Ranzo’s Post-Run Talk: Recent Episodes
Ranzo's Post-Run Talk
So you failed once, maybe you failed twice. Maybe you failed even ten times, are you a failure? I don't think so. I believe failing is an essential part of succeeding. As Oprah said, it's a stepping stone to greatness. There is much for us to learn from the mistakes we make. Temporary defeat only becomes permanent if we let it. This episode encourages us to push beyond temporary defeats, refusing to make them permanent failures. Let's listen to it.
A common feeling that we all get, but what should we do when we feel this way? This episode helps us answer this question.
This episode dispels the myth of the overnight body or overnight success. It encourages us to fall in love more with the process than the results, because the process always precedes the results. Let's listen to it.
This episodes teaches us why it's important to have an 'until' mindset. Let's listen to it.
If you aren't there yet, stop looking around and look within. Introspection is key when you're trying to become better than you presently are. Are you looking outward, when you should be looking inward? This episode encourages us to shut out the distractions and direct our focus inward. Let's listen to it.
We can’t allow ourselves to stop at imagination. Imagination is an important step on our journey toward actualization but it doesn't end there. We have to move from imagination into action. This is a very important step if we should stand a chance at getting the results that we seek. This episode encourages us to move to that place. Let’s listen to it.
Sometimes we have to ask ourselves this question if we want to move in or continue moving in the direction of our dreams. One of the main reasons for this is that fear tends to paralyze us and rob us of our dreams. This episode helps us answer this question and encourages us to move beyond fear. Let's listen to it.
It was Jim Rohn who said, "The way we think things are affects us most. Not the way things are." This means the way we think matters more than even reality itself. What do you think about yourself? How limited is your thinking? How often do you find yourself standing in your own way? This episode encourages us to think without limits; as it's one of the best ways to take on this transient experience that we all have called life. Let's listen to it.
The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago; the second best time is today. Missed opportunities are not great. But we can't stay in the past with them. We have to learn what we can from the past, invest that knowledge into the present and move forward into the future. If we missed the opportunity to plant that tree twenty years ago, all is not lost because we can use today to plant a new one. That's what this episode is about. Let's listen to it.
Stop waiting. Life is short. Make the plunge. That's what this message encourages us to do. Let's listen to it.
Habit is a powerful force that can either work with or against us. We can either make a conscious decision to employ this force and use it to our advantage; or we can just allow it to empower the wrong things that will send us into a downward spiral. This episode shares a few tips on how we can use the power of habit to our advantage. It also shares some of the benefits of building good habits. Let's listen to it.
Life can get very hard sometimes and when it does these are two words that we should all remember. If you believe in what you are doing and you want what you are pursuing bad enough - then do not surrender! This message encourages us to do just that. Let's listen to it.
This episode contains a very valuable secret. The question is, will you listen to it to find out what it is? This is an episode that is very close to my heart. And if you've never shared an episode of this podcast before, I encourage you to share this one. Let's listen to it.
Seems like an obvious choice to make, but in reality that is not the case. We often find ourselves engaging in activities that are both destructive to our health and our future. This episode reminds and encourages us to always choose self-development over self-destruction. You will also come across a useful question that you should ask yourself before making any decision. Let's listen to the message.
No progress can come from not starting. You have to begin, you have to start, you have to do the work. This episode encourages us to ask ourselves this question, answer it and then move into action. Why haven't you started yet?
Commitment; how important is it? Do you know what's stopping you from committing to fitness? This episode provides some advice on how to identify the thing or things that are holding you back. It also provides encourage to help you forge ahead. True commitment is a powerful thing. Let's listen to the message.
It's a very strong word I know. But another way to state this is, ''no pain, no gain.'' This episode encourages us to be resolute and press through the pain and struggle which are only a necessary part of the journey. If you're able to outlast it, you will be stronger just for going through it. There's a lot in this episode, let's listen to it.
