I walked into my favorite running store and after poking around a bit at the shoe wall I was approached by the salesperson… We started to talk and she stepped back gave me a look over and said, “Oh you are a heavy runner.” I stopped for a brief moment and thought that was strange, she never even asked me how many miles I ran and she could tell just by looking at me?

I replied I guess I run about 25 miles a week and before I could finish the sentence she interrupted me and said, “No you are a HEAVY runner.”  I stood still…

Finally the light bulb went on and I understood, the word heavy was used as far as poundage not distance… You know at that time she was correct. I probably was weighing close to my top weight of 250 lbs, so I used that along with a certain picture I have mentioned from time to time to motivate me to become the person I am today. It is funny how those moments stay with you. Perhaps they even define you.

I had another one today, just as impactful as “Oh you are a heavy runner”, but this time it was at the opposite end of the spectrum.

I walked into a new sandwich shop near my home for lunch. I of course decked out in my usually Ironman clothing walked in and started to look at the menu. While I was looking the first employee in the sandwich line said “You are an Ironman?” (Take it from me this NEVER gets old). I looked away from the menu and said excuse me? He said it even louder, “You are an Ironman?” I smiled and I said no, I am a 2x Ironman (Take it from me that is even better to say). As I progressed down the sandwich making line one employee after another the topic continued all the way down to the cashier/owner. I heard everything I could never do that to I run cross country to I ran my first marathon. The best was the last. When I came upon the cashier/owner he looked at me and said this sandwich is on me. For someone to show such dedication and passion for something that is so difficult it would be an honor…

WOW!!!

How far I have come…

It just proves that the scariest part of the journey is taking that first step. Why are we so afraid? All it takes is one moment in time to let the dominoes start to fall. No it hasn’t been easy but the rewards far outweigh any of my fears. Why doesn’t everyone do this? I have accomplished many things in these past few years and I am excited to see what the next chapters bring. I enjoy helping people on their journeys and see how I have touched so many in a small portion of time.

As most know these past few months have been a struggle. I tried to get my own fitness company up and running, was lay off from my job of 15 years, suffered from the post Ironman blues, sent in countless resumes, networked until my fingers hurt and I wasn’t seeing the results I was hoping for…

Lately I have begun to see a new light at the end of the tunnel. All of a sudden my workouts have found a new step, the networking is starting to show some life and I am going into a 2nd interview with a company that I believe is a good fit. Whether or not I get this job… Whether I run 3 miles, 6 miles or 10… Whether the business side of The Fitness Buddy is done for now…

I have this… I am not a heavy runner anymore. That person is in my past. I am not going back.

So am I an Ironman? Yes, yes I am…

Until next time… Your Fitness Buddy

If one more person tells me it is a marathon not a sprint I swear I will go postal, even worse I have had people tell me this and they have never ran a marathon!!!! HOW DO THEY KNOW!!! In fact I do know that it is the darkest before the dawn, things will get better and so on and so on and so on and SO ON!!!!!!!!

If you don’t know what I am talking about I will catch you up… Hi my name is Jim Ristow, I was laid off and I am unemployed. Maybe you have heard of us, it has been kind of been on the news for a while. For those who have gone through it I now get it.

So this is not your typical Happy Joy Joy post usually seen on this channel, I am sorry. Listen if there is a person on this planet that always seems to be on the positive side it is me.

So why am I down?

This sucks (pardon my french)!

I went into this possible lay off, which turned into a real lay off as prepared compared to most. I could see it coming from 5 years away, still nothing can prepare a person for the day in and the day out of being unemployed. Don’t get me wrong I am far from alone. My support is wonderful! Plus preparing for those little races called Ironman taught me plenty about myself! I am a different person from the person I was 6 or 7 years ago.

SO WHAT IS WRONG, you might ask?

Well this is what is wrong. I have tried to be a better person. In fact I can say I have gone so far as to say I have actually influenced others and helped changed their lives. From helping people lose weight, become runners, triathletes and so on. The last 6 or 7 years is exactly who I want to be. Life is good! No life is great!!! The accomplishment of finding one self and then broadcasting that to others and others see hope that they too can change has been a highlight of this life.

SO WHAT IS WRONG?

I am getting to it. I did not go on with this journey ever asking what is in it for me. I simply went where the journey takes me. There are sure a lot more smiles, laughs and good thoughts than there have been in the past. BUT… That old life keeps on calling and it is shouting at me these past few months.

I know at some point I will find that career (I hope). I refuse to settle. I worked too long, spent too much money and simply I AM NOT THAT PERSON ANYMORE just to go back. I can’t settle, I won’t settle. It is what I tell people to do, how can I?

SO WHAT IS WRONG?

This is what is wrong? I am asking for a little payback. Isn’t that how things work? You pay so much into the good karma side you are allowed once in a while to ask for a little of it back, when you need it? I have talked many times about this journey I am on and yes I know I am still on it, but there are times where you just want to find the nearest hammock, jump in and say I am not playing today!

