Growing up, fitness wasn’t something I saw often. In the 70s and 80s, at least in my world, smoking and drinking seemed to be the norm. I spent a lot of time in smoke-filled apartments, surrounded by half-empty liquor bottles on countertops. To be clear, this wasn’t the case at my mother’s house—she was focused on work and keeping a spotless home. But at my father’s house, it was a different story—dark, smoky rooms and unhealthy habits that eventually led him to an early death. Watching him live this way for so many years made me question my own life and my future. What did I want from life? At the time, I wasn’t sure, and in many ways, I still don’t have all the answers, but one thing became clear: I didn’t want to follow the same path.
In fact, I’m grateful for what my father’s choices taught me. Sometimes, knowing what you don’t want is just as valuable as knowing what you do. His lifestyle gave me a clear sense of what to avoid, and that knowledge helped shape my own journey toward better health.
With a clearer sense of what I didn’t want, it became easier to find the direction I did want to go in. I was drawn toward healthier living, and sports became a major part of my life both in and outside of school. But there was a catch—I started to notice that other kids seemed stronger and faster than me at practice. I would hear them talk about attending off-season camps and training programs to build speed and strength. Unfortunately, those opportunities weren’t financially possible for me at the time. But then my Aunt Sue, who was a regular at the YMCA, invited me to join her for early morning weightlifting sessions. That’s when my love for the gym began.
There was something special about those early mornings at the Y. The gym was quiet and cold, with only the sound of weights clanging in the silence. It was a simple, peaceful time, and I’m thankful my Aunt Sue invited me. She unknowingly planted a seed that would grow into a lifelong passion.
Before I even finished high school, I had signed papers to join the Army after graduation. The Army provided another strong reason to stay fit and healthy. While serving, I excelled in the Army fitness tests, even being asked to help others improve their scores. That experience taught me a lot about fitness and how to guide others in their own journeys.
When I returned home, I began my career with the Gloversville Fire Department. The physically demanding nature of the job gave me another incentive to stay in shape. I continued to work out regularly and encouraged my fellow firefighters to join me. Together, we stayed consistent and saw not only physical progress but mental benefits as well.
Looking back, I’ve realized that the mental aspect of fitness has been a key motivator in keeping me going. In the beginning, it was fueled by anger toward my father and the desire to succeed in sports. Later, it was about achieving a certain physical appearance. But today, fitness is about much more—it’s about building mental resilience, reducing stress, and ensuring longevity. At 47, I’m excited to continue my fitness journey for at least another 30 years.
-Jason
Comments