STARTER GUIDE TO

SUPERLIFE LIVING

DA R I N O L I E N ’ S

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tmLOVE HOW YOU LIVE

DARIN OLIEN’S STARTER GUIDE TO SUPERLIFE LIVING

BY DARIN OLIEN

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tmLOVE HOW YOU LIVE

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CREATE THE

SUPERLIFE YOU WANT!

Are you choosing to live the best life possible — a SuperLife? SuperLife is more than a brand; it is a choice to live the best life possible. Life, in itself, is opportunity — to experience all of the extraordinary, phenomenal moments and triumph over challenge and struggle. Life is not pain and suffering; pain and suffering are just a part of life. While all things may not be under our control, we have a tremendous influence over how we reflect, respond, and progress. In fact, taking responsibility for how we live can not only make us more resilient in the face of our biggest obstacles, but can begin to steer us away from them altogether.

Big changes start with small choices. Our lives are comprised of a series of mere moments, menial choices that become big choices with life-changing outcomes when compounded over each passing day and year. When you eat well, exercise, drink quality water, and show kindness towards yourself and others, there is a higher likelihood you will be protected from chronic disease and live a longer, stronger, fuller life — a SuperLife. No one chooses illness, depression, or exhaustion — yet, we can choose how to treat our bodies on a daily basis and each of these choices compound on one another to add to our health or erode it away.

When focusing solely on what we can’t control, it is easy to lose sight of the small habits that create the space for us to get around seemingly unbeatable restrictions. Action is the only way forward — showing up, setting intentions, daring to dream and persevering despite what life demands you endure. Do you have a fire — a passion — for a happy life and for what truly makes you happy? So many of us get distracted by life’s busy pace and tedious details. Our days are filled with things we don’t actually enjoy — a job we dislike, a personality or a relationship that oppresses us. It is true that sometimes paying bills or doing what is best for our families can be unpleasant and overwhelming.

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Can you see a moment of darkness for what it is — a moment? It is the separation between these aspects of life that breeds the sickness. Just because something bad, tragic, or challenging happens, does not mean there is anything “wrong.” When viewing these difficult experiences through a higher level of consciousness, we are often able to receive valuable feedback. Some of the best opportunities, our most creative inventions, may arise from what is “communicated” to us during a period of struggle. For example, I did not want my father to die, obviously; but he did die of alcoholism, before accomplishing many of the things he hoped to achieve in his life.

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George O’Neil

After allowing myself the time to grieve, I found a positive way to honor his legacy. I worked at rehab centers for several years and started making healthy products for people, which has brought a whole new sense of purpose and satisfaction to my life.

Resolve to see any present problems as stepping stones for the future and continue to cultivate your dreams. Everyone is different and only you know if you are being honest about whether your life is moving in the direction you want it to go. If you aren’t already living it, launch your SuperLife right now, today, by incorporating the following attitudes and actions into your life. They are 12 key observations I have compiled from studying the people I see living their fullest, happiest expressions of a SuperLife.

WHEN WE HAVE BEGUN TO

TAKE CHARGE OF OUR LIVES,

TO OWN OURSELVES, THERE IS NO LONGER ANY NEED TO ASK

PERMISSION OF SOMEONE.

TAKERESPONSIBILITYFOR YOUR LIFE.

No. 1

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This is probably the most important aspect to having greatness, abundance, gratitude and a fulfilling life; take 100% responsibility. Studies reveal people who live by this philosophy experience more joy and a greater sense of “control” over their lives. There is a genuine feeling of freedom when each choice that is made is yours and yours alone. No other person on the planet knows what is best for you — so you have to start trusting that you have the answers and the ability to make even the toughest decisions when it comes to you and your direction in life. Choice is a part of every event we experience; even when we don’t choose the event, we choose our reaction and response. This often determines how quickly we can heal, grow from and gain awareness from occurrences that we didn’t necessary desire or plan for ourselves.

TAKE ACTIONON WHATINSPIRES YOUAND WHAT YOUWANT TO CREATE.

No. 2

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FREEDOM IS THE WILL TO

Friedrich Nietzsche

BE RESPONSIBLE TOOURSELVES.

