I started taking Marc David’s Eating Psychology course in October, and just the first few months of this program have been life-changing.
One of the things Marc David brings up in the current module on weight loss and body image is the idea of a warrior’s body. He talks about how many people strive to have the strong, lean body of a warrior while lacking the willingness to truly engage in war.
“You might have a warrior’s body, but have you fought in a real battle? Have you fought in the battle for consciousness? Have you fought in a battle for good? Have you fought in a courageous battle to open up your heart?” – Marc David
For years, I fell into this trap. I found myself able to reach most goals I set for myself, but my goal weight was something that slipped through my fingers time and time again.
Eventually, I stopped focusing so much on a particular number, but I still wanted to be fierce. I wanted strength and muscles and astounding athletic abilities. I wanted to be able to run at certain speeds, lift certain amounts of weight. I basically wanted the warrior’s body, but I didn’t really want to go to war.
I associated muscles on my body with a corresponding thickness of skin. I thought the stronger and denser I was, the less people would be able to hurt or affect me emotionally. I associated body fat with softness and vulnerability, and I wanted no part of that. I recoiled into myself. I tried to be an island, keeping everyone at a distance while I focused on obtaining this warrior’s body without truly being ready to fight in any real battle.
Since starting work at Ascend, I realize that there’s more to being a warrior than looking the part. I’ve reached a point in my life where I want to help others better their lives. I’ve seen the beauty in opening up and trusting people. I’ve realized that putting myself out there and re-joining the human race requires more bravery than lifting heavy things and running seven minute miles ever will.
In one of his podcasts, Marc David also mentions that with super-powers comes super-vulnerability. While this might initially seem like a paradox, I now understand what is meant by this statement.
Sometimes it helps to redefine our definitions of bravery, of success, of health. New definitions for these concepts may be the very things we need for growth and progress.
By: Kayla Van Egdom