As a healthcare professional, I’ve met countless individuals with unique and fascinating life stories. However, one encounter stands out in particular—a story that not only changed my perspective but also reaffirmed two of the greatest attributes necessary for achieving personal fitness and wellness goals: enthusiasm and conviction.

I first met a patient in his 70s, a man who had spent his entire life embracing the wilderness. His love for the outdoors led him to some of the most remote and untouched places, including the deep mountains of the Okanogan. During one of our sessions, he recounted a story that, to this day, still sends chills down my spine.

He was taking his family on a camping trip, far from the comforts of civilization. They preferred solitude, choosing campsites so exclusive and remote that they hadn’t seen another car for three hours. As they drove along backwoods logging roads, the landscape around them became more rugged and wild. They were deep in the heart of the Okanogan, surrounded by towering trees and steep hillsides.

As they began to crest a small hill on this isolated logging road, something extraordinary happened. Suddenly, the headlights illuminated a massive figure—Bigfoot. The patient described how the creature stared directly at him and his wife, its eyes piercing through the darkness. Then, with astonishing fluidity, it took two giant steps and disappeared over the bank into the night.

The way this man described the encounter was nothing short of infectious. His enthusiasm was palpable, and his conviction unshakable. He was convinced this was no hoax. Who would be out there, in the middle of the Okanogan, dressed in a suit, hoping to fool the odd car that might pass by? The probability was zero. As he spoke, I found myself drawn in by his certainty, the sheer belief in what he had witnessed. It was one of the reasons I believe in Bigfoot today.

This story reminds me of a crucial parallel in achieving fitness and wellness goals. Just as my patient’s unwavering enthusiasm and conviction convinced me of his Bigfoot experience, these same attributes are vital in your personal fitness journey.

Enthusiasm is the spark that ignites your journey. It's the excitement you feel when you set a new goal, the energy that pushes you out of bed in the morning to hit the gym, and the drive that keeps you going when the road gets tough. Without enthusiasm, the daily grind of pursuing your health goals can quickly turn into a monotonous chore. It’s enthusiasm that makes you look forward to each workout, each healthy meal, and each small victory along the way. Enthusiasm turns effort into enjoyment, and when you enjoy the process, you’re more likely to stick with it long enough to see results.

But enthusiasm alone isn’t enough. Conviction—the deep-seated belief in your ability to achieve your goals—is just as crucial. Conviction is what keeps you steady when enthusiasm wavers. It's the voice in your head that says, "I can do this," even when the results aren’t immediate, or when you face setbacks. Conviction is your inner strength, the unshakable belief that what you’re doing is worthwhile and that success is inevitable as long as you stay the course. Without conviction, it's easy to lose faith in yourself and your efforts, especially when the journey gets tough or progress slows.

Think of how my patient, after all these years, still vividly remembers that encounter with Bigfoot. His conviction in what he saw has never wavered. That same level of belief is what you need to carry with you on your health and wellness journey. It’s about believing in the process, in the small steps that lead to big changes, and in your ability to overcome obstacles.

Together, enthusiasm and conviction create an unstoppable force. They drive you to take action, maintain focus, and push through the inevitable challenges that come your way. Whether you’re trying to lose weight, build strength, improve your diet, or simply live a healthier life, these two attributes are your most powerful allies. They are what turn dreams into reality, what transform goals into achievements.

Even now, whenever I’m walking through the dense woods on our property, I can’t help but let my eyes wander to the shadows between the trees, the rustle of leaves in the underbrush, hoping—just maybe—to catch a fleeting glimpse of Bigfoot. It’s a feeling that lingers, a quiet thrill, a belief that something extraordinary might be just around the corner.

And that’s the same feeling you should carry with you on your own journey to better health and wellness. Just as my patient’s conviction and enthusiasm made me a believer in something as elusive as Bigfoot, you too can achieve what seems impossible. When you approach your goals with that same sense of wonder and unwavering belief, you turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.

So the next time you’re out there, whether it’s in the gym, on a trail, or simply making choices that align with your wellness goals, think of that patient in the Okanogan, staring down something incredible. Let that story fuel your enthusiasm and conviction. Because just like Bigfoot, your success is out there—you just have to believe in it enough to see it.

·      The author, Rob Sumner, is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and owner of Sumner Specialized Physical Therapy and Specialized Strength. He's happy to answer any questions about this article, wellness, or physical therapy overall by phone at (509) 684-5621 or by email at Rob@SumnerPT.com

**This content was originally posted in the North Columbia Monthly