There’s one kind of energy around fitness I’ve always sought to avoid. It’s frantic and noisy – a kind where people are agitated into action. I know it works for some; it just doesn’t work for me, so I’ve built a space that prioritises calm action – and for others who feel the same way.
There’s an apprehension… the first thing that gets in the way of moving toward quiet. People worry about their own motivation. They worry that it’s not high enough – and if they don’t feel a certain level of unease with where they are (or maybe who they are), they’ll stop moving forward. I get that, of course. We all get it. It’s deeply human stuff.
But I’ve learned to trust in the deep motivation of people. It’s in the bones. Even the fear of not being motivated enough speaks to that. We are all driven toward mastery, a feeling of choice and freedom, and the desire to be seen and accepted. That’s the heart of Self-Determination Theory – a surprisingly robust branch of psychology that studies motivation. But those inner drives are quiet and we need to find a space that’s quiet enough for us to hear them. To be able to, as Dolly counselled, “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.”
When I discuss nutrition with people, I tread lightly. The practical side is straightforward. There’s some stuff you shouldn’t eat or drink, some stuff that you should, and a bunch of stuff in the middle that depends on context. There’s personalization and the art of running good experiments. But then there’s the noise… the stories people tell. The dogma and bullshit. And the complicated relationships that we sometimes have with food… where eating gets mixed up with emotions. Folks who have benefited from GLP-1s, like Ozempic, often talk about the sudden drop-off in “food noise.” To wit, if I’m able to support someone’s nutritional approach, it’s usually by finding systems or frameworks with a noise-cancelling effect.
Sometimes, high levels of motivation aren’t enough to overcome the frictions in our path. Here, I’m describing inverse properties behind the elements of self-determination: Of not feeling capable enough; not feeling in control; or not feeling like you belong. The magic is often in reducing those frictions, not trying to drum up even more motivation. But there are a whole lot of people out there gunning the engine while the parking brake is still on. What’s that burning smell, Dr. Penfield? It’s internal resistance. It’s more than that, actually; it’s noise in the system when what we really need is a bit of quiet.
Updates and more
What’s next for Bang? I’ve definitely felt a greater sense of calm in our new space, and I have to tell you that it feels right… Like really, right. So, I’m continuing to streamline things as we progress. I’ve been working off a very long list, which can feel overwhelming, but I’ve just been trying to make a little bit of progress day by day. Thanks to everyone who’s shared their thoughts along the way, and for the incredible support of our membership and extended community.
Celebrate with us
You’re invited to our grand reopening/18th birthday party on September 13th. We’re still shaping up some details, but food will be served and hugs will be had. We know that much!
GIGSGO
Thanks to everyone who’s expressed interest in test-piloting our new afternoon classes. We’ll run the first GIGSGO (Get In, Get Sweaty, Get Out) next Friday. Sign up here.
Club swinging workshop
I am delighted to report that the guy will be visiting Bang this October to deliver a one-day club and mace-swinging workshop. Paul Taras Wolkowinski is a real master of the craft – someone who travelled all over the world to learn and share knowledge. Signup details to come!
GG
Keep reading
One essay a week, written by Geoff. No hype.