Go Shakeology, Go!

Time to brag a little: Shakeology, a product that so many people said would cost too much, would taste "too green", and would not appeal to our fast-food-drive-thru culture, has absolutely taken off.

We've already sold almost 10,000 units since the summit. That's over a million dollar's worth - without TV advertising. And despite a money back guarantee, less than 1% of the people who buy the product return it. Less than 1%! Better still, the retention of the home direct program is the best in the company's ten year history: 72% of the people who sign up, have stayed in the home direct program.

I have been in the direct marketing business for 23 years. And I have NEVER seen numbers like that. This is an unequivocal home run.

UPDATE 5/7: I was speaking with Seth Tuckerman, our COO who used to be a big shot at Nestle. He said when they launched a new product and achieved a 60% reorder rate, they knew they had a homerun. At 72% reorder, I think we're looking at a grand slam!

People are blogging about it - not just coaches - but customers. THAT'S how excited people are about how they feel. My own cousin sent me an email proclaiming that he lost eight pounds already thanks to Shakeology - that stubborn eight pounds that have been nagging him for years.

But to our shock, most people are looking beyond the weight loss benefits at the health benefits. In fact, I continue to read post after post of people who are fed up with fads, and this time they are putting their money where their health is.

Do you know how big this is going to be? BIG. And thanks for making it happen coaches! Thanks to you, a real nutrition breakthrough has transcended the anti-oxidant-fruit-juice-in-a-wine-bottle craze of the last five years, and the real deal is on the scene. Shakeology is here to stay, and you can only get it through the Beachbody Network at TeamBeachbody.com.

The Insanity of Cinco de Mayo

One on One subscribers have a present on the way; When your subscription is set to ship this month, it will be shrink-wrapped with a free workout from the Insanity program -- the first sneak peek of this unreal series due this summer.

And it's the perfect month too, because the One on One is a recovery workout that Tony put into his rotation after a particularly intense day of training. He needed to recover, and Steve Edwards had been asking us to develop a recovery routine with the right kind of exercise to help the body, rather than just... stop.

So enjoy the Insanity workout (you are the first!) and take advantage of Tony's perfect recovery routine!

THIS MONTH'S ONE on ONE:

Struggle Story

Almost 6,000 people logged their workouts in the WOWY Super Gym yesterday. And I am impressed by every single person who manages to keep it up.

I say that because, despite my position as CEO of Beachbody, my focus on making a business out of ending the trend of obesity, and being married to one of the most disciplined and certified health and fitness experts in the world, I still struggle to "keep pushing play" as consistently as I expect of myself.

Yesterday I was in a meeting with Whitney Provost the editorial director of Team Beachbody, and as we were reviewing the calendar and general direction of celebrating success stories in our online videos and newsletters, an idea surfaced: "Let's start to investigate the other side of the success story. Let's look at real 'struggle stories' within our community. Let's show people that EVERYBODY struggles with consistency from time to time - even me!"


One such struggle story we've all read about is not a person actually, but a concept; "Corporate Wellness".

Despite the health crisis in the US, even a company called Beachbody can't require people to live a healthy lifestyle (Otherwise, for months out of the year I'd be on probation!)

When Jon Congdon got back from the Top Coach trip in Mexico having launched a 90 day challenge with a bunch of the coaches on the trip, his enthusiasm spilled over into our People Department, which in turn launched a company-wide 90 Day challenge.


So for the last few days we've had a dunk tank in the parking lot, measuring body fat percentages for anyone who wanted to know where they stood. The emphasis of this challenge is on health and fitness, not on a "Biggest Loser" type competition or weight loss alone. And over half the company is already participating, with more joining each day. That includes me.

My WOWY calendar for the last few months is below. I finally look like I will put together a week of some consistency after wavering between "weekend warrior" and "walk the baby" since the fall.







It's time to get consistent. Summer is approaching. My personal goal is to be fit and ready to plow into 60 days of Insanity when it launches.

But the point of my blog post is this; If you or someone you know is a "Struggle Story" like me, know that nobody is immune. That's why it's so hard to stay healthy and fit. Life today has not been designed to make a healthy lifestyle the norm. And I can complain along with all Beachbody customers about how difficult it is to stay consistent. But complaining never got anyone back into their favorite jeans.

While I have been lucky enough to have the tasty Shakeology to keep me healthy even though my fitness got inconsistent, if I want to keep up with my kids, I have to keep the body tuned. That's a choice.

I invite you to get on board, and get everyone you know on board. It's often hard. But it's important - especially if you are a coach, or the CEO of a health and fitness company.

I read a great quote from Jim Rohn today: "We must all suffer from one of two pains: The pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces, while regret weighs tons." (I would argue that some discipline weighs pounds, not ounces... but I get his point.)

So while the last few month's I have been a "struggle story", my "success story" starts again today. Decide. Commit. Succeed.

Ashton Update

I have no confirmation that Ashton Kutcher is still using P90X. But some have commented to me that it looks like something is working on the set of Five Killers in France!

As seen on Zimbio.

Pure and Simple

If the prospect of 60 days of Insanity has you feeling some anxiety as we look ahead to the summer, we found a way to keep any Beachbody customer complaints to a quiet, peaceful hush with the ultimate zen antidote... We've just released two new specialty titles under the YBB brand: Yoga Booty Ballet "Pure & Simple Yoga" (with Gillian) and Yoga Booty Ballet "Baby On the Way" (with Teigh).


They are available at TeamBeachbody.com through your Beachbody Coach, or Beachbody.com.

Gillian takes you through an exhilarating routine with classic yoga without any difficult choreography in "Pure and SImple Yoga".

Teigh shares her pregnancy workout for expectant mothers to get you or that mom-to-be on your gift list ready for the special delivery with "Baby on the Way".












So log into WOWY, put your hands together, close your eyes, and BRING IT!

An Insane One on One

Time to subscribe to Tony's One-On-One!

Along with Tony's real-life workout series, where you get to follow along with the man as he trains in his personal gym, last fall we released a sneak peek at ChaLEAN Extreme to people who were subscribed. Then at holiday time, we shipped a bonus DVD with Tony and his helpers. But if you're a subscriber this May, not only will you get Tony's personal "Recovery 4 Results" routine, but the best bonus ever is about to show up in the mail.

