I’ll be honest – some if not most of this fitness shit bores the absolute fuck out of me.

I have no interest in learning how to do a Turkish Get-Up.

I have never had any desire to increase my 1 Rep Max.

And I have zero aspirations to clap in between push-ups, jump on a box to develop “explosive strength,” and sprint up and down the gym with a band tied around my waist like some manic dog that’s been cooped up inside all day.

I only started lifting weights because I wanted to build muscle, lose fat, and look half-decent naked. Essentially vanity and aesthetics were the initial motivating factors that propelled my skinny white ass into the gym. And as shallow and immature as this may sound, it’s essential to remember that I was only 15 years old when I first began my journey to getting jacked.

The Silly Shit I’ve Seen

As I’ve mentioned in numerous blogs over the years, “fitness journeys” make me nauseous, “booty gains” make me cringe, and the terms “bulking” and “cutting” make me question certain human-beings’ intelligence.

I’ve worked in the Fitness Industry for over twenty years now. And after spending the better part of my waking hours in gyms for more than twenty years, there has been ALOT of silly shit that I’ve seen. From the dudes who work chest & biceps every day to the chicks who only train their ass and thighs, to the men who think that walking is “good enough” for their legs and, as a result, don’t have any ass or thighs, to the women who think lifting weights will make them look “bulky.” I have seen and heard it all.

I tried relentlessly to debunk Training Myths and Dieting Fads in my earlier years. I backed my views and opinions with REAL Science and questioned those who supported their views and opinions through Bro Science. And although I’ve always had a small platform to help teach and educate others on how to build muscle and lose fat safely, efficiently and naturally, I feel that I have accomplished my goal with most of the people I have worked with and helped over the years.

Exposing The Imposters

Working in an Industry that is supposed to promote health and wellness has made me quite cynical over the years. Unfortunately, the fitness industry is oversaturated with sleazy salespeople trying to make a quick buck from others’ desperation to become healthier and fit. Gyms locking members into long-term contracts, trainers not issuing refunds for unused sessions, online coaches promoting generic diet plans and training programs catered to the masses, supplement companies selling pixie dust in a tub for $100+. The list goes on…..

I may not be the best Trainer/Coach on the planet. Still, I always try my best to remain as transparent and honest with my clients as I can be regarding exercise science, dietary nutrition and supplement brands/protocols. I don’t want my clients to make the same mistakes I made when I first started lifting weights, nor do I want them to injure or seriously hurt themselves.

The End of My Journey

I will admit that there have been plenty of times when I have experienced severe burnout from my job. Like any Small Business Owner, if you genuinely care about growing your business and brand, then not a single day or even an hour goes by without you thinking about it at least once. There is no such thing as 9-5. Weekends can exist but take a backseat when necessary. I only continue to do what I do for a living because I absolutely love it. Don’t get me wrong, the money is good, but it’s no longer a motivating factor for me.

My journey to getting jacked concluded a few years ago. Six-packs and bulging biceps are no longer a focus as I’ve matured. I still want to look and feel good, but just as importantly, I want my clients to look and feel good about themselves. And the only way this will happen is if I coach my clients to the best of my ability and hold them accountable to always do better.

“A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life.”
John Wooden

Yours in Good Health,

Nick Cosgrove
Forever Fit Performance