I know you know the song “Glory Days” by The Boss.
Part of it is about a buddy who can’t get over his athleticism (baseball, specifically) peaked in high school.
Well, you’re not gonna like what I’m about to tell you, but…
We ALL have some version hiding in our brains somewhere.
And here is how it reveals itself:
“I used to be able to do that.”
There’s a phrase I hear all the time.
Maybe you’ve said it yourself – I know I have.
“I used to be able to do that.”
I used to play 36 holes and feel fine the next day.
I used to run a 7-minute mile.
I used to drink 15 Natural Lights and feel great the next day.
I used to fit into those pants.
I used to…
And every time we say it, we tell ourselves the same story:
“I’m just getting older.”
Now, let’s be clear.
Aging is real.
But that’s not what we’re talking about.
Most of the things we blame on age are actually the result of years of slowly drifting away from the habits that made us athletic in the first place.
The problem isn’t that you’re 45 or 65.
The problem is that you’ve spent the last 15 years sitting more, moving less, recovering poorly, and convincing yourself that it’s normal.
Because here’s the truth:
The guy who could do those things wasn’t special.
He was simply training, moving, competing, and taking care of himself.
That version of you didn’t disappear.
You just stopped practicing being him.
And that’s good news.
Because if you built it once, you can build it again.
Maybe not exactly the same.
Maybe you’re not chasing a high school highlight reel.
But you can absolutely become stronger, leaner, more mobile, and more capable than you are today.
The goal isn’t to be 18 again.
That’s a fool’s errand.
The goal is to stop acting like your best physical years are automatically behind you.
Because they’re not.
Not if you’re willing to do something about it.
STAY STRONG,
Jeff
If you’re ready to stop talking about what you used to be able to do and start building back the athletic version of yourself, we’d love to help.
Join us in the 18STRONG Membership and start training for the next chapter, not reminiscing about the last one.