Hello brothers, I'm not much of a writer but here goes. Last week I joined this community because I resonate with Pauls no BS view on reality and wish to develop some of the qualities that he talks about. I'm grateful that Paul decided to create something like this and hopefully we can all grow together, share experiences and find some meaning and purpose in this thing called life. Fitness wise I'm out of shape and Paul was kind enough to offer his guidance and support. Since Thursday I have been working out to become more fit and athletic. Paul gave me a simple and basic routine to do and to keep accountable I'm gonna start posting the numbers here. The routine is pushups, chinups, squats and situps done as a circuit 3 times with around 45s rest between exercises and 3m rest between sets. This is alternated with some running or biking. I also took the liberty to include swimming as an option. The numbers: 09.01.2025 1 set: 25 pushups, 4 chin-ups, 25 squats, 25 situps 2 set: 20 pushups, 3 chin-ups, 25 squats, 20 situps 3 set: 12 pushupus, 3 chin-ups, 25 squats, 15 situps 10.01.2025 The plan was to go running after work but a severe snowstorm hit and blew that plan away. Instead I did a 25m shadow boxing workout at home that I found online. It got my heart rate up and sweat going so it was better then nothing. 11.01.2025 1 set: 28 pushups, 5 chin-ups, 25 squats, 25 situps 2 set: 21 pushups, 3 chin-ups, 25 squats, 20 situps 3 set: 15 pushupus, 3 chin-ups, 25 squats, 15 situps 12.01.2025 Went running. It was more difficult then I anticipated. Haven't done running for years and was panting fairly quickly. Did a 20m run with quite slow pace. Plan to increase it as the body keeps adapting to the strain. 13.012025 1 set: 26 pushups, 4 chin-ups, 25 squats, 25 situps 2 set: 22 pushups, 3 chin-ups, 25 squats, 20 situps 3 set: 18 pushupus, 3 chin-ups, 25 squats, 18 situps Overall body is tired and sore. Next two days will be rest and recovery and then I'll continue pushing 💪.

No man should grow old and die without ever knowing the beauty of strength and physical fitness that's available to each and every able-bodied person. Especially MEN!! There are no excuses that suffice. There are no reasons that relieve that burden of truth. This post is both an inquiry, as well as a means to cull those who have no intention of engaging with this community. Quality is more important than quantity of members. I want this platform to consist of men of action... With physical fitness being the foundational base required to carry the burden of being a complete man, what is your personal level of physical fitness and readiness? What are you doing to improve upon those skill sets?

It's normal for a man to pretend as if he's got it all together. "I'm good!" is the mantra of the common man. We say this for several reasons. First off, we understand the expectation that we should be strong and stoic, regardless of the weight on our shoulders. That's the plight of man. But on an even deeper level, we know that nobody cares what we're dealing with. So, we lie.... Weakness is something that I absolutely hate! For a long time, I moved with that understanding, finding myself detested whenever in the presence of someone being "weak." It wasn't until I began to peel the onion of who I had become that I began to understand where this disgust came from. It wasn't external, at all. The anger came from the little boy I found hiding in the shadows of my soul. Life has a way of teaching us lessons, if we're just willing to get out of the way long enough to listen and learn. For me, the lesson was hiding behind the dragon I refused to allow in my gym: little kids. For many years, I declined the opportunity to work with athletes younger than 13. I don't particularly like kids. Plus, my goal was to win a state championship in football. So, I wanted to be as close to that as possible. I quickly learned that kids weren't being trained the same we were in the 80's-90's. Many of the teen aged athletes didn't have the ability to perform what seemed to be simple movements. After years of having to teach what should have already been learned, it became necessary for me to begin training the kids closer to their formative years than their championship years. This is where the onion peel made my eyes water... I would come across several young boys who were inherently weak, passive and kind of pussy over the next few years. Looking back, the way I handled them was wrong. Rather than finding out what created this disposition, I subconsciously orchestrated ways to ensure they'd quit coming to my gym. Once the weakness arose, I became an anchor rather than a rope. I sank them, because I didn't want weakness in my gym!!!

I recently decided to take a job in construction to increase my income during this time of great opportunity. With the laziness epidemic, combined with the sweeping wave of arrests of those who don't belong in our country, the fruit is ripe for the picking. Pun, intended. Right now, there is a great window to learn new skills and build a business in the process, within a few years. In Austin, a plumber could become a millionaire in a year, there's so much work! There is absolutely no reason for any young man to be broke, lost and struggling. In life, there will be pain. Either you will suffer the pain of working hard towards what you want, or you will suffer the pain of trying to dig yourself out of the hole. Your choice!!!

As men, we should be working to be and become the absolute best we can for those we are blessed to serve. What are your daily non-negotiables that require discipline? Where have you fallen short? What are you doing differently to eliminate those short falls?