The Voice of Resistance

Skiing was a big part of Food TV Host Guy Fieri’s childhood. It also proved to be a pivotal part of his future success. 

Fieri’s parents would rent a room near Squaw Valley in California, hand him a lift ticket and money for lunch, then let him go and have fun on the slopes. After one long day, his father asked him what he had for lunch, and Fieri responded, “A bunch of soft pretzels from the stand at the bottom of the slope.” 

Fieri was effusive with praise for these pretzels. When his dad asked what made them so good, Fieri described them in detail and said that they had the perfect amount of salt, texture and taste. His father asked, “Why don’t you ask the pretzel seller where he buys his pretzels and maybe you could start a business when we return home?” So, Guy headed back to the slopes. Much to his surprise, however, the man refused to answer the 10-year-old, claiming he might start a business near him that would hurt his own. Guy relayed the message to his father, who then told him to do a little investigative work and find an empty box of pretzels and get an address. Fieri then went dumpster diving, dug up an empty box with the company's name on it, went home, made a few calls and ultimately launched his business. Even at just 10, Fieri's determination was strong, and he refused to take no for an answer. 

Whether we are just kids or 90 years old, if we have a dream, someone will always try to keep us from fulfilling it. But too often, it’s the voice inside of our heads.

Steven Pressfield, in his book, “The War of Art,” calls that the voice of resistance.  Here are the most common areas the voice of resistance attacks:

1. The pursuit of writing, painting, music, film, dance or any creative art.

2. The launching of any entrepreneurial venture or enterprise.

3. Any diet or health regime.

4. Any program of spiritual advancement.

5. Any course or program designed to overcome an unwholesome habit. 

6. Education of any kind. 

Once we silence the voice inside, we can begin to make progress. This doesn’t mean we’ll have instant success, but it knocks down a huge barrier that often prevents us from reaching our ultimate goals. Fieri defeated that voice with help from his father and has never looked back. 

It’s time we do the same.