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Lessons From a Long Vacation.

by Sean Croxton

I’m alive!

Very much so, in fact.

When I decided to take a six-week break to recharge my batteries, I honestly didn’t think I could do it. It just seemed like a really long time to be away from a topic, business, and community that I am so passionate about. But looking back, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Sometimes our passions can become our obsessions, slowly pushing out the many other incredibly important aspects of our lives. In my case, I had become so focused on this blog, UW Radio, social media updates/tweets, and the three HUGE launches we had in a span of nine months, that I had lost perspective of what life is all about.

In other words, as UW has grown, it has been to the detriment of relationships with family and friends. Although this work is my passion, I wasn’t having much fun outside of it. Every day was Groundhog Day with the days seemingly running together, lacking any hint of variety, or what Tony Robbins would call “uncertainty”.

Wake up. Read. Write. Prep for a show. Work out. Read more. Go to bed. Back to step one.

Kinda sounds like it sucks, huh?

Well, it did. Yet at the same time, I can’t help but be reminded of a quote I found on Facebook a few weeks ago. It went like this…

“Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life like most people won’t, so that you can spend the rest of your life like most people can’t.” – Unknown

For the past five years, I have busted my tail to live the very life I am living today. But did it come with a price? Absolutely!

I always recommend that we listen to our bodies. Recently my body had been screaming at me. My immune system had literally taken one big sh*t, as I’ve had 3 separate sinus infections this year alone with the most recent one being the worst, starting literally the day after The Real Food Summit ended and persisting for over 3 weeks. Sucked!

Stress ruins your immune system. I’m living proof of that, as I’m 100% sure my sinus woes had been due to way too much stress from back-to-back-to-back launches along with a beyond-rocky intimate relationship that should have ended a long time ago.

The body doesn’t lie.

These past six weeks taught me a lot about balance. During my vacation, I spent more quality time with friends and family than I had in this entire decade combined. I forgot how fulfilling it can be to be around those you love and admire.

I went hiking.

I frolicked in the ocean.

I went camping in 106-degree weather with my family.

I stand-up paddled and didn’t fall!

I watched a ton of movies.

I waded in Deep Creek.

Saw a friend get married.

Went out for countless lunches and dinners.

I danced.

Went on some really good dates.

Joined my first Fantasy Football league.

Watched 4 seasons of Breaking Bad on Netflix in a span of 3 days.

Saw Tony Robbins and walked over hot, burning coals.

I had a friggin’ blast! Even better, my energy and passion are back. And although my immune system has not returned to exactly where I want it to be, the only way it will ever return to normal is if I strive to keep my life in balance.

From now on, work starts at 9am and ends at 5pm, with UW Radio shows being the only exception.

I won’t go more than 3 months without seeing my family.

I’ll spend time with friends at least 3 times a week.

I’ll never put my work before my partner (when I find one) again.

Those are just a few of the promises I have made to myself. I’m keeping all of them.

So, what’s next for me and UW?

First up, I’m going on the air with Dr. Kalish in about 2 hours.

For those of you looking to rock a JERF tee, we’ll have them up for sale next week after we work out a few shipping issues.

Next month I’ll be launching a new website dedicated to personal development, entrepreneurship, and community service. The new site will also come with a brand new podcast that you’re gonna love!

Lastly, I’m in the process of looking for a space to shoot high-quality YouTube videos. After over a year away, I’m ready to go back on camera. Be on the lookout!

No more summits! Not for a long time. All I want to do is read, write, podcast, and shoot videos. That’s it. That’s enough for now.

Take an inventory of your life. Where are you out of balance? What is your body saying to you? You don’t have to take six weeks off to figure it out. Just being aware is the first step to bringing your life into alignment.

It’s good to be back.

Peace, y’all!

Sean
Author, The Dark Side of Fat Loss
Dark Side of Fat Loss

Comments

comments

15 thoughts on “Lessons From a Long Vacation.

