Sht's Hard Right Now... Just Keep Going Ep 233

In a candid discussion addressing gym owners and those in industries hit hard by Covid, the host acknowledges the harsh reality of managing an existing brick-and-mortar business while pivoting to online models. Emphasizing the challenge of dividing attention between two demanding ventures, he reflects on the necessity of overdrive work ethic and resilience. The host, alongside a prominent life coach friend, suggests that success during these times requires a shift in identity and the adoption of a mindset focused on long-term transformation rather than short-term habits. He also highlights the importance of leveraging strengths and community support to navigate the crisis. Additionally, Speaker B promotes his book "100 Million Dollar Offers," which is a resource aimed at helping business owners.

• The gym industry has been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Gym owners are facing the challenge of decreased customers due to health concerns.
• There is a need to adapt to new business models, such as online services.

Right now, if you're a gym owner or you're in an industry that was affected by Covid, shit sucks, right?

This quote highlights the struggle gym owners are facing due to the pandemic's impact on their businesses.

• Gym owners are dealing with financial obligations like leases and equipment that they personally guaranteed.
• They are also responsible for their employees during this downturn.
• The market is divided, with some customers avoiding gyms due to health concerns.

You've got your lease that you personally guaranteed, you've got equipment, you've got employees that are relying on you, and it's half the market doesn't want to come into your gym because they're afraid of the flu, right?

This quote emphasizes the financial and operational challenges gym owners face, including the responsibility to employees and the reduced customer base due to health fears.

• Transitioning to an online business model requires full attention and new skills.
• Gym owners must manage their existing physical business while learning to operate online.
• Customer acquisition is particularly challenging in the online space.

And on the flip side, you're trying to make money online, but it's an entirely new business.

The quote conveys the difficulty of shifting to an online business model while still managing a traditional gym.

• Successful individuals are working extremely hard, often for long hours, to gain an advantage.
• The goal is to get far enough ahead in one area to be able to let go of the other.

The people that are succeeding are going in overdrive. They're working 16 hours a day, they're working weekends, and they're doing it to try and get enough of a leg up, enough of an advantage, enough of a head start in one of those games so that they can let the other game go.

This quote describes the intense effort and dedication required to succeed in the current market conditions.

• Success is not just about forming new habits but also about evolving one's identity.
• Changing one's identity to adapt to new circumstances is a significant part of the process.

It's much less about the habits that we're trying to make and far more about the person that we want to be.

The quote suggests that personal transformation and the aspiration to become a certain type of person are crucial in overcoming challenges.

• Change necessitates the abandonment of the old to make way for the new.
• Individuals often cling to long-held identities and belief patterns.
• Decisions must be made about who one wants to be and the narrative they choose to tell about difficult times.
• The initial expectation of the pandemic's duration was short-term, but it extended much longer.

"There is an element of risk because you have to sacrifice something old in order for the new to exist."

This quote highlights the inherent risk involved in change, which requires letting go of the familiar to embrace new possibilities.

"What story will we tell about these hard times?"

The speaker is emphasizing the importance of the narrative individuals choose to create about their experiences during challenging periods.

• Life presents us with certain circumstances that are beyond our control.
• The speaker acknowledges the difficulty of the situation for many, including the emotional toll.
• The reality of businesses, especially gyms, facing closure due to the pandemic is addressed.
• The speaker empathizes with the financial struggles and the rapid need to adapt to new business models.

"At the end of the day we have the cards that are dealt to us and we can only play the hand we've got."

This quote reflects the notion of accepting the circumstances we are given and making the best of them.

"And like I said, it's reality and I wish I could wave a magic wand and give everybody 90 days of cash."

The speaker expresses a desire to alleviate the financial struggles of others, acknowledging the harsh reality of the situation.

• The difficulties of transitioning to an online business model are acknowledged.
• The speaker references the financial preparations that business owners might have had and the unexpected challenges they faced.
• Government loans are mentioned as a potential but not guaranteed relief.
• The speaker stresses the importance of persevering through tough times.

"Maybe you got the loan from the government, maybe you didn't, right? What the fuck are you going to do, right? You just got to play the card."

This quote conveys a sense of uncertainty and the need to continue forward regardless of the support received.

• Speaker B has authored a book titled "100 million dollar offers" with positive reviews on Amazon.
• The book is offered at a low price as a contribution to the community and a way to build goodwill.
• Speaker B's intention is to create future business partnerships with the audience.

"On Amazon, it's called 100 million dollar offers that over 8005 star reviews. It has almost a perfect score. You can get it for $0.99 on Kindle."

This quote serves as a promotion for Speaker B's book, highlighting its success and accessibility.

"So that's my give."

