
07/07/2025
Some people might wonder why I started investing my time and money in the gym.
Maybe they think I am going through a midlife crisis in my 30s. Maybe I just want to look cool, build muscles and feel young again. I get it. Those are easy assumptions to make. Maybe there is a bit of truth in them but honestly they are just petty reasons.
The real reason goes deeper and it is quite simple.
I may still be relatively young but that does not mean I am safe from things like asthma (my arch nemesis), high blood pressure, diabetes and other illnesses we all know too well. Going to the gym does not guarantee I will never get sick but it gives me a much better chance at avoiding them. It also helps me manage stress and maintain a healthy mind. That is one of the best perks of staying active.
A 2022 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that adults who combined aerobic exercise with strength training had a 30 percent lower risk of death from any cause. That is a big deal.
I want to be healthier because I want to serve my daughter longer. I want to give my best, strongest, most productive years to my family especially to Amari. I do not want to spend the rest of my life battling several illnesses because I know my body more than anyone else. I want to be strong not just for me but for her and for my entire family.
The muscles are just a bonus.
The real goal is having the strength to stay alive and being present for the ones I love.