The Las Vegas Informer Exclusive: Sherry B. Hasty Rise to Success

Sherry can be defined as many different things but the one thing that would be able to cover them all is, “Successful”. A 40 year YOUNG full time traveling RN, a mother and an amateur bikini competitor who was born in San Antonio, TX and graduated from Angelo State University in ’99. Sherry was in her 20’s, she would go to the gym and do what I would call a “casual” workout. It wasn’t until she turned 40 when things had started to change. A coworker of hers underwent a gallbladder surgery due to a horrible diet and that’s what did it. Sherry joined a gym, got a trainer and started getting after it. She attended her first show with my neighbor and then knew she wanted to try her hand at competition.

She quickly cleaned up her diet and in 12 weeks she her 6 pack and that’s very usual for a woman in her 40’s so this was, obviously, a huge deal for her.  After that, she knew she was going to go for Bikini competition and see what she can do. Sherry placed 3^rd and that qualified me for nationals in her first show. From then on she was placing differently through each show due to competing back to back, and then things started taking a toll on her body. She then decided to take a break for a year and placed 1^st on her first show back and this just reignited her passion to compete. Sherry was then featured in Max Muscle Magazine in September 2011. Sherry now works as a full time traveling nurse, a part time model for HTFU and a part time office assistant for HTFU LLC.

We were lucky enough to catch Sherry with a little free time and she sat down with us and indulged us in the life of a woman her personifies and radiates the HTFU mindset and lifestyle.

LVI: What’s does HTFU means to you?

SBH: HTFU to me means absolutely everything. I’ve been on my own since I was 17 and I had to grow up very fast. Basically I had to “HTFU”

LVI: Sherry, give us an idea of what your weight training routine is and how you get psyched for a workout

SBH: My routines normally include 2 hours a day .My legs are my weak point of my body so I workout legs 3-4x a week. Squats, Lunges, Dead lifts etc and mix it up with Plyometrics as well. I use a lot of Cellucor products as a staple of my supplement regimen. I do cardio for an hour a day on a stair climber. I’m not a huge fun of cardio but it’s got to be done. My favorite exercise is squats. Least favorite is box jumps. I usually begin my prep 12 weeks out from a show to give me enough time to dial in my diet and cardio to get the desired results.

LVI: What are your thoughts of the growing and changing fitness fad s that are going on now days?

SBH:  I am pretty old school when it comes to my training. I don’t fluctuate a lot with my weight so this keeps my contest prep slightly less stressful on my body. I prefer to do it that way because us women cannot pull and drop weight that easy. I eat clean a lot throughout the week and occasionally on the weekends I’ll have one cheat meal or so. There are a lot of different fitness fads and diet going around and the problem with that is a lot of people want something instantaneous and quick. They’ll buy whatever they think will work and don’t do a lot of research to know what they’re getting themselves into. Everyone’s body is different and what works for someone may/may not work well for you

LVI: Sherry what are your thoughts on Personal Trainers, good or no good?

SBH: It is definitely something that has blown me away lately. I remember going into 24 Fitness and the trainers, staff and managers would be in great shape and would look great. Now, I walk in and see unfit trainers, big staff members and it looks like all of these people who work in a gym look like they don’t even workout! I don’t understand when it became okay for people who look like they don’t know what they’re doing or how to do it and try to tell someone else how to work out and how to lose weight!

LVI: What’s your favorite cheat meal?

SBH: Pizza, pancakes and breakfast tacos!!! You can have a cheat meal! It’s not going to hurt you that bad, but you have to earn it with a week of dedication and commitment and it’s all in moderation.

Look for Sherry in Chicago for the Junior Nationals on June 13^th, 2013 to earn her pro card and begin to make this goal of hers a reality. Sherry and HTFU are going to Isle of Man TT to do some sponsorship work with athlete Brandon Cretu in the races.

Clothing by HTFU 

Photograph by Harry of LGHSX Photography 

The Process

I once wrote of a segment that I called "Trust The Process" and I want to explain to you what I mean when I say that. Life has a process in which things breakdown, go wrong or fall apart and then they're built back up again. Much like our muscle tissue when we workout. 

We go through a process of constant break down and build up over and over again to achieve a goal, in this case our dream physique. 

However, in life, while have the exact same process, there is a difference because there are two types of people in this world. There are those of us who take this process headon. We shift and progress through all the pain, the bullshit and the doubt because have faith in ourselves and that all of our effort will not have been in vain. 

When it is all said and done and it's all over; we are met with great rewards for our struggles and further our journey to even better rewards.

Then there are those of us who do the exact opposite. We carry on until we hit turmoil and the second we do; we regress. We regress over and over again until we are no better off than where we were when we first started our journey through life.

I, myself, cannot settle of an average being. I cannot settle for average anything. I want great EVERYTHING.  No matter how bad things get, no matter how hard life hits you MUST, yes MUST, keep getting up and keep pushing forward. 

Life isn't easy! You know this! 

Times are gonna be hard, money is going to be tight and things aren't always going to workout but if you keep going and you don't quit I promise you your reward is on its way. I GUARANTEE you that all of your work will pay off dearly because that's the process.

