A story of failure, rediscovery, and transformation by Dickens Fenelon, Founder of Get-FitStay-Fit™.
The Spark That Changed Everything
I was seventeen the first time I walked into a gym.
The clang of iron, the raw smell of chalk, and the hum of determination around me,it felt like coming home. Back then, fitness wasn’t a business. It was my sanctuary, a place to quiet the noise and find clarity.
But like so many young adults chasing stability, I chose the “practical” route. I worked as an IT technician, an insurance agent, a stockbroker, even a truck driver. The paychecks kept life moving, but none of it fueled me. Through every detour, one constant remained,the gym. Training was my reset button, the one space where I felt fully alive.
Eventually, I understood what that meant: this wasn’t just a passion. It was my purpose.
From Tech Support to Total Transformation
Once I made the decision to go all in, everything changed. I earned certifications in sports nutrition, personal training, and performance coaching. I competed relentlessly, earning my IFBB Pro card,a goal I once thought impossible.
My business flourished. I helped over a thousand clients transform their bodies and minds. From the outside, I had it all: thriving health, a strong career, and deep faith. Three of my six life pillars were rock solid. But beneath the surface, the others were crumbling.
When One Pillar Falls, the Whole Foundation Shakes
For more than a decade, I ignored a fractured relationship and the emotional exhaustion it created. Instead of facing it, I buried myself in work,coaching others to confront their fears while avoiding my own.
Success turned hollow. My energy declined, focus faded, and even my stage presence began to slip. I realized the painful truth: when one pillar weakens, it pulls the rest down with it.
So, I made a decision that terrified me,I stopped everything. I closed my business, stepped off the stage, and took two years to rebuild my life from the ground up.
I gained 50 to 70 pounds. I felt sluggish, ashamed, and disconnected. For the first time, I experienced the same struggles many of my clients confessed to me. Those two years humbled me more than any trophy ever could.
Rebuilding wasn’t just about losing weight; it was about reclaiming discipline and rediscovering purpose. And in that process, I found something deeper than fitness: clarity.
That was the birth of Get-FitStay-Fit™and the LevelUp-Mindset Breakthrough™system.
Why Get-FitStay-Fit™ Exists
Most people treat fitness as an event,something they prepare for, like a vacation, wedding, or competition. But events end, and so does motivation.
True transformation begins when you stop training for moments and start training for life.
Through Get-FitStay-Fit™, I teach clients to view fitness as one of six vital pillars of fulfillment. When one weakens, the others inevitably follow. Each pillar must be monitored, rated, and intentionally maintained,just like your finances, relationships, or faith.
That’s the essence of Get-FitStay-Fit™: developing the mindset and structure to keep every pillar performing at a Level 10,consistently, permanently.
The Six Pillars of a Level 10 Life
- Health & Fitness– The foundation of vitality and performance.
- Career & Finance– The outlet for purpose and contribution.
- Faith & Spiritual Alignment– The compass that grounds values.
- Family– The source of belonging and unconditional support.
- Personal Development & Growth– The pursuit of mastery.
- Relationships– The mirror that reflects who we truly are.
When one pillar falls out of balance, every other area feels the strain. Real success isn’t about perfection,it’s about alignment and continual progress.
Real Stories, Real Transformation
Sumit, From Burnout to Boundless Energy
At 45, Sumit, a mortgage company owner, was drained from long hours and travel. After two years with no results, he came to me. We focused on mindset and built a plan with nutrition, training, and cardio. Sumit gained 30 pounds of muscle and lost 25 pounds of fat.
“Now I’m sharper, more productive, and can work longer without feeling drained,” Sumit says. Today, he balances all six pillars of life as a LevelUp Mastermind.
Phillis, The CEO Who Found Her Core
Phillis, 50, was a busy CEO who still hit the gym but felt unfulfilled. After joining LevelUp-Mindset Breakthrough™, she shed 25% body fat and reignited her drive.
“Fitness used to be a chore. Now, it’s part of who I am,” she says. “I make decisions faster, sleep better, and walk into every meeting confident.”
Shawn, Defying Age and Redefining Performance
At 53, Shawn, a former VP of GNC, struggled with exhaustion from constant travel. With structure and accountability, he lost 30 pounds of fat and gained 40 pounds of muscle.
“Now I feel stronger than I did at thirty,” Shawn says. “My energy, focus, and passion are back.”
Phil, Building Strength on Purpose
Phil, 42, wanted to feel powerful again. We used a clean-bulk approach to build 25–30 pounds of muscle while keeping body fat around 13%.
“For the first time, I actually enjoy training,” Phil says. “It’s changed how I run my business.” Now, he treats his health pillar as non-negotiable, just like his financial pillar.
The Common Thread
The difference between struggle and success isn’t a better workout,it’s a better mindset. Once clients shift their internal story, their external results follow. That’s why mindset reprogramming lies at the heart of every Get-FitStay-Fit™ program.
We don’t just train bodies. We train thinkers, leaders, and decision-makers to operate like high performers in every aspect of life.
The Hidden Truth About Success
I once believed success was purely about hard work. Now I know it’s about balance. You can grind harder than anyone and still feel empty if your other pillars are crumbling.
When one area falters,health, faith, relationships,it ripples through the rest. That’s why Get-FitStay-Fit™ is not just about fitness. It’s about alignment,building a disciplined, grounded identity that sustains every part of life.
If you’ve achieved success yet still feel something’s missing, you’re not alone. You don’t need another quick fix. You need balance across your six pillars. Rebuild them to support one another,and everything changes.
Ready to Build Your Level 10 Life?
The Get-FitStay-Fit™ + LevelUp-Mindset Breakthrough™program was designed for leaders ready to elevate every aspect of life,body, mind, and purpose.
If you’re tired of temporary results and ready to create lasting transformation, visitwww.getfitwithdickens.comto apply.
Because when you master your mind, you master everything.
Author Bio
Dickens Fenelon is the Founder of Get-FitStay-Fit™and the Creator of the LevelUp-Mindset Breakthrough™system — a high-performance framework that unites fitness, sports nutrition, neuroscience, and mindset reprogramming to help achievers excel across all six pillars of life. A certified sports nutritionist, IFBB Pro bodybuilder, and Peak Performance Coach, Fenelon empowers executives, CEOs, and business owners to create lasting transformation through his LevelUp Mindset Coaching™programs. He is also the founder of Dickens Coaching Academy, where he trains and certifies the next generation of transformational coaches.
