GYSTribe

JON PAUL "JP" LONG

I was 279 pounds squeezing into my 38 waist britches (It was sweatpants or 40's in the waist time.)  That was my reality. My blood pressure was through the roof (155/120). I was living with debilitating anxiety and depression. I was abusing prescription drugs, alcohol and even food to keep the mask on that I had created. Then I decided to take the mask off and fight for myself.

And fight I did. Continue to fight I will.

With the help of Coach Terry and his GYST principles, I have been able to lose 50 lbs and more importantly keep it off. The thing I didn't know then that I've learned now is this. The weight loss is the least of the benefits I have discovered along this journey.  I only mention it because it's a measuring stick of results for a lot of people. The other benefits far exceed my waistline or any number on a scale. I made a life-changing commitment to start "Showing up for myself." I'm a big commitment dude. Always have been. When I decide to go. I go in with a fever. You see, I didn't just need to lose 74 pounds. I needed to change my mind about myself. I pretty much hated everything about me when I got honest with myself. Understanding who I am, and more importantly who I can be. I knew I needed to rebuild myself from the ground up. That's still a plan that is very much in the making today. Within the past 2 years and 10 months. I have been able to set small daily goals and win consistently. This goes for all the main areas of my life, not just fitness. There is always work to do, but wins are wins. I've learned to enjoy those wins and let the momentum from them carry over to the next goal and so forth. Meeting a weight loss goal doesn't mean it's time to quit after you achieve it. That's a mistake a lot of people make. I once lost 55 pounds in my mid 30's. Shortly after I hit my goal. I started hitting the queso and beer hard again.  It was the party that never ended. I gained every pound back and then some. Don't be like that J.P.

Check out this dude though.

I'm currently 45 years young and I'm stronger mentally and physically than I have ever been in my adult life. I mean ever. I'm a rhino. October of 2016, I was able to complete a marathon on a rowing machine. I completed it with no more than a finishers time, but finish I did. In my training schedule for the marathon over a 90 day period. I rowed over 400,000 meters (10,000-meter sessions 4-5 times a week, 2 half marathons just to see what it felt like at the 1/2 way mark. You don't know until you've been there, trust me. That goes with anything really. You gotta go taste it. Another 6.5 months after the marathon I eclipsed the 1 million meter mark on the rower. I did it in 10.5 months total. I did about a month of rowing before I decided I was going to complete a marathon on one. Before then, I had never been on a rowing machine of any kind. Say what you will, but that's some warrior shit.

As I mentioned previously. I was a guy who was on medications for high blood pressure, anxiety and depression over the course of my adult life. I even had thoughts of ending my life altogether more than once. Not my best moments, but it's important to be honest. It's hard to understand where I'm at now without the backstory of where I've been. Even when that truth is ugly. I went through a long period where I was abusing prescription drugs and alcohol. I also smoked cigarettes for 20 plus years. Quit them cold turkey (been quit for 2 years and 8 months). I finally chose breathing. I am currently running, lifting, and rowing off nothing but a stiff drink of willpower. No more "Side Effects Include" medications for me. I'm finally free of all that. 

When I started to work with Coach T a little over a year ago I was just a guy in a fight for his life. I was already winning a lot of my battles, but Terry helped take me to the next level. He taught me the difference between motivation and discipline. We all have motivations to live our best lives. The question we need to answer is "Do we have the discipline?" What's the why? More than that, what is our "why within the why?" He's helped me dial in my disciplines on a few things that I was still struggling with by helping to identify my triggers. All tools I need to continue this journey of self-improvement. He's been my accountability doctor. He's also teaching me to slow down mentally. I'm learning how to breathe again through his teachings. Really breathe. That's important when anxiety has controlled you before. The truth about a personal journey like this is motivation does not make the changes. Discipline is the key. Thank you for everything Master T. You're a solid sensai. I've learned new sustainable techniques and strategies with every conversation. The slightest adjustments can and have made the biggest differences. Thanks for helping me draw back my triggers and drastic approaches to most things me. I truly appreciate the time you carve out for me and this new opportunity to work with you.

I am pleased to announce that my work with Coach T has opened an opportunity for me to continue to learn and share my journey with others as a GYST partner and team member. I'm super excited for what comes next. The opportunity to continue to grow as a coach under T's leadership is the logical next step for me. It's a great reward to be part of something this positive. I just want to share my journey, knowledge and new learned disciplines, so I might help others.

I was a man headed for an early departure from this life. I truly believe that. I can't think of a healthy practice I had back before I learned to love myself again. Every day is an opportunity to be your best you. It's time to love yourself enough to do just that. If you don't give a shit about yourself, nobody else will either. Don't lose focus on what's important to you because of you. Find a way to get out of your own way. Stay accountable for all your actions. If you fall, get your ass back up. Do it again, again, and again if you have to do it. You're worth the fight. One of my favorite quotes is from the movie ROCKY. Sly is all beat to hell and he tells Mick, "I ain't going down no more." 

Well, I ain't going down no more either. 

In closing, if you look down in the shower and you can't see your cash and prizes because your supersize-me-gut is in the way. You need this program. 100%

I share this because I care. If reading this lights a fire in your life. I'm happy to be the transparent messenger of what minimum talent, with little to no athletic ability, but a lot of will can accomplish.

