Over the weekend, I received two messages that made my heart feel fuller and maybe I got something caught in my eye.
They came from two different ELEVATE members, with different careers, lifestyles, family dynamics, injury histories, and training experiences.
Both messages had the same underlying theme.
Here’s the first:
“A departure from our normal goofiness: Don’t ever doubt your mission- I spread 2100lbs of marble chips today. I’m sitting on my deck with an old fashioned right now and feel 0 soreness. I don’t think I’ve ever tackled a manual project so intense without feeling incredibly tired or sore after. I know I’m the one that’s showing up – but that’s only possible with the culture you’ve created and the programs you craft. Thank you.”
And here’s the second:
“Evan, Mary, & Tobey—
I am just returning from a two week trip to Europe that was jam packed with hiking, biking, swimming, and a TON of walking. All of this was complicated by a record-setting heat wave.
On so many occasions, I sung your praises and credited you for my strength and endurance. None of this would’ve been possible two years ago—undoubtedly I would have been sidelined by soreness or exhaustion. I would’ve missed out on once in a lifetime opportunities such as hiking and paragliding in the Alps, diving into the Mediterranean, or paddle boarding in Slovenia!
Your team is exceptional and the work you put in is changing lives! Thanks for your steady guidance, gentle pushing, and most of all for your vision. I am so so grateful to be a part of this community.
See you soon!”
Two very different experiences.
One member moved 2,100 pounds of marble chips.
The other spent two weeks hiking, biking, swimming, walking, paragliding in the Alps, diving in the Mediterranean, and paddle boarding in Slovenia.
Yet the result of their training was remarkably similar.
They were capable.
That is what we mean when we say “build useful strength.”
Of course, we want you to get stronger, move better, develop more power and endurance, improve your cardiovascular fitness, and see the weights you use increase.
Those things matter. They’re just not the finish line.
The real measure of your training is what your strength allows you to do outside of the gym.
Can you spend a Saturday doing hard yard work and still enjoy your evening?
Can you travel for two weeks during an intense heat wave and hike, bike, swim, and explore without your body becoming the limiting factor?
Can you play with your kids, pursue a hobby, or take on a physical challenge without wondering whether your body can handle it?
Can you get older without your can’t-do’s starting to outnumber your can-do’s?
That is useful strength.
It comes from purposeful training, engaged coaching, consistency, patience, and a community that encourages you to keep showing up.
We don’t train just to make you better at training.
We train so you’re better prepared for life.
Those messages are incredibly rewarding because they remind us why ELEVATE exists.
If you’re already an ELEVATE member, keep showing up. Your strength is accumulating, even when you can’t immediately see the payoff. Eventually, life gives you an opportunity to use it.
If you’ve been thinking about getting started, maybe this is your reminder:
Your next chapter doesn’t have to be about getting back to where you were. It can be about building what you need for where you’re going.
Take the next step and let’s have a conversation about what useful strength can look like for you.Build useful strength. Live a more capable life.