It isn't so much their accomplishments in life - or otherwise - or in the Octagon in the former's case, and the football field (and now the Republican Party - GO HERSCHEL!!) - or the boxing ring in the latter's.
It isn't so much just their physical prowress, their never say die spirit, their gumption - its actually ALL of that - but it's something MORE.
With all the bitching and moaning about tough times these days, this is yet another great time to point out that tough times begin - and end - and germinate - and pass away - in the mind of MAN.
Bottom line, period.
Not to forget the fact that any great DOER - accomplisher - anyone that has accomplished anything of note - has usually done so "with the entire world and then some against him multiple times " - and NOT "Elon Musk" style with a silver spoon in his mouth (no, it ain't a rant against Musk either, I just dont like the guy for reasons I have spoken about before, I'll take Jeff Bezos anyday).
That is how they developed not just their iron bodies - but their nigh indomitable WILL AND SPIRIT!
Their gumption, persistence, never say die attitude.
Their desire to keep going no matter what. Their desire to achieve - which ultimately broke through all - and achieve they did.
Walker, perhaps most of all exemplifies this email to a T - or the reason I'm writing it - there is a reason 0 Excuses Fitness opens with a quote penned by him (or said by him in an interview).
Grew up in the era of slavery, despite what my friend Chuck keeps saying, did NOT have the sort of genetics which made muscle stick to him like "shit on a stick" - was bullied galore in school - was one of many kids growing up dirt poor ...
Mike Tyson - similar things, except slavery wasn't there when he was born.
Problem child, constantly bullied, until Gus D Amato took him under his wing, he was "going nowhere".
Once he found a purpose in life -voila!
And again, there's a damn good reason he's mentioned on the sales page for Pushup Central - I dont think anyone can argue with or better either Bruce Lee's or Iron Mike's (2000 per workoout) pushup workouts, and the results show don't they??
Anyway, lets get to the real reason I admire these homies - or good ole boys, hehe - and anyone thats a real doer.
Not once do you hear them bitch and moan about how tough they had it (compare this to the average Joe or Jane who rants all day about exactly that, accomplishes even less, and is way more concerned about hurting people's or their own, to be honest, feelings than being sensible, logical, frank and upfront).
"What happened to the Dunkirk spirit our grandparents had!!"
John Walker and me were discussing all this, and more, and he's right.
I mentioned my take on it - years of easy living, government handouts, getting soft, and well - we are where we're at TODAY. Other than a select few of us, few believe in the axiom of "we keep learning even when we're on top".
There's a whole Chapter dedicated to that in 0 Excuses Fitness.
Think about it, Walker. Tyson. Blacks have historically been treated the WORST when it comes to real oppression - even more so than say the Indians were in India by the colonial Brits (dont get me wrong, there were horrible atrocities happening there too, but end of the day, the Brits didnt hate India to the same extent that blacks in general were back in the day, treated worse than chattel almost) ...
.. and these men, real men never mention it.
I'm sure they had HUGE struggles growing up.
And throughout their lives.
Yet, they forged ahead -and just DID - and ultimately succeeded.
THAT is the hall mark of a winner in life, or anything else.
Think this is just about people of color?
No my friend.
Henry Ford for one (we all know him , eh) did not even finish middle school. Edison, I believe dropped out due to his teacher's taunts and ultimate "expulsion from school" (though his Mom it was later revealed always supported him through all that) ...
Modern era?
Someone like a "hell raising Stone Cold Steve Austin" wrestling and traveling great distances - for no more than a meal of uncooked potatoes daily for months on end (yes, true story - times were that tough back then and this wasn't even a Depression Era).
Or the Rock, evicted routinely from apartments during his childhood, almost gave up on his dreams, but didnt ...
My point simply is this, the next time you hear these "feel good touchy feely comments" about "be niceeeeeeeeeeeeeee" and "not offend anyone" - and "sooooooooo sad" - and I've had it sooooooooo tough - seperate the wheat from the chaff, my friend.
Tough times cut across race, nationality, ages, John said it so well "we all have our own cross to bear".
And we do
The less we bitch and moan about it and use it as a CRUTCH - the better!
And thats what I wanted to tell you, yet something else a lot of y'all need to hear ...
Anyway - fitness wise, get on the 0 Excuses Fitness train NOW if you have not already, truly one for the ages and DOERS, the best book on bodyweight exercise out there - bar NONE, nothing even "comes close".
And thats that.
Best,
Rahul Mookerjee
PS - Want more? The Great Gama of India who earned that moniker DURING, not after, colonial times ... I'd rather someone like him than Gandhi, to be honest!