We are releasing the entire Plyometric Cardio Circuit (42 minutes) from the Shaun T's new Insanity series along with the May issue of One on One!

Not a sneak peak... an entire workout. But if you're wondering what kind of workout would be called "Insanity", here is a sneak peek of this program that will light up the fitness world in 2009:



Insanity is the most intense and thorough cardio-intensive program ever set to DVD. We expect it to launch in summer 2009 with a base Configuration of 10 workouts, including:

1. Dig Deeper/Fit Test

2. Plyometric Cardio Circuit

3. Cardio Power & Resistance

4. Cardio Recovery/Max Recovery

5. Pure Cardio/Cardio Abs

6. Cardio Abs

7. Core Cardio & Balance

8. Max Interval Circuit

9. Max Interval Plyo

10. Max Cardio Conditioning/Cardio Abs

Plus it will include the Insanity Fitness guide (which will be brief... we want you moving, not reading!), the Elite Nutrition guide and Wall calendar.

I Thought I'd Never See This

My sister Robin is in town with her family for spring break, and her 10 year old son Josef is notorious for picky eating, to the extreme. I'm talking about living on Lucky Charms, white bread, juice, pasta with tomato sauce (as long as there are no lumps), and sometimes a piece of cheese. I can't blame him, because I was the same way.

Today I went to the Shakeology website for some Greenberry recipe ideas to see if we could get him to consume something healthy, and decided to go with the "Sunrise". (I also added a raw egg and banana in there. I'm like the Iron Chef of shakes)

It was like one of those "Hey Mikey, he likes it" moments. Instead of looking at the green drink and saying "no way", Josef took a sip, smiled with what teeth he has, and kept sucking on that straw. My sister was almost teary to see him get real nutrition for a change. My daughter Ava saw his reaction and had to have her own. Feeding the kids a good lunch was NEVER this easy!

Shakeology continues to amaze me. The health benefits, the success stories, and the sheer enthusiasm people have for something that delivers all this nutrition in a package that tastes this good seems to have struck a chord. Even Chalene Johnson went off on the product in her blog the other day. Even vegetarian Tony Horton, who has professed a devotion to the health-junky's Kombucha (I can't even get this stuff up to my lips) wouldn't let the production team leave the house the other day unless they left behind the two bags of Shakeology they brought with them during a recent One-On-One shoot.

The revolution continues to gain momentum, fueled by the healthiest meal of the day!

Heads Up In Atlanta!

In Sunday night's baseball season opener I am going to be torn between two teams: My hometown Phillies and the Atlanta Braves.

On one hand I'll be cheering the World Champs on to another great season, but on the other hand, I will want to see Atlanta's Matt Diaz light the place up because now he and I have something in common.

Here's what I read in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution today about Atlanta's fielder Matt Diaz who lost 30 pounds in the off season... Guess how:

Braves Q&A with Matt Diaz
Thursday, April 02, 2009

Do you want to know what Brave fell for an infomercial? Read on about Matt Diaz...

Q. How did you lose 30 pounds this offseason?

A. I hate to admit it, but I did an infomercial. … My wife ordered P90X. I saw her doing her leg workout, and it was similar to stuff I did in rehab. I thought that’d be a good way to ease my way back into weightlifting. After a week you realize there’s no easing into that workout.

Q. You watch videos as you work out?

A. They send you 12 videos with 12 different workouts and a diet plan. If you want it, it gives you recipes for every meal, six meals a day …. We moved our kids upstairs out of the nursery and changed the nursery into a P90X room. We got a pull-up bar and dumbbells. … I’d do a P90X workout with my wife in the morning, a baseball workout in the afternoon and go jogging with my wife in the evening while dinner was crock-potting.

Beachbody Coaches should love it when people say "I hate to admit it" about doing our videos. That just shows you how timely the decision is to become a distributor of our programs. Most people are still programmed to think that schlepping to the gym or paying a personal trainer is the only "respectable" way to get in shape.

But as we add success story after success story and star upon star to our customer list, the tipping point is approaching, and the $18 Billion gym business will shift as 200 million overweight Americans realize they can get fast results right at home with the support of a community that is focused on people helping people get real results!

Thanks for being a part of the solution! Let's end the trend now Atlanta!

Shakeology and the "Powerful Rejuvenator"

If you've ever wandered the aisles of a vitamin store, you've probably been as perplexed as I have been about just how many of these little bottles am I supposed to use each day to have energy, great health, etc. etc?

That's what's great about Shakeology... A whole lot of those supplements exist in their high quality, whole food form, in a high-protein chocolate or berry shake.

We talk a lot about how Shakeology gives you energy, but it's not caffeine and sugar energy like Red-Bull type energy drinks. I think one of the Shakeology ingredients which is responsible for that quality energy is Ashwagandha, also known as Rasayana which means "Powerful Rejuvenator" in Ayurvedic. According to some reading I've done, it has been used for thousands of years to treat inflammation, fevers, and to protect against infection and illness in India and Africa.

When it comes to energy, the adrenal gland can make or break you. Supporting the adrenals is important especially when you are active. On a site called Tattva's, which sells this herb in an isolated capsule, here's what they say about this interesting Shakeology ingredient, and how it can improve the performance of the adrenals especially in support of your exercise routine:

It has rejuvenative properties that produce energy, which in turn helps the body to calm down and sleep. Thus it helps the body address a stress-related condition rather than masking it with sedatives. Recent research points out that Ashwagandha may be the best herb to take to maintain normal adrenal levels. Caffeine, nicotine, processed foods and processed sugar all take their toll on the adrenal glands and leave the victim fatigued, depressed and often bewildered as to what to do with themselves. One of the special properties of Ashwagandha is that it will enhance Ojas. In Sanskrit, Ojas literally means "vigor" and according to Ayurvedic theory, is the most subtle, refined level of the physical body and, in fact, is its essential energy. Ojas is the sap of one's life energy and is the end result of healthy food which is properly digested. It is responsible for a healthy immune system, reproductive processes, physical strength, lustrous complexion, clarity of mind and sense of well-being. It allows consciousness to flow within the body. With decreased ojas, we are less in touch with ourselves and more prone to weakness, fatigue and to experiencing a sense of disharmony. Ojas depletion can be caused by stress. Ashwagandha is known to relieve the body from these stress-related weaknesses by specializing in the building of ojas and rejuvenating the body, thus maintaining a healthy balance of physical energies. Ashwagandha can also be a natural training aid and its use is becoming popular in sports and athletics. When you train hard, you walk a very fine line between overtraining and training just enough. Even in perfect circumstances, training by itself is a stress on the body. To get the maximum performance from your muscles, you require just the right amount of training coupled with appropriate rest and recovery periods. Overtraining means too much cortisol which leads to the consumption of muscle protein by the body and thus performance suffers. Endurance athletes who train heavily, such as long-distance runners and cyclists, are very prone to infections, as excess cortisol produced in response to the heavy training load suppresses the immune system. It can also lead to muscle and tendon tears because the muscles are weakened due to protein loss under the influence of cortisol.

