If you had a goal, a dream, a desire, a wish, a vision that you wanted to manifest, would you be willing to sacrifice everything you have, putting it all on the line, in order to achieve that goal? Most people would not. Most people would rather walk through life in comfort, taking whatever path looked the easiest. But what about those that travel the path toward great success?

If you want to see examples one of the great secret of success, just look at those who have attained it. To the person, those that have succeeded at the highest levels forged ahead without fear, literally putting everything on the line. Thomas Edison failed 10,000 times in his attempt to construct the electric light bulb! Walt Disney had a test where he would assemble a group of his closest friends to float his latest creative idea and if the majority of his friends told him he was insane to try it, he knew the idea was the right one!

But we don't have to look at the famous people of our world to receive inspiration, because it surrounds us constantly...all we have to do is know where to look. I have two dear friends who recently completed events to raise money for cancer research. One, who has significant arthritis and joint issues, went from struggling to walk around the block to being able to complete a 39 mile walk! The other completed the "Death Ride", a grueling 120 mile bike ride over 5 expert level mountain passes in 106 degree heat and 14 hours of riding, despite a severe back injury and asthma! These two women are my heroes because they had a vision, combined with a strong desire and faith that they could succeed, and despite the severe challenge, they reached their goals.

I'm tired of excuses. I'm tired of timid souls whining about nothing. I'm inspired by people who not only talk the talk, but walk the walk. How can you challenge yourself? What have you always wanted to try and what has held you back from trying it? One sure way to tell if you're stuck is if you are living in comfort...without challenge. Come on! Imagine the world we could create if we all strived to create a grander vision of whom and what we wish to become. The question is...Are you ready?

By Lynn Ravazzini, Owner: Nutrition Within, Lynn4nutrition@sbcglobal.net

Summer is here and you may be realizing that what you're carrying around your middle isn't an inner tube. But before you decide to drop that spare tire and get ready for the beach, take a health inventory as well. (Even if you look ready for the beach, you still may have underlying health issues.) We can help you.

What Lies Underneath Is More than Skin Deep!

Don't aim only to look your best -- strive for good health, too. That means more than just losing weight. It means losing fat. The composition of your body -- the ratio of fat to lean body mass -- can have great implications on your health. Over 60% of Americans have an unhealthy body composition (too much fat), which can increase the risk of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, hormonal conditions, and heart disease.

And here's something that everyone should also know: you can be within a normal weight range and still have an unhealthy body composition. So even if you look good on the outside, you may be storing excess fat on the inside. It's important to get a measure of your body composition as part of a comprehensive health screening of related risk factors to help you decide the best course of action.

Why is a health screening so important? Because many of the conditions related to an unhealthy body composition can sneak up on you without warning. For example, metabolic syndrome (an increasingly prevalent condition related to abnormal blood sugar management and a precursor to heart disease and type 2 diabetes) may affect up to 1 in 4 Americans over age 35-and many of them may not even be aware. Could you be one of them?

And here's something that everyone should also know: you can be within a normal weight range and still have an unhealthy body composition. So even if you look good on the outside, you may be storing excess fat on the inside. It's important to get a measure of your body composition as part of a comprehensive health screening of related risk factors to help you decide the best course of action.

How Did It Happen -- and What Can You Do?

Some known causes of an unhealthy body composition and related conditions are poor lifestyle choices that include a lack of physical activity, overeating, and high fat, high sugar diets. (Any of these sound familiar?)

The good news is that body composition and these lifestyle-related conditions -- and the risk to these conditions -- can be managed by incorporating a healthy diet, exercise, and appropriate nutritional support into your daily regimen. These smart decisions can significantly improve your life and we can help you succeed!

Our recommendations may include a clinically tested medical food program designed to nutritionally support the management of conditions associated with metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and an unhealthy body composition. Along with this nutritional support, you may also receive helpful meal plans and other dietary and exercise recommendations to help you make healthy lifestyle changes and meet your health goals. So don't just get lean -- get lean and healthy!

If you are concerned about body composition, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, or cardiovascular disease, please schedule an appointment at my office. We can discuss a tailored program to start improving your health -- and transforming your life!