I feel that more often lately. Even though I am surrounded by this world wide support group, I feel alone. I know what has to be done and I have taken steps to keep this moving forward, but if something is basically out of your own control what can you do? I mean who flies out to trade shows on his own penny (reminder that is an unemployed penny) to network? Shouldn’t that alone tell these people, HEY THIS GUY IS DIFFERENT? HEY THIS GUY IS SERIOUS? HEY MAYBE WE SHOULD MOVE THIS GUY UP NEAR THE TOP ON THE INTERVIEWING PILE?

I remember there was a time I talked all about this Ironman thing. My hope is I can at some point again. I sure like Ironman Jim a whole lot better than Networking Jim.

To my future employer I have a message for you. I am humbled and thankful for this opportunity you are giving me. What you are getting in me is something you never had in your company before. No not just because I am an Ironman, but you are getting everything that an Ironman represents. Hard work, determination, loyalty, passion, a strong belief in one self and the ideals he stands for, the knowledge that nothing is too tough, scary, or impossible to overcome, a person that will look at fear straight in the face and says BRING IT! No I will not be 100% successful all the time, but you better believe it I won’t quit. Why? Because Ironman DON’T QUIT! No better yet, Jim Ristow doesn’t quit!

OK it is time to pick myself up again, dust myself off again, and get moving again…

Pity Party is over!!

Thanks for coming!

Until next time… Your Fitness Buddy!

Oh yeah one last saying…“The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.” I JUST NEEDED TO REMIND MYSELF…

So here is my question can 60 seconds of doing something be just as hard if not harder than doing something that can take up to 17 hours?

You would think the answer would be NO WAY! I mean it is only a minute. You can do anything for a minute, right?

Well…

I can think back back as if were yesterday, my first Ironman was about to start. I can feel the coolness of the water as I waded out towards the start line with 2,500 of my closest friends. I can remember the sun rising, the slight breeze hitting my face and the songs leading up to the canon firing. I remember how nervous and calm I felt at the same time. It will be forever etched into my memory. I remember thinking I am about to take on the biggest challenge of my life and there probably will be none bigger.

Boy if the Jim Ristow of September 10,2010 could only meet the Jim Ristow of January 20, 2012. I am sure the Jim of today would have a few words for that Jim of September 10, 2010.

60 seconds not 17 hours, is all I have to prove to a complete stranger that I am worthy of becoming an employee of their company. Again I am battling with a large amount of people to prove I am the one worthy of becoming an employee of company X. You want to talk about elbows, knees, hands and feet flying! 60 SECONDS! First impressions are everything. I remember hearing someone say the last 5 minutes of an interview are the most important of the day. BOY ARE THEY WRONG! No matter the argument, it is the first 60 seconds of meeting someone do we make our impression of this person. Why is an interview any different? No pressure right?

So as I come to the conclusion that the idea of having my own fitness studio has to be put on hold for a awhile and I am putting on the big boy pants, I find career searching as difficult as training for an Ironman. I do find many similarities to both, that I hope my time training and doing an Ironman helps me through this process.

The main comparison I find is leg work. Completing an Ironman really is all about what you do to get to the starting line. Leg work. Did you swim enough? Ride enough? Run enough? Did the rest of the training go according to plan? If you are true to yourself one thing builds onto the next. If you are not true to yourself during the race everything will crumble like a house of cards.

The same can be said in the career search. This is the time to put all those lessons learned to practice. Those who succeed have trained properly. Those who haven’t will collapse like that house of cards during the interview process.

I am doing everything I can and I am always looking to you for your suggestions. I will be prepared for those 60 seconds. The pressure is on, but there is one difference I have over most already. I prepared for the most important 60 seconds of my life, by preparing for the most important 17 hours of my life.

Who knew? Jim Ristow of September 10, 2010 surely didn’t.

Until next time… Your Fitness Buddy

If you remember from my last post I was headed out to Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show. For those who don’t know what this is, let’s just say this is my old stopping grounds. The Consumer Electronics Show is the largest show of its kind that shows the world what is coming out for them to play with. Just as expected get ready there are some pretty cool things soon to it your local electronics store or Internet site.

My goal was two fold.

1. To see if I had any passion, excitement or joy for this industry anymore.

2. Network and come home with a handful of contacts that I could work with, leading to a new job somewhere down the line.

Cutting the story short I never got to #2. Going into the trip I figured I had a good shot at #1, looking to other segments in the industry focusing around anything Apple or Droid because this is by far the future of the industry. The days of people wanting Home Audio/Car Audio (my old career) are over, plus this technology is leaving the TV and computer manufacturers scrambling.

