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When most people think of success, they perceive lots of money, fame, business success, and luxury. However, for entrepreneurs Christopher Berlow and Paul Melella, this perception fails to appreciate other valuable spheres of life, for instance, healthy living. A mindset solely focussed on money is a mindset that fails to understand the satisfaction of having a healthy family or engaging in a healthy diet. The two entrepreneurs do not just preach water and drink wine; they live a life that is full of wholeness and satisfaction. Paul Melella and Christopher Berlow are the founders of Empowering Mastery, one of the most successful personal and professional success training companies in the NorthEast. We interviewed them to find out what success means for them and whether any person can master every main area of their life.
Achieving Personal Success
Paul Melella is an entrepreneur, real estate investor, martial arts master, and the author of the best selling book “You Have Infinite Power.” He currently resides in Putnam County New York. Melella is living his dream. He has traveled the world in the past two decades learning about peak performance, personal growth, and healthy living from the most influential leaders in the world. He holds a 6th-degree black belt in Taekwondo and happens to be a nine-time New York State champion. Melella is not only successful in his professional scope but also his personal life. He has a wife and children. When asked about his definition of success, he is quick to point out that a happy marriage and time with his children is also a success. He donates $20,000 in scholarships so that children can benefit from his entrepreneurial success. According to Melella, “My passion is to share my specialized knowledge, leadership skills and business experience with my students so that they can reach their full potential in all areas of life.” Melella started his first company, the United Martial Arts Centre when he was 21 years of age. He started Empowering Mastery in 2009 together with his partner Christopher Berlow.
Christopher Berlow is an entrepreneur, Martial Arts Master, and a Best-selling author. He is a life-long martial artist with skills in coaching, team building, public speaking, and entrepreneurship. Berlow has achieved numerous successes in every field of his life. He is a respected real estate investor, philanthropist, with a 6th-degree black belt in Taekwondo. Furthermore, he is a national medalist with more than 35 years of experience as an avid instructor and practitioner. Berlow has authored three books, two of which include “Mindful Meditations for Busy Lives” and “It’s Not about the Belt.” The book, “It’s not about the Belt,” became the No. 1 Hottest New Release on its Amazon debut date and a top 20 bestseller. This versatile entrepreneur started his business with a $10,000 loan at 25% interest. The business developed into one of the most successful Martial Arts schools in the country. Berlow, along with the martial arts organization, managed to raise more than $100,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and other charities.
Empowered Mastery
Empowering Mastery is a platform where people get to learn from the two entrepreneurs. In today’s busy world, most people grapple with the issue of work-life balance. How to close a successful business deal and still make it for your kid’s sports event. Alternatively, you may be one of the people struggling with developing a healthy lifestyle. According to Melella, the first step towards personal growth is asking yourself, What do I want? What is my Outcome?
During the interview, Melella and Berlow pointed out some of the strategies that have helped them to manage every area of their life successfully. One of the plans is being consciously aware of your thoughts and emotions. According to the two Martial Arts Masters, when one is consciously aware of how they are thinking and feeling, then they can reboot. Success starts by controlling one’s thoughts. In the second strategy, Berlow noted that in times of challenges or adversity, he avoids anxiety by reflecting on past successes. This strategy is called “The Circle of Confidence.” Berlow states that the circle of confidence entails reflecting on your recent accomplishments and using those thoughts to recondition yourself in a manner that will fuel your intended outcome in that situation. The entrepreneurs also talked about developing an empowering paradigm. It entails using empowering statements to motivate you towards achieving your intended outcome.
When it comes to success, the two entrepreneurs presented the notion of multi-dimensional success. It is a form of success that focuses on fulfillment in every sphere of life-personal and professional. Berlow’s life purpose statement is “to be the best example.” He encourages his students to develop a life of fun, health, happiness, purpose, love, and passion. The two entrepreneurs are living proof that multi-dimensional success can be attained. Chris and Paul are not only versatile entrepreneurs, but they are also avid hikers. Christ has tackled some of the world’s most challenging mountains such as Kilimanjaro, Himalayas, and live volcanoes in Equador. The two entrepreneurs engage in full-time half-and full marathons, mountain bike competitions, and many more. When it comes to family and relationships, Chris and Paul work with their wives. They also engage in activities such as snowboarding and marathon races with their spouses. At a time when three out of five entrepreneurs end up divorced, Chris and Paul have mastered the art of building healthy relationships. They have done this through the awareness that a happy family is also a success.
Pursuing entrepreneurship is a personal journey. As one embarks on this journey, they may find it challenging to separate time for work with time for family or friends. As a consequence, entrepreneurship has become a journey laden with mental illness. Recent statistics indicate that 45% of entrepreneurs struggle with stress. Also, 30% of entrepreneurs are currently struggling with depression. According to Paul and Chris, focusing on a multi-dimensional success is the solution to avoiding such pitfalls. Aside from building a successful business, Paul and Chris are actively involved in their kids’ lives. Chris’ son has become a professional Martial Artist as a result of the leadership and mentorship of his father. The two are also actively involved in philanthropy, be it donations, raising money, or giving leadership seminars to youth groups.
Master of Self
The Empowering Mastery program teaches clients about developing a growth mindset. The entrepreneurs share their knowledge and train their students to unlock their potential in reaping a happy and healthy life in every area of their life.
Berlow and Melella achieved success in business and their personal life by learning to master the self. This is by controlling their thoughts and developing the discipline to channel positive energy through empowering statements and developing a positive mindset. The two co-founders of Empowering Mastery encourage their students to focus on progress, not perfection. Their parting shot to us was, “you can be the best version of yourself. Just do not compare yourself to others. Rather, seek fulfillment in your own life.”
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