Andia Winslow Joins Us On The Steve Jobs Inspired Join Up Dots Podcast
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Introducing Andia Winslow
Andia Winslow is todays guest joining us on the Steve Jobs inspired Join Up Dots business coaching podcast interview.
She is a lady who quite simply is probably the fittest person that we have ever had on the show.
Just reading her bio exhausted me, but wow….she is packing a lot into her day.
As a professional golfer and fitness guru she believes that all of us have a responsibility to develop our fitness programmes into our daily worklife.
It doesn’t matter if it means that we do it whilst commuting, walking the dog, or watching the latest edition of “Breaking Bad” she shows us the ways to do it.
By making informative, and slightly unusual videos that have gone viral on the web, she demonstrates that this isn’t just a theory its actionable advice.
How The Dots Joined Up For Andia
You can hang on a lamp post, swing on a door frame, or just push against a wall whilst juggling your daily tasks…there is no excuse.
And this idea has really taken on, and now with numerous appearances on tv shows and other media, Andia Winslow is highly sought after to spread her message.
So did this focus on fitness and the teaching of it come naturally to her, or was she an overweight person who had the epiphany to change?
Does she see a desire in the world to take on her advice, or are we all more interested in a night in with Netflix and a huge bag of Doritos?
Well lets find out, as we bring onto the show the creator of the smartest sexiest workout videos ever, the one and only Andia Winslow
Show Highlights
During the show we discussed such weighty topics with Andia Winslow such as:
How her mother was always looking out for adventure in her life, and inspired her daughter to do the same!
Why she feels that she is more Dr Seuss than Tiger Woods and explains to us the difference according to how both make her feel!
How when you find your authentic self you will find so many opportunities come your way that you never had before!
How the death of her Granddad was the big dot in her life that made her savour and strive to develop her playful self!
And lastly……
How she lives by the motto of “the responsibility of being first it to ensure that you are not the last”!
How To Connect With Andia Winslow
Return To The Top Of Andia Winslow
If you enjoyed this episode with Andia Winslow then why not listen to some of our favourite podcast episodes such as John Ruhlin, Dan Lok, Steve Sims or the amazing DJ Krust
Or if you prefer just pop over to our podcast archive for thousands of amazing episodes to choose from.
Audio Transcription Of Andia Winslow
Intro [0:00]
When we’re young, we have an amazing positive outlook about how great life is going to be. But somewhere along the line we forget to dream and end up settling. Join Up Dots features amazing people who refuse to give up and chose to go after their dreams. This is your blueprint for greatness. So here’s your host live from the back of his garden in the UK, David Ralph.
David Ralph [0:26]
Yes. Hello, everybody. How are you today? Do you know I’m sitting here feeling a bit bad about myself because I realised that I’m in a bit of a sluggish state. I’ve been looking at today’s guests activities. And she is a lady who really kind of just bounces off of every wall given the opportunity. And I realised that I just sit in the same position, but hour after hour, so I’ve got to do something about it. And that’s what this show is all about is is making us become better versions of ourselves. And today’s guest is a lady who, quite simply is probably the fittest person that we’ve ever had on the show, just reading her bio exhausted me but Well, I’ll tell you what she’s packing a lot into her day. As a professional golfer and fitness guru. She believes that all of us have a responsibility to develop our fitness programmes into our daily work life. It doesn’t matter if it means that we do it was commuting, walking the dog, or watching the latest edition of Breaking Bad, she shows us the ways to do it. By making informative and slightly unusual videos that gone viral on the web. She demonstrates that this isn’t just a theory is actionable advice, you can hang on a lamppost, swing on a doorframe, or just push against a wall whilst juggling your daily tasks. There’s no excuse not to keep fit. And this idea has really taken on and now with numerous appearances on TV shows and other media, she’s highly sought after to spread her message. So it is focused on fitness and the teaching of it come naturally to her. Was she an overweight person who had the Epiphany to change? Or does she see a desire in the world to take on her advice? Are we more interested in a night in with Netflix a huge bag of Doritos? Well, let’s find out as we bring on to the show, the creator of the smartest sexiest workout videos ever. The one and only on Andia Winslow, how are you?
Andia Winslow [2:11]
I’m great. What an introduction.
David Ralph [2:14]
Well, you deserve it done you because some of some of the things you can do with your body as well, I’m going to have those as my screensaver. But just I feel bad about myself. You can do things that humans can’t do.
Andia Winslow [2:28]
Well, I’ve seen a lot of humans do them, in fact, increasingly, especially in New York. And so I think it’s really inspiring and inspiring to see folks moving about and being creative and their wellness goals and introductory so I think human beings have a lot more ability than they give themselves credit for. And I think people need to express it and explore it. And I think they’ll find it’s fun, and it’s something that they can enjoy.
David Ralph [2:52]
So so you’re in New York, let’s let’s show where you live. So you’re a New Yorker, are you in the Hubbard New York sort of Manhattan area you have in Brooklyn or queens? Where were you based,
Andia Winslow [3:02]
I wasn’t a hub I lived in I lived uptown in Harlem. And actually I just moved last week to Brooklyn. So now I’m a Brooklynite. And it’s, it’s different. Actually, right now I’m sitting in my garden speaking to you, which is amazing, because I didn’t have a garden or any space when I lived in Manhattan. So it’s a nice feeling.
David Ralph [3:19]
So it’s seven o’clock in the morning out there. You’re sitting there, you got a nice cup of coffee, but sun shining, what what, how’s your day going to pan out?
