An excellent piece. I remember telling my wife a few years ago "The gym is the new nightclub" people seem to center their lives around being there. The gym was a place where you went to shape your body to help you navigate life. Now people are shaping their lives to navigate to the gym.
You hit the nail on the head on this one. I definitely fell into the neurotic trap of “optimization” and constantly obsessing over minor and often innocuous physical changes in my physique. I think dealing with injuries throughout the years was a way of God humbling me through it all and helping me realize there is more to health and wellness than the vainglory of physical aesthetics. Again, a well written article.
As opportunities increase and new options proliferate, the range of behaviors will increase. We’re seeing sittings of sedentary vs fit… but also superficial/narcissistic vs balanced/grounded/authentic.
I remain frustrated that so much discourse about our health (and every other area of our lives) seems to ignore choice and agency. It’s as if it doesn’t exist. MAHA might sweep the table but we’ll still be a nation of pathetic, blobbish weaklings… telling ourselves stories about obstacle and limitation. No one will object-they’re all telling their own stories…
An excellent piece. I remember telling my wife a few years ago "The gym is the new nightclub" people seem to center their lives around being there. The gym was a place where you went to shape your body to help you navigate life. Now people are shaping their lives to navigate to the gym.
This is one of the best articles I've ever read. You totally hit the nail on the head, Joe. Great stuff and thanks for taking the time to share
Thank you Benen! Appreciate the kind words and for taking the time to read.
You hit the nail on the head on this one. I definitely fell into the neurotic trap of “optimization” and constantly obsessing over minor and often innocuous physical changes in my physique. I think dealing with injuries throughout the years was a way of God humbling me through it all and helping me realize there is more to health and wellness than the vainglory of physical aesthetics. Again, a well written article.
Spot on with everything here. Another great piece!
As opportunities increase and new options proliferate, the range of behaviors will increase. We’re seeing sittings of sedentary vs fit… but also superficial/narcissistic vs balanced/grounded/authentic.
I remain frustrated that so much discourse about our health (and every other area of our lives) seems to ignore choice and agency. It’s as if it doesn’t exist. MAHA might sweep the table but we’ll still be a nation of pathetic, blobbish weaklings… telling ourselves stories about obstacle and limitation. No one will object-they’re all telling their own stories…
https://jmpolemic.substack.com/p/people-suck