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Change or Die | Michael Knight | TEDxDetroit


I was gonna die at 36 I had a head of

I was gonna die at 36 I had a head of physical in 15 years so I made the

physical in 15 years so I made the

physical in 15 years so I made the appointment got to the doctor’s had the

appointment got to the doctor’s had the

appointment got to the doctor’s had the physical went out with life and about a

physical went out with life and about a

physical went out with life and about a week later I got a call from the doctor

week later I got a call from the doctor

week later I got a call from the doctor said Mike would you do me a favor would

said Mike would you do me a favor would

said Mike would you do me a favor would you stop back in the office I’d like to

you stop back in the office I’d like to

you stop back in the office I’d like to talk to you walked in the office he

talk to you walked in the office he

talk to you walked in the office he looked at me he says Mike I’m gonna tell

looked at me he says Mike I’m gonna tell

looked at me he says Mike I’m gonna tell it to you just like I know you tell your

it to you just like I know you tell your

it to you just like I know you tell your clients in the next three words that

clients in the next three words that

clients in the next three words that came out of his mouth changed my life

came out of his mouth changed my life

came out of his mouth changed my life forever

forever

forever change or die then you’re sitting back

change or die then you’re sitting back

change or die then you’re sitting back thinking well what’s wrong with Mike he

thinking well what’s wrong with Mike he

thinking well what’s wrong with Mike he looks like he takes care of himself he

looks like he takes care of himself he

looks like he takes care of himself he looks fit and you’re right but we’re not

looks fit and you’re right but we’re not

looks fit and you’re right but we’re not talking about Mike we’re talking about

talking about Mike we’re talking about

talking about Mike we’re talking about him 336 pounds borderline diabetic high

him 336 pounds borderline diabetic high

him 336 pounds borderline diabetic high blood pressure high cholesterol a

blood pressure high cholesterol a

blood pressure high cholesterol a ticking time bomb and here’s the kicker

ticking time bomb and here’s the kicker

ticking time bomb and here’s the kicker I worked out two hours a day five days a

I worked out two hours a day five days a

I worked out two hours a day five days a week for 15 years so what’s the problem

week for 15 years so what’s the problem

week for 15 years so what’s the problem I am going to be the first trainer that

I am going to be the first trainer that

I am going to be the first trainer that stands before you and tells you this it

stands before you and tells you this it

stands before you and tells you this it is not and it will never ever be about a

is not and it will never ever be about a

is not and it will never ever be about a workout

how many more times that we need to be

how many more times that we need to be told on a daily basis weekly monthly

told on a daily basis weekly monthly

told on a daily basis weekly monthly yearly you should eat better well

yearly you should eat better well

yearly you should eat better well there’s a surprise thanks for sharing

there’s a surprise thanks for sharing

there’s a surprise thanks for sharing that with me you know what you should

that with me you know what you should

that with me you know what you should exercise more well there’s a shocker so

exercise more well there’s a shocker so

exercise more well there’s a shocker so what’s stopping us what’s stopping us

what’s stopping us what’s stopping us

what’s stopping us what’s stopping us well for most of us you know what’s

well for most of us you know what’s

well for most of us you know what’s gonna happen we won’t stop and take a

gonna happen we won’t stop and take a

gonna happen we won’t stop and take a look at that

look at that

look at that until what happened to me think about

until what happened to me think about

until what happened to me think about this walking to an office the doctor

this walking to an office the doctor

this walking to an office the doctor says three words to you change or die

says three words to you change or die

says three words to you change or die when I walked out of that office the

when I walked out of that office the

when I walked out of that office the feeling came over me and maybe some of

feeling came over me and maybe some of

feeling came over me and maybe some of you has felt this in your lifetime the

you has felt this in your lifetime the

you has felt this in your lifetime the waters here you’re drowning and you

waters here you’re drowning and you

waters here you’re drowning and you don’t know how to get out so we know

don’t know how to get out so we know

don’t know how to get out so we know we’re supposed to change so what’s the

we’re supposed to change so what’s the

we’re supposed to change so what’s the process

process

process well I’ve simplified the process for you

well I’ve simplified the process for you

well I’ve simplified the process for you you see if you or my client or new

you see if you or my client or new

you see if you or my client or new client comes in we’re not meeting at the

client comes in we’re not meeting at the

client comes in we’re not meeting at the training facility I’ve already told you

training facility I’ve already told you

training facility I’ve already told you it’s not about the workout you and I are

it’s not about the workout you and I are

it’s not about the workout you and I are gonna meet it at a coffee shop I’m gonna

