Bruce Hitchcock is a remarkable person who turned his life around after struggling with addiction and building mental fortitude with a program by Wes Watson that transformed everything for him. Bruce focused on nutrition and training, which completely changed his mindset. Now, he wants to inspire others to make meaningful changes in their lives. Bruce is passionate about fitness and believes that discipline starts with taking care of yourself first. He follows a strict workout routine and eats healthy to stay fit, build muscles, and get shredded. Through his company, Fortitude Fitness, he shares his journey and provides guidance on fitness and nutrition. Bruce's commitment to his own well-being has made him a leader, not just in the fitness world but also in his personal life and marriage. He has overcome his vices and become a powerful and positive influence. Bruce's story is truly inspiring, and he is excited to share it on the Mindfulness Mode podcast to motivate and uplift others. Listen & Subscribe on: iTunes / Stitcher / Podbean / Overcast / Spotify Contact Info Company: Fortitude Fit Instagram: @Fortitude.Fitt Most Influential Person Zach – Zakk Wylde, lead guitar player with Ozzy Osborne Effect on Emotions Before practicing mindfulness, Bruce Hitchcock used to be an emotional wreck, constantly fluctuating between different emotions. Bruce's challenges were primarily due to his previous drug usage. However, his approach toward emotions has undergone a transformation since then. Consequently, Bruce now embraces whatever emotion he feels, understanding that it's not beneficial to push them away. To Bruce, true strength lies in being able to control one's temper, while also allowing oneself to cry and fully experience the emotions when necessary. Bruce has come to realize that hiding or suppressing emotions only leads to future problems. This valuable lesson was learned through personal hardships. Thoughts on Breathing When asked about breathing and its relation to mindfulness, Bruce Hitchcock expressed his thoughts on the matter. He mentioned that he recently came across a powerful breathing technique, recognizing the significant impact it can have. Although he couldn't recall the exact pattern of breath, he emphasized the importance of taking deep breaths for about 30 seconds. According to Bruce, this kind of deep breathing can not only change one's mood but also alter their frequency. While Bruce personally enjoys staying active through workouts to achieve heavy breathing, he has also been making an effort to incorporate breathwork into his routine. Overall, Bruce acknowledged the benefits of breathwork and found it to be a positive addition. Suggested Resources Book: Marcus Aurelius – Meditations: Adapted for the Contemporary Reader App: n/a Bullying Story Bruce Hitchcock shared his perspective on bullying when asked about it. He expressed his strong dislike for bullies and mentioned that he has always been against people who pick on those who are weaker. He believes that bullies engage in such behavior for their own reasons, perhaps to make themselves feel better, although he isn't entirely sure of their motivations. Bruce emphasized that everyone has their own story and struggles, and that should be taken into consideration. While he personally did not have a significant experience with being bullied, he acknowledged that there may have been times when someone did something, but it didn't affect him greatly. He did mention engaging in playful teasing and physical activities like wrestling and lacrosse with his peers, but it was never in a way that felt like being bullied. Building Mental Fortitude Advice If anybody's out there struggling, don't keep putting it off. Do what you need to do today. Go get help if you're in that bad of a place. Go get help today. Start changing your life today. If you don't need help with vices and you just need to kind of tighten your life up and start living a fresh life