Take Charge with Robert Cheeke

Nov 13, 2019

Welcome to Take Charge!, a series of interviews with some of our favorite health and wellness thought leaders. Each post features advice on topics like longevity, nutrition, exercise, and physical optimization. You'll also receive guidance on how to follow through with your goals and work through feelings of fear and doubt. Plus, we compiled the best tips in this free ebook - click here to download it.

Today we're featuring Robert Cheeke, founder and president of Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness, is a bestselling author of the books, Plant-Based Muscle, Shred It!, and Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness, and has followed a plant-based diet for 24 years.

Whitney has been buddies with Robert for over 10 years (thus you may witness them exchanging inside jokes on social media!) They've traveled together, such as Robert's 2010 book tour, and spoken on stage together. Whitney has always appreciated his sense of humor and devoted hustle. Check out this fun video to witness the former. 

Jason first met Robert at the Red & Black Cafe in Portland, Oregon on a road trip back in 2008. At the time, Jason was starstruck by the meeting, having known of Robert's groundbreaking efforts and revolutionary work to finally bring vegan bodybuilding to the mainstream (when basically nobody was talking about it!) Robert was also an integral part of The Real Tastemakers event in Los Angeles with Jason and Whitney in 2017.

In a way, this series wouldn't have happened if it weren't for knowing Robert, as he introduced us to many of the featured interviewees! Keep reading to receive Robert's valuable perspective on topics like reaching goals, creating a positive mindset, navigating anxiety, being consistent with fitness, monetizing authentically and managing travel. We gave him a few prompts and he has some world-class tips that we're thrilled to share with you.

Robert's Tips on How To Take Charge Of Your Life:

1. Robert believes that attitude, mindset, and perspective all play a role in living a long, healthy life. He says, "Choosing to be happy, choosing to surround yourself with motivated and uplifting people, while avoiding stressful, negative situations is massive for living your best life. Take a moment and audit your own habits, behaviors, thoughts, and people you spend time with and see if they align with your personal goals for health and happiness. If they don't, then it is time to make some changes."

2. Take action and make it happen to stay committed to personal and professional goals. Robert constantly reminds himself of a quote from H. Jackson Brown, Jr. who said, "twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than the things that you did do." That helps me keep perspective, helps me keep going, and reminds me that whether it is twenty years from now or two years from now, I don't want to be asking, "what might have been?" 

3. Stress has been a serious issue for Robert. "I have actually been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, but I do my best to keep it at bay by focusing on the positive things in my life. One of the best tips I can provide is to stop comparing yourself to others. The moment you stop judging yourself, and others, and cease arbitrary comparisons with people you don't know that much about, you become free to live your own best life, unconcerned with what others are doing or what others are thinking about you.

4. "By the far, the most important step in achieving any fitness goal is to be consistent. I don't care what the goal is, or what the type of exercise is, be it running, weight lifting, yoga, swimming, hiking, or playing basketball, the more consistent you are, the more likely you are to adapt and improve and find success and joy in the process. There is no better time than right now to get embark on a journey that you are passionate about."

5. The best way Robert has found to monetize his work and passion has been to stop chasing money. "It's intuitive to try to manifest fortune, and to focus on money, and it make sense on a number of levels. But at the same time, focusing on money can be an incredible added stress, and can create unrealistic expectations. The most money and success I ever found came from my sincere desire to add value to others, and to create great work. I have made a six-figure income for five consecutive years, all without a large social media following, without being a guru, and without being an influencer, but by creating great work that others believed in. I believe in passion over profits, and when one is authentic about their passion (and create meaningful work), the profit follows."

6. At the time of this post, Robert is traveling ten out of twelve weekends, including thousands of miles by air and car! "For me, I see it almost like a political campaign. Since I'm not popular on social media, and I don't have a huge following, the way that I connect with my audience is in person, creating memorable moments. I meet thousands of people on tour every year, creating little moments with each of them, and that is what leads to my success later on, in the form of book sales, or merchandise sales, or referrals or other forms of support. So though there is an initial output of finances to make tours like this happen, there is a long-game return on investment that comes to life as the years go on. On a more specific note, I'm not fancy. Even after 15 years on tour, I still stay at friend's houses or at cheap motels to save money. I don't have to be idealistic to achieve my goals."

Want more tips to help you take charge of your life?

Click here to receive a free ebook with advice from health and wellness thought leaders who want to help you thrive. Uplevel and get more consistent with a balanced diet, impactful fitness routine, and positive mental health practices. Find the motivation to achieve your goals and release feelings of doubt, fear, stress, and anxiety. Gain clarity, a sense of purpose and the drive to follow through so you can take charge of your life like never before!

Get more from Robert on his website, Instagram, Facebook page, and Twitter.

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