663. From Overweight and Anxious to Athletically Fit

Bryan Falchuk

Bryan was recruited for a challenging job where he solved problems all day. Suddenly, he had to solve one at home that he could not face. After a few attempts at false bravado and denial, he saw the fear in his little boy’s face. That is when he realized he had a crucial decision to make.

Bryan Falchuk is a life and executive coach, public speaker, C-level executive, and the best-selling author of “Do A Day,” in which he teaches how to overcome challenges and achieve goals. He spent most of his life obese and overcome by anxiety until he discovered the approach to change all that, Do A Day. He was able to break from this pattern to live a life of consistent, unending health and wellness and work to share what he has learned with others who are seeking a happier, more complete existence. His work has appeared in major publications like the LA Times, Chicago Tribune, Inc. Magazine and more. He’s been featured as a guest on more than 100 podcasts and radio shows and shared his message across many stages, including multiple TED-X events.

How Did You Start Using Your Talents?

“My attempt to avoid the sports requirement in high school led me to lose the weight that had been holding me back. The only way out was by doing PE. At most schools, PE is a cop out, but at mine the guy who runs it is this incredibly passionate, caring guy. He took a totally different approach. He says that I’m the one who did the work. I agree with him, because other people can’t change you, you have to change yourself. But sometimes we need help and tools to realize we can change ourselves.”

The Most Impactful Turning Point?

Recruited for a challenging job where he solved problems all day, Bryan suddenly had to solve one he couldn’t face. His wife was dying and no one could explain why. She was wasting away. After a few attempts at false bravado and denial, he saw the fear in his little boy’s face. “That’s when it hit me, and I asked myself, ‘What are you doing with your life? Your wife is dying and you’re not supporting her. You are miserable. You’ve put on all this weight, and you’re this anxious, unhappy wreck. This is not OK.’ I took some very serious steps that morning, and nothing has been the same since.”

The Most Impactful Turning Point?

Being stuck and unhappy is often driven by a lack of self-understanding. “You have to be willing to do the work, to face what’s going on inside of you. That scares a lot of people. It may be a subconscious fear of what you think you’re going to find. But the alternative is to go through life mindlessly. I guarantee you will wake up one day, asking yourself, how the heck did I ever get here? So, the choice is yours as to when you want to face what’s going on inside you.”

Steps to Success from Bryan Falchuk

1. Realize you are worthy of love. Let yourself accept that, and stop deflecting compliments and affirmations out of habit.

2. Explore your true, underlying WHY. You can get there, but you have got to be willing to do the introspection.

3. Take a look at your first answers to your exploratory questions, reflect on them. There’s probably something underneath the surface of that answer that will tell you even more about what is really brewing within you.