If there’s anything I learned from two years of practicing calisthenics, it’s that you can do anything you set your mind to. (As long as it’s within the realm of physics!)
Getting in shape, and I mean really good shape, better than most, has been an amazing journey for me. Its taken effort, determination, time, and going against the grain, but it was and still is worth it.
Apart from achieving my fitness goals, its has taught me lessons regarding process that will serve me a lifetime.
I always wish I could…
I’ve always wanted to be able to hold a handstand.
Like all kids, I tried multiple times when I was younger but just fell over. I never committed to learning how.
Today, not only can I hold a handstand, I can hold the human flag. I can do one-arm pushups (feet together!) and pistol squats. I have a 6-pack plus a mini one on my back. It’s amazing how my body feels today but it’s something I can’t explain.
What’s more amazing is how the philosophy to achieve success carries over to anything. Commit to
Start small and easy…very small and easy.
No one just decides to get in shape and instantly does one-arm pushups.
I started this journey literally doing pushups against a wall. Tell any gym-going buff to start there and they’ll laugh at you.
It’s so so so important to start small. You build proper form, quick wins, and strength in more than just your muscles.
Every step fuels your motivation that you can do this!
It may seem stupid at first…you won’t understand until you’re in it.
It may seem stupid to start so simple.
You may think “How will I ever get there if I’m doing this?”. One day while working on pull-ups, something changed.
It was easy.
My arms felt different as I pulled my chest up to the bar. They felt extra solid and stronger than ever. It was one little muscle (not so little anymore) near my elbow that made all the difference.
It felt good. Really good.
That day I realized that there is something to having a process. You may have to blindly trust it. If you do, you will see results.
The thing is though, you won’t know what the results feel like until you experience it for yourself.
You will fail without knowing why. Keep going.
The feeling of strength in my arms was one quick win…but they’re not all that way.
One day while working on handstand pushups against a wall, I started fully extended, bent my arms to touch my head to the ground, then pushed with my arms back up.
After a few, I got stuck. I couldn’t do any more. I tried to fuel more energy to my muscles but they just wouldn’t move. It was weird…nothing hurt. Nothing was sore or aching. I was just frozen mid push-up.
This was failure. I couldn’t move and I didn’t know why.
Which muscles were failing? I had no idea.
Was I fatigued? No I felt fine.
I decided that was enough of those for the day, knowing I’d practice again the next day.
Previous milestones in my workout have taken months to achieve. All of them with the same feeling of failing, not knowing why my body was failing, but knowing that persistence will win me success.
I used to look at where I wanted to be and think “It’d be nice if…” or “I wish I could…”.
Now, I look at where I want to be and think “It’ll take time and effort but I know I can do it”.
You want to share this way of living, but others are stuck in their ways.
When passionate about something positive, its natural to want to share it with others and convince them to join you.
I started training friends as I got better and better. Unfortunately, they never got far.
Truth is, they don’t want it like I do.
They don’t care about it like I do.
They don’t feel the value of the end result (because they haven’t done enough of the process yet).
Sure, I could have spent more time convincing and selling the idea, but sorry, it’s not worth my time.
Do it for you. You’ll probably be alone, and that’s ok.
Eventually, I decided to heck with workout buddies, I’m doing this for me.
My fitness level is in the 1% because my dedication to getting there is in the 1%.
You won’t find many peers among friends and that’s ok.
You will start out alone, but go at it enough and you will find others with the same mindset. They can motivate, inspire, and maybe even guide you…but it’s still up to you to do the work.
There is always the next level.
Here’s the good news: the journey is limitless.
Is one-arm pushups the end? No, what about three-finger pushups?
Are freestanding handstands the end? No, what about one-arm handstands. And one-arm handstand pushups.
The list is virtually limitless. It can take years, but it IS achievable.
It’s just up to you high high you want to aim.
Onwards and upwards.
