Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

~The Holy Bible: 1 Corinthians 9:25

One who conquers himself is greater than another who conquers a thousand times a thousand on the battlefield.

~Buddha

Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.

~Lao-tzu

The New Year has brought with it a sense of renewed hope. Who among us feels fully satisfied that we are a completed project? Each of us seeks self-improvement in some area of our life, and each of us revels in the experience of that journey! We long to be better. Will 2012 be a year we can look back on with a fondness for having made significant strides to that end? Only one person can fully answer that question, and the answer is rooted in our ability to begin focusing intensely on Self Mastery.

The pathway to the achievement of our goals will be narrow and likely littered with many obstacles. We welcome these challenges with the wisdom to understand that their presence indicates we have chosen the correct course; the rocky trail that will inevitably lead to the next summit on our never-ending climb. Come with us. We seek to present you with a unique opportunity to walk alongside us on a journey of self-discovery, self-improvement and self-mastery. It is the PROCESS we bring to you as the ultimate reward. There is no END RESULT per se but rather a series of steps forward that we hope will spawn some level of enlightenment. This becomes a quest to know ourselves more fully, in all of our uniqueness, as we test our limits and drive toward the realization of our fullest potential.

We acknowledge the value of awards and recognitions. All of us enjoy demonstrations of appreciation for our efforts, so with that in mind we are committed to honoring those individuals who excel in their quest to make powerful life altering changes. The 18 weekly assignments will be divided into three 6 week segments. We will recognize and award the top participant at the conclusion of each segment and we will recognize and award a top overall participant. Again, the recognitions/awards are NOT the focus; It is all about the JOURNEY and the FUN we have with the process of reaching our milestones.

This is not an attempt at reinventing the wheel. The tools we need already exist, but they are of no value unless put to their proper use. We can talk forever about the awesome nail driving ability of the hammer but until we pick it up and begin driving nails, the house does not get built. So let's stop talking or brainstorming about how we can make the "wheel" better and just put it into motion so it can help carry us toward the change we desire. It's called ACTION! We alone must make it happen.

Integration (becoming part of the process):

The overall theme and feel of the group will be one of Structure without Rigidity. Soft and Supple is to Life what Rigid and Brittle is to Death. In other words, we will provide guidance and leadership while allowing for creative expression. Each person will become a cohesive part of the group with freedom to embrace their unique talents and express their individuality.

A. Join the group and become familiar with its direction and intent. We ask that individual members refrain from starting threads so that we may keep the group site as streamlined as possible. You are of course encouraged to blog and interact in any way you choose apart from the group forum itself. We encourage you to openly express yourself. If you have questions or concerns related to anything please contact a member of the leadership team directly so that we may provide you with the information you seek. You will be provided with email contact information for submission of such questions and they may also be sent through normal messaging channels here on the site.

B. All participants will be asked to post Before Photos (front, side, back), Physical Statistics including but not limited to: age, height, and weight. Additional physical statistics that are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED are: body fat percentage and method for testing body composition (i.e.: Skin fold calipers, bio-impedance etc.), measurements of neck, chest, waist, right bicep, right forearm, hips, right quadriceps and right calf. All measurements should be taken while standing and relaxed. You may also include recent testing of cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar levels or any other stats you consider relevant. Simply stated, the more data we each have to compare and track results along the way, the better able we are to assess our progress and make adjustments on the fly. Individual photos and stats MUST BE POSTED PRIOR TO THE END OF WEEK ONE in order to be considered for potential achievements/recognitions (Any Achievements/Recognitions offered will be provided by group leadership). Cutoff dates/deadlines will be provided.

C. This group will be open to the entire community, but only those who adhere to specifically stated guidelines will be eligible for consideration for any potential incentives. Remember friends, it is the PROCESS that matters not the recognition, but we firmly embrace the relevance of personal acknowledgment as it relates to motivation.

Vision Statement: Participants and leaders of the Transformation Mastery group strive to continually improve. They recognize the value of the journey and they seek to help one another, and learn from one another. They recognize this journey encompasses the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual; it is not possible to optimally improve one’s self without improving all of these in concert.

Mission Statement: Transformation Mastery is a continuation of the foundational concepts put into place by Bill Phillips with a heightened emphasis on Spirit, Mind and Emotional elements. Assignment/Step work will provide the key to unlocking more meaningful as well as sustainable results. It is our hope that you will pour every ounce of your energy into deep introspection and reflection within each of the 21 assignments (18 ‘core’ and 3 optional ‘mastery’) you will be asked to complete. This goes beyond simply answering the questions. Each of you will be asked to provide a brief blog/essay for each assignment. We ask that you please limit your essays to just the best “essence” of what you experienced within each assignment in addition to addressing the questions provided.

