Fitness Expert Jillian Michaels Wows Entrepreneurs At Long Beach Trade Show

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Mar 27, 2015, 02:13 ET

LONG BEACH, Calif., March 27, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Internationally known fitness trainer and reality TV star Jillian Michaels advised a crowd of suppliers and distributors gathered at the ASI Show^® Long Beach that if they stop striving for perfection, happiness should follow.

"The only way to achieve that life balance is to drop any notion of perfection," an animated Michaels told the audience of entrepreneurs and small-business owners at a three-day promotional products trade show hosted by the Advertising Specialty Institute^® (ASI) at Long Beach Convention Center. "And that's hard."

Michaels described growing up an overweight and depressed kid who was bullied in school, yet went on to launch a healthy-living empire. The LA native offered attendees ways to lead richer, more balanced personal and professional lives.

"The more security you seek in life, the less you will have," she said during a riveting Q&A conducted by ASI CEO Timothy M. Andrews. "The more risks you take, the more wealth and abundance you will find."

Getting healthy is but one way to succeed in life, she said. "I always tell people that I like them to lead a healthy life. And fitness and exercise are just two tools of the bigger picture."

Nate Di Palma of Concept Marketing called Michaels motivational message "exceptional."

"She was honest and very organic and inspiring," he said. "It moved me, and I think everyone in the room identified with her and her struggles, and her ability to overcome those obstacles."

The keynote was a highlight of the ASI Show, which attracted 203 exhibitors and 1,643 distributors from 925 companies, 31 states and three countries, including 126 women-owned and 114 minority-owned companies showcasing 2015's hottest promo products.

According to ASI, sales of promotional products in California grew 7% from 2013 to 2014, for a total of $1.7 billion. Promotional products are logoed items like T-shirts, caps and pens companies typically give away to promote their business, brand or event or to thank employees or clients.

For complete coverage of the show, visit www.asicentral.com and www.asishow.com.

About ASI
The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) is the largest media, marketing and education organization serving the promotional products industry, with a network of over 25,000 distributors and suppliers throughout North America.

SOURCE Advertising Specialty Institute