That's what I love about this shake! Shakeology gives me the confidence of knowing I am getting the best of the best, in one fantastic shake each day, but instead of opening up 70 bottles of pills and powders to get these ingredients, I open up one cool looking bag. Is it lunch time yet?

Happy 18,000th

18,078 coaches to be specific. That's where we are as of yesterday!

The momentum out of the Summit has been strong, built both by people invigorated to achieve their "Extreme Dream" plus the launch of Shakeology.

Hawaii alone has amazing momentum, perhaps thanks to the hard work of Fran Patoskie's team ("ilovetosweat") plus the excitement of Hawaiian hero Dallas Carter's $250,000 victory in the Million Dollar Body Game. I've heard that even Hawaii's Governor, Linda Lingle, is going to officially recognize Dallas and his healthy transformation in front of the State Senate!

But we're seeing enthusiasm and growth throughout the organization, especially now that the 2008 Top Coaches are back at it.

I also wouldn't be surprised if the "Shakeology Math" is helping. Sure, the Shake as the healthiest meal of the day is worth every penny at $4 a serving retail... beats a Big Mac right? And for people like me who intend to take the Shake every day, becoming a coach can save you around $15 a month. ($120 Shakeology retail minus $30 coach discount plus 14.95 monthly coach fee = $105... not including the bonuses or retail commissions you earn when someone tries the shake and buys or joins because of you!)

Whatever the reason for the ramp in growth, this is our year. Thanks for keeping the momentum going coaches!

20,000 coaches by May!

The Rumors Were True

Any Beachbody complaints about not getting noticed by the media are distant history. And P90X is the best free publicist we could have hoped for.

Without spending a dime on endorsements or PR efforts, word continues to spread about the shift in health and fitness from gyms and trainers to our DVD programs, and it seems to be nearing a real tipping point.

First it was Chicago lead singer Jason Scheff who used P90X and the coaching opportunity to motivate himself to get back into shape. Then it was NFL kicker David Akers who's trainer suggested P90X to answer coach Andy Reid's command to get back into pro-bowl condition. Then People ran a story on Poppy Montgomery from Without A Trace. Then we got calls that Sheryl Crow has transformed her body with P90X, and went on and on about it on the red carpet of the Grammys. Then at the Pro Bowl, Baltimore Ravens' super star Ray Lewis told the media he uses P90X.

And then there was a rumor that a "Twitter Tweet" surfaced that Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore were asking questions about this P90X thing they keep seeing on TV.

It looks like the rumors were true.
Look what just got posted by People Magazine...

Paradise Continued

Day two and three in Mexico have been a little warmer, and a little more relaxed.

After the exclusive Top Coach cocktail party Monday night, it seemed everyone (including me) got comfortable with the format of TV interviews and business planning by day, mixed with socializing and gourmet meals with these incredibly positive and inspiring coaches.

Last night lead tenor vocalist from Chicago and Beachbody Top Coach Jason Scheff accompanied some of the musically inclined of the group for a couple hours of informal cabaret. At one point he and Tony might have stumbled upon the theme for Shakeology with the refrain, "Excuses, excuses, excuses... there's no more excuses."

The gang just headed out to sight see, and I stayed back to work on the Beachbody Revolution script and catch my plane to get back to the office.

I did a promo for BNN today challenging you to do what it takes to join us next year in Kauai, HI. I really hope you set your sights on the goal and go for it! I just read this quote today. If you're wondering which step to take at this point, maybe which step matters less than taking A STEP:

"Achievement seems to be connected with action. Successful men and woman keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit."

~Conrad Hilton~

Ola!

Hello from the Fairmont at Playa Del Carmen Mexico!

After our first day filled with TV interviews, the Top Coaches just finished a training session with Michael and are about to get together for the exclusive Top Coach cocktail party by the beach.

This is a photo from the welcome reception last night, when the guy was blessing the dinner from a Mayan culture perspective. (Really, there was Citronella in that pot, so you wanted to stand near him to keep the mosquitos away)





And these fire dancers entertained us with a native performance that gave me an idea for a new workout: "Keep those fire numchuks spinning or die".

Wish you were here!

In fact -- If you feel like earning an incredible five star trip like this for the same time next year, I would love nothing more. We're headed to Kauai, Hawaii next year, and bringing a lot more people. Decide. Commit. Succeed! but "You gotta be HUNGRY!" Let's do this!

New Record - A New Extreme

This morning at around 8:25AM PT we shattered the prior WOWY record of 522 people working out at the same time by 460 people! A new record of 982 people all working out at the same time was set!

They didn't have to lug themselves out to a gym and wait in line to take a class... they woke up, put on whatever clothes felt comfortable, and did their workout... with almost a thousand other people from all across the continent!

There were Beachbody staff and management, Tony and Chalene, fit people, big people, coaches, new customers, old friends from early Power 90 Hawaii trips, and finalists from the Million Dollar Body Game. To see the people pile in to this WOWY online Super Gym was more proof of a real revolution - the days of the gym being the default method to get in shape are coming to a close. The era of home-based fitness supported by an enthusiastic online community is here. Welcome home!

My Extreme Dream is coming into focus: One million coaches supporting 100 million customers. We are Beachbody, and we are an unstoppable future!

Thank you team!

Looking good!

With 321 showing up to workout this morning in the WOWY Super Gym, we're looking good for our drive to crush the record this Saturday March 7th at 11AM ET/8AM PT!

It's the kick-off to Dream Extreme week, and we need you and every one you know to show up and make a statement! The revolution has begun!

Health -- The Whole Package

Beachbody has always been about a comprehensive approach to health, fitness and weight loss.

