The Real Power in NOW

You can try to live in the future – or in the past,

yet it’s impossible. All you have is NOW.

But you can use your present moments to recall

the past – as well as to visualize the future. You

can also use your now to by aware of your thinking,

breathing and doing – as they are taking place in

this moment.

Whichever you choose, it’s still NOW. And there’s

great power in knowing this. Really knowing this.

Why. Because once you understand the past and

future can only be experienced NOW – you

realize that everything you think or believe about

what has already happened or will happen – is

nothing but a mental movie. And if the past and

future are nothing but mental movies, you can

write the script, direct the action, call the shots,

decide on which frames to keep and which to

throw out. You can even be the audience to all

of what you’re doing.

In fact, you ARE the audience.

Whenever you remember the past or visualize

the future, it’s not just YOU in the picture – it’s

You and your other self – the one who is either

praising you or condemning you.

Which are you doing to yourself today. If you’re

looking at your past and finding the good moments,

you’re giving yourself the praise you need to perform

at your best in the NOW.

If, however, you’re condemning what you see in the

past, you’re making it even harder for yourself to

do well in this moment.

Whether you realize it or not, all the movies in your

mind that make up your past – you already directed

them, edited them and played them a certain way.

The good news is that you can do a re-make of the

old movies. You can reshoot them and package them

to your liking. You can take a sad story and turn it

into a happy one.

If you were to look at my ears, even from a distance

of 10 feet, you’d probably notice that they are dis-

figured. In wrestling and boxing, my ears are known

as cauliflower ears. They look a bit like doorknobs

made in Mongolia.

If the average person were to have ears like mine,

he or she would think of it as awful. But not me –

and not most wrestlers, grapplers and boxers who

have them. We think they’re great. We consider them

a badge of honor. We wear them with pride. They are

our battle scars. Wrestlers who have them had to be

tough. Wrestlers who don’t have them were most

likely average, at best.

That’s the story we tell ourselves to justify the knobs

we call ears.

Think of this. If I can look at my ears in a positive light,

then I can take anything from my past and figure out a

way to make it a good thing.

Granted, some of our memories are not easy to recall.

When we watch them we may feel a sense of horror, or

anger, or guilt.

But if we will take a step back; maybe even several steps

back; and consider that the past and the future are mere

movies in our minds, we can make a change in how we

feel in the present. If we’ll consider that we have the

ability to turn our horror flicks into something better –

well then, we then know the REAL POWER in NOW.

Note: Good news. We just put up my Super Human Success –

http://psycho-cyb.com/blog/ – and so, if you’d like

to respond to this message – or any of my other daily

messages, you can do so there. Go there and check it

out. Then pass this message along to a couple friends.

Best,

Matthew Furey

Don’t Just Sit There

It’s not often discussed. Yet it’s a major key

to developing your mental and spiritual

strength.

Most students of success have trouble getting

results because they are physically lazy. They

want to just sit there and visualize. Or say

positive affirmations. Or write their goals in

a notebook. Or listen to peaceful music. Or

do a series of chants or prayers.

All of the above are good.

But what about doing something physical.

The human being needs to blow off steam

on a regular basis to feel good. Whether it’s

punching a bag, going for a walk, swimming,

cycling or practicing martial arts – a physical

release does more than relax you physically.

It puts you back together.

It doesn’t just give you a balance of body, mind

and spirit. It gives you all three – wrapped up in

one – as one.

An elite martial artist doesn’t think body, mind,

spirit. He may talk in these terms to make what

he’s saying understandable to those who aren’t

integrated. But to him, he’s talking about all

three whenever he’s talking about one.

From time to time I like to shoot free throws to

observe this process in action in an area where

I’m no expert. I find it amazing when I sink one

after another – as well as when I miss several in

a row.

What’s the difference.

When I’m successful, I am fully connected to the

ball and basket. When I’m not, mind, body and

spirit are scattered throughout the gym.

