300,000 WOWY Workouts!

Yesterday we reached 300,000 workouts for the year in WOWY! (WOWY is an acronym for "Work Out With You", and is our online gym where people log their workouts and invite workout friends to help them stay accountable to their workout plans)

That's an average of almost 1,700 workouts a day this year! And what's impressive is that the most popular system on WOWY right now is intense P90X. That's a lot of hard work.

We're hoping to see the numbers stay steady or even grow through the summer, although since many people take to the outdoors for their summer activity, it's easy to forget to log in. This year might be different than past years since we choose a random prize winner every day to win $300 in cash, or iPods and camera gadgets, with one day a week serving as the "mystery day" where we give away $1,000 to someone who logs their workout in WOWY.

Congratulations and thanks to everyone who got us to this milestone. Our peak is still 522 working out at one time, but I suspect we'll see that topple later in the fall. But for now, keep logging your workouts, keep submitting your success stories each month (Sunday July 1st is the next qualification deadline!) and Keep Pushing Play!

And if you're already a member of WOWY, we're hoping to see you update your WOWY photo with one of you in a swimsuit by Labor Day -- accept that challenge and you've got REAL motivation! Over 100 people have already joined the WOWY swimsuit challenge group.

Swimsuit Challenge - UPDATE

The WOWY group for the swimsuit challenge has 49 people signed up already! (We're still waiting for Borat, the ultimate inspiration, to sign-up.)

Katie, the inspiration based on her bikini challenge, is talking it up and generating exciting buzz.

The whole point to the swimsuit challenge is to make this summer three months of "go for it", with the goal of putting it out there with a photo of yourself in a swimsuit in WOWY by Labor Day.

If you're up for a challenge, grab your Power 90, P90X, Turbo Jam, Hip Hop Abs, or Slim in 6 and set a time to go for it every day! This doesn't mean you can't have a good time at BBQ's and picnics this summer, it just means that you'll have fun and feel better about yourself as you get closer to your goal.

I hope you go for it, and special thanks to Katie for spreading the word, and for inspiring people to look for what they want, and go for it! That's what Million Dollar Body and this game is truly about!

Why You Could Love Being A Coach

We had a very solid week of business at Beachbody.com and Million Dollar Body. VERY solid.

We had very strong product development. We attracted some incredible new players to help us develop new product lines. Customer service and operations performed well. We made important decision in terms of how we intend to go green across every aspect of the company. And MDB continues to impress with the quality and enthusiasm of the customer and coaches. Plus we signed some exciting promotion deals which will make our entire business more visible.

And all that gets me charged up to continue to grow the business, and to make sure that I stay true to how I want to represent the lifestyle we advocate... which means it's time to put a workout in and Bring It hard.

What I am saying is that, for me, my motivation to work out, eat right, and take my supplements is driven a lot by how it is linked to my job - and as a coach, you get to experience that very same motivation.

I was involved in a few phone calls with MDB coaches this week, and each time I got more amped about how exciting it is to hear the passion and commitment our coaches have for helping people. That too makes me want to live up to their example, and workout and eat right... to show them that it's possible to be productive with this business and still stay healthy and fit. And every time I help a prospective coach decide to sign up, I am again motivated to walk the talk, push play, and stay with it.

If you have ever been frustrated by your own motivation to live this healthy lifestyle, consider living it the way I am: Where your entire life benefits by your commitment.

And by the way, on those weeks when I am challenged by the progress of the company, that inspires me to stay healthy too. I know that falling back into old eating and lazy patterns will only heighten the challenge, and undermine my own success. Again - if I can't stay with it, I can't expect our coaches and customers to stay with it. So... I. stay. with. it.

If you're wondering whether you would enjoy being a coach, and whether it would help you to have earning potential attached to your commitment to a healthy lifestyle, know that it sure works for me. I am living it. That's one of the reasons we created the Million Dollar Body network, to give you the ability to tap into the same motivation that I have. And today when I was digging deep for those last few reps it became very clear; at age 43, there's no way I would have found this intensity if it weren't for the fact that I am surrounded by the benefits, and that makes it that much more meaningful to me.

