“I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.”
—Andy Bernard, The Office
Every so often you must stop and take stock of what you have going on around you, and ask if your current situation serves you, or if you serve it. It’s very easy to get caught up in life, inevitable even, and to stop appreciating what you have going for you. It’s important to make sure that you maintain a balance in life where your job serves you, and that you’re always able to find time to appreciate the little things in life. This job at the gym and this company as a whole have always allowed me that, and I’m grateful for it.
I’ve been working with Scott for 9 years, since back when the gym was one small, empty, white box—no mirrors or graffiti, a couple of squat racks and dumbbells, a hope and a dream, and lots of sweat and determination. I’m proud to look back at what we have created and accomplished; all of the client lives we’ve changed, the opportunities we’ve been able to provide for coaches, and the responsibility I’ve been able to take on as we’ve grown.
I have a rule in life. It’s called The Restaurant Rule. I describe it like this—when I go out to eat and have a fantastic experience, from the ambiance of the restaurant, the wait staff and the company I’m with, all the way to the incredible food I eat, I make it a point to never go back to that restaurant because no second experience could possibly live up to the first. Subsequently, a lesser experience would degrade my memory of the first. Of course, in order to become a “rule”, there are exceptions; there are restaurants that I do in fact go back to, risking the perfect memory of the first visit in order to create a second or third experience of equal or greater value.
I now find it time to apply this very rule to my time at Iron Legion. It’s time to move forward in my life and savor the fond memories I have, leaving the good old days exactly where they’re meant to be—behind me. As bittersweet as it is, sometimes the best thing you can do is move on from the good old days, preserving them as is, and allowing space for new memories and a continuance of your own personal journey.
I’ll always be grateful to this gym and the mill it is built within, which have been my home away from home for a decade, the coaches I’ve learned from along the way, the clients who have confided in me and trusted me with their health, and of course to Scott, who has helped shape my life in deeply meaningful ways. I have met innumerable people who have made profound impacts on my life, and sadly it would be impossible to thank each and every one of them right here… but for anyone reading this who knows they’ve helped me in some way, I want to make you know I am grateful for your time and your shared knowledge.
From the editor: It would be remiss to not thank Jon for his time here as well. This blog would not have happened had it not been for his push and unwavering belief in me as a coach and a writer. I can’t thank him enough for the confidence he’s given me in taking risks. I’m eager to see where his next adventure takes him, he is destined for good things. Until our next coffee my friend.
The Break Room 