Assisting others to achieve their dreams has always been a core principle that has guided me in my life. It is my personal belief that when any of us have a touch point with someone that we can affect that person in one of three ways and leave them feeling: negative and provoking destructive emotions, indifferent or unaffected, or we can choose to inspire and awaken the positive, productive emotions.

I have exercised the discipline of the latter because my over thirty-eight years of experience has afforded me wisdom of a very important principle. It is a principle taught in every major religion and exercised all too infrequently and as a consequence it has led to the learned helplessness that a vast majority of adults suffer from preventing them from reaching for their dreams. This principle is that there is power in positive emotions. As one gains mastery over their emotions they learn to transform any circumstance into a positive; and in so doing, find success where others lose themselves in failure and a morass of negative emotions.

When one indulges in negative emotions they instantaneously change their blood chemistry, altering the actual morphology of their brain cells, solidifying and strengthening the negative biochemical responses to stressors. They also lose their ability to see the positive solutions to their unique challenges, and actually train their brain (the single most powerful tool God has graced us all with) to seek out more of the same stressors. To say that this dynamic is counterproductive to athlete and student development is a vast understatement. Over time this condition of failure causes very dangerous medical conditions like: hypertension, stress, phobic responses, arterial sclerosis, high blood pressure, heart disease, bone loss, loss of lean body mass, extreme weight gain or unhealthy weight loss, insomnia and a myriad of other health issues. It is a serious matter that is largely overlooked.

Conversely, positive emotions and the discipline of conditioning oneself to evoke them instantaneously changes blood chemistry in a potent way. The power of positive emotions alters the actual morphology of brain cells forming new neural connections which has been proven to increase productivity, problem solving and even the persons I.Q. instantly. Further, positive emotions strengthen the reaction to circumstances in a productive direction on a biochemical and emotional level, thus leaving the individual more capable and equipped. Over time positive emotions becomes a reflex response to circumstances and stressors leading to very powerful physiological responses: piece of mind and a feeling of well being (or that no matter what the circumstance all things will work out), a balanced blood chemistry, increased production of testosterone and growth hormone, increase in lead body mass, physical strength and stamina, deep and restful sleep and much more.

It is important to understand this dynamic in order to appreciate the fact that in order for me to assist others to fulfill their dreams I must first evoke the power of positive emotions they already possess, but in most cases do not exercise. It is a mental, emotional and spiritual state of being. It is a discipline that must be learned and mastered overtime. It is ‘the zone' or place where genius is manifested in the individual and collectively a state of being that creates the greatest of human achievements... It all starts with a smile, a handshake, a positive greeting, a pat on the back or a comment that uplifts the spirit or brightens one's day. This is why I pinch a child's cheek, give my students a hug, compliment good behavior, praise the straight ‘A', greet everyone with a smile and take a moment to uplift. Creating an atmosphere of positivity enhances everyone's progress and empowers those who have courage to reach for their dreams.

Over the many years, I have done whatever I could to help, whether that is subsidizing tuition and personal training during difficult times, having special conferences with parents and teachers, public speaking for special events, or assisting extended family members of whom I have never met. Giving is a privilege that feeds the soul and it evokes transformational power of positive emotions. It is a core principle I exercise as often as possible.