Andia Winslow [3:26]
Well, today, I speak with you here in this interview, and I’m excited to start my day that way, and then I will probably take a walk or a bike ride around the area. From there. I’ve got a couple clients in the city who I work with both teaching golf and also fitness folks, and then I’ll probably walk about usually what I do is I like to take my little red notebook, I stuck it in my back pocket, I just walk around and if something inspires me, I write it down. Or I take a picture and memorise where I was because I always looking for scenes for future cinematic endeavours. And I just like to location scout, even though there’s no goal in mind, I just love looking at places in action flooring and venturing In fact,
David Ralph [4:02]
but you’re in the perfect place in New York, because I think it’s more than any place on Earth. It was the place that every corner I walked around, it was like deja vu, you’d walk around the corner and you’d pick up I’ve seen this and been realising that you’re looking at something from Ghostbusters, or, or When Harry Met Sally or something. It is it every single corner really, there was something that jumped into my head. And it’s the only place I think I’ve ever been to that I felt that I’d been there before, even though I hadn’t just because it’s so on the telly. And it’s so in movies all the time.
Andia Winslow [4:33]
And also just I think it’s very, still very diverse. So you have people from all over the world. And it’s, it’s so enriching. It’s so exciting. And you can actually the energy of the other people around you is so infectious. And I think that’s what makes New York one of a kind, at least in this hemisphere. And, and I love it.
David Ralph [4:49]
So where were you born? You weren’t born in New York.
Unknown Speaker [4:52]
I was not. I’m from the west coast, and actually the Pacific Northwest. I was born in Anchorage, Alaska. And I’ve steadily moved south. I was raised in Seattle, Washington, which I imagine has similar climate to you all United Kingdom
David Ralph [5:05]
just rains all the time.
Andia Winslow [5:07]
rains all the time. But lovely, very green, very green. He just rains
David Ralph [5:11]
all the time. We don’t even you don’t even see the green. Nice, because you’re running from one house to another.
Andia Winslow [5:16]
I’ve got a question. Do you all use umbrellas there?
David Ralph [5:19]
No, we don’t. And that’s funny, I get asked that a lot. And no, we just kind of get wet. Basically, I suppose I used to carry an umbrella around. I used to work up in the City of London a lot. So most of the time, I was just in a suit. And it was quite easy to carry a little umbrella around. But the kind of classic, you know, bowler hat and an umbrella image that you have a sort of English businessman not doesn’t really exist as opposed to D Do you think that we’re all kind of like James Bond as well?
Andia Winslow [5:47]
Ah,
sure, of course. I mean, especially you I’d imagine.
David Ralph [5:52]
I am not sure. I’m probably the closest to James Bond you will ever see.
Andia Winslow [5:56]
And see, that’s why we’re having this conversation. Because I knew there was greatness in the David I knew it.
David Ralph [6:01]
I’m squeezing that greatness out every chance I can. But unfortunately, I squeeze it out in a very kind of gentle way. Because I’m looking at you at the moment. And it’s weird. I’m flicking through images while we’re talking. And I’m seeing you sort of run over hurdles. And you’re doing this amazing kind of balancing business where the only thing that I can describe it, you’ve become like a human seesaw, and your whole body is pivoting on your elbows, and your elbows seem to be pushed higher up your body somehow, to give you a heavy part, I suppose your head and your chest, and the ability to balance against your lower half. Now, that’s not human is it? How can you? How can you do better?
Andia Winslow [6:46]
I don’t know. It’s just experimentation. I don’t actually take yoga and not a yogi. But I saw an older woman 96 In fact, I saw her doing this move in a park and I said what in the world is that? I went and googled it’s called my Eros and it’s a awesome at suppose a yoga pose. And it symbolises eternity and balance. And it’s actually symbolises reaching from the past and reaching to the future, which is perfect for Join Up Dots. Um, so it’s about eternity and infinity. And the moon was supposed to centre yourself, your hand your elbows are placed into your gut. And the gut is basically in the centre of your spirit, your body, your being. And so I think it’s very symbolic in that way and relevant to the show, I think.
David Ralph [7:26]
Yeah, absolutely. How did you know she was 96? Did you go up and ask her? Did you go? Oh, my god, you’re doing?
Andia Winslow [7:33]
asked her her name. And then someone around told me that she was a famous Yogi who is I think they did a special on her on on one of the major channels. And sure enough, that was her and, and she’s amazing.
David Ralph [7:46]
Well, so I think is amazing. Just controlling your bladder at 96, let alone financing like that.
Andia Winslow [7:55]
Yes, it’s very, it’s very awesome. The human body again, and human spirit.
David Ralph [8:00]
I always felt bad. Because I imagine in Alaska, my my image of Alaska is obviously sort of country and wilderness, but generally unpleasant weather sort of cold and sort of miserable. Is that wrong when when he was a child in Alaska, is that it? Did I have a lovely sunny days, and it’s a very pleasant place to be.
Andia Winslow [8:20]
Well, I only live in Alaska to age five. But my memory is very vivid of high snow. I also recall days it didn’t get dark. And I recall days didn’t get light. But I do remember, you know seeing whales and I remember seeing animals and those those images are very vivid in my mind. And so I think it is lovely. It is also cold.
But it’s beautiful. The sun does shine.
David Ralph [8:45]
And and Do you ever go back there? Do you ever go and sort of recreate your childhood take you take your kids back to Alaska, this is where mom grew up.
Andia Winslow [8:52]
You know what I have not been back to Alaska and sometime but actually I wanted to take a trip into this summer and go so I’m actually planning at the moment that should be a nice home going. I was raised in Seattle though, and Seattle’s obviously more cosmopolitan. And that’s also another lovely city to be raised. And it’s beautiful. The Pacific Northwest Vancouver all those areas is very beautiful clean. We have water on all sides, trees and all sides, mountains on both sides. And I think that’s probably one of the reasons I’m so inspired to be an outdoor person and active because I was raised in that way.
David Ralph [9:24]
Do you think that’s a sort of the nuts and bolts of it? Because you’ve seen it at such a young age you were inspired to build your life around that?