Do something physical each day and your ability

to breathe, visualize and manifest will go off the

charts.

Matthew Furey

P.S. Want to sink more baskets in the game of life –

then remove the resistance from within and it’ll

happen – http://psycho-cyb.com/zrlcourse.html

Sad Stories Can’t Stop You

Yesterday I received a ton of email about my

“Get Tough” position on fitness.

Most of it was in total agreement.

One person wrote to try and help me come up

with a better way to say “Get Tough” – suggesting

“Get Mental.” He then admitted to being “on the

other side of the fence” in terms of fitness right

now.

I told him to “Get Tough” and stop trying to help

me with my marketing when his body oughta be

on the top of his “To-do” list.

A couple other people wrote me their very long and

very sad stories, detailing why they aren’t in shape

right now.

Although their stories were well told and I fully

understand how life can be tough – the fact is

that YOU can make a choice to be TOUGHER

than whatever happens to you in your life.

Damn right it’s hard some times. Real, real hard.

Nevertheless, the truth is still the truth.

You can make a choice to rise above circumstances

and become MORE than you are right now. You

will not be the first who has made a choice to be

bigger than your problems – nor will you be the

last. But you WILL join an elite group of winners

when you make the choice. You’ll be thinking and

acting the way champions think and act.

And THAT is a very positive thing.

Getting tough is a state of mind. That’s why it’s often

referred to as “mental toughness.”

You give your mind and body a command to be BIGGER

than you think you are – and pretty soon – you are.

In every area of my life I have succeeded in, I used to be

a wimp. What lead to the change. The willingness to see

myself in a new way, to think different and to say, “To hell

with circumstances. I make circumstances. They don’t make

me.”

If you agree, then celebrate with a set of Hindu pushups –

as found in my international best-seller, Combat Conditioning –

http://mattfurey.com/conditioning_book.html

Get Tough,

Matt Furey

7 Suggestions to Follow

This morning my son, Frank, walked into the bathroom

when I was shaving. He noticed a stop watch next to the

sink.

“Daddy, what are you timing yourself for,” he asked.

“So I get you to school on time,” I said. “I give

myself four minutes to shave. If I don’t time myself

I’ll take too much time and you’ll be late because of

me. The timer keeps me honest.”

After shaving I walked into the living room and saw

my daughter, waiting for me.

“Let’s go. Let’s go,” I said. “Get in the car now. We

want to be on time. I’ll be out in a minute.”

My kids marched to the car, got in and I soon

followed.

On the way to their respective schools I joked around

with them and talked about the power of Imagination –

and how they can imagine themselves getting smarter

and smarter – learning faster and faster. I talked about

SEEING the report card you want with the marks you’d

like written all over it.

I can assure you this was not the first time I have

told them this. Nor will it be the last.

In order to be successful, repetition is paramount. And

you cannot repeat something valuable too often. First

you plant the seed – then you water and fertilize it.

This is what you do when raising children; this is what

you do when coaching yourself.

It’s not coincidental that many of our greatest thinkers

can rattle off a string of their favorite quotes, from

memory.

Ever wonder why. It’s because they continually reinforced

the good things they needed to learn.

When John Wooden, the great coach at UCLA was in grade

school, his father gave him a card entitled, 7 Suggestions

to Follow.

They were:

1. Be true to yourself.

2. Help others.

3. Make each day your masterpiece.

4. Drink deeply from good books, especially the

Good Book.

5. Make friendship a fine art.

6. Build a shelter for a rainy day.

7. Pray for guidance, and count and give thanks for your

blessings each day.

Wooden, now 97, still keeps the card with him and recalls

it often.

Such a simple thing, really.

Daily reinforcement of the basics can and will take you

all the way to the top.

Why – because so much of being successful is remembering

what to think and what to do. Most people forget far too soon.

The great ones don’t. They remember to remember.

Remember that.