What about the event itself though — even if we respond positively — did we choose for things to go wrong in the first place? Many times the answer is “No.” But this takes a narrow view on the big picture. For example, you are stopped at a stop sign and someone runs into you. You were not doing anything, but is it 100% the other person’s fault? Well, yes, the law may attribute the entire fault to the other party; however, you did choose to be in that space at the time you got hit; you were there, not anyone else. You chose to take that route. On some level you were a part of that event, a part of choosing that situation. Not that you “choose” the incident itself, but you then have the opportunity to let it derail you, to let go, to surrender, forgive, or whatever. Do you follow me?

Most people pour their energy into blaming the other person rather than accepting that a series of choices, big or small, may have placed them somewhere in their lives, for better or worse. Moreover, they miss the powerful fact that a series of choices will move them beyond that place and that moment. The voice of victimhood can beat within your head like a drum, drowning out that other voice that will you guide to rise up, to keep going, to want more, and to get more out of life. Eliminating blame as a crutch will force you to seek refuge in your effort, your will, and ultimately in your achievement.

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Start observing the way you communicate. Are you putting others down? Are you blaming others if things don’t go your way? Do you have a list of excuses for the goals or tasks you were “supposed” to do? Are you getting defensive when someone provides feedback to you? STOP. These are ways you may be limiting yourself. Think about it; are you working with or against your own interest? This is not to suggest that your feelings are invalid. It is important to pause and sit with these feelings that are preventing you from making progress in your life.

If you skip this conscious analysis, the source of whatever is holding you back is likely to reappear the next time you vow to do or accomplish something new. “Letting go” of a counterproductive emotion cannot be forced; it is something that happens entirely naturally when you go “into” the feeling willingly and are open to finding your truth. Sitting with and contemplating the anger, resentment, sadness, jealousy, etc., will help take away its power over you and lift the burden that comes with carrying a “bad” feeling around. These are just words – but when put into action, the sense of freedom in this one step alone is as deep and wide as the ocean itself.

Once you take responsibility then you can take true ACTION.

DECONSTRUCT EACH FEELING.

FIGURE OUT WHERE THEY CAME FROM.

DON’T SIMPLY TURN AWAY, IGNORE THEM, AND PUSH ON.

ACTION SPRINGS NOT FROM THOUGHT, BUT FROM A READINESS FOR RESPONSIBILITY.

Dietrich Bonhoe�er

Guess what? Action is your willingness to live in service of what you want. That is faith. You want something to show up in your life — you may pray about it, meditate on it, or set a goal, but the salvation tends only to come in conjunction with willingness to act for its manifestation. Prayer meets you at the point of action. Do you want to get in shape? Lose weight? Eat better? Feel better? Maybe even look better? It doesn’t just happen. You have to act and move towards it. If you want to look better and feel better, but you eat terribly and consistently stay out late at night, then your prayer can’t be heard because you are not participating in the prayer. Instead, you can match the prayer or desire by eating a better lunch, drinking more water, or squeezing in a workout — and then enjoying the results! Move your desire from your mind into your life. The power of your body and the power of your mind are more than doubled when they are operating in unison, and in service of your goals. Attempting to achieve without both an active mind and an active body will not have the force to get you where you want to go.

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EAT WHOLE, ORGANIC, WILD, CLEAN FOODS.

No. 3

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Everyone knows this, but it is surprising how many people don’t take action (just like we discussed above in No. 2). Do you know that most of the food in your local grocery store is not healthy? What looks like food and appears to be food may hardly be food anymore. Stay away from most of the products found in the aisles and buy the majority of your food from the produce sections. Make plants your main dishes and keep all that other stuff to a minimum.

FRESHLY PICKED, WHOLE, NATURE-CREATED PRODUCTS CAN AND SHOULD BE YOUR MAIN SOURCE OF FOOD.

IF YOU CAN GROW IT YOURSELF, THEN DO IT.

IF YOU CAN GET IT FROM A LOCAL FARMERS MARKET, THEN DO THAT.

IF NEITHER OPTION IS AVAILABLE, BUY ORGANIC AT YOUR GROCERY STORE AND KEEP NUTRITION DENSITYIN MIND.

SHOP THE PERIMETER OF THE GROCERY STORE. THIS IS WHERE YOU FREQUENTLY WILL FIND THE “WHOLE FOODS” WITH THE MOST NUTRIENT VALUE.

A GOOD START IS TO HAVE A HUGE SALAD EVERYDAY FOR AT LEAST ONE MEAL.

FOR MORE ABOUT NUTRITION AND HEALTH YOU CAN ORDER MY BOOK, SUPERLIFE: THE FIVE FORCES THAT WILL MAKE YOU HEALTHY, FIT AND ETERNALLY AWESOME! (PUBLICATION IN FEBRUARY 2015; PREORDER ON AMAZON.COM).

