Born into Health

Some of us were lucky enough to be born into wealth. Others were even luckier and were born into health.

I include myself in the latter. I grew up in a family that valued physical education just as important as school education. My parents lived through the 60s and loved John F Kennedy. President Kennedy is fondly remembered for his continued support for public sectors and civil rights. Moreover, JFK also campaigned the importance of physical fitness for everyday Americans. After the war, the landscape had changed and lots of jobs required very little physical work. Moreover, modern conveniences meant that fewer Americans were exercising resulting in poorer fitness standards. For a country that prides itself on sporting achievements this was alarming. Kennedy set out to improve this.

JFK had a background in physical fitness. He was a keen swimmer and served in the navy. During his presidency advocated for the entire nation, young and old, to pursue their fitness goals. He was remembered for saying:

“Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.”

Fit body, fit mind was the philosophy. Whether this is true or not is discussed in my other blogs. However, my parents really bought into Kennedy’s mindset. They signed me up for as many sports club as they could. They wanted me to physically active as this would ultimately benefit my education. Either that or they just wanted me out of the house!

At one point I was doing five different sports a week. And I absolutely loved it. I fell in love with fitness for many different reasons. The first is because it was a good outlet for my competitive side. I grew up in a family of six which I believe made me super competitive. I always wanted to win at board games in the house. Being the second youngest meant I never usually won. So, competing with people around the same age as me gave me an even playing field. Another reason I loved being active was that I was being productive. While my friends stayed in playing video games, I was out living life so to speak. I felt a real pride in doing something productive which make me feel great after a training session. I’m sure most of us now can still relate to this pride when we use our time productively.

I experienced the benefits of exercising at a really young age. However, I know a lot of people may not have had the same experience. The first experience of fitness for most of us would have been PE at school. Being forced to wear uniforms we hate in front of our classrooms and running outside in the cold is enough to put off fitness for a lifetime.

However, it doesn’t have to be that way. Some people peak in high school. Others are late bloomers. Whatever your history with fitness is irrelevant. The only thing that is important is here and now. And right now, we have an opportunity to change our attitudes and ultimately change our lives. It’s never too late to start.

English was never my skill in school. You could argue it still isn’t! However, I never dreamt of writing as a hobby but here I am writing a blog. And it works for me because I am writing about something I love. You can do the same with fitness. If exercise wasn’t your thing, I’m sure there is one aspect of fitness you will love.

They saying goes the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. But this doesn’t apply to fitness. Anyone can get fit at any time, regardless of our backgrounds or circumstances.

Whether you were born with a golden spoon or a gold medal, really doesn’t matter. We all have to start somewhere and right now is a good time to start.

Like Kennedy once said:

“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”
So, don’t let your previous experience with fitness hold you back. You can transform your fitness life now. A birth of a new you.