Matthew Furey

P.S. The Zero Resistance Living program will help you remember

to remember. It’s like a stop watch before you at all times. Keeping

you aware of what your goals are; making sure you get where you

want to go – on time. – http://psycho-cyb.com/zrlcourse.html

Get Tough

For the last 27 years I’ve ended most personal

conversations, as well as most emails with the

phrase, “Kick ass – take names.”

Later on, for the Internet I changed the three-

letter word to “butt” or “arse” – depending on

the occasion.

Today I want to go a step further and say what I

mean in two words: GET TOUGH.

Now, just to make sure you know where I’m coming

from – the words “Get Tough” are not about being

physically tough. They are about being mentally

tough.

Why. Because you cannot be physically tough if

you’re not mentally tough. All super human change

begins in the mind. You can take a physical weakling

and turn him or her into a powerful human being IF

the person will toughen up mentally.

Yes, you can ignore the “get tough” part of training

and make progress – but it will be the type of progress

you could rightly compare to watching paint dry.

On the other side of the fence, the person who

recognizes the need for mental toughness – he’s

the one who will go the furthest.

When I was at the University of Iowa, Dan Gable had

us do many, many things that were designed to condition

our minds and bodies at the same time. The result was

one national championship after another – altogether, 15

team titles in 21 seasons.

I have never forgotten his lessons and have used them to

succeed in much more than sports or fitness. And I’d like

you to have a chance to learn from him as well. That’s why

this May, I’m bringing him in to speak at my Get Tough

Fitness Challenge – to be held right here in Tampa.

In addition to Gable, I have another man, a monk from Japan,

coming in who no doubt ranks up there with the most mentally

tough people who’ve ever lived.

I’ll tell you more about him very soon, when I formally

announce the details about the Get Tough Fitness Challenge.

For now, suffice to say that this monk, known as the Japanese

Superman, took on a goal of doing 1,000 marathons and

double-marathons within seven years, through the mountains;

rain, sleet or snow. And if he failed to accomplish the feat he

was prepared to take his own life.

And the marathons and double-marathons are only PART of

what he chose to do.

I tell you this because if there is one thing that all of us can

use more of – myself included – it’s mental toughness.

That’s why, from now on, I’m going to cut way back on, if

not eliminate the “Kick butt – take names” phrase I’m world

famous for.

In place of it, I’m going to use the two words I began this

email with – or a variation thereof.

Those two words really cut to the heart of the message that

I want to instill in everyone who gets Combat Conditioning-

http://mattfurey.com/conditioning_book.html -or any of

my other products.

The key to your success is not being a whiner, complainer or

excuse maker. The key to your success is the creation of a

“Man (or Woman) of Steel” within.

Think about it.

And …

Get Tough,

Matt Furey

P.S. The announcement for the Get Tough Fitness Challenge

will come later this week. Be ready to enroll immediately.

An event like this will never repeat and you’ll hate yourself

if you miss out.

How Much is Too Much

Got a question from someone about long distance

running and how to pass a 2-mile test:

Hey Matt,

I just ordered your book, but had a few questions. I

am currently in Officer Candidate School which focuses

a lot on distance running. A lot of what I have read

about your ideas have eliminated distance running from

your training regiment. i will still have to perform

my 2-mile run for my APFT. What do you suggest to help

me improve on this, since this is an area that I can

not neglect. I am still nursing a leg that I broke

this last year, and running is a real pain. But I

really have no option. Can you help a guy out.

Thanks,

Officer Candidate

Kelly

MJF: Kelly, 2 miles is NOT long distance. Neither is a

mile. For some people it might seem like long-distance,

but it’s not. Running a brisk pace mile or two is something

I am in agreement on. Back in 1990, I ran the Honolulu

Marathon -placing 1,101 out of over 13,000 runners. I’m

glad I ran it – and I have respect for those who engage in

long distance pursuits. I just don’t think it is the best way

to train for a lot of people. For some, it is. They like it and

if it is what makes them happy, I say do it.