Speaker B frames the promotion of the book as a gift to the listeners, with an underlying motive of fostering future business relationships.

• Speaker A refers to the hardships faced as part of the "game" of life or business.
• The notion that the game cannot be won but only played suggests a continuous struggle without a definitive end.
• Changes in one's chapter or industry are presented as possible outcomes of adapting to new circumstances.

"And so I'm just saying this because if it feels hard, it's the game. You know what I mean? And the game can't be won, only played."

This quote encapsulates the idea that challenges are an integral part of life and business, and success is found in persisting rather than conquering.

• Businesses must adapt their models to their strengths, such as transitioning from group to one-on-one, semi-private, or online formats.
• Adapting may also involve changing from a large facility to a more personalized setting.
• It's crucial to leverage one's unique capabilities, especially in challenging times.

Maybe you go from group to one on one. Maybe you go from group to semi privates. Maybe you go from group to online. Maybe you go from a big facility to one on one, right? You got to play the strengths that you've got.

This quote emphasizes the importance of adapting business models to focus on strengths and capabilities, suggesting various ways businesses can pivot to maintain viability.

• Every business, especially in brick-and-mortar services in health and wellness, faces similar challenges.
• Belief and determination can be key drivers in overcoming these industry-wide difficulties.

Everyone in our industry, anybody in brick and mortar service, specifically in health and wellness, was dealt the same hand.

The speaker indicates that all businesses in the sector are facing the same challenges, implying a level playing field in terms of external conditions.

• Despite hardships, businesses should persist and not give up.
• Extraordinary effort may be required to compensate for market deficiencies.
• Success can come from maximizing one's strengths and not succumbing to the urge to quit.

But at the end of the day, at some point, you're going to probably have to go into overdrive. You're going to probably have to do an asymmetric amount of effort to make up for a deficiency that the market played, right?

This quote highlights the need for increased effort and determination to overcome market challenges, suggesting that businesses may need to go above and beyond their usual operations.

• The speaker encourages maintaining a positive outlook, with the belief that difficult times will pass.
• It's important to keep trying and pushing forward with the hope that circumstances will eventually improve.

The only thing that we have to do is get through the chapter because the page will turn eventually.

This quote conveys a message of optimism, suggesting that current challenges are temporary and that perseverance is key.

• The speaker shares their personal coping mechanism, which involves self-motivation and resilience.
• They express empathy for others in similar situations and emphasize the importance of continuous effort.

And I'm only saying this because that's what I have to tell myself, right? And I'm just saying it's hard, right?

This quote reveals the speaker's personal strategy for dealing with challenges, which includes self-encouragement and acknowledging the difficulty of the situation.

• The speaker shares their personal experience with stress and pressure when opening their first gym.
• They describe the physical toll of stress, such as the inability to sleep despite exhaustion.
• The speaker highlights the use of caffeine to maintain appearances and manage responsibilities.
• They empathize with others experiencing similar struggles, emphasizing that they are not alone.

"I could tell you that when I first opened my first gym, I contemplated why I even felt like being alive, right? I had so much pressure, I couldn't breathe, I couldn't sleep, even though I was exhausted because I was so stressed."

This quote reflects the intense emotional and physical distress the speaker felt during the early stages of their entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the often unseen hardships of starting a business.

• The speaker advises playing to one's strengths and making strategic financial moves.
• They suggest taking advances on cash and offering future discounts to front load revenue.
• The speaker expresses confidence that the situation will improve in the future, making these risks worth taking.
• They stress the importance of fulfilling promises to clients when taking payment in advance.

"Play your strengths. Take advances on cash. So if you have opportunities to get someone who has cash for any kind of discount, you can front load some of those. Give future discounts."

This quote outlines specific financial strategies for managing cash flow during tough times, suggesting that businesses can leverage current opportunities for future stability.

• The speaker acknowledges that many people are operating in "overdrive" and encourages perseverance.
• They mention their own efforts to support their community at Gym Lunch by removing obstacles.
• The speaker emphasizes the power of community and connection among small business owners.
• They encourage reaching out to others for support and strength, not in the context of Covid, but as a united front of entrepreneurs.

"If you're struggling, connect with other people. I could tell you there's always strength in communities."

This quote underlines the importance of community and mutual support among entrepreneurs, especially during challenging times, reinforcing that collaboration can lead to collective success.

• The speaker sends a message of love and support to their audience.
• They express a strong belief in the resilience and capability of small business owners.
• The speaker signs off with a positive note, rooting for the success of their peers.

"So anyways, lots of love, guys, as always, rooting for you."

The closing quote conveys a heartfelt sentiment of solidarity and encouragement, aiming to uplift and motivate other small business owners who may be facing similar challenges.