Without Strength, Life Is But A Gloomy Business

Of all of the quotes that one can use as motivation, the one that means the most to me was written by the original strongman himself over 100 years ago, Eugene Sandow. 

"Without Strength, Life Is But A Gloomy Business."  

This quote has meant so much to me that it is tattooed on my left bicep.  The first time I saw this quote was on the back of the shirt for the 3rd strongman competition I ever competed in, Strength Beyond Strength II, back in Sept 2009.  The moment I read those words, I knew they would be a guiding factor in my life.  

Life is all about struggle.  It is never a walk in the park where everything comes easy and we never have to deal with struggle, pain, sadness, or adversity.  To make it through life, one must possess strength.  I'm not just talking about physical strength but mental, emotional, and psychological strength.  If you do not possess the strength to persevere through struggle, life will ultimately push you down and never allow you to get back up.

There is no one way to survive life's struggles.  We all must find our own ways to gain strength in all aspects of life so that we may live.  Strongman is how I persevere.  There is nothing more real than being crushed by 1000lbs on your back and having to fight to carry it to the finish line.  

Remember, when life smacks you across the face, laugh right back, turn to face it and ask, "Is that all you got?"