Economic Upturn and the End of a Trend

It's tough to watch the news these days and feel like there's anything you can do but grab a donut and wait for someone to hand over your share of a bail out package.

U.S. jobless claims have surged to 26-year high. And factory orders plummeted in December. The Labor Department said first-time claims for state unemployment insurance benefits rose to 626,000 in the week ended January 31, the highest since October 1982.

Almost 2.6 million jobs were lost last year, the most since 1945. The unemployment rate jumped to 7.2 percent in December, the highest in 16 years, and is expected to keep climbing. A new survey by the National Association for Business Economics depicts the worst business conditions in the U.S. since the report's inception in 1982.

The layoffs continue: Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, and Sprint Nextel, the country's third-largest wireless provider, said they each will slash 8,000 jobs. Home Depot will get rid of 7,000 jobs. GM will cut 2,000 jobs at plants in Michigan and Ohio due to slow sales. Caterpillar announced 5,000 new layoffs. Microsoft will slash up to 5,000 jobs over the next 18 months - it's first layoffs, ever. Intel will cut up to 6,000 manufacturing jobs while Goldman Sachs notified 3,200 employees that they have been laid off. Bank of America has plans for cutting 30,000 jobs across the globe in 3 years.

That's what you hear about on the news, but it's not the whole story. There is another story, one of hope, achievment, and enthusiasm. That story is being written by thousands of Beachbody coaches growing in number and momentum. They are the cavalry. They refuse to sit back and "take it". Instead, while the global economy has been unraveling, Beachbody...

> Recruited over 10,000 Coaches, as independent business owners

> Paid over $15 million in Coach commissions

> Increased staff by 66%, hiring over 100 people in 2008 to support the growth of the network business.

> Co-published Kathy Smith's Project: You For Type 2 with the American Diabetes Association in a combined mission to improve ADA fundraising to find a cure for the disease, help prevent diabetes and to improve the lives of people affected by diabetes.

> Donated thousands of dollars for the care and feeding of orphans in Africa and the US.

> Developed multiple ground-breaking new products for release in 2009, including the "healthiest meal of the day", Shakeology.

> Celebrated the physical transformation of literally thousands of customers and coaches who sent in their photos and videos to show that our programs really work, and a healthy approach to diet and fitness is the best approach.

And we're just getting started.

We derive no pleasure from the state of the economy or the state of health and obesity in the US. Instead we are resolved to meet these challenges with creativity, enthusiasm, and relentless leadership. We are a committed to being the force behind the economic upturn and the end of the obesity trend by empowering the individual with the tools and support to succeed.

As we approach the Dream Extreme Summit in March, coaches like our founders continue to hold their own recruiting events to build momentum, and new coaches are working to recruit leaders to help us get the word out about Beachbody. All will be rewarded well for motivating people to get healthy and fit.


Beachbody and its coaches are on a roll, and this snowball is just getting started on a long steep slope toward enormous success. Get on board, and be a part of something exceptionally special, a true economic upturn and the end of a trend.

Unstoppable

REVOLUTION: Create Your New World!



The Encarta World English Dictionary describes the word “Revolution” as a major change, a dramatic change in ideas or practice, a complete turn-around.



We were all exposed to theories of revolutionary process by the time we entered grade school. We were taught that the American Revolutionary War was fought between 1775 and 1783 by colonists of the thirteen united former British colonies, against the Kingdom of Great Britain. The common goal of the colonists and their allies was to overthrow British rule and establish self-governance. Later, 1776 marked the creation of a new world nation. And it is because of our ancestor’s tenacious determination and focus that we enjoy life, liberty and pursue happiness today.



This great nation was built on a foundation of beliefs that no matter who your parents are, where you went to school, what race you are, your gender, height or weight, none of it matters because the tenets of free enterprise reward those who work harder and smarter. Conversely, just as free enterprise presents us all the opportunity to succeed, it also imparts the possibility of failure.



All around us, every day, evidence of success oozes from tiny crevices of modern society. However, success for most people is not an overnight realization. Even though we may read about jackpot winners, true long-term successes are created with the same tenacious determination and endurance as applied by our forefathers.