That's the way I live it, and if you become a coach, you can too.

The Beachbody Story - Part 1

Since I posted that Beachbody "Before" photo, I got some requests for more background. It's been an interesting ride for the last 8 years, and I won't bore you with all the details. But here's a first installment of a little background on how we've grown:

When we launched the company in 1998, we started with a product idea, and produced the workouts and the ads to sell the workouts at the same time. I think the budget was $25,000. Now the budgets have an extra comma in them.

In the early days I directed the workout videos and the commercials. And we called on friends to help us with everything from working the equipment to leading the routines. That included Tony Horton and Debbie Seibers, our first two trainers who turned out to both have something extremely special about the way they put a program together.

Great Body Guaranteed was our first video series, 7 to 10 minutes of efficient moves sequenced so you would target the different sections of the body in an order that would move from strongest to weakest so you got a great workout in a shockingly short period of time. The first DVD was Tony Horton's Great Abs Guaranteed, and it sold well on TV.

We created the on-screen graphic look of Great Abs Guaranteed, so people would feel like their TV's were more than a thing to watch, but a real source of fitness motivation and information.

Debbie Seibers is here on set for the shooting of the Thin Thighs Guaranteed Spots. Thin Thighs was a pretty big hit, when many in the direct-response TV business couldn't make a short form spot work. We enjoyed solid results for two years, and the Great Body Guaranteed line is still a popular product on the website.

Our next program was a kick boxing video called "Tai Fit" which I licensed from a friend for a few years. With the popularity of that title and our other programs, all of a sudden we needed and umbrella name for an online store. I wanted to call it "Great Body" but there was a squatter sitting on the dot-com... The back-up name was Beachbody.com, so we went for that.

We started to get success stories and photos from customers. I think our first was from Piper, and we were surprised at how much people wanted us to use their stories to inspire other people. Hmmmm... using our real success stories to inspire people. The future started to look more clear.

In the meantime to experiment with promoting Beachbody, Jon had a volleyball buddy who was putting on weekend tournaments on LA beaches, and for a few hundred dollars and some Activit, we got to put up this banner that made us look big time. The only thing "big" though was our waistlines... Power 90 and Michi's Ladder were right around the corner.

More to come...

Beachbody "Before"

While going through some old web files, our SVP of operations, Neil Evans found this snapshot of perhaps the very first Beachbody.com web page. This is when our tagline was still "Look Good Naked". (The tagline changed, but we still believe in the dream!)

As you look at the current websites at Beachbody and Million Dollar Body, one thing is for sure: We will continue to improve, and continue to listen to customer input (Which is why the tagline changed to "Decide. Commit. Succeed.")

And just like you, as you capture progress photos through your summer workout program, it will only get more interesting to look at where we all started, and celebrate how far we have come.

The WOWY Swimsuit Challenge

As you may have heard, I recommended that you take this summer to complete a full 12 week program of Turbo Jam, Power 90, P90X, or Hip Hop Abs. Well, Katie's Bikini Challenge on YouTube gave me an extra idea when I signed into WOWY yesterday: The WOWY Swimsuit Challenge!

Here's the motivator: Your goal is to workout, eat right and take your supplements with the commitment to update a new WOWY photo by Labor Day, displaying yourself in a swimsuit!

(1) Join the new WOWY group "WOWY Swimsuit Challenge"

(2) Buy the swimsuit you've always wanted to wear, and hang it near your workout space

(3) You've got three months to make it happen!

And consider doing what Katie did - updating us with a YouTube video once a week or so.

It's not a bad motivation to keep your profile updated either, because then you'll have a great photo to enter into the Million Dollar Body Game, because, if you can believe this; I am told we had yet another category where the $1,000 prize and the chance to qualify for the $250k grand prize will go unclaimed for June! It's crazy! Any submission would have one that category!

