Mario McDonald, the owner of I Get M$ney LLC was on Vibe2Vibe TV with Tori Indeed. Tori Indeed lists the many areas of influence that McDonald operates in, helping others with things like entrepreneurship, mindset, lifestyle, and healthy living. I Get M$ney is much more than simply an apparel brand, rather another way of articulating the process with which we should conceptualize our workout regimen and our body as a whole.

 

The term I Get Money, and its subsequent slogan, ’#makeadeposit’ stems from how people explain their day-to-day. McDonald informs us of the brand's origins, “We spend so much time at work and with our jobs, that when you ask people what they’re doing, when they’re hustlin’ or something like that, everybody’s always like, ‘Oh, I’m out here getting money,’' he continues, “Well that’s what I am doing in the gym, you know, I feel like I’m getting money.”

 

McDonald’s brand is a metaphor, a direct reference to our body as a bank account. The owner of I Get M$ney spins a cautionary tale advising listeners that unlike the dozens of jobs an individual can have, you only get one body. If you stop filling your actual bank account with money, you go broke, and then that account is closed. But, with your body, if you fail to maintain that account, your body will fail you, and there is no opening another one. The parallels that I Get M$ney draws between money and your body is a powerful one. These powerful implications should be explored by all who interact with its message.

 

"Everything makes a difference when making a deposit. Everything you eat, drink, and any bit of exercise add to your account. Whether you put in $5 or $500 into your account, it's something. Stop making excuses, new year's resolutions, get off your butt, and do something about your health."

 

McDonald informs Tori of specific health tips to break the stigmas many people have about health and exercise. He talks about cutting out processed foods, how that should be the starting point for all who are thinking about getting into shape. After that, it comes down to you as an individual. He says, “Don’t talk to me about what you saw on TV or the internet. I don’t care what your friend’s brother's cousin is doing. It’s about you. This is a learning process and you need to figure out what your body needs.” McDonald stresses the importance of goal setting, and that many people who begin their fitness journey try what he calls the ‘shotgun approach,’ trying everything all at once. He compares this to wanting a promotion at a job. He says, “If you want to become a supervisor, there are certain things you need to do to get the promotion. It’s the same thing with working out, you need to establish a clear goal. Do you want to lose 25 pounds or put on muscle?”

 

McDonald spends a lot of time in the kitchen experimenting with different foods and recipes. One of his favorite shows is Hell’s Kitchen. When he watches the show it inspires him to try different things, incentivizing him to have fun with food and remain healthy while he does. He loves chicken and fish and has completely cut out pork and red meats due to the hormones that are commonly found in those types of foods. He implores people to take advantage of that and to stop being afraid of vegetables and other healthy alternatives to Wendy’s, McDonald’s, and Chick-Fil-A.

 

Tori Indeed asks, “Is there anything you would tell people to avoid in the gym?” 

 

McDonald responds with several great tips on places to start as well as the solid foundational doctrine that one can build from, “One of the biggest things I tell people to avoid is to stop looking at everyone else. Stop worrying about what everyone else is doing or thinking and focus on yourself.”

 

McDonald drops another golden nugget of information, “Don’t be afraid to just start. Machines are a great way to start, and then as you gain strength, you can move onto free weights and dumbbells. Just don’t be afraid to get in there and touch something, just start out.”

 

Another tip given by McDonald is, “Don’t go with too many people. Two or three people is fine, but if you go with too many people then it becomes a hangout session. You’re laughing and chatting and pointing and not focusing on your workout. You gotta' treat it somewhat like a job. Go into it feeling like I gotta get this done.”

 

Lastly, McDonald adds, “This is very important, learn the correct form,” he continues, “Be careful. You can lift 1000 pounds, but if you do it incorrectly you can really hurt yourself. Don’t try to do something you just saw on Instagram. Learn the correct form, because this goes back to what I said about only having one body. If you do it incorrectly, that’s it, you’re done.”

 

Tori Indeed and Mario McDonald conclude by discussing the importance of mentality. Expounding on the point that the hardest thing is to simply begin the process. They conclude that once you’ve mustered up the courage to take that incredibly important first step, which is most of the battle, you’re on your way to getting into a healthier place in your life. McDonald compares, “Once you get past that first day, you’re good. How do you feel when you start a new job? When you start your first job it’s nerve-racking because you don’t know anything, you don’t know anybody, you go in and you’re nervous, but then you start working and you’re like, ‘alright, I’ll be back tomorrow.’ you know. It’s the same concept.”