Each and every one of you have done so much in your time and have accomplished a lot,  and all I want for each and every one of you to have more and more success.  Trust the process because it's the way life works. Keep your mindset right , your work ethic high and stay ahead of that curve because if you do, I promise you have the greatest life imaginable. 

 All you have to do is decide to do it. Take that love you have and all that passion you have ans spread it into all areas of your life and watch the seeds of all your labor bring a fruitful harvest for you and your loved one's to enjoy forever.

Happy Training.

Success Never Sleeps

Have you heard the term, " Success Never Sleeps "? Do you know what that really means?

There are so many different ways to explain this concept that so many people just don't understand, but I find it easier understanding why they DON'T instead of why they DO. Truth be told, people are lazy. We live in an entitlement rich society where we are giving awards for, "Just showing up" and that completely de-values the reward of hard work and dedication. Thus the majority people that if they just show up, they will get what they want.

When I was growing up, I was taught then when you work hard, consistently pursue and never give up that great things come your way and if you don't then you have no one to blame for the lack of your own personal success but yourself. Now, I see nothing but people expecting all the work to be done overnight or in an instant once they make the decision of what they want.

I can't count how many times I've had the luxury to work with some amazing clients and they get a month in of solid training and they decide they will try it on their own and see what happens or they want to "Maintain". It , for the most part, ALWAYS ends the same. All the weight that was once lost, is put back on and then some. All the strides that were made and all the obstacles that were overcome come back swinging on all cylinders and it goes back to square one.

Here is the truth, there is no such thing as maintaining. Once you accept the idea of maintaining, then you accept the idea of it's okay to gain a little weight because you can lose it fast, right?

Think of it this way: Two people set different goals to achieve. One person sets a goal to lose 10 lbs and be able to run 2 miles with some ease and the other sets a goal to lose 25 lbs and run 3 miles with ease. Both have a time from of 3 months to achieve these goals. Now, lets say they come up short. This person only lost 5 lbs instead of 10 and can't run 2 miles with ease and the other looses 20 lbs and can only run 2 miles with ease. Now, which fall short will be harder? Would you feel worse if you lost 5 lbs instead of 10? or 20 lbs instead of 25?

The thing is, if you don't completely overcompensate to achieve your goals, you will come up shy because you will have obstacles over obstacles over obstacles and they will never quit coming. In fact, the only thing that will voluntarily or involuntarily quit is YOU.

Success is a lifestyle and it never ever sleeps and it never ever quits. Of course life happens, but it's all up to you to choose to be bigger than your opposition. No one will do it for you and no one can stop you.

Training Personalised

In my extent experience as a Fitness Expert and my personal experience in the fitness way of being I've come across many different people who all come to the gym for many different reasons. Some come for vanity while others are more concerned with their longevity.

Whether you're at the gym for a good reason or not there will only be ONE factor that'll determine whether or not you achieve this goal whatever the said goal is and it's simply this:

"Do I know what the hell I'm doing?"

Ask yourself this very important question and it's not important because it's the sole reason for your goals to be succeeded or not, but it's the constant concern of safety! If you don't know what you're doing you stand a HUGE chance of getting hurt and that, to me, is far worse than not achieving your goals as quickly as you want.

So unless you've researched every thing on working out that you possibly could or workout with someone who knows what they're doing, chances are that you're trying to 'Wing" it. I hate to break it to you but you cannot "wing" this lifestyle. Winging it here leads to herniated discs, torn rotator cuffs and lifetime injuries. 

Many fitness enthusiasts and supporters say to hire a trainer. Even if it's to properly learn form. It's worth the investment and it truely is.

One thing so many people have the misconception of is that personal training is a "luxury" or that only rich people can afford personal trainers.

Luxuries are NOT investments in your health and well-being. Luxuries are frivolous spending on commodities you don't need and serve no other purpose than simply to have and that's it. This investment is for everyone who's ready to commit to a healthier and better life.

So when you're out shopping for clothes you don't need, shoes you don't wear, fine dining on things that make you fat and picking up the tab at the bar for drinks that poison you, take a look in the mirror. If you can honestly say you're happy with what's looking back at you, then by all means have your food, your drink and enjoy your clothes.
If you don't like what's looking back at you then I'd say it's time to make the commitment to a better you. I'm not saying that you'll need a personal trainer for life and I'm not saying you cannot do it on your own. I'm simply saying that for all the money you spend on your commodities;  you could use that money to invest in a healthier,  happier and hotter you.

At the end of the day, we have no one to blame but ourselves for our shortcomings. Whether they may be hereditary or not, it's still no excuse to not do anything about it 

Happy Training

What's Your Investment?

Many of times I have constantly referred to Personal Training as an investment and while having a conversation with a friend, I think u have found a way to relate to you what I mean when I'm talking about investments. 

We all have lived in an apt at one time or another and we all know what goes into it. Desposits, Fees , and Rent. We stay for however long the lease may be and we are done. What's our return from all this money we spent?   Not even a full deposit at times and even MORE fees to pay. Now those of you who own a house, know the process. Same thing almost. The difference is the return or what your money has done for you. The keyword we are looking for here Profit and some of us make an awesome profit from investing in a house, am I right?

