By: Cathy Stark Roche
You may not realize this, but you just might be Rocky Balboa’s twin. Not a boxer, you say? Read on!
We first met Rocky Balboa in 1976 in the first Rocky movie series. In that movie, Rocky, the beloved underdog, defeats Apollo Creed, the undisputed champion in the ring. Rocky’s life starts changing pretty quickly after that because now he is the champion and he is under pressure to repeat his winning performance.
Have you experienced some success in your life and now feel pressured to repeat it? Do you feel that you are now expected to look and act like the champion? If you’re in sales, you probably feel pressure to meet your quotas each month or continue move up the marketing plan in your chosen multilevel marketing business. I did that myself and then when the newness wore off and I had exhausted my circle of influence, I was clueless as to how to repeat my initial success.
You may have heard that ol’ Rock was a “southpaw.” In the boxing world, it means a boxer fights with his right hand and foot forward, leads with his right and follows with his strength, a left hook punch. The champ Apollo Creed is a right-handed fighter, which is the norm. Rocky was different but not by choice. Many of us work diligently to follow the rules, follow the example set by others, follow the proven methods for success—in other words, fight right-handed when we are a southpaw at heart. Nothing seems to be working even though you are doing everything according to the book. I feel for you because I spent years punching at the air with my right hand.
One lazy Sunday afternoon I plopped myself down in front of the television, frustrated and exhausted, just wanting to relax for a bit. The movie Rocky II caught my eye as I was flipping channels, and I settled in to watch. One particular scene caught my attention. Mickey, Rocky’s trainer, is telling Rocky he can’t win the rematch against Apollo as a left-handed fighter. In his gravelly, tough voice he tells Rocky, “I mean, left-handed fighters are the worst. They lead with their face try’na throw that left. The right’s no good. They oughta outlaw southpaws!” Rocky asks why Mickey never mentioned this before, and Mickey replies that he didn’t want to hurt Rocky’s feelings. Worthy of a chuckle of course, but more importantly in sends the audience a message that southpaws, those who do things a little differently in life, can’t win.
I beg to differ with that belief and I will tell you why. I’ll be honest: I don’t look like the normal wellness and weight-loss coach. I’m in my 50s, scarred from numerous surgeries and not exactly model-runway thin. I am very much like a crippled fighter who won’t stay out of the ring. So why do I continue to talk to others about getting healthy? Because I’m what’s possible in their lives. I live a happy, energetic life today that I could only dream of a few short years ago. My heart yearns to help others on that same journey, and if I’m open and being my authentic self, I know that I can inspire others to take their own journey. Mickey tells Rocky he has the heart but not the tools. I had the heart and I just knew that if I followed in the footprints of other successful wellness coaches, I would learn the tools. What’s your passion? What’s burning in your heart? How many books have you read or webinars have you listened to in order to learn the tools of success?
There came a time I wasn’t having much success in reaching others. I was doing everything everyone else in my business did but not getting anywhere. After all, my up-line were some of the top people in the company, and their business plan was completely duplicable. I tried running fitness boot camps, but if you ever meet me, you will instantly recognize that I am the furthest thing from a drill instructor type. I had some moderate success with weight-loss challenges and setting up tables at local vendor fairs, but I still hadn’t found my niche. In other words, I was fighting right-handed. It was now the 14th round and my head was telling me to throw in the towel and find another way to build an income, but my heart refused to go down for the count. I heard Mickey screaming to Rocky, “Now!” and I switched to southpaw.
I began doing things in a way other coaches weren’t doing at the time but in a way that was authentically me. I knew that I personally wouldn’t get off the couch for anything that makes me sweat unless it was something I enjoyed, so I started hosting events that put the fun back into fitness rather than the standard boot camp. I fired up the blender for shake and skincare gatherings because I myself can’t resist a good party, and I love to host them. I threw my left hooks and did things my way.
Do you know why I went out on a limb and used my left? My mom passed away from weight-related complications at the age of 50. I had a friend who wanted to travel but was too embarrassed to fly because she needed seat extenders and extra-wide seats. My daughter struggled to keep food down and was losing weight at an alarming rate due to her poor digestive health. Another friend didn’t have enough energy to play with her children anymore. If I didn’t reach them and those like them, we all suffered. What are your left hooks and whys? Why do you want to do what you do? Keep those in mind always because they will be your strongest tools and give you the courage to do things YOUR way.
Did success come overnight? Not really. Did I enjoy my business more? You bet I did! Did it bother me when someone said, “That’s not the way we do things”? Nope. Switching to southpaw and being my authentic self was the best shift I ever made in my life. Got your boxing gloves on? You’re standing in the corner and the referee is ringing that bell. Ding ding!
Cathy Stark Roche, born and raised in southern California has called Charleston home for 15 years now. She is the mother of 4 and grandmother of 2 boys and 2 girls. Committing to her own weight loss and healthy lifestyle change, Cathy is an Independent Herbalife distributor she has lost over 80 pounds. This success has lead her commitment to helping others who desire a healthy lifestyle as well. Among other things, she is a boy scout troop leader, and organizer for unusual and fun fitness and charity events. For more information on Cathy, her Herbalife program or one of her fitness classes or events email her at: Shake&Glow@att.net