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Don’t buy into the lie that you can’t afford ‘healthy’ food; you can’t afford not to! You will pay that debt eventually in frequent visits to the doctor, medications, etc. An organic piece of fruit has more nutrient capacity then a “happy meal” at McDonalds, without the negative consequences of processed food. Don’t assume you need “volume” over nutrient volume. Most people think they are getting a deal if they can pay two dollars for chicken nuggets rather than a kale salad. Pound for pound you may get “more” of the nuggets than the kale, but you lose in the long run because the body can’t “use” the nuggets and would sooner have chosen and been more satisfied with the kale salad for the same price. Don’t get manipulated into choosing with poor-quality “volume” foods over high-quality nutrient-fulfilling foods. You will feel better in every way by choosing the latter, I promise.

MAKE PLANTS YOUR MAIN DISHES AND KEEP ALL

THAT OTHER STUFF TO A MINIMUM.

HAVE A TRIBE OFFAMILY

AND FRIENDS.

No. 4

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Friendships are vital for well-being, but they take time to develop and cannot be artificially created. I tend to agree with Aristotle’s philosophy that friendship can only arise indirectly, like happiness (Aristotle, “Nicomachean Ethics”). True friendship comes with living what the philosopher called “a good life,” which includes strong personal values like honesty, character, and passion. Our contemporary culture, for all its benefits, tends to value superficial traits and material things, rather than qualities that indicate strength, rationality, or ethics.

“IN POVERTY AND IN OTHER MISFORTUNES . . . FRIENDS ARE THE ONLY REFUGE. IT HELPS THE YOUNG . . . TO KEEP FROM ERROR; IT AIDS OLDER

PEOPLE BY MINISTERING TO THEIR NEEDS AND SUPPLEMENTING THE ACTIVITIES THAT ARE FAILING FROM WEAKNESS; THOSE IN THE PRIME OF LIFE 

IT STIMULATES TO NOBLE ACTIONS—'TWO GOING TOGETHER'—FOR WITH FRIENDS MEN ARE MORE ABLE BOTH TO THINK AND TO ACT.”

Aristotle, “Nicomanchean Ethics,” Book VIII, Chapter 1

Have you heard the saying, “Surround yourself with like-minded people?” This refers to people who accept you and share your interests. These are not your strictly “party friends” or “drinking buddies.” They are the people in your life who inspire you to tap into your greatness and grow as a person. To the same effect, don't hang out with people who are negative influences or those who just don't get you. You already know who fits into this category.

In these situations, it is likely that the friendship is not healthy for either of you and it is okay, or even necessary, to let go.

Social connections are foundational to having a healthy life. Bonding is a primal, preconscious part of our being, just as it is for packs of wolves or flocks of geese. A newborn child will die without human touch (1). Adults will also suffer without healthy, daily community interaction with friends, peers, and/or colleagues.

HAVE A TRIBE OFFAMILY

AND FRIENDS.

MAKE YOUR HOMEYOUR SANCTUARY.

No. 5

It is extremely important that your home is peaceful and nurturing. Relationships with your spouse, kids and other family obviously play a significant roll here (see No. 6 below, “Honest Relationships”). Cleanliness in your home is also very important because disarray at home is a burden you will take with you wherever you go. I always make sure that my home is clean and organized before leaving for a trip, so I can be comfortable and stress-free when I get back. Everyone in the family should contribute to keeping the home clean and organized. It is everyone’s responsibility to maintain a clean and organized home, or else resentments and tensions quickly arise. Similarly important, each person in the household can benefit and feel empowered by taking personal responsibility for their own footprint in or outside of the home. If you are uneasy, stressed, or angry you will probably find that these feelings are evident from the state of your house or apartment. The home is our personal, private space — which is why it is so often a reflection of our personal and private thoughts. Depression, for example, is often followed by a lack of care or maintenance for one’s home (and one’s health). Alternatively, a clean space can lift a burden (and your spirits) proactively. Clean your room, the closet, and the garage. Unload your excess baggage; throw away clutter that is not needed. Your home is not just a place where you can change your state of mind, but also a place where you can take a stand for your biological health. Eliminate toxic smells, products, and carpet. Be aware that carpet is a notorious habitat for micro molds, mites, and other critters. These particles can lead to allergic reactions or systemic conditions, as well as immune system overload.

