WEIGHTLIFTING WISDOM AT "FORTY-ONE JUMP STREET"

Today I cross the threshold into the realm of "old-man-ness."  I automatically become an inducted citizen of the territory of age restrictions.  Into the land of daily Geritol supplementation.  A place where stool softeners are commonplace and where apathy of physical performance and overall lethargy is acceptable.  A world of slowing down and never speeding up.  A world of unstoppable weight gain and adipose accumulation.  A destination filled with personal limitations set by age and not potential.  A place commonly referred to as "over the hill".  Today, I turn forty-one.

As I reach the peak of this proverbial hill, I'll be damned to become another citizen of "old-man-ness" -- I refuse and denounce my citizenship into this fraternal order of age imposed limitations.  Instead, I stand firm and resolute in becoming better at everything I pursue and do -- this is my "Forty-One Jump Street".  This is a new beginning.  A time to start anew and capitalize on the years of experience to better myself, as a man, husband, father, brother, son, friend, and weightlifter.

In my forty-one years, I've learned a thing or two -- sometimes the hard way, sometimes the easy way, sometimes through personal experience, sometimes through the experience of others.  Weightlifting and life -- in general -- share many commonalities in it's simplest form.  You see, weightlifting is full of highs and lows, defined by PRs and failures on the platform and so is life -- filled with the uplifting highs of wrestling and playing with your son to the lows of missed friends and lost opportunities.

In it's raw state, weightlifting is dull, routine and repetitious.  Although some routines and repetitions are more arduous and challenging than others, but still rather dull in it's most unrefined state.  Isn't life filled with daily routine, repetitive and near endless chores, repeating schedules and the dull droid-like movement of coming and going to eventually end at the same place?  There are times when repetition becomes more challenging and tests our resolve and resources; but, ultimately, it's rather routine.

Weightlifting requires -- no demands -- hard work and diligence.  Weights don't move themselves, and neither does the demands of life.  They both require blood, sweat, tears and sacrifice.  Not everyday is filled with the sweet smell of roses and gleaming smiles of joy and happiness.  No, most times the smell is stale and the smiles are forced, but this is the critical time when you have to roll up your sleeves and keep pressing hard.  Honest, hard work pays off in both life and weightlifting!

Commitment and integrity are hallmarks of weightlifting.  Progress will never happen if we aren't true and honest of our physical capacity and mental fortitude on the platform.  How are we to progress and lift heavier weights and establish new PRs, if we are lying to ourselves and others about our capabilities?   Isn't this true of life?  How are we to grow and mature without the commitment to God, our family and friends?  We can't reach our maximum potential without integrity in our words, actions and thoughts -- both in and out of our singlets.

There are many more commonalities that weightlifting and life share, which are beyond the scope of this simple blog post.  I could literally ramble on and on; however, there is one point that weightlifting differs from life.  It's an extraneous, superfluous, and a passing activity compared to life.  Life on the other hand is filled with loved ones who define us, appreciate us, give to us, respect us, and love us.  As much as I love weightlifting, it doesn't greet me with a hug, a kiss, and a "good morning" on a daily basis.  It doesn't love me back as much as I love it.  It doesn't pay any bills and it doesn't call me "dad, husband, son, brother, or friend."  So, the most important piece of weightlifting wisdom that I can pass as I start my journey down "Forty-One Jump Street" is to love your sport, but love your God, family and friends even more!

Now, go lift something really heavy!