As I go about my daily life I view with increasing concern the physical state of my compatriots, whether that is the general state of the general public or the ever diminishing physical fitness requirements expected from public bodies such as our Police Service. The main reason that I started this business of personal training in addition to my teaching of martial arts was the recognition that most people are not interested in martial arts but are in desperate need of improving their health and fitness.
For some it is in all probability too late, I see people often much younger than I am, walking unsteadily, some with sticks others with walking frames. I have friends, again much younger than I, are on medications that they will, in all likelihood be taking for the rest of their lives, although that may not be too long.
I am particularly concerned about the state of our nation’s younger generations, good health and the pursuit of excellence, or even above average, is frowned upon. I’m particularly worried about the state of boys, often raised by over protective parents, their emerging masculinity being suppressed as somehow being “toxic”. Organisations such as the Scouts and Cadet Forces placing more emphasis on the creation of safe inclusive spaces rather than giving boys the space to grow, physically, but also socially and emotionally.
If you have children, please introduce them to the great outdoors. Try and leave the phones at home for the day, see the sun, breath the air and get tired together.
You’ll see that I use the term Heathen in the title of this page, this term will mean more to some than others. Unless you are a strongly committed Christian the term Heathen shouldn’t represent a challenge. If like the vast majority of people in England, you don’t strongly identify with an established religion, you might ask: do you enjoy the outdoors? Do you feel an affinity with nature? Do you enjoy feeling rain on your face? Do you value your family history? If you can answer yes to most of those questions then you are some kind of Heathen. Congratulation! You’re not alone.
If you pay any attention to the news, you cannot help but notice that we are living in changing and unstable times. Are you ready to take on the challenge? Are you and your family physically and emotionally robust enough to take on life’s challenges? If you are not, now is the time to prepare.