Lessons from 1 Million Views on Instagram

This month, I made a post on Instagram that went viral with over One Million views. Check it out here.

The post teaches you how to learn to Cossack Squat and breaks down the key mobility and strength drills to unlock this skill.

To perform the Cossack Squat, you need sufficient ankle, hip, hamstring and groin mobility.

So, by isolating and working on each joint with specific drills, you can generally identify your weak points and improve those to unlock the skill.

After all, you're only as strong as your weakest link.

This approach is universal to most movement skills, whether you want to learn the Handstand, the Muscle Up or Locomotion Flow Patterns.

All skills I can teach you inside a broader movement practice (hint: they're all connected!).

The Realisation 

If you have been following me for a while, you may of noticed my style of presenting movement on Instagram changed recently.

This was the result of a profound realisation I had about how I was sharing movement with the world. 

I realised that for the 5 years prior, most of my sharing was not as helpful to the people I truly want to serve most as it could be.

In fact, most of it was self serving. 

I'm not embarrassed to admit that as I built my own movement practice with the help of many wonderful teachers and influencers, I had been posting the upper end of my own capabilities in an effort to win the validation of my peers.

But impressing other high level movers is not what I am put here on Earth to do.

I am here to help the people going through the same problems I had not that long ago.

The ones addicted to alcohol, bad food, poor relationships, careers they don't enjoy.....

The ones who have lost the spark to move their bodies....

The ones in pain.

The ones who don't know where to start.

The Change

I wrote a list of the most common physical problems I had before I started this journey. 

My back was always sore.

I couldn't touch my toes.

My posture was terrible with rounded shoulders. 

I was stiff in every joint.

I would get headaches. 

The Dad Bod was setting in with a beer belly on account of all the alcohol and McDonalds.

So a month ago, I decided to start making posts about how I fixed these problems. 

The audience response was immediate. 

My posts started being shared and saved and within a few weeks, I had a post hit 1.5 million views!

Where is this Energy coming from?

Some of my friends noticed the obvious change in my approach and have asked me where the extra creative energy has come from.

For the last three months, I have been holding myself to a very high standard of personal behaviour. 

Here are my current non-negotiables that I do each day regardless of how I feel:-

1. Morning Routine - I walk my dog at sunrise every day for an hour following my some light stretching, a short read of something inspirational, an entry in my journal and a short meditation. My journal has my current vision for life in it that I reflect on and then write my to do list for the day.

2. Diet - I stick to a diet to suit my current goals (right now I have been eating an animal based diet in specific quantities to lose fat and build muscle).

3. Training - I train before lunch while the kids are at school for an hour. I use this time to also film my post for the day.

4. Daily Posting - I create a post for Instagram every day while I eat my lunch. I also share any insights I have in Instagram stories every day.

5. Zero Alcohol - My biggest vice has always been liquor. So, I have made a commitment to abstain from alcohol for at least one year. 

By sticking to these non-negotiables and never missing a day, no matter how I feel, my confidence has increased and so to has my creativity. 

By removing the unhealthy habits that lead to negative thoughts and actions, I feel more alive and more capable of showing up for those who need me. 

The results are speaking for themselves. 

I've lost 3kgs of fat, gained some muscle, increased my Instagram following from 5,000 to 25,000, feel very clear on my offerings to the world and have made some incredible changes to my personal life that allows me to spend more time with my children.

All just by keeping my word to myself each day! 

Guilt & Shame be Gone!

I don't share any of this to gloat (even though I am proud of myself for sticking to my routine!).

I want this feeling for you too! 

Your own conscience is the best guide there is. You know deep down if a habit or behaviour is serving you or hurting you.

The secondary shame or guilt that we often layer on top of the negative behaviour creates a cognitive dissonance which is draining.

If you have made poor choices in the past, then the starting place is forgiveness in the present. 

Forgive yourself NOW and make a new plan for some better ones. 

Then stick to it. Make them non-negotiable! 

Discipline is your ability to consistently action those better choices.

Create some accountability for yourself. Invest in a coach. Get some support. Show up online each day if that's your jam.

If you want change, you need to act.

Your daily thoughts and actions determine your habits and these are ultimately what determines the quality of your life.

If you want a life of intentional design, a body that looks and feels good, energy levels that let you serve those most important to you and the mental toughness to overcome life's hurdles, then keeping your word to yourself each day is the key to a shame-free peaceful life. 

Reach Out if You Need Help

If you need help, let's jump on a call (no charge) to discuss your situation. Book a free chat here.

If it feels like the right fit we can discuss online training options. 

If you are interested in learning locomotion flow, you can also check out my online course Locomotion Flow 2.0.

Let's goooo! 

Aaron