So today I awoke to a beautiful Saturday: warm and sunny with the birds chirping outside my window. Then I remembered I had to work today. Bummer. And that meant I had to miss my Saturday morning workout (which is one of my favorites because it’s more laid back and I get to workout with a bunch of people I don’t see regularly during the week). Double bummer. Alas, the bills need to be paid so I made the best of it and headed to work (with my awesome Java Pro frozen Mocha and banana drink).

We had a ‘Home Loans Day’ going on to promote mortgage offering awareness for our customers which meant I stayed busy and the day went by quickly. At the end of the day, I started putting away my laptop and putting away the marketing materials. I folded up the tablecloth and asked where the table went. The on site manager told me not to worry about it as ‘they’ would get it. ‘They’ consisted of the manager: a slim woman I would guess to be in her 30’s and a slim male in what I would guess is his late 20’s.

Knowing that they had plenty of work still to do before they could leave and begin to enjoy their weekends, I simply put the table on its side, broke it down, and carried it to the wall next to the storage closet. When I walked back to grab my bags to leave, the two stared at me a bit incredulously and the manager asked the other, “Did you see how she just man handled that table like it was nothing!?”

I was very confused for a few seconds before realizing that they were seemingly impressed by my feat of strength. I laughed and told them the table was light and folded up easily. We said our goodbyes and I left. As I drove home, the shock slowly set in.

This folding table we’re talking about is one of the plastic ones with a built in carrying handle that weighs (and I’m a terrible judge) approximately 25 lbs. It’s perhaps slightly awkward to walk around with if you’re on the shorter side since the handle sits a few feet above the ground so you need a bit of clearance to easily lift and walk it. I became increasingly flabbergasted that:
1) there was anyone who would be impressed by my ability to tear it down and carry it easily and
2) that consequently it means there must be a percentage of the population who cannot.

This made me sad, angry, and thankful. Sad and angry that people have forgotten how to, decided not to, or are unable to utilize their bodies for simple tasks of labor requiring mobility and strength. It made me thankful that I know many people who consistently work to maintain or gain functional strength and that I am one of them.

Thinking of all the things in life that require these skills just helped make me even more passionate about helping others discover (or rediscover) their own strength and abilities.
Folding up a table, carrying/playing with a child, changing a tire, taking the stairs in case of an emergency evacuation, hauling luggage, or leisure activities like hiking, paddle boarding, kayaking, skiing, etc. We’re talking about life here. I’m so thankful for those who have supported and helped me become stronger and more able in life. I hope I can help others in their journey to be stronger and more capable as well.

For anyone who is afraid: afraid strength training will make them look bulky, afraid of looking inept at the gym, afraid of injury, etc – you’ve got way more to lose by not strength training. If you don’t know where to start: send me a message. I’m also going to create a list of my personal favorite resources to help you get started or to get you to the next level. Look for that blog post soon!