If you missed the blog post from yesterday, you can read it here.

Before I get to the gifts I am going to ask a small favor: If you can, read on and see about helping out a worthy cause for some hungry kids. Yeah, that sounds so cliche, but I’m not joking. I’ll tell you more after my note to you.

Or…

If you are in a hurry, that’s cool. Just bookmark this page so you can download my gifts to you later, but please DO visit this page so you can help out some needy kids. All proceeds (as in all…not one cent is kept) goes to this noble and loving cause.

You get hours and hours of fitness audios for a meager donation, all of which goes to Trekking For Kids.

Read more here —

http://forthekids.notlong.com <— no bull, real guy, real kids

Head’s up: I’ll be matching any donation with a buck of my own for everyone who helps out within the next 24 hours.

I wish I could match it dollar for dollar but I’d have to sell my house to do that… at least we hope for that kind of generous response! I’ll shoot you all an email in a few days letting you know how we did.

Thanks.

Okay, before the gifts, a word to all of you. It would be an honor if you would take a few minutes to read this.

I received over 2,000 emails and hundreds of blog posts from loving, caring folks like you over the past two days. I’ve been simply overwhelmed by it all. It reminds me of what I need to do, and why I started down this career path in the first place.

I said it yesterday, but allow me to say it again: I cannot thank you all enough for your support—financial, emotional, and more. From the thousands who have trusted me enough to purchase one of my books (I work hard on those suckers!) to those who simply read the newsletters and support me through kind words, thank you.

I also want to thank you all for the massive amount of kind words concerning what you feel I’ve done to make a difference. We all need to feel that, but few people get the honor of having thousands of folks tell you in a matter of hours. Many shared their experiences as well, helping me realize exactly how special and unique each and every one of us are in this world. When you’re a writer or (gasp) a fitness ‘celebrity’ (I do laugh at myself as I type…) you get some undue special attention. This is no exception. However, the benefit of being a writer in any field is the ability to occasionally, either by accident or by plan, say the right thing at the right time. So, if that was the case, I’m honored.

One last bit: One blogger quoted Proverbs in his response: That it is better to be in a house of mourning than a house of laughter. In some ways I agree, and I certainly get what the author was driving at. When you mourn you turn inward. But there’s more—when you mourn those who love you mourn with you. (As I quote yet another passage from the best-selling book of all time.) Frankly, I prefer laughter, but mourning tests character.

You all have shown yours to the world. Character is everything.

So many of you state that I’m a role model to you. Well, it goes both ways. I now have hundreds (really thousands) of new role models when it comes to character and living fearlessly with compassion and hope. All thanks to a blog post that I wrote, literally, in a semi-concious state. I never even read the post…too painful. So, excluding the pain, perhaps I should write like that more often. : )

Okay, on to the gifts and the favor to help some kids who do not have what we do.

Gift 1: Cholesterol Lies!
My Interview with Former NASA Scientist Astronaut and Medical Doctor Duane Graveline, M.D.

This incredible interview is available as a bonus on one of my websites, but I want to give it to everyone. Let me tell you why.

Sure, we all worry about heart health. But cholesterol is NOT the enemy the media makes it out to be. Duane sets the record straight and gives an outstanding protocol for folks to follow (with the consent of their doctor) that can help you avoid the horribly negative side effects of statin drugs.

This is now even more crucial for me as during my research on dementia and Alzheimer’s I discovered a connection between cholesterol levels and these two deadly diseases. I’ve been “anti-statin” for a long time, and I remain so, but I’ve taken to following Dr. Graveline’s advice in my own prevention routine and added a very low-dose statin into the mix (along with two VITAL nutrients to stave off the negative effects) in order to help out my brain. My heart is fine. And I want to keep it that way. But even more vital is the brain.

By using some of Dr. Graveline’s tips, along with the nutrients I already knew would help the condition my mom had, I was able to stave off dementia symptoms for the past 7.5 years, almost to the point of forgetting my mom had dementia. I believe some of this was due to helping cholesterol metabolism and slowing its negative effects within the brain. This report can help you no matter what your goals are: a healthy heart or brain.

Here’s where you can get it freee as a gift from me to you:

Click Here To Download Cholesterol Lies

Gift 2: Scale The World
My 35-day e-Course on Overcoming Anything

Some of you have already gone through this freee course, but I wanted to make SURE you had access to it before we take this to video format in a few weeks. (Wait until you see the videos. Wow. They make such a difference.)

The messages are vital. Frankly, it’s some of my more powerful writing and up to this point has been “anon”. But it’s time to come out and see if I can use my name and connections to reach more of the world with these messages.

