My question for you to ponder and discuss today, “Is it impossible to grow beyond your genetic potential?”
Even the “gurus” say, “It’s impossible to grow beyond your genetic potential…”
Well, I’m In The Business Of Doing The Impossible!
I’ve been in the transformation business for eight years and helped over 20,000 people in 120 different countries go from scrawny-to-brawny, regular-to-ripped and flabby-to-firm.
My most successful students were always told that a jaw-dropping physique was impossible for them. Don’t believe me? Click here to look a look at a small handful of success stories to see how some of them turned after sticking with me and following my advice.
Today’s email was inspired by an email I get over-and-over and my response will reveal why I’ve been successful at being in the business of doing the impossible.
“Vince, there are a lot genetic factors that hold people back, stuff that’s beyond training and nutrition. Things like recovery capacity, anatomy (muscle attachments), muscle fiber type makeup, circulation, nervous system, bone structure, hormonal capacity, insulin sensitivity, mental factors, that kind of thing. What’s your mindset and philosophy to the entire genetic limit debate?”
First off, I don’t debate. I learn from doing. Now to your question…
Many muscle “gurus” would actually entertain and analyze each of the genetic factors just listed but since I’m a no nonsense guy you’re not going to get a scientific reply from me.
Not because I don’t know the science but because I don’t see the point!
I believe that you get what you focus on. If you focus on your limitations than you find more limitations. How is focusing on something we don’t have going to help us get something we want?
I understand they’re many people who need to understand the why before they can apply knowledge but I beg you to be partially ignorant on this subject. This statement will make more sense after I reflect on my first body transformation in 2002:
One of the reasons, I believe, I gained 41 lbs of muscle in 6 months is because I’ve always been a little naïve and gullible. Too be honest, the first time someone said to me on a bodybuilding.com forum, “BS… there’s no way you gained that much muscle in 6 months…” I didn’t know how to reply. I figured my results were normal, maybe a bit above average, but nothing to make people skeptical of.
I was always a doer and never a analyzer or reader so the numbers didn’t mean anything to me.
If someone told me you could build 100 lbs of muscle in one month, I would have probably said, “Cool, lets get started.” I was never inclined to read books on limits and what listen to speakers tell me what was realistic.
Even when I was 15 years old I got a knee injury and the doctor told me flat out, “Your body was not born to run.” That was one of the first time my blood boiled because someone was putting limits on me. I didn’t listen to him. The next summer I represented Canada at the World Triathlon Championships.
I was more interested in finding out my own limits by doing, not talking about.
My mentality was to always give 100% with whatever I had in front of me. Sure I was probably missing a lot of tools but I maxed out what I did know and what I did have to my disposal.
Sure, after my transformation I didn’t become the biggest guy in the gym but I definitely wasn’t the smallest anymore.
And over the past eight years (past two years especially), by continuing to be ignorant on the subject of “limits” and “genetics”, I’ve gained another 20 lbs of muscle and have almost 200 lbs of solid muscle on my frame. Not bad for an ex-long distance runner who was nicknamed “Skinny Vinny” eh?!
Another Reason I Hate Talking About “Genetic Limits”
I refuse to discuss subjects that limit the human will and spirit.
That mentality will not serve you. I would rather be gullible and naive and end up surprising myself (and others) in the process.
By applying this mentality to all areas of my life, even my finances, I earned a $45,000 check at the age of 25, in one day. Check out this story:
When I decided to buy my first house, at the age of 22, I was broke with credit card debt. Instead of thinking, “I can’t afford a house,” I thought, “How can I afford a house?” As soon as you say the word “can’t” your brain turns off and stops searching for a solution. By using the word “can” your brain is forced to stay open and find a solution. Mine did.
By the age of 23, I stuck to my plan and saved $10,000 for a down payment on a home. I rented it out for two years. Flipped it. And at the age of 25 my lawyer cut me a check for $45,000 (after expenses too). That lump of cash gave me a huge head start on life and it all started with my mindset of, “How can I afford it.”
The word “can’t” should not even be apart of your vocabulary.
Show Me Your Friends And I’ll Show You Your Limits
You’ve probably heard of the saying, “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.”
I believe it’s equally true: Show me your friends and I’ll show you your limits. If your top five friends are all afraid of skydiving then I wouldn’t be surprised if you are too. If all your friends are afraid to put their kids in swimming lessons because they are afraid the kids might drown then I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s your fear too.
Grasp the principle I just shared, don’t pick apart the examples. They were just examples. Moving on…
Hang out with certain people too long and their negative beliefs, limits and fears will become yours.
Please: Don’t try this at home! This is one of those areas you want to take my word on. Don’t test this theory out on your own.
Trust me and seek out friends who live with the mentality that anything is possible. It will result in attracting these kind of people in your life. One of the big secrets to blowing beyond your potential, in life, is avoiding people who live in fear and try to pass their negativity into your beliefs.
Most people who are non supportive and tell you to be “realistic” are jealous because you are pursuing something they want and failed at or don’t want to see you succeed at because you’ll prove that their beliefs are false.
Do you want to know why people would prefer you stay in your comfort zone and not push your limits? When you change and grow and become a new person they are unable to control you or maintain the puppet strings they have on your life.
Let me give you an example. My friend Joel is a very generous person. If I called him up last minute to stay with him in Tampa he would gladly welcome me in. I could say I’m only staying three days but what Joel does not know is that I’m broke, have no job, and no plans on leaving. I know Joel will let me eat out of his fridge, extend my visit, not charge me rent and even take me out for fancy dinners.
I am exploiting Joel’s generosity in a selfish way. So when Joel announces he’s going to a personal development conference that teaches you how to stand up for yourself etc I quickly advise him against that idea. If Joel leaves his comfort zone and begins to grow then I will no longer be able to take advantage of him and I don’t like that.
Okay, that’s an extreme and intentional example but I trust you see the point. Take home message is this:
Be careful where you are getting your information from. Often times people who talk about setting realistic goals, knowing your limits and advise against setting goals, are people who are imposing their fears and negative beliefs onto you.
By Vince DelMonte
Vince Delmonte is a competitive fitness model and personal trainer, as well as the author of No-Nonsense Muscle Building, a complete guide to building muscle for the hardgainer. Vince’s program includes extensive diet plans, complete weight training regimens, video tutorials, and full email personal training support.
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