INTRO
This is not a bash on lifting. It’s important, and you better be working out and eating healthy. If you aren’t, well, might as well literally shoot yourself in the foot. Anyways, onto the point
Why develop something physical that isn’t the gym?
There are a few answers to this. Firstly and most important, it’s good for your physical and mental health. As men, having healthy outlets like this are vital to a happy life. The whole reason we work is to be able to do things we enjoy.
The second is the social aspect. Climbing, surfing, mountain biking, skydiving, running, whatever it is you choose, tend to have loads of potential for building your social circle. Cool, fun, friendly, interesting people make up most of these communities. You already have something in common with everyone else in these groups, so making friends is easy to do.
Thirdly, it makes you interesting. It gives you something to speak with passion about. You aren’t just some other 9-5’er that tosses weights around. You have other things that define you.
It can literally change your life
As my user handle implies, my two big passions are surfing and climbing. A close third is skiing. A while ago, I used to be a marine sniper (check post history if you want verification) and I was incredibly depressed. One might think accomplishing something like that would have you brimming with pride, but I felt deflated and lost. I realized I’d placed all my eggs into my profession, and it wasn’t as fulfilling as I’d hoped. I didn’t deal with my depression, and it got really bad. Fortunately I discovered those outlets, and I was able to round myself out.
My focus shifted from being career driven (nothing wrong with that if it brings you joy) to being driven to have a life full of surfing and climbing trips. I found a career that has a lot of downtime to allow me to do this. I took a pay hit compared to what I could have been earning, but the trade off was well worth it for me.
It gives you something a woman never can
No one night stand or ltr I’ve been in compares to the highs I’ve had through my passions. There’s not a girl alive I’d trade one of them for. For guys that struggle with Oneitis, it can help ground you. It’s a wonderful escape.
You’ll meet people who are fantastic mentors
Inevitably you’re going to meet people that are really good at whatever it is you’ve decided to do. They just nonchalantly cruise through really hard feats with a swagger that oozes confidence. And most of the time, they’re really friendly. They’ll be stoked to help you along your journey. I’ve met quite a few mentors climbing and surfing that took me under their wing and showed me the subtleties most people miss.
Eventually, you’ll get really good too
After enough time doing anything, you’re going to get good at it. Nothing feels better than crushing it at something you love doing. Getting hoots and hollers, and living those moments is pure joy. Those will be the days you hold on to. It’s important to have those in life.
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