We're All Gonna Die Anyway - Why Mortality Should Motivate Your Fitness

If we’re all going to die anyway, shouldn’t we be as healthy as possible while we’re here? How mortality became my biggest fitness motivator.

Listen to the episode here…

Why Thinking About Death Finally Got Me in Shape

Mortality has been on my mind lately. I’ve had some losses. I’ve been having those existential moments where you wonder what we’re all doing here and what the point is.

And it hit me. Just six months ago, I wasn’t really living. I was surviving.

I was so out of shape that existing hurt. Getting up from a chair was painful. Walking to the bathroom was uncomfortable. I was just getting through the day instead of actually living it.

If We’re Going to Die Anyway

Here’s my message. If we’re all going to die eventually, shouldn’t we do everything we can to be as healthy as possible while we’re still here?

Shouldn’t we take care of ourselves so we don’t become a burden on others? So we don’t need help with basic tasks? So we can actually enjoy the time we have?

I felt like if I had kept going the way I was, I would have had a heart attack in just a few years. My doctor called me a ticking time bomb. That’s not an exaggeration.

Normal Blood Pressure for the First Time

I went to the doctor recently for something else. And she told me that for the first time in as long as I can remember, my blood pressure was normal.

Normal. That’s huge for me.

Six months ago, everything hurt. Just existing was painful. And I’m not exaggerating when I say that. Getting up from my chair hurt. Walking hurt. Standing hurt.

But the pain I feel now from working out is so much better than the pain I felt from just existing.

Choose Your Pain

You’re going to hurt either way. Your body is going to require something from you.

It’s either going to require the effort of sweat and discomfort now, or it’s going to require medications and doctor visits and limitations later.

I’d rather hurt from working my body than let it break down from sitting in a chair.

The hurt of neglect lasts forever. The hurt of exercise is temporary and gets easier.

Making My Body Last

With the years I have left, I want to make my body as fit as possible so I can handle those years. So I can feel strong. So I’m not worried about heart attacks or high blood pressure or needing medication.

I don’t want to just survive anymore. I want to live.

And I want that for you too.