Here are a few of our nation’s contemporary success stories, which hopefully may cause you to ponder the notion of success. In his first 20 times at bat Willie Mays failed to get a hit. In their first year of majors, Ty Cobb hit .240, and Reggie Jackson hit .178. Dr. Suess was “declined” by 23 publishers before the 24th said yes. King Gillette invented the safety razor in 1903, but only sold 51 razors and 168 blades the first year. The first year of manufacturing Coca-Cola sold only 400 bottles of Coke. Paul Gavin’s battery business failed, he borrowed $750 went into business a third time and he called his new company Motorola.



I’m sure you get the point. We live in a tough and unpredictable world, and not everyone perceives situations and opportunities in the same manner as you. But if you’ve got a good idea and are willing to apply focused determination, just as our forefathers summoned the troops for their historic revolution, you can create your “Revolution” , achieve success, and then be privileged to observe the world as it benefits from your remarkable accomplishments.

You Gotta Dream Extreme

It's time to lock in your plans for the 2nd annual Beachbody Coach Summit, titled "DREAM EXTREME" at Universal Studios in Hollywood March 14th!

It's going to be a great event to help our coach network maximize the momentum as we've crossed over the 16,000 coach mark! We’ve already added over 10,000 coaches since last year’s Summit.

We're calling the event "Dream Extreme" because the secret to achieving great things is to have dreams that are worth pursuing, dreams that are so big that you refuse to let anything get in your way. That's the way I feel about building the largest network of health and fitness peer support in the world! Nothing will stop us!

We’ve already seen more people transform their bodies than we could have imagined with our extreme programs like P90X® and ChaLEAN Extreme®. At this year’s Summit we’re launching the breakthrough meal replacement, Shakeology® (I LOVE IT!), giving personal tours of the new Beachbody headquarters, holding the biggest group workout in Beachbody history with seven all-star trainers, giving sneak peeks at some unbelievable new workouts, unveiling our exciting 2009 promotion plans, and doing some powerful business training.

Plus, we have one of the most dynamic speakers I’ve ever met and one of the motivational inspirations I turn to whenever I need a jump start to stay on track; Mr. Les Brown. And Saturday night we’re crowning the Million Dollar Body grand prize winners, giving away $800,000 in one hour!

If you're a coach, this event is the slingshot that makes the rest of the year happen. And if you're not a coach, now is the time to get signed up! Click here to become a coach, then sign up to join me at the Dream Extreme Summit in Los Angeles!

Why Network Marketing?

I love creating things, building something that will be productive and solve a problem. I also like building income over the long term. Creativity, contribution, and constant steady year-over-year growth... that's how I approach what I do.

Beachbody exceeded $300 million in sales last year, largely due to the success of infomercials like Turbo Jam, P90X, Ten Minute Trainer, Slim in 6 and Hip Hop Abs. We have the most compelling pipeline of new products and infomercial since we launched the company. So, why network marketing?

I believe the real opportunity in fitness is not in building a huge monolithic company that simply sells product to people. Companies have been trying to leverage fitness to build huge businesses for decades. Yet the obesity trend grows, and no fitness company has really succeeded in getting people to REALLY embrace what it takes to get healthy and fit. Not the equipment makers. Not the gym chains. Not the weight loss centers. Not even Beachbody. Yes, we continue to grow, infomercial by infomercial, selling great product to people, and we've had some amazing success stories. But many people still will start-then-quit just like everything else they've tried unless there is another dynamic at work.

That's what the Beachbody Coach Network is about -- adding the powerful dynamic of peer-support, the "Share" of "Play, Shake and Share", to help people stay accountable to their desire to get healthy and fit.

Our network marketing business is 16,000 coach-distributors strong and growing fast. We assign customer leads to qualified coaches (for free) when one of our TV customers says they want support to succeed with their program. The coach helps that customer set their start date, and stay accountable to consistency. Our coaches are not fitness experts or nutritionists -- but friends who care about revolutionizing how people approach their own health and fitness.

