In the movie Renaissance Man, Danny DeVito is
discussing Leon Battista Alberti who was an Italian humorist, author, artist,
poet, linguist, philosopher, and cryptographer amongst other things. According
to the dialogue of the movie, “They said that he could stand, with his feet together
like this, and spring straight over a man's head.” To which DeVito’s character
says, “If Leon Battista Alberti couldn't have done that, I wouldn't have
remembered a thing about him.”
This
made him an oxymoron. It made him a smart jock. Now, what have I said since the
beginning? Furyan Strength is about developing your body, mind, and spirit. Keeping
your body sharp will also help keep your mind sharp and I think it works the
other way too. Before I started this journey I had no clue what whey protein
did for my body. Or BCAAs. Or why I should take Vitamin E. Or the importance of
muscle balance and symmetry. I think most people associate all bodybuilders as
dumb jocks who just lift heavy weights. But listen to any of the testimony of Dr.
Jim Stoppani and I don’t think anyone can deny that lifting weights is a
science. But then I saw an image on the internet that really made me think.
I
think there is very much truth to this image. As I have mentioned in the past,
I would very much like to obtain a “Marvel” physique. If you look at any of the
stars of the Marvel movies, it is very clear that they have been training like
animals. Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Pratt (they do like their Chrises
don’t they), Ryan Reynolds, Robert Downey Jr., Paul Rudd, and Jeremy Renner are
on that list. Seeing the transformation of Ben Affleck into Batman and Henry
Cavill as Superman is amazing. And then look at the fifteen year span between
X-Men and The Wolverine. Hugh Jackman is an amazing individual and I would love
to look like them. If I have physical idols, it is them.
And
by today’s standards, none of these guys would stand a chance at a professional
bodybuilding championship. The greatest bodybuilder of all time – Arnold Schwarzenegger
– has come out saying that the champions these days are more about mass than
physical aesthetics. Arnold praises the body of Frank Zane and Zane’s physique
from back in the day is like a Greek sculpture.
The
Marvel frame – that classic physique – is what I want. I don’t want to be one
of these hulking brutes where my traps are up around my ears. As I said in the beginning
of this whole thing… I want to look good naked. Which now brings me back to Leon
Battista Alberti. I very much love my time in the gym. I like doing research and
trying new things and I get elated when I elevate my Romanian Deadlifts to 185
pounds for reps.
I
don’t consider myself a “wuss.” I have elevated beyond “beginner.” I feel I
have finally achieved the “athletic” phase. I want to get to “buff” eventually.
But I never want to achieve “idiot” status. I don’t want my frame to be such
that I am quantified only for a frame.
I am
a father and single parent. I work 40 hours, where I am called upon to lead
team seminars. I read. I study. I am writing a novel. I paint. I self-taught
myself Photoshop. I am part of a grass roots community organization. I serve on
the board of directors for a nonprofit. I play poker. I have this blog. I play
World of Warcraft. I enjoy discussing movies, music from films, philosophy, politics,
and such. I pride myself in being a hoot at social gatherings. I feel I could
be thrown into a dinner party with strangers engage in chit-chat.
What I am saying
is that I don’t want to be a guy squatting 1,000 pounds because if you are
doing that, what else do you have time for? I would think all your life would
be spent in the gym. And at the dinner party, people are just going to ask you
to bring in extra chairs from the garage. Personally, I would rather be well
rounded in my pursuits. I want to be that smart jock.
I want to be a man
of many hats that also happens to have a 250-pound bench press to my resume. Be well rounded so you can be your own renaissance
man.
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