Alec Penix - Seven Sundays: a six-week path to physical and spiritual strength where all things are possible

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ADVANCE PRAISE FOR

SEVEN SUNDAYS

Seven Sundays is a powerful tool that will enlighten you to see wellness and spirituality with a fresh perspective. Alec is so much more than a trainer; he is a coach who is dedicated to changing the way you see yourself by incorporating practical steps that will empower you. His love of God and desire to help people will touch many lives!

Kathie Lee Gifford, actress, host, author, singer, and playwright

Alec is more than just a trainerthere is a comfort he provides thats rare to find in his line of work. He is a friend who genuinely tries to help his clients reach their goals.

Shawn Mendes, singer-songwriter

Ive trained with Alec for years, and hes faith and fitness personified.... He will no doubt transform many lives through his faith and fitness workout!

DeVon Franklin, New York Times bestselling author of The Wait

Alec is a dedicated young man whos passionate about inspiring people to become the best version of themselves, through strengthening their body, mind, and spirit.

Roma Downey, actress, producer, and New York Times bestselling author of Box of Butterflies

Alec is dedicated and passionate about seeking greatness in all he does, and about helping others reach their full potential through hard work and an open heart.

Derek Hough, New York Times bestselling author and Emmy Awardwinning performer

We have no doubt Seven Sundays will transform your temple and your walk with the Lord. Alec will encourage you, he will challenge you, and most of all, he will teach you how God can transform and renew your temple and soul.

Carlos and Alexa PenaVega

After meeting and working with Alec, I can see the passion and love that he embodies. He is a truly inspirational young man whose spirit will inspire everyone he touches. I have no doubt that this book will affect many lives!

Cheryl Ladd, actress, author, and entrepreneur

I want to dedicate this book to those who have gathered the courage within themselves to take a leap of faith toward bettering their lives. I know change can seem daunting at times, but I truly believe that with faith, anything is possible. I look forward to going on this journey with each and every one of you.

Without His love, I was half a man, even though to others, I seemed complete.

As a premier celebrity trainer in Los Angeles, Ive spent the last decade working with actors, models, professional athletes, Olympians, dancers, film and television executives, CEOs, and musicians. But as successful as Ive become in the field of fitness, moving to Tinseltown initially began as a journey to prove somethingto others, but especially to myself.

My childhood wasnt the best environment for building self-esteem. I was abandoned by my mother at the age of five, and I also suffered from a learning disability throughout my school years. Because my disability made me different, all I wanted to do was fit in with my peers. So I found something I was good atsportsand decided to work out harder than everyone to paint an image of myself as a jock. It was an image that would become the foundation of my life until God would eventually break me free from it.

The lack of love and security in my life left me constantly depressed and obsessed with the physical, the only thing I felt I had any control over. Growing up, I sought out external things to make myself feel happy and fulfilled and spent my entire life staying in top shape. My search for happiness even helped shape the career I would eventually pursue. While I was receiving my degree in dietetics at the University of Kentucky, I dreamed of becoming a celebrity trainer in Hollywood, and I eventually made my way to Los Angeles to work with top celebrities. But I had chased happiness all the way to Hollywood only to have it continue to elude me, no matter how hard I tried to catch it.

What I didnt know at the time was that the real reason I felt called to LA was that God was orchestrating my steps to salvation.

It wasnt easy initially. Working as a trainer at a corporate gym, sleeping on the floor in a one-bedroom apartment, and living with three guys wasnt ideal for me, but I knew I had to stick with it. I eventually broke off from the gym to start my own business. At the time, I only had a few clients, but eventually my big break happenedI was going on tour as the trainer for the band Big Time Rush.

From that point, the momentum started, and I thought I would finally find that love and security I was hoping to have in my life. After all, I wasnt just a busy trainerI was now a celebrity trainer. And very quickly, I found myself working with gold medalists, professional dancers, artists, musiciansyou name it. Yet despite having what most may define as examples of success (being physically fit and having a thriving business working with celebrities), my lack of self-worth continued to prevent me from appreciating what I had achieved. I continued to struggle with depression for several years until I started to notice somethingor should I say Him.

When I first found Christ, He was working through specific clients I was training. One by one, I began to notice that the people who were succeeding physically were also deeply connected to their faith. Each was indirectly showing me what I was personally missing out on and how my soul was malnourished. Each had this overwhelming sense of unselfishness about themwhat I would call the essence of Godand that unselfishness convicted me of my own selfishness. Those of the faith seemed to have so much to give of themselves, and yet, there I was, struggling just to get through the day. Each one gave more to me in every session than I could give to themand I was their trainer. I couldnt help but wonder why my tank was always on empty.

The lack of God in my life became ever more evident as my depression continued to worsen. Until one day, alone in a hotel room, at a point where I had finally hit rock bottom with my lifelong battle with despair...

... God took custody of me.

I found myself in bed, unsure of how I even got there, hungover and trying to remember what had happened the night before. All I could put together were flashes and fragments, each remembered moment leaving me so incredibly embarrassed that I didnt leave my room all day.

My friends were calling mesome even came and knocked on my doorbut I was so ashamed of myself, I didnt want to be seen. I made the right decision, because on that day, I had encountered God.

I tell everyone that God apprehended me, although I do understand that God forcing us to know Him isnt really how it works. But I felt as if a voice was saying to me: It is time to become the man that Ive called you to be. It was JesusHe was what I was missing all along. And at that very moment, just as we are told in Hebrews 3:15that if you hear His voice, do not harden your heartI chose to listen. And I told Him yes, Im all-in.