I like to recommend coaches ask their customers to update their pages every week, or every month at least, especially while they are trying to complete a program or reach a specific goal. THAT'S where consistency and persistence come from -- staying accountable with regularity. And your MDB Club profile is the place to keep yourself on track!

So update your stats and your profile, visualize that perfect swimsuit photo, and I'll see you online!

My Mom Loves Her Yoga... Booty Ballet

I got an email from my mother this morning talking about her success with one of our programs... The context is ironic, my mother giving me a testimonial for our Yoga Booty Ballet. Because, since I was eight years old, I can remember waking up to see my mom on the green carpet of the living room doing her yoga or following Jack Lalanne on TV. Her example didn't make me like working out unfortunately, but she definitely taught me it was necessary.

Now, at 69 years old she can dance all night and wrestle on the ground with her grand kids like you think just isn't possible. It's all because she never took her mobility for granted. (Thanks for that mom!) So she sends me this email this morning after my sister Robin recommended Yoga Booty Ballet... here's what she had to say:

Hi Carl,

I just finished my yoga booty ballet and couldn't believe how I could do it all on only my third day home from Europe, and deeply in the process of jet lag. As I was doing it I decided I'd write a "thank you" to you, and if you wanted, you could use it for a testimonial if you wanted. At least I want you to know how much I appreciate this yoga/exercise program.

I was getting a little lazy with my exercise ritual. At the same time I began planning my trip to Damanhur, in Turin, Italy. I saw the itinerary and got concerned that my body would not be strong enough to allow me full enjoyment of the trip. I decided to try yoga booty ballet and did it pretty much to your suggested schedule.

I could feel myself getting stronger and stronger. I had a month to let it work for me. Well, it was the best decision for my 69 year old body, for I could never have functioned as well without it! I found myself going up and down long flights of stairs, staying 100% engaged in long hours of classes and tours, and going from 7:00AM to Midnight (even having a glass of wine for dinner!) feeling strong throughout!

I am so grateful! The trip was wonderful, and my gratitude for my ability to be totally present is huge. Thank you Sweetie. The work you and your company does is awesome.

Love,

Mom

Denny Daikeler

Allied ASID Speaker/Author/Interior Design

Working Out: The Travel Edition

I mentioned Katie before, and her YouTube coverage of her bikini challenge is only getting more interesting (music's a little loud though). Anyone wondering whether it's possible to get thin thighs with Slim in 6, check out the results! Anyone wondering what to do this summer, commit to a program, see it through, and feel great by Labor Day!

International Extreme!

This is Dave Baldassi, the New Business Manager at a comapny called Northern Response. They do a great job distributing popular Beachbody products into non-US territories. (You should see Turbo Jam dubbed into Japanese!)

After seeing the success Jon Congdon and I had with P90X, Dave decided to try it for himself. I am always excited when an infomercial-industry veteran tries one of our products, because it gives us a chance to show that in fact, our products and our success stories are for real.

Dave's incredible success is his to enjoy, because he did the work. But it's always exciting for me to know that Norther Response, the company who is helping people in other countries consider these programs, now shares our enthusiasm based on Dave's personal experience.

Here is Dave's own testimonial which he emailed to Jon Congdon this week:

Jon, Here is my P90X story:

P90X Stats

Start Finish
Weight 203 187
Body Fat 19% 11%
Waist 35 31

Push Ups: 43 63
Pull Ups: 1-2 6-8
Wall Squat: 2:04 3:53
Toe Stretch: -10 0

Fat Loss: 17 pounds

My Life Before P90X
Every once in a while a person needs to remind themselves of what they are truly capable of. My diet had been a steady mix of good and poor nutrition on a daily basis for years. While I had lifted weights three times a week based on isometric holds I did zero cardio or stretching. My diet had become more sugar and carb heavy over the years. Aches and pains were becoming more prevalent each year. My toe stretch was a brutal -10" to start. I could reach around mid shin-bone. I had cravings and food addictions and I didn't hold back from feeding them. I often lived in a state of instant gratification, moving from one meal to the next as hi-lights of the day. Beer, Chips? -ok, Brownie?-sounds good. Given my eating habits and the way I packed food back I now wonder how I only weighed 203-206.

