784. Proving a Point Via the Written Word

James Fell

“One of the things that I’d always been very intently focused on in my writing about health and fitness was the motivational aspect of it. I was more focused on getting people off the couch and finding something they could be inspired about. I came to the realization, if I’ve been successful in motivating people to lose weight and that is one of the hardest things people will ever do, then I can be successful in motivating them to do other things.”

James S. Fell, MA, MBA, has bylines in the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, the Guardian, TIME Magazine, and many other publications. His blog, BodyForWife.com, has millions of readers and he is the author of two books: “The Holy Sh*t Moment: How Lasting Change Can Happen in an Instant” (St. Martin’s Press, 2019), and “Lose it Right: A Brutally Honest 3-Stage Program to Help You Get Fit and Lose Weight Without Losing Your Mind.” (Random House Canada, 2014).

The Most Impactful Turning Point?

After a two-year break from high school I barely squeaked my way into the University of Calgary, where I immediately struggled and was flunking out. And then a happy accident occurred and I took a history course with a very entertaining and engaging professor who sparked my interest about military history and writing. I became deeply engaged in the studying and writing of history—the ability to be able to prove a point via the written word. I ended up getting both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in history.

The Most Powerful Lessons Learned?

1. There is so much risk associated with following your dream and using your talents in today’s world of work. Most roles in organizations are about getting paid for getting a particular job done, not about how you can contribute to the higher good of the organization using the best of who you are, whether you like it or not. Bottom line: Here’s your paycheck for doing this thing you’d rather not do. And we become addicted to those paychecks.

2. My belief and experience is that while you certainly must start by finding your purpose in life, what you are truly passionate about, you must not charge off into the wilderness willy nilly without a strategic plan.

3. You really need to put a lot of thought and rational planning into this vital second step of your career vision. This aspect of your career must be incredibly practical, financially-oriented and more.

4. The other thing is to keep evolving. After a while I got a little tired of focusing strictly on health and fitness and came to the realization that if I had been so successful in motivating people to lose weight, and that’s one of the hardest things people will ever do, then I can be successful in motivating them to do other things as well. That led to my new book contract and rapid expansion of my speaking career.