Optimism vs Pessimism - Cathcart on Video

The DVD and CD program "Window on the Secrets for Success" has just been released by Chesney Communications.

Jim Cathcart is the first featured expert in this video program.
His topic for this brief presentation is "Optimism vs Pessimism."
It is a classic message and you'll love it.
Click here to see it now.
and on YouTube, click here.

This video program includes interviews with numerous top authors and successful business experts. Sample the video and for more simply click through their website to access details and order the program. You can also order it directly from Cathcart Institute, Inc. at www.cathcart.com. Or call us at 800-222-4883.

Between the new TSTN televsion series featuring Jim Cathcart, the various YouTube postings of his speeches, training DVDs and seminars, and the recent video interviews of Jim done by Selling Power Magazine, there is much to see and enjoy.
Please share these clips with others, show them to your team as discussion starters and visit both www.cathcart.com and Jim Cathcart's Blog often for the latest updates.
Drop us an email if we can be of further service.

Sign up for the RSS (really simple subscription) feed so that you get the latest of Jim Cathcart's postings and news automatically. You can unsubscribe at any time.

In Praise of Mountain Hiking

by Jim Cathcart

Since 2001 I have lived in the Santa Monica Mountains between Malibu and Thousand Oaks, California. As a lifelong fitness enthusiast I was drawn to mountain hiking by a local group called "The Heartbreak Hiking Fools." This good natured group took its name from one of its trails known affectionately, and accurately, as "Heartbreak" trail. They even have their own logo wear due to the generosity of one hiker who is in the uniform business.


I first got fit in my 30s while I lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma. As a young adult I had always been overweight, in fact at one point in 1975 I weighed 199.5 lbs. On a 5'9" frame that's a lot of weight! Well, 200 lbs was a point I was unwilling to reach so I went on a diet and exercise regimen that removed 52 lbs and many inches from my girth. Mostly I became a jogger and continued to run and do floor exercises for my second 30 years. My weight fluctuated between a low of 148 and a high of 173, a 25 lb range, not bad for three decades.

But in 2001 I had gotten out of shape a bit and so the mountain hiking seemed a good beginning for my fitness plan. Little did I know what "hiking" could become. It seems that the Heartbreak Hikers (HHF) are no ordinary group. Their ages range from the 40s to the high 70s. Most are professionals and many are retired. But when they hit the trails they don't even pause. Note, I did not say rest, I said 'pause'. Their hikes are more like forced marches...uphill.



When the group departs for the Wednesday and Sunday morning hikes (at EXACTLY 7am!) they have two hiking poles each and a timer watch. Every hiker is on a quest to beat their own best time for that day's trail and they literally don't even pause on the three mile uphill trek to the peak. Once they get there all is cordial. There's plenty of humor and they wait for the slower or newer members to arrive. Then the return hike is filled with stories and fun, and even an occasional pause to glance at the beautiful scenery.



During the week many members workout at the gym and some do spinning, pilates, and even triathons. But our real workouts are the hikes. Twice each week they push themselves through all kinds of weather, well OK, California weather, and their fitness levels are truly impressive. (2 hikes a week x 52 weeks x 6 miles roundtrip = 624 miles a year.) The number of infirmities and time off for illness among the group is very low despite most of them being beyond what would normally be considered their "fitness" years.



Here is what I have found about the value of hiking vs other forms of exercise.
1. The trail is always tougher than you are so there is no limit to how strenuous you can make the workout. You can always strive to beat your last "personal best".
2. Hiking uses all the muscles and tendons more than running. The uneven trails, rocks, hills, tree roots, sand, and occasional mud cause you to use every angle your feet, knees, hips and ankles are capable of. The more you use, the stronger and more injury resistant you become. Even your upper body gets a workout by using the two hiking poles.
3. Your balance and hand/foot/eye coordination are improved and tested constantly.
4. The aerobic value of strenuous uphill trail running is enormous.
5. The ability to be outdoors and, with proper clothing, to continue to hike in light rain, wind, cold and heat...causes you to feel truly alive. The beauty of the trails and views is really worth it.
6. The friendships with my fellow hikers has become vitally important to me.