Who will you become? This episode encourages us to become the person that we know we can and should become.
There's an opportunity that you have right now. The question is, will you take it? This episode goes into why you should.
If we don't engage in the activity that's required to make a change, then the change that we seek won't be made. We can't give up halfway. If we want the finisher's medal we have to see the race through to the end. If we quit in pursuit of our goal, the pain of the circumstance that we're trying to accomplish that goal to change will remain. Therefore, we must press on. This episode should help us to do just that. Keep on going, because if you quit the pain will last forever.
Are you willing to pay the price for your dream? This episode reminds us all of what is required.
Don't wish for it, work for it. For most things that we pursue in this life, we know the work that's required to get it but we fail to do it. As a result we oftentimes find ourselves wishing for a change instead of working for a change. This episode will hopefully inspire all of us to do the latter.
Excuses are not our friends. They stand in our way and prevent us from getting to our goals and dreams. Do you find yourself habitually making excuses? If you do, then you need to pursue a change of mindset. Excuses will prevent you from getting to where you need to go. This episode gives you some ideas on how to stop making excuses.
Don't you think you've waited long enough to begin? What are you waiting for? Just start already. This episode implores you to do just that. In with activity and out with procrastination. Let's go!
We can save both time and energy if we focus only on the things in our lives that we can control. Are you making the most of the things in your life that you can control? Try focusing on those things and do all you can. This episode encourages you to do just that and encourages you to use this laser focus to get more done in your life.
Knowing this can give you added fuel to keep on going. I've said it so many times that I probably sound like a broken record, but it is worth repeating - Anything that's worthwhile isn't easy. In any of life's pursuits, whether physical or otherwise we have to work hard, be persistent, endure discomfort or pain and step outside of our comfort zones. If we shy away from these things our dream will keep eluding us. Do you have what it takes? Can you hold on? Can you keep going? This episode will give you some added fuel to keep on going. If you can persist, it's possible that you may find your promise on the other side of that pain.
You can endanger your future by setting a goal that's too small. The reason for this is that oftentimes we shrink to meet small goals and dreams. Conversely if we set big dreams we are forced to grow and stretch to meet them. In this episode we discuss this idea further.
Many of us don't know what's on the other side of pain and fear, because we haven't ventured that far. What's on the other side? No worthwhile pursuit is easy. But during that pursuit when you encounter pain or fear will you acquiesce? Will you give up? Will you turn back? This episode admonishes you to keep on going. It shares a mindset that's necessary to go beyond these feelings.
This is a very strong message but it speaks of a mindset. A mindset that says, ''I will do it or die!'' The world has a way of stepping aside when a person says with conviction that they will do something or die. This expresses how serious you are about going after what you want. You are going after your dream and you've made up your mind that you will do what's required to make it come true. You don't just want it, you're also willing to do the work no matter how hard it is to make it happen. This episode expounds on this idea.
The purpose of this episode is to remind you to be strong! You're stronger than you think.
Intentions are not enough, we must execute. Execution will get you there. This episode admonishes us to become people who execution. It's the only thing that matters, intention and ideas are not enough. We must do.
You're not chasing your future, you have it within you right now. You are carrying it within you. The future that you are looking forward to is being created with each passing moment. You have a huge role to play in how this future will look. What you ought to be, you are now becoming. This episode explains this reality further.
Many times we don't want to do the things that are necessary to get the results that we want. But the truth is, it doesn't matter how we feel about the work that we must do, we just need to do it. If we want the results and we know what needs to be done, we just have to suck it up and do the work. It's not how we feel about the work, it's the knowledge we have of what's required that we must apply. We must focus on what needs to be done and not how we feel about it. This episode encourages us to do just that.