Andia Winslow [9:32]
I think so. I think so. And also it’s you know, it’s your parents and how they raise you my parents raised new very active, we were always on the go. Always exploring and learning new things and encountering new, new adventure. And I can actually remember a mom saying when we’d go out during the day, it’s time for the adventure. Let’s go on an adventure. And I still do that today. Saturday’s our adventure day Saturdays I have no plans at all. I’m completely off from work, and I adventure and that’s what I do. And it’s something that’s been true ever since I was a wee person so I’m really enjoying that that comment thread in my life.
David Ralph [10:05]
And do you have kids like that that feeling of adventure? Or do they go Oh, Mom, no, I just want to lay here. I’ve been at school all week, I just want to lay here on the sofa and watch Telly.
Andia Winslow [10:14]
Thankfully, I do not have any kids.
David Ralph [10:17]
I’d read on your website.
Andia Winslow [10:20]
There are kids in my life, both little kids and big kids, but they’re just friends and family. I don’t actually have any children of my own. I made a video with children. And that was a video showing parents how they can be active with their kids. But those were my children. Those were very good friends, kids. I’m not sure that I can manage kids at this time because I’m a kid myself. So I’m not sure that would be a best. The best situation for them. You can
David Ralph [10:46]
you can follow kids when you want them and just give them bad I
Andia Winslow [10:49]
yes, I borrow frequently I go hang out with kids we play and then I say farewell to the next time.
David Ralph [10:56]
fascinating stuff. Because that is that’s a key point to Join Up Dots what you’re saying you are a kid. And literally every person that I speak to who is successful, quote unquote successful, they pretty much are still their kid self. They, they found themselves again, and they’ve gone back to the passions that they had as children. And they’ve managed to develop that into an industry and a business. And you’re exactly the same on you,
Andia Winslow [11:23]
I would say so I would say so. I mean, my favourite time in life was probably age seven through age 12. And I just remember just having so much fun and just being alive. And there was a moment probably the very end of high school through college where I felt very, I felt like an auto bought. This is what you’re supposed to do. You study well, and you study hard, you go to an Ivy League school, you graduate, this is what you do. And this is how it’s going to be. And I felt very, I wouldn’t say dead. But I felt very unfulfilled and confused, and had a moment of crisis of conscience when I was actually a caretaker for grandfather. And he really inspired my my need to be in the moment and be my younger version of myself. And I’m very, very glad and honoured that I had that experience in. It propelled me to this, which is being an older person that I was years ago. But being younger and heart and younger and younger, my daily actions.
David Ralph [12:20]
And did you realise when you when you were with your granddad, but it was a fundamental shift, but he was presenting to you,
Andia Winslow [12:27]
my grandfather and I spent quite a lot of time together in his final year he was 19. I was in my early 20s. And without teaching me overtly, he was teaching me how to infuse play into my life and to be a younger version of myself the self that was very happy and excitable and always on the go and always looking for new opportunities to, to explore. And I think I didn’t realise it until after he passed. That’s what he was doing. But a very wise man. In fact,
David Ralph [12:54]
he gave you a gift didn’t ybert he really did. It’s a gift is definitely so many of us can’t see we’re so wrapped up into living a life that we we feel that others expect us to live, for him to be able to save and pretty much say to you Don’t worry about anybody else. Don’t worry about what other people think. Just be unique to yourself and enjoy every day that that’s wonderful in them.
Andia Winslow [13:18]
Sure. And also the issue of timeline. I think we were in a society where the faster you can achieve the younger you can achieve things that you’re you’re valued more you you should value yourself more. And he said, Look, I’m 90, I’m, I’m old. What’s the rush now I’m just sitting here, you can explore and achieve things on your own timeline. And don’t compare yourself and manage expectations. There’s no need for you to do things the same way that anyone else did in and take your time, enjoy it.
David Ralph [13:50]
But you haven’t taken your time have you because you just the fact that you were a professional golfer and a very, very good professional golfer, Matt takes a huge amount of time and effort does.
Andia Winslow [14:01]
It does. But I started a year early age. So it was kind of a natural progression of things. There’s still more that I want to achieve in the golf world. And currently I’m teaching and I take great pride in that and really, really enjoyed teaching people to advance their golf balls and better ways. But you know, it’s it’s interesting. I mean, timing has to be perfectly right to play golf on tour, your finances have to be right mentally and physically, you must be prepared and injury free. And I think timing is something I’m learning more about something you can’t control. And I think in the past, I tried to control things and steer them. And that’s not how the universe works.
David Ralph [14:35]
So for our listeners, give us an indication of how good you were as as a professional golfer while you’re still a professional golfer.
Andia Winslow [14:42]
Still professional golfer, I’m right now I don’t tour so there there are different types of professional golfers there’s those who are administrators, they manage clubs and golf courses, there are those who teach teaching professionals which I am one. And then there are those who are tour and there are several. There are different levels of touring. There’s developmental tours, like I would say, a farm league and baseball, for example. And there’s the LBJ PGA Tour, which are the major tours. And so I’ve played I’ve bounced around between those tours, and really enjoy travelling around the world and meeting new people and just exploring myself and challenging myself and a game that you really can’t master. It’s an internal challenge golf Have you ever
David Ralph [15:20]
played, I used to play quite a lot, not very good. I’d be the classic one that I’d have a belt around and think I was, you know, Arnold Palmer. And then the next round, I was rubbish, and I couldn’t understand how I could hit the ball perfectly one day and the next day was all over the shop.
Andia Winslow [15:35]
That’s what golf does. It makes us mad. Because you’re not the only one even at the high level people shooting 62 and next issue is 75. And they say what the heck is going on? But that’s why we play games. We’re obsessed with it.
David Ralph [15:46]
Well, why do you think that is the case thing for somebody? Because what what’s always surprised me with golf, but you get a top players say like Tiger Woods, for example. Tiger Woods is so nice game. It’s untrue. Ben, he gets somebody who wasn’t the greatest player in the world to be able to coach him how to hit a ball. And for many of us, we would go, surely he can hit a ball ready. He’s Tiger Woods, but he still has coaching to get him to that peak performance. Why? Why did he do that?
