Standing on the precipice of my 55th birthday, I am drawn into a retrospective journey, retracing the steps that have led me here. For over four decades, I have embraced a lifestyle synonymous with physical health, resilience, and an unswerving commitment to fitness. This has been my journey, transforming from an asthmatic, skinny middle-schooler to a paragon of health and fitness.

My pilgrimage into the realm of fitness began at the tender age of 13 when I first stepped into Body and Power, a local gym that was to become the bedrock of my physical and mental metamorphosis. The gym's owner, Bill Cambra, was the beacon guiding my journey. Bill's teachings transcended the physical, instilling lessons of discipline, resilience, and perseverance that I would carry throughout my life. The knowledge I accumulated within those hallowed walls was akin to a master's degree in sports science, imparting wisdom and shaping my future as an athlete, coach, and mentor.

My initiation into Body and Power was marked by an obsession with my diet and an extreme dedication to fitness. Five times a day, the ring of an alarm would signal mealtime, a rigid schedule I followed with an almost religious fervor. Any deviation from my nutritional plan would lead me to purge, punishing myself for what I perceived as a failure. It took me years to reconcile with my distorted body image and to understand that fitness was about balance, not punishment.

With time, I learned to eat for function rather than pleasure. My diet wasn't about indulgence but about fueling my body to achieve optimum performance. This dietary discipline often invited good-natured ribbing from my wife, but it was a small price to pay for the rewards it yielded. Even on my wedding day, when a cousin humorously predicted a future paunch, I laughed it off with an unshakeable belief in my lifestyle. Thirty years later, with a weight fluctuation within a 7-pound range, I've proven that dedication and consistency prevail.

I've always regarded exercise as an aggressive sport in my fitness journey, requiring an unwavering focus and a readiness to step out of my comfort zone. During workouts, the phone is banished to thegym bag, enabling an undisturbed communion with my body and a focused awareness of its rhythms and needs.

The lessons and benefits of my fitness journey weren't mine alone. I passed them on to my children, instilling an appreciation for physical health and resilience. Watching my children embrace fitness and comprehend it as a lifestyle, not a fad, remains one of my greatest sources of joy.

Fitness has been a lighthouse during the stormiest phases of my life. It was an anchor through colossal failures and downtimes, a constant that helped me regain my footing. The darkest periods were not definitions of my life but lessons that helped me rise stronger. It wasn't about the fall but the ability to pick oneself up, dust off, and keep moving that defined one's character.

Body and Power bestowed upon me more than fitness lessons; it provided a sense of camaraderie, a fraternity bound by shared struggles, sweat, and victories. The friendships I forged within those walls, amidst grueling workouts and shared determination, are treasures I hold close to my heart.

As a coach, I have had the privilege of working with many young athletes, guiding, inspiring, and learning from them. Every coaching stint, be it football, track, or volleyball, reminded me of the Power we have to build or crush young spirits. It's a responsibility I've always taken to heart, ensuring that my words inspire rather than discourage.

My journey taught me that the path to fitness is not always linear. The plans I thought were foolproof often fell apart, but the capacity to adapt and "cross the bridge when I came to it" has been my lifesaver. This is the lesson I've learned, the lesson I pass on to my children, and the lesson I want to share with anyone embarking on their fitness journey: Be adaptable, embrace discomfort, stay resilient, and most importantly, enjoy the journey!