gonna meet it at a coffee shop I’m gonna

gonna meet it at a coffee shop I’m gonna ask you bring one thing with you

ask you bring one thing with you

ask you bring one thing with you pictures are the most important people

pictures are the most important people

pictures are the most important people in your life we’re gonna sit down we’re

in your life we’re gonna sit down we’re

in your life we’re gonna sit down we’re gonna have a conversation get a chance

gonna have a conversation get a chance

gonna have a conversation get a chance to know each other after that I’m gonna

to know each other after that I’m gonna

to know each other after that I’m gonna ask you to put the pictures in front of

ask you to put the pictures in front of

ask you to put the pictures in front of me

me

me I’m gonna ask you one question and one

I’m gonna ask you one question and one

I’m gonna ask you one question and one question only are those people that I

question only are those people that I

question only are those people that I see in front of me worth change the

see in front of me worth change the

see in front of me worth change the people you told me you love that needs

people you told me you love that needs

people you told me you love that needs you that you want to be around for are

you that you want to be around for are

you that you want to be around for are they worth changing for

because if the answer is no you and I

because if the answer is no you and I have nothing further to discuss look

have nothing further to discuss look

have nothing further to discuss look nothing on my sleeve

nothing on my sleeve

nothing on my sleeve no magic wand and my last name is not

no magic wand and my last name is not

no magic wand and my last name is not Houdini

Houdini

Houdini there is no exercise program no food

there is no exercise program no food

there is no exercise program no food program on planet Earth

program on planet Earth

program on planet Earth that’s gonna save you because you are

that’s gonna save you because you are

that’s gonna save you because you are not ready to change

not ready to change

not ready to change so we know we’re supposed to change how

so we know we’re supposed to change how

so we know we’re supposed to change how does change occur let me show you what

does change occur let me show you what

does change occur let me show you what how I changed the first thing you need

how I changed the first thing you need

how I changed the first thing you need to know about me is I’m a food addict

to know about me is I’m a food addict

to know about me is I’m a food addict once a food addict always a food addict

once a food addict always a food addict

once a food addict always a food addict let me give you an example you and I go

let me give you an example you and I go

let me give you an example you and I go to dinner I’m ordering two entrees oh

to dinner I’m ordering two entrees oh

to dinner I’m ordering two entrees oh yeah oh it gets better stay with me I’m

yeah oh it gets better stay with me I’m

yeah oh it gets better stay with me I’m gonna wear an appetizer maybe two of

gonna wear an appetizer maybe two of

gonna wear an appetizer maybe two of course I’m ordering dessert and if I

course I’m ordering dessert and if I

course I’m ordering dessert and if I can’t make a decision on dessert I’m

can’t make a decision on dessert I’m

can’t make a decision on dessert I’m ordering too you’re sitting back go yep

ordering too you’re sitting back go yep

ordering too you’re sitting back go yep that would qualify him as a food addict

that would qualify him as a food addict

that would qualify him as a food addict stop we’re not done now I’m gonna ask

stop we’re not done now I’m gonna ask

stop we’re not done now I’m gonna ask for the desserts

for the desserts

for the desserts to come to me before my entree because

to come to me before my entree because

to come to me before my entree because in my mind I have convinced myself what

in my mind I have convinced myself what

in my mind I have convinced myself what order doesn’t matter it’s all going the

order doesn’t matter it’s all going the

order doesn’t matter it’s all going the same place that’s a food addict that’s a

