I started lifting when I was 17. A few months into it others started noticing. They could tell I was serious. Then it started. “Uh, oh, better watch it dude, gonna burn out. You’ll be done lifting in six months.” Wow, sounded kinda scary. 25 years later I’m still going strong.
When I was 21 and got on the police department the “old timers” warned me about how different it was at 30 years of age. “Better watch it kid, at 30 it all goes down hill.” Hmmm, at 30 I was a fat powerlifter but really strong — and I was about to get into, at the time, the best shape of my life.
For years I had listened to members and everyday people talk about how IMpossible it was to get in shape over the holidays. So one year about 6-7 years ago I purposely got into the best shape I had been in or at least tied it, three days before Christmas. Oops.
Anyone older than me, since I was 30 has warned me what 40 would be like. “Uh oh Dave, man, I tell ya what — at 40 it REALLY changes.” Hmmm, at 40 I was in my best shape ever.
And then yesterday, it happened AGAIN. I’m 47 now. So, I’m hangin around 195 and 7% body fat. I got asked by a 19-year old kid if I was a “pro.” I laughed out loud but thanked him. An old acquaintance lifter took note of my progress since the six years it had been since he’d seen me. And guess what — he’ll be 55 in a few weeks so get ready folks — HERE IT COMES — DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!! “How old are you Dave?” – “I’m 47.” “He laughs, calls me the KID, and jokes about how he remembers being THAT YOUNG once and ….” Well, I couldn’t stand it. I cut him off at the knees.
Flat out told him how I’ve been told since I was 17 that it would ALL COME CRASHING DOWN around me in one form or another very soon. At 30 it’s all over. Nope. At 40 it’s death. Nope. So at 50 it’ll be death? Nope. And to be quite honest? This old acquaintance looks REALLY GOOD — got a lot of muscle and hangin about 12-15% body fat — pretty dang good for any guy over 25 and especially for almost 55.
Anyway — my point is this. Don’t let anyone rain on your parade. You can make your transformation, YOUR journey — whatever you want. Just because some call it quits at 30, or 40 or 50 doesn’t mean you have to. And by living EXCEPTIONAL you can damn well stand out in ways the UN-exceptional will never understand. Follow the norms? Please.
The worst thing I can be is like everyone else.
In addition?
Mediocrity sucks–Don’t settle. And remember, the naysayers are EVERYWHERE — ignore them. They’ll bring you down if you let them. Many have the “Don’t keep up with the Jones-es — just bring-em down to your level” mentality.
David