Health & Fitness

The AT Adventure Begins!

June 27, 2010 By kwmccarthy

June 26, 2010

Charles, 19, and Anne McCarthy, 17, our son and daughter head from Amicalola Falls State Park, just north of Atlanta, GA., to go on a 30-day hike on the Appalachian Trail (AT). Judith has been sick so I took them up and walked the first three miles with them to Frosty Mountain. This video picks up the start of their adventure on the Approach to the AT. The back story is below the video.

Please
enjoy this 5-minute video and then I invite you to use the comments section below to share what adventure you would do if you were brave.

Back Story: Charles has been hiking the AT since he was ten when he went to Camp Deep
Woods for Boys, a truly life-changing experience for him thanks to
Kells Hogan, the Camp Director. At the Christ
School Outdoor Program, Charles continued his love of outdoor
adventure and training. Anne, on the other hand, is a novice hiker but a
game competitor.

This all started this winter when Charles posted a request on Facebook inviting people to join him on the AT. His itinerary was planned to attract others to join him for the entire hike or to join him part way. The only person who responded was Anne! Kudos to her for stepping up. Kudos to both for thinking it was a cool idea to hike the AT with their sibling.

Some think Judith and I are crazy to allow our older teens to hike the AT alone. We think we're crazy not to support them in this adventure. There is tremendous support and services along the way. This is wilderness, but not raw and unmapped wilderness. Both kids' abilities to reason and make good decisions are strong. Here's an amazing opportunity for them to work together as a brother and sister
while testing personal character and endurance against what nature can
throw their way. Leadership is about facing fears and challenges both
physical and mental. Frankly, we couldn't be more proud of them both.

We also figure that this hike will either bond them for life or one of them will the kill the other. Clearly, we're betting on the former outcome and feel the odds are heavily in our favor. I guess the theory is this: What our failures as parents didn't produce in them they are likely to beat each other into a better relationship on this trip! Tell me now who is crazy!

Thank
you fellow National Speakers Association member Jana Stanfield
whose song, If I Were Brave provides the music score. She's
gracious about granting permission for use.

For the record, I did
jog from Frosty Mtn. back to the car in just under an hour. I had a few
stops to chat with other hikers, drink water, and walk some of the
uphill sections. Then I hit the road and drove home to Winter Park. What a great day!

Wander Woman, by Marcia Reynolds

June 25, 2010 By kwmccarthy

This interview with Marcia Reynolds about her new book Wander Woman, hit me with a mix of appreciation and sadness. Please watch the interview, read the rest of my comments, and then add your thoughts to the conversation. What's your take on the interview?

Marcia's observation of high performing women and her discussion of their challenges, frustrations, and ambitions parallel some my experiences with female executives. My deep appreciation for her comments is the manner in which she has truly drilled deep to get to the subtle nuances of the Wandering Woman condition. She paints an accurate picture as best I can tell for this stage of personal leadership development.

In particular, Marcia's concept of Wander Women wanting a knight instead of a king for a marriage partner intrigued me. I have to wonder, women who are reading this, do you agree?

My sadness with the interview (the book may provide further insights) was that Marcia is scratching the surface on vital women's issues such as identity, life balance, relationships, purpose, meaning, work, community, leadership, etc… yet there's an absence of inherent hope and joy in Marcia's underlying demeanor. Again, just one man's intuition here that something is missing. Is it the absence of a strong spiritual component that I sense? Is it a woman wandering in an unsettled way and striving to make rational peace with it rather than getting the matter resolved in her heart?

The Old Testament story of Moses and the Jews wandering in the desert for 40 years comes to mind as I begin to grasp this concept. Let's hope that Marcia Reynolds will one day be able to write a sequel, The Promised Land Lady.

Wander women, I must ask you, is being a wandering woman what you want? Is this concept simply an unresolved justification for stopping short of really knowing who you are, why you are here, where you are going, and what's important along the way? Can high performing women be settled souls instead of wandering women?

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

Here is a related On-Purpose Minute that you might find helpful: How Do You Manage Disappointment?

