I've trained adolescents into adulthood, adults into middle age, middle aged adults into their senior years. I never heard anybody say they wish they had spent less time taking care of themselves and more time making unhealthy choices. What I do find often are people who wish they made an association between feeling good and doing well at a far earlier age. I find people who feel terrific after exercise and only then understand it's impact, briefly but intensely. That's usually when I hear "why didn't I do this earlier?" Or "That was tough but I'm glad I did it." They are glad because they spent time and effort on improving their changing environments through training their abilities to deal with them. They understand they are now more capable than they were.
I know many who struggle to find or make time for wellness due to employer expectations or other perceived obligations. My experience has been that choices are there and can be made to improve health. I quit my old job two years ago and never felt healthier. My time matters, I understand for most people quitting their jobs is not something they are willing to do, so I'm currently developing a program to achieve, establish, and maintain healthy movement patterns in others that can be performed anywhere. Aside from that, even walking is a great choice if done routinely. Thinking about exercise regularly can also help people become healthier by emboldening them to act.
Aging happens in seconds and time does not forgive. I encourage all to admit ownership over the time they have. Spend it on health and share it with those who appreciate and value your exertion and example. Invest time into movement, flexibility, and learning. In fitness there is real value. Attempting to convince others of the significance fitness has over the quality of life mostly falls on deaf ears because it requires a certain type of sweaty effort. I cannot deny the worth of wellness, the strength of will, or the importance of being of sound mind and body. I'm inviting others to join me in the gym and the arbitration of health.
-Brandon
