Spartan Series #109: “What would you die for?”

This is probably the most poignant and soul searching question of all eternity! A Jesuit Priest named Brother Don Burn made this statement during my Hippie Dippie growing up days when I was 19 years old. He said, “You’ll never have anything to live for until you find something that you are willing to die for.” That was new and it shook the very foundation of my existence. To this day it’s a pillar of my evaluation to determine if something is worth addressing or doing. Another way to say it, “Is this woman I call my wife worth living for by being willing to give my life for her?” Answer is a resounding YESSS!! This assertion sets the tone for the rest of this article.

Bodybuilding all by itself is not worth a whole lot. But what causes it to rise in importance is that it demands a commitment that exceeds almost anything else in our lives. This sport teaches us much about ourselves that we don’t necessarily share with others. We have to decide from the first day that winning is worth all that we invest in on the journey to the stage. I doubt that any of us would give our lives for the sport but we have to learn to give what is required to be the best. There are times when we will feel like we have to pour out our souls to be ready. I would encourage us to never get our priorities mixed up here. First, bodybuilding does not rise to the level of giving our lives for it. Secondly, our wives and children are totally worthy of our lives. Just keep them straight and we will win and have fun at it.

I have four shows penciled in for 2022. I will train, I will hurt, I will bleed at times, I will probably get injured, I will want to quit but I won’t. You will do the same thing. However, during the journey I will recommit myself to protecting, fighting for, and comforting my wife always and to reconnect with my kids. If I need to I will die for her and them. Just keep the priorities straight and I will be waiting for you on stage. This is our arena and field of contest. Our homes are where we live, move and have our being…..Our homes are the hill we will die on to make them safe.

“A MAN ONCE TOLD ME……THE MOST IMPORTANT THING EVERY MAN SHOULD KNOW IS WHAT HE WOULD DIE FOR.”