Building Muscle and Brains

Building Muscle and Brains: A Journey of Continuous Growth

There’s often a myth that people who are incarcerated have endless time to work out, read, and improve themselves. But the reality is, whether inside or outside, time remains constant. It’s not about having more time; it’s about how you prioritize the time you have. Just like anyone on the outside, it’s easy to get sucked into distractions—endless TV, gambling, or unhealthy eating. But the desire to be smarter or fitter isn’t just a fleeting goal for most of us—it’s an ongoing process, a lifestyle.

In my early 20s, I was significantly overweight and unhealthy. I wasn’t just behind in terms of fitness—I was also often clueless in conversations, lagging behind my peers in knowledge and life experience. But through consistent effort and discipline, I made a change. Now, I’m in one of the best shapes of my life, both physically and mentally. Here’s how I built muscle and brains along the way.

1. Know Where You Are

• Fitness: I realized I wasn’t in shape. I didn’t have a clear vision of what “fit” looked like for me, but I knew I wasn’t there. So, I began looking for examples of physiques I admired—people who inspired me. That became my guidepost.

• Mind: In terms of knowledge, I knew I was behind. My friends seemed to know so much more about the world, and it wasn’t just book smarts—it was a broad understanding of life that I lacked. I began seeking out people I respected for their intelligence and asked them how they accumulated knowledge.

2. Take Action

• Fitness: Once I identified the people I wanted to emulate physically, I adopted their habits. I mirrored their workout routines, nutrition and supplement plans, and sleep schedules. Consistency became my new standard, and with each step forward, I saw progress.

• Mind: To bridge the knowledge gap, I started reading. Self-help books were my first step, but I didn’t stop there. I surrounded myself with people who were more accomplished than me and, instead of trying to talk my way into conversations, I made a point to listen. I realized I would learn more by observing and absorbing.

3. Adapt and Adjust

• Fitness: As I progressed, I realized that what worked for others didn’t always work for me. I started tweaking my workouts, tailoring them to fit my own body’s strengths and weaknesses. I also adjusted my diet to support my specific goals, knowing that no one-size-fits-all approach would get me where I wanted to go.

• Mind: I applied the same approach to learning. Instead of sticking to one type of reading material, I expanded my scope. I learned that by reading five books on any one subject, I would have more knowledge than 90% of people on that topic. From there, I deepened my understanding in areas I found most valuable—like business and finance—while continuing to explore other subjects.

4. Find Coaches and Mentors

• Fitness: One of the smartest decisions I made was hiring personal trainers and life coaches who had achieved the results I wanted. Their guidance saved me time, and their insights gave me the shortcuts to bypass years of trial and error.

• Mind: The same was true for intellectual growth. I sought out mentors who could help me grow not only in knowledge but in areas like spirituality, business, and relationships. I also attended seminars, continually investing in my development. Surrounding myself with those who had more experience fast-tracked my progress.

5. Commit to Continuous Improvement

• Fitness: One thing I learned early on is that there’s no “finish line” in fitness. Even when you reach your goals, there’s always room for improvement. Whether it’s increasing strength, endurance, or aesthetics, I’m always striving to push beyond my personal best.

• Mind: The same principle applies to learning. The more you learn, the more you realize how much you don’t know. There’s no cap on intellectual growth. I continue to seek out new knowledge and challenge myself to explore new areas, knowing that the pursuit of learning is a lifelong process.

6. Practice Gratitude

• Fitness: Every time I train, I remind myself that being able to work out is a privilege. There are people who physically can’t exercise, and I never take for granted the ability to move my body and push myself to new limits.

• Mind: When it comes to knowledge, I also practice gratitude. The ability to read, study, and learn is something many people don’t have access to, whether due to restrictions or mental health barriers. I remind myself that the pursuit of knowledge is a gift, and I treat it as such.

Looking back on those early years, it’s clear that both physical and intellectual growth come down to consistent effort. The journey isn’t glamorous, and it’s not about achieving instant results. It’s about committing to the process and continuously striving to be better than you were yesterday. Whether you’re working on your body, your mind, or both, the key is to keep moving forward.