Now many of the optimists will say, "well there is a return either way and besides, apartments are cheaper than houses." They are correct. They are cheaper in the short term but let's be honest about "Short Term". It doesn't last. How many of you had to buy something because you needed it right then and there and you ended up having to buy something similar or the same thing because something for "Short term" didn't work?

Now, what does this have to do with your health and wellness?  Everything. We know all about short term. We age. We get slower, weaker, fatter and things get harder. I bet there was once a time when some of you could eat whatever you want and not gain a single pound. Now, if you even look at a cupcake you gain 5lbs. I am also willing to bet some of you could spend a week in the gym,  drop 15lbs and be good for a month or so. In short, the short term is only good for the short term.

Personal Training and exercise alone for that matter is about the Long term. It's a constant invest and reinvest in yourself and your own well being. Let's be honest about it.  That bootcamp you once did or that diet you tried for a while, it didn't work and it's because you have to constantly reinvest in it for that return.  Sure, we won't be getting money on this return,  but here is what you'll get:

Longer life
Better life
Stronger
Faster
Better looking
Better mood
Longer lasting body
Better sex
Look better in everything
Your body will work more efficiently

Not to mention you'll be a walking inspiration for others. A mobile billboard for what happens when you invest in yourself.

Get fit quick schemes,  fad diets and your once or twice a month trip to the gym isn't going to cut it.  That's the Apt you're living in. Commitment to your diet, your workouts and yourself is the home you raise your children in.

Happy Training

Choppin' At The Bit

Allow me to introduce you to the man, whom in my opinion, is one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time.  His name is Rocco Francis Marchegiano  aka Rocky Marciano. He is the only heavyweight to go undefeated and untied in his professional career and was knocked down only once by the man in the picture. That man, obviously paid dearly for that, is named Jersey Joe Walcott

So why Rocky? What makes him the greatest? Why did he go undefeated and untied? Two words my friends:

Training

Determination

I'll break them down for you like this. Rocky was an avid Joe Louis fan and if you dont know Joe Louis is then I feel bad for you. Rockys mentality was, "if I train twice as hard as the champ, then I can beat the champ."

This simple mental state is was propelled him to an illustrious career in boxing. He ran twice as far as the champ, boxex twice as many rounds as him as well. He believed to be the best, you gotta train to beat the best. Rumour has it that he had a hard time keeping sparring partners.  Another one states he had a custom made 250lbs heavy bag that he would intentionally try to swing with the impact from his punches. If it wouldn't swing, he'd train harder. If it did swing, he wanted it to swing a lot or he'd train harder.

Determination, a set goal in mind to inspire and propel himself beyond his own comprehensible capability as a fighter. We all have our reasons for the hustle, his was his family.

His father worked in Brockton making shoes for a living, and it killed Rocky.  He knew he didn't want to make shoes for a living and he damn sure didn't want his father in the factory anymore. His determination to take care of his parents and get out of Brockton only fueled his training and elevated him to that championship level.

Now what can we take away from this? That it doesn't matter who you are, what you're doing, or where you came from. With determination and hard work, ANYTHING can happen. Absolutely anything. All it takes are those first few steps through all the BS, Negativity and Doubt to get to your promise land. Don't think for a second that anyone who was ever great never had a doubt before, because they have.

Rocky did after he killed a fellow Italian fighter in the ring. Almost gave up boxing, gave up the dream and almost went to work in that same factory his father worked. He didn't.  He became bigger than the situation and he continued on. He's only human, just as we are.

If he can ... if I can ... you can.

Happy Training.

Things Just Happen?

In my experience as a personal trainer, it has become more and more apparent to me that people love to NOT take responsibility for their own actions. It seems they always have an excuse for their poor health, lack of fitness and obesity. I've heard it all.

"Everyone in my family is fat so it must be genetics. I'm big boned"

Genetics play a insignificant roll in your choice to get off your ass and do something about your weight. No, not go on a diet or go buy P90X and use it for a few days. More like CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE.

"I'm too busy"

You're too busy for your health? Are you to busy too watch TV? Are you too busy too go out drinking? Are you too busy to go out shopping?  No? Then no, you're not busy. You have a case of bad time management mixed with a bit of lazy. Schedule it! Give yourself anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours a day for a week to make something happen.

"I've tried working out and it didn't work."

Really? Working out doesn't work? So all of those people you see at the gym that are slowly molding and forming the body that YOU want, they're wasting their time because working out doesn't work? Honestly, how hard did you try? Or were you going through the motions without really testing yourself?

Truth hurts, but I am essentially a " No BS " trainer. Your hard earned money and precious time is valuable and doesn't deserve "beating out the bush" rhetoric. Believe me when I say that things don't just happen. You aren't unhealthy, "just because." There is a reason for everything and there is a very specific reason why you are where you are now. Despite the reason, you have to remember that there is nothing that can stop you from having the body you want, looking as good as you want or achieving the goals you've set out to accomplish  but your own attitude. Think about it.

Happy Training