The On-Purpose Leader Experience

May 29, 2010 By kwmccarthy

Do you want to be a better leader of your life?

For the longest time you've promised yourself you would work the
process in The On-Purpose Person, right? But you haven't! Today
you can make good to yourself on your promise.

Join me for The On-Purpose Leader Experience, a six-week immersion in being on-purpose that will transform your life for good. Here's
your
chance to do right by yourself. You will:

Clarify and organize your life around what matters most
Write your statements of purpose, vision, missions, and values
Gather, mix, and mingle with other On-Purpose Persons
Gain membership to a 24/7 private web group supporting your journey
Ask questions of Kevin on conference calls and in forums and
discussion groups
Have a workbook with everything you need to work the On-Purpose Process and track your progress.

Enroll
today in the full six-week experience for just $127. Enroll with a friend and
your investment is $1.80 each per day! Look for the Companion Special (2
persons for only $150).

Be On-Purpose!
Kevin

PS: Did you catch The On-Purpose Leader Experience
webcast? Invest an hour and improve your life and your business. CLICK
HERE to watch the first webcast.

The On-Purpose Leader Experience: Session 1 Replay

May 26, 2010 By kwmccarthy

"What am I going to do when I grow up?"

It is funny
when we say it, yet the price of not really knowing who we are as
grown-ups is needlessly expensive to every aspect of our lives.

I
get it! You're stretched to the max and burdened under more
commitments than you have time. Life is wrapped so tight, that you're
not sure where to begin with making your life make sense.

Now, you
can test drive The On-Purpose Leader Experience which is based on
The On-Purpose Person. Listen and watch the replay of the introductory webcast by CLICKING HERE. You will be taken to
the replay page. Be sure to click on "SLIDES" in the upper left hand
corner so you can watch and listen.

The program includes five
remaining webcasts, replays, and web site support. Enrollment for
this series ends: Tuesday, June 1, midnight.

Experience what it means to be on-purpose and to be in a community of on-purpose persons in creation.

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

What Might You Miss?

May 25, 2010 By kwmccarthy

For the longest time you've promised yourself you would work the
process in The On-Purpose Person, right? But you haven't! Today you make good to yourself on your promise.

Join me for The On-Purpose Leader, a six-week
experience in being on-purpose that can transform your life. Here's your
chance to do right by yourself. You will:

Clarify and organize your life around what matters most
Write your statements of purpose, vision, missions, and values
Gather, mix, and mingle with other On-Purpose Persons
Gain membership to a 24/7 private web group supporting your journey
Ask questions of Kevin on conference calls and in forums and
discussion groups
Have a workbook with everything you need to work the process

Register
Here For Session One. It is free and no credit card is
required for registration. You will need to be registered in order to
get passwords emailed to you for both the live session and the replay.

Enroll today in the full six-week experience and take advantage of the early bird savings (use code: EARLYBIRD28). Enroll with a friend and your investment is $1.80 each per day! Click on Enroll
today, scroll down, and look for the Companion Special (2 persons for only $150).

Register
Here For Session One. It is free and no credit card is
required for registration. You will need to be registered in order to
get passwords to both the live session and the replay.

Who Will Awaken Your Worth? Janet Cronstedt Will!

May 20, 2010 By kwmccarthy

Janet Cronstedt: An On-Purpose Person Profile

Janet Cronstedt is a dear friend and business associate. When she turned 50 she came to an On-Purpose Person workshop and wrote her purpose statement of “To the Glory of God, I exist to serve by Awakening Worth.” (Read her story here.) Since then, Janet has made more and better choices in her missions to be aligned with her purpose, moving toward her vision, and living true to her values. She’s the first to tell you it was a breakthrough moment in her life and being on-purpose is a high standard.

Thanks to Janet, I was booked as the keynote speaker for Take Shape Life Convention in July of 2008. I had the breakthrough of becoming a client and losing 50 pounds and having kept most of it off since. As a result of attending the convention with me, my wife, Judith, became a health coach with Take Shape For Life and is now helping many others get to a healthy weight and create the healthy habits to keep the weight off, often get off obesity medications, and be rewarded psychologically and financially. Janet provided our family with a breakthrough.