We've created breakthroughs like Power 90, Slim in 6, Turbo Jam, Hip Hop Abs and P90X. We made easting easier to decipher with the aid of Michi's Ladder. And now we're making great nutrition simpler than ever to achieve with the launch of Shakeology, a true state-of-the-art breakthrough in nutrition.

There's less than a month before we launch our premium health shake at Team Beachbody.com and its coaches. And I've been using it for over a year now, every day. And it is literally my favorite meal of the day.

Every time I drink Shakeology I enjoy a rich delicious shake filled with whole food sources of vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, not some high-priced juice where the antioxidants have long since been destroyed. And because I am getting those antioxidants with a generous dose of protein and phyto-nutrients, my blood sugar doesn't spike and my body has what it needs to rebuild and clear out toxins.

Beachbody is making fitness accessible and fun. We're making weight loss easier to achieve. Now for anyone who wants to eat healthy, lose or maintain their weight, and feed themselves the kind of nutrition which maximizes cellular health and function, get ready... Shakeology is coming soon at TeamBeachbody.com and through our fantastic Beachbody coaches.

Choose Who Gets $250,000!

The eight finalists of the 2008 Million Dollar Body Game have been posted for voting at TeamBeachbody.com!

Everyone can vote for the best male and female success story of the year who will each receive a quarter of a million bucks! (you just need a Team Beachbody log-in) And if you're looking to see why I think we will end the trend of obesity with programs like Power 90, Turbo Jam, Kathy Smith's Project: You and P90X, these eight Beachbody customers will leave no room for doubt, complaints or excuses. They will give you the inspiration to overcome just about anything to push play, to eat right, and the succeed with your program.

Good luck to the finalists, and I look forward to announcing the two $250,000 winners on March 14th at Beachbody Coach Summit!

Will I see you there?

I want to see if we can surpass the WOWY Super Gym record at 11AM ET/8AMPT Saturday March 7th.

It's the official start of "Dream Extreme Week" leading up to the big Summit. And it's a symbolic test to see if this bold idea of the Beachbody Revolution has yet achieved the power to get people engaged in their health and fitness.

Out of a network of over 16,000 coaches, thousands more of Team Beachbody members, plus friends, family and co-workers, can we get more than 522 people to workout at the same time?


I actually don't know. I think so. But I also know that it will take more than me blogging here about it. It will take more than me contacting a few key coaches about it. It will take real leadership from our founders. It will take leadership from our Diamonds. And it will take the enthusiasm of our Ruby and Emerald coaches to get the word out in every way possible from today through the event.


One workout on one Saturday. What's possible when we pull together? What's possible when at a minimum, everyone who reads this shows up and brings one person?


We'll find out when we kick it off in the WOWY Super Gym at 11AM ET/8AMPT Saturday March 7th for the official start of "Dream Extreme Week".


Will I see you there?

End The Trend

Timing Matters

I woke up this morning at 4:45AM with alarms going off in my head. “Now. Right now. People need to start right now.” That is what I heard in my head, loud and clear and I couldn’t go back to sleep.

If you want to change your circumstance and come out of this economy with a completely redefined financial picture, now is the time to act. Now.

Screw the news about the economy. Economy-eschmonomy. When there is a shift in the marketplace, that’s the best time to take a bold step and redefine your personal situation.

Warren Buffet doesn’t buy stocks when the market is up. He buys them when they’re down. But opportunity is not all about stocks. When the marketplace turns upside down and is distracted by fear, that’s when you can take action to reposition yourself. It’s an opportunity to redefine your place in the market.

If you used to be on the bottom looking up at “the haves”, this is your chance to build a place for yourself, because “the haves” are in retreat. Disarray breeds opportunity for those who see through the near-term fear and take action.

The play right now is not to baton-down-the-hatches and just “weather the storm”. You’ve been doing too much of that anyway. Stop waiting for your chance - make your chance! Otherwise you will find yourself exactly where you were before the economy soured. The U.S. is gearing up for what I think will be a surge of creativity and productivity. That’s why this is a time to take action and position yourself for it; put the resources you have to work, be it expertise, faith in yourself, sweat, or some other value proposition. Leverage this amazing opportunity to improve your situation… but do it right now.

This is your moment, when the world broke open the existing infrastructure and is about to pour new cement to rebuild the foundation. Find opportunity and act on it. Lay your foundation for financial independence when the economy gets back to normal and things resume. Don’t get caught stuck in your prior role when the cement of this new foundation sets! You need to take action now!

These are the kind of moments that separate the people who achieve something from those who are always living at the effect of the world around them. And while I don’t like to talk about myself, let me say this: I have never been the latter. I have never lived at the effect of things. Yes, it takes persistence, focus, and courage not to simply follow, but to build something for yourself. But I don’t know how to live life any other way.

If you are tired of living without the absolute freedom you want. If you are tired of having to skimp and save, where your choices are limited by the next pay check or the mood of your employer, stop expecting so little of yourself and your life! It’s time to step up. Be bold. Step out of your comfort zone, and work to earn the freedom that’s waiting for you.

If I can do it, if any one of our coaches can do it, you can do it. You can have what you want, and this is the time to commit yourself to not just surviving, but to completely upgrading your situation and the situation of your family. The roles are shifting right now – so redefine your role before it gets defined for you by “the system.”

That’s the kind of control you have when you are fit and healthy. And that’s what being in control of your own financial destiny feels like. And for those that have joined the Beachbody Revolution, that’s what it feels like to be a coach who’s working it, working your butt off in stead of watching TV, spreading the word and building a business that pays checks every single week.

Now is the time to blow the doors off this trend of obesity because we have tools like Kathy Smith’s Project: YOU! Type 2, the world famous P90X, and the upcoming Shakeology, that will completely turn the $35 Billion weight loss industry upside down.

And now is YOUR time to get your share of it. I’m not kidding. Timing matters. Now is always the time.

http://www.end-the-trend.com/

Sheryl Crow on The Red Carpet at Grammys

Is P90X a renaissance or what? We don't pay celebs to use the product. We don't even have a publicist.

Here's the red carpet interview last night at the Grammy's.

We've Finally Made It...

...into the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition! (Mom will be so proud!)

This year's swimsuit issue comes out officially on Feb 13th, and inside you'll find a full page ad for P90X, the #1 fitness program in the country right now.



