Greg Plitt - World's Top Fitness Model

I wanted to not like this guy. For starters, claiming the title of World's Top Fitness Model struck me as pretentious. But consider a quote by Muhammad Ali: "It's not bragging if you can back it up." Having graced the cover of one (usually more) fitness magazine(s) per month for the past five years, safe to say Greg can back his title. Over 100 fitness magazines and 24 romance novel covers later, Greg isn't slowing down.

My next line of defense was to think that he was just a pretty face. But his acting performances on infomercials, commercials, soap operas, tv shows, and movies attest otherwise.

Ok fine, he's a pretty face with acting chops. Probably the self-absorbed Hollywood type? Hardly. He devoted nine years of his life to serving our country. After graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point, he became an officer in the Army Rangers.

Well there goes my next accusation that he just looks tough but couldn't hold his own in a real fight. Greg was on the wrestling and skydiving teams while at West Point. He's certified in Airborne Combat, Air Assault, the Mortar Leader's course, a Master Fitness Trainer, and Combat Lifesaver. When he retired from army life in 2005, he was captain and company commander of 180 people.

In an interview with Muscle&Body magazine, Greg describes his role forging tomorrow's soldiers: "That transformation that you see when someone becomes a soldier," he says, "many of them come in with real bad attitudes. They’re tough guys on the street and nobody’s going to tell them what to do. Then one day, they’ll come to you crying, saying, ‘I need someone to talk to.’ All of sudden they start changing their ways and they become the men they always wanted to be. Then other soldiers start looking up to them as role models. Then they’re proud and they hold their heads high. That’s more gratifying than anything I’ve done. That’s what’s so cool about it — to be able to train somebody and transform them and bring out all of the great qualities that everyone possesses."

Determined to find a flaw, I wager he's of average intelligence, at best. Only to find he graduated high school with a 4.0, and sailed through West Point at the top of his class. Well, maybe he's just book smart but incapable of deeper philosophical conversations. Nooope, I'm wrong again. In the members only section of Greg Plitt's website, his vlog responses to fan questions cover topics like the transformation mentality, overcoming adversity and self paralysis, and finding yourself through fear.

This man's character and mental fortitude are infectious in the best way. For him, success isn't a secret club for the elite. It's something of which we are all capable. His messages challenge us to rediscover our potential.

This blog entry is my pitch for you to visit his website. And I encourage joining the members only section. It's $10 a month and well worth it. The site's routinely updated with inspiring pep talks and practical advice on fitness/nutrition. Oh, and he's got cooking lessons on there too. Yes, ladies, he even cooks.