Issue 13: The Men of Wilhelmina

empowering people to reach their full potential—giving them the right tools, resources and helping them define what choices they are free to make themselves and then—get out of the way.

I’m a flawed leader in many ways but I know that the team at Rhone knows that I care about them and would do anything for anyone of them and I believe that makes a big difference.

Ok switching gears. Do you have a sports hero and why?

This is tough for me. I grew up a big sports fan and there are many great sports heroes but I think it just feels too cliche to pick one for me. I look up to the heroes who are great people first and great athletes second.

There are a ton of guys out there on Instagram showing off their fitness skills, they are ex pro athletes, trainers, models, Dads, Kids, etc.

As a man and the leader of a men's fitness brand do you have any assessment or commentary on the state of men's health and fitness in this hyper-connected world?

It can be a real powerful source for good if consumed in the right way. Recently with a difficult family situation I saw the good in social media—people reaching out to offer support, working together in a cause and powerful imagery to make me feel supported and cared about. There's a great story I heard awhile back about a Native American Chief speaking to his grandson about life where he said “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy. “It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.” The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?” The old Chief replied, “The one you feed.”

Social media is very much the same way. Are you feeding yourself resentment and comparison, long loops of others highlights or are you feeding yourself inspiration, motivation and education. In some cases it might even be the same images but your interpretation might be completely different. We are blessed to live in a time where we have access to incredible information but if we become consumed by it we will lose the forest for the trees and the bigger picture of what matters most.

What is the best advice you would give to a guy who doesn't look like the "gym gladiator" and wants to reset his life and place a more prioritized focus on fitness in his life?

To use a Simon Sinek phrase “Start with Why”. Why do you