My main concern about long-distance running is the amount

of people who end up needing knee and hip replacements

due to all the pounding. Then again, there are a lot of lazy

loafers who end up needing joint replacement too – so go

figure.

Regarding the leg you broke last year and are still nursing.

Maybe nursing it is not such a good idea. Get tough. You

may be surprised what will happen to the pain if you tell

it to relax and go away. You can even mentally picture

this happening – and the results can be surprising.

Make a plan to pass your test – then give it all you’ve

got and I’m betting you do well.

Follow the Hindu squats, Hindu pushups and bridging in

Combat Conditioning and you’ll run circles around the

others – http://mattfurey.com/conditioning_book.html

Matt Furey

Why Whining is Self-Destructive

When I had my gym in California, I created a

“No Whining Rule” so I wouldn’t have to listen

to all the cry babies who weren’t willing to put

100% into what they were doing.

I printed it out, framed it and put it in the gym, where

everyone could easily see it. Then I put it on a sheet of

acceptable protocol and gave it to every member.

90% of the whining stopped, right then and there, simply

because I let everyone know that you never succeed by

whining, complaining or making excuses. Instead, you

succeed by saying to yourself, if success is to be, it is

UP to ME.

The result: Success rate went through the roof.

The reason I’m against whining is simple. Whenever you

whine you’re giving power to circumstances and taking

it away from yourself. You’re claiming that you can’t

do anything because everything is outside of your

control.

It isn’t. And it is amazing how your circumstances change

when you stop whining and begin adopting the belief that

if success is to be, it is up to me.

For every person whining about how pitiful his life and

circumstances are, you can find plenty of examples of

those who had it worse, yet rose to even higher levels of

greatness because of the adversity.

How did the victors rise above the so-called victim status.

By focusing on a goal; by taking time to “be still.” By using

their imagination creatively to plan a new way of being –

and by rolling up their sleeves and doing whatever must

be done to change things for the better.

Matthew Furey

P.S. An important change is in the works for the Psycho-

Cyb website. I’ll be updating the products, the technology

and a whole lot more very soon. It will take what I’m

teaching and what Dr. Maltz taught into a Universe of

Possibilities you’ve never experienced before. Stay

tuned in.

In the interim, make sure you get a hold of Zero

Resistance Living – http://psycho-cyb.com/zrlcourse.html

The Journey is Most Important

Oh the frustration I hear in peoples’ voices –

as well as in their letters and emails.

Almost always this frustration is due to having

the wrong view of life – the wrong object to

focus on.

I will tell you something that may shock and

startle you. You may not even believe it but

it’s true.

My greatest successes in life have come when

the journey to success itself was more fulfilling

than the goal itself.

Let me explain.

In 1997, when the final buzzer sounded in

the world championship match in Beijing,

China, I assumed my hand would be raised

in victory even though the score ended, 2-2.

The rules stated that in the event of a tie, the

person who scores first wins.

Yet, for my match, the Chinese referees changed

the rules and raised my opponent’s hand in victory.

Upon the rendering of this decision, with a smile

on my face, I walked over to my wife, who was

visibly upset. I shrugged, put my hand on her

shoulder and said, “Hey, don’t worry about it.

When in China, do as the Chinese do.”

I had just lost the world championship and this

was how I responded.

Why.

Because I knew in my heart that I had given my

very best. I knew I competed at a level way beyond

anything I had ever done before – and that knowledge

was more important to me than whether I won or lost.

If I ended up getting silver or bronze or nothing at all

– so long as I gave my very, very best – then in my

opinion, I would go home a winner. And if I were to

have won while giving a half-baked effort – well, how

can you feel proud of that. Where’s the honor and glory

in victory with no struggle.

That’s how I think.

Yes, I did go to China expecting to win the gold medal.

And yes I wanted to win it – but when it came time to

compete my focus was NOT on winning. It was on giving

everything I had.

