Okay, for all of you legendary people I’ve had the honor of meeting personally, you’ll know that I have a bit of a “cute” side.

You will know that I have something in common with a Budda, I have a low center of gravity and I have been told that I have the sign of a “good dad”.

Yes folks, I have something that is considered a sign of great wealth among African kings, something that is known to all New Zealanders in the Maori term (Puku Nui) and something that David Brent (of “The Office” Fame) has claimed was “all bought and paid for”.

I have a little belly!

I’ve been told it gives me character. I have had people rub it for good luck.

My sister even once wrote “Babe Frightener” on it…! (Honestly!)

It has been a part of my life for many years…and many beers too!

It’s also been something I’ve tried to work on.

It’s something I’ve tried to combat with many hours on the treadmill, in the sauna, doing sit-ups, hitting the punching bag, riding my bike, swimming. Whatever, I did it.

And it has always stayed with me. my loyal friend

However, that all changed a few months ago when I reconnected with an old friend of mine. A guy I’ve known for about 5 years and he has a LOT of experience in the gym world.

Yes, I reconnected with my good friend, Andrew Sellar. Now, Andy and I recently started training together and he is about 6’3 and weighs 110kg! It is what we call in SA, a “Unit”. Very different from the “Unit” that I am, as he has 10% less body fat.

Andy and I started working out at the gym and we’re doing something I haven’t done in 18 years: HEAVY weights.

He assures me that it is the best way to get the body of an Adonis, or at least a slimmer Buddha!

“Come on, Paul! One more rep!!”

“Come on, brother! You can do it!”

“Strooooonnng, Paul!! Strooooonngg!”

All the fantastic feedback coming from my fellow UBER supporter!

“I’ll tell you what Paul, keep it up, you’ll have a six pack in 2 months! You’ll be set son!”

All of this has been very encouraging and I have noticed that my body changes and becomes stronger. My shirts and pants are getting tighter in the right places and looser where they should be… Hell, I was starting to believe it was possible. For the first time in my life, I was considering being “toned and tempting…”

This all fell apart a few days ago.

Andy and I were talking about business (as boys do) and some of the challenges we were facing. As two loud, outgoing, enthusiastic guys would, this conversation got a little heated and passionate as we talked about the crazy obstacles being thrown and it all culminated with:

“I don’t know what to do with that, Paul! I really don’t!”

“The world is going crazy…! Damn crazy, I’m telling you!”

“People running as crazy as trucks! Crazy things happening all around us…!”

“It could be coming to the end of the world, Paul! Everything is preparing for it!”
…and then came the climactic moment!

Halfway through the spiel, Big Andy sees clearly and announces:

“That’s damn typical, Paul! You FINALLY get that six pack I’ve been promising you and then the world ends…! Damn typical!”

Well, let’s just say that comment was enough to put me over the top! I almost fell to the ground laughing. My eyes were smoky…! More air was coming out than coming in…!

It seemed to me that if I was going to get a six-pack, the world was going to have to end.

In that case, the end of the world as we know it is nowhere in sight. So sleep easy tonight!