Brother-sister bonding

The digital screen read 10:30 PM. I shift uncomfortably in the seat as we bounce along and yawn. We're driving back to my gym. After training and work, I must have been there 10 hours that day. Sylvester Stallone's voice fills the inside of the truck. Another right turn, followed by a quick left and we pull into the parking lot. The sign is faded, the light emitting from inside is faintly muted by tinted windows, but the feeling of happiness rises up and settles high in my chest. Time to get some work done.

My brother is my hero. He's got a soon to be wife, a full time job, my energetic nephew, and a crammed pack schedule. Despite the fact that we live together, I think I only physically see him maybe an hour or two a day at most. That generally happens in the morning on his way out, or at night after I get home. Yet he makes it a point to get himself to the gym, regardless of what hour of night it is (we've definitely trained well past midnight before knowing we both had work in the morning) and put in 110%.

If he could make the time, anyone can.

We stay for maybe an hour and a half, working on one of his self-admitted weakest body part. We trade tips and techniques, going back and forth, discussing ways to improve his lifts. And he leaves totally exhausted, thanking me for the company as we get back in the car and drive home to the house of sleeping people.

That brother-sister bonding.

Some negative people in my life have implied I only really found my passion for what I do because I want to be like my brother. What few people realize is your reasons for doing something is rarely what motivates you to continue to do that something after the initial "newness" feeling wears off.

When I first started to lift my brother was my first cheerleader and supporter. Health became a priority in my life. Health meaning not just lifts, not just cardio, nutrition, etc. Health meaning controlling your inputs to create desired outputs. Those inputs include everything from exercise, nutrition, soul, spirit, and a strong sense of self. Health is my passion.

I don't think I could have ever done any of it without him.