Heya, T-people. Every once in a while TC or Chris, or another T-mag writer will put together an inspiring column that addresses life choices. Like many T-mag readers, I’ve often taken time to reflect after reading these columns, and the messages have lately become very relevant. Since graduating from high school, I’ve been trying to pursue a respectable, somewhat normal, and profitable life. I’ve never been happy, though, and for the past few years I’ve hated even waking up to the same old drudgery and petty BS that pervades every job I’ve ever had. I was not enjoying life at all, and my reluctance to go to work, understandably, put me into some financial troubles that just exacerbated an already dismal situation.
So, after more than a decade of soul searching, I’ve decided to go back to school and try for a life that would make me happy every day. Much of my decision was made possible due to my growing affinity for the iron game, nutrition, fitness, and interest in human physiology–thanks in no small part to T-mag and all the great people who make this site what it is today. This site, and this board, have helped me towards meeting both my physical and metaphysical goals, and I just wanted to say thanks. I’m also wondering if my paradigm shift is evidence that I truly belong among the T-folk. How many of you have had these same feelings, and have acted upon them to radically alter your lives?
First off I would like to congradulate you on your decision to make life better for yourself .I made the same choice as you did and am now in my second year of kinesiology.
I was going to make my own post along the same lines as yours.Your defintely on the road of the T-man.I think it is not a destination but a journey. I dont know if thats preachy or sappy but that how I feel. Now here is my problem;Now that Ive entered the wonderful world of health sciences Im not sure where I want to go with it .How bout yourself?
Danny, it sounds like you’re about at the same age (28 or so) that I was when I decided to go back to school. It was the best decision I ever made. After high school I sort of flopped around, doing this and that, including a stint in the Marines. I had fun, I travelled and had lots of experiences, but I was always at someone else’s beck and call, and that’s no way for a T-man to live (unless maybe your boss is also of the brotherhood - and mine weren’t!). So I gave up my job working construction, went back to school, took a degree in Linguistics, and had a lot of people give me comments like “What the hell are you going to do with a Linguistics degree?” Well, I went to Japan, and nine years later I run my own business, make nice money per hour, and generally set my schedule the way I want. I’m doing something I enjoy, and for the first time in my life I have complete control over my training and nutrition scheduling. This is worth A LOT. Also, my quality of life has just gotten soooo much better… Like about a month ago it was a beautiful Fall day and I decided to take a couple of hours off in the early afternoon and go cycling along a river. Couldn’t even THINK about doing that with a regular job.
So anyway, here’s the answer to your question: the paradigm shift by itself does not qualify you for true T-brotherhood. It is, if I can be a pointy-head for just a moment, a necessary but not sufficient condition. What will determine whether you truly merit inclusion is if you ACT on your feelings and take charge of yourself and your situation to make your life better than it is now, if you wring from your circumstances all that you desire. I say, CLOTHESLINE LIFE!! Stop it in its tracks and turn it ass-over-tea-kettle to make of it what YOU WISH. (Go watch the original Star Trek episode “Space Seed” and at the end stand up and shout, “Kahn Noonian Singh, you have nothing on me!” That’ll get you started.) Only then will you find true happiness and T-fulfillment.
Without getting into a lot of detail, finding T-mag has enabled me to alter my body composition significantly, find the ability/drive to keep going to the gym, even when I don’t feel like it, and I’ve reshaped my attitude to include all the new T flowing in my veins. I’m less likely to put up with emasculated males and I’m more confident in voicing my opinions. In short, somewhere in the past few months I became a man…