I’m in a cult and have never been happier

I WAS going through a tough time, like most teens when I discovered them.

Woman in Lotus position doing breathing exercises at seaside.

WHEN I was a teenager I felt lost and at a loose end and then I met some like-minded people. We would get together on occasion, this escalated to daily meet-ups. I began bringing friends and trying to get them to join. It was then people started to take notice of how I would spend my time, until eventually my sister told me, “I think you have joined a cult”.

The cult being exercise. The Kool-Aid being protein balls.

It’s not hard to see why so many people see the exercise and fitness as cult-like. With a ‘philosophy’ and set ways, along with dedicated evangelists- hands up if you haven’t heard someone tell you how great their CrossFit/gym/running group is?

People get together workout/worship and spread the good word to their loved ones. Trying to bring them into the fitness fold. And you know what? There is not a single thing wrong with that.

Fitness has been one of the greatest, most consistent and mentally beneficial things I have ever done. I don’t have a sixpack nor run at the pace of Usain Bolt, but I love pushing myself, I love seeing what my body and mind can do and I love the camaraderie that comes with it.

The cult like experience of it dawned on me as I attended the Nike Training Club event in Sydney. Standing with 2000 plus women, happily exercising and clapping in unison while being preached to by our trainers.

I love seeing what my mind and body is capable of through exercise.

We followed their commands, we looked in awe at their stamina and energy, we smiled even though our bodies were in pain and we went on to tell our friends how amazing we felt.

And you know what, I was damned proud of myself and every other person there.

I’m not saying there are not those who take it too far or use it for unhealthy purposes, but give me one thing in life where that doesn’t happen and I will do 1000 burpees.

When I tell a friend to go for a jog with me or try go to a pilates class with me, I get nothing from it other than knowing that there is the slightest possibility that my friend, this person I care about, with take away the same pleasure and benefits from fitness I do.

They aren’t dropping thousands into a collection tin or being asked to shun all who speak ill of fitness. If they don’t like it, they don’t have to do it again.

At the Nike event I saw a woman, with a cast on her leg in full fitness gear, smiling from ear to ear and being helped by her friends. She was there because it made her feel good.

You could see it in her face. I was in awe of her. I was also in awe of every single woman that attended the event, from a variety of body sizes and ages. Not a single superficial thing mattered. What mattered is the girl next to you was laughing with her friend while the woman on the other side was pushing herself and you were there, sweating, panting cursing the blister on your toe and feeling content.

That is the beauty of the fitness cult I am more than happy to be a part of.