How resilient are you? If you aren't you need to be. Do you have grit? Do you have a made up mind? A mind that says, ''I'm going to try until I finally lay hold of my dream! I will never give up!'' If you do, then you are on your way to achieving that which you seek. Grit is one of the most powerful determinant of achievement that exist. If you don't have it, try to fashion it in your life. This episode encourages you to do just that and will motivate you to keep chasing your dream!
This is such an important question to ask ourselves when in pursuit of the life we want. More important than the question itself is our answer to it. Do you believe that your dream will one day become your reality? Do you believe that you will accomplish that goal? This episode delves into why it's important to believe even in the face of uncertainty.
If we could see into the future, how different would we live our lives today? How about, what if we knew how much time we had left to live? Would we live any differently then? Most of us would. And the truth is, we do have an idea of how long we've got. We know of our frailty and that one day to come will be our last. So why don't we use this knowledge to our advantage and start living on purpose? We would make better use of our time, better decisions and we would do and start pursuing all the things we've been daydreaming about. This episode encourages us to do just that. What will you do with the time that you have left?
Embark on the journey of mastering yourself and all the blocks will fall into place. On this journey called life, the goal is to become the best version of yourself. This episode discusses the importance of mastering you.
It's a dangerous place to be and the worst part is when you're there it doesn't feel like it. Where is this place and how can you avoid it? This episode reveals just that.
This is a question that all of us should ponder. This episode explores the depth and importance of this question.
In order to matriculate to another level, we must first embrace the breaking point. We have to allow ourselves to break free from our current level, so that we can make our way to the next. This episode discusses how to do just that.
There's a lot more! Don't you stop now. You may ask yourself when is the right time to give up? I say never. If you are pursuing a dream that you believe is the very reason for your existence, don't you stop! There's more for you to get and there's more for you to give. This message exist to encourage you to press forward and not give up because there's more on this journey for you. Are you sure you want to give up? Or do you want to see what's on the other side waiting for you?
So much can change for us if we focus more on our mindset than the circumstances and situations that we find ourselves in. The truth is, it's never in the circumstance, it's always in our heads. No matter what we are going through or have encountered, we can decide how we respond to it and how we interpret it. This episode further discusses this idea.
What if? These two words can either be used as excuses to keep you where you are or as reasons for you to charge forward. In this case our focus is the latter. In this episode I want you to take a journey to the future. I want you to forget about the present for a moment and think about what could be. This episode’s objective is to take you to this place and then back to the present, so you can begin the work to create that future.
Are we doing the work that's required to get the results that we want? Or do we find ourselves shying away from doing what's necessary? For everything that we desire there is a price to pay and work that needs to be done. This episode encourages us to do that work, because if we don't nothing else matters. And our dream will remain nothing more than a dream.
It's your life and you must take ownership of it and all the things within it. The reason for this is that the moment you start playing the blame game instead of taking ownership you relinquish your power. To make the important changes in your life you must first take the reins of your life and head into a direction of your choosing. This episode further discusses the issue of ownership and the importance of not relinquishing your power.
This is a question that we should frequently ask ourselves. ''What if today was my last day?'' Would you be pleased with the life you've lived? Did you leave everything on the table and gave the world all you had? Most of us wouldn't be able to answer 'yes' to this question. That's why this message serves as a reminder to begin at once. Give the world what you were given to give it. Follow your heart, go after your dreams and make a resolve to leave this world a little better than you found it. That last day may or may not be today, but when it comes let it find you empty. Because you had poured all that you were out into this world.
Many people have an aversion to risks. However, taking risks can bring about favourable rewards for the risk taker. It is important that we take risks. If we win we'll be happy and if we lose we'll be wiser; so in my view risk taking can be perceived as a win-win situation. This episode further explores the idea of taking risks.
I believe consistency is a maker of dreams. If you are doing the right things that eventually produce results, then being consistent is all you have to do. It no longer becomes a matter of if, but a matter of when. This episode focuses on the unshakable and undeniable power of consistency. Are you consistent?