same place that’s a food addict that’s a

same place that’s a food addict that’s a problem then there’s my why it’s my

problem then there’s my why it’s my

problem then there’s my why it’s my strength my mother breast cancer

strength my mother breast cancer

strength my mother breast cancer survivor’ diabetic food addict 400

survivor’ diabetic food addict 400

survivor’ diabetic food addict 400 pounds now there’s two of us sitting in

pounds now there’s two of us sitting in

pounds now there’s two of us sitting in a room two of us the waters here we

a room two of us the waters here we

a room two of us the waters here we don’t know how to get out what do I do

don’t know how to get out what do I do

don’t know how to get out what do I do I’m Taipei I’m going to the best I want

I’m Taipei I’m going to the best I want

I’m Taipei I’m going to the best I want to find the best to help me in this so I

to find the best to help me in this so I

to find the best to help me in this so I researched it Hospital diet center

researched it Hospital diet center

researched it Hospital diet center doctor we’re going we walk in we sit

doctor we’re going we walk in we sit

doctor we’re going we walk in we sit down we made the appointment shortly

down we made the appointment shortly

down we made the appointment shortly after that people start walking in 300

after that people start walking in 300

after that people start walking in 300 400 500 pounds two people were wheeled

400 500 pounds two people were wheeled

400 500 pounds two people were wheeled in on beds because they physically

in on beds because they physically

in on beds because they physically couldn’t get out of bed to sit in a

couldn’t get out of bed to sit in a

couldn’t get out of bed to sit in a chair and there was one thing they all

chair and there was one thing they all

chair and there was one thing they all had in common they all were attached to

had in common they all were attached to

had in common they all were attached to oxygen

it’s me I’m looking at my life in front

it’s me I’m looking at my life in front of me that’s me so now I’m ready I need

of me that’s me so now I’m ready I need

of me that’s me so now I’m ready I need help I’m dialed in I want to hear what

help I’m dialed in I want to hear what

help I’m dialed in I want to hear what these guys have to say the physicians

these guys have to say the physicians

these guys have to say the physicians start their presentation and within 15

start their presentation and within 15

start their presentation and within 15 minutes two feelings come running over

minutes two feelings come running over

minutes two feelings come running over my body the one the first is excitement

my body the one the first is excitement

my body the one the first is excitement I can do this someone’s given me a plan

I can do this someone’s given me a plan

I can do this someone’s given me a plan I see the plan can work I’m doing this I

I see the plan can work I’m doing this I

I see the plan can work I’m doing this I can’t wait for tomorrow the second one

can’t wait for tomorrow the second one

can’t wait for tomorrow the second one is I’m angry I’m upset because I’m

is I’m angry I’m upset because I’m

is I’m angry I’m upset because I’m sitting here in a room full of doctors

sitting here in a room full of doctors

sitting here in a room full of doctors with all this information all this

with all this information all this

with all this information all this scientific information that could be

scientific information that could be

scientific information that could be helping you your kids and your family

helping you your kids and your family

helping you your kids and your family and they’re holding it from us well I’m

and they’re holding it from us well I’m

and they’re holding it from us well I’m here to tell you right here at the Fox

here to tell you right here at the Fox

here to tell you right here at the Fox today I’m gonna share it with you I

today I’m gonna share it with you I

today I’m gonna share it with you I don’t care if they don’t like me sharing

don’t care if they don’t like me sharing

don’t care if they don’t like me sharing it with you I’m sharing with you are you