Andia Winslow [16:17]
Well, for Tiger Woods, he’s a great example. But he’s different than most golfers and that he knows what needs to happen. He’s just hiring someone to be watchful eye. And, and Tiger Woods also, as someone who is not satisfied with things being consistent, good. He’s consistently challenging himself. And that’s why he changes his swing so often because, you know, he’s winning majors with a swim. And he says it’s time to change it because his mind is always going and always growing and always investigating. I think that’s why Tiger is so unique. He doesn’t just stay with what works. He’s always trying to be better. And again, that coach he has now and coach he said in the past, they may not be better golf has been him but they’re unwatchable. I understand his personality. And what he needs is an athlete trying to compete at the highest level,
David Ralph [16:57]
is that a good idea to change, change, swing, always that just tinkering.
Andia Winslow [17:02]
If it’s good for him, and he feels comfortable on it. And that’s what he wants to do. I can’t comment on whether it’s good or bad. I mean, if things are working people often say that said it’s very trite, but they say it was broke. don’t fix it. Well, I think there’s always time to change and, and what happens is you get bored or you want to explore I mean, he’s obviously an explorer. He wants to see how good he can be in if he can be the best and, and match golf. And it’s because again, golf, you can’t you can’t master golf. You can’t master it. No one can. And I think he’s trying to get as close as humanly possible. He’s probably a superhero at this point. But closest humanly possible to mastering this game. That’s eternal challenge.
David Ralph [17:39]
Do you have any Tiger Woods kind of characteristics in you? Are you somebody that’s constantly tinkering at your performance? Looking at what you’re doing at the moment, and we will touch on that. There’s so many elements that you have developed, developed from a theme? Are you waking up each morning going, I think artist change what I did yesterday slightly to see how it works.
Andia Winslow [18:01]
I think I’m more Dr. Seuss than Tiger Woods.
He was like,
because I think Dr. Seuss all his literature. He bred this idea of adventure and of being on your way and exploring and not sitting idly by. And that’s, that’s how I managed my life at this point. People say, oh, you’re doing so many different things, aren’t you confused? Aren’t your plate full. But I enjoy doing different things. And actually, the things that seem disparate on the face are actually they’re actually more connected than not. And fitness is very similar to golf and filmmaking is very similar to fitness. And you know, rock and a runway is very similar to athletics, people just don’t realise because they think these things and compartmentalise way, but it doesn’t matter what it is you’re doing, if it’s you doing it, you bring to the table, what makes these these things unique, and what makes them similar. And so I think for folks who are trying to live a more free life that you realise that you are the thing that makes these things, you know, not the things themselves depends on how you approach the things you do and the things that you want to do. You
David Ralph [19:05]
say that again, because that’s a key point to this episode. And all the listeners out there, just keep on rewinding this bit over and over again, you say that
Andia Winslow [19:14]
it’s about you and what you bring to the table. It’s about your uniqueness, not about what it is you’re doing, per se, it’s about what you do and how you’re doing how you’re approaching it mentally and physically and spiritually and all that and it energetically, it’s about the uniqueness of you is an
David Ralph [19:29]
absolute key point. Now, I had quite a few people that have been coaching, and they all have this idea. And they want to replicate what somebody else is doing. And I say to him, yeah, take the good parts, and take the structure, but make it yourself. And that’s the hardest part for them, actually breaking it down and just being them. And once we actually get to that point, it’s almost like a light bulb goes on about the head. And it’s like, what so you’re saying, I just have to be myself? Yes, yes, I exactly what I’m saying. Just be yourself. It’s so mind blowing, you know, I switch on the mic here now. And I’m pretty much myself. And I am creating a show It’s going great guns, and I still have that devil, an angel on my shoulder where I kind of think, hang on, it’s gonna be hard of in this work has to be hard. I’m having a good time here. This is great. I could do this all the time. You’re just being yourself. Yes. Once again, once you do that, it’s the powerhouse, isn’t it, that’s when it all comes together for you.
Andia Winslow [20:29]
It does. And then something happens that I’m learning now actually is you begin to be overwhelmed by the opportunities that are presented to you. So when I was in need of trying to figure out what I wanted to do, or where I was going, or how things are working, I kept was consistently thinking future future thinking, Oh, I wish I could have that I wish this person I wish I could do with that person is doing. I stopped that. And now there’s so many things offered to me. And I don’t even know how to decide there’s there’s this, there’s that because I’m just being myself and walking to my own purpose. And always remembering the moral that comparison is the thief of joy. If you’re comparing yourself to someone who you’re not, you will never achieve what they do. Because again, that’s not you, that’s them. And also you can’t then enjoy the things that you have that thing that you’re working towards that are unique to you.
David Ralph [21:16]
It’s fascinating is it this is I say this a lot is like being in therapy for me when when I listen to you lot talking, I kind of think oh my god, I think about my own life. But even six months ago, I was commuting every single day into a job. And I would do that nine to five. And it was the same job every single day. Nothing really changed. And now I’m doing this even this morning, I had an email, I’m doing this course in Berlin, why don’t you come over, you know, I’ll pay for you to come across will be here, you know, and then I get these other requests. And if I if I was jumping on all those opportunities, it’s not going to be a show, I would never be here I’ll be having a kick ass live whizzing around the world doing stuff. But there’s so many opportunities coming to me now and I kind of thing. How has this happened? How have I got to the age of 44? And never had these things occur before. But now on a daily basis. I’m sort of batting them away like wasps around my head. Because I think No, I’ve got to focus on what I’m doing. And yes, it’d be lovely to do that. But I can’t. It’s amazing, isn’t it?
Andia Winslow [22:19]
It is the power of positive thinking and the power of being free mentally
David Ralph [22:24]
when you are doing your things because let’s get to cut to the chase and really talk about it because you have got the fit cycle where you basically are teaching people to be able to be fit within a time frame that fits them, basically. So you are really busy. There’s no excuse for being fit, you can still do stuff. And you can, as I say, press against the wall, hang on a door frame, or do a few stretches or what ever was fat a moment of realisation to you, wow, we really need to do something about this. Or was that something that for years, you were saying? Wouldn’t it be good? If somebody does this? And then finally you realise you as a person to do it?
