How To: Become a Real-Life Superhero Pt 2

Several weeks ago I started to explain the process that governs how to actually “Go from geek to real-life superhero” in How To Become a Real-Life Superhero Pt 1 (if you haven’t read it, take a few minutes and catch up now!)

Today I want to continue defining what it means for people to take their own personal Heroes Transformation journey.

In Part 1 of the series we defined what a hero actually is, how to visualize the heroic traits you want to embody, and explained the framework for this personal transformation… aka Joseph Campbell’s Monomyth, or Heroes Journey.

Don’t forget, you are the hero of your own story!

In the last installment we covered the first step of the journey, the “Call to Adventure“, so what is the second step?

Refusal of the Call!

That’s right; in almost every adventure, the hero punks out at first!

Let that mildly amusing fact be a comfort for you. We all get scared, and we all will try to rationalize our way to maintain the status quo. Fear of failure and the unknown is 100% natural and understandable!

What separates a hero from the masses is his/her ability to get past that initial refusal to do what is necessary.

“Refusal of the summons converts the adventure into its negative. Walled in boredom, hard work, or ‘culture,’ the subject loses the power of significant affirmative action and becomes a victim to be saved.” – Joseph Campbell

If you want to change the way you look or feel about yourself you are going to have to step outside your comfort zone; there’s no other way about it.

Have no fear though, you are not alone!

Not only do you have a support group here but, as I have mentioned before, when it comes to losing weight and getting in shape you should enlist a buddy to support you (accountabilibuddies ftw!) Not only will it make your journey easier, it will also makes it a lot more fun!

The more you surround yourself with people who support your goals, the greater your chance of success will be. Your buddy should be part of that support system — someone who gives you a boost when you need it, keeps you accountable and whom you can lend a hand to in return.

Meeting the Jedi Master

Once the hero gets over the fear of undertaking this transformation, and they start their journey, the hero will comes across a mentor who gives him or her training, equipment, or advice that will help them succeed.

Of course I want to believe that since you are here, reading this, I am the Obi Wan Kenobi to your Luke Skywalker but the reality is that there are soooo many potential guides to help you.

When it comes down to it, you should be good as long as you pick someone to guide you. It could be:

• A comprehensive fitness and health website such as this one
• A personal trainer/nutritionist at your local gym
• A DVD or book series on the subject
• A wizard

Unfortunately, because we live in the age of information and there is so much available, many people become paralyzed trying to find the “perfect” program or mentor.

Don’t worry so much about it, this isn’t a marriage… you are allowed (and encouraged) to continually change your approach and find new mentors and methods along the way; but you are going to need someone.

So do enough research to make sure you aren’t being duped by a snake-oil salesman and then let that little, long-eared green dude in a swamp frustrate you with his Jedi wisdom!

“Try not. Do… or do not. There is no try.” – Yoda

Crossing the Threshold

At the end of the first act, the hero ends up committing to leaving the bland trapping of his ordinary existence behind and venturing out into a new world; often one with very unfamiliar rules and values.

This is where things can get a little crazy!

Whether you are stepping into a gym for the first time, embracing a strict new diet regimen or taking up a physical hobby like martial arts, yoga or parkour things are going to seem foreign at first.

That’s okay! It’s part of the fun about redefining yourself as a hero!

Unlike Theseus, entering the labyrinth, you don’t have a blood-thirsty Minotaur waiting to cleave you in twain. Embrace the discovery of a brave new world and revel in it!

Have you ever read “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis?

Well in the second book, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe“, when Peter and Susan step attempt to show their younger sister Lucy her folly by stepping through that magical armoire in the attic they end up in the magical land of Narnia. It’s a bit of a mind-bender for them, but once the initial shock wears off they embrace this new experience and immediately get caught up in fantastical adventures!

This, right here, is what can make or break your heroes transformation!

If you view this new-found excursion into the realm of fitness and health as some sort of burden, you will more than likely struggle with staying on track.

If you view this new journey with the wide-eyed exuberance of a child (check out Life is a Game for more tips on this mindset) setting of on a heroic adventure you increase your chances of sticking with your program exponentially!

Everyone has a different reason for wanting to get healthier and to be more fit. Regardless of what started you on the journey, cross that threshold into a brave new world and truly become the real-life superhero you want to be!

• Even though Luke Skywalker was scared of the hive of scum and villainy in Mos Eisley he sucked it up and chartered a flight on the Millennium Falcon because getting off Tatooine was all he had ever wanted.
• Despite the threat of death and dismemberment, Theseus entered the Labyrinth to face the dreaded Minotaur because he knew it was the just course of action and it must be done.
• Regardless of the fact that a family of talking, anthropomorphic beavers should be terrifying, it didn’t stop the Pevensie children from quickly adapting to their new surrounding and agreeing to help free Narnia from the clutches of the White Witch.
• Just because it’s scary going to the gym and being intimidated by all the foreign equipment and in-shape people you see, you do it anyway and view it as a new adventure instead of a chore; in the end that twinge of fear and uncertainty is nothing next to the thought of being unsatisfied with yourself and living an unhealthy life any longer!

“All shall be done, but it may be harder than you think.” – Aslan, The Lion, The With and the Wardrobe

Well that wraps it up for this installment, check back soon for Part 3 where I will be talking trials, tribulations and supervillains! In the meantime tell me where you are in your epic heroes journey!?! Have you taken these first steps yet or are you stuck somewhere needing a little help?

Let me know in the comments below!

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(Photo #1 credit)

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