So what happened…

As soon as I got into the trade show I came to a quick conclusion… As I walked around I was paying more attention to the attendees, rather to the companies. What I noticed disturbed me. I had nothing in common with these people. These people are who I used to be. I am sure that most of these people are great people, but I used to be more like them. I AM NOT THAT PERSON ANYMORE! Why was I looking to get back in the same rat race again? Soon after I realized that, I simply couldn’t approach any of these companies. The Electronics Industry is my past. It was a good ride for the most part but I walked out of that convention center knowing that chapter is closed. I walked out HAPPY! I am moving on…

Friday the 13th Part 2.

That day signaled my final severance check from Harman. I am officially off the Harman payroll and moved into the official unemployed ranks!!! As I walked out of the final day of the trade show I was done much earlier than expected. I was meeting my brother for dinner at 6, so I had 5 hours to kill. I didn’t feel like walking around the trade show anymore, so I decided to take a drive.

I ended up at Hoover Dam just as dusk started. For those who haven’t been to this area, there is nothing, Rocks Rocks and more Rocks. In an interesting way it is actually very nice (especially since it wasn’t 116 degrees), with the sun setting slowly the rocks changed colors.

Then it happened… A moment…

Before you roll your eyes let me explain. These moments are very far and few in between. The best I can describe these moments is a calmness, almost like everything around me slows down, colors are more defined and even smells are heightened. Don’t believe me? Think back to my recaps of my 1st Ironman, I had one of these experiences wading in the lake just before the biggest race in my life. Through my history I have had these from time to time and I was wondering if I was going to have one during this career search.

Where did it happen?

Well, see they built this new bridge over the canyon Hoover Dam sits in. Before this bridge all traffic going between Nevada and Arizona had to drive on a skinny road and directly over the dam. At peak driving periods I was told it could take hours just to go 30 miles, this new bridge saves a huge amount of time. They also made a walking path on this bridge that allows people to walk out on and get a great view of the dam. Now this bridge is long and it is very high (800+ feet down to the river). So I don’t know which is more unnerving? The 800+ foot drop or traffic zipping next to you at 65 (more like 80) mph. I parked in the lot and notice this car with 2 Tri bikes and by closer inspection these bikes were owned by Ironman. As I walked towards the bridge I met up with these Ironman and had a quick conversation. This totally perked up my trip. What a contrast to those people I hung out with at the trade show.

As I walked out on the bridge the height was a bit unnerving, but I soon found myself alone in the middle of the bridge. This was when the moment happened. My breath slowed, I watched as the colors of the rocks changed with the ever moving sun and felt the cool breeze blow past my face as it blew up from the canyon. I have to admit a small tear started down my cheek as a huge smile came to my face. At that moment I knew my decision was the right thing and everything was going to be OK. I drove back to Las Vegas, knowing this was the reason I came to Vegas, not The Consumer Electronics show. I had a great dinner with my brother, probably talked way too much and headed off to the airport for my 1:39 am flight.

January 13, 2012 could easily become the turning point in this whole career search, it just happened to be a Friday.

So where does this leave me? Next weekend I am off to another trade show in Salt Lake City. This time it is a trade show that focuses around the fitness industry, in fact a handful of companies that where in Austin will be at this show. Better yet I will be surrounded by like minded people that value the fact that health and fitness are very important in ones life. I have contacted a few from the Austin show and they all mention they are looking forward to seeing me again. Networking! What will be different this time around I know with out a shadow of doubt this is my future!

It took me a long time, but I finally can see my future…

Until next time… Your Fitness Buddy

I know what you are thinking about, but you would be wrong. This trip is another step past the fear most feel during their time jobless, unemployed, or laid off.

If you are reading this you already know one person that has been effected by this rough patch our world has been in, but chances you know more and perhaps you yourself have been touched by this in some form or fashion. Company downsizing, freeze on raises, cut back on perks and so on, but unless you have faced being without a job it is hard to describe the feelings you have on a daily… no a moment by moment basis.

I have already run into a few examples of experiencing the double edge sword called HOPE. HOPE is a mighty powerful thing. HOPE is what can carry you through the difficult times or it can crush you the very same moment when it is pulled away from you in a blink of an eye. You really have to be careful on how you use HOPE in a career search.

An example or two.

If you remember back in December I traveled down to Austin, TX to network at a trade show, with the goal to come away with a handful of contacts that I could network with in the coming weeks. In a strange way these companies where interviewing with me just as much as I was interviewing with them, they just didn’t know it. The goal for me was not a job offer, but to build a contact. Their goal was not to hire anyone, but when the time came to hire someone to remember talking to this person at the trade show. Still all the work falls onto me. So like a good little career searcher as soon as I got home I sent off “thank yous” to the companies that impressed me. In this message I asked for permission if it was OK if I sent them a hello and a reminder from time to time. Everyone I sent a message to, said sure…

HOPE!

