Here are 10 things you can do to become a more valuable, independent, capable human.
“Lift Weights.
Carry Weights.
Cover Great Distances on Foot.
Eat Quality Protein, Carbs, & Fat.
Drink Water.
Be Present.
Find Deep Purpose in Your Vocation.
Love Hard.
Praise the Lord.
Sleep Well.
You’ll be a Modern Day “Extremist”, but a damn capable one.”
-Ray Zingler on X
I’m no philosopher, and I’m not currently writing a book on the perfect life (it doesn’t exist), but in a world where we’re focused on all the wrong things, here are a few I believe to be important (in no order).
1. Lift Weights. Of course they’re going to demonize strength. Strong people don’t fold or submit as easily. That’s enough reason to lift the weights.
2. Carry Weights. We evolved as a species carrying things a variety of distances. Our ‘need’ to do so today is lesser, but maintaining the ability to do so is critical to our overall well-being.
3. Cover Great Distances on Foot. Crawl, walk, jog, ruck, hike, run, sprint, I don’t care. Just cover ground. Your mind and circulatory system will thank you.
4. Eat Quality Protein, Carbs, & Fat. There are “My diet ideology works best!” zealots everywhere. The truth is that for most people, a balanced diet of nutrition rich foods is best. Eat animals (wild ones, too) and plants.
5. Drink water. We are blessed in most developed nations to be able to have access to high quality drinking water, yet many struggle with adequately hydrating themselves. Drink the good stuff.
6. Be Present. They want you distracted on your phone with THEIR interpretation of the “news”. F that. Be present with your loved ones.
7. Find Deep Purpose in Your Vocation. You have a choice. You can make a living or you can design a life. The goal isn’t “happiness”. The goal is usefulness and fulfillment. Choose a deeply important vocation and go all the way in.
8. Love Hard. Zach Bryan said it and I will too. All people. It doesn’t matter if they look, walk, or talk differently than you, either.
9. Praise the Lord. The only reason we get a shot at this life is because of Him. Never forget, He willingly took the nails. Praise Him in all things.
10. Sleep Well. Sleep is the biggest performance enhancing drug on the planet. It is the giver of life. Prioritize it.
I realize none of these things are “cutting edge”.
Hell, lifting weights, eating steak, having traditional values, and loving the Lord even comes with the “extremist” tag in modern America.
So be it. Be an “extreme” capable, purpose filled human.
