Today's guest, Jason Gabrieli (COO and co-founder of HFM), was mostly active growing up. But then, like what happens with most men, life got into the way: He was building a business, raising a family, and let his health and wellness slip by the wayside. One day, he "came to" when he got stuck on the ground, writhing in back pain and hip tightness, unable to get up from playing with his 4- and 2-year-old kids. He knew he needed to make a change, but wasn't sure what. He also noticed he picked up some unhealthy habits - like yelling at his kids or having a fuse that was too short. And since he came from a family with diabetes, he was starting to worry about his longevity. So, he decided to get some blood tests done … and discovered he was in "pre-diabetes" territory. Diabetes would be coming to him soon if he didn't make serious changes to his lifestyle. And he was only 37 years old at the time. That's when he decided to make one decision that changed the trajectory of his longevity, fitness, and life: On December 31, 2023, Jason (having beaten up his body from years of using improper technique in the gym) logged into his Man Flow Yoga account, sat down and used the "7 Why's" exercise to create his New Year's Resolution. Since then, he's dropped 58 pounds (and counting). He addressed every nagging injury and aching pain in his body one by one. He learned how to better control his breath and lower his stress. And, he's been a happier, healthier, and more present husband and father ever since. Jason's story shows you what's possible when you pick a system and stick with it… he shares tips for motivating yourself when doing something healthy is the LAST thing you want to do… and he demonstrates that a scary blood test result does NOT mean that you're destined to suffer the consequences of living a poor lifestyle. Here's what Jason and I discuss: How to see the silver lining after getting a scary blood test result Why adjusting your routine (like going from being a night owl to an early riser) can be THE thing that starts the snowball effect to better health How spending one dedicated evening going through the "7 Why's" exercise can change the trajectory of your fitness journey, your relationships, and your life Other highlights include: How Jason finally stopped fluctuating up and down with his weight and instead lost weight and kept it off for good (5:00) Why Jason discovering that he was pre-diabetic, at only 37 years old, scared him enough to take his longevity seriously (9:32) The slow and subtle way using bad technique in the gym haunts your body for years and even decades afterwards (10:50) How to realize if your natural instinct to be a night owl is actually serving you (or, if like Jason, it's actually making you exhausted, irritable, and burnt out) (12:18) Why making intentional trade-offs can save you from the life of despair that comes naturally equipped to "making it work" (15:59) The "7 Why's" method that Jason used on New Year's 2024 that forever changed his routine, his relationship with his family, and his expected lifespan (16:49) Why stretching your back is the WORST way to eliminate low back pain (do this instead) (24:02) How turning your chores into "transition activities" make them more fun, eliminate more stress, and allow you to be more present (32:58) How Jason has consistently been under 220 lbs for the first time in 15 years (42:45) Guest Bio: At HFM, as Chief Operating Officer and firm co-founder, Jason Gabrieli is the integrator in the truest sense of the word. He takes all the moving parts, lines them up, and builds the systems and processes that turn good intentions into real outcomes for the firm and for the business owners he serves every day. Jason leads the design and execution of HFM's service models, ensuring every client gets what they need. Whether it's a young family trying to figure out their first steps or a contractor running a $10M dollar shop, everyone gets clear guidance, straight advice, and a plan that actually pushes their balance sheet forward. For the last decade he has been building the operational backbone at HFM while getting deep into the world of entrepreneurs who live and breathe their businesses. That work is really what sparked BuiltWealth™. And Jason is not just behind the curtain. He's in the meetings. He's asking the frank, exploratory, and sometimes weird, questions. He's helping owners sort through the real-world stuff. What is my business worth right now? How do I structure this deal? Am I paying more in taxes than I should? Where should liquidity come from? How do I get my retirement plan to work for me and for my team? He likes helping people avoid the expensive mistakes that can sneak up on busy owners. It's all about giving them a scorecard and helping them make wise financial decisions. When he's not building companies or talking strategy with clients, he's usually with his wife, Carolyn, and their very energetic crew of little kids. Most likely at the shore, riding in a boat, or trying to sneak in a cigar with friends. Resources mentioned in this episode: 1. Check out Jason's podcast, Entrepreneur's Journey: On Apple Podcasts here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/entrepreneurs-journey/id1588119763 (or anywhere else you listen to podcasts) 2. Check out Jason's business, HFM Investment Advisors: If you're a business owner doing $10M+ and would like to manage your wealth better, Jason and his team have you covered here: https://hfmadvisors.com/ 3. Man Flow Yoga Events: While Joe started his wellness journey before attending the LA Wellness Weekend, he emphasizes it was a key part to his continual weight loss. If you want to experience what caused Joe to lose an additional 30 pounds, find the full list of cities we're coming to and secure your ticket to a MFY in-person event here: https://manflowyoga.com/man-flow-yoga-events/ 4. Man Flow Yoga: Joe also credits his yoga practice to being paramount to his 55 lb. weight loss journey. If you want to follow in Joe's footsteps, start your 7-day free trial here: https://shrtlnk.co/kP8M7