In exchange, in the future when those customer leads purchase another product from Beachbody, the coach gets the commission.

And it works. Anne Dovel sent me this email string... Amazing stuff:
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From: Anne Dovel
To: Carl Daikeler
Subject: new customer lead

Hey Carl. Been a while since I’ve sent you a thumb’s up for everything you do. I thought you’d like to see a customer who is grateful for the coaching program. :) Thanks for everything. I hope you had a wonderful holiday and wish you a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year. :) Anne

Hi Anne! I am proud of the difference that I see. I know I can do this. It just takes time and effort. I honestly can't thank you enough for all your help. I am really grateful that Beachbody started the coaching program because I don't know that I would have been able to do all this without your help. I know my husband was trying to help me but he couldn't really come up with a menu for me and he really doesn't understand where I am coming from about hating the way I look. You do because you are a mom too and I think that is so cool to talk to you. You understand so much more than anyone else I've talked too. But anyways I will talk to you later. I hope you get your knitting fixed.

Thanks,
Susan
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Anne gets it, and now another customer has had success. As Anne said to Susan in a reply: "The reason Beachbody started the coaching was because they found out that someone had a greater chance of succeeding even if they just had someone to talk to who had been through the challenges they are going through!"

And it's a win-win that will continue to grow. I know that because I get so many emails like this one from part-time coach Joey Petri. While many coaches are still working their way to their first check and income is always a factor of skill and effort, here's a young coach who is one of the many people who are turning this opportunity into a dream job:
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I just wanted to share this with you guys because I'm super excited.

I added up all my commission checks from 2008 and I earned $13,394.98!!! This is amazing to me and I know that 2009 will be an ever bigger and better year. This money allowed me to go to school full time and pursue a 2nd degree in Phys Ed, this allowed me to live in my place and not move home, this paid my bills and my gas. (Disclaimer I also had some help from my savings as a pharma rep.) This is going to make 2009 an amazing and exciting year. Thanks again for all of your support!!

Joey

P.S. Traci, I still remember our 5 minute conversation at Tony's Camp in NY and I told you about how I was considering going back to school for my phys ed degree. You said Beachbody would allow me the freedom to do what I want to do and I'm so thrilled and excited to continue to make that conversation, that dream, a reality.
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So when people ask me "Why Network Marketing", I respond that it is an imperative. Growth is one thing, contribution is another. This business model has both, and instead of one giant company, we're going to be a company of a million coaches, each their own independent company, helping 100 million people get healthy and fit. That's what we will achieve, and that's why network marketing is a priority!

What Economic Downturn?

I got this email below from coach Judy Zavislak. Whenever someone writes me to say that a post within this blog motivated them to take action, or a Beachbody product or idea we created changed their life, or our customer service people turned a Beachbody complaint into a transformational transaction, I am grateful and proud of what we are building.

This email is juts another example that, the concept of using your own income potential as the motivation to get healthy in fit is for real. I hope more coaches see it that way - especially those who feel like the business is not yet serving them. in my experience, that usually means they haven't embraced the authenticity of the comprehensive approach to this lifestyle. Your example of health and fitness is what inspires people to believe that you are not selling them products, you are simply an example of what works.

Thanks Judy, and thanks to all our coaches who are spreading the word that Beachbody is the total solution! You are the ones who will enjoy the income in 2009 when this concept reaches its tipping point! Let the new Year's resolution rush begin!

================================================
Hi Carl. Well, today is the day that most people are thinking about 2009 and changes they would like to see in their lives. I can’t help but reflect back on my journey the past two years. At the end of 2006, I had reached a point where I just HAD to make a change. I’ve never been severely overweight, but I had around 15-20 pounds that plagued me ever since my daughter was born in 1997. Sure, I knew how to lose the weight. I did it SEVERAL times. What I didn’t know was how to make it STICK!

So, heading into 2007, I was looking for solutions. First I looked at what had worked in the past for me. The first thing that came to mind was the Beachbody message boards. When I’m reading and posting on a regular basis, I find that I’m more motivated to work out and eat right. So, I reconnected with some Beachbody friends, and started logging my workouts into WOWY. But, I had done all of that before, and had STILL lost focus. I needed more.

