This year I will turn 40. Some have been saying that 40 is the new 20. Well, if that’s true then there are a lot of seriously out of shape 20 year olds running around! The more I listen to people my own age, and sadly some even younger, the more I hear the 3 words I hope to God to never utter myself.
The 3 little words which hammer nails into the coffin are,
“I used to…”
I used to do martial arts.
I used to be in shape.
I used to run marathons.
I used to train hard.
I used to have energy.
I used to be thin.
I used to be able to play sports with my kids.
I used to have muscle tone.
I used to be able to fight.
I used to eat healthy.
I used to …. Fill in the blank.
Whatever the blank in the sentence may be, the point is that there is way too much “used to be doing” going on in the world today and not enough “am doing”.
For me, it must always be about moving forward. Getting better. Getting stronger. Moving better. At 40 I am in the best shape of my life NOW. Not 10 years ago. Not even 20 years ago. Now. Today. Next year I intend to be even better. And the year after that.
Whatever age you are, wherever your starting point, if you are still breathing then you have the ability to improve, to get stronger. To train more. To learn more. To experience more.
Get out and do more.
Make it your mission in life to never catch yourself uttering the phrase, “I used to…”
Watch this video as a reminder of how great you are.
6 Comments
Joy
April 2, 2012This was fantastic Jon- I train and compete with combat athletes half my age ( I am 43!) . Although I have been blessed with good genes from both of my parents , My Dad a Naval officer and boxer who lived to be 94 , and my beautiful Brazilian mother who still turning heads in a bikini at 75 ( no Botox/ Plastic Surgery) your mindset, training, and the people you surround yourself with will have a huge impact on how you age.
Hannes Stueckler
April 2, 2012“I used to take my training for granted”
“I used to rely on the greatness of others around me”
“I used to be unmotivated”
“I used to think I had all the time in the world.”
“I used to be such an idiot…”
It is your life. Make it yours. Own it.
Matt
April 2, 2012Amen brutha!
The older I get the more I dread becoming one of those folks that “usta” be able to do something.
Now I make sure I can keep doing things fortune long haul. Thanks for reminding me about this.
David
April 2, 2012Thank you for the reminder. I was feeling unmotivated to train today, but my motivation just got pumped after reading your article.
Jon
April 3, 2012Awesome David!
Jon
April 3, 2012Nice Hannes!
Leave A Response