Here are the rules we follow in the Heartbreak Hiking Fools, you might want to form your own group;
1. Everyone is responsible for him or herself. If you don't show up, nobody is going to call you. Nor will we send you a reminder or wake up call.
2. No whining. If you want to complain about something, find another group. We are here to have fun and stay fit.
3. We leave EXACTLY on time. If you arrive at 7am we won't be there. That's when we left for the hike. So meet at the trailhead by 6:59am or hike alone.
4. If you don't want to compete you don't have to. Some just come for the hike and don't really push it, but others are all out for a "win." Hike at your own pace and don't expect others to join you unless they want to.
5. If you bring a guest (and guests are always welcome) then you are responsible for your guest. If they get lost, you go find them. We'll see you at the coffee shop later.
6. Don't expect to impress us. The group is already pretty amazing, so just join in.
(We have rocket scientists, authors, business owners, politicians, marketing consultants, motivational speakers, physicists, sculptors, dentists, accountants, lawyers, pathologists, real estate developers, psychiatrists and financial advisers.)
7. Come to the coffee shop after the hike and celebrate your hike. No reservations, no agendas, no complaints just good clean strenuous fun.

I know, this seems too blunt and uncaring for some folks. That's understood, but it's kind of like The Marines, if you don't want that kind of culture, don't join. Just find a culture that works for your values.



By the way, if you haven't yet read Younger Next Year, by Chris Crowley and Dr. Henry Lodge, then get a copy today. It tells the truth about fitness like no book I've ever read.

I hope to see you on the trails!
In the Spirit of Fitness,
Jim

Chatting with Speaker Newt Gingrich

There is a video clip on YouTube showing former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich exploring the difference between the part of our world that works, like Federal Express, and the part that doesn't like the government's approach to immigration reform. It's short, amusing and disturbing as well. To find the link just Google "Newt, Fedex" and you'll find the active link.

On October 16, 2007 I attended a lecture by Speaker Gingrich and had the chance to chat with him one on one for a few minutes beforehand. He was gracious and approachable as well as relaxed and fun to be with. This prolific author, consummate political leader and highly credentialed historian gave one of the most relaxed and yet persuasive speeches I've seen in recent years. He has an easy speaking style that encourages active thought. It's clear that he's been a professor for many years because he truly wants you to think, question and learn.

He points out in his book, Winning The Future, that we currently face five real and daunting threats in America.
1. The possibility of Islamic terrorists acquiring and launching nuclear or biological weapons.
2. That God will be driven from public life.
3. That America's sense of patriotism will continue to decline.
4. That our schools will not strengthen to meet the coming competition from China and India.
5. That our aging population will overwhelm the resources of Social Security and Medicare.

Much elaboration can be done on each of these and I'm willing to do so, but for this article I simply want to make you aware of these as priorities for all of us.
Despite any party differences we must address these issues before all others, as a nation, if we are to survive another generation as Americans.

Our enemies are not the type who would be content with territorial victories. They want world domination for their "religion" and they are content to take innocent lives in order to gain it. We must fight them on all fronts with all means until they yield.

Our faith in God gives us a depth of conviction that nonbelievers don't have. We must keep faith as a central element in our society and defend our first amendment right to practice our faith unrestricted by our government and courts. Without faith there is no higher purpose to life or to our country.

Americans who still hold allegiance to their former country are NOT Americans at all. They are foreigners who simply live here. They do not deserve any of our citizen's rights or privileges, just as we don't in their countries. All immigrants must learn to become Americans if they are to stay here. They need to learn our history, our Constitution and our language. If they do not, then in one or two generations we will no longer be America, but rather merely a land of competing languages and allegiances.

We've got to stop tolerating token education. We must demand that our students master their subjects and graduate with honor and dignity. If we don't then our country will become one of the lesser players in the world and our quality of life will decline accordingly.

People take care of their own money when given the chance. We know how to shop for good deals and how to avoid rip offs. This must apply to Social Security. Put people back in charge of their money through private accounts and give them choices. And, stop the government from borrowing Social Security funds. The system cannot endure as it is currently structured. It was built for a world in which the life expectancy was 62 and Social Security paid out starting at 65. It's time for REAL change.

Make sure your candidates agree on these topics and then hold them accountable when in office. We don't have the option to make these lesser priorities. This is America's primary agenda whether it likes it or not. We can endure and thrive but not on the path we are currently traveling.

Respectfully and urgently submitted,
Jim Cathcart