My first realization that health and fitness were important to prioritize happened when I was just 7 years old.  I distinctly remember because I was having dinner with my family which included my aunts, uncles, and grandparents at our home in Wycoff, N.J.  It was rare to have us all together and I loved it.  I was the youngest in my household and admired their education, success, and warmth.  Having the family together was so special to me and I cherished it.  I wasn't one of those kids who couldn't wait to leave the table and go play.  I wanted to sit with the adults and hear their conversation even if I didn't have much to contribute.

So I found it very surprising to hear so much conversation about body weight and dieting during this thoughtfully prepared meal.  Aren't we just supposed to enjoy the delicious spread, with no guilt, and relish in the closeness of people we love? 

This diet conversation didn't stop anyone from eating cake or drinking booze.  There was talk about multiple sizes of clothes in the closet, starting a diet the.morning after a late night binge, and even proud talk of eating to the point of gluttony.

I was thinking, "Don't they have other more interesting things to talk about?"  There were Master's degrees, Ph.D.'s, and lots of travel adventures among this group.  Right then, I realized that I didn't want my life to be consumed with what I can and can't eat, or to have an all or nothing approach to wellness.  I knew that God had blessed me with this one body that had to last my entire life.  Wouldn't it be easier to live a life nourishing that body so that it remained healthy?

My little 7 year old self was astute enough to know that it all starts in the mind. We needed to create habits that support that goal.  My family was not athletic and I did not enjoy team sports, though I did love to ride my bike and dance.  I also loved ice-cream and our Jersey bagels and didn't want to feel denied of these things, Was it all or nothing?

So began my obsession with wellness.  This was not popular almost half a century ago, and I had a lot of strange looks from adults wondering why my head was in a health book or I was getting up at 6 am. to watch Joannie Greggins Morning Stretch, on television.  (She was smart, fabulous and funny). 

At 12, I started circuit training at my house.  This meant I would run up the stairs, jump rope, do some push-ups, sit-ups, and jumping jacks.  I taught my friends' moms calisthenics. I went to the Arnold Classic, (Schwarzenegger's bodybuilding show before he became an actor) read Franco Columbo, watched Jack La-Lanne, and taught Jane Fonda type workouts while working at a local health club at 18.  In college, there was no Exercise Science major so I took Pre-physical therapy.  Exercise Science, what was that?  

While teaching, I had such a wonderfully diverse group of students.  One woman was 80 years old and was a super fan of mine.  She was so special and different that I can't forget her.  She ran a local gas station!  Yes, I just said that.  She lived alone and had a large curvature in her upper back, (Kyphosis is the term)  She told me she would have to put a long string on the zipper on the back of her dresses or she wouldn't be able to zip them up herself.  I was only 18, but I really felt for her.  She was tough yet kind.  She also couldn't do any high impact aerobics because she would "Pee in her pants a little bit."  What a gift it was to be able to learn about life through the wisdom of these older women.  I also taught 3-14 year-olds as a teacher for the NJ Gymnastic team, jazz dance to underprivileged children, and all ages, shapes, and sizes, in between.  

What always motivated me was getting to know what was going on inside the hearts and minds of these people who chose to spend an hour of their day with me.  How could I help them be who they truly want to be, or simply, how could I help them be able to walk if their knees hurt?  What hole were they filling if their eating habits were out of control, and why do some continue to think there is a magic, get fit quick, one size fits all, approach to wellness?

I went on to run many health clubs, design research based programming, train instructors, be a television fitness expert, and a health and beauty host for the shopping channels and infomercials.  I've reviewed the latest trends in fitness, discerning the beneficial from the "get fit" money grabbing schemes, because fitness, and the promise of a "perfect" body, is big business.  I've witnessed the lies, truths, and the havoc that incorrect information and the "no pain, no gain" attitude can do to people.

My mission in life is to joyfully guide you through the myriad of information available and break it down into simple and reasonable daily action steps.  These steps done on a consistent basis will enable you to develop healthy habits so that it will no longer be an energy draining struggle to live in a way that brings glowing health.  My approach is not militant.  I come from an empath"s perspective and care deeply about your fears, motivation, past traumas, and emotional triggers.  (In another life I would have been a psychiatrist).  

This is the reason why I wrote Inner-visions for the Outer You almost 20 years ago,  My 21 day workbook that has you diving deeply into the workings of your mind, how to attain a healthy body, and ways to enhance your spiritual journey.. It sat on my shelf for years before I figured out how to get it out to the world.  See, no one is immune to weakness.  No one!  Fortunately, if you are wise, you eventually realize this, gain acceptance, and no longer compare yourself to others.  You find mentors, coaches, Google it, and do what you can to fill the gaps.  

 If you desire a body that feels vital and fit, and provides you with the energy to fulfill your purpose in life, I would love to help you.  Please reach out to me at [email protected], join my mailing list, follow me @thetriomethod.com, or find me at JamieGallo on Youtube.

As always, I love to hear from you and welcome suggestions for content.