In my younger years, I wanted to get jacked.

As in, the sleeve-ripping, Pec-popping, flying-lat, monstrous wheels kind of jacked. That’s not too surprising, seeing as I was a 5’10, 110 lbs weak little boy in the middle of highschool.

Eventually though, as I got older and my world view and personal philosophy developed, I decided why the lifestyle of a 200 lbs behemoth would be detrimental to what I had planned for myself.

I’ll tell you why.

After struggling with my own personal insecurities and ballooning up to a chunky 185 lbs Powerlifter, Life slowly gave me some valuable realizations. I’d eventually gravitate down to a lean, comfortable 170 lbs with a great strength-to-bodyweight ratio, and a newfound fortitude.

 saw that what I truly wanted wasn’t to look big – it was to be strong, prepared, and ready to face the challenges that life threw at me.

I didn’t want to LOOK strong, I wanted to BE strong and CAPABLE.

And just how strong and capable did I want to be?

Strong and capable enough to squat two people on my shoulders.

Strong enough to carry heavy loads around the household.

Strong and capable enough to run away from danger.

Strong and capable enough to master my own body joyfully through space- pistol squats, L-sits, handstands, Body levers, Planche push ups, and the like.

Strong and capable enough to maim and wrestle an assailant with the help of a tool like a pen or kubotan.

Strong, but not so large.

So large that I would need to progress to supernatural training loads, putting myself at greater risk to long-term strains.

So large that I would have to eat a mountain of food lest my body would rubber band back to its genetic tendencies.

So large that I would be hard pressed to find good fitting, economical clothes.

So large that my physique would be the most dominant feature I’d give out about myself (I didn’t want that).

It wasn’t just my fitness I was concerned about – it was about the quality of my entire day-to-day, and how I’d achieve my personal sense of happiness and fulfillment.

But all-in-all, this was my personal situation. Everyone has their own goals and levels of attainment they yearn for when it comes to their bodies.

Just be cognizant that it is also harmonious to your lifestyle philosophy as well. Because once your life balance is thrown off by your physique and athletic aspirations, it might be good to ask you’re whether you’re living for fitness, or are being fit for living. 🙂

So discover what you want for yourself, and start on your plan towards getting it.

Wishing you success,

Aldo

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