It's not your reality, so why should you let it affect you? The reality is, it's their opinion and not your reality. Do not allow yourself to be crippled by the opinions of the naysayers. Reject their opinions and keep moving forward. Focus on that which you know to be true about your life. This episode explores this idea further.
There are certain things that we want that we have no choice but to go through a process to get them. We just have to bite the bullet and do what's required. This is what this episode is about. When there is no other way we must do what is required.
In this life, both your greatest foe and your greatest ally will be yourself. Can you shift your gaze from the external environment and focus on that which is internal? If you come to terms with the fact that it's all up to you, then the battle is half won. This episode discusses the idea that it's you against you.
Do you really love yourself? Only our actions can answer this question accurately. Being disciplined is not easy, but it is a mark of those who truly love themselves. Self-discipline is tantamount to self-love. We discuss this further in this episode.
Are you investing your time and effort? Or do you habitually pass time without investing it so that you can get a return from it? This episode is a short and friendly reminder to reduce the amount of time that we pass, and invest as much of it as we possibly can.
You’re still here so there’s still time. You can make the rest of your life the best of your life. Don't allow yourself to be crippled by past mistakes and regret. Use the pain and experience of those years to push you future. Invest the lessons you've learnt into the remaining years of your life and make the rest of your life the best of your life. This episode spreads this message of hope.
Knowing is not enough, you must apply. We must do all we can to create a habit of applying proven strategies. We must not become satisfied with only knowing, rather, we should only be satisfied when we have applied what we know. Only then do we stand a chance of seeing the results that we desire. In this episode we discuss the importance of the application of knowledge.
If we do what is easy, our life will be hard. If only doing the easy things brought us the results that doing the hard things does. To change our life and live the life that we want, we have to take the road that's less travelled. We discuss the easy and the hard things in this episode.
Is your mind inundated with positive or negative thoughts? The way that our lives will turn out, depends on our answer to this question. Is your mind right? If it isn't, how do you change it? We discuss this and more in this episode.
How committed are you? Are you mentally prepared for the unforeseeable? As you pursue your goals, you have to be able to anticipate obstacles and ready your mind to overcome them. There will be wind, there will be rain, but don't stop! We discuss this and more in this episode.
Use that pain and get something from it instead. You've come this far, why allow all that effort to go to waste? You're already in pain, make it count! If you give up, if you turn back, all you’ve been through would have been for nothing. Leave with what you came for. Don’t allow yourself to waste your pain and effort by leaving empty handed.
To make the best use of our time on this earth, we need to live with the awareness that life is transient. If we don't, we will get caught up in wasting very limited and valuable time. When you spend a day you have one less day to spend. This episode talks about the importance of working toward self-mastery with the awareness of the transience of life at the forefront of our minds.
It's not over yet, do not give up! If you're contemplating giving up on something that you want bad, listen to this episode. Your victory could be right around the corner.
Win the battle here and victory is almost certain. We tend to look outward for our enemies, but rarely do we look inside of ourselves. The fiercest battle that is being waged is the one inside our minds; our fight with fear, doubt, lack of confidence and overall negativity. It is very important that we confront the conflicts within before we confront the conflicts without. This episode talks about this inward struggle and how you might overcome it.
It's very difficult to do, but it gets the results. Every fiber in you is telling you to give up, but that's the opposite of what you should do. You should finish what you started. You had a goal in the beginning, so giving up because you're tired is not an option. You don't stop when you're tired, you stop when you're done. Let's talk about this some more.
This episode shares an experience I had a few months ago when I was trying to set a new personal best. It was an important moment that reinforced the importance of applying knowledge. It reinforced the validity of the core message that has been shared and will continue to be shared on this podcast. This experience, though it wasn't what I wanted, caused me to go further and reinforced the fact that the principles of life remains unchanging. To get desired results you must do the work. If you break the laws of progress you must deal with the consequences.