Janet is an amazing speaker from the platform because she leads with her heart. Invest 19 minutes and watch this two-part video from Janet’s speech at the TSFL Convention from 2009. You’ll find it inspiring, hard-hitting, and, most of all, one that awakens worth. Thanks Janet for being you!

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

Part 2

Getting Your Life Together

May 10, 2010 By kwmccarthy

The On-Purpose Leader Online Mentor Program

Is it time to start living your life on-purpose? Here’s your opportunity to discover your purpose and live it every day.

As the author of The On-Purpose Person, I’m excited to more broadly offer this life transforming work via the web. Now you can begin experiencing the depth and strength of who you truly are and were designed to be. Over this six week program, you will walk the steps of “The Man” in The On-Purpose Person and even more! You’ll be in a community of on-purpose persons in creation.

WHEN
Session 1 is the Free Preview on Wednesday, May 26, 2010, 12:05 PM (US eastern) Sessions 2 – 6 are June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 same time.

WHERE
Live on the web:

The remaining five sessions and supporting web-based community will help you fully experience the On-Purpose® process so you can have better direction, focus, and clarity in your life and work.

Tuition: $127 per participant
Specials:

Tuition for 2, only $150.00
Save $28 on single registration through May 28 by using coupon code: EarlyBird28

Enroll Online Here for the entire On-Purpose Leader program.

Would you like to include a 1 hour personal consultation with Kevin W. McCarthy? Learn more here.

Details: 407-657-6000 x1

God & The Chocolate Ice Cream

March 29, 2010 By kwmccarthy

I am a fan of Nic Askew, the creator of Soul Biographies. "God & The Chocolate Ice Cream" starring Michael Neill offers provocative thoughts on the integration of the spiritual and material worlds – the space where I like to play and work. Invest a few minutes and watch this short film that is embedded below.

Ironically, before opening my computer and watching this video, I awoke about 5:30 a.m. and went to the freezer. Last night I bought a quart of chocolate ice cream against my better judgment. I at

Image via Wikipedia

e about half of the chocolate ice cream. At 5:32 a.m. I pulled off the ice cream lid and turned the container upside down over the kitchen sink drain so it would thaw and disappear. My decision was based on reasons of both health and spiritual discipline.

From a health perspective I am 15 pounds over my goal weight. I know I need to get back on the Health Program my wife coaches. More importantly, the chocolate ice cream is a metaphorical impediment to my stewardship of all that God has given me. Think of it as Jacob's hip or the thorn in Paul's flesh. I've learned in talking with Judith and other health coaches, ultimately, it isn't what we're eating, it is what's eating at us.

My irrational desire for sugar, cream, and chocolate is more akin to an addiction. It provides a profound empathy for the heroin or cocaine addict. Truly, there, but by the grace of God go I. It is a "no" to which I so often say "yes" (watch the video to understand). Left unchecked, it would consume my life prematurely. Intellectually I get it, yet lust takes over. In this regard, I also relate to the sins of Tiger Woods. Fortunately, my lust is more socially acceptable and less morally reprehensible. Yet, make no mistake, it is lust gone awry.

I am reminded of Matthew 7:5: "You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you
will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." This scripture causes me to hold my tongue at the failings of others. I'm making the attempt to avoid being a hypocrite!

So why dump the ice cream down the drain? I've learned the best way to avoid sin is to not cozy too close to it. Healthy boundaries make for a healthy life. Sure, it is a fix, not a cure. Until the deep work in my soul is reconciled, I settle for temporary acts of protection.

Perhaps, now dear reader, you'll appreciate why I am a fan of Nic Askew. He stirs the spirit of one who is in the business of stirring spirits. My hope is my On-Purpose Minutes provoke you is similar fashion.

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

'god & the chocolate ice cream' from Nic Askew on Vimeo.

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