it with you I’m sharing with you are you

it with you I’m sharing with you are you ready

structure structure think about that

structure structure think about that when you’re at home you have a family

when you’re at home you have a family

when you’re at home you have a family you have structure you have success you

you have structure you have success you

you have structure you have success you go to high school you go to college you

go to high school you go to college you

go to high school you go to college you study you have structure you’re

study you have structure you’re

study you have structure you’re successful you go to work tomorrow

successful you go to work tomorrow

successful you go to work tomorrow you have structure you’ll be successful

you have structure you’ll be successful

you have structure you’ll be successful so why does it come to our health and

so why does it come to our health and

so why does it come to our health and our well-being that we ditch structure

our well-being that we ditch structure

our well-being that we ditch structure why why so I’m ready to go I’m trying

why why so I’m ready to go I’m trying

why why so I’m ready to go I’m trying this I’m trying this right now and you

this I’m trying this right now and you

this I’m trying this right now and you know what happens I’m gonna tell you

know what happens I’m gonna tell you

know what happens I’m gonna tell you what happens in 16 months 16 months

sixteen months I lost the 133 pounds you

sixteen months I lost the 133 pounds you could do the same thing my mother was a

could do the same thing my mother was a

could do the same thing my mother was a better healthier version of herself mom

better healthier version of herself mom

better healthier version of herself mom I love you I need to say that sorry I

I love you I need to say that sorry I

I love you I need to say that sorry I love her she’s my strength 133 pounds

love her she’s my strength 133 pounds

love her she’s my strength 133 pounds now there’s another piece to the puzzle

now there’s another piece to the puzzle

now there’s another piece to the puzzle I am a trainer so now the other piece of

I am a trainer so now the other piece of

I am a trainer so now the other piece of the puzzle is the workout let’s see I’m

the puzzle is the workout let’s see I’m

the puzzle is the workout let’s see I’m going to the Fox the be on stage how do

going to the Fox the be on stage how do

going to the Fox the be on stage how do I get my scientific gym the magical

I get my scientific gym the magical

I get my scientific gym the magical equipment on stage here at oh thanks

equipment on stage here at oh thanks

equipment on stage here at oh thanks guys backstage they brought it

guys backstage they brought it

guys backstage they brought it billion-dollar gyms all these fancy

billion-dollar gyms all these fancy

billion-dollar gyms all these fancy equipments classes this is it this is

equipments classes this is it this is

equipments classes this is it this is what saved my life watch we’re gonna do

what saved my life watch we’re gonna do

what saved my life watch we’re gonna do some cardio it’s that simple then we’ll

some cardio it’s that simple then we’ll

some cardio it’s that simple then we’ll do some cardio and some core then we may

do some cardio and some core then we may

do some cardio and some core then we may do some cardio some core and some strain

do some cardio some core and some strain

do some cardio some core and some strain training it’s a very powerful tool

training it’s a very powerful tool

training it’s a very powerful tool there’s one problem to find people who

there’s one problem to find people who

there’s one problem to find people who know how to do that this is a physical

know how to do that this is a physical

know how to do that this is a physical test to teach it to you but it’s very

test to teach it to you but it’s very

test to teach it to you but it’s very powerful it is the number one tool in

powerful it is the number one tool in

powerful it is the number one tool in the world is called a Russian kettlebell

the world is called a Russian kettlebell

the world is called a Russian kettlebell so there you have it the secrets keep it

