How to Achieve Physical Autonomy

Today's blog post is based on a podcast from The Art of Manliness:

Most men want to wake up in the morning knowing their body is ready to handle whatever opportunities and challenges come their way that day, from a real emergency to simply roughhousing with their kids. They want to be able to move without pain and explore the world with confidence.

My guest today would say that what this desire is pointing to is the achievement of physical autonomy. His name is Ryan Hurst and he’s the head coach at GMB Fitness, which uses bodyweight exercises and skill-based practices to help people get stronger, move better, and never have to doubt themselves physically. Our conversation begins with Ryan’s unique background; we discuss how he did gymnastics growing up and then moved to Japan, where he still resides, to learn martial arts, including aikido, kendo, judo, and jiu-jitsu, and how these experiences influenced his fitness journey and philosophy. Ryan then shares how he defines physical autonomy and the three elements that are required to achieve it. From there we discuss the four animal-inspired movements that create the foundation for balanced athleticism, the basic physical skills people should aim to master, and how to train those skills in ways that don’t require an onerous amount of time.

Here are the show highlights:

• How Ryan ended up in Japan studying martial arts (and why he hasn’t left) 
• The injury that led to a turning point in Ryan’s life 
• What does it mean to have physical autonomy 
• The difference between capability and ability 
• Ryan’s four animal-inspired movements
• The functional movements Ryan encourages all of his clients to pursue
• The 5 P’s of a GMB session

 Interesting days

Today - Computer Security Day, Mousse Day, Stay Home Because You’re Well Day, Mason Jar Day and Cyber Monday

December will be Pear Month, Food Service Safety Month, Operation Santa Paws, Write a Business Plan Month, Human Rights Month and Tie Month

Tomorrow - Eat A Red Apple Day, Giving Tuesday and Day Without Art Day

Month long celebrations:

Nov 26 - Dec 31: A Blue Christmas

Next Monday - Walt Disney Day, Cotton Candy Day, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and International Civil Aviation Day

Month long celebrations:

Nov 26 - Dec 31: A Blue Christmas

December 30 - Bacon Day and Bicarbonate of Soda Day

December 31 - No Interruptions Day, Make Up Your Mind Day and Champagne Day

Month long celebrations:

Nov 26 - Dec 31: A Blue Christmas