On my flight back from Seattle I sat next to a 52 year old guy named Dexter.
Cool dude who was super easy to talk to. I love meeting new people and flapping my gums to just about anyone. So we rapped for most of the three hours.
We talked about psychology, mindset, leadership, marketing, evolution, political correctness and the pussification of man.
He told me about his recent foray into lifting and what he was doing in the gym. Seemed to be really into it and said he felt great when he was getting stronger. Unfortunately, he injured his back while deadlifting. That means he’s on the shelf for a while.
Bummer. I hope he doesn’t let this injury lead him back to a sedentary lifestyle.
Anyway, one thing he said stood out above everything else…
“People treated me differently.”
I heard but asked him to repeat it. I wanted the impact to resonate with him. Of course, I knew the answer, but I asked why he thought that was.
“I carried myself differently.”
There was more, but that’s the big takeaway.
Getting stronger impacts every single aspect of your life.
Almost everyone you encounter will treat you better. The lady scanning your ticket, the guy taking your drink order, your boss, coworkers, spouse, friends, everyone.
Before we landed Dexter asked me one final, difficult-to-answer question. “What’s the one thing that can improve overall human performance more than anything else?”
Wow. Tough one.
I thought of Maya Angelou’s quote. I thought of Muhammad Ali’s line about “service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”
I do my best to live up to both.
But if you don’t take care of your physical body, first and foremost, you can’t do your best for others. Your relationships, your finances, your mood, your cognitive function, and your energy levels will all improve if you become physically strong.
It changes everything.
Start this week the right way.
Come get strong with me:
Jay Ferruggia
