Isn’t that the truth. Let me tell you a short story.

Up until my sophomore year of college, I was a pawn. Put me on the board of life and tell me what to do – I would do it. I was guided by routine – go to school, go to practice, go home and eat and do it all over again. The routine lasted for years and of course there were some very positive things that came out of this path. However, eventually the foundation was cracked and a decision had to be made. Who will you be from this moment on?

Each piece of the board has its own benefits – but in looking back I know that I didn’t automatically tell myself that I was going to be a king…no…I had to graduate first to a knight. And off we went, moving two steps forward and one step to the side. Sure there were times where I was sent back to where I came from, but in all, I learned the importance of taking definitive steps towards my goals. Eventually, I graduated to other pieces, finding out the importance of diagonal movements and the power of each position. Life mirrored this course.

With each growth comes a new set of challenges. As you become something greater, the work, the time, the effort must also mirror your position. I have always said that the bigger the dream the bigger the problems that come with it. This has always held true throughout time. And oh my…have there been problems. I think though, that maybe the problems were always there – but as you become more in touch with yourself – you actually begin to see them for what they are.

This can be stressful. Very stressful. And there is a large tendency to want to regress back to what you were so you can make the problems livable again.

This doesn’t work. Once you know they are there…they are there. They don’t go away. In fact, when you don’t deal with the obstacles on the path – they stop your progress altogether.

It takes time to really muster up the courage to become the most influential piece on the board. You have to take massive risks and these risks will really test your heart. Nothing will ever be the same. You will feel pressure, sometimes so much pressure that you can literally feel it in your shoulders. You will be challenged, threatened, left alone and attacked. But isn’t that the game? Because we are all pieces on the board, and with our increasing value we become a greater target. The positives always are balanced out with the negatives – and when the negatives come searching (fear, doubt, hate, insecurity, loneliness) they look for the high-profile pieces. The pawns aren’t as attractive. Carl Jung said it best, “The brighter the light the darker the shadow.” Life is all about learning how to live with the Black Dog.

I’m not saying it’s easy – I’m saying it’s worth it. Always looking to further yourself and perfect your skills. Disciplining yourself and always looking to perform at a high level. Be passionate about your life, and serious about the steps you know you have to take to make the best one you possibly can.

- Evan Sanders

Sometimes you get to a point where you say “Why the hell not?” But seriously…why not? What have you got to lose? Nothing. What do you have to gain? Everything. At first, the task in front of you may seem daunting – but then you realize that really…it’s going to be fun. I don’t think there’s anything more addicting out there than success. Achieving results and seeing your life transform might be one of the coolest things out there.

“Nothing happens until something moves.” Albert Einstein said that. Can I make a connection to something motivational? Indeed.

It has happened all too many times where I get so serious about what I am doing that I forget to sit back and take a moment to absolutely enjoy everything I am doing. It’s easy to do this in the gym – get so focused on what you are doing that you tune absolutely everything out…hell, its easy for me to do this for an hour or so – but I do have to remind myself to take a minute to sit down and smile at what is going on. Call it an appreciation moment.

So move – because nothing will happen if you don’t. Change your view, change your actions, change your world. Life works in mysterious ways when you make a vow.

- Evan Sanders

“Focus. Prepare. Get a jump on the city. Out the door before the paper arrives. Get to the gym before the guy who owns the gym. This is the push that makes the future appear. The hard work that makes the luck happen. The honor of a routine  nobody will ever know about. Always preparing for what’s next. Cause the minute you take a step back and rest on what you did, you’re done. This is what we call pre. The moments before when you prepare and determine what comes next. This is pre-rep. Pre-set. Pre-workout. Pre-results. Pre-competition, medal, trophy, title, endorsement deal, photo shoot, and fame. All this is pre all of that. So get started. Because everything is pre, and pre, is everything.”
- ON, Pre Commercial

The honor of a routine that no one will ever know about. Most days you will wake up feeling average – like  there’s nothing special about the day. But it is your routine that will drive you to greatness. The routine that you have set in place that takes you each day one step closer to your  goals. Map it out. Cross it off each day. Have faith and don’t look back to the shore behind you. Set sail and just go – you will discover a brave new world.

- Evan Sanders

The time has come. What time is it? The moment when you finally realize that your best – what has been carrying you the whole way thus far – is now not your best. It has become the norm. It becomes boring, monotonous, and stale. It is time to best your best.

I have been pondering, planning, writing and preparing…and now, as all systems have been checked (to avoid fatal structural damage of course) there is only one thing left to do. Permission to launch.

Elevate yourself. Take whatever you had before and make it better. Improve upon it. Critique it. Make it stronger, faster, better. Make this life, the one you have right now, the best moments you have ever had. But you have the have the courage to accept where you are right at this moment and be ready to take the next step.

“Tough times don’t last – tough people do.” No matter what, you can get through it. Iron mind, heart, and soul – all wrapped in silk. Find a balance. Balance will help you create a world where happiness flourishes.

- Evan Sanders