The Surprising Reason Why Your Strength Training Isn't Working: Lack of Eutony

A graphic novel-style image of a Mighty Oak Tree. Uses colors green, black, and yellow.

Once upon a time, in the land of Glendale, there existed an athletics program like no other known as the Mighty Oak Athletic. It was spearheaded by a well-respected, seasoned coach, known far and wide as Coach Mike. With a gentle spirit, an iron will, and an unyielding belief in the power of discipline and commitment, he had nurtured countless athletes into their best versions.

One day, a young trainee, Evan, approached Coach Mike, his face lined with frustration and confusion. Despite his relentless efforts, Evan felt his progress in strength training was stagnant. He struggled with his technique, often found himself fatigued, and his motivation was dwindling.

Hearing the young man's grievances, Coach Mike paused and said, "Strength training, Evan, isn't solely about exerting brute force. It is about finding eutony within yourself."

Evan furrowed his brow. "Eutony? I thought we were talking about strength training, Coach."

Coach Mike chuckled and walked towards the giant oak tree that towered beside their training field. It was the symbol of their athletics program, representing strength, resilience, and growth.

"You see this mighty oak, Evan?" Coach Mike asked, his eyes reflecting the strength of the tree.

Evan nodded. "Yes, it's strong, unyielding. It's been here for as long as I remember."

"Correct," replied Coach Mike. "But the strength of this oak isn't merely in its massive trunk or extensive branches. Its strength lies in its balance and harmony. The roots, trunk, branches, and leaves all work in eutony - a good and harmonious state of the body. Each part contributes to the overall strength and stability of the tree."

Evan looked at the mighty oak and then back at Coach Mike, a hint of understanding flickering in his eyes.

"You see, Evan," Coach Mike continued, "your body is just like this oak. Every muscle, bone, and joint has a role to play. When you train, you must strive to achieve eutony - a state where every part of your body is functioning harmoniously and efficiently, just like the oak."

"Your problem is that you're focusing too much on specific muscles, ignoring the rest. Instead, learn to synchronize your whole