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HAVE HONEST RELATIONSHIPS.

No. 6

Ever heard of being radically honest? The term came from a very upfront, in-your-face book called Radical Honesty by Brad Blanton, PhD. The book is confrontational, if not controversial; however, the message can be quite powerful for those that are able to get past the author’s strong language and point of view. The idea behind radical honesty is to confront how we do not really tell the truth, especially to those closest to us. The willingness to create safe, clear, honest communication with partners, spouses, and friends is key to having more close and substantive relationships. Unsaid, unshared truths become toxic to you — and also quite stressful. Sharing your truth may be uncomfortable for both you and the recipient; however, it gives you both the opportunity to free your mind, shift your heart, and forgive one another.

A FRIEND IS A PERSON WITH WHOM I

MAY BE SINCERE.Ralph Emerson

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LIVE ABUNDANTLY AND KNOW THE WORLD SUPPORTS YOU.

No. 7

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Live like you are supported. Things happen; life can be challenging, but know there is always an opportunity to respond differently. Believing that you cannot live well or that you have been a victim of “bad luck” will only detract you from taking the action necessary to change your situation.

THE UNIVERSE SUPPORTS US WHEN WE ARE WILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE WHERE WE ARE IN THIS MOMENT

AND TREAT CHALLENGE AS JUST THAT — A CHALLENGE —

RATHER THAN RELYING ON LUCK TO DETERMINE OUR LIVES.

Let’s consider an example. Have you ever left your house with the intention of taking a short walk, perhaps just around the block? When you reached the end of the block, did you decide to keep going? Maybe you expected to stay at the gym for 20 minutes, but once you got heated up you decided to stay for an hour. After all, you were already there — right?

Small changes have a way of generating big rewards. Abundance comes from taking that first step. This is true for so many aspects of life. If you initiate the change, the universe will keep it going. Starting with a few small changes to your diet or lifestyle will often make it seem easier to bring that energy to all areas of your life, including your family — life, friendships, and your relationship with yourself. Of course, a better life won’t come instantaneously and there may be obstacles along your path to change. Have you ever heard of the expression, “If it was easy it wouldn’t be worth doing?” Why do you think that is? It is because the investment or effort that goes into an action is what determines the value or worth in the result. With greater effort will come even greater reward. Both hard work and trusting that you are capable are essential to living positively, powerfully, and abundantly!

BE CURIOUS. ASK QUESTIONS.

No. 8

Curiosity and the willingness to ask questions is such a gift. When we stop asking questions, learning, and progressing, our spirit dwindles. Be willing to invent, try new things, ask for help, pick up a book, or investigate the unknown. Just as it did when we were children, learning something new reminds us of how incredible our world really is. Learning also activates and stimulates the muscle of the brain, creating new neuro pathways and exciting our hormones, dopamine and serotonin. For example learning a foreign language actually increases the size of the brain (2). Satisfy your curiosity and your health, brain, and memory will absolutely benefit!

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BE WILLING TO CHANGE.

No. 9

This is one of the single greatest “secrets” to having a fun, fresh, adventurous life. All human beings have an inherent desire for control and predictability. This can be a wonderful thing; however, if taken too far, we can go from being disciplined to being rigid. The body favors some fluidity; in fact, we are mostly water! For example, chasing the same results by doing the same workout routine again and again doesn’t work. The reason you saw results in the first place was likely because your body changed to meet the challenge when the routine was new and different.

The same goes for eating the same five meals over and over. The desire to act out of habit can throw our bodies out of balance by overdeveloping certain muscles, while leaving others underdeveloped. Similarly, we may have a surplus of certain nutrients, but remain detrimentally deficient of others. Do you know why they call heart disease, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, etc., chronic diseases? This is because these diseases present themselves after many years of consuming nutritionally deficient foods. There is no magic pill, no miracle multi-vitamin that can prevent the body from breaking down. No single dose can counteract the daily havoc poor food-quality is wreaking on your body. You must be willing to change holistically and practice good habits in a way that is dynamic when necessary or disciplined when need be. Remember, if you are not progressing you are regressing. There is nothing static in the whole universe; once something becomes static, including us, it begins to deteriorate.

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MOVE YOURBODY.