GET YOUR SH!T TOGETHER! :)

-Jon Paul

#ovp #gyst

Bill Jones

As a husband, father, business owner and someone that recently passed the half a century point in age, I found myself challenged in the ability to balance health and life goals.  I knew that I had attained certain levels of success in various areas of my life, but I also recognized that I had frustrations with my current physical, professional and personal well-being.  

As Terry took me on as a new student within GYST, I initially was not sure what to expect.  After our initial few weekly consultations, I was surprised at the depth of our conversations as Terry looked to understand me on a personal level.  Those conversations allowed me to unearth areas of myself that I had either forgotten, was unaware of their meaning to me or truly did not recognize that I was performing on a day to day basis.  As the initial conversations developed, Terry began recommending specific personalized action steps for me on a weekly basis as part of our call sessions. They were tailored to daily healthy life style approaches, mental recognition and physical activities.  I was very impressed with the immediate changes I was experiencing, both from a physical point of view and an exciting change of mindset that I approached each day.

As we entered the third month of working together, we continued with some of the items we had worked on in the first two months, but begin transitioning to working with me on a deeper level as a person.  I shared many insights with Terry around my personal and professional life. Terry's approach allowed me to have a sense of organization and direction to my daily life that I felt had been lacking in retrospect.  Our weekly calls that always seemed purposeful, but flexible seemed to put things in perspective to me and provided me a calming sense of direction for the following week. As we worked on my 2020 Vision, things become even clearer to me.  It was almost as if he provided me a road map to cover every area of my life that I was looking to review and was able to develop my own action plan to accomplish specific goals within each of those areas.

As of the date of the writing of this testimonial, I have lost 17 pounds or 7% of my weight.  I have completed my personal 2020 Vision and have taken an approach of focusing on specific areas on a weekly basis.  I have been able to remove distractions and areas of contention within my life and have taken realistic and measurable steps to accomplish goals outlined in my 2020 Vision.  

I have always considered myself a confident person that was able to meet any of life challenges.  However, I would admit that I measurably underestimated the benefit of what a great life coach could do for me.  I would encourage anyone that believes they are struggling in any areas of their life to consider engaging Terry at GYST as a life coach.  Also for those of you that think you have it all going on as well, I would suggest you truly look in the mirror and spend some time with him as well.  I believe you will find a level of improvement that you did not believe was possible.

Current Student of Terry's of GYST

Bill Jones

Anthony “Tony” DiStefano

“I was referred to Terry through a local trusted businesswoman and from the time he was found a lot of fulfillment was realized and what I am truly capable of. Each time we connect it inspires me to aim higher and think bigger. The coaching part gave me a better understanding of the value I had and driving the inner self to recognize my worth. Terry has been with me for a complete turnaround in my life and now I am not sure anyone can take away the strength of confidence I possess” – Anthony Distefano, Tampa, FL

GEORGI SOLAKOV

Hi, my name is Georgi Solakov and I am from Varna Bulgaria and I’m 25 years old. I moved to the United States when I was 20 years old leaving my family and friends behind to start a new life and chase the “American Dream”. I worked hard having two jobs and earned a Business degree from the University of South Florida. I met and started working with Coach Terry my last semester of college. Terry helped me set new goals around health, fitness, and life in general. The techniques and strategies I learned helped me especially with stress, relationships, and have had a great impact on my life and wellbeing. I’m proud to say that even though I have been an elite athlete and a member of the Junior Bulgarian National Rugby team that the coaching and mentoring I’ve received has helped me transform from a college “party boy” to a responsible young adult. My goals and visions are crystal clear and I love the path I’m on.

JEANETTE WINN

My name is Jeanette Winn. I am 70 years of age. I have lost and gained weight most of my adult life not understanding why or how to break that cycle. These Health Coach Sessions are giving me positive actions to help me reach my goals. These ideas and actions are things I would have never thought useful in weight loss. I'm exploring things about myself that I haven't thought about in years.I believe these ideas will help me not only achieve my goal but maintain it. I look forward to continuing this journey and learning to love myself again. 

JENNIFER VERSAGGI

It's been a long road, but people around me can tell you I am a very different person then I was even only a few years ago. There's a lot less anxiety in my life in general. It's amazing how just one revelation can change your life. Terry really helped me be much more clear with the values in my life that bring me happiness. I now have a reference point when making decisions based on his help. Terry's work is a true gift. I know he can help anyone that comes to him.

RICHARD BAILEY 

When I started this journey with Terry, it was all about my weight.  I wanted to lose a lot of weight before my boss’ upcoming wedding.  I was okay with my weight and how people looked at me, but knew I wanted to weigh less and be healthier.  With Terry’s help I discovered that I had a lot more going on that I needed to address.  This experience has become about more than just weight for me.  Terry has helped me with many other aspects in my life which I was not expecting to get out of this coaching experience.  This ability to read people and his understanding of the material, combined with his willingness to be available has helped me tremendously.  I would recommend him as a coach to any of my family or friends that were looking for a life change and didn’t know where to start.