To my surprise, a minute or two after losing the decision,

I was brought back onto the mat and an announcement

was made.

The referee reversed the decision and declared me the

world champion.

Being denied my gold medal in the first place made winning

it much sweeter.

When it comes to business, once again, my greatest successes

have not come by “chasing” or pursuing the almighty doll-hair.

They have come as a result of focusing on the right actions with

the right intention behind them. And that intention is the desire

to do my best. To give my business everything I’ve got.

That’s it.

Most frustrated business people are frustrated because their

focus is on the muney – not on doing their best – not on

giving it everything they’ve got.

At the end of the day they evaluate themselves based on what

they made – not on what they DID. This type of thinking will

always end up killing you and your dreams.

In business I have good days, great days, fabulous days and

bad days -in terms of income. But at the end of each I am

the same person. You never hear me whining or complaining.

Why. Because my focus is on what I’m doing.

The muney, the other rewards, they come as a result of doing

the right things in the right way.

Doing your very best is what matters most of all in life. If you

achieve a goal without doing your best – I don’t think of that

as a success.

If you want to put an end to feelings of frustration, put your

focus on what you are doing – and once your focus is there,

ask yourself, over and over, “Is this my best. Is this MY BEST.”

Matthew Furey

Zen Master of the Internet

P.S. When you remove the resistance from your life – you get

into flow. Nothing worse than having your focus on the wrong

things. This does nothing but derail you. Put your thinking on

the journey – Zero Resistance Living will show you how –

http://psycho-cyb.com/zrlcourse.html

My Opinion of Tai Chi

Some time ago, after launching a new product, The

Chinese Long-Life System, several readers wrote to

ask what I think of tai chi and how the new program

compares to tai chi.

My answer is two or three-fold.

First of all, tai chi is a wonderful form of exercise. It benefits

virtually anyone who can practice it. Some forms are easier to

learn than others, but all are designed to arrive at the destination

of greater health.

In the 1990’s I practiced and played around with several different

styles of tai chi. Chen thunder-style, Yang, Wu, Chang and Chen

(without the thunder).

I enjoyed all of them. Yet, I found Chen Thunder-style to suit me

best. The only drawback to it was the scarcity of teachers in the U.S.

for this particular style.

Second, I like tai chi because the philosophy of daily practice

coincides with my belief about exercise. It’s a good idea to

do something everyday. If your upper body is sore, go for

a walk. If your legs and upper body are sore, work on deep

breathing exercises – or do the Farmer Burns Stomach

Flattener – http://www.mattfurey.com/combat_abs.html

Third and most unfortunately, tai chi takes a long time to

learn. There are some styles that are easier to learn than

others, but to really experience the treasure- trove of

health benefits, you’ve got to devote a lot of time. And

that’s nothing to fear. Afterall, I’ve gotten good at every-

thing I do by putting in more time than anyone else.

There are many people who have taken up the practice

of tai chi at age 40, 50, 60 and so on. And they have

benefitted enormously. Yet, they did what so many

people are unwiling to do. They practiced on a regular

basis.

I realize there are a lot of people over the age of 40

who are incredibly flabby, inflexible and weak – and

quite often it’s due to injuries or accidents suffered

along the route of life. So, for these people, tai chi

as well as my best-selling Combat Conditioning system

may not the right program to begin with. It’s too rough

for some people.

Yet there is an alternative that I also practice, even though

it’s “soft” in nature. It’s a system of loosening exercises, combined

with deep breathing and energy moves that is called The Chinese

Long-Life System – http://www.chineseculturesecrets.com/long_life.html

The Chinese Long-Life System is designed in such a way that the

sedentary critter who has spent a couple decades hibernating on

the sofa, can get up and do it and feel the benefits instantly.

You don’t need to be flexible. You don’t need to be strong. You

don’t even need much endurance. All you need is the DESIRE to

improve yourself just a little bit. Do a minute of the exercises

and you won’t want to stop.

