There’s this old Jim Gaffigan joke about working out. I don’t remember which stand-up special it was on, but I remember the setup and the punchline. Gaffigan looks at this ripped guy at the gym and says, “What are you doing here? You’re done!” If you don’t know the joke, I’m sure it’s not that...Read More

When doing something hard, the hope is always that it leaves you better. Sometimes, that better is immediate — you know you’re different now after doing the thing. Other times it’s not so obvious. But with enough time and distance, we typically realize that completing the hard thing, however miserable at the time, transformed us...Read More

A lot of folks around Sterling and Loudoun County, VA are training to improve their bodies, their longevity, and to Say YES to more of life. But they’re often a little hesitant at the start. They want to find the right gym for them, and they don’t want to be pressured into doing something they...Read More

If you’re looking for a free trial class, I want you to know that I understand where you’re coming from. Our lives are saturated with try-before-you-buy scenarios. We test-drive cars. We swing through Costco for a meal’s worth of free samples. Mobile apps offer free 7-day trials, as do TV streaming services (after they get...Read More

If you missed them, make sure to check out Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of this series.   Have you ever taken a bath? I mean as an adult, of course you did as a kid. I sure did. My mom would yell up the stairs to make sure I washed instead of...Read More

If you missed them, make sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2 of this series.     Have you ever noticed how cold a barbell can be even in warm weather? Leaning on it, the knurling digs a little into your forearms while the steel contrasts the warmth of your skin. It always...Read More

“That’s great, but what do I do now?”   I’ve asked myself that question so many times after finishing a book that offers guidance for personal or professional development. I get about halfway through the book, and I’m like, “This mafuckah spittin!” Then I finish the book and I realize that they didn’t do much...Read More

I’m not one to tell people how they ought to think. Folks have the right to think whatever they want. I do, however, like to challenge perspectives and make people think. I believe getting someone to say, “Huh, well I never thought of that way.” is one of the most powerful gifts we can give...Read More

My friend Jordan has a brutally honest flag hanging behind the squat rack in his home gym. It reads: Comfort is a Slow Death. The fabric of the flag is yellow, and the type is bold and blue – it arcs across the middle of the flag. I love seeing it every time he sends...Read More

On a sunny spring day in 2012, I sat beside my girlfriend at the time as we looked out over the Juniata River. We were on top of one of Central Pennsylvania’s small, rolling mountains. We’d finished a hike called the 1,000 Steps and did a little exploring afterwards. I realized how tired I was...Read More