floathouse Blog Archive - Float House

5 Ways to Create a Lifestyle of ‘Yes’ #VancouverSurvivalGuide

Trapped in a culture of ‘no’?

Someone asks you to try something different and you instinctively say ‘no’ because you haven’t done it before. Instead of learning a new skill, you’ve cut yourself off from a potentially great experience.

A lifestyle of ‘yes’ would change all that.

It takes a wholesale attitude transformation, but as Float House Gastown founders Andy and Mike Zaremba discussed on their #VancouverSurvivalGuide podcast, it’s easier than people think to say ‘yes’ to thriving and surviving in the city.

They welcomed lifestyle mentors and performance coaches Dai and Christie Manuel, creators of the Whole Life Fitness Manifesto - an approach to both mind and body that involves ‘moving with a purpose’ to build confidence and knock down barriers.

Don’t Get Overwhelmed

As Dai says, the Internet is like an “information fire hose” that can drown people in health misinformation. Instead, set simple, achievable goals. As you reach each goal, it inspires you to go for the next one.

Avoid the ‘Back Burner’ Trap

Many people achieve a certain level of health in their 20s, Dai says, and then put it on the ‘back burner’ in favour of career or relationships, until it spirals out of control.

Clear a Space

Yes, we live in a rainforest. It is wet. Buckets. But Christie and Dai’s Power 30 approach means you only need to clear a space in your home the size of a yoga mat for exercise if you don’t want go out. Then, spend a few minutes on ‘mindfulness’ with a little meditation or even just focused silence to power down your brain from stress. And finally, 10 minutes at least a day of personal development. Try a TED Talk, or a podcast.

Let Your Brain Feed You

Think about the food you eat. Ask, “Does this meal get me closer to my goals?” Use your brain to both research ‘clean’ foods, and plan meals in advance.

Let a Community Guide You

A minute working out alone on a machine can feel like the most agonizing seconds ever. But being active in a group like a rock climbing club lets you feed off of others’ positive energy. You can even form your own community of friends and family. The Manuels suggest the Grind for Kids (grindforkids.ca), which has people collecting pledges for every trip up the Grouse Grind, with proceeds going to BC Children’s Hospital.

The Life Enhancers: Dai, Christie Manuel and their two girls. 

The Life Enhancers: Dai, Christie Manuel and their two girls. 

 Dai and Christie Manuel are all about health, happiness, community, life experiences and leading by example. They had a desire to live life differently. They recognized time was the one thing we could not create more of, so they simplified life, down-sizing their monthly overhead, said goodbye to their traditional jobs, gave-away most of their stuff and jammed what they could into a little SUV, so they could experience more as a family and connect with more communities. Dai and Christie are on a mission to embrace living life differently and enhance lives along the way. More details at.... full story: http://thelifeenhancers.com/about-us/ 

Challenging Men to Man-Up and Build a Mentorship Community #VancouverSurvivalGuide

Challenging Men to Man-Up and Build a Mentorship Community #VancouverSurvivalGuide
In a recent episode of the Real Vancouver podcast, hosts Andy and Mike Zaremba started off their "Vancouver Survival Guide" with a bang. They sat down with Connor Beaton, founder of Man Talks, to discuss how local businesses and entrepreneurs could be leveraged to make their communities a better place. Beaton talked at length about the origins of Man Talks and how personal and professional development for men should always be a priority.