Now that it has been a month and the first round of reminders are being sent out. I wanted to see if all the expense and effort was well worth it and happily it was with all of them responding back to me. In fact, one company is attending another trade show I am attending in a couple of weeks and said he was looking forward to stopping by their booth…

HOPE! or HOPE?

See how great and evil one single word can play into a feeling. “He is looking forward to seeing me?” What does that mean? Did I make a huge impact that he is interested in moving this networking to the next level? Or was he just being nice? It reminds a little of high school dating, ugh! Who really wants to go through that all again. So with his kindness I will side on the positive side of HOPE, although keeping my guard up.

Example #2 came from a friend and totally out of the blue. Again having others keep their eyes out for career opening has proven a worthy move. This time I was point to a career opening with a nice company and based off their websites highlights things like, employees are family, tight knit, forward thinking, quality products and made in the USA. From what I know of the company they are telling the truth. If I were a hand, this glove would fit perfectly. The position that is open would mean leaving Chicago for another place (warmer), being treated as a valued member of a company not a number, and most importantly a career with purpose… HOPE!

Positive HOPE!!! BUT…

There is always a but, my HOPE is based on sending them a resume through their company website, hopefully making it through the dreaded filters of a person/computer. HOPE? We will see, I still have a thing up my sleeve or two for this position (they are located a days drive from my house, I might just pop in and hand them a resume).

Example #3 brings me to BOLD MOVE #2 – Las Vegas. Trade show #2 and it just so happens to be the largest one of its kind and also happens to be in the industry I worked for so long, The Consumer Electronics Show. It is a biggie folks with 3,200 companies at my disposal. I guess the first thing I will have to address as soon as I step foot in the trade show is to see if there is still any interest, passion, or love for industry I have spent my entire adult life in or has that ship sailed? We will see on that, but out of 3,200 companies just like in Austin the goal is not to find a job, but to find contacts. I would HOPE in a trade show this big I should find a handful of companies and contacts I can work with as far as building a network. If not, I can finally put a close on a chapter in my life.

HOPE…

This isn’t the end of the bold moves, there is a #3 already planned and paid for. There are also possibilities for a #4 and #5, but hopefully through this network building, through my friends passing along leads and my simple searching, I will find that glove I am HOPING for.

HOPE…

In a sea of millions, my HOPE is I am separating myself from a large chunk of the fish looking for a job. I want to make enough people I come into contact with know how valuable I will be for the future of their company. Where I end up, I have no guesses as of yet, but I have HOPE!

So if you find yourself in the same situation I understand. It is much easier to give up HOPE, than using HOPE as your ally. Things happen, in fact things happen for a reason. It is hard in fact it plainly SUCKS! There are plenty of days were I wonder about my self worth. In fact, there are times where I take it hour by hour, minute by minute but I have HOPE!

HOPE… is a powerful tool in the fight against hopelessness!

Until next time… Your Fitness Buddy

This is your 2011 self speaking to the 2012 Jim. There are many times when you think to yourself I wonder what life is going to be like at this time next year. I just wanted to write to you reminding you what happened to you in 2011. So when you reread this on December 26, 2012 I hope you find yourself smiling of the accomplishments you made in these next 365 days.

As you remember 2011 was a very trying year. It had it’s ups, but sad to say it was the downs that seem relentless as you tried to move forward. Remember the downs were not earth shattering compare to many others, but still when they happen to you the troubles seem a little bigger than they actually are. So let’s start this off with the good stuff, shall we -

1. Kim. She is there be your side every step of the way. Never forget this, that no matter how stupid or silly the idea she is there encouraging you and standing by her man.

2. The Ironman. Hey you didn’t think it would be any lower on this list, did you? You completed #2 and killed your IMWI time by a whole hour and 40 minutes. Yes, some might point out that the course was easier than IMWI but to take that much time off is still an accomplishment in my book.

3. Friendships. Whether they are face to face friendships or to those on Facebook this group of people I call friends help keep me humble and smiling day in and day out. I hope they understand a few years back very few would have wanted to be my friends.

So if you focus on those three items it was a very good year…

Still with all of that the big news fell on the career side. As huge the strides have been on the personal side of Jim Ristow, sadly the same cannot be said on the professional side.

1. Laid off. I knew going into 2011 the chances of me ending with the same job when 2011 closed was small. I knew either by my choice or theirs this was probably going to be it for my days at Harman. In fact, I have been preparing for this for sometime but when it actually happened it still sucks. Still I was OK, because I was already moving another direction.

2. The Fitness Buddy. Yes overall the idea of The Fitness Buddy and becoming my own boss looked great on paper and being laid off it was the perfect timing to see where I could take this. Well the answer was not very far. Not because the dream and vision wasn’t there, simply it was because the capital wasn’t there. I took it as far as I could without placing Kim and I in any real financial troubles. Still making lemonade out of lemons I think of two things. 1. I learned a lot, in fact more than I could have ever learned going back to school. 2. The Fitness Buddy isn’t dead. Who knows in 5 years, 10 years or some unknown date I can revisit it. In fact, when that happens who knows what it will look like in this pumpkin size head.

