What Functional Fitness Really Looks Like

Small? Maybe. Capable? Absolutely.

She looked at me like I was the easy win.

You know the look.

She told the others she had me — because I’m small.

It was youth camp. Leaders going head-to-head.
The objective was simple: steal the tube.

Two adults. One inflatable tube. A field full of 12-year-olds watching.

What she didn’t account for was this:
The “small one” hooked, drove, and dragged her clear across the field.

Not angry.
Not loud.
Just stronger than she expected.

The Misconception About Strength

We live in a culture that equates fitness with aesthetics.
Abs. Mirrors. Before-and-after photos.

But real fitness — functional fitness — shows up when something unexpected demands output.

It shows up when:

• You need lung capacity.
• You need leg drive.
• You need grip strength.
• You need mental resilience.
• And yes… when a group of 12-year-olds is watching and you absolutely have to win.

Strength isn’t visual. It’s usable.

Capability Over Appearance

Fitness isn’t about looking capable.
It’s about being capable.

It’s knowing that when the moment comes:

• Your legs won’t quit.
• Your lungs won’t panic.
• Your grip won’t fail.
• Your body will respond.

That day, there was no warm-up music.
No planned stimulus.
No countdown clock.

Just a split-second decision and a physical demand.

And my body answered.

Because I Train

Because I train, I can do hard things.
Because I train, I try new things.
Because I train, I don’t back down when someone underestimates me.

That’s what functional fitness builds.

Not ego.
Not aesthetics.
Capacity.

Small?
Maybe.

Capable?
Absolutely.

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