As of writing this post, there are 20 days until the new year.
Which means there are 20 days until a bunch of people decide to make resolutions and start anew.
A younger – arguably shittier – version of myself thought this was silly.
I figured if you actually cared about something, you’d just get started. “It shouldn’t matter what day it is…”
I no longer feel that way.
Some people benefit from the hard reset that a new year can provide. A new year can act as an impetus for rebirth and rather than trying to fight this, the fitness industry should spend more time embracing it.
And not in the way we currently do, by slashing prices on gym memberships (but only for the first month and only if you sign a full year contract and buy six months’ worth of personal training).
No, we should instead try to help people set goals they actually want to achieve and provide real solutions to the problems people face.
The entire fitness industry is built around creating novel problems in order to sell novel solutions.
“Nothing’s worked for you because you haven’t tried this super secret magical supplement…”
No.
The truth is that we often set unrealistic expectations, both in regards to outcomes and timelines, and we are unwilling to do the necessary work we hate in order to make the progress we want.
For me, that latter thing is always going to be stretching.
I don’t enjoy it.
Never have.
Probably never will.
I’ve tried probably 50+ different ways to improve my flexibility and I just don’t really enjoy the sensation nor have I really found a method that I would call “mentally engaging.”
Now… that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t do it.
In fact, it’s arguably the most helpful thing I could possibly be doing to improve my fitness.
Does that mean I need to become a yogi?
No.
It means I need to lie on my back at least four times per week, put a strap around my foot and pull for 2 minutes.
I need to accept that it’s going to be slow, tedious, and fairly uncomfortable.
And if I do that for 3-6 months… I’d bet I’ll see an improvement in flexibility and a reduction in back pain.
How long have I known this?
A long time.
How long have I been lying to myself about this?
Same answer.
When did I finally start doing something about it? (And by something, I mean lying on my back almost every night and pulling on my hamstrings…)
Two weeks ago.
And I’ve already seen a bit of progress.
A small bit, but a bit.
When I say things like, “people avoid the things they dislike…” I’m really just speaking from personal experience.
I’ve coached hundreds of people and almost nobody is exceptional about doing the things they don’t enjoy.
Powerlifters would rather take endless vials of peptides than actually do movements that would help their elbow pain (ie dips).
Runners would rather buy twenty pairs of new shoes than lift heavy enough to improve their glute strength.
I would rather do weird, convoluted back exercises to strengthen my QL than stretch my damn hamstrings for 5 minutes.
We avoid the things we dislike.
As a result, we stay stuck.
It’s just how humans are.
So in 2026, I implore you to try something new.
Instead of making the same goal you made for 2025 that very likely didn’t last past March…
Sit down and have a chat with yourself.
What’s really going on and what’s really holding you back?
All said and done, I bet it’s pretty simple.
Once you identify the problem, figure out the first step that would help you solve it and make that the goal.
Whether it’s “replace some bench pressing for dips” or “actually do B stance RDLs heavy enough that the side of my butt feels sore the next day” or “stretch your damn hamstrings for 2 minutes per side…”
I bet it’s not that complicated.
It’s probably just something you’re avoiding.
And if you aren’t sure what your goal should be, just send me a message.
I’d be happy to help.