My workouts aren't painful, though they can often be monotonous, like Conan walking in circles. Actually, I’ve done a workout every day this week and, while I appreciate the progress I've seen in myself, I have yet to notice any significant withdrawal or owning of “the libs.”
What am I talking about? On Monday MSNBC tweeted an op-ed titled “Why the Far-Right is Really into Home Fitness.” The headline is, “Pandemic Fitness Trends Have Gone Extreme - Literally: White Supremacists' Latest Scheme to Valorize Violence and Hypermasculinity Has Gone Viral.” Suddenly, everyone on the Right was posting gym pics asking how their white supremacy was coming along. Even The Babylon Bee is talking about it on their podcast this week. But the thing is…
The article is over a year old, had already made the rounds, and gotten the same reaction.
Now, you know fitness is a big part of my life and that I’m as Conservative as the day is long. In case you didn’t know, I’m not a white supremacist. When I saw MSNBC’s tweet I asked, “Such a slow news day you’re running last year’s nonsense for clicks? Guess what, we’re still healthier than you.” But they got what they wanted: a reaction.
I’ve got what I wanted: a strong, healthy body.
Maybe I shouldn’t have sniped at them like I did, because I’m disappointed that their stupid article worked. Again. Get me once, shame on you. Get me twice and I’m the sucker. I keep saying this over and over again, we live in a reaction economy. Those in the media want our attention more than our money, because our attention gives them power. Running in circles is great if you’re into track. It’s not helpful for actually getting anywhere, and MSNBC has us chasing our tails.
We’re the hamsters in the wheel that powers the media’s turbine.
I don’t train to own the libs, the cons, or anyone else. Exercise has helped me to command my body and mind. I’m not the slave I was to junk food, depressing thoughts, and self-destructive habits. I exercise for myself and so that I’m living up to the fulness of my God-given potential. Working out because of a hot take is misdirected energy.
So I encourage you to exercise.
Don't train to push the media’s Wheel of Pain and grist for their mill. We've pushed it for so long, and while working developed character and a stronger understanding of how the machine works. Now it's time to unshackle put that strength to use.