The Blog

Pillars of I.M.P.A.C.T. (Part 1)

August 19, 2019
by Todd

In this inaugural episode of the Todd Durkin IMPACT Show, Todd shares with you the pillars of IMPACT. He will share how IMPACT came to be and the acronym he created surrounding it. In this two-part episode, Todd will provide insight into how you can live inspired every day by feeding your soul, holding onto your vision and fighting for what is important. He will share what master your craft means through stories from top performers he has worked within the industry like LaDainian Tomlinson (Hall of Fame Inductee) and Drew Brees (Super Bowl MVP), reminding you that anything in life is worth fighting for and with the right mindset, adversity will help pave your road to success. Todd will even share a special lesson from Drew on FAITH and what it truly means. Lastly, he will share what it looks like for you to play at world-class in your life. How getting your mind right will not be easy but if you do the work, your life will start to change and you can play at any level you dream of. Time for IMPACT!

More on the episode:

It is finally here!!! The first episode of the Todd Durkin IMPACT Show. So many of you were asking me for a podcast, and I am so excited to now share it with you. Part of my mission is to create IMPACT in others, and this podcast is one great way I can help you on a regular basis.

My purpose of the podcast is to truly help you GET YOUR MIND RIGHT! And yes, it will motivate & and inspire you in many areas of your life. My hope is that it will stoke your passion and deepen your purpose.

I often get the question of how did “IMPACT” get started? How did it come about? Well, it was March 2010 to be exact, and it was then that I really wanted to write a book. Back then, it was different you had to shop your book around to various publishers without the ability to self publish online. Thankfully, I landed a deal with Rodale and Men’s Health. But there was one catch as they wanted me to write the book in 10 weeks. Man, talk about a tight deadline.

After thinking about it and praying about it, my answer was yes. So I got to work. When you want something for so long, you find a way to get it done. Between running my gym in Scripps Ranch (San Diego), CA, Fitness Quest 10, and off-season training with my NFL guys, I would stay up late at night, get up early in the morning to get it done. I was able to write it in just over 10 weeks.

After it was done, I went to NYC in the middle of June to meet with the president of Rodale to do my cover shots, but it got interesting. When I walked into his office, there was a different title for my book other than our already agreed upon “IMPACT Body Plan.” I was confused as they told me they had a new title for the book and if I wanted it published, I had to go with the “new” title.

After a long meeting, I flew home with a big decision to make. Do I go forward and publish with the new title or do I hold steadfast to what I believe in? Well, I was willing to bet it all. I told the President if we are going to go forward, the book title would have to be “The IMPACT Body Plan.” Let me tell you that was one of the most heated discussions I have ever had. But in the end, the title remained. And that is where IMPACT started.

But you may ask what the point is? My point is sometimes you have a vision and you have to stand up for your VISION and BELIEF. You will face naysayers, doubters, those who put you down, and even corporate execs who have different views than you. But, if you genuinely believe in your vision, STAND UP FOR IT. Be willing to give up everything because you believe in something so much!

The book was just the beginning. IMPACT has significantly evolved and is now an acronym. Let me dive deeper into what it really means.

In today’s episode, you will learn what the first 3 letters of I.M.P.A.C.T. stand for. Without further ado, let’s dive in.

“I” stands for Live Inspired.

But, what does it really mean to live inspired? Inspired means “in-spirit.” The most important thing I can do through this show is to help you maximize your spirit and energy and light up your soul.

I want to share with you the inspiration I do daily in hopes of helping YOU improve your best-practices. My inspiration starts with my morning routine and starting my day doing a devotional, and getting into the Word. Then it’s a workout and healthy breakfast. Done by 6:30 am. Is it easy to carve out time on a daily basis? No, there are a ton of distractions out there and it’s not always easy getting up early. But, if you can spend time each day STARTING the right way, you will feel better, have more energy, and be more inspired. Coupled with listening to this podcast, I hope it lights you up!

Was there ever a time that I wasn’t inspired? Yes. It was right after graduate school. I was offered a full-time teaching position at a college. It was a high paying tenure position and a great start to a teaching/coaching career. I prayed about it and talked to mentors about it. After a lot of deliberation, I ended up turning the position down. I partly couldn’t believe the decision I was making myself. I didn’t have another job and I didn’t have a fallback plan. I decided to stay where I was at.

Sometimes you have to sacrifice great opportunities because it doesn’t fit with where you want to go. I was down for 6 months, not knowing where I was going or what I was going to do in my life. And while I knew in my gut I made the right decision, it was a time in my life when I was not on “fire.”

That deep introspective time was also a big factor in what lead me to ultimately open up my gym, Fitness Quest 10.

Please understand that there will be times when you are not inspired. Dig down deep, lean in on your faith, dial-up your best practices, surround yourself with positive people, spend time with mentors, and TRUST that it’s all going to work out.

Next up we have “M” which stands for Master Your Craft.

Being a trainer for over 20+ years and having the opportunity to work with some of the top athletes in the world for 17-years, I’ve had an inside look at what it takes to be GREAT. Some of these athletes include LaDainian Tomlinson (Hall of Famer), Drew Brees (Super Bowl MVP), Darren Sproles, Zach Ertz, Gerald McCoy, Mike Chandler (MMA), and countless other athletes. To be the best, it takes a mindset to “Master your craft.” Relentless work, grit, discipline, sacrifice, and focus to be their best.

Wherever you are today in your career or life, it takes a mindset of “master your craft.” Never quit, never-give-up, and keep striving to be the absolute best you can be.

Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints QB) has a great acronym I love on F.A.I.T.H. that relates to leadership and mastering your craft. It goes like this:

F. Fortitude. Be strong.
A. Attitude. You must have a positive attitude…
I. Integrity. Do what is right when no one else is watching.
T. Trust. Trust in your teammates, God, family, and trust in yourself.
H. Humility. When things are going great and your winning you are humble. And when you are down, you are humble knowing there will always be tomorrow. Be humble. Remain hungry.

Next up is “P” which stands for “Play at World Class.”

This is all about MINDSET. When I talk about “GET YOUR MIND RIGHT,” this is all about thinking and playing at world-class.

Whether you are at a high of highs or a low of lows in your life right now, it’s imperative you have your MINDRIGHT. I am asking you TODAY to make a commitment to yourself and declare that you will persevere and continue to fight. It’s all about MINDSET.

Today is the day you make sure you GET YOUR MIND RIGHT. If it’s not right, snap your IMPACT band, (if you don’t have one, GET one), get in a workout, listen to a podcast, watch an inspirational video, write out your vision and read it over and over again. Amp up your self-talk and stop beating yourself up and remind yourself of how STRONG you really are!

Lastly and perhaps most importantly, take some time to get in gratitude time. Write down what you are thankful (even for 3-minutes) and watch how your mindset starts to shift.

The time is NOW and let today be the first day of the rest of your life.

I’m so excited to share this journey with you!!