Andia Winslow [23:09]
That’s a good question. I think it’s probably a combination of both factors. I first started the movies if people haven’t seen them the movies are they’re short, short vignettes, they’re maybe three to five minutes long. And it’s not just a fitness video where I show you do some squats do some push ups is actually a movie. And this is storylines, a plot twist and character development. And, and so the movie shell folks, I’m on a journey and this is what I do on my journey. And then I reach my destination that had nothing to do with fitness. But I got my fitness in. When I lived in Arizona for a time, I live near a reservation that had the largest population of type two diabetes folks in the entire world. This is in the United States, and just outside of Phoenix, Arizona. And so I was very distressed by this because these are my community members. And I had a little cell phone and I would put it into a water bottle upside down and how put the water bottle gallon water bottle and put it on it table and use that as my tripod. And I would film little tiny fitness videos showing here’s how you do some push ups. Here’s how you use odd objects around your home to get fit. And they start very simple, you know, 30 seconds a minute. When I got to New York City, I have a friend who’s a filmmaker Monique Walton. And she said let’s build these storeys out more make them storeys, in fact make them enjoyable to a different audience who probably wouldn’t be watching fitness videos and tell a storey because really, it’s about the storey that people’s lives, we did that. And the response was amazing. And I think that’s when I realised Oh, this is something that can be a movement based movement. This is something that actually people can, can can get behind and be excited by not just something that’s cluttering the landscape of more fitness videos and more. This is what you shouldn’t be doing. This is more of a storey and people telling their storeys and expressing themselves through the storeys of their daily lives. And it’s been very, very, very fun.
David Ralph [24:52]
Because I was watching one this morning when you was on the underground, and it starts off with Oh, I’m late for a meeting or whatever. And you come from flying at your house and you get on the train. And it’s all pretty standard stuff, stretching and pressing against beings. And when you get onto the underground, and then this very handsome black guy turns. And then suddenly, you’re kind of stripping off in front of each other. And I was thinking Hello, hello, where’s this going? And it didn’t quite go where I wanted it to go to be honest. But was that a conscious being? Or was that something that you just bought Anita add an element to make it a bit spicy.
Andia Winslow [25:30]
That was that was a conscious thing. Because a lot of times you’re on the train and you see that cute guy that’s that cute girl sitting across from you and think oh, I wonder what would be like for us to you know dance or it was it was a moment of playing to your imagination. I mean, because that’s what people think you see someone on the train who who would like to your fancy Are you are you start to daydream that was a daydream sequence. And you can you can be fitting your daydreams, you know, if you can’t actually do it, let’s think about it at least and let your mind go there. And I’m sure that the mind has a great effect in the body. So you can think about fitness even if you can’t be in fitness at a time. think that that FX change to come. Some kind of chemical level I imagined
David Ralph [26:06]
it would what was fascinating about this is that you are classic example for Join Up Dots the tagline for the show, as I say time and time again, is connecting our past to build our future. And you really can Join Up Dots. Connie, you can look back and go Yes, when I was younger was making these little movies now and making these bigger movies when I was little I was doing this. And now I’m doing that. And you haven’t lost that. That innocence of childhood you are genuinely playing and making a good living.
Andia Winslow [26:34]
Yes, genuinely playing I play every day I aspire to play. If a day goes by that I don’t play my mood is sour. I should say that to let me be honest. So play must be part of my life. Its inherent in my life. And, and I try to inspire folks around me to play as well. Playing for them may not be jumping about playing them might be doing voiceovers or it might be making film or writing books or taking photographs, but playing them unless I think a lot of my friends are now entrepreneurs who have died, who have taken their leap of faith and are now playing in their profession. And they’re living their lives as a result.
David Ralph [27:13]
I love my life. You love your life. Everyone who comes on the show loves their life. And they’re all doing what they want to do. It’s as simple as that. But so many people out there, yes, it’s craziness. But so many people out there listening to this, and I hear I get emails in and I do some calls with them. And if somebody sort of comes through to me and say, Can I have a chat I will do I sort of go through to them. It’s getting busier and busier and busier. Now. I used to do it all the time. And now I have to say that I can give you 1015 minutes, whatever. But all of them are just trapped mentally. They’ve got the skills, they’ve got the opportunities, they just think that work has to be hard. And I hope that this show becomes a movement as well. But people will listen to it. And if they listen to one show or hundred shows or 1000 shows. One day, suddenly the penny will drop and they will go. Ah, I know what they’re talking about. And I can’t see why it took me so long to realise life doesn’t have to be hard.
Andia Winslow [28:11]
He agreed. I cosine everything you just said,
David Ralph [28:15]
Oh, I’m getting I’m getting good. And it’s a deal co signing Ben that’s that’s good for me. I’m gonna play a little speech now because it says pretty much what I have just said. And we’ve been saying all the way through the show. But this this is Jim Carrey.
Jim Carrey [28:30]
My father could have been a great comedian, but he didn’t believe that that was possible for him. And so he made a conservative choice. Instead, he got a safe job as an accountant. And when I was 12 years old, he was let go from that safe job. And our family had to do whatever we could to survive. I learned many great lessons from my father, not the least of which was that you can fail at what you don’t want. So you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.
David Ralph [28:57]
What do you think about that?
Andia Winslow [28:59]
Excellent, excellent advice. simple and very true. There are alternatives there’s this or that but choose that which makes you happy and also pays your bills.
David Ralph [29:12]
So So you are naturally smiley You are like a kind of Tigger Aren’t you just jumping around like a lunatic every day and having great fun. You must be you must be a bit annoying. I must have met magic.