They had a great ad rate, and we couldn't pass the promotion up!

So if you're not a coach yet, once you see our ad gracing the pages of one of the most anticipated magazine issues of the year, you might want to sign up to take advantage of all that promotion!

Economic Upturn and the End of a Trend

It's tough to watch the news these days and feel like there's anything you can do but grab a donut and wait for someone to hand over your share of a bail out package.

U.S. jobless claims have surged to 26-year high. And factory orders plummeted in December. The Labor Department said first-time claims for state unemployment insurance benefits rose to 626,000 in the week ended January 31, the highest since October 1982.

Almost 2.6 million jobs were lost last year, the most since 1945. The unemployment rate jumped to 7.2 percent in December, the highest in 16 years, and is expected to keep climbing. A new survey by the National Association for Business Economics depicts the worst business conditions in the U.S. since the report's inception in 1982.

The layoffs continue: Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, and Sprint Nextel, the country's third-largest wireless provider, said they each will slash 8,000 jobs. Home Depot will get rid of 7,000 jobs. GM will cut 2,000 jobs at plants in Michigan and Ohio due to slow sales. Caterpillar announced 5,000 new layoffs. Microsoft will slash up to 5,000 jobs over the next 18 months - it's first layoffs, ever. Intel will cut up to 6,000 manufacturing jobs while Goldman Sachs notified 3,200 employees that they have been laid off. Bank of America has plans for cutting 30,000 jobs across the globe in 3 years.

That's what you hear about on the news, but it's not the whole story. There is another story, one of hope, achievment, and enthusiasm. That story is being written by thousands of Beachbody coaches growing in number and momentum. They are the cavalry. They refuse to sit back and "take it". Instead, while the global economy has been unraveling, Beachbody...

> Recruited over 10,000 Coaches, as independent business owners

> Paid over $15 million in Coach commissions

> Increased staff by 66%, hiring over 100 people in 2008 to support the growth of the network business.

> Co-published Kathy Smith's Project: You For Type 2 with the American Diabetes Association in a combined mission to improve ADA fundraising to find a cure for the disease, help prevent diabetes and to improve the lives of people affected by diabetes.

> Donated thousands of dollars for the care and feeding of orphans in Africa and the US.

> Developed multiple ground-breaking new products for release in 2009, including the "healthiest meal of the day", Shakeology.

> Celebrated the physical transformation of literally thousands of customers and coaches who sent in their photos and videos to show that our programs really work, and a healthy approach to diet and fitness is the best approach.

And we're just getting started.

We derive no pleasure from the state of the economy or the state of health and obesity in the US. Instead we are resolved to meet these challenges with creativity, enthusiasm, and relentless leadership. We are a committed to being the force behind the economic upturn and the end of the obesity trend by empowering the individual with the tools and support to succeed.

As we approach the Dream Extreme Summit in March, coaches like our founders continue to hold their own recruiting events to build momentum, and new coaches are working to recruit leaders to help us get the word out about Beachbody. All will be rewarded well for motivating people to get healthy and fit.


Beachbody and its coaches are on a roll, and this snowball is just getting started on a long steep slope toward enormous success. Get on board, and be a part of something exceptionally special, a true economic upturn and the end of a trend.

You Gotta Dream Extreme

It's time to lock in your plans for the 2nd annual Beachbody Coach Summit, titled "DREAM EXTREME" at Universal Studios in Hollywood March 14th!

It's going to be a great event to help our coach network maximize the momentum as we've crossed over the 16,000 coach mark! We’ve already added over 10,000 coaches since last year’s Summit.

We're calling the event "Dream Extreme" because the secret to achieving great things is to have dreams that are worth pursuing, dreams that are so big that you refuse to let anything get in your way. That's the way I feel about building the largest network of health and fitness peer support in the world! Nothing will stop us!

We’ve already seen more people transform their bodies than we could have imagined with our extreme programs like P90X® and ChaLEAN Extreme®. At this year’s Summit we’re launching the breakthrough meal replacement, Shakeology® (I LOVE IT!), giving personal tours of the new Beachbody headquarters, holding the biggest group workout in Beachbody history with seven all-star trainers, giving sneak peeks at some unbelievable new workouts, unveiling our exciting 2009 promotion plans, and doing some powerful business training.

Plus, we have one of the most dynamic speakers I’ve ever met and one of the motivational inspirations I turn to whenever I need a jump start to stay on track; Mr. Les Brown. And Saturday night we’re crowning the Million Dollar Body grand prize winners, giving away $800,000 in one hour!

If you're a coach, this event is the slingshot that makes the rest of the year happen. And if you're not a coach, now is the time to get signed up! Click here to become a coach, then sign up to join me at the Dream Extreme Summit in Los Angeles!

Why Network Marketing?

I love creating things, building something that will be productive and solve a problem. I also like building income over the long term. Creativity, contribution, and constant steady year-over-year growth... that's how I approach what I do.

Beachbody exceeded $300 million in sales last year, largely due to the success of infomercials like Turbo Jam, P90X, Ten Minute Trainer, Slim in 6 and Hip Hop Abs. We have the most compelling pipeline of new products and infomercial since we launched the company. So, why network marketing?

I believe the real opportunity in fitness is not in building a huge monolithic company that simply sells product to people. Companies have been trying to leverage fitness to build huge businesses for decades. Yet the obesity trend grows, and no fitness company has really succeeded in getting people to REALLY embrace what it takes to get healthy and fit. Not the equipment makers. Not the gym chains. Not the weight loss centers. Not even Beachbody. Yes, we continue to grow, infomercial by infomercial, selling great product to people, and we've had some amazing success stories. But many people still will start-then-quit just like everything else they've tried unless there is another dynamic at work.

That's what the Beachbody Coach Network is about -- adding the powerful dynamic of peer-support, the "Share" of "Play, Shake and Share", to help people stay accountable to their desire to get healthy and fit.

Our network marketing business is 16,000 coach-distributors strong and growing fast. We assign customer leads to qualified coaches (for free) when one of our TV customers says they want support to succeed with their program. The coach helps that customer set their start date, and stay accountable to consistency. Our coaches are not fitness experts or nutritionists -- but friends who care about revolutionizing how people approach their own health and fitness.

In exchange, in the future when those customer leads purchase another product from Beachbody, the coach gets the commission.