Then one day, I was reading your blog entries from December of 2006. The title was “The Miracle CEO Weight Loss System”. You had stayed consistent with your fitness program because now you were the CEO of a fitness company, and you were now offering that opportunity to all of us. This intrigued me, so I asked my coach (Traci Morrow) a few questions and decided to give it a try! I started my business with only my own accountability as my goal.

What an interesting two years it has been. I lost 20 pounds, and haven’t gained back more than a few pounds at a time. I work out consistently, and I’m constantly learning new ways to incorporate healthy habits into my lifestyle. So, your idea that this could work for anyone has certainly been true for me. As I’m encouraging the people I coach, it encourages me. I get so much more from these new friends than they will ever know. That alone would make it SO worth it, but the icing on the cake is that I’m able to make enough money to more than cover my mortgage each month! I got laid off from a job I worked at for over 20 years, so you have no idea how much it means to have at least that one bill covered.

For the first time in a long time, I’m ending the year excited about what I’ve accomplished and doubly excited for what is to come!!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this opportunity!

Judy Zavislak

That Fabulous Foot

David Akers, the poster boy for what P90X can do on the stage of professional athletics, is blowing us away with NFL stats that continue to prove that talent plus extreme training are a potent combination:

> In 2007 BX ("Before P90X"), Akers went 1 for 6 from between 40 and 50 yards.

> In 2008 AX, ("After P90X") he has gone 8 for 10.

> "Field Goals Made" - went from #16 in 2007 to #3 this season.

> Scoring - went from #21 in the NFL to #2.

And he's not some 98 pound weakling kicker eaither. Anyone who saw him save a touchdownin the first quarter by hammering Bradshaw out of bounds.

To quote Jon Congdon, "Hmmm. Seems like the product worked for him."

Inspiration to Set Your Goal Now!

I got an email this morning from Beachbody Coach Perry Tinsely. It shows that in 2008, he didn't miss a single day in WOWY -- 366 red X's! Unbelievable and an incredible feat!

Here it is; Jan 1 2009, and that's enough inspiration to spark some creative goal setting. While I know 365 days a year of logging in will not work for me, can I log 20 a month? 240 for the year? It's a challenge, but I can go for it. That consistency will serve me well. And it's only possible because you give me the motivation and inspiration to go for it

And by the way, I really want to thank you for a great 2008.

Whether you're a Beachbody Coach, a member of Team Beachbody, or a Beachbody customer, I want to thank you for your support, your enthusiasm, and commitment.

We achieved amazing things in 2008, approaching 15,000 coaches, overcoming major obstacles, and surpassing overall sales targets. But the most exciting thing we discovered in 2008 is that our prospects are stronger than we even anticipated. The future looks so strong with the upcoming coach infomercial, the release of new products, and the unwavering strength of the community to inspire friends and family that health and fitness is possible right at home. When it comes to the health care and obesity crisis, the solution is people helping people plug into this the total package called Beachbody of fitness, diet, and peer support.

And we're proving that with the ChaLEAN Extreme Launch Party kick off Saturday, January 3rd. Coaches across the country are inviting people to their homes to kick off the New Year's Resolution season. At those parties and for months to come, Coaches and members will be inviting people to kick off a flight of ChaLEAN Extreme and surpassing the results they've achieved in gyms or with equipment by supporting each other through the process.

You can see where parties are happening right here at party central and track the action including footage and photos from coach house parties plus Chalene's launch party at her house here at the message boards!

No matter what you do to celebrate the new year and set an objective for yourself to achieve real exercise consistency in 2009, know that this CEO truly appreciates how you have taken responsibility for your health and fitness - no matter what stage of it you are in - and that together we can achieve so much in 2009! I'm going to go for 240 workouts, all logged into WOWY with a red X (That means I log the workout as I do it, rather than a blue X, which gets logged in later.)

Happy New Year. Post some great ChaLEAN Extreme Launch Party photos Saturday, and let's go for it in 2009!