Elite Athlete? After 40? WTF

This is crazy right? Trying to be an elite level athlete in my middle age?? Sure it sounds totally crazy right? But I am here to tell you it is not. And that you should be considering a return to competition in your sport as well!

Look we all know the benefits of exercise especially as we age. Movement in some form or fashion is what keeps our body functioning well. Know if you are like me you have probably spent years beating up yourself up, have had kids in that time and settled into sedinatry life. I have too. After covid I was as heavy as I have ever been, and drinking way more than I should have been. My life needed a change. A big one.

Now I have always owned and operated martial arts studios. It has been a life long hobby of mine, at least since I was 17 when I opened my first studio. After covid shut down my last studio I wasn't really ready to get back on that horse, but my wife was. She had also been struggling, had gained an unhealthy amount of weight and was ready to leave for profit health care in the dust. We needed to do something much more serious. So we combined our favorite things to do, lift weights and beat up small children. With that Elemental Strength and Montezuma Martial Arts Academy were born.

I have spent the last year getting back into fight shape. I am down to 165 trying to drop the last stubborn 10 lbs while maintaining my regained strength and fitness. It is has been awesome. My blood pressure is back to normal. I feel like a million bucks and the most important thing I feel I have done, is inspire my kids to do something more than watch you tube all day.

Last January was my first tournament in almost 5 years. I got invited to try out for the mens national Karate team in 2019 but was largely unprepared. But January was a tournament I was ready for. And I cleaned house. 6 first place spots in all six of the events I competed in! Including Kata grand champion, and second in Sparring grand. Needless to say it was a very good day! I was even invited to try out for a different national team in march of this year!

This weekend will be my second tournament in as many months. It just feels good to be operating at a level I though I couldn't have any more. The fact is you can tell yourself you are too old, but that is an excuse to remain mediocre. Middle age is such a great time for a come back. You are less distracted by work as most of us have settled into careers, family life has stabled because the kids are starting to gain their independence anyway. And What a way to reignite your relationship with your partner. I like to think back to the first incredibles movie. When Edna is challenging Elastigirl to remember who she was once! And to regain control of her life and marriage.

We all know who we used to be, and that person still exists inside of us. We need to remember who we are and that we are in fact capable of great things. We just need to cut the excuses and do what we need to.