TLDR: Become a fit person. Practice movement every day.
“Don’t worry man, I know a guy with the same thing and is stronger than ever now.” Keaton shared. Keaton, one of my 5 A.M. “gym bros”.
I didn’t want to admit it, but I was scared. Not necessarily scared that the sickness would take me. More scared that I would be less of a man after getting one of my “boys” lopped off. Scared I would slowly begin my irreversible health decline.
But Keaton’s words stuck with me.
This was going to be my story to write.
So I decided I was going to come back better. Because I am interested in living a long and healthy life. Forever young and able.
Six month’s later, irony would test my resolve.
I injured my back. Again. Doing a routine crossfit workout. A run-overhead squat couplet. A nasty little workout designed to suck the very wind out of you that’s needed to protect your spine during the squats.
So despite the passion I had nurtured for Crossfit over five years, I made the difficult decision to step back. Because for me, longevity was the goal. And while I probably had another 5 years of crossfit in me, it was obvious, there would be a price my body would pay in the long term.
As the days turned into weeks, I watched my reflection change. Muscles once toned from diligent training started to soften. My internal resolve, however, didn’t waver. It motivated me to find another way to regain my strength.
Reluctantly I picked up running. An activity I had loathed for years.
But, inspired by my daily podcast, I decided to try for every day.
I was hooked.
Until day 52.
That evening, as I laid on my sofa, nursing an aching foot and riding the waves of painkillers, an epiphany struck. Maybe running, just like Crossfit, wasn’t the ultimate answer.
Maybe the answer was “move”.
Just move.
Just move. Every freaking day. As much as you will.
I am convinced, the secret to fitness is that simple.
Because now, instead of asking, “Should I workout today?” the question becomes, “What kind of movement feels right today?”. This shift in mindset, though subtle, is transformative.
Now, I’m not alone in this realization. And to be honest, I don’t know that I would take my word for it. After all, I’m still rocking a dad bod over here.
But take Cru Mahoney, who hasn’t missed a day of movement in three years. Or the incredible Ava Tankersly passing day 700. Or Joseph Mambwe, who celebrated day 1000 of his movement journey. The list is endless.
All of these individuals, and many others, are a testament to the power of a movement habit. A habit of consistent, daily motion.
So where do we start?
In the words of an old Chinese proverb, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” That single step is what we can achieve today, right now. It might be a walk to the mailbox, a dance in your living room, sit-ups during a TV show or whatever else gets your heart pumping and feels right. There is no wrong answer. It is merely a start.
Heck, my journey started with a one mile run at 11 P.M. I’ll never forget, I was in bed scrolling through twitter and I read about Joseph Mambwe closing in on day 1000. I remember thinking, that’s cool. I’ll start that tomorrow. Immediately realizing the flaw in my logic I jumped out of bed and put on my shoes.
Here I am now on day 60, and I can confidently say I am in the best shape of my life. Most importantly I am having a blast in the process. And at this rate, the best is yet to come.
My question for you is, what will be your first movement? Will you start today?
