Podcast #3 – Why the Warrior Mindset is Dumb

This was great! I think it’s funny though, because I blog under the title ‘Warrior Spirit’ but I’ve specifically stated that fitness is not about beating ourselves up, that fitness and health is about caring for our selves and growing, not ‘fighting our weakness’. I left my previous gyms because they rewarded self-destructive ‘intensity’.

Regarding terms though, I like the definition of warrior given by Tibetan Buddhist Chogyam Trungpa, “one who is brave” or the native American term (based on an unattributed quote from Chief Black Hawk…so maybe not real): defenders of the tribe and the people, not necessarily those who make war.

A real warrior recognizes that there is a difference between training and self-cultivation and the real battles where some self-sacrifice is necessary. Treating every daily workout like that epic battle belittles the true struggles in the world, and also doesn’t leave you in any shape to deal with them.

Just my two cents, since the word Warrior has a lot of significance to me.

Thanks for the podcast. I know they are a lot of work to put out.

Love the website. Working (slowly) on the rings and enjoying it.

As far as the podcast and specifically your discussion on the “Warrior Mindset”: I am a Soldier and I’ve been in combat. I don’t say that to try to establish my authority on the subject, I only mention it so that you can understand my perspective on the use of “Warrior” in today’s fitness vernacular. I think people use the word “Warrior” today to talk specifically about a state of mind—an approach to life. Often it’s associated with something good. It encompasses all the good things about the martial aspects of life. I understand that and I understand how it can motivate people to push harder in their workouts (or other endeavors) than they normally would.

However;

There is a vast gulf between a fitness oriented Warrior mindset and the actual mindset of a combat Soldier. A combat Soldier fights and kills. Combat is awful. It’s also addicting. There is nothing noble or good about the actual business of killing your nation’s enemies. It’s just necessary. One bit of irony I find amusing is that in ancient times the word Warrior was applied to a Soldier or fighter that was good at the actual business of killing. It had nothing to do with being a good person or living a good life. Simply being good at butchering people.

As a Soldier I try to push myself to extremes in my workouts because I believe it’s essential to prepare me for combat. This is my warrior mindset for fitness. I’m not a paragon of good health or fitness, but I do push myself hard.

Thanks for the website. I’ll keep tuning in.

I like how Andy and Ryan debunk the whole ”each day is a battle” or ” en la lucha” as they say in Veraguas, a town of Panama, and put workouts and improvement as fun as watching an awesome animation.