And it works. Anne Dovel sent me this email string... Amazing stuff:
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From: Anne Dovel
To: Carl Daikeler
Subject: new customer lead

Hey Carl. Been a while since I’ve sent you a thumb’s up for everything you do. I thought you’d like to see a customer who is grateful for the coaching program. :) Thanks for everything. I hope you had a wonderful holiday and wish you a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year. :) Anne

Hi Anne! I am proud of the difference that I see. I know I can do this. It just takes time and effort. I honestly can't thank you enough for all your help. I am really grateful that Beachbody started the coaching program because I don't know that I would have been able to do all this without your help. I know my husband was trying to help me but he couldn't really come up with a menu for me and he really doesn't understand where I am coming from about hating the way I look. You do because you are a mom too and I think that is so cool to talk to you. You understand so much more than anyone else I've talked too. But anyways I will talk to you later. I hope you get your knitting fixed.

Thanks,
Susan
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Anne gets it, and now another customer has had success. As Anne said to Susan in a reply: "The reason Beachbody started the coaching was because they found out that someone had a greater chance of succeeding even if they just had someone to talk to who had been through the challenges they are going through!"

And it's a win-win that will continue to grow. I know that because I get so many emails like this one from part-time coach Joey Petri. While many coaches are still working their way to their first check and income is always a factor of skill and effort, here's a young coach who is one of the many people who are turning this opportunity into a dream job:
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I just wanted to share this with you guys because I'm super excited.

I added up all my commission checks from 2008 and I earned $13,394.98!!! This is amazing to me and I know that 2009 will be an ever bigger and better year. This money allowed me to go to school full time and pursue a 2nd degree in Phys Ed, this allowed me to live in my place and not move home, this paid my bills and my gas. (Disclaimer I also had some help from my savings as a pharma rep.) This is going to make 2009 an amazing and exciting year. Thanks again for all of your support!!

Joey

P.S. Traci, I still remember our 5 minute conversation at Tony's Camp in NY and I told you about how I was considering going back to school for my phys ed degree. You said Beachbody would allow me the freedom to do what I want to do and I'm so thrilled and excited to continue to make that conversation, that dream, a reality.
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So when people ask me "Why Network Marketing", I respond that it is an imperative. Growth is one thing, contribution is another. This business model has both, and instead of one giant company, we're going to be a company of a million coaches, each their own independent company, helping 100 million people get healthy and fit. That's what we will achieve, and that's why network marketing is a priority!

What Economic Downturn?

I got this email below from coach Judy Zavislak. Whenever someone writes me to say that a post within this blog motivated them to take action, or a Beachbody product or idea we created changed their life, or our customer service people turned a Beachbody complaint into a transformational transaction, I am grateful and proud of what we are building.

This email is juts another example that, the concept of using your own income potential as the motivation to get healthy in fit is for real. I hope more coaches see it that way - especially those who feel like the business is not yet serving them. in my experience, that usually means they haven't embraced the authenticity of the comprehensive approach to this lifestyle. Your example of health and fitness is what inspires people to believe that you are not selling them products, you are simply an example of what works.

Thanks Judy, and thanks to all our coaches who are spreading the word that Beachbody is the total solution! You are the ones who will enjoy the income in 2009 when this concept reaches its tipping point! Let the new Year's resolution rush begin!

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Hi Carl. Well, today is the day that most people are thinking about 2009 and changes they would like to see in their lives. I can’t help but reflect back on my journey the past two years. At the end of 2006, I had reached a point where I just HAD to make a change. I’ve never been severely overweight, but I had around 15-20 pounds that plagued me ever since my daughter was born in 1997. Sure, I knew how to lose the weight. I did it SEVERAL times. What I didn’t know was how to make it STICK!

So, heading into 2007, I was looking for solutions. First I looked at what had worked in the past for me. The first thing that came to mind was the Beachbody message boards. When I’m reading and posting on a regular basis, I find that I’m more motivated to work out and eat right. So, I reconnected with some Beachbody friends, and started logging my workouts into WOWY. But, I had done all of that before, and had STILL lost focus. I needed more.

Then one day, I was reading your blog entries from December of 2006. The title was “The Miracle CEO Weight Loss System”. You had stayed consistent with your fitness program because now you were the CEO of a fitness company, and you were now offering that opportunity to all of us. This intrigued me, so I asked my coach (Traci Morrow) a few questions and decided to give it a try! I started my business with only my own accountability as my goal.

What an interesting two years it has been. I lost 20 pounds, and haven’t gained back more than a few pounds at a time. I work out consistently, and I’m constantly learning new ways to incorporate healthy habits into my lifestyle. So, your idea that this could work for anyone has certainly been true for me. As I’m encouraging the people I coach, it encourages me. I get so much more from these new friends than they will ever know. That alone would make it SO worth it, but the icing on the cake is that I’m able to make enough money to more than cover my mortgage each month! I got laid off from a job I worked at for over 20 years, so you have no idea how much it means to have at least that one bill covered.

For the first time in a long time, I’m ending the year excited about what I’ve accomplished and doubly excited for what is to come!!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this opportunity!

Judy Zavislak

That Fabulous Foot

David Akers, the poster boy for what P90X can do on the stage of professional athletics, is blowing us away with NFL stats that continue to prove that talent plus extreme training are a potent combination:

> In 2007 BX ("Before P90X"), Akers went 1 for 6 from between 40 and 50 yards.

> In 2008 AX, ("After P90X") he has gone 8 for 10.

> "Field Goals Made" - went from #16 in 2007 to #3 this season.

> Scoring - went from #21 in the NFL to #2.

And he's not some 98 pound weakling kicker eaither. Anyone who saw him save a touchdownin the first quarter by hammering Bradshaw out of bounds.

To quote Jon Congdon, "Hmmm. Seems like the product worked for him."

Inspiration to Set Your Goal Now!

I got an email this morning from Beachbody Coach Perry Tinsely. It shows that in 2008, he didn't miss a single day in WOWY -- 366 red X's! Unbelievable and an incredible feat!

Here it is; Jan 1 2009, and that's enough inspiration to spark some creative goal setting. While I know 365 days a year of logging in will not work for me, can I log 20 a month? 240 for the year? It's a challenge, but I can go for it. That consistency will serve me well. And it's only possible because you give me the motivation and inspiration to go for it

And by the way, I really want to thank you for a great 2008.