Those who practice tai chi, chi kung, kung fu or any other martial

arts – will also love The Chinese Long-Life System because of its

ability to rejuvenate and revive your body/mind after hard training.

Not only that, but if you’re a competitive animal, like me, the

exercises are the PERFECT warm-up to help you prevent

injuries.

The same goes for those who do Combat Conditioning, lift weights,

do tons of cardio, and so on. You need a boost. You need to take

care of the inside of your body – not just the outside.

I don’t care how strong your muscles are or how much endurance

they have. If your internal organs begin to fail, you’re in serious trouble.

This is the why The Chinese Long Life System is so incredibly powerful.

By working the pressure points and meridians of the body directly,

you increase the flow of qi in the body, which according to 5000 plus

years of recorded Chinese history, increases your health and helps

you live a longer, more fulfilling life.

At any rate, we’ve got another 117 copies of The Chinese Long-Life

System available at the current price. After these are sold the amount

will go up considerably.

So be sure to get in while the getting is really, really good.

Go to http://www.chineseculturesecrets.com/long_life.html

and order NOW.

Kick butt – take names,

Matt Furey

P.S. On the following link you’ll find a photo of me training in the

system with an 89-year old lady. These exercises kept her youthful

and energetic – and made it easy for me to teach her Combat

Conditioning, which she picked up quickly. Now that’s saying

something, don’t you think.

7 Keys to a Metabolism Makeover

Why is it that people who are overweight

take so long to enjoy results when on an

exercise program. And why is it that they

think they need to do long-distance cardio

and spend hours per day training.

You don’t need to do things that way.

There’s a way to accelerate your metabolism and

I’ll lay it out for you in a minute, but first,

understand the following:

A. If you are investing a LOT of time each day

to kick-start your metabolism – you’re doing

something wrong.

B. Long-slow cardio may make you feel good –

but if you want to “STEP UP” your metabolism,

you’re far better off doing a very hard, very

vigorous workout that calls upon all your physical

and mental reserves. You’re better off with a

short workout that will never get easy – no

matter how often you do it.

Consider the sprinter. He does not do long distance

cardio. Yet his body is lean AND muscular.

It is rare to find a long distance cardio person who

is well built. He may be lean, but there’s no muscle

and usually very little power. Not only that, but after

a period of time – the long cardio workout person

may end up suffering from hip, knee, ankle and lower

back pain.

Why.

All the pounding on the joints. It takes a tremendous

toll on the body.

Instead of the long, slow, dull approach to fitness,

Consider the following seven ways to a Metabolism

Makeover.

1. Change the mental picture you have of yourself. All

lasting change in appearance begins in your mind. If

you want to look better, start seeing yourself the way

you’d like to look.

2. Place the majority of your mental focus on “the journey”

– the process you are following to get fit. This means you

are NOT continually thinking about reaching the mountain

top. Instead you’re focused on each step along the way.

3. Begin doing vigorous full body body weight exercises that

force you to lose control of your breathing. If you aren’t getting

out of breath when you train, your system is NOT being forced

to adapt and change very much. The harder you are breathing,

the more shock to the system. The more “shock” there is – the

greater the shake-up in your metabolism. The exercises in

Combat Conditioning – http://mattfurey.com/conditioning_book.html

cause this to happen.

4. Instead of running or bicycling several miles per day to get

your cardio – do like the cheetah. Run as hard as you can, at

full blast, for as long as you can. Run with all your might.

When finished you want to be gasping for oxygen. You want

to feel like you have nothing left. In Combat Conditioning there

are a few sprint workouts you can follow to get you going with

this routine.

5. Practice deep breathing. The deeper you breathe the more

oxygen in your system. The more oxygen in your system, the

faster your metabolism.

6. Eat plenty of fiber rich, water-content foods while avoiding

starchy foods most of time.

7. Get plenty of sleep.

Keep these ideas in mind as you go through your day.

Kick butt – take names,

Matt Furey