Get in the Arena!

By Team Beachbody

"It is not the critic that counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles. Or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement. And at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat." -- President Theodore Roosevelt, "The Man in the Arena" Paris, 1910

As we head towards 2002, we can't help but reminisce about what a wild 2001 it was: a chaotic Presidential election, a crashing economy and, of course, September 11th. It was a year more volatile than anything since the 60's: a year that permanently altered the course of modern civilization. A year marked with enormous loss; ghastly tragedy; but, also, that has come to a close with a glimmer of hope for the future. Our planet's future: a feeling that all this, in the end, will have been for a reason. That perhaps this action will bring the world more together, to become more tolerant of each other, more understanding, more compassionate. And if this succeeds in unifying the planet, in opening impassable borders, in less hatred, less violence, and more freedom, then perhaps history will re-write the effects of the barbaric actions of 2001. Perhaps instead of being remembered as the year the world fell apart, it can become the year the world finally learned to stand together.

Joseph Campbell talks about how in saving yourself you save the world. How each of us, in our own daily existence, be it ever so insignificant, plays a major role in the shaping of our planet, our society, and our future. At Beachbody.com, it has been such a year. In the midst of all the tragedy, we have seen much triumph; people that have overcome long odds to change their lives; to re-shape, not only their bodies, but their minds, their lives and the lives of others around them.

A little more than one year ago we launched Power 90^®. It's been less than a year since we have launched the Beachbody.com message boards. To see the transformation and effect that one exercise program and a public forum can have on a group of people has been something far beyond what we dreamed possible. To see our fellow members commit to changing their lives has been inspirational. To see their success; to see their failures, to see them get up, and get right back into the fight for self-improvement has been an incredible experience. We wanted all along to give people an easy and cost-effective way to find the shape they once had or had always wanted, and to discover the benefits that fitness has to offer. But what we have seen is so far beyond individuals doing some exercise and watching what they eat.

We've seen people change their habits for good, for the better. Not only in the way they look, but the way they feel and act as well. Sure, we have many folks that have been able to get into the shape they were in high school or college. But we've also had people who were suffering from serious illnesses get well, injured people gain movement they'd thought they had lost forever, obese folks actually get thin, and others who had never exercised in their lives find out that there is a whole new world of possibility when they take care of their body.

It's been a wonderful journey, and it's only just beginning. For 2002, it will be business as usual for us, trying to help folks realize that everyday is an opportunity for even greater achievement. We'll provide the support so there is only one thing standing in your way; you.

Now is the time to take that step, to realize your dreams, to get yourself into the arena.

To help you into the New Year, we have gathered some inspirational work from some of the greatest leaders of the world. And where did we find this talent pool? From you, our fellow members. You are the ones that make this program work; and that is what makes this newsletter so meaningful. Thank you for taking a little journey with us. And keep it up. Our best is yet to come " because so is yours!