Many people have experienced the powerful spiritual principles behind the 12 step programs and witnessed dramatic changes as these universal laws began working in their lives. The same 12 truths can also be applied in the realm of physical fitness with great success. It’s what I’ve coined “12 Step Training.”

“Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better. What if they are a little coarse, and you may get your coat soiled or torn? What if you do fair, and get fairly rolled in the dirt once or twice? Up again; you shall never be so afraid of a tumble.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

I spent the day shooting a fitness class for a reality TV series on Santa Monica beach with some of my favorite people — my clients. The morning started off with breakfast at Fresh Bites with my husband Bronson. We picked up Bryan who graciously acted as my assistant adding a sense of professionalism, (remembering even those crucial production details I’d missed: sunscreen and trail mix). As we ventured rush hour traffic, I received a text message that my paternal grandmother had passed away. Sadly, I never knew her as an adult—still, the news cast a palpable pallor of reality on the day ahead. We trekked to the beach next to Chess Park across from the rings at original Muscle Beach in Santa Monica, set up camp, and waited for my clients and crew to arrive. Hollywood Production Center.  As I thought about my grandmother, my thoughts turned upward to the sky.

Today was my fourth experience shooting for TV. My first was VH1′s Totally Gay in 2003, followed by an appearance with Kathy Griffin in Bora Bora on My Life on the D List for Bravo in 2008. Last year brought an appearance on LOGO for a show which has yet to air, and now today’s work for MTV. Every experience has had common threads — the “reality” that we see on TV isn’t really “reality” at all — but a slightly manufactured “what if?” excursion into reality.  When I met Kathy Griffin for the “first” time on a motu of the coast of Vaitape, Bora Bora, Kathy and I rehearsed our introduction a few times, amidst chuckles. “This is reality,” she joked wryly, extending her hand on the third take.

Today’s show was special to me because it was the first time I’m to be featured as a fitness trainer on network TV. An old friend of Bronson’s told him upon arriving in Los Angeles 13 years ago, “It takes 10 years before you ‘make it’ in L.A.” which is to say that you have to pay your dues and put in the time. Nearly 14 years after moving to Hollywood, I can say with pride that today’s show was truly a milestone made possible by my infinitely dedicated clients, friends, and a cherished spouse. It was a day I will not soon forget.

Sitting on Muscle Beach with my clients, I couldn’t help but sense the spirit of my grandmother — and the late Jack LaLanne, who I interviewed in 2008. Jack told me then, and I remembered today: “Be an example of what you teach. Delve into your student’s life, know everything about him/her. Be interested.” A nice reality check.

PERHAPS MORE THAN ANY OTHER PERSON, Jack LaLanne embodies the ideals of a fitness coach. In 2008, I had the chance to get to know the late 96-year-old legend.

Jack’s staggering accomplishments, like his energy, have no end in sight. He started 200 Jack LaLanne Fitness Clubs throughout the U.S. (which later became Bally’s) and invented many of the weight machines we use today. He’s broken several world records, including swimming from Alcatraz Island to Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco while handcuffed, and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He’s been quoted as saying: “I cannot afford to die, it will ruin my image.”

After combing through his answers, I’m reminded of Yoda’s statement to Luke in Star Wars: “Size matters not; look at me.” His statements may be simple, but in true guru form, they resonate with clarity and depth.

SAM PAGE: How has your fitness lifestyle played a role or contributed to your successful marriage?

JACK LALANNE: Both my wife and I have our health, lots of energy & vitality, and pride in how we look and feel, which has contributed to our marriage.

Is there one exercise that you still do on a regular basis?

Swimming.

There’s been a lot of news coverage about doping and steroid use in sports—what’s your take on all that?

If you take steroids, you have to pay the price. They can kill you; there are no shortcuts. It’s like going to bed with a rattlesnake, it’s got to get you.

I read an interview in which you specifcally mentioned, in particular: the importance of pride and discipline.

Yes—pride & discipline. Pride, because you should be proud of what you’re doing, but not conceited. If you can’t be proud of yourself, you’re a failure. Kids need to be taught this in the schools. And discipline. To do anything in life you have to have discipline. To accomplish anything, you have a goal, challenge yourself, and work until you accomplish that goal. Practice what you preach.

What’s the hardest thing you did in your career as a fitness coach?

When I quit eating all that junk food and started exercising when I was 15—I exchanged bad habits with good habits. Also, all my birthday feats.

There have been so many stories in the news lately about celebrities who may look great physically, but they’ve gotten in trouble with the law for using drugs and alcohol. Do you think using substances undercut your health & fitness, and how have you avoided falling into that trap in your own life?

They lost their pride & discipline. You have to figure out: “What does it do for me? Is it going to make me feel better, live longer?” Goals & challenges are my drugs.

You once said:  “Jesus performed miracles to call attention to his profession. I do these physical feats to call attention to my profession” At 93 years old, what are your physical goals for yourself?

Anything in life is possible if you MAKE it happen. My physical goals are to keep doing what I’m doing. I can’t do what I did at 21, but I can help people and want to LIVE while I’m living.

As a trainer who feels “called” to the profession, what advice do you have as I grow my practice?

Be an example of what you teach. [As a personal trainer], delve into your student’s life, know everything about him. Be interested.

If you had to distill your life’s work into one message that you could “send out to the world” for all time and eternity, what would it be?

Anything in life is possible, if you MAKE it happen. So, never get satisfied. The minute you stop trying, you go downhill.

Anything you’d like to add?

The MOST IMPORTANT person on this earth is YOU. What are YOU doing to help the most important person in this world: YOU? To live right, you have to exercise, have goals and challenges.

Never, ever get satisfied; keep the carrot in front of the horse. I’ve never been satisfied, I keep striving for more

© 2013 SAM PAGE | about

by Zack Rosen

I have a theory, and many of you will disagree with me. Some may not even know what I’m talking about, but bear with me: Vida Metropole, an ultra high-class gym in the heart of DC’s gayborhood, is actually a cult. What looks from the outside like a perfectly normal gay workout facility, with a clean, pleasant lobby and an attached salon, is in fact a brain-washing facility for DC’s gorgeous gay elite.

Here are the first two documents: food choices & food journal.