Andia Winslow [29:27]
Come now come now I don’t wouldn’t use the word lunatic or Tigger. But yes, I am jumping around maybe maybe
David Ralph [29:36]
I’ve got an eight year old daughter or nine year old to to complain. I said eight. And she’s jumping around all the time doing hands.
Andia Winslow [29:44]
Along famously your daughter and I
David Ralph [29:45]
yeah, I’m sure I’m sure you would. And we kind of said, Just sit down for a while. Can you just give us five minutes without doing handstands and stuff? And do people find your exuberant engaging all the time? Or do sometimes people go to just discard down a little bit just to sit down and just become
Andia Winslow [30:04]
you know what i have a stoic and reflective side as well. So I do have probably don’t have an in between I’m either very excitable or very subdued. But the excitable This is not anything that’s encroaches on anyone else’s space. I’m very aware of personal space and boundaries and, and pleasantries, so it’s not annoying. I Well, maybe I should ask somebody and survey them and it but I don’t think it’s annoying. I think it’s more over the word be engaging, engaging in an infectious energy. I would say I would classify it that way. I think making me laugh is great. Physical humour is funny. I’m not a comedian, but I enjoy me making people feel situations are lighter and, and having more levity in life. Because you know, I’ve been in the other place I’ve been depressed, I’ve been sad or being a perfectionist and being too hard on myself. And every once in a while you see glimpses of that everyone does. But I prefer being happy being buoyant and light. And that’s my preference.
David Ralph [31:04]
Absolutely. I think that should be everyone’s preference. So have you had a time on the Join Up Dots timeline, have you had a dot when you look back on it, and you go, and we call it our big dot, where it’s a terrible time. It really is the worst thing that you’ve gone through. But you can look back on it now with new eyes and go yeah, thank God for that. If it wasn’t for about I wouldn’t have become who I am now.
Andia Winslow [31:26]
I would prefer back to the grandfather situation. I was with him. He was terminally ill with cancer. And I watched someone die. So that was probably the worst of times, but also the best of times, because I got to see, you know, Trent a life transition, I got to see what the end of life looks like. But also kind of feel like it was a rebirth. For me, and for my relationship with my own president and my own future. And I look back at that time as being something was very difficult to go through and to recover from. But something that set me on the path that I’m on now. I would never give it back.
David Ralph [32:01]
Yeah, that’s the big dog. And so many people say to me, yes, it was my worst time and my best time. And I’ve had people say to me that she told me storeys that they were in a car, just about to commit suicide and something happened. Wow. And they change direction. And I look back on it, and they go, that was my best time ever, and my worst time ever. It’s amazing.
Andia Winslow [32:23]
It’s very amazing. But you’ve got to listen to me open and learn from it. You can’t just pass by I think that’s the key.
David Ralph [32:30]
So So when you’ve got this idea, and one of the things that we’re trying to get across to people is that when you started on this path, you didn’t have all the answers. You just knew that you wanted to do something. What was one of the first things that you did, away from being a professional golfer to actually get your website up and the business going and getting noticed
Andia Winslow [32:53]
most in New York
moved to New York. There’s a sidebar to my storey in that is after I was after I was with my grandfather, I went back to Arizona where I was a professional golfer and I was a little bit of a loss recovering from that. And I got a phone call from United States Olympic Committee and the programme called black ice concept which is recruiting athletes to join the Winter Olympic movement. And so I moved to Lake Placid, New York where we have an Olympic Training Centre and I was recruited to train for the bobsled and skeleton which are winter sliding sports you just probably saw on the Olympics in Sochi, Russia. And so I was a golfer turned skeleton slider. And that was very strange transition and I’m thinking what am I doing? I went from the desert the arid desert to you know the mountains and and the cold and I think that transition there kind of let me know look, whatever it is that you’re doing. It can be described as skeleton to golf, but it has to involve motion as enrol action. I think that was a turning point. And when I came down to New City, I knew that I had to be involved in sport and movement, both in my own life and helping others do the same in theirs. So I think the New York City moves would really made me get noticed and express myself in a way that was more tangible and actionable. Was that not
David Ralph [34:16]
scary, though? you’re sliding down on a tray or something on you was what was that not terrifying?
Andia Winslow [34:22]
Sure, terrifying, but managed terror. It was managed air. But exhilarating, exhilarating, and any felt alive. I, I tell folks skill, a sliding skeleton is like eating a Peppermint Patty and jumping off of a cliff at the same time. It’s minty. It’s fast. And you don’t know what’s going to happen. But you kind of do. So very, very interesting experience and one that I wouldn’t give back either. But it helped me transition from professional sports, playing them as competitor to teaching people about performance and agility in their own sports.
David Ralph [34:56]
So it kind of dependent that inner confidence that you could tackle most things and overcome.
Andia Winslow [35:02]
I think so i think so because the transition was so stark, I think it showed me that really, there is nothing that you cannot do as long as you’re organised and, and willing to do the work and put in the time.
David Ralph [35:13]
Because nowadays, we have got such opportunity, as he was saying opportunities are everywhere. But for so many people, they can’t see them because they’re just on the rat race. And they need to step back don’t know, and I need to read books, I need to look at blogs, I need to just become aware of what’s around them. And the more you do that, because that’s what I did. I just knew somewhere in me that I needed something else in my life. And I had no idea what it was. So I just sort of flicked around on the computer because it was in front of me having a look. And you look at one side, and then you go to another site and it just sort of leaves on. And ultimately you get to something and you think I never knew you could do this. people making a living doing this, let’s have a look at that, and not tolerate you on to something else. That ability to become aware and step away from the nine to five, putting an mp3 in your ears on the train and just listening to the latest Coldplay album or whatever. And then going through a box set of Breaking Bad in the evening. That doesn’t progress you does it is pleasurable, but it doesn’t progress you you’ve got to become aware.
Andia Winslow [36:18]
Yes, most definitely. That’s a great word aware awareness.
