Lately, I've been feeling a renewed sense of excitement about my book.
When I first published Personal Best about 3 months ago, I had to reach out to the media to ask them to cover my story. Unlike some well-known fitness gurus and TV personalities, I don't have a publisher or a publicist. I don't have 1000s of dollars--or millions--to back me up. Getting my foot in the door required me to step out of my comfort zone and "sell my wares."
Because I believe that the message I have to share is important and can benefit many people, I contacted a number of people in the media. Many were receptive and were interested in interviewing me. Recently, I was featured in an article in the Montreal Gazette. Book sales spiked on amazon the day after that article. A few days later, I was contacted by someone from Montreal radio who asked me if I'd be on her radio show. I felt like the tide had turned and now I am being sought out.
I've also been getting more requests for help, advice and information. For example, an acquaintance and former client who struggles with her weight (she gave up training with me a few years ago after her husband decided she shouldn't spend money on personal training--clearly he didn't understand the value) recently approached me and asked me for advice about her overweight teen daughter. I suggested that the woman lead by example. "Modify your own behaviors one step at a time," I advised her. "Become a role model." When you set a good example, your children are more likely to adopt your behaviors than if you lecture them. Do as I say, not as I do is not the way to encourage children. I know, because not long after I changed my lifestyle, got lean and fit and improved my health, my young son, who'd been chubby, became interested in exercising and eating better. Now he is slim and fit and has changed his habits--the bad habits I once taught him were replaced by the good habits I demonstrate!
It's never too late to change. An unknown first-time self-published author (that's me!) who has the courage and conviction to promote her honest and helpful book will eventually be sought after. And any person who has the courage and conviction to take an honest, hard look at oneself, acknowledge what needs to be done and then work hard at making the necessary changes will enjoy better health, a better body and a better quality of life.
When I first published Personal Best about 3 months ago, I had to reach out to the media to ask them to cover my story. Unlike some well-known fitness gurus and TV personalities, I don't have a publisher or a publicist. I don't have 1000s of dollars--or millions--to back me up. Getting my foot in the door required me to step out of my comfort zone and "sell my wares."
Because I believe that the message I have to share is important and can benefit many people, I contacted a number of people in the media. Many were receptive and were interested in interviewing me. Recently, I was featured in an article in the Montreal Gazette. Book sales spiked on amazon the day after that article. A few days later, I was contacted by someone from Montreal radio who asked me if I'd be on her radio show. I felt like the tide had turned and now I am being sought out.
I've also been getting more requests for help, advice and information. For example, an acquaintance and former client who struggles with her weight (she gave up training with me a few years ago after her husband decided she shouldn't spend money on personal training--clearly he didn't understand the value) recently approached me and asked me for advice about her overweight teen daughter. I suggested that the woman lead by example. "Modify your own behaviors one step at a time," I advised her. "Become a role model." When you set a good example, your children are more likely to adopt your behaviors than if you lecture them. Do as I say, not as I do is not the way to encourage children. I know, because not long after I changed my lifestyle, got lean and fit and improved my health, my young son, who'd been chubby, became interested in exercising and eating better. Now he is slim and fit and has changed his habits--the bad habits I once taught him were replaced by the good habits I demonstrate!
It's never too late to change. An unknown first-time self-published author (that's me!) who has the courage and conviction to promote her honest and helpful book will eventually be sought after. And any person who has the courage and conviction to take an honest, hard look at oneself, acknowledge what needs to be done and then work hard at making the necessary changes will enjoy better health, a better body and a better quality of life.