The Totalfit Approach: Unleashing the Power of Meaningful Fitness
A guest post by Johnny B.
Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer at Totalfit
Johnny was a young gymnast in the Soviet Union and holds multiple degrees and certifications in comprehensive fitness and wellness programs.
In 2005, he completed a Sports Leadership Development program in South Africa. This experience gave him the vision to visit 50 countries to train global leaders in health and fitness, sports management, and leadership.
He is the Co-Founder of Totalfit, the author of 8 books, serves on the board of three companies, and is a keynote speaker at global sports conferences. To maintain practical experience, he works out in his fully renovated home gym with friends and families three days a week. Johnny lives and operates from Houston, Texas, with his wife and four children.
Imagine being a Soviet-era gymnast, navigating the rigorous training programs in the largest communist country of its time. The pursuit of excellence was paramount, but for many, recognition and kindness were rare. I, too, was a small fish in the vast sea of Soviet sports, never rising to the ranks of a national champion. Nevertheless, I persisted, driven by an innate desire to move. However, at the age of 12, I began to question the purpose and meaning of my life.
Growing up in the USSR, where the education system propagated the idea that there was no God or inherent meaning in life, I grappled with an existential void. The pursuit of honor and glory for the Soviet Union State, as dictated by the Communist Party, was deemed the sole purpose of our existence. Amidst this ideological backdrop, I stumbled upon a spiritual community that unveiled the divine side of the human spirit, providing solace but also distancing me from physical activities.
With newfound faith, I immersed myself in spiritual peace but unintentionally gained an extra 30 pounds. Years later, a group of coaches and I embarked on a journey to integrate training for the body, mind, and spirit into a unified workout. Drawing on personal experiences, intuition, studies, and research, we developed the Totalfit concept—a holistic approach to optimal health. No longer did one need to prioritize a single aspect while neglecting the others. We aimed to intertwine elements of body, mind, and spirit within the same training session, where body awareness would open the mind to the voice of the spirit.
As we refined the Totalfit concept, we were met with resounding enthusiasm and positive feedback. It became evident that we had stumbled upon something extraordinary—a solution people craved. Testimonials poured in, highlighting weight loss, spiritual growth, and newfound personal freedoms. Fitness coaches worldwide sought to be trained and certified in our methodology, resulting in over 1,000 coaches from 94 countries joining the Totalfit movement.
While the physical aspect of Totalfit was easily grasped, many coaches struggled to understand the spiritual dimension. Totalfit embraces the human and the divine.
Since the pandemic, The Wellness Index research done by MindyBody has confirmed that wellness has undergone a significant transformation in the eyes of consumers. No longer is it simply about being physically fit. Instead, it has expanded to encompass a much broader array of aspects that contribute to overall well-being, including reducing stress, fostering a sense of community and belonging, and balancing mental, physical, and spiritual health. (1) As a result, wellness is now viewed as a holistic approach to improving quality of life and making room for the things that truly matter.
In fact, a recent survey revealed that 78% of consumers believe that wellness is more important than ever before. When asked to rank the dimensions that are most critical to their overall wellness routines, mental wellness came out on top, followed by physical wellness and spiritual wellness.
Holistic fitness coaching is a complex undertaking, but Totalfit aims to simplify the process. The road to optimal health is paved with challenges. Society bombards us with unhealthy options, distracts us from our true selves, and promotes unsustainable fitness programs. Crash diets, instant results, and fragmented approaches dominate the landscape, leaving individuals disillusioned and stressed. Totalfit strives to break free from these trends by providing a comprehensive, unified approach to well-being.
Totalfit recognizes that we are not mere animals, training our bodies like machines. We acknowledge the essence of humanity within us and seek to tap into our true potential. By engaging the body, mind, and spirit simultaneously, we can unlock the desired destination of optimal health. (2)
To support individuals on this transformative journey, Totalfit offers certified coaches, a thriving community, and a comprehensive app. Our coaches act as guides, propelling individuals toward lifelong health. With over 1,500 Totalfit-certified coaches in 94 countries, we are committed to walking alongside you. Even if you don't have a Totalfit coach nearby, you can join the movement by becoming a certified coach yourself or utilizing the Totalfit app as a digital "coach in your pocket." The app offers tracking tools, premium programs, instructional videos, and motivational support through gamification—all essential elements for progress and growth across all dimensions of optimal health.
Totalfit revolutionizes the fitness concept, bridging the gap between body, mind, and spirit. It empowers individuals to reclaim their health, find purpose, and foster well-being in an interconnected world. Together, let us redefine the narrative on optimal health and embark on a journey toward meaningful fitness.
Endnotes
(1) The Mindbody Wellness Index www.mindbodyonline.com/business/education/wi/wellness-index
(2) Totalfit Level 1 Manual. 2022
