What Defines You?

I was listening to one of many podcasts this week and ran across, quite accidentally, this one by Rich Froning, 4-time CrossFit Games champ. He has a series dubbed "Froning and Friends" that is both a podcast but also on YouTube. This one was titled "What Defines You?" so I gave it a watch and listen. (Check it out here) Rich is crazy strong and talented but he also has a strong faith...one that I share with him. Through the discussion, they posed this question about defining yourself and stating what it is you stand for. They talked about his business, CrossFit Mayhem, as well as how they conduct themselves professionally and personally. This really got me thinking ever since I listened. I've been struggling ever since with the words that sum ME up. This actually got me thinking about a 3rd tattoo and integrating them into it, somehow. That thought will have to continue to simmer for now.

The first few were easy. Faith. Family. In that order. I have got to keep my "vertical" relationship in check before I can possibly think of taking care of and serving my family. Never by my own strength can I do it all. Family, though, is easily the 2nd "pillar" of my purpose here on this earth. My bride and my kids have to get the lion's share. So what's next? It was easy, actually. Integrity. While it's truth and trust in my marriage, or while in uniform as a Naval Officer, or self-talk about everything. To be truthful, to live a life of integrity has GOT to be foundational. It spills into and either solidifies everything or a lack of it poisoning it.

The last one really stumped me. I had thoughts like "intensity" or "maximum effort" or something along those lines. Obviously, I was thinking about my daily grind in the garage there but since I give so much time and effort into it, it belongs in here somewhere. That led me into my "why" I CrossFit, why I continuously push myself...WHY do I do it? Pushing that aside, why did I hire a nutrition coach last week? Shouldn't I be happy with my perceived "healthy lifestyle" and just keep cruising on? Here's where the word "Duty" comes into play and why I chose it:

DUTY to:

• My God to take care of myself physically and mentally. To do my best at maximizing my potential with what He gave me.
• My family. To protect them, to love them, and to serve them without expecting anything in return.
• My country. To honor the oath I have repeatedly taken and outside the uniform, to never lose sight with the freedom this country has provided.
• Those who I have volunteered to serve. My extracurriculars have led me to a leadership position within Team Red, White and Blue as well as the marriage ministry at our church with my wife. I raised my hand to serve so for as long as I am in that seat, I have a duty to do it with excellence and integrity. Things will come and go in this area all life long but I always need to remember why I raised my hand and when that "why" goes away, so should I.

"Duty" pulls it all together, in my opinion. As I journey through this new nutrition journey that is filled with macros, scanning barcodes and weighing everything I eat, I do it not for narcissistic reasons...not to gain that six-pack...but to compliment the level of dedication that I have given to fitness and taking care of myself. The "missing piece of the puzzle," you might say. I have a duty to care for myself and this is but one tool I'm trying out to try and do better and be better at it.

So what do you stand for? What defines you? The journey is a worthwhile endeavor and will help ground you in your decisions and look squarely in the eye of why you do what you do and if necessary, adjust course to do better, be better, and live fully the life you've been given.