So on the drive back from the Ironman I came to the conclusion it was time to put on the big boy pants once more and start the career search. I know you are worried. I know you are scared. I know you are afraid that you will revert back to the Jim Ristow of the past. There are a ton of worries swirling through that noggin.

Here is the advice from the 2011 Jim… STOP!!!! Just think how far you have come in these past years. You used to be the bone head no one wanted any part with. You were lost, sad, overweight and stuck looking at a fork in the road. Now look at you. Slimmer, healthier, happier and an inspiration to others. Oh yeah, I almost forgot YOU ARE A FRICKEN IRONMAN!!!!

Cut yourself some slack, which ever company you choose to work for is getting someone special and your best days are NOT behind. Just as you had to fix yourself personally, it is time to do this on your professional side. Things happen for a reason at you are standing at a new fork in the road. DO NOT STAND THERE! Get your butt moving. You are going to do great!

Yes, you might not be able to do an Ironman in 2012. That is OK, because you had it mind that it might have been an off year anyways. Find that job that is going to make you as happy as you are in your personal life.

Do this and come December 26, 2012 there will be a much different letter to yourself.

Until next time your Fitness Buddy…

A. Training and completing a race (2x) that most people think impossible

B. Career searching

I think back to all the emotions I had for training for my Ironman’s that I have completed and the emotional roller coaster I put myself through on a daily basis. I never thought that training would be training for a career search. Let’s face it since I am going through the career search I am finding that the career search is at least equal to training for the Ironman, but in fact it is probably more difficult.

Why?

Well so far what I have come up with is this: You do an Ironman really for yourself. To see how far you can push yourself physically and mentally for 140.6 miles, plus the countless miles and hours leading up to the race. Now I know there are people out there saying they are doing it for a loved one, a cause and so on, but when it really comes down to it, it is done because of yourself. Can you really compete in a race that will take you through every single emotion through a 140.6 mile race and survive?

Career searching I have found you do control many aspects of the journey, but there is one more phase that the Ironman does not have. Ultimately there is another person involved that gives you either a thumbs up or a thumbs down. That is out of your control. The decision just for an interview rest based on a few words written on a sheet of paper. This person doesn’t know you from the next, but there was something not worded correctly or something missing that simply makes that person respond back to you saying such things as:

• Even though your qualification are excellent….
• Thank you for responding, but your qualifications don’t meet…
• We will keep your resume on file and we will review them when another position becomes available…

There is a lot of weight that goes into a sheet of paper or two.

Listen I knew going in that this was going to be tough and I can’t be so emotional about a complete stranger’s decision but it is hard not to start thinking that there might be something really wrong with me…

What worries me even more is I have just started this process. What am I going to be like if this lasts into spring, summer or ever further?

What will save me during this process?

It is very easy to sit on the couch, open a carton of Ben & Jerry’s and sit there feeling sorry for myself. I get it and I am beginning to understand why so many people in this economy are probably doing that right now. I just started, they have been doing this much longer than I and probably were filled with as much optimism as I when they first started. So what made them stop? What broke their spirit? How can I prevent that from happening to me?

Here is my initial plan:

1. Ironman. Remember that I am an Ironman and that if I could complete one and now two of these things I can do anything as long as I put my all into it. Use what I learned during that journey and apply it to this journey.
2. Workouts. Feeling low? Feeling beat up? Feeling that the whole world is on my shoulders? Simple go into The Fitness Buddy, or go to the gym, or go for a run. I used this technique many times through my ups and downs at my old job and the results at the end were I was 70lbs. lighter and a much happier person.
3. Blog. I put you all through the torment of my Ironman journey and now all of you will have to enjoy the new soap opera in my life. ENJOY!
4. Music. I forget how much comfort the right song brings when played through an awesome sounding system. Some songs are played softly, while others are played at ear piercing levels. Either way the right song can put me in the right frame of mind.
5. Never give up. I think going down to that trade show in Austin was an excellent idea. Has it produced the result I am looking for? Not yet, but it is still early and I am dealing with the knowledge it is the holidays, fiscal year end decisions and so on. I will continue to search for ideas like this to help me standout in a sea of unemployment noise.

So in the mean time I apologize once again if this seems all to familiar to my Ironman posts. It is a new journey and all journey’s have their peaks and valleys. I have a feeling this journey is going to have some biggies along the way. Please keep me in your thoughts, but simply when it comes down to it, IT IS UP TO ME!

The show goes on…

Until next time… Your Fitness Buddy

I will give you two examples that have recently happened to me and you tell me if it is worth it.

