THE BELLWETHER FEATURES
We just have to be aware and try to keep them in check as much as we can because we know what happens when it gets out-of- control.
match that he spiked the volleyball and broke it on the floor. So, he had the strongman mystique around him. His biceps were huge and his calves were huge. Sure enough, he takes his five and three year olds every weekend to the “Y” [YMCA]. Even though we spent most of the time in the pool, he would work out hour after hour with his friends, Joe and Ben, who were also from Montreal and ended up starting the billion dollar empire, you know of Weider supplements, weight sets and Mr. Olympia contests, everything. They basically owned the sport of bodybuilding and they still do, for the last 40 to 50 years. Maybe even more, 60 years. So, it was in my realm, fitness. We ate well, we took our vitamins, ever since I was still watching Popeye. It was a healthy lifestyle and I was used to that. As a typical dreamer, I wasn’t really paying attention to the teachers at school that weren’t teaching me anything exciting to complement and challenge my imagination. So I ran away from home, quit school and started my first adventures of life and haven't looked back since. Michael: So, you knew you didn’t like school and your dad was in the health and fitness industry. Is that what led you into becoming an entrepreneur in the industry itself or what did that look like? an entrepreneur. He actually wasn't in the health business. In his business he bought and sold big machines, big drills and stuff like, Eric: Well, dad was
that just follows their ego and doesn't listen to instinct. Of course you can’t have a super ego at the same time you’re listening to your ego. If it’s a balanced ego you can listen but when it is running the show, you can’t hear yourself, you can’t hear the spirit inside yourself which is the source.
Michael: I agree with that, it is something I work on every day.
Eric: Everyone does. You know, on the other hand, I have had to put away my ego and I don’t agree with that either. I agree with a healthy balanced ego, knowing when you’re pushing it. For me, when I’m feeling all pumped up, my ego is pumped up, I can accomplish more and I take more chances and I take more calculated risks. When my ego gets put down, by self chatter or negative experience or things that just didn’t go the way I wanted them to, if my ego gets suppressed, I am not as effective or powerful as when my ego is up and thriving. So, when people say “put away your ego”, “tame down your ego”, I don’t agree with that at all. I agree with awareness of where you’re at at the moment in time and space and adjust if you need. Like I said, if your ego is not strong enough you’re not gonna be an effective leader. You’re not gonna make that decision that needs to be made in a timely manner and acute level. When your ego is down you wait, you hesitate, you lose your confidence, you make weak decisions, your team sees your weakness, the world sees your weakness. All of a sudden it’s become a weak group, all because you, the leader.
Michael: Why don’t we go back?
Let’s start a long time ago and tell me about your youth and upbringing, where this journey through life began? Eric: Well, I was born in Montreal, Canada and my father was a professional athlete. He was on the Canadian water polo team and volleyball team at the same time. He was also a bodybuilder. Dad used to do strength and do the hot water
On the same note, no one wants to work for an ego based person
bottle thing and blow that up. It was said during a
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