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Most people don’t get why we do it.

Why do we pour so much time, energy, and effort into training? Why is it so important to us?

Is it narcissism, they wonder? Have we fallen in love with our reflections?

Or maybe it’s insecurity? Are we feeding a superiority complex?

Is it something darker, like self loathing? Are we unable to accept ourselves the way that we are?

They’re all missing the point.

We don’t train to feel vainglorious, paper over shortcomings, or punish ourselves.

We train because it gives us more than a better body. It gives us a better life.

It builds more than muscle. It builds character.

It teaches us how to stop bullshitting ourselves and confront reality.

It teaches us how to have the courage to commit to big goals.

It teaches us how to create purpose and meaning.

It teaches us how to take action instead of making excuses and finding reasons to fail.

It teaches us how to take responsibility and refuse to be a victim.

It teaches us how to work hard instead of chasing magic bullets and quick fixes.

It teaches us how to get gritty and push through pain and adversity.

It teaches us how to value long-term satisfaction over immediate gratification.

At bottom, it teaches us a very powerful lesson:

If you have the power to change your body, you have the power to change your life.

That’s why we train.

Let’s not forget it.