OK Kids, I’ve been thinking about this one for a while, and within our little community I’ve got some people in the gym that are struggling in different ways.

With all of these, there is nothing like the gym family to help you through these things.  There is really nothing on earth more bonding than suffering through some physical elements of life to re-center and gain some inner strength to help you the next time that you need it.

Whether you are a member of my gym or not, I think that everyone should read the essay by Henry Rollins about Iron and the Soul.  This is a really good read, and I think it applies especially when you have life struggles and challenges.

“The Iron never lies to you. . . The Iron will always kick you the real deal. The Iron is the great reference point, the all-knowing perspective giver. Always there like a beacon in the pitch black. I have found the Iron to be my greatest friend. It never freaks out on me, never runs. Friends may come and go. But two hundred pounds is always two hundred pounds.”

The folks in my gym know that I always take the long view, and the lessons that the iron teaches are not always immediate.  When you go to  your gym, or if you come to mine, I’ll ask you to come with an open heart, an open mind, and a positive attitude.  Keep these things in perspective so that you can listen and see what the iron is trying to teach you.

For those around you, continue to offer encouragement to dig deep, help them listen to the Iron, the lessons of the Iron may help them in their life struggles more than you can possibly know.  If you are having problems digging deep, heres a little motivation for you: