CAUGHT IN THE ACT

Take Action!

One of the misconceptions that we rely on is that " knowledge is power, " withought implementing that knowledge into a tangible action, it means nothing. It is like having a great idea, but no follow through. Think of the many times we think of that "million dollar idea," but we don't ever make haste on that thought. The successful entrepreneur might fail 9 times out of 10, and I can vouch for that, but he or she never gives up on the follow through of each idea. The follow through is what leads to ideas becoming something more.

It's hard, it's challenging, stay determined and change your approach, but never give up on your dream!

Entrepreneurs with the most success never give up on their ideas, they keep changing their approach if something doesn't work, but they never give up on the dream. It will be hard, it will challenge you and take you to the limit, but don't give up, keep going the extra inch, keep moving, keep pursuing, success is given to those who pay the price.

Fitness Goals

I found myself missing my fitness goals last year, I would be on and off with every excuse in the book; I have two businesses to run, I have a family...etc. From time to time we all make excuses, and push our health back. So this year I decide to do things a bit different. Since setting impassionate goals weren't working, I decided to get a bit more aggressive, and perhaps incorporate a bit of fear. I decided to challenge myself with the Spartan Race Beast, for those not familiar, it is up to a 13 mile running challenge with army style obstacles-about 30 of them in fact for this particular race. This challenge to myself certainly made me stand up straight, and get serious. I only have a short time to prepare, in fact 3 months, and to date the countdown is about 39 days left to really prepare. I started off at about 250lbs, and am down to about 235lbs after about 11/2 months of training. I have always lifted weights, and although I have a high degree of muscle, my cardio certainly reflected poor health. Every day since I have set the challenge I have not missed a workout, I have pushed my cardio to a degree I have never reached before...at least not for many years.
I will push hard onward, and will post my journey as time goes on. This has not only improved my health, but also my focus on not only my fitness, but business and family.
Keep well, and train hard!

Luis Goncalves

Who are you seeking validation from?

This may be a tough question initially, and could be a deep physiological barrier for some of us.  Getting a little vulnerable here; when I was 14 years old I recall working for my father-helping him out in his business at the time.  I recall being your typical teenager, just wanting to hang out with friends, and being at my father’s business day in and day out was getting pretty mundane.  I would ask to leave a bit early to catch up with more exciting things, and I recall my father saying, “You will never amount to anything.”  I also recall a few years later him mentioning that I was never going to be a good business man.  I don’t think at the time I realized the affect this had on me, at the time I just dismissed it…but over the years I never lost sight of what he said.  Even to this day at 44 I find myself analyzing things; do I do certain things for validation, do I push to succeed to show my father that I am worthy?  I think by asking ourselves “who are you seeking validation from?” can certainly open ourselves up for more enlightenment, and perhaps get to the heart of why we do the things we do. 

Luis Goncalves

What is the MAN ON FIRE PROJECT all about?

As an entrepreneur, fitness person, and family man I lead a pretty busy life, but I am often in thought about how I can be of more value, add more service, be a better father, be a better husband and a better influence in my community.  In this broad world of the internet perhaps there are like minded individuals like me, ones with similar fears, similar courageous acts in overcomming tough challenges, ones with a similar story they can share to improve or encourage someone else’s life, one that has much more to give than their current situation allows.  One that isn’t defined by their mistakes, but by their courage to stick with life, through thick and thin.  Les Brown, an inspirational speaker once mentioned that the grave yard is the richest place on earth.  It contains all the dreams that never became fruition, it contains ideas that never developed.  We all have fears that we have overcome, that we are dealing with, and that will always come our way.  We take the curve balls life throws at us and yet we are still standing, sometimes stronger than before.  Our failures are part of our growth, and nothing to be ashamed of, it tests our vulnerabilities, it pushes us to our limitations, but it also shows us we can overcome with determination.  Without resistance we cannot grow, staying safe will never allow us to test our limits, it will never allow us to push for our dreams. 

I decided to try this blogging thing in hopes of creating a network for inspiration, for greater consciousness of our world, our environment our lives.  I have reached an age of 44 years, and have reached cross roads where I feel I am running out of time.  I have decided to get more out of my comfort zone, to try new things, to face greater fears, to develop ideas and above all to add more value to others.  This has ignited a fire in me to produce a better life, one with no more regrets.  I am a man on fire, and want to inspire others to do the same even if it means I have to share my vulnerabilities, and my challenges.

Luis Goncalves

Getting Vulnerable for Growth

As we move through our day, and doing our daily grind, it is often difficult to really assess what is important to us.  I mean I understand my family is important, my friends etc., but what about my own values, am I on que with my beliefs, with my goals, my aspirations?  Sometimes getting in touch with ourselves means getting vulnerable, we open up to being critisized and perhaps being minimized.  We are all different from one another, but we suffer similar things.  We all have to face fears and challenges, sometimes we overcome sometimes we cave to the pressure.  Being able to overcome our hurdles means at times we have to reach for help and this means becomming vulnerable to what others may think.  The deal is; we owe it to ourselves to break through these beliefs, that if we get vulnerable we are weak, this is far from the truth.  The fact is, having a supportive community behind us with encouragement can empower our souls to new heights...but this means allowing our story to surface.  I hope we can all find such group or community of willing and able participants, who are dedicated to creating a supportave atmosphere, one without judgement.

Luis Goncalves