I see it all the time. Not just in the iron jungle, but in life in general. The “it’s ok to quit” attitude, it’s spreading like wildfire. People today just seem different. I was raised to never give up on something or someone. I was raised in a way where it was ok to fail, but NEVER ok to quit. Quitters are the lowest of the low in my book. They have no spine, no real mental fortitude.

My training partner and I had a guy join us for a few weeks in the gym. We train at 5am, getting more done before the sun comes up than most get done in a day. I told him when he asked to join us that it was going to be different for him and he laughed. Ok, now I have to prove a point to him. We begin a Max Effort Bench day with the usual warm-ups, nothing too crazy. Then we move to heavy, full range RAW work. I have him beginning with some triples. He wants to hit Max Singles, but he’s not ready for that…mentally. Anyway, as he begins to work up in weight he gets to 225 (near his supposed top end, that’s what he told me anyway). I tell him I want 3 quick powerful reps out of him. He says ok. My attempts to get him amped up aren’t working…whatever…

He lies down, gets under the bar, and does one rep easily. Seeing the look on his face I make a point to him to keep going. You know the type of point I am talking about…he does the second rep, slower than the first, but still with plenty in the tank. He gets to his third rep, brings the bar to his chest and stops it…in a completely calm manner he starts laughing and says “I can’t get it man.” Well, my blood pressure is beginning to rise. I yell at him, “PUSH THAT SHIT!!!” He still resists…so do I. My training partner begins to set in on him as well. I tell him I’m not helping him (ok, ok, ok, before anyone get’s their panties in a wad, there was no danger). After taking it from us for about 30 seconds, he pushes the rep out without even the slightest strain. BLEW MY MIND! How can you just give up like that?

Now I told you that story to prove a point. Quitting is not ok. Most of the time when people quit, it’s not because they can’t do it, it’s because they WON’T do it! I am sick of the lack of personal responsibility and lack of commitment that I see in so many people these days, in or out of the gym. It makes me angry when I see it in the gym though. That buddy who wanted to “train for real” with us, stopped coming. He said he just couldn’t wake up that early. He quit and thought nothing of it.

High squats, half reps, cell phones in the gym, no chalk, curling in the power rack, TOP 40 MUSIC IN THE GYM. These things all make me angry, but none so much as the “it’s ok to quit” attitude. Parents let their kids quit sports because something was difficult. People quit jobs because they don’t like someone. Friends give up on friends because times get tough. What happened to the days of duty and honor rising above all else? What happened to the sense of purpose that used to command all households and minds? Where has the fire gone?

We must all carry the “it’s NOT ok to quit” attitude with us. If you’re a quitter, then get out of my way, I have no need for you. You just made room for someone who will do the work. A quitter won’t ever bench 300 pounds, much less 500, 600, 700…whatever. They sure as hell won’t be squatting or deadlifting any real weight. No, quitters aren’t made for this life, the iron life. If they stand in MY way, well, they don’t call me Bulldozer for nothin’, I’m gonna bust through their asses, so they better move while they can.

“Live to fight another day.” Fuck that. Not in my gym. Not in my house. I fight here. I fight now. Just me, that bar, and those plates. I will win, I will dominate, I WILL NOT QUIT.

MAN UP,
DOZER