You know, since the time I started on my own fitness journey, in my fitness life, every single thing that motivated me has always been physical motivation.
I wanted to look a certain way, chasing perfection, particularly when I started getting into competitive bodybuilding and I started to really go up the ranks to the pro level. Then it was shooting trophies and accolades in many respects.
And fitness, of course, as we’re all, you know, egged on about, is a very physical thing with physical goals and wanting to achieve certain looks.
A Shift in Focus
But I think the most interesting thing that happens as you age with all this stuff is that none of that stuff matters anymore. Like, it doesn’t f***ing matter anymore! I don’t care about necessarily looking a certain way or achieving a certain body shape or even training to be “sexy” and stuff like that.
Not as much as I used to.
And I notice that shift for so many folks over 40 who are still on their fitness journey (and a journey for life).
The Disconnect
The way I see my fitness now has totally evolved from when I was in my 20s, and heck even in my 30s.
To be honest, I sometimes feel so removed from the fitness industry as a whole.
Look, I see it for what it is, which is just a sell by this multi-billion dollar industry playing on our insecurities and emotions.
At the end of the day, that’s literally what it is. An effort to gain massive amounts of wealth on naivety, desperation, anxiety, and poor self-esteem.
And I’m telling you this as a fitness professional! This is how the larger fitness companies and brands sell things to people. They end up promising you some kind of a solution which, nine times out of ten, it’s some frickin gimmick or fad.
This mindset has even infiltrated gym culture in general. I’ve seen it time and again and I just feel so removed from it that I stopped enjoying working out completely.
Seeking Answers
And I’ll tell you what, I know that I’m not the only one who feels this way because I see your comments on my YouTube videos.
To respond, I’ve been putting out content as of late that forces you to stop for a second and ask yourself why this stuff is important to you.
Why get up every morning, torture yourself with these damn workouts, eat things that you probably don’t want to eat anyway.
Let’s be honest!
Many of you’d rather be eating pizza and burgers and everything else. But you make this decision to get up every morning to do this. And even when you’re not, you know that you’re off balance, and the way that you’re living isn’t conducive to your health.
The Quest for Authenticity
So there’s an undercurrent, a call for relatability, realness.
It’s like so many of you feel this disconnect from the fitness world. You see the growing hyper-sexualization that’s happening in the gym and all of this superficiality, and you’re tired of it!
To be honest, I think all of this is such a huge part of what demotivates so many of us from even wanting to go to the gym.
Look, I’d rather go to a smaller gym where I can not be surrounded by too many people, focus on my workout, and do what I have to do because all of this fitness stuff just means so much more. So much more! And I know that so many of you are feeling that as well.
So what does this mean exactly?
What’s The Solution? A New Approach
The big question for you is this…
How does this change working out? How does this change the approach that I’m taking with my fitness? And what does this mean for you?
Well, to tell you the truth, working out now is beyond just bodybuilding.
Bodybuilding is one aspect of it, but I think one of the things that you care about as you mature in your fitness journey is not just about how you look, but again, it’s about longevity, it’s about mobility, it’s about maintaining your health to a greater degree.
A Shift in Perspective – Beyond The Physical
Bodybuilding takes on a meaning beyond the physical.
It’s about looking at ways you can challenge yourself that’s beyond what you see in the mirror. Your goals aren’t just about losing five or ten pounds or fitting into a specific outfit.
No, it’s a different journey.
One well equipped to keep you inspired from now until your dying breath. But to tell you the truth, society, and social media make that a hard task.
The Information Overload
I think that now more than ever before, we have so much information at our fingertips as a society that it’s almost information overload.
You don’t know who to trust, you don’t know who teaching you stuff that’s scientifically sound, stuff that’s actually going to get you results and keep you on that path.
At any given moment you can Google all of the tips in the world you can ever imagine on how to get into your best shape! Every tip under the sun. It’s CRAZY.
But how do you know who or what to trust? Simple… Use discernment.
Embracing Discernment
So I think that it’s really important to be more discerning about where you’re getting your information from, who you’re listening to, and, you know, and just really listening to your own body and trusting yourself in that way. If we were taught to do these things in fitness rather than listening to all the fads and gimmicks, our society as a whole would be so much better when it comes to health and fitness.
And I truly hope to bring that to you via my YouTube Channel and blog which I call “Redefining Bodybuilding.”
But what exactly does that mean?
Redefining Bodybuilding’s Purpose
In the quest for redefining bodybuilding, my purpose is clear.
It’s about providing you with the tools and knowledge necessary to empower yourself.
Giving you the wisdom to think for yourself and training methods that will not only help you look better but, more importantly, ensure that you live a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life.
A Commitment to Sharing
As a fitness professional with years of experience, I’m driven by a simple but powerful commitment.
I can choose to hoard my knowledge and let it fade into obscurity, or share it with you, our community.
There’s no way I’m willing to let this valuable information wither away. I want it to thrive and help you on your fitness journey.
Taking Control
It’s not just about teaching you what I know; it’s about guiding you to take control of your own physical vessel.
Our bodies are unique, and our paths to fitness should reflect that. Whether your goal is to become stronger, more agile, or simply healthier, I’m here to help you achieve it, step by step.
A Holistic Approach
This journey isn’t merely about the physical aspect; it’s holistic. It’s about molding your body into your own vision, one that transcends the physical and delves into the spiritual.
As you progress, you’ll find yourself moving more gracefully, feeling healthier, thinking with greater clarity, and connecting with yourself on a profound level.
The Power of Physical Prayer
We often overlook the spiritual dimension of our physical journey.
The body itself is a gateway to physical prayer, a concept rarely discussed. This spiritual connection can deepen your understanding of yourself and your relationship with the world around you.
I’ll tell you what, it was an incredible game changer for me when I shifted focus to this. And has impacted my life, and my clients’ lives on so many levels.
A Thought-Provoking Journey
To conclude, I encourage you to reflect deeply. What does this fitness journey mean to you? Why are you embarking on it? What drives you to keep going? Take a moment to ponder these questions because they will define your unique path.
It’s not about conforming to a one-size-fits-all standard; it’s about crafting your fitness journey, regardless of your goals, in a way that you can sustain for a lifetime.
So let’s continue this journey together, empowering ourselves, and embracing the multifaceted nature of bodybuilding that extends far beyond the physical.
