4× world weightlifting champion Jerzy Gregorek—co‑creator of The Happy Body—joins Me&My Health Up to unpack his famous maxim: “Hard choices, easy life. Easy choices, hard life.”
Learn how daily micro‑progressions, measurable standards, and a forward‑focused mindset build strength, flexibility, posture, leanness, and mental resilience at any age.
What you’ll learn
The Happy Body standards: strength, flexibility, speed, posture, leanness, ideal weight—and why measurement keeps you honest.
Micro‑progression vs. motivation: small daily wins that compound into lifelong health (and help prevent sarcopenia).
The mindset shift Jerzy calls a “flip”: stop blame/complaint, choose forward action, and enjoy the journey.
Coaching stories, stoic wisdom, and why the right words at the right time can transform a life.
Resources
The Happy Body (official site & book): https://thehappybody.com/
Program overview & support: https://thehappybody.com/the-happy-body-program/
Resources & clinics (Zoom details): https://thehappybody.com/resources/
If this conversation sparks your “flip,” please follow, rate, and share—let’s help more people embrace the whole you and health up in your way.
About Jerzy Gregorek
Jerzy Gregorek is a four-time World Weightlifting Champion, poet, and co-creator of The Happy Body. A former Solidarity activist awarded by the Polish government, he immigrated to the U.S. as a political refugee and built a life rooted in discipline and resilience. For over 30 years, Jerzy has coached leaders and individuals of all ages using his philosophy, “Hard Choices, Easy Life. Easy Choices, Hard Life,” blending strength training, mindful movement, and longevity-focused living.
Connect with Jerzy Gregorek
LinkedIn: in/Jerzy-Gregorek-ab87475
X/Twitter: @TheHappyBody
Facebook: /HardChoicesEasyLife
Instagram: @TheHappyBody
YouTube: /@TheHappyBody
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About me&my health up & Anthony Hartcher:
me&my health up seeks to enhance and enlighten the well-being of others. Host Anthony Hartcher is the CEO of me&my wellness which provides holistic health solutions using food as medicine, combined with a holistic, balanced, lifestyle approach. Anthony holds three bachelor’s degrees in Complementary Medicine; Nutrition and Dietetic Medicine; and Chemical Engineering.
Chapters
00:00 – Welcome & Jerzy’s extraordinary background (4× world champion, freedom fighter) 03:29 – Becoming a firefighter & service as instant purpose
05:58 – Solidarity strike, academy shutdown & life pivot
10:47 – First poem at 31 & language that “flips” lives
13:14 – Arriving in the U.S., starting from scratch in LA
18:07 – Inventing personal training & solving real‑world problems
20:32 – Negotiating autonomy & moving gyms for client value
22:57 – Building The Happy Body standards (strength, flexibility, posture, leanness)
25:24 – Inspiration from an 80‑year‑old lifter & defining strength benchmarks
27:54 – From MFAs to publishing the Happy Body textbook (2009)
30:21 – Dialogues on mental health & mastering mindset
32:46 – Ongoing study (PhD path) & education in humanistic psychology
41:53 – Forward focus: don’t blame/complain—practice daily progress
49:19 – Daily Happy Body program (Jan 5 launch, 9 AM PT)
52:08 – How to buy the book & join the program