No. 10

Seriously. Quit beating yourself up for not doing it for the past month or year or 10 years. Just stop, forgive yourself and move. Go right now for a walk, a bike ride, a run — hell, drop to the floor and do a few sit-ups and a pushup, anything to honor this amazing body you have been given. Find things you can do everyday that move your body in multiple planes of movement (think bending, twisting, squatting, lifting, and moving your body in the full range of motion it was meant to move).

Beachbody has many great programs you can do in your home or anywhere such as P90X, T25, 21-Day Fix, PiYo, etc. You can also find a group of friends to train with and have fun! Tap into the power of No. 4 — a tribe of friends to push you, support you, and hold you accountable to move.

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JUST STOP, FORGIVE YOURSELF

AND MOVE.

INCLUDESUPERFOODSIN YOUR DIET.

No. 11

Superfoods are nutrient-dense foods that have more nutrient contribution gram for gram than your average plants, and as a superfood hunter, I can tell you that these foods are vital for optimum health. Superfoods contain phytonutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, and other active medicinal attributes — all perfectly designed by nature. These components allow your body to thrive, heal, and perform its best.

Note the axiom, “Pay the farmer or pay the doctor.” This isn’t marketing hype — our food has become less wild, diverse, and nutrient dense than ever and superfoods are what help us make up the difference and then some! Sustained, nutrient-rich eating will help your body perform more efficiently long term and avoid the steep decline people associate with age. For the best quality superfoods, find the companies that test their ingredients thoroughly and care about the farmers and planet. You may have to pay more for these more exotic foods, but consider it a down payment for your health now and in the future. There are so many options, companies, and products available now to help you add some of these medicinal power plants into your diet. Just be sure you do your homework about the ingredients and the companies you ultimately choose. At SuperLife, we are constantly evaluating products and ingredients, and the only products we ever list on www.SuperLife.com have been carefully vetted. Anyone can throw ingredients together, but very few companies test and verify all aspects of the supply chain, from field and farmer to the final packaging; and believe me, I have seen it all! The product I created, Shakeology, is one possible powerful, effective, and convenient way to get more than 50 well-tested, clean superfoods in one simple shake.

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LEARN TOCHILL OUT!

No. 12

Do we ever really rest in this society anymore? We get up, get the kids ready, go to work, work all day, come home, have dinner, work some more, and collapse in bed. But when do we stop to chill out? So you get your two weeks of vacation time every year. Sorry to say, but that doesn’t apply (and that’s talking to those of you who actually take it). I’m specifically talking about daily relaxation, meditation, reflection and just plain stopping doing.

This is not necessarily watching TV or a movie. This is quiet rest, maybe reading or napping. Maybe you can meditate, take a bath, sauna, or do something that is restorative in nature, daily. Watching TV or taking the kids to a soccer game is not restoring you. I understand that life happens; stuff is constantly happening and you want/are expected to be a part of it. Yet, if you are depleted and chronically stressed it is likely that your presence will be of no good to anyone.

Despite forcing yourself to do things that are supposed to be fun, do you find yourself unable to relax and enjoy? You might wake up one day and realize a year (or more) has passed, and you can’t even remember any of the things you pushed yourself to do because you were not present, awake, or alive in yourself at the time. Promise daily time for yourself, even if it is two deep, diaphragmatic breaths or 10 minutes of meditation before your kids tear the house apart in the morning. Try it! See how far a little “you” time will go towards your overall restfulness and happiness.

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YOU DESERVE A SUPERLIFE.

These are the 12 main principles for creating and living a SuperLife. The concepts are easy to grasp, but putting them into action is what’s important. You may have to focus on discipline in the beginning, while creating new habits. And don’t worry if you slip up now and then. Stay with it moment by moment and continue on your unique path. Before long these habits will be the foundation of your greatness and your great, SuperLife. You can do it! And I am here along the way to offer you the insight I’ve gathered during my own personal journey and travels around the world at www.SuperLife.com. Go after your dreams by taking a step in the right direction each and every day. Remember small choices become big choices with big outcomes when compounded over time. Start today and you will have that extra “something” that you want or just maybe, you will have an even greater “something” than you could ever have imagined! Go for it!

MAKE THE BEST USE OF WHAT IS IN YOUR POWER,

AND TAKE THE REST AS IT HAPPENS.

Epictetus

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SOURCES

1.New York Times

2. Science Daily

Copyright 2014 SuperLife

Dfacebook.com/SuperLifeLiving

DARIN OLIEN’S STARTER GUIDE TO SUPERLIFE LIVING

BY DARIN OLIEN