David Ralph [36:23]
When When did you become aware of what you were doing wasn’t just a flight of fancy, but it was something that could be totally developed into a business.
Andia Winslow [36:32]
When I started receiving emails and letters from people around the world, telling me that they were inspired, or they they were brought to flares of emotion that they didn’t expect, or that they wanted to do the same thing. People send me pictures of them working out with their kids, people telling me in very lengthy letters about their storey of diabetes or hypertension. That was what I think really made me realise Wait a second, this is something that people are, are, are taking to and something that’s actually inspiring, sustainable change. And I think really, my goal in life is to be part of part of sustainable change Be the change that I can that I can be in my own space in my own time around the people that I encounter, and hopefully scale it at some point. That’s what I’m working on now. But I think hearing the human storeys, that’s what told me this was real. And this was right. And this was the right trajectory for me.
David Ralph [37:28]
Did that scare you a bit though, I was having a conversation with a podcaster last night. And he was saying that he actually got scared once he shows started to become successful, because he realised that the words he was giving out, ultimately, he wanted them to have a positive effect. But ultimately, somebody might come back to him and go, you screwed my life up, I listened to you, I did what you said, or I thought I did what he said, and it hasn’t panned out. And he suddenly realised, but he’s never had that yet. But one of these days that’s going to come back to them. And he’s going to say, you know, yeah, I did that. I tried to make myself a seesaw with the elbows, and now a dummy back in and I can’t I can’t even get off the floor, that you were with the sort of responsibility that you are building by providing that value, and solving the problems that people are looking for.
Andia Winslow [38:21]
I believe so I think ultimately, there is free will and everyone needs to be responsible for themselves. But something that my grandfather told me another grandfather that the responsibility of being the first is to make certain that you’re not the last. And I’m not the first to be involved in fitness. But I think I’m the first to be on the Winslow, I’m the first to be myself. So my responsibility is to continue being myself and enjoy my life. But also to let folks know that it’s okay to be yourself and okay to, to enjoy your life in ways you want to. I think that it’s very scary for me, when I realised that the human element is the greatest element greater than any chemical on the periodic table, the human element is the most profound, and it will be the thing that sustains us. And they’ll be a thing that lasts longer than anything else, and even memory. So I think responding to and being in tune with your fellow human is the most important thing you can do. And it’s something that’s been very fulfilling to me. And I think it inspires all the work that Monique and I do when we make films,
David Ralph [39:20]
because you want doing something that’s brilliant, it plays to your strengths you love it is simply playing, but you’re providing huge value to people, you’re solving problems. And ultimately, it’s scalable. As you say, it is scalable, this could go as big as you want it to be. Now, that’s amazing when you think about, especially from that first moment when you bought your first URL, and you’re on GoDaddy, whatever. And it’s just a WordPress site, and you’re not even sure how to use it and you’re moving boxes around, and suddenly it starts shape taking shape. When you look at what you’ve achieved now, and the fact that this live from the United Kingdom, he saying, Wow, this is going to be huge. That must blow me blow your mind.
Andia Winslow [40:07]
It does it does. I? Wow. Yes, it does. This is great. I mean, I think especially with the access we’ll have the web is really making things tangible. It’s making things small, the world is in fact small, but it’s even smaller than it’s ever been. And you can connect to people in remote parts of the world, folks that you may never meet, or that you feel close to as a result of the web. And I think right now we’re developing curriculum. So this is not just about fitness. This is not just about entertainment is all about education. And one project that we worked on recently was called the legacy workout. And we pair figures in history to figures in fitness moves. For example, the Tuskegee Airmen were a group of Air Force men here in the United States, they were black Air Force men who were not allowed to serve in the general population in the military. And so they had to start on unit but they started very successfully, they all receive Congressional Medal of honour, and we have a move, lateral raises weight. So imagine you have two dumbbells and both hands, your hands, the palms are facing each other and you raise your hands to your side, like an aeroplane would fly. So we pair the move the lateral raises with the figurehead, and we explain why they’re similar and why the move is inspired by the figurehead. So, folks, a lot of folks who watched our movie didn’t even know the Tuskegee Airmen existed now they do. So now they go do self research. And they investigate and and, and invest in learning, book learning, mental learning, body learning, and then ultimately just understanding how they fit into the world through fitness through historical figures. And I think that’s just fun as well. So building on education, wellness and art together, is how we’re going to scale this and it’s exciting, and I’m glad that we can share with you today.
David Ralph [41:55]
So it is it’s hugely exciting, and you’ve got every right to be excited because if I was creating this couple of years ago, I would I think I would fall into the same trap that everybody else does. And you have this idea for fitness. So I would create some videos of myself doing stuff, throw them on YouTube, and kind of build it in the same way but you’re creating something that is so much more than this. It’s going off into total different directions but until you say it I can’t even perceive so where are these ideas coming from? Do you are you in a mastermind or do you just have a close links with people that are giving you these things?
Andia Winslow [42:33]
Uh, it really just comes from watching human beings being a history buff myself It comes from exploring it comes from venturing I mean I don’t set out to have ideas for films I walk about an idea will appear to me or I’ll sit reflective by a body of water and the ways will inspire something or or spark a memory or even thinking back to my childhood what the things I did that made me happy to climbing trees Oh, you no the tree. What does the tree symbolise the tree symbolises rebirth and roots and bridging from past and future. Okay, great, we’ll do it. We’ll do a video about past the future and generations and multi generational involvement. That’s how things work for me, I don’t necessarily, again, when I when I’m writing or blocking for a film, I don’t set out to do one thing, it just comes to me and I always carry around my little red book in my pocket and a pen behind my ear. And I’m always writing things down and being inspired by people. So it is people in nature that inspire me. And it just it just happens I can’t I can’t explain it.
