Though I don’t have children of my own, I have the fortune of frequently being around the children of close friends, and am able to share in the joy of watching them develop and grow. And because I frequently see these kids in the gym setting, one of the most remarkable things I get to watch is how they mimic their parents and engage with exercise. For the children of these parents who regularly engage in physical activity and training, exercise is just something you do -- a fun opportunity for movement and play and challenge. Without prompting, they will get their hands on the 5lb kids’ barbell, set out cones to jump over or hurdles to duck under, lift small kettlebells, carry odd objects, and toss and roll medicine balls.

This is how kids learn -- by observation, immersion, and engagement -- not by rule or regulation or rote instruction. And moreso, this is how all humans learn: seeing, digesting, and doing.

I’d like to offer up a piece of motivation to call upon in those times when the internal motivation is lacking: you’re not doing this just for yourself. You, as a human living among other humans, have the responsibility of acting as a leader. Perhaps you don’t view yourself in any position of leadership, but I can assure you that your actions influence those in your circle. If you are a parent, the implications here are evident: you are a leader to your child(ren). They see how you behave, they observe and consider and learn from every decision you make. But the influence extends far beyond just parenthood. As a son or daughter yourself, a sibling, a friend, a coworker, or even a stranger, you are an influencer. Family, friends, and strangers alike see you opting into the hard thing, see you choosing to develop yourself rather than sit idly by; and just as the kids take in and learn from this behavior, so do others. Perhaps they won’t directly mimic you in the way a child might mimic their parents, but don’t think for a minute that your choices and actions don’t have a ripple effect on everyone around you.

Maybe today or tomorrow or some day you won’t feel like doing it for yourself, and that’s okay. Just remember that this isn’t just for you. Do it for your kids, or your family, or your friends, or for me, because we all share this space together, and we can all make it a little better with the right choices.

- PS

12/19/17

• 4 rds for reps

• 60s max cal row

• 60s rest

• 60s max pistols

• 60s rest

• 60s max C2B pull-ups

• 60s rest