I’m Matt, and welcome to Steady Beats. If you like to walk for a better life, and also like Dire Straits’ “Walk of Life,” you just might like this newsletter. I probably shouldn’t write this week. I’ll be into fitness as long as my body allows. But I don’t feel much like writing about it at the moment. You know you should do it. I am plagued with a persistent thought right now that writing about fitness, amongst a sea of a fitness content from people more qualified than me, will not make any difference whatsoever.
Hey Matt, glad you carried the ball down field this week instead of punting (you can explain what that means to any befuddled international reader of these comments!): “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On!' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”
“Life is a fragile and uncontrollable projectile ripping through time and space. All we can do is try to leave the unsettled dust in the contrail a little more useful and interesting than we found it.”
Damnit no yoga ball squats?! I’m going to have to reprogram my entire exercise protocol!
Seriously loved this piece and I’m glad you wrote this week. Leaving all that we touch “a little more interesting and useful than we found it” is a lovely idea. That’s going to stick with me.
Please keep writing! You're one of the newsletters I read most consistently. Love the energy of your pieces- lightweight, and I learn something, even if it's not geared to me.
Can't help but notice that exercising your vulnerability and courage to speak freely generates a flurry of support, enthusiasm, and energy in the rest of us, your readers. The discipline of self-expression and physical fitness seems to have so many parallels. The commitment to keep showing up at the base of both those mountains is no small thing. I'm with the others. Not going anywhere. Lay it on us!
Love this format, Matt. And man I feel you on the energy shift! It’s gotten *cold* in Montreal and while normally I’m skipping to my workouts, I’ve had such low motivation this past week. Florida’s sounding pretty good right now! 😂
I'm glad you wrote this week. 😊
Thanks Florian. You're the best, man!
Hey Matt, glad you carried the ball down field this week instead of punting (you can explain what that means to any befuddled international reader of these comments!): “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On!' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”
Love that quote, Chris.
"But, honestly, I’m afraid you would all leave if I experimented."
Nope. We're here for it.
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” — Mary Oliver
Trust yourself. And us. We'll follow you.
“Life is a fragile and uncontrollable projectile ripping through time and space. All we can do is try to leave the unsettled dust in the contrail a little more useful and interesting than we found it.”
🫡
Thanks Jonny. :)
Damnit no yoga ball squats?! I’m going to have to reprogram my entire exercise protocol!
Seriously loved this piece and I’m glad you wrote this week. Leaving all that we touch “a little more interesting and useful than we found it” is a lovely idea. That’s going to stick with me.
Thanks Jack -- we need to chat post-cohort! I have taken a deep dive into your newsletter yet but am planning on it. It's right up my alley.
Would love to, Matt. I’ve been meaning to do the same with your newsletter. I can talk exercise, health, and fitness all day.
Please keep writing! You're one of the newsletters I read most consistently. Love the energy of your pieces- lightweight, and I learn something, even if it's not geared to me.
No worries, I'll keep cranking. A little doubt won't stop that.
Steady, steady beats!
Can't help but notice that exercising your vulnerability and courage to speak freely generates a flurry of support, enthusiasm, and energy in the rest of us, your readers. The discipline of self-expression and physical fitness seems to have so many parallels. The commitment to keep showing up at the base of both those mountains is no small thing. I'm with the others. Not going anywhere. Lay it on us!
Thanks Rick, and yes, so many parallels! I get sick of my own fitness analogies when it comes to writing because it's endlessly applicable.
Sorry about the Gopher beatdown last Saturday, Matt. Could be worse- you could be in a Minnesota deer stand this weekend at about 15 degrees!
One of so many beatdowns this year!
I loved this Matt.
The repetition was whimsical. I felt like I was listening to music.
I’m very glad you wrote this week :)
Thanks Tommy. Always makes me nervous to think about Write of Passage editors reading my work.
Me too
Love this format, Matt. And man I feel you on the energy shift! It’s gotten *cold* in Montreal and while normally I’m skipping to my workouts, I’ve had such low motivation this past week. Florida’s sounding pretty good right now! 😂
It's a different beat for sure.