12/22/2021
Ever heard that cheesy phrase, ādo something future you will thank you forā?
hereās a story.
The first time I stepped into a weight room, I was 13 years old. The gym was a small community center 15-20min away from my house.
It was me and 2 of my best friends growing up. We picked up every weight, tried every machine and slammed every ball (we never did squats because we thought thatād stunt our growth š)
We had no structure, no program, no idea what sets and reps were, and almost every workout had to have bicep curls.
I enjoyed it.
one day I decided to go to the gym on my own because my two friends were out on vacation with their families. It was the first time going to the gym by myself. I was extremely nervous and Iāll never forget it. Hereās why
That day some meathead approached me.
He wore black adidas sweatpants and a tight white sleeveless undershirt. Iād wear an undershirt too but my XS sized shirt was baggy on me š
He tapped me on the shoulder while I sat on the lat pull down machine and angrily said, āyou and your friends need to stop coming here. This place is only for adults. You kids donāt know what youāre doing.ā š”
Little 13 year old me was never one to stand up for myself or talk back to anyone.
But that day I said, āwell I canāt skip chest day tomorrow. So Iāll be here same place, same time.
He shook his head and left. Never saw him since.
I think about that and If I actually listened to that man, Iād never be where I am now. My āfitness journeyā wouldāve ended there.
But I didnāt. And now:
ā
Iām helping people take that first step into the gym space like nervous me once did alone
ā
I help people understand how to train with the best quality information backed up through anecdotes and science when I had no clue how to train.
ā
I provide an environment where training is fun, engaging, and you belong in that space when I had a bully try to boot me out of the gym.
So whenever I see someone who is clearly a beginner in the weight room, I smile a bit. because I was once in their shoes. I know theyāve got a long journey ahead of them
So thank you 13 year old Melvin. Youāve done well ššŖ