Whether you're a Beachbody Coach, a member of Team Beachbody, or a Beachbody customer, I want to thank you for your support, your enthusiasm, and commitment.

We achieved amazing things in 2008, approaching 15,000 coaches, overcoming major obstacles, and surpassing overall sales targets. But the most exciting thing we discovered in 2008 is that our prospects are stronger than we even anticipated. The future looks so strong with the upcoming coach infomercial, the release of new products, and the unwavering strength of the community to inspire friends and family that health and fitness is possible right at home. When it comes to the health care and obesity crisis, the solution is people helping people plug into this the total package called Beachbody of fitness, diet, and peer support.

And we're proving that with the ChaLEAN Extreme Launch Party kick off Saturday, January 3rd. Coaches across the country are inviting people to their homes to kick off the New Year's Resolution season. At those parties and for months to come, Coaches and members will be inviting people to kick off a flight of ChaLEAN Extreme and surpassing the results they've achieved in gyms or with equipment by supporting each other through the process.

You can see where parties are happening right here at party central and track the action including footage and photos from coach house parties plus Chalene's launch party at her house here at the message boards!

No matter what you do to celebrate the new year and set an objective for yourself to achieve real exercise consistency in 2009, know that this CEO truly appreciates how you have taken responsibility for your health and fitness - no matter what stage of it you are in - and that together we can achieve so much in 2009! I'm going to go for 240 workouts, all logged into WOWY with a red X (That means I log the workout as I do it, rather than a blue X, which gets logged in later.)

Happy New Year. Post some great ChaLEAN Extreme Launch Party photos Saturday, and let's go for it in 2009!

Our P90X NFL-Poster Boy Is Still At It!

This article appeared on Philly.com today regarding David Akers... He kicked a 51-yarder last Sunday. We're still hoping he gets a crack at breaking the NFL record to kick a 64-yard field goal this year and we've promised to donate a million bucks to the Kicks for Kids Foundation.
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Through it all, Eagles' Akers still kicking
By Ray Parrillo, Inquirer Staff Writer

David Akers spent his 34th birthday Tuesday visiting Children's Hospital as part of his Kicks for Kids Foundation, enjoying some rare free time with his family, and feeling pretty certain he wouldn't have to answer questions from the media suggesting his future as the Eagles' kicker was in jeopardy.

"I've tried this year not to pay attention to what's in the media," Akers said the other day. "So the only way I knew people were saying things was by the questions I was being asked."

In consecutive weeks this season, Akers missed field goals from 50-plus yards against Chicago, Washington and San Francisco, and also one against the Bears from 40-plus yards. The Eagles lost the Sept. 28 game in Chicago, 24-20. Last season, Akers was 1 for 4 from 50-plus yards and 1 for 6 from 40 to 49 yards.

Akers, the franchise's all-time-leading scorer, is in his 10th season with the Eagles. In his first eight, he'd made 59 percent from 50-plus yards and 72 percent between 40 and 49 yards.

On the misses earlier this season, leg strength wasn't the issue. But as Akers said, you are what the numbers say you are, and the numbers were saying his job wasn't as secure as it once was.

In Sunday's critical 20-14 win over the Giants, Akers offered a mixed bag. He kicked two field goals, one from 51 yards that gave the Eagles a 3-0 lead, another from 34 yards that raised their lead to 20-7 in the fourth quarter. Another try was blocked by Justin Tuck and returned 71 yards by Kevin Dockery for a touchdown at the end of the first half. Tuck beat reserve tackle Winston Justice on the play. Another was tipped. In nine seasons, Akers had one blocked field goal. This season, he's had three, two returned for TDs.

The bigger point is that Akers has reclaimed his status as a reliable kicker. The first block against the Giants ended a streak of 15 consecutive field goals, two shy of his team record. He is 6 for 7 from 40 to 49 yards, and he still has the leg strength to split the uprights from more than 50 yards.

In one season, Akers has gone from 2 for 10 from 40-plus yards to 7 for 11, a dramatic improvement.

Akers attributes his resurgence to an infomercial. Honest. The night before the Eagles played at Dallas last December, Akers saw an infomercial about a workout program called P90X, guaranteed to transform your body in 90 days through a rigorous training system that requires one hour a day.


Akers, a left-footed kicker, thought the program might solve a physical problem he was having with his right hip - the result, he believes, of a torn hamstring he suffered in 2005. It had become painful to plant his right leg before kicking.

"My hip was hurting," he said. "I wanted to lose weight and balance my body."

Akers spoke to Eagles trainer Rick Burkholder about the program, and Burkholder said that running back Ryan Moats had tried it. Akers went ahead with it during the off-season, shed 20 pounds - he's down to 180 - and reduced his body fat by 30 percent.


"After I tore my hamstring I never really regained the true flexibility in my right leg, and a lot of the power comes from your plant leg," he said. "I regained the flexibility, and I'd never before realized I needed to lose weight. I'd been 200 pounds. Now, I haven't been this light since my freshman year at Louisville. "Believe it or not, I saw it on an infomercial."

Akers looks back on the early-season misses and said the one he'd really like to have back is the one against Washington. "I look at the first two kicks in Chicago, and I aimed exactly where I wanted it to go," he said. "I misjudged how powerful the wind was when I kicked them. The next week against the Redskins, I felt like I pulled it just a little bit. I felt like I swung too hard on the ball. There aren't many days when I've hit 50 percent and felt I'd hit the ball really well. Then we had the block against the Niners, and we had the two blocks" against the Giants.

"I'm basically sure those two on Sunday would have gone through," he continued. "That makes up the six [missed] kicks and you say, 'Wow, that's six misses. But . . .' "

Akers went on to crunch the numbers. He figured the blocked kicks from 32 and 34 yards would have been good. If so, his percentage would be 87.5, above the league average of 84.8. Instead, it's 81.3.

"That being said, you are what your numbers say you are, and those numbers can be skewed for the good or the bad," he said. The numbers also say Akers can claim to be a better kicker than he was last year (75 percent) and two years ago (78.3), and that the things people are saying about him aren't so bad these days.

"I know one day my time will be up, and I don't want it to be right now," he said. "I want to play here as long as the Eagles organization will have me."

ChaLEAN Extreme News!

