Astartes
Member
As a 48-year-old veteran and weight lifter on AAS, I’ve come to appreciate the journey of building a strong, capable physique in ways I never anticipated. Sure, we start out chasing our own goals like better health, improved aesthetics, or even just proving something to ourselves, but there’s a depth to this path that you don’t truly grasp until you’ve walked it for decade.
One of the unexpected joys of being among the top physiques in most gyms I walk into is how young lifters, particularly those who feel out of place or insecure, seem to gravitate toward me. They’re the ones standing quietly in the corner, hesitant to take up space, unsure if they belong. It’s the ones whose eyes light up when you give them a nod or acknowledge their effort with a quick fist bump that remind me why I love this culture so much.
Gym culture, at its best, is about more than lifting weights. It’s a brotherhood and sisterhood of support, growth, and acceptance. I go out of my way to compliment someone who’s putting in the work, no matter where they are on their fitness journey. I make it a point to remember names, to say hi, to make the shy lifter feel seen. It costs nothing, but the return is infinite.
To feel great in your own skin is divine, there’s no better word for it. But to make someone else feel accepted, part of something bigger, and inspired to change their life? That’s a higher path. That’s how we walk divinity into the world.
To my fellow lifters: be the example. Remember where you started. Take pride in your work, but also look for ways to uplift others. You never know when a small gesture, a single moment of connection, might transform someone’s life. That’s real strength.
That’s real legacy.
I’d love to hear your stories. Have you had moments where you’ve inspired others, whether inside the gym or beyond? Maybe you shared advice, offered a kind word, or simply led by example. Share your experiences. I think we all benefit from remembering how powerful we can be when we lift others up.
One of the unexpected joys of being among the top physiques in most gyms I walk into is how young lifters, particularly those who feel out of place or insecure, seem to gravitate toward me. They’re the ones standing quietly in the corner, hesitant to take up space, unsure if they belong. It’s the ones whose eyes light up when you give them a nod or acknowledge their effort with a quick fist bump that remind me why I love this culture so much.
Gym culture, at its best, is about more than lifting weights. It’s a brotherhood and sisterhood of support, growth, and acceptance. I go out of my way to compliment someone who’s putting in the work, no matter where they are on their fitness journey. I make it a point to remember names, to say hi, to make the shy lifter feel seen. It costs nothing, but the return is infinite.
To feel great in your own skin is divine, there’s no better word for it. But to make someone else feel accepted, part of something bigger, and inspired to change their life? That’s a higher path. That’s how we walk divinity into the world.
To my fellow lifters: be the example. Remember where you started. Take pride in your work, but also look for ways to uplift others. You never know when a small gesture, a single moment of connection, might transform someone’s life. That’s real strength.
That’s real legacy.
I’d love to hear your stories. Have you had moments where you’ve inspired others, whether inside the gym or beyond? Maybe you shared advice, offered a kind word, or simply led by example. Share your experiences. I think we all benefit from remembering how powerful we can be when we lift others up.
