When you turn on the TV or pick up a newspaper, it's likely you'll see or read about the upcoming Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. I don't know about you, but just thinking about the Olympic Games, when the best athletes in the world duel it out on an international arena, inspires and motivates me.
Have you ever wondered how these young men and women got there? If not, take a moment to.
I've never been to the Olympics. I wish I could have, but I found my drive and passion too late in life. Having broken the Guinness World Record for fitness, I have a vague understanding of what they must have gone through.
But what does it take to be the best in the world or just the best you can be? Of course it takes drive, determination and motivation. But what else?
Here are the three most important factors that helped me become "The World's Fittest Man" and can help you find motivation to get to the top, too.
I'm sure most Olympians have a goal, a dream or something they are good at and work hard at from a young age to achieve. In 2000, I set out to break the Guinness World Record for fitness. I wanted to do it just to see if I was even physically capable, not for ego. After setting the goal, I decided I would work very hard the entire year to try to achieve it. Try setting a goal and go for it. You never know.
2. You've got to have a plan.
This is true whether you're the young aspiring Olympian, a weekend warrior wanting to improve your 5K time or someone trying to chase a Guinness World Record. There's an old saying that goes, "Fail to plan, plan to fail." It's that simple. To be the best you need to have a plan to get from point A to point B.
Young Olympic hopefuls may start tumbling at 5 years old with a dream to make it to the Olympics one day. As they get older, they might work with a coach who creates a plan to make the dream happen.