Please go here…and this too is freee of charge to you:

Click Here To Enroll Free in Scale The World

More About Trekking For Kids

Okay, these photos are real. Not some stock pics to prick at your heart strings. I just wanted you to see the actual place that this year’s Trekking for Kids will be helping out. Food, clothing, even a computer for learning…all of this and more through our support.

This is now a yearly thing for me. My good friend Scott Colby began work with Trekking for Kids last year and I happily participated in the worthy cause.

Here’s where to read more:

http://forthekids.notlong.com <— no bull, real guy, real kids

Scott had a cool idea: Use his connections in the fitness industry, get them to donate their time and leverage their lists, and spread awareness by giving away something of value to you, all at the same time.

This year you’ll get 19 fitness experts over 7 teleseminars. Top-notch stuff.

Yes, this includes yours truly. I’ll be on with Scott on July 21st along with Shawn Phillips and Ryan Lee. Hours of awesome interviews with the world’s top fitness and fatloss experts for a measly donation, ALL of which goes to Trekking for Kids. Scott does not keep a red cent.

Listen: I know Scott man-to-man, not as some virtual fitness connection. He lives here in Dallas. He came over to where I was staying a few days ago and helped me down to my car (I have an injured leg… nothing serious, but I’m gimpy for a few weeks.) He’s a man of faith and not some flaky bozo trying to scoot off with charity cash…people like that should be shot.

Sorry, but this is a sensitive point for me. I was ripped off a month ago by some loser on YouTube who claimed he was running a race for charity. He has a huge following, so naturally I was okay with donating. Next thing I know he’s history. LOSER!! First time that ever happened to me. But I refuse to become jaded to the point of mistrust, as 99% of my Internet experiences have been overwhelmingly positive.

Scott’s the real deal. If he scoots off with the cash, I’ll freakin’ email his home phone number to all of you. (ha… Scott knows I’d do it, too! : )

In fact, I will be matching every donation with a buck of my own that’s made in the next 24 hours. I’ll post a picture of the check in a few days along with how much my little segment of the Internet world was able to pull together.

In closing, some more honesty for you (had enough yet? ; ) The death of my mom has reminded me of the importance of making a difference. Sure, I knew it… and I think I’ve done it to an “okay” extent, but not enough. I want to do more.

Life is just not about me, you know? It’s not about you. It’s about US. And “us” includes kids who do not have food, shelter or clothing.

I made a passing mention about “iPhones” in my blog about my mom, so I’ve been told. I’ll read the blog myself sometime today. Anyway, the fact of the matter is I don’t need an iPhone. Will I get one? Yeah. I’m a Mac nut. Love Apple. Bought the stock-stuff in this lousy market because I actually use their stuff all the time.

But do I need it? No. I’m lucky enough to be able to afford it and help folks out in charity causes. This does not make me special, folks. This makes you special. You guys and gals are the reason I am able to do any of this.

I’m not blowing smoke. I’m just going to start telling it like it is. Every post. Every newsletter. Everything I write.

Hope you’ll stick around to read it.

Sincerely,

Jon Benson
Author of gobs o’ books (easier to say that at this point than list them all)

P.S. In case you’re wondering, yes: You will still get the occasional “Hey, here’s my new book. Go get it.” emails. It’s how I help people. It’s how I make a living. There’s absolutely no shame in it—just the opposite. I’m damn proud of my work, despite knowing it can be even better.

Some folks freak out when they see those emails and hit “sp.am” buttons or unsubscribe. Don’t do that…come on now. No one reading this got here except by your own accord. Perhaps you forgot which product you opted into (that’s common…I forget all the time), but I have never, EVER borrowed, purchased, or even thought about borrowing or purchasing anyone’s name or email. Period. End of story. Right hand to the sky. Accuse me of that and I’ll unsub you myself. Seriously. I take this email privacy thing very, very seriously. I’m a member of the Anti-Spam League. They don’t just take anyone you know.

So, if you’re okay with getting tons of freee, valuable, from the ‘street’ content related to fitness, health, musclebuilding/fatloss, and so-on, with the occasional SOLID recommendation of either my products or someone else’s, then cool beans. Glad to have you.

Oh, here’s that site again for the kids… and thank you for just reading the page. Even if you cannot participate due to finances, no problem. Just read the page so you’re aware of what’s going on. We’ll catch you next year.

http://forthekids.notlong.com <— yeah, every dime goes to the cause

Remember: I match any donation with a buck of my own.

Thanks for reading — and do enjoy the gifts as well.

[jB]