David Ralph [43:33]
Perfect is perfect. I’m going to play the words of Steve Jobs now because he spoke back in 2005, about only being able to look back and and know you where you are. Now by connecting your dots, we’ve called it Join Up Dots. I’m going to play this because I really think we’ve already agreed that you’re spot on for this, you’re the perfect candidate for a show like Join Up Dots. But this is Steve Jobs.
Steve Jobs [43:53]
Of course, it was impossible to connect the dots looking forward when I was in college. But it was very, very clearly looking backwards. 10 years later. Again, you can’t connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something, your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. Because believing that the dots will connect down the road will give you the confidence to follow your heart, even when it leaves you off the well worn path. And that will make all the difference.
David Ralph [44:28]
So what do you think about those words? Are they true to your life?
Andia Winslow [44:33]
I would say so I think Steve Jobs obviously is is a phenomenal orator. But and he probably will express it better than I did. He does. But I think oftentimes things happen. You wonder why, why, why, why. But if you look back, you’ll say, oh, there was a reason for that. Oh, I did learn a lesson from that. If you are aware, oh, that that was why I turned left there. So I can meet that person there. And then that person and I now have a relationship or I read that book because it was the past and I need to reflect and do a close reading on something. The future. So I think those words are are very great. I also think about this issue of the power of now and Eckert totally and, and things like that, and being aware to the present. And he says you shouldn’t worry about the past. But I think that’s false. I think the past does inspire a lot. It can inspire fear, it can inspire fervour, it can inspire, inspire greatness. But for me for Steve Jobs, and for you, obviously, I think looking back, lets you know that you’ve had to go through those things, however painful or exciting to realise what you’re doing now. And it’s important.
David Ralph [45:34]
No experience is wasted is what I like to say.
Andia Winslow [45:38]
Ah, what happens if it is what happens? You don’t listen. That’s the problem.
David Ralph [45:43]
Yeah. And that’s, that’s the problem. That takes us back to becoming aware, and sort of reflecting and just slowing down every now and again, because I think a lot of people don’t listen to themselves, because they’re just trapped in that nine to five, day in, day out, get to the weekend, do the daily, yours. Sunday evening, sit down because you going back to work again. And I think you do mentally have to decide but you are going to take time to become aware again.
Andia Winslow [46:10]
Yes, most definitely.
David Ralph [46:12]
So So what scares you now just before we sort of bring you on to the Sermon on the mic, and we send you back in time, we’ve everything’s going on in your life, and you’re pushing the boundaries of what is achievable, and you’re doing amazing things. What actually scares you when you lay in bed? Are there any things that you think, oh, I don’t think I can pull this off.
Andia Winslow [46:32]
scares me.
I would say
the thought of not being able to make enough of an impact, that’s scary.
We’re talking about professionalism.
Making sure that I maintain my standard of care and my code of ethics for myself, that’s scary, and not being swayed by monetization principles that are again untrue to who I am and my standard of care. I think those things, they’re all scary and then making the right choice. Now, as we discussed, we both have a lot of choices, don’t do a lot of things, making certain that I choose the right thing at the right time. And then my timing is spot on. Because what happens if I make the wrong choice that I did I now take my trajectory in the direction that I didn’t want to go or die align myself with the wrong people who aren’t going to be fulfilling that’s that’s scary.
David Ralph [47:23]
your site can go anywhere, can it you could have a chat, a lady, whatever, they could be in Bora Bora. And I could just log on and and be find the impetus to change their lives?
Andia Winslow [47:36]
I think so. And I hope so I hope that they share with me if it does, then we can continue maybe telling their storey and and featuring them and having them inspire the folks as well. It’s a community of folks. It’s really a movement based movement.
David Ralph [47:48]
I love it is exactly what this show is going to become and and you’re you’re an inspiration to me, you certainly are. I’m going to send you back in time. Now this is part of the show that we call the Sermon on the mic. And this is when you go back in time to have a one on one week, your younger self. And if you could go back what age would you choose? And what words would you say? Well, we’re gonna find out now, because now you’re up and this is sermon on the mic.
Unknown Speaker [48:19]
Show.
Andia Winslow [48:33]
On dia, not all that wander are lost. You are walking in your purpose when you play when you explore when you’re climbing trees and jumping over lakes. And playing with your friends and and making new friends expressing yourself and asking questions. Don’t ever stop doing that. Because that’s what’s going to make you who you are. And that’s what’s going to make you most happy. And have you travelled the world and affect change everywhere you go. And with everyone you me.
David Ralph [49:01]
On dia How can our listeners connect with you?
Andia Winslow [49:05]
online the websites are Andrea Winslow, com. Also the fit cycle com on Twitter and Instagram my handles at Andrea Winslow and Facebook. It’s on dia in our Winslow. And I would love to engage with folks love to trade storeys and have viewers in movies in their own and collaborate I love to collaborate. So hopefully I’ll hear from you all and and David, thank you so much for having me on today. This has been great.
David Ralph [49:34]
No, it’s been a delight and and it was a delight just to see that sexy video on the tube this morning. Really? That started my day off well.
Andia Winslow [49:43]
Well, maybe you can send me some photos of you getting it in where you can fit it in, and I’ll post them on the website.
David Ralph [49:49]
Oh, I think I’m blushing. I think I’m blushing. I don’t know. I don’t know me blush. But I’m very last question. Just before I sign you off is Do you believe that everybody can have a kick ass life?
Andia Winslow [49:59]
Yes. And I believe they should,
David Ralph [50:01]
end of story. Thank you so much for spending time with us today. Join those dots. And please come back again when you have more dots to join up because I believe the only way to build our futures is by connecting our past on Andia Winslow, thank you so much.
Andia Winslow [50:13]
Thank you, David Have a wonderful day.
Outro [50:16]
David doesn’t want you to become a faded version of the brilliant self you were once to become. So he’s put together an amazing guide for you called the eight pieces of advice that every successful entrepreneur practices, including the two that changed his life. Head over to Join Up Dots.com to download this amazing guide for free and we’ll see you tomorrow on Join Up Dots.