  1. Cole

    Sean….what a great post! So insightful and I can certainly relate to most of it. I’m on the hunt for balance and plan to find it for myself soon!

    Talk soon man!
    Cole

  2. Lovelyn

    I’m glad you took some time off. Stress is a killer and nobody should have too much of it. All work and no play makes Sean a dull boy.

  3. Steve

    Awesome Sean,
    You clearly deserved all of that and more, and I’m it’ll lead to greater things in the future.
    I took so much out of those words too, and I’m pretty sure I’m in the stage that you were in….. I can see the holiday on the horizon, but there’s just going on – also so much to be excited about.
    Oh and a new podcast?!? I eagerly await that one, along with my JERF shirt!
    Cheers,
    Steve

  4. Jordan Lidster

    Good for you Sean! I realized the same thing about 6 months ago and haven’t looked back. What you said really hit home and I’m so happy that you’ve come to the conclusion that health is not always about what you eat and how much you exercise. The spirit and soul have so much more to do with health than we give them credit for. For many people in this crazy field of health and nutrition, physiology and nutrition take precedent over love and laughter as being the most influential to our health. I really do believe it’s all about balance and I’m stoked at the thought of seeing you back on camera!

  5. Christian Rosenvold

    Good to hear Sean! Sometimes our ambitions and passions can make us so enthusiastic that they lead us to burn out. I felt that recently after I graduated from my school, I had worked so hard (and enjoyed it a lot) for three years without many serious breaks, so when I finally stopped I just collapsed and it has taken me months of rest and travel to recuperate. I love it though because I have learned so many fantastic life lessons in both the busy and relaxing periods.
    For me I like the work hard, play hard mentality although I know it’s very unhealthy but I think that as long as you remember to also rest hard it’s okay, at least that’s my experience :p

    Btw. I’m so happy to read that you’re going back to youtube. I’ve been watching some of your old videos this past week and actually wishing for you to post more so I’m really excited for that.

    Take care Sean!

  6. Peter

    The way I go about burnout is simple. Saturday is my “Do what’s on your mind day”, when I literally do what pops up on my mind. No schedules, no promises, no regrets. Be spontanious.
    I also keep my everyday evenings (After dinner/around 6pm) reserved for entertainment, friends and relexation, so I end every day on a good note instead of having unfinished work on my mind when going to sleep.

  7. Nick

    Glad to hear you’re back. Wish you the best with Croxton 2.0 or whatever you call it. Sounds baddass and I’m ready for you to continue blowing my mind with knowledge. I too am working my way through BrBa and know just how addictive the show is. One of the better shows on.

  8. Cara

    I so appreciate this post. Thanks for you honesty – it’s really what makes the importance of balance hit home. I struggle (usually unsuccessfully) and creating balance with my own nutrition practice and I wanted to say thanks for the reminder to continue to strive for it. It’s so important to step back and be honest with yourself about how you’re really feeling!

  9. Janet

    Thanks for always being real with food and your life…helps keep things in perspective. Great you share things you go through and how you deal with them.

  10. Isabel

    Sean, I just recently found your website and I can’t get enough of everything you are offering on the Podcast, etc. I’m inhaling it all, but seems like that’s all I want to do, so now I’m off balance. Great article. What an amazing vacation. Good for you. Keep it coming cause we are listening—Thanks so much for all you do.

  11. Matt

    Sean,

    Finding the balance has always been a challenge for me. I’m a person that throws myself into my work or projects. One of the hardest things I deal with is not forsaking my family even though all the hard work is so things can be better later. We could all take a message remember that every day is a gift and that’s why it’s called “The Present”.

    -Matt
    PhysiqueRescue.com

  12. Kat

    Excellent! You took time to take care of you which is what you are teaching all of us to do. I to am trying to rebound from a stressed immune system. Thanks to what you do I am finding a way to do that. You have put me a the road to health and I appreciate everything you do for us as a community. Good job on setting your boundries and hopefully we can repay you by helping you keep them!!

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