Why I Train

Sometimes I get asked why I train. Most of the time I don't answer — I respond with a solid stare and a brief smile. Though a simple question, I can answer it many different ways, yet all of them return to the same conclusion.

I don't question whether my lungs should breathe or my legs can walk, so I train. Not a lot every day — just enough to keep the ball rolling. I train because I like helping people. Strangers are just friends I haven't met yet, and I like helping my friends and I want to be strong so I can help them. I work at a gym, and I would find it quite hypocritical of myself if I didn't practice what I preach. And it feels good — though this is not always the case. Some days I don't want to train but I do anyway. The people who know me know not to ask if I'll train when I'm sick or when it's a snow day — but please, ask what's wrong when I don't train.

The Core Answer

I train for me. I'm the only one around for my entire life. I train to make the best version of myself.

There's an old idea — the sword and the pen — that the complete person trains both body and mind. I'd be incomplete if I only trained physically and neglected my mind. I'd be equally incomplete if I read books all day and hid behind a desk as a software engineer playing with virtual Legos built on 0s and 1s. The best version of me does both. I practice guitar every day, I read a little every day, I work on this fitness app a little every day. I do it because a long time ago I decided I wouldn't break promises to myself anymore. I know now that when I say "no" or "yes," it carries weight.

But life happens, seasons change, sometimes a habit that was working no longer fits into the schedule — I get it. So I reassess. Some days I only have time to review the to-do list for SconzoFit.com. Some days I only have time to stretch for 10 minutes. For the past two months, I've only had time for my bare minimum workout. My guitar playing has been just warm-up exercises each morning. Some days I only have time to read one paragraph. And that's okay. When I stopped caring about the goal of getting in shape, finishing a book, learning a song — and fell in love with the process — the goals became inevitable. The takeaway: ruthless, unrelenting, uncompromising discipline on the process. One paragraph a day finishes more books than zero. Movement every day keeps the streak alive. Fingering exercises on the guitar keep me ready to learn a song when I make time for it.

I train for me, to make the best version of myself for the world to enjoy.

Since January 1st, 2025, I have not missed a single day of exercise — 606 days straight. I've missed days of stretching, reading, and guitar. But never exercise. And I never miss two days in a row at anything. Missing one day is human. Missing two days in a row is a choice.

Mother Nature gives us gifts and Father Time takes them away. Five out of five people will die — Father Time is undefeated. Though it isn't a choice to get old, it is a choice to get frail, weak, slow, tired, and low on energy. I'll fight Father Time until the day I die.

Most people would die for their family and loved ones. Do you have the courage to be healthy for them?