In my life-long search for optimum health I have explored, experimented and analyzed many things related to fitness. We often think of fitness in strict terms of exercise. That's a pretty simple formula, I exert myself physically and I reap the benefit of my hard work. But fitness is often much more than just physical exercise. It is the essence of creating a balance in the body, mind and spirit that allows you to maintain enough energy and physical stamina throughout the day to accomplish everything and anything without fatigue. To me, it's about being able to work the entire day and when I come through the door, still having enough energy to play with the kids, see friends, entertain my beautiful wife (wink, wink) and enjoy all the other aspects of a physical life. Frankly, if fitness does not provide any of these benefits, why bother?

Recently, I began to feel a bit run down. This is unusual for me to say the least. However, I have been pushing myself at work, traveling all over the state putting on training, holding business meetings and all the other things that demand the time of a president of a corporation. I've also been making every effort to make sure I meet all my families' needs, honey-do lists and personal obligations as well, all the while maintaining my fitness. But, burning the candle at both ends has consequences and mine showed up in an unnatural fatigue.

I ran this by some of my most respected friends and they suggested I get checked out by a very gifted acupuncture practitioner near my home. Hum...needles, pain, ugh! Turns out, this was a good call for sure! I had my exam and was told that my adrenal glands were "tired" from 20 plus years of adrenalin soaking life and that they needed a boost. I was poked and prodded, given some herbs and some moderate nutrition adjustments. I have to tell you that before I was out of the door I felt better...maybe just a trick of the mind? The real test comes from continued results.

So, over the last few weeks my life is still just as busy as before. The only changes I have made have been to take the all natural, caffeine free herbs that were recommended along with the slight changes to my diet (basically more vegetables and protein), and behold...energy restored!

So, what's my point in telling you this? Well, there is always room to improve and most of the time it is well worth your time and money to seek a specialist to help you get over a hump. In this case it was a master acupuncturist and some diet changes that did the trick. Take the time to analyze your fitness goals and then ask yourself who could help you achieve those results. There are plenty of professionals out there who are able to help you realize your goals. Having a coach, in life, business or wellness, often times just makes good sense.

This month's mantra for your affirming pleasure is totally up to you!!! One of the things I really want you to get is the fact that you can choose your own mantras to serve you in any situation or challenge you may be facing. Think right now about where you are in life. What is it that you desire to improve? Craft that into a simple sentence that you can now make into your own mantra and follow these simple directions;

Sit or lie back comfortably. Take three deep breaths, pausing after you inhale and then exhale fully and completely. After you have taken your first three breaths, just breathe normally. Close your eyes and let any tension you may be holding in your muscles just begin to melt away. After you center yourself and you feel your breath quite down, repeat your personally crafted mantra to yourself for the next five minutes. See yourself accomplishing the changes you have set for yourself and believe with all your soul.

Just a few minutes spent in the morning and evening sitting quietly and seeing the change you wish to become will yield tremendous results! In addition, as many times as you can throughout your day, stop what you are doing, take one deep breath and repeat this mantra. You can do this when the phone rings, or when you look at your watch, or anytime you feel the need to just slow down for a brief moment and focus. The power of setting a positive intention throughout your day should not be underestimated. It can literally change your life. Make this short time commitment everyday and begin on the path of empowering yourself to became a Ready Warrior!

For those of you who live locally in the Sonoma County area I thought I would feature one new business each newsletter where I know the person involved and have done business with them in the past. The people featured in this section are so exceptional; they come with my highest recommendation. A different service will be featured each month for your review.

This month I would like to introduce a living assistance service, Visiting Angles. The owner, Albert Desliver, is one of those special people who really care about providing the best service possible. Sometimes, nursing homes or retirement centers seem like the only options for care. Visiting Angles non-medical home care services allow people to maintain the independence of their daily routines and familiar surroundings. They can help your loved ones avoid the emotional trauma of leaving their cherished home.

I know many of you have aging parents. With our fast paced lives and work, it leaves little time to give our parents the care they need and deserve. That is why Visiting Angles comes with my recommendation. They are good people who provide a host of support and services. Feel free to check out their web site or call Albert personally (they return calls within 15 minutes, guaranteed!).

Albert Desliver, Visiting Angles Living Assistance Services. 509 Orchard St, Santa Rosa, CA 95404 (707) 28-0222 www.visitingangels.com/santarosa adesilver@visitingangels.com

Well, that's all for now. May the Warrior Spirit guide and protect you always!

Rodger.