Exercise and Nutrition are core basics that must be practiced with consistency in order to achieve success with transforming our physical selves. It is no secret that our physical beings are a manifestation of our eating, exercise as well as mindset habits. Releasing unhealthy weight is dependent upon bringing all elements consistently into play. Sustainability of results will be reliant upon the formation of new and better habits that support our long term health in all areas.


(CONTINUED BELOW!)

Your Leadership Team

What we LOOK FOR from you:


A. Your 100% BEST! We envision your honest and sincere commitment to the process of transforming every aspect of your being to a higher level.

B. Give your BEST effort each and every day. We understand that our best today or in this moment may look substantially different from what our best may look like on another day or within another moment. As long as we are always giving our best, we will succeed.

C. Practice with consistency the exercise of reaching out to lift others up. Typically this is seen through regular interaction within the group thread, and especially in supporting the blogs/profiles/photos/etc of other group members. We strongly encourage that each of you post in the daily thread (Make it something powerful for you, be it your daily nutrition, exercise, mindset etc. Use your creativity) and also comment on the blog, profile, photos etc. of the group member who has posted directly above you in the thread each day. Let’s make this fun, supportive and interactive without becoming overwhelmed by it. We want everyone to feel valued and supported. Let us all be mindful, however, not to allow our time to be monopolized to the extent that it interferes with the task at hand which is the WORK we all need to be doing to TRANSFORM our lives.

D. A self-promise to finish what you start no matter what obstacles you may encounter along the path.


What you may EXPECT from us:

A. Consistent support and Leadership: We will walk with you every step of the way.

B. Holding ourselves to the highest standard of accountability within this process. We will also be doing the work, posting our pictures, assignments, etc. Leadership by example should be the goal for all of us.

C. Open, honest, loving, consistent and sincere communication.

D. Our Best

As stated previously, this group is open to all members of this Community without exception. It will however be a closed group that will require you to message us for an invitation. Your request to join will serve as your commitment to and understanding of all we have presented to you here as well as future communication prior to official opening of the group on February 27th.




The group is slated to activate on February 27, 2012 which will also serve as the official start date of the 18 Week Transformation Mastery Challenge.



We look forward to guiding as well as learning from you. And we look forward to the FUN as well as the CHALLENGE.



We are excited to begin and look forward to receiving your request to become a part of it all.



Send your request to join to Michael (FitPro) via private message here on the site. We will follow up quickly with an acknowledgement response. Members will be allowed access to the group beginning on February 26th.




If you have general questions or comments you may contact

Michael (FitPro) or Bill (stingraystripe)

here on the site via private message or right here on this thread.

With tremendous LOVE, GRATITUDE AND



RESPECT

The Journey Begins

In





Days

Super Cool .. I am in ! ..to move my transformation to next level !

Nandit

God help me, I'm in. I could use a little more improvement to be sure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nanditsharma Super Cool .. I am in ! ..to move my transformation to next level ! Nandit

I think you'll really love it! It's going to AWESOME!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nini God help me, I'm in. I could use a little more improvement to be sure.

This is going to an INCREDIBLE group! I'm gettin' psyched!

I am in... and you know what that means! We're at least gonna have some fun.

Count me in

I'm in too, looking forward to getting to know you all & giving this my all. Thanks, Kathy

Count me in! Sending you a message Michael..

WOW! I've just been previewing the threads and the group structure, and WOW!!!! This is going to be really good! And I'm looking at the names of the folks who want to participate... WOW!!!! I'm so excited and pumped!

YOU ALL ROCK!!!

Much love - Bill

Bill and Mike this is very awesome what you all are doing here, I would join you on this but right now I am working with Dustyluv on our project, however if there is anything I can do to help out in other areas let me know or drop me a private message.

Cheers

Wade

Okay, I'm in!

Count me in!!! Where and How do I sign up

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimtally Count me in!!! Where and How do I sign up

Welcome! Michael will send you an invite!

Looking forward to a great experience!

Much light -
Bill

Michael/Bill - Can you please sign me up/send me an invite? Thanks! I look foward to working in the group to get out of the rut I've slid back into. ( was doing so good before Christmas -then fell back into emotional eating... )

thanks
Heather

I'm in! I have let daily life take over again, simply going through the motions on most days instead of really MAKING A DIFFERENCE! You two champions have made such a profound impact in my life already that I can't wait to see what happens next. I am ready to look at life with the eyes of a child again......waiting anxiously to see what lessons life wants me to learn next.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HJYukon Michael/Bill - Can you please sign me up/send me an invite? Thanks! I look foward to working in the group to get out of the rut I've slid back into. ( was doing so good before Christmas -then fell back into emotional eating... ) thanks Heather

Heather - awesome! Michael will get you an invite!

I'm in, just starting out I must admit I'm somewhat nervous, but the time is now!