As Dr. Amen Ra puts it, "Subjecting yourself to self imposed discipline is the surest way to increase the quality of your existence. Period." And I must say, I concur. Without self-discipline we are not truly free. In this episode we talk about forging self-discipline in our lives.
We will all have to make this decision at some point. What will you choose? This episode encourages us to keep going after our goals and dreams especially when it gets hard.
It's necessary. We have to accept the discomfort that tends to come with growth and improvement. It might be cliche to say no pain, no gain. But though it's inconvenient, it is the truth. The goal of this episode is to encourage us to get comfortable with being uncomfortable; when it's what's required to get to the level of our aspirations.
Don't give up, the beginning is always the hardest! Remember, if you quit you will never see it. But if you keep going there is still a chance that you can have it. You can make that dream a reality, so keep pushing. This episode is for that person out there who is on the verge of giving up. Don't give up just yet, hold on a bit longer.
We run from it, but it's what we need to grow and become better versions of ourselves. It's almost impossible to improve without first going through it. Without it, change is practically unattainable. I am talking about challenges and that which is difficult. If it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you. This episode explores the reasons why it's important to embrace challenges and the difficult.
I believe we all have what it takes to get the things that we want out of this life. However, we have to be willing to move forward from a place of desire to a place of execution. Because execution is what will get us there. Hopefully, this episode will serve as a timely reminder for us all.
Anything worthwhile is difficult. I've yet to find something that is desired or coveted by all that is acquired easily. Most of us may agree that achieving the things that are great or uncommon is hard. We may also agree that most people don't like difficulty and if something is too difficult people quickly label it as impossible. However, the issue isn’t that these things are impossible, it’s just that we tend to give up too soon. This episode's purpose is to remind us that difficult is not tantamount to impossible.
We may think and even feel like we can't do the difficult, but the truth is we can. The human will is one of the strongest things that we possess and it can give us the boost we need to press forward with ironclad determination. In this episode I share an unusual running experience I had and how the strength of my will got me through it.
It may be a lifelong journey, but we will all be better for it. The goal is to become our best self by becoming a little bit better each day. I am currently in pursuit of self-mastery and I believe it is a worthwhile journey for all to embark on. This episode provides some insight as to what this journey looks like.
We’ve all done it. But it serves no purpose. On the contrary, it robs us of time that could be used to do something more productive; like executing on our goals. This episode reminds us to catch ourselves when we find ourselves wishing for something better or something more. Why wish? When you can act and get what you want? This episode takes it a bit deeper.
We are all well acquainted with it. You may call to mind a host of decisions that were made out of fear. Decisions that you may now regret. But no more. Life is way too short to be lived in fear. Fear keeps us away from living our best life. It keeps us away from chasing after our dreams, causing us to miss opportunities and is the source of much unhappiness. Fear is the enemy of all progress, we should have no part with it! We deal with fear in this episode.
It’s the moments that count more than anything else. How are you handling your moments? We discuss the importance of mastering each moment in this episode.
Can you think of someone who knows you better than you know yourself? If you can't, it simply means that there isn't anyone who knows you better than you know yourself. Since, this is true, why should you allow others to tell you what the limit of your potential is? You know you and you know what you have on the inside, so own it and move forward. Someone else's opinion of you is not your reality. We dive deep into this in this episode.
There is no downplaying the importance of self belief. Without believing in ourselves we won't be able to go very far. Many times in our pursuits we doubt ourselves, but it is very important that we believe in ourselves even when there is no evidence to support this belief. This belief will always push us further. Believe in yourself. In this the second episode of RPRT, I expound on this idea of belief in self.
In this the first episode of Ranzo's Post-Run Talk, I talk about the force that impelled me forward on the day this post-run talk was born. This force came from four words, "I will not stop!" Four words that together holds incredible power, a power that impelled me forward when I felt as though I could not go any further. Can these four words do the same for you as you run almost breathlessly after your dreams? I say yes, they can.