ABOUT
Hello, my name is Mike Stoy. I have been a health and fitness professional since 1993 -- and from 1998, I have owned and operated Active Lifestyles Fitness Studio located in a charming town in northern California.
After literally thousands of hours of training folks from all persuasions to achieve their wellness goals, I've decided to chronicle my labor of love by sharing my unique experiences- dispensing an abundance of practical and, hopefully, useful health and fitness information, offer some occasional obnoxious encouragement... and have a little fun doing it.
The forthcoming posts will be a reflection of both my professional and subjective observations of the human condition that I find infinitely informative, endlessly interesting, and often funny as hell.
“Off Your Rocker" will attempt to remind us to always take the biggest bite out of life--despite our circumstances--while ever appreciative and mindful in the folly of it all.
MY PERSPECTIVE
I am fortunate. Gratefully, unexpectedly, most of my client base has been training with me for at least 10 years; some 15, a few even over 20 — and many others over the years have come and gone knowing the gym door is always open for their possible return. Through those years, not only have they provided a wealth of physical health information, but also anecdotal insight into the overall aging process from an internal, psychological perspective -- all while creating a revealing window into my own personal soundness.
Although this data mining is still a work in progress, there are basic universal tenets that make up the framework that comprises one's lifestyle. I refer to them as the "components of fitness." In no particular order or hierarchy, and not limited to, they are:
Seemingly elementary, these general categories can serve as an umbrella to more specific analysis of our approach to lifestyle that contributes to our current health and well-being; at the same time providing a look at possible new strategies (or just tweaking current ones) that can be of benefit. This blog will offer to do just that.
When you have lived long enough, you begin to look at life through a rear view mirror; analyzing the indelible track marks left, that have gotten you where you are today. Except for a special few, most everyone's journey has more bends and curves than a Twister mat. (Hope you appreciate the dated reference). But, one thing for sure that can derail any betterment to an overall fulfilling lifestyle... is being unhealthy.
It's safe to say nobody wishes to be besieged by a serious unwarranted affliction- yet many are. Their life journey is most certainly courageous, frightening, unpredictable, and jagged at times, through no fault of their own. Flash back to your last bout with a severe flu. Recall how you "wouldn't wish this on your worst enemy!"- yet there was comfort in knowing that "this too shall pass".
Yeah, "The pleasures of the flesh" are a blessing and a curse.
My job is not to judge. 'Ye' be your own judge. I'm going to invoke the natural law of cause and effect. So I'll just say this: if we don't take the time to stay healthy; we’ll find the time to be sick.