The Moves of Eli
Part 3 of 3-part Series
I joined the orbit of Coach Eli about four months ago after clicking on an Instagram post.
“What’s this guy doing?” I thought, as I watched him give a very quick lesson in how to combat slouching. I was intrigued by the simplicity of the moves and how they indeed helped with poor posture.
A few clicks later, I was filling out a questionnaire about whether to learn more about his Embody coaching method, then fast forward a few weeks and I had joined the program.
After years of abusing (I mean training) my body for triathlons, marathons, and endurance road cycling, I thought I had passed my prime. My attempts to switch to boxing, or yoga, or weight training lead to the ghosts of marathons past. Add in becoming a father, layer on terrible diet, and voila! I was entering middle age with more health problems than I wanted.
I’ve always wanted to work with a personal trainer, so I could be set on the right path, and Coach Eli and his Embody coaching method was just what I needed. In the past four months, I’ve gained strength, addressed and rehabbed some old injuries, plus, I’ve joined a community of fellow trainers. I’ve also made a connection with Coach Eli, and I can tell you he’s a solid man, literally and figuratively.
“Embody is all about breaking free from the everyday auto-pilot lifestyle we find ourselves stuck in,” says Coach Eli. “Being stressed and always analytical is a default mechanism due to being so stuck in our heads.”
His holistic approach to physical training and life in general has truly transformed the way I think about movement, exercise, diet, and living. Much of the Embody method begins with posture; how we hold and carry our bodies.
“This is why I talk about posture so much,” Coach Eli says. “Because our body-language tells a story. Simply readjusting and noticing our slouched forward posture is a way to break free from the mundane everyday around-the-clock cycles most find themselves in now due to the modern world. Would you make a powerful life decision from a slouched position? No way.”
What I’ve learned in these four amazing months is how to get out of my head and move my body in new ways. I’ve gained muscle and confidence, and I’ve embraced a new way to attain health and wellness. I feel like I’ve begun rebuilding what I thought was once broken.
“Our physicality is our foundation. How we move inside of a gym or during a 30-minute workout isn’t only for that moment. It carries into all aspects of living,” Coach Eli says. “To empower yourself you want to feel capable, resilient, and fluid. The masculine urge to compete is a healthy thing when used wisely. I want to show all a healthy competition, but not with anyone else but yourself [as a man]. Movement and strength training is a golden opportunity for that. Challenge yourself, commit to something, develop discipline, and in the process create a physical and mental foundation that is sturdy so you can support the feminine and achieve all that you wish to in life in a body you love.”
Now, for the fun!
Below is a sampling of Coach Eli’s tips and suggestions for posture, movement, gaining strength, and philosophy in life. Enjoy
For more information, follow Coach Eli on Instagram or TikTok.
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This Post is republished on Medium.
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Photo credit: Coach Eli.
