 

One quote from the guy that won: "Before starting on my journey I was just waiting for the day I was going to die....now everyday I look forward to living!!!" 

THAT...my friends is what it's all about...and WHY we do what we do. This is not about selling...this business is about OTHERS and helping/inspiring other people. 

• We know what it feels like to be stuck and wanting change but not knowing how. 
  
• We know how vulnerable it makes you feel to ask for help. 
  
• We know it is easier to just keep doing the same things. 
  
• We know what it is like to be judged by friends and family for making changes and going against the grain. 
  

BUT...

• We ALSO know what it is like to workout and eat healthy and how that makes our bodies and minds feel amazing!
  
• We ALSO know that there is a community out there that will support us/you when we make those changes. 
  
• We ALSO know that even though the road seems long and it isn't easy to start, it DOES get easier!
  
• We ALSO know that being vulnerable, open and real is the best way to live...and just taking that one small step to ask for help will change you. 
  

So we will leave you with this final thought that we took away from our time down in Las Vegas; Are you making the most of this ONE, CRAZY, BEAUTIFUL life that we have to live?