September 2022
I wrote about the importance of mental and physical robustness in a recent blog post (see below). This blog was inspired by Lance Corporal Farren Morgan, an army fitness instructor who gave an interview a few weeks ago on the challenges he faces training recruits, some of whom have been encouraged by the "body positivity" movement to take a relatively passive attitude to their fitness.
Morgan's interview prompted a fair amount of discussion, for slightly obvious reasons, though I think he is right in what he says in it. As a personal trainer, I regularly encounter (potential) clients who recognise the challenges they face with their physical fitness and are encouraged to do something about it. I am lucky in largely not experiencing the same kinds of passive attitudes that Morgan refers to in his interview.
What Morgan has to say about the importance of building a robust mental and physical approach to the challenges of life I also relate to. In my view, without this attitude, whether it comes naturally or is trained and encouraged, it is difficult, if not impossible to make progress on a fitness training plan, or in life more generally.
Developing such a mindset, if this is the route to achieving this outcome, can be a challenge and involve a certain amount of discomfort on the part of the person experiencing such a journey. But is that such a bad thing? Without moving out of our comfort zone(s) none of us can change, grow or make our way in life to our benefit.
Our culture is very much about coddling and comforting people, particularly young people, partly because this generates a form of online loyalty (particularly on social media) which in turn generates commercial success and profits for those doing the coddling.
A sort of emotion click-bait, if you will.
But we should resist such an easy path to fulfilment and comfort. It may be more of an ask to take the challenging path to personal growth but it is worth it in the end, especially in the current challenging (and about to become more challenging) times.
Get strong, be fit and grow as a person in a robust way.
Your life will be better for doing so.
Julien Bertherat
Personal Trainer
