So you lifted a heavy weight and/or bent some steel &
can do pretty gnarly bodyweight exercises, big freaking deal. Sure it’s cool to
do those things but what do they really mean? Becoming strong isn't always
about how much you can handle, it’s about building the strength that you can
use in certain situations when troubled or being needed is called for. Have you
ever been in a situation where you might need to save someone’s life or help
your friends & family when they move? I’m sure the latter is more common
for you but the first one is a real eye opener. Let me give you a prime example
of this….
I went to a concert once with a girlfriend back in the day,
it was fun even though everyone around us was having a bit too much weed and
the room was hot as hell. All of a sudden out of nowhere she just passes out
right in the middle of the crowd and I panicked like any guy would but I had to
do something, with little to no help I picked her up off the floor and this is
dead weight I mind you. She was fine after catching her breath and I helped her
out the concert doors so she can call her mom somewhere.
It’s those
things where being a strong person is most crucial. Am I saying this to scare
any of you or give you a big wake up call? In some ways yes, sure I can be all
fun, have a kick ass time but I can also tell you how scary life can be when
someone’s is at risk and you have to be prepared for the unexpected.
Be prepared
to have unexpected times being called upon you and one of the best ways is
build a foundation that will have you stay functionally strong and aware of
certain things. Helping someone move or working your body in different
environments such as construction, carpentry, mining, being a blacksmith,
military, law enforcement or whatever is important to keep a good strong body
intact.
One thing
I've learned for nearly a decade is one of the things you hear like in Captain America
from Dr. Erskine “A strongman, who has known power all his life, may lose
respect for that power, but a weak man, knows the value of strength and that’s
compassion.” There are a lot of strong guys out there but very few know their
strength’s true value but there are also the average Joes who have a power that can express extraordinary abilities when you or they least expect them. Don’t go
looking to save someone just for the spotlight that just makes you an asshole
in the end; learn to use your strength when you need it the most, that’s one of
things training is all about.
The next
time you train, sure have fun with it, use your imagination and have a kick ass
time but at the same time, in your mind you’re doing these crazy things for a
good cause because you never know when the time comes to use what you have
built. In your life you may never have to use your strength but you never know
don’t you? Train hard, help each other and be safe.
