Who are we? I mean, what is this kettlebell community? Are we really just a collection of tweets and facebook updates? Are we just vloggers and social media whores? Are we just basement lifters? Are we really just a bunch or arrogant extrainers who feel better after a bout of insulting folks who enjoy training that is not identical to ours? Lately I have been feeling that this is the dominant vibe. We are radiating waves of exclusion. I just want to remind everybody that we are not better than them. They are us. Well, at least we were them a few years ago. We are doing now what we are doing now, but we were doing then what we were doing then too.
I think we are better than this.
I’m no angel and I am not better than you. You won’t run into me on the street and think “wow, that guy was like, the like, most totally nice guy I’ve ever met”. I mean, just this second the guy sitting next to me in the coffee shop sneezed without covering his mouth. I almost punched him in his face, I hate that shit. It is rude. Then again, I didn’t say “bless you” so he may be thinking the same thing about me. I digress, even in our present states we are better than this.
Are we really that much more right than the other guys? Are we really the strong ones? Could we prove it if we had to? Can we do more than just piss for distance?
I think we can. More than that I think we have to. Well, at least I do.
I lift things, bend things, and rip things in half. I build things, break things, burn thing, but really what have I done? What is it all worth? Who is going to remember that I snatched a big bell?
I want to make a difference. And even if I can’t I want to try. I would rather break my bones against the rocks of failure than have them dissolve quietly under the warm cozy blanket of apathy.
To be clear. I don’t care about others opinions of my achievements. I hope you don’t either. I am not calling anybody out here. I think that most of the time people judge others out of reflex, even though they have no idea what they are looking at. They only think they do. For example: if you keep reading this blog like that you are going to hurt your back. Everybody’s an expert.
What I am saying is, that it is time for us to step up and lead. We are what? The fitness community? The alternative strength culture? Does that mean we are the strong and the able? Because from the outside we are probably seen as muscleheads and freaks you know. Are we to be only known by our biceps, abs, and asses? Do we really believe we are better than others because they are fat? The same way they believe they are smarter than us because we are not (ok, I may not be the best example but you know what I mean…stop laughing!)? I have met so many amazing people in this scene and I am proud to be a part of it. I think we have something really special here. Why not take it for a spin around the block and see what it can do???
Isn’t it time we lead with our hearts?
We are strong! It is time for us to stop talking and do something. We can’t cure the world of all that ails it but we can do what we do. I pick things up, then I put them down, then I pick them up again. It isn’t much, I am not the best in the world at it, and I don’t really know how to sell it, but I sure as shit know how to give it away.
On Oct. 23 in Los Angeles I will be giving it away here: http://www.onehourlongcycle.com/
Please come down and join me. You can help save a child’s life! And really, what else are doing for an hour on a Saturday morning?
If you have any questions about donation, participation or preparation for this event you can contact me at johnwild@orangekettlebellclub.com or PM me on facebook.
Kettle,