Example #1 – I know jobs are out there, I have seen them. In fact do a little digging on corporate websites and you will see. These are not the $10 an hour jobs at Wal-Mart, these are good jobs, well paying jobs, jobs that one can make a career of and hopefully one that could take until retirement.

Adidas

Adidas a well established manufacturer of shoes, clothes and other fitness related products has a position open right here in Chicago for a Sales Rep – Running Specialty. Looking the requirements I thought to myself here is a great job open and I don’t even have to think about relocating. I mean I am a runner, a finisher of countless races from 5k’s all the way up to that Ironman thing I talk so much about. Plus having a sales, marketing, training background should hold some value, so I sent in a resume and waited… Now at least i have to give Adidas some credit, because in today’s job market world if a company thinks you don’t fit what they are looking for they don’t even give you a response. At least Adidas had the common courtesy in sending me an email back saying I don’t meet their qualifications, bonus points for Adidas but that is where I end their bonus points. DON’T MEET THEIR QUALIFICATIONS? REALLY, I do mention I am a 2x Ironman on my resume. Um? Really? Don’t meet their qualifications?

I get it. There are two possible scenarios I can come up with.

1. You send in a resume and it never sees a human being. A computer looks at it with the program of looking for key words or experiences. I can’t blame them I can’t even imagine how many resumes they get when they list a job, simply they don’t have the person power to go over each and everyone.
2. Dare I say it. To put it kindly I am too experienced (OLD). Wow, the first time in my life I am experiencing what it means to be considered old. Hey I am not 45 for another week, doesn’t that count for something? This too I get, they think just because of my 15 years at my previous job I am expecting to make as much money. THREE WORDS – HOW DARE THEY!!!! I am no fool I understand that there will be an income loss and I am OK with that, because I know how to work my butt off, get results and in turn my income will rise once more. But to simply toss a resume aside because of this reason? I know I am not a person coming right out of college, but think of this Adidas and any other company. YOUR PRODUCT IS NOT BEING PURCHASED BY 25 YEAR OLDS ALL THE TIME! In fact, if you look at the average age of a runner I bet you will see the average age is going up and getting older. Now if it were me and I am trying to sell my product to folks above the ripe old age of 35+ I sure would like someone that has been there done that.

Who better than a person who has done this in his “middle” years? Plus I done the following items -

1. Lost 70 pounds and kept it off.
2. Run over 10 marathons.
3. Took up Triathlons.
4. Became a Personal Trainer helping people lose weight and in fact many have become runner’s and triathletes themselves.
5. And yes I AM A FRICKEN IRONMAN!!!!!

This is why I am going to try to avoid this way of career searching, it simply won’t work. Even before I send out the resume it is dead in the water.

THE BOLD MOVE

Being I am faced with this type of unfairness and to top that off hundreds, thousands, perhaps millions of people also doing their own career search one has to look for ways to stand out in a mighty big crowd.

I can think of one thing and one thing only that I have to be the best at, NETWORKING! Networking is a lot different today, the last time I career searched there was no social media but what it comes down to it networking hasn’t changed. It is not what you know that will get you a career, it is who you know. Networking is how this is all going to happen.

So what was the bold move? Well, since there is some income coming in with Kim’s job, a few Harman checks still to come and a few other things I am taking this career search to them! I am putting this face in front as many people as I can in the industry I have a passion for. I am going on the offense. Sending out resumes is defensive. The first of hopefully many more (hopefully not too many) positive moves was I went to a major trade show that focused around the running industry. The event is called The Running Event. I thank the owners of the Runner’s Hi and Tri and the Naperville Running Company for planting the seed for this idea. I went to their stores talked to the owners along with a few of the salespeople and asked them was there a major trade show they attend and they both mentioned The Running Event.  The problem it was less than 10 days away! Timing is everything. I asked them to keep an eye and ear out for me. As I drove home I started to think, why would I place my hopes and trust in these people. Don’t get me wrong these are great people but they have their reasons why they are going and I might be a small thought in their minds, if that while they attended the show.

So I went home to check on airfares. Chicago to Austin, $800, Yikes!!!! Chicago to Houston, $550, nope. Chicago to Dallas $400, better but… wait a moment Spirit Airlines? $142 round trip? WHAT IS THE CATCH! Off I went to Spirit Airlines website to figure this out. After checking that it was legit, Wednesday to Saturday $142 round trip Chicago to Dallas!!!! Wait a minute Thursday’s flight to Dallas $8? NOT A TYPO! Sunday’s flight back to Chicago $8!!!!! With tax round trip airfare $55!!!! DONE!

You remember me talking about fate, karma, THE HAND OF GOD! If this isn’t a sign, I don’t know what is. Using some left over Hilton points I also got a free hotel for the trip, leaving me to pay for the car rental, food, and gas. So I was off to Austin!!!

Now a bold move is only as good as you make it.

