In trying to define my Real World Strength Training blog, I’ve been wrestling with ideas about who I am and what my purpose is. I have been asking myself the questions, “how can I help the world around me, and how can I help you?”
Strength training is something that has changed my life in dramatic ways. Among many other things, strength training is one that has literally given me so much to be thankful for. (I’d like you to think to yourself if you can identify with any of the following benefits.)
I enjoy vibrant health and abundant energy. I can do almost any physical activity I choose from scaling a mountain to keeping up with toddlers. My health is so great that I rarely get sick, so I can enjoy life with others around me. Strength training has given me the mental acuity and confidence to progress in my career. Strength training has allowed me to inspire other people to change their lives, and has even solidified my role as husband, brother, son, friend, coach, and leader. Strength training has also shown me the fragility of life, and the blessing that it is to be living, breathing, and active.
I could go on and on, but the truth is that for me, strength, health, and athleticism are the glue that holds John Sifferman together. I don’t deserve any of this, but I will accept it with open arms. And with open arms, I will freely give it away to as many people as will accept it.
What is the goal of this Real World Strength Training blog? And more importantly, what is your responsibility by coming here and absorbing this lifestyle?
I want to create massive change in your life. I want to show you the way to work for true health, in all areas of your life. I want your newfound strength and health to shine brightly in your relationships, in your career, in your spiritual walk, and in your leisure time. Most importantly, I want to impart on you the privilege and responsibility of caring for others. It starts with taking care of yourself, but it must progress from there. The people around you, your “circle,” are your responsibility. The truth is that we need each other, we depend on one another – and one of the greatest things you can do is set a superb example and inspire others to do the same.
One of my favorite quotes is by Coretta Scott King who said “It doesn’t matter how strong your opinions are. If you don’t use your power for positive change, you are, indeed, part of the problem.” I couldn’t have said it better myself. We’re here to interact with others, to set an example, to lead from the front.
Now, I’ve been thinking long and hard about what characterizes you and I. What are the quintessential qualities that we have? Better yet, what word or phrase best describes people like you and I?
warrior – that’s what comes to mind. Put it into context and we are “wellness warriors.”
I think that phrase sums up an ideal that we are meant to pursue. Wellness is a broad term, but paired with warrior and it becomes a character, a persona, an ideal to aspire towards.
Wellness Warrior
One definition of wellness that I like is: a state of optimal well-being that is oriented toward maximizing an individual’s potential. This is a process that can take a lifetime to perfect, as you ultimately seek wellness in your physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, familial, social, financial, and vocational lifestyle.
I’ve used the pursuit of health and strength as a channel to radiate positive energy into the rest of my life. I don’t mean to sound mystical or vague – it’s simply a means of mastering one area of your life and watching as that mastery spreads into other areas. Ask anyone who has overcome a challenge, and they will assure you that they are stronger because of it. That’s what being a wellness warrior is all about – taking on the challenges of life, seeking strength and health for yourself and your loved ones. Becoming the master of yourself, and admitting that you are strong, smart, attractive, confident – you ARE everything you want to be.
It wasn’t my goal to give a pep talk, because over-hyped energy is misleading. I DO intend to offer you a new perspective, and ask you a very important question.
Are you on board with the wellness revolution? It’s coming!
To your health and success,
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Hi John.
Thanks for sharing your vision. It aligns perfectly with the Yasa of Ghengis Khan, possibly one of the greatest unifying warrior spirits of all time. Think how one man managed to unify a mob of squabbling nomads into the greatest fighting force the world has ever known. And go on to conquer almost all of the known world.
Basically his guiding principle was one of excellence in all things particularly the house we live in i.e our human body. He promoted men based on what they achieved – on their excellence.
It doesn’t matter what our present position is, but rather the direction we are taking in our lives. The inner state of spirit and mind is what spawns excellence, and it is our practical mental and physical efforts that bring it to life. As long as we as human beings harbour a strong desire to excel, we already possess the prerequisites for achieving excellence in our lives.
What has this to do with being a wellness warrior?
Real warriors are judged on their deeds, not their words.
Their lives are dedicated to excellence in all things.
They have self discipline and the work ethic required to excel.
They have an affinity with the life force in all things especially our mother earth. They seek more and better knowledge all the time.
They learn and then put into practice.
And they know that without a healthy and strong body, life is not worth living, because an unwell body is incapable of extracting all the joys life has to offer.
Funny how westerners spend most of their lives accumulating money and stuff at the expense of their health and the planet. Then spend all their money on trying to regain their health in their latter years.
To seek excellence is the right thing to do, but we must also stretch it out to our fellows as you seek to do. To deny others the same possibilities we rightfully claim for ourselves is in my view a sin. To help them when they want to change for the better is the foremost expression of social responsibility and true love.
I commend your vision of a better world, wellness warrior.
Live long. Live well.
Thank you so much for painting that word picture Rick! You are holding the bar high and that is some sage advice for anyone. Seeking excellence is a worthy life pursuit. It is funny how westerners put wealth before health. I guess most people don’t appreciate health it until it’s going or gone.
“To deny others the same possibilities we rightfully claim for ourselves is in my view a sin”
I completely agree, and I would add that helping others discover their own self-worth and power is one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done.
Be well.
John Sifferman