A Better Version of Ourselves

One goal, too many distractions

For about a decade longer than NCIS has been on the air, I’ve been a trainer/coach/whatever-the-kids-call-it-these-days. Wanna know a secret? From the trenches, back alleys, mountain tops,and social media pages of all the pursuits of strength and wellness, every goal from every client and gym member can be summed up easily.

Please make a better version of Me.

Unfortunately they've been hoodwinked in how this works, as are many trainers and wellness practitioners. As a culture, we’ve forgotten what being a better individual can mean. Also, I added the “please” because, despite forgetting how to be better versions of ourselves, (and despite this country’s recent atrocious decisions in the voting booths), I’m still clinging to the hope that people are generally friendly.

“Once you develop confidence in your own ability, you’ll be able to make a real contribution to creating a better world. Self-confidence is very important. Not in the sense of blind pride, but as a realistic awareness of what you can do. As human beings we can transform ourselves by our good qualities and reducing our faults. Our intelligence enables us to judge what is good from what is harmful.” - Dalai Lama

His Holiness is spot on about our potential, but gives us maybe too much credit in follow through. Yes, our intelligence does enable us to understand good from harm, but too often we’re distracted from choosing well. What do you value? How would you view your value as a person? Your relationship with your body presents these values to anyone who finds you groovy enough to mingle with. Your training is a chance to expound your values in a physical manifestation. What does your training say about you and your purpose? What’s your relationship with your body?

The big question: Does your training reflect your values? If you value respect, is your program a shining beacon for that? If your training is abusive, it is safe to assume no. If you value free thought, then you wouldn’t mind a little reflection on any current dogmas you might be clutching to about your programming. This goes double if someone else developed the foundation of your programming. The terms ‘franchise’ and ‘certification’ are not exactly bywords for independence and exploration. Does your movement practice celebrate the freedom of the body or the subjugation of it? Every category and brand we buy into has limitations that too often become shackles.

Our body has one purpose. From a complex matrix of internal wiring, to powerful exhaust and elimination systems (insert fart joke here), to an unparalleled CPU, to a potent leverage and pulley system, to delivery systems for fuel and oil, every detail and process seems to have a place in letting the body pursue movement. That’s the physical purpose of the body. Period. Job #1. Movement is the Body’s raison d'etre for planetary employment. How could that job, the body’s only job, not have a major impact on the metaphysical dealings and dances our existence happens to be involved in? This job, this movement contract, is an essential part of a greater Being (verb, not noun). Maybe we shouldn’t get in the way of the body’s job, as we seem so eager to do.

If you had one job and only one job, chances are you’d want to do it in many ways, and as well as possible. Why, then, are our decisions with the body often so bad? Okay, maybe that was harsh. But we’re experts at limiting ourselves. The modern fitness systems being sold are full of movement detritus. Time wasting, and in some cases, body-wasting, movement ideas that are antithetical to the body’s continued successful employment. Meanwhile there are huge gaps in our training where the body is lacking preparation.

Listen to the needs of the body, not the wants of the brain. The brain can organize the program, but let the body develop it. Move in many ways, for many reasons. But now I add a caveat. When defining those ways and reasons, consider discarding the dumb ones. We move as experience. We move TO experience! We move to increase our humanity. So let’s train that way.

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