Tag Archives: Titus

07Dec/18
Fit Grandpa

Exploring the Benefits of Mental and Physical Wellness with Titus aka Fit Grandpa

Fitness enthusiast, Jean Titus (@titusunlimited), has been an internet sensation and inspiration to many for his approach to fitness. Not only does he push himself physically but he also takes into account his overall wellness. His Instagram page is filled with health quotes, demos, and information for a healthy lifestyle. Taji Mag was able to speak with Titus, aka Fit Grandpa, about his keys to overall wellness.

Taji Mag (TM): What keeps you motivated towards a healthy lifestyle?

Titus: It is the belief that I haven’t reached my peak yet. I take the responsibility of being a profile name on social media seriously. When you see 181k followers on your account that you have inspired and motivated, it makes you feel accountable. That is because you don’t know how your actions might impact others. I believe that what you put into the universe comes back to you. Given that responsibility to be a good example is what motivates me.

TM: Besides exercising, what other areas do you concentrate on to improve physical wellness? 

Titus:  I meditate, detox my environment, and clear my mind because I believe that fitness is all-encompassing. You have to be fit mentally before you are physical. If you are not fit mentally, then, sooner or later, your physical follow suit. Like I mention in my 28-day plan, detox is not only a physical thing it’s also a mental thing as well. You have to detox your contact list, your situation, and your environment.

TM: Some people use fasting as a form of detox, what is your standpoint on fasting?

Titus: I did a wellness Wednesday on fasting on my Instagram account. When done correctly It is something that I recommend. If you can properly deprive yourself of food it can test your mental will and if done properly it can be to your benefit. Intermittent fasting does work, but the problem is that people use it as a quick solution. People say they are going to fast for a couple of days after leading an unhealthy lifestyle for a long period of time. That is not what fasting is meant for but if you are going to have it as part of a systematic thing I would advocate that. You can’t out train a bad diet. People think you can go to the gym and only put an hour’s worth of work but that is not going work by itself. It is the other 23 hours with that workout that help determine how healthy you are going to be. First, we make our habits and our habits make us.

TM: Can you give us an example of how you detox outside the physical?

Titus: For example, if you are in a toxic relationship or have a toxic friend. You will only go so far while you are existing in that toxicity. It’s like living in a house that has asbestos. No matter how much treatment or medication I give you after you leave that house, you won’t get any better unless you remove yourself from that environment completely. You have to extricate yourself from those toxic things and toxic mentality.

TM: Can you be fit on a budget? 

Titus: Not having the financial means to be fit is an excuse. At the end of the day, people will buy what they want. Healthy food is expensive but you see those very same people paying $8 for a cup of coffee. Other people may say that they don’t have enough time to make breakfast but will go wait in a drive-through line at McDonald’s for 15 mintues. They justify their choices with excuses. Living healthy is an investment but people will try to make it look like an option. Being healthy should be your primary obligation because if you are in the hospital you can’t help your family. So your health should come first, it should be your primary objective to ensure that you are capable of helping your loved ones. You do that by taking care of your overall health and wellness. Anything short of that and you are doing a disservice to you and them.

TM: What is your advice to those seeking occupational wellness? Can this affect your working out or should you let it?

Titus:  I would never tell one to quit their job because everyone is not in the financial situation to do so. But if you are going to work your job and not work on an exit strategy, then it becomes a choice that you are making. Unlike A couple hundred years ago, when you had people that were enslaved, you have a choice! I don’t care what job you have, you don’t have to stay there unless you are in prison. The problem is that people in those job situations complain but when they go home they do nothing. That in itself is depressing. When you are actively working on an exit strategy, you are working on an endgame. Even if the endgame is 2 or 3 years out, keep trying and eventually you will succeed. I did a post that says “Your salary is a bribe to give up on your hopes and dreams.” Your job doesn’t have to be a bribe, it can be a means. If you are using your salary towards your dreams then it is a means.

TM: Regardig your clients, what do they look forward to while participating in your program?

Titus: The 28-day plan is about building a better, healthy lifestyle. I made the plan easy to follow and easy to duplicate. It is not overly restrictive and it’s not a fad. Anything taken out of diet should remain out of your diet. It’s not one those diets like the cabbage diet, that is not sustainable. My plan is sustainable and it’s balanced. The key to success is to have balance.

You only have one body and it is wise to take care of it. To quote Carrie Latet, “If you don’t take care of yourself, the undertaker will overtake that responsibility for you.”

Make sure to check out Fit Grandpa on Instagram for health information and updates.

19Sep/18
CBC Black and White Gala

The CBC Black and White Gala is Grown & Sexy Networking Fun

CBC Black and White GalaThe CBC (Congressional Black Caucus) weekend is purposed for people from various backgrounds to come together, network, and exchange ideas. There are panels with political figures, intellectuals, and creatives alike that strive for progression in the Black community. Dinners are also held and naturally there galas and parties. One of the more popular galas is The CBC Black and White Gala housed at the Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel.

The CBC Black and White Gala

From the moment I first arrived, I could see that this event was going to be fun and full of positive social engagement. There were women elegantly walking into the event in gorgeous gowns and there were men decked out in nice tuxes, everyone smiling in this exciting atmosphere. The crowd was full of professionals and mature adults.

One of the young ladies I ran into, AJ Jamison, was kind and explained to me the experience of the event. Not that I had not been to a gala before, I just had never been to this highly talked about CBC event. Her welcoming personality set the tone for what was to come.

The CBC Black and White Gala

Jean Titus (Left) and Me

I made my way into my hotel with my friend. The hotel was huge, the lobby itself had a lounge area that could easily be confused as a part of the gala. The contemporary decor, cool hues, and smooth music set a relaxed vibe. I asked the hotel staff where The CBC Black and White Gala was held and he pointed us to an escalator where we waited in line to receive our event bracelets. It was there we saw fitness guru and health enthusiast Jean Titus. This was a treat for me because he has been a huge inspiration for me health wise and meeting him was like meeting a celebrity.

We walked around and continued to eye the stylish outfits the attendees were sporting. I noticed there were other Instagram health influencers, like @fitnezzgenie, that mingled amongst the crowd. The music selection was nice and varied, from reggae to hip hop, appropriate for the 21-and-over crowd. Music that everyone can dance to and not feel out of place.

The CBC Black and White Gala

DJ D-Nice

The event became even more lively when Dj D-Nice got on the turntable. Electrifying the crowd with the hit by Frankie Beverly feat. Maze, “Before I Let Go”. It would seem the music maestro DJ D-Nice kept everyone on the floor with his selection, ceasing the networking and making everyone dance. This is no surprise because he performed at the Luke Cage Season 2 premiere in DC that I attended and he had the Kennedy Center jumping.

The crowd exploded once again when the host of the evening, Larenz Tate, came out. Being the hype man he is, he pushed the crowd to greater heights mentioning his show Power and then requesting music the crowd loved! Of course, many ladies crowded the stage area to catch a selfie with the seasoned actor.

All in all The CBC Black and White Gala was a great experience and safe fun for people to network. If you are in the DC area next year, you should attend.

The hardest part of the night was leaving the dance floor because everytime my friend and I tried to leave, DJ D-Nice would spin another great song that would keep us dancing.