Two things finally inspired me to act. While getting some sweet action I happened to catch a look at myself without clothes on in the full-length mirror. Who is that guy, I thought as I saw the bulbous fat layers around my mid-section. " That's not me-I'm in good shape. Are you? Take a look fat boy-you've been kidding yourself." I really was out of shape. It's amazing how our own self perceptions and ego can mislead us.

It was time. But at 41 can you get in to top shape? When I saw the P90X infomercial and the results you and Carl and people in their 40's had gotten it completely changed my belief system about what could be accomplished through diet and exercise at this age. Without a belief in an outcome it would be hard to put in your best effort. I knew it was time to put the sample Beachbody sent me months earlier to the test.

Ego got the better of me for sure on this one guys. In retrospect, I should have taken the advice in the program and done a Power 90 before embarking on this journey.

During P90X
I think the best way to start is to say thank you for an absolutely awesome product. I can't begin to imagine what went into the making of this product-I really can't. It truly is phenomenal. I have more respect for you two then you know. You create quality products and you practice what you preach. This course far exceeds the price you charge for it and would easily be worth $499.00. I also believe the wealthiest people are those that help the most people so any success you have is well earned!

The food plan was great-tough but great. This was the toughest part of the program for sure. Eating till you are no longer hungry is much different than eating until you're satisfied. However, I did notice that your nutrition plan eliminated my cravings for junk food which was good as I had to make every calorie have nutritional value as dropping 20 pounds of fat is no easy task while trying to fuel muscle growth. I had a three full inches of blubber around my waist. My before photo doesn't truly capture it as I store the majority of my fat on my lower back and butt-which I think was another reason I let it go so long (it was out of sight). I now fully appreciate the dedication it takes to watch what you eat for months; from airplanes, to hotel food, to social events, you really have to want it.

At first the workouts were so hard they would beat me before I could complete them. I stayed with them the whole way, but truly became wiped and ineffective later into the DVD. But you know, if you just stick with it, and keep putting good fuel into your body great things happen.

My cardio improved dramatically. My strength and flexibility started to improve. The fat tides started to recede. Workouts became so engrossing I lost track of time just trying to do the movement properly. No way was I going to let these guys on the dvds kick my ass. Besides, Tony is older than I am and couldn't argue with -"So no excuses from any of you.". My body really limbered up, which to me was the most amazing. Pain disappeared- chronic pain I had for years. Often mornings before I had to do a tough workout on an empty stomach I would visit the Beachbody website and spend ten minutes reviewing the before and afters for inspiration-and it really helped knowing others had made the journey.

I never got bored with this program-actually quite the contrary. It is not only the volume of workouts that keeps it interesting, but each workout Tony makes it fun and challenging. I would be in the middle of a brutal workout, sweating profusely, and Tony would have me laughing with a joke. I learned what it means to really train, to "bring it" and the results you can get when you put it all together. While I completed the program -mastery of it is the vision. It is also great to know that at anytime in the future in 90 days I can completely rebuild and re-energize my body. People often asked me "What do you do when it's over?" I reply, the same thing I do with at the end of any day I care about, you get up tomorrow and put in a solid effort.

Great Gift
Someone who hasn't gone through this can't understand why I call it a great life experience. It's like trying to describe how an orange tastes if you have never tasted one. You just have to experience it. We can all fall into the trap of living in states of instant gratification, but we are most proud of our lives when we are strong and disciplined. Do you want your last great life experience health wise to be 20 years ago? I didn't. I am very proud of having gone through the program and giving it my best effort but I am not done yet with P90X. If I can produce these results starting at 19% body-fat-how would I do on this program starting in good shape?

Taking on an awesome challenge, giving it your all and completing it gives you a great sense of accomplishment. Beyond the physical it then elevates all other areas of your life where you were living at a comfortable level. What else can I accomplish in my life? Perhaps it's time to find out. I'm 41 and lean and mean thanks to the X!

Greatly Appreciated - Dave Baldassi