Role Models

Maybe it is because it is cancer awareness month, Corina’s recent cancer scare, a recent martial arts course or maybe something else, but I have been thinking about the people who have influenced who I am, my role models.

Role models whether parents, teachers, coaches, friends, politicians, spiritual leaders or people in the public eye can have a very positive or negative effect upon who we are. I have been lucky enough to have several role models throughout my life, perhaps the most influential was Mr Todd my Judo Sensei. At a time when, like many teenagers, I did not have a positive male role model in my life Mr Todd taught me self discipline and resect. From that I have developed a very strong moral compass, it means that I would rather be at training an hour early rather than a minute late, but I guess that is a good thing.

In the health and fitness industry it is important that we become role models for our clients, we must practice what we preach. That does not mean that we all need to look herculean but we must walk the talk. We must act in a professional way, and yes that means we shouldn’t date clients! The way we present ourselves is important as we set the standards.

How many times do you see a family out riding their bikes and the children wear helmets but the adults don’t? All this teaches the children is that when you grow up you don’t need to wear a helmet. Adults dashing into the street, kids in tow, to save a few minutes rather than walking to the crossing, another negative example. Are you teaching your kids that it is ok to text while driving?

From the sports world we all have our childhood idols and as we grow up our perceptions change. Would I still respect Lance Armstrong if, like another cyclist I trusted Floyd Landis, he tested positive or admitted taking drugs? We can admire the ability of these sportsmen and women, though we may choose not to live our lives in the way that they have.

At a time when the youth of today are bombarded with destructive and divisive images on TV and on the internet it is important that we serve as role models for the young and the old alike. We must think about the image we give, and the standards that we set.

Think about the people in your life who inspired you and think about who you can inspire.

Alan