You’re Not Lazy — You’re Human

You’re Not Lazy — You’re Human

Why I Traded Overtraining and a Six-Pack for Longevity, Balance, and Joy

For years, I believed the lie most of us are sold — that pushing harder, eating cleaner, and training longer was the path to strength, health, and worth. As someone deeply involved in MMA and kickboxing, I built my life around discipline, physical intensity, and a high-fat, high-protein diet designed to sculpt a fight-ready body. And it worked — for a while.

I had the abs, the strength, the endurance.
But I also had chronic injuries.
And eventually, I had my gallbladder removed.

Now, in my early 40s, I’m the father of a beautiful daughter. And everything has changed.

The Silent Cost of Overtraining

The human body is resilient — but it’s not invincible. Years of high-volume training and extreme dietary choices catch up eventually. I was lean, shredded, and praised for my discipline. But under the surface, my body was fighting back. Gut issues. Inflammation. Fatigue. And finally, the gallbladder damage that required surgery.

Looking back, I can say this:
A six-pack isn’t worth chronic pain.
Aesthetics aren’t worth your long-term health.
And no lifestyle is worth missing moments with the people you love.

What We’re Really Evolved to Do

In his book Exercised, evolutionary biologist Daniel Lieberman makes an important point: humans didn’t evolve to "work out" for fun. We evolved to move when we had to — to walk, carry, sprint, and lift as needed. Movement was a necessity, not a punishment.

We’re not lazy. We’re wired to conserve energy unless survival depends on it. That’s why dragging yourself to the gym after a 10-hour desk job feels so unnatural — because it is.

But that doesn’t mean movement isn’t essential. It is.
Especially as we age.

The Confidence to Defend — and the Wisdom to Rest

I still believe combat sports — the ability to defend ourselves and others — is important. It builds real confidence, something I now know is essential to mental health. Feeling strong, competent, and capable helps us stay grounded.

But unless you're in a profession that requires that readiness — the military, law enforcement, or professional fighting — the constant need to be "combat ready" becomes destructive.
You’re not at war.
You’re living a life.

You don’t need to prove yourself in the gym every day. You don’t need to chase abs at the expense of your organs. There are institutions in place to protect us. The ultimate goal should be longevity, resilience, and presence — especially for our families.

From Six-Pack to Joy: A Personal Shift

These days, I still move daily — but I do it differently.

  • I swing kettlebells for short, functional strength sessions.

  • I use a standing desk (sometimes with a walking pad) to stay mobile during work.

  • I walk, jog, and most importantly — play with my daughter.

I’ve traded six-pack abs for flexibility and family time.
I’ve replaced extreme diets with intuitive, nourishing eating — yes, with some indulgence.
And I’ve let go of punishing routines in favor of movement and mindfulness that support my long-term health.

A New Kind of Fitness: Yoddha Mind

That journey is what led me to create Yoddha Mind — a space where movement, mindfulness, and mental resilience come together.

We offer:

  • A handcrafted meditation bench that doubles as a push-up platform

  • Guided meditations and evidence-based courses rooted in MBCT and MBSR (coming soon)

  • Content grounded in evolutionary biology and real experience — not hype or hustle culture

Our goal is to help you move better, feel stronger, and live longer — without burning out or breaking down.

Final Thoughts

Extreme fitness looks impressive on social media.
But you don’t see the injuries.
You don’t see the gallbladder surgery.
You don’t see the emotional burnout.

Don’t fall for the illusion.

Instead, start asking yourself:

  • Can I do this in my 50s, 60s, 70s?

  • Does this support the life I want to live?

  • Am I showing up for my family and myself?

You’re not lazy. You’re human.
You were built for sustainable movement, for meaningful rest, and for a life of balance.

Ready to train for longevity, not exhaustion?
Explore our meditation bench and follow along as we release our MBCT-based programs designed for real people, real lives, and real wellness.

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