It has just been confirmed to me that the product is in the warehouse, and we will begin shipping ChaLEAN Extreme Launch Party packages (including two units of ChaLEAN Extreme) tomorrow morning. Wednesday 12/9 the ChaLEAN Extreme Launch Party kits will ship!

The schedule to launch to the rest of Team Beachbody and the Beachbody database is still planned for 12/12 at the earliest, subject to the website being QC'ed and ready to take orders.

Remembering A Great One

One day in 1981 I was a senior walking down the halls of North Penn high school, wondering where I would go to college. A poster in the hallway caught my eye. It featured a guy with "Dutch Boy" length hair balancing a trombone, heavy texts, science equipment, a football, spirit banner,and a large silver 35MM film canister in his arms. He was truly loaded down and the message was clear: "This school was a great place to party!" OK, actually the message was: "This school had everything, including film and TV."

That poster brought Ithaca college to my attention, and lead me to enroll. Beachbody founding coach Dick Comanzo and All-American diving champion was they guy featured in that poster.

I was informed by friends that Dick passed away peacefully, from an inoperable brain tumor, on November 29, 2008, surrounded by friends and family. Throughout his courageous three-year fight with brain cancer, Dick’s spirit, optimism, love of friends and family and passion for living never ended. That includes his desire to help people get fit and healthy with the products that he helped make famous, especially the program that gave him this transformation, the original, Power 90.

Dick was an exceptional human being who had a profoundly positive, lasting impact on everyone he met. He had an extraordinary capacity to bring the best out in those around him, and he used that gift every day of his life. This was most evident during his courageous battle with illness. He always strove to be independent and self-sufficient, serving as an inspirational example of how one should face life’s obstacles. I know everyone says that about people when they cross-over, but in this case, Dick was a "poster boy" for facing life with positivity, hope, and an incredibly good attitude. He taught me much in that way.

I actually never knew Dick in college except for his image on that poster. But his commitment to getting back in shape with Power 90 in 2001 brought him back to my attention when he sent his success story in to be considered for the trip to Hawaii as a Power 90 success story. Once again, "SqueakyD" as he became known on the message boards, he was poster boy material and a star testimonial in our Power 90 infomercial.

Dick was very involved in the Southeast Brain Tumor Association and their annual Race for Research, raising awareness and donations for the fight against brain cancer. When he could no longer run or walk in the Race, he cheered his teammates from the sidelines.

Dick is survived by his son, Dean Comanzo; his partner of 14 years, Shawn Purcell; his parents Ralph and Gail Comanzo; his brother Douglas (Amy) Comanzo; his sisters, Diane (Michael) Jones; his special angel Amy Gail Comanzo; his grandmother, Ann M. Comanzo and his nieces and nephews: Nicole, Matthew, Timmy Comanzo and Daniel and Katie Jones.

A celebration of his remarkable life will be held at 3:00PM, Friday December 12th, at the Rich Auditorium-Woodruff Arts Center: 1280 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309.

Dick’s family asks in lieu of memorials and or flowers that donations be sent in Honor of Dick Comanzo to the Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation.

Dick, you will be missed by me and so many others, and in honor of your contribution to our lives, your example and inspiration will be celebrated for decades.

Kathy Smith's Project YOU! Type 2 is here!

Kathy Smith's "Project: YOU! Type 2", where we took Kathy's great fitness videos from the popular Project: YOU! program, and combined them with a complete system of eating and exercise to create the first program of its kind published in conjunction with the American Diabetes Association... And it is officially here! (It's still September right?)

Now instead of simply looking at prescription drugs and a pamphlet on "healthy living" for an alternative to living with Type 2 diabetes, people can now get the information they need to actively manage or prevent it with this revolutionary new program!

Doctors, certified diabetes educators, and the American Diabetes Association helped Kathy Smith and Beachbody develop Project: YOU! for Type 2. It is the first ALL-IN-ONE lifestyle approach to help manage diabetes, reduce your risk for diabetes complications, and get you back in control of your life!

This represents our commitment to health and fitness. Do we get people ripped with P90X? Yep. Do we help people lose weight fast with Slim in 6, Hip Hop Abs and Turbo Jam? You bet. And now, are we the one company with a solution to help people lose weight and avoid the crippling consequences of this terrible disease? You got that right!

This is a big deal. Tell your doctor. Tell your friends. Tell everyone who knows anyone... Now there is a solution that cost less than a month's worth of pills. Kathy Smith's Project YOU! for Type 2... and the revolution continues!

Forget Black Friday -- A Better Gift Idea

We had a very well-attended event in the Philadelphia area this weekend, including coaches from all over the North East and even as far away as Texas!

I am always so grateful to the people who attend these functions and bring such positive energy. I am especially grateful this time to my brother David and his employer, Byer's Choice, who provided the facility for us to meet. The Byer's family is one of the most philanthropic I have ever witnessed, and it shows in their hospitality to our Beachbody Coaches and prospects. For them to get involved with us means the Beachbody Revolution has been recognized by another group of people who truly care about helping people.

During the event, a coach asked about the best way to facilitate giving Beachbody products as gifts, perhaps through the use of gift certificates. We've avoided gift certificates because accounting for the cash is not simple within a network marketing comp plan. But in the meantime, we came up with an idea not to give products away, but to ask for others to get fit as their gift to you!

"Ask friends and family to exercise for at least 30 days starting in January as their gift to you this year."

Instead of writing out a Christmas list filled with more "stuff" that you want, tell people that the gift you want is something that will help you both:

(1) They purchase a fitness program from your coach website - for THEMSELVES.
(2) You earn the commission on it
(3) They promise to follow it for at least 30 days.

Everybody wins, and it's the kind of gift that doesn't get forgotten or taken for granted.

This is people working together. This is a gift that pays you both dividends all year. What other gift can enhance and add energy to your relationship, and make people feel good about helping you and helping their own health in the spirit of keeping their holiday promise? This is it!

This would be a great occasion to sign up to host a ChaLEAN Extreme Launch Party and invite family members. Helping them add muscle to build their metabolisms back up in 2009 can be the gift you all give each other - starting with the Launch Party January 3rd.

And don't forget to subscribe to the Tony Horton One-On-One series as a gift to yourself! Here's an image from that DVD I was talking about a few weeks ago. It's only available to December subscribers of the series.

Dreams do come true...

Click to play the preview