“Just So Stories” for the Gritty-Lifters

Today, my words shall flow not unlike the iron shakes in the gym. If you’re easily offended, you might as well leave now. ‘Cause here’s the deal: I read a book. That’s right, a book. And I’m going to write about it. But don’t you dare confuse me for some intellectual snob. I’m just a guy who picks things up and puts them down.

Let’s start with the book: “Just So Stories” by Rudyard Kipling. This work may not seem like it has anything to do with lifting weights at first glance. But, hear me out. The stories in this book might be considered just-so stories, but they have some serious heart. This book will put a fire in your belly and a hustle in your lift.

Kipling weaves together stories from the animal kingdom to make readers grasp importance of true determination & persistence. Although these animals are fictional, Kipling creates characters that we as gritty lifters can relate to. The various species’ interactions are symbolism for how fighters from different walks of life can come together on the same mission with a sense of urgency.

What Kipling realizes, and many fail to understand, is that it is not the strength of the muscle, but the power of the will behind it that wins the fight. The tortoise may not have the ferocity or size of the rhinoceros, but it has heart and won the race. Kipling’s philosophy holds true in the weight room as much it does in the animal kingdom.

This is not a book for the faint of heart or those afraid of struggle. This book talks about the fight within and emphasizes that for every obstacle there is always a solution. That’s what is important, driving will-power to overpower the obstacles. And the truth is, that’s what it takes to succeed in lifting, in life or any other thing.

So why should you read this book? Because it is a magnificent way to “fist pump” your motivation. It’s easy to forget that all the motivational speeches, the personal anecdotes, aims to come down to one simple emotion within you: that rage you need to succeed. Kipling brings that emotion out and makes sense out of it in a way that every lifter needs to hear.

Now, to conclude. This post may have been harsh, but you know what we say in the gym, “no pain, no gain”. The gritty lifter seeks pain and embraces it like a lion devours its prey. But, that’s what makes us special, it is our will to push forward through the pain. I invite all of my readers to share their experiences in the gym today and let us know how they channeled their inner animal. Thank you for reading.