For those of you that I haven’t yet had the pleasure of meeting, my name is Scott George and I am the owner and Coach at Forge Strength Systems in Chowchilla, California.

I’ve been very lucky these last couple of weeks to be able to teach complete strength training novices how to properly and effectively execute lifts to build muscle, improve cardiovascular endurance, lose fat, as well as improve overall health and quality of life. This opportunity has been incredibly rewarding. My only regret is not starting sooner. Which begs the question, why did I wait so long? Well to answer that I need to peel the curtain back a little about the type of person I am.

At the time of writing this I’m dealing with a lot of internal conflict that revolves around a plethora of things but more than anything it’s a very poor personal outlook. Basically, I have bouts of very low self-esteem and confidence. After all, I am very much a human like the rest of you. All my life I’ve struggled with my weight and felt rejected from society. Whether it be from bullying or just not feeling like there was a place for me. Even today it’s still something that rears its ugly head occasionally.

Why is any of this relevant? Because it’s not how I feel or felt that makes me unique it’s what I’m able to do regardless of that which makes me special.

Through my trials, whether they are self-inflicted or out of my control, I’ve survived them using the tools I’ve created for myself. I don’t like the way I look sometimes, so I train and diet ’til I do. I’m unsure what my purpose is in this life, so I try new things ’til I find it. I don’t always like the man I am, so I serve my community. I often get stuck in negative thoughts, so I meditate to strengthen my mind. I’m afraid of falling and having no one to catch me, so I continuously build to guarantee I can support myself. I’m worried I’ll have regrets, so I do whatever the hell I want.

All those things are common hiccups most people face, but how do you react?

In my personal experience, weight training in my youth gave me a means to vent when I was at my lowest points. Although I had piss poor technique and limited equipment, it didn’t just build my strength. My training built something much greater. It built my character, the way you act when no one was watching. I work hard and I put 100% of myself in everything I do and into everyone I let close to me. A lot of times it leaves me vulnerable but that’s just a part of who I am. But even in that vulnerability, even with the potential for crippling pain, it’s made me strong.

So what does this mean and why would you care?

In my experience putting yourself out there and doing something new is scary. While the idea may be terrifying, taking that first plunge is the scariest and where most people cease to even try. The process will be exhausting at times and may seem impossibly difficult but it will always make you stronger. Now try and imagine what it would be like not having that strength when you needed it, that indomitable spirit you’ve been tempering, that voice in your head telling you to “keep pushing”? That weakness is what is truly terrifying.

The “plunge” can be anything, necessary or not.

Maybe it’s going into that interview not knowing if you’ll get the job, approaching that man or woman even if you may get rejected, running that extra mile, pushing through that last rep, and working through your lunch time. All these things are what separate you from average, that’s what makes you special. Humans are meant to adapt to stress and evolve, we are meant to be resilient, dedicated, and brave.

So in closing, not everything is meant to be but everything is worth a try. So go out there. Take a chance. Be uncomfortable. Take the plunge. Train your mind, body, and spirit. Chase your vision even if no one else can see it.

Make sure you are strong, strong for life.

– Scott