so there you have it the secrets keep it

so there you have it the secrets keep it simple trust someone that knows what

simple trust someone that knows what

simple trust someone that knows what they’re doing to make you successful in

they’re doing to make you successful in

they’re doing to make you successful in the biggest piece of the puzzle that

the biggest piece of the puzzle that

the biggest piece of the puzzle that they were hiding away back in that

they were hiding away back in that

they were hiding away back in that office I shared it with you today

office I shared it with you today

office I shared it with you today structure I forgot to tell you what

structure I forgot to tell you what

structure I forgot to tell you what structure looked like you surprising

structure looked like you surprising

structure looked like you surprising okay structure what is structure so

okay structure what is structure so

okay structure what is structure so let’s go back there for a second five

let’s go back there for a second five

let’s go back there for a second five plus one six what’s that mean Mike well

plus one six what’s that mean Mike well

plus one six what’s that mean Mike well I had breakfast in a protein shake every

I had breakfast in a protein shake every

I had breakfast in a protein shake every three hours

three hours

three hours and all the vegetables I got then there

and all the vegetables I got then there

and all the vegetables I got then there was flexibility I could have a protein

was flexibility I could have a protein

was flexibility I could have a protein shake every three hours and all the

shake every three hours and all the

shake every three hours and all the vegetables I could eat thank you Mike

vegetables I could eat thank you Mike

vegetables I could eat thank you Mike thanks for ruining my dinner tonight so

thanks for ruining my dinner tonight so

thanks for ruining my dinner tonight so you’re telling me that for me to be

you’re telling me that for me to be

you’re telling me that for me to be successful I got a dream shakes and eat

successful I got a dream shakes and eat

successful I got a dream shakes and eat vegetables all my life

vegetables all my life

vegetables all my life no yeah listening I did I was the one

no yeah listening I did I was the one

no yeah listening I did I was the one that’s sat in that room and was told

that’s sat in that room and was told

that’s sat in that room and was told three words change or die I was the one

three words change or die I was the one

three words change or die I was the one and you’re sitting in front of you and

and you’re sitting in front of you and

and you’re sitting in front of you and realize this realize this I had two to

realize this realize this I had two to

realize this realize this I had two to two shots at life and I almost lost the

two shots at life and I almost lost the

two shots at life and I almost lost the one this one I have now in front of you

one this one I have now in front of you

one this one I have now in front of you all of you I am hanging on for dear life

all of you I am hanging on for dear life

all of you I am hanging on for dear life and everybody in this audience would

and everybody in this audience would

and everybody in this audience would have to rip it from me that’s how much

have to rip it from me that’s how much

have to rip it from me that’s how much passion I have about living because I

passion I have about living because I

passion I have about living because I know it’s important so do you so you so

know it’s important so do you so you so

know it’s important so do you so you so now this is the last presentation you’re

now this is the last presentation you’re

now this is the last presentation you’re gonna hear my voice is the last one

gonna hear my voice is the last one

gonna hear my voice is the last one you’re gonna hear when you walk out that

you’re gonna hear when you walk out that

you’re gonna hear when you walk out that door the last one two things are gonna

door the last one two things are gonna

door the last one two things are gonna happen you’re gonna take a hard whoops

happen you’re gonna take a hard whoops

happen you’re gonna take a hard whoops step back now we’ve had a hard

step back now we’ve had a hard

step back now we’ve had a hard supplement

supplement

supplement you’re gonna take a hard step back in

you’re gonna take a hard step back in

you’re gonna take a hard step back in some of you I woke up some of you I woke

some of you I woke up some of you I woke

some of you I woke up some of you I woke up you take a step back and go he he

up you take a step back and go he he

up you take a step back and go he he made this simple baby steps

made this simple baby steps

made this simple baby steps invest research get help from the best

invest research get help from the best

invest research get help from the best know who the best are and then then the

know who the best are and then then the

know who the best are and then then the other ones kind of thought it was a cute

other ones kind of thought it was a cute

other ones kind of thought it was a cute presentation it was great good

presentation it was great good

presentation it was great good information was fun he was intense

information was fun he was intense

information was fun he was intense you’re gonna jump back on your track in

you’re gonna jump back on your track in

you’re gonna jump back on your track in that car is gonna ride and it is

that car is gonna ride and it is

that car is gonna ride and it is inevitable I’m telling you right now is

inevitable I’m telling you right now is

inevitable I’m telling you right now is inevitable it’s somewhere along that

inevitable it’s somewhere along that

inevitable it’s somewhere along that line that car that track is gonna

line that car that track is gonna

line that car that track is gonna collide with a wall and I’m praying to

collide with a wall and I’m praying to

collide with a wall and I’m praying to you right now I praying to God your

you right now I praying to God your

you right now I praying to God your families and everything that there’s not

families and everything that there’s not

families and everything that there’s not someone standing in front of you and

someone standing in front of you and

someone standing in front of you and looks at you and greet you with change

looks at you and greet you with change

looks at you and greet you with change or die thank you

or die thank you

or die thank you [Applause]

”

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