October 12, 2025

You thought you were just getting fit

Lessons from a Fit life.

There are only 7 stories:

  • Rags to riches
  • Overcome the monster
  • Quest
  • Voyage and return
  • Rebirth
  • Comedy
  • Tragedy

Likewise, there are only 12 musical notes. Be that as it may Artists create millions upon millions of stories and songs from this limited toolbox.

It goes on and on.

It’s important to realize that you’ve seen every movie plot and heard every patch of notes. Nevertheless, Artists (the inspired ones at least) still entertain. They understand it’s not what the story or song are about, it’s how they’re about it.

The basic notes of getting fit.

The basic beats are all the same (eat well, move well, create a caloric deficit, sacrifice, prioritize etc …). The execution of those beats are, however, rather unique.

Some people get fit running obstacle races, some yoga, some trampoline dancing. You can copy what someone did before you, but in the end you have to do you.

So make it your own.

Be yourself.

Every person who turned their fitness around put their own unique twist on it. They figured out that it ain’t the notes, it’s how you play ’em.

But no one plays quite like you. Copy others (trainers, bloggers, writers) to start; before long you’ll undoubtedly add your twist to it.

You thought you were just getting fit. Turns out you’re an artist.

And it’s your turn to inspire.

Related: Tools Not Schools: Find What Works for You · The Simplest Exercise Plan: 5 Daily Exercises

About the author

Stephen Allison

Stephen Allison founded Fit, a private personal training studio in Boston’s South End, after more than 20 years of coaching clients one-on-one. He trains runners, lifters and everyday athletes.

Want a coach in your corner? Train one-on-one with Stephen or another Fit trainer. Your first 45-minute session is free.

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‘So I’ve been thinking about this shot (above) for 15 years and finally I had a chance to do it. So I go to the safety guy and I go, here’s what I’m gonna do. Safety guy goes, ‘you can’t do that.’ So I get another safety guy…’ -Tom Cruise (as told by Matt Damon)
Want to be inspirational? Keep showing up.
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