We all have our own way of exercising; we have trainers, do
it for a number of reasons but why really do it? What comes out of it for you?
A lot of people workout because they don't have a choice, use it relieve stress
from a bad day, force themselves to do it because if they don't they'll hate
themselves or they just go through the motions and have no real emotion like a
zombie.
There are two types of trainees, one has passion and the
other does it but not in it and I'll tell you the difference. The passion is a
desire to make something of yourself, you make an effort that’s real and
emotional, you don’t go on the treadmill and watch TV, you don't wait around
for someone to be done, and you find a way to make things happen and with fire and
vigor. The other exercises but isn't in it for the long-run, they do it because
its there and don't put any real effort. They get done too early or get hurt
because they didn't bother to learn proper form or didn't care what happens,
just show up and do a few things and that’s it it.
I'll tell you why I do it, it’s because it gives me a sense
of hope, a form of responsibility to myself and make things the way I want
them, I have sweated, bled and ate, slept and breathed exercising because its
not just fun, its an adventure and it brings me life that you can’t get just by
showing up. I remember an interview with WWE wrestler Triple H back in 1999
when he just came out of shell as a character and became one of the biggest
heels (bad guys) of the time, one of the things that made me realize now about
what he said was about being a student of the game, like him in the wrestling
business I’ve done the same with exercise. I dedicated my life to being in
great shape, take in knowledge like a sponge, make goals instead of excuses and
put in hard and tough workouts to make what I’ am today.
What do the Old-Timers and Modern Warriors of fitness today
have in common? They created results; they found ways to build themselves with
no excuses and made an effort to get what they wanted. It’s not everyday we wake
up and want to do it but yet it’s second nature and we sometimes don't go as
hardcore but the heart and passion is still there. Most don't realize what they're missing out on, I do sound like a prick and you might think it’s all
hardcore and a punishment but in reality its not. Working out is not just doing
an exercise and pray you'll turn into a beautiful god/goddess, you know what,
let’s take out the words working out and put in fun and adventure, its not all
blood and going to failure, its getting you get off your ass and have some fun
and excitement in your life. Whether you're a
weightlifter,
bodyweight enthusiast or have a zest for
animals, training is a matter of creating
something and building it with emotion, effort and love.
One of my favorite movies Peaceful Warrior has a lot of
insights into what is unique and what you can learn to make something of
yourself. Nick Nolte who plays a philosopher once said to his student Dan
Millman “You practice gymnastics, I practice everything.” The real Dan Millman
is a former gymnast and now an author of many books and one of the coolest guys
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and learning from. Back to the subject, Dan
practiced only one thing but has left everything else out including things he
should pay attention to but Nolte’s character Socrates practiced everything
else meaning he didn't set his eyes on one thing; he absorbed knowledge and
wisdom from many different elements and gave insight to each of what he learned.
Most people only do less than a handful of things that makes them who they are
but miss out on the real important things and forget how they got there in the
first place. Learn as much as you can with an open mind and be open about your
passions and instead of making excuses, make an approach to get better.
Knowing certain things is only half the battle, sure you can
squeeze by on knowing but it’s the doing that yields the benefits. Don't just
do something, do it with heart and emotion because there’s a huge difference in
that area and I'll let you figure it out for yourself. Why do we (Exercise
enthusiasts) do it? Because it makes us who we are, we learn, we teach and help
others find that same passion maybe even help them become better than we are.
One of my good friends
Bud Jeffries has trained his son into becoming quite
possibly the World’s Strongest Teenager, Noah has learned a number of things on
his own but the one thing he figured out and still has many years to learn is
how to give back what he’s learned, in some cases he’s surpassed his dad in
many elements of strength and I don't believe Bud could anymore proud of his
son. That’s what I want to give back to my child and do it with a smile on my
face.
What are you getting out of it? Finding your place in
training and learning where you want to go and what you want achieve is all
within your grasp, learn how you have that passion and fire to become the best
you want to be. Get something out of it, don't just throw yourself into a
workout and hope for the best, make the best of it and know that sooner or
later you will have results and it’s not just from busting your ass, you busted
your ass with a smile and the desire to improve and make things happen. At your
next training session, ask yourself “Why am I doing this?” You'll be surprised
what you might find and if it’s a negative thing turn it into a positive, if
its positive make an improvement to get better. I'm sure you'll find a way.