My grandfather’s unspoken training philosophy

Dear reader,

500 squats and 50 REPS of my FAVORITE exercise (the ALL time BEST exercise there is, bar none!) – but this post is not about that, is it?

While I trained I kept my grandfather in mind. His image continuously flashed into mind with each rep, with EACH deep BREATH, and the words that came immediately after was “BLASTING PAST”

Not blasting past old records, or goals, though that was why they came to mind – but whatever it is, those two words came to mind while training.

And nothing else. Just me, the image I mentioned above and deep breathing. And the workout, of course.

The best memories I have of my grandfather, who I mentioned passed away in rather tragic circumstances when I was 13 are waking up at 4:30 A.M. in the morning with him and going swimming EVERY DAY WITHOUT fail during the summer holidays.

Being he lived in a different city from where I grew up, thats the only time I got to spend with him. And being he – get this – until the age of 78 – worked from (after his swimming routine) until 10 P.M. at night, he was rarely there at home either.

But the times I DID get to spend with her were JOYOUS. Good vibes galore, and one of the most poignant memories I have is of young Rahul playing chess with his grandfather, who would always “let him win”, hehe.

“How can be so silly, Uncle!” I remember running up to my relatives and saying, while my grandfather would smile on in a benign fashion.

Little did I know at that tender age, of course. I was around 5 or so IIRC at that time …

This man accomplished so much that HIS OWN story would probably be way more inspiring than anything I could ever put out there. He served in the army. He literally built himself up from NOTHING.

Despite his numerous accomplishments, he was the most humble and GIVING person you could ever meet. The most unassuming, I should say, and I NEVER ONCE recall him even mentioning any of his achievements, though there were plenty, mind you.

When he was young he crossed flooded rivers – swam them – did what he had to do – to get to – get this – SCHOOL.

And he did not give up his swimming routine until he tragically passed away at the age of (78 or so.

The most lasting memory I have of him though, is this – I’d often go and sit by his bedside when he was lying in bed, unable to move, his body ravaged by a disease that until this date I’m not sure why they couldn’t cure. No-one ever told me many details about it at that point …

He was a Doctor, by the way – one of the BEST if not THE BEST in his city.

And as I’d go to him, and try and talk to him, even in his bedridden state he’d “drive me away”.

“It doesn’t matter!” And he’d put on a cheerful smile for us kids.

HE NEVER COMPLAINED EVEN ONCE!!!

And THAT – my friend – is such an intensely personal memory that though I could write pages on it, I’ll stop here.

More later.

For now though – if a man of 78 can do it – why not YOU??

Dump the excuses NOW, my friend. 0 Excuses is the ONLY way to do it – – The 0 Excuses Fitness System

Rahul Mookerjee

P.S. – Though I had several cousins, for whatever odd reason the rest of them never did make it to swimming. I remember us knocking on the doors in the “wee hours”, and a sleepy Aunt calling out “not today!”.

Ah well.

P.S #2 – And NO, I did NOT have to be FORCED to wake up (in stark contrast to other events during my childhood). I did it of my own accord. A 6 year old boy waking up at 4:30 A.M. to go swimming in a LAKE with water snakes and the rest of the good stuff “floating about” (no “cossetted” swimming pools!). Take that for what it’s worth!

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