Friday morning I woke up early to participate in the events 5k, thinking it was a good chance to network. As it turned out none of the manufacturers ran the race, but it was the attendees. No matter most that I talked to provided great information on which companies were looking for help. After the race I cleaned up and was off to the trade show.

As I entered the trade show I knew what to expect since I have done the Consumer Electronics Show so many times. I knew it was to keep my distance, scope out the trade show floor and pick my moments. The last thing these manufacturer wanted to do is to talk to some poor schmuck about jobs. I soon noticed I was over dress since everyone was in jeans and sweatshirts. So I decided to go back to the hotel and dress as they were. Coming back I started to feel overwhelmed, I didn’t really know where to start and the anxiety started to get the best of me.

I had to leave!

Walking back to the hotel I felt alone, dejected and sad. Before I took a nap I reached out to my FaceBook friends looking for some support. As I woke up I checked FaceBook and was surprised on the number of responses I received. I read through each one of them and the great things they had to say, to top this I watched a couple of Ironman videos on YouTube that inspire me and I was a new person.

Off to the show I went and I took charge of the situation! I targeted about 12 companies I wanted to work for and went after them. So the rest of Friday and a few short hours on Saturday I talked to most of these company’s. For the most part none are hiring right now, but most are looking to add staff in 2012!!!! I got names and as soon as I got home I sent out thank you’s and reminders. In addition my FaceBook friends are looking out for me. They are giving me names of their running/tri store managers, they are giving me names of head hunters and they are giving me names from anyone they know in the industry.

I sent out four thank you’s today and have already gotten back four responses. Much better results than just sending out resumes.

Now I am not thinking this will end anytime soon. First it is the holiday’s, add on it is the end of most companies fiscal year’s and that means it is doubtful anything will happen in December, probably even January and maybe February. That does not mean I am stopping here.

There are a few more trade shows coming up and I will have to see if it is worth attending any of these. Financially is the big question, but other than that I think it can only help. These events are not open to the public, but being my own company with the name The Fitness Buddy should get me in these events.

Give up? HECK NO! Be different? HECK YES!

The journey continues and these contact better realize I will be on them giving them reminders of who I am!

Until next time… Your Fitness Buddy

In a world of four letter words that are bad, I find comfort in hope.

It can come in a small form to really something very big, but either way, hope gives me the strength to push on.

As you might have read in my last post I have started a career search. My quote is, “it is time to put on the big boy pants and search for the next chapter of this journey I have been on.” I took The Fitness Buddy as far as I could take it alone. Time to put that dream on the shelf for now and move forward. I too take comfort knowing I took it as far as I could and knowing it is there to pull off the shelf when/if the time comes.

Hope… It is hard to believe there is hope in this career search with so many negative things happening all around us. Everyday, no every hour there seems to be a new report on how things are so bad. The reports are so many one wonders why to even try. Many are defeated even before they start, no hope…

Hope… In the short time I have started my search I find hope everywhere, if you know where to look. Reaching out to family and friends of course is a great source of hope, but reaching out further is what really has surprised me the most. Looking back in my journey I find this to be true. Hope comes from the most unusual places. Hope comes from moments you least expect. There is a catch, you really have to be ready to look for it and be prepared to notice it at a moments notice. Then just as quickly as you find it you have have to act on it almost as fast.

Hope… Hope involves stepping back and assessing what is happening in front of you. It involves more listening than talking. It involves slowing down and observing than just doing for the sake of doing. It involves being real with yourself rather than denying what is actually happening to you.

Hope… Means to taking a risk, to be different, to make a bold move versus sitting back and waiting for something to happen. Hope means living life not life passing you by.

Hope… I look back and think would I have been ready to do this before The Fitness Buddy? No! Hope is learning from life situations and applying them to the situations you face today.

Hope… Is remembering, when I was 250 lbs, I was lost in life, I took the bold moves to change everything! It hasn’t happened over night, in fact I still am going through with the changes, but I am the one that lost the weight, I am the one who feared running marathons and completed over a dozen, I am the one that feared changing my professional life, I am the one who took on the challenge of the Ironman and now have completed two, I am the one that created The Fitness Buddy… each step created more and more HOPE.

Hope… is now facing a bigger challenge than all of those combined… the career search. Not not only a career search, but a career search in the worst economy since the great depression. I truly believe the right career is out there for me. I have done the research and there seems to be plenty of positions out there if you believe the companies career site. There are not only plenty of positions available, there are plenty of great positions available. Now it is my job to break the code, network past the usual avenues in finding a career, perhaps bump into that one yet to be discovered person that will assist me pursue this next challenge.

Hope… is all of you that have followed this journey of mine, the weight loss, The Fitness Buddy and the Ironman. You have been a very welcome force that I wasn’t sure of having when this roller coaster ride started. To that I don’t believe there will never be enough thank you’s coming from me. Now that I am entering another emotional roller coaster chapter, I will need you even more.

You help give me HOPE!

As this week ends, I am taking a very bold step to stand out and be different than the huge group of the unemployed. I am traveling down to Austin, TX to attend a trade show called The Running Event. For a lack of better example, I turn to my electronics past. This trade show is the Consumer Electronics Show of the Running industry. My goal is simple come away with a handful of contact names. No I don’t expect to walk away with a new job (would be kind of nice) since the people attending this show have other priorities. The HOPE is I walk away with a handful of names then I can start the process of building a relationship with a more defined group of people.

So wish me luck, if you have a passing moment pass along some positive mojo and good thoughts. It is a bold move that HOPEFULLY helps make stand out from the crowd.

Until next time… The Fitness Buddy

Front #1 – Scale

Front #2 – Career

Both faced separately difficult, but together daunting…

SCALE -

I am now the heaviest I have been in 8 + years and this was planned. PLANNED? Yes I planned to eat anything I wanted for a three week period after the Ironman. Thinking back, except for some vacations I have been very careful on what I eat for 2+ years training for these Ironman competitions. Now if you know me you might be questioning the word careful in that past sentence, because I talk about yummy foods like ice cream, doughnuts and hamburgers quite often. Gladly it is more talk than action. That doesn’t mean I don’t think about those foods often but once again it more thought than action.

I noticed three weeks after the Ironman was Thanksgiving weekend and I made a deal with myself; Eat everything and anything you want leading up to Thanksgiving, but on Black Friday you are done.

I am by no means unfit, overweight, not healthy but pigging out for three weeks I did notice my clothes were tighter and the body actually felt more miserable than me coming off a 140.6 mile race.

On Black Friday I stepped on the scale and the number 196.4 came up on the digital scale. Just to make sure I stepped on it two more times and it was the same result each time. 196.4 is the heaviest I had been for 8+ years.

So the game was on… I have a number of 185 or a bit lower as my goal. To hold myself accountable I also made it a goal to Facebook my weight every morning for the world to see. The plan is easy, eat smarter and exercise!

EATING SMARTER -

1. Stop the late night munching
2. Focus on portion sizes
3. To avoid eating out as much as possible, but when eating out happens portion sizes, portion sizes, portion sizes.

I have to say since Black Friday I have been a pretty good boy covering these three. Late night munching has disappeared, good! Portion sizes still needs some work and eating out has been cut in half, but when I do eat out I get the 6″ sub versus the foot long, pretty good.

November 25, 2011 – 196.4

December 3, 2011 – 192.00

I have misplaced 4.4 pounds and I am not really looking for them. Only 9 days in this places me ahead of schedule. Will this last? The goal is a pound a week, check in once in awhile to see…

CAREER -

Thinking back 8+ years ago I never would have guessed anything close to The Fitness Buddy. First let me say The Fitness Buddy is not going anywhere. The issue is I have taken it as far as I can financially, right now. It is time to put on the big boy pants and hit the career trail once more. I go into this career search more prepared than I could have ever imagined.

So here we go… Bring it…

I stare at this goal and it seems so much bigger than anything I have ever taken on in my life. Yes bigger than the Ironman, in fact it might make the Ironman seem like a weekend spa vacation. I am not trying to come off all negative, but look what is staring me down. We are sitting in the worst recession since the 1920-30’s, high unemployment and basically companies afraid to hire. All I can say is oh boy!

As I see it there is basically two ways this is going to work.

1. Go to companies websites, look for open positions, send in resume, and wait and pray.
2. Make a big bold move, network and keep the pressure on.

Both are going to be hard. Choice #1 might work, but all I can see between point A and B is a lot of frustration. Choice #2 I believe is the better of the two choices, still going to be frustrating but a much better choice. I have so many connections that I am just starting to use, Facebook, Linked In, former co-workers, former-clients and so on. So if you see me a bit down you now know why.

I mentioned bold moves, #1 is coming. I will be traveling down to Austin, TX next weekend to attend a trade show that holds 150 potential employers in an industry I have a passion for, fitness. The trade show is called The Running Event. Now I am sure talking to potential new employees is far down on the list of all these companies, but it is worth a shot. The goal is to walk away with a handful of contacts that I can build a network with. The companies will be all different sizes to huge companies like Nike to the smallest of the small companies. What I am look for is that next upcoming company. Not the smallest of the small that might not be around next year, but I really don’t want to look for a company that treats me like a number either.

So for those who read this, I need you just like I need you for the Ironman. Help me be strong! I will get knocked down often, please be there to help pick myself up. Just like you are in my thoughts during the whole Ironman experience, all of you will be there as I look for the next new career for the Fitness Buddy.

The Fitness Buddy is not going away, I have grown accustom to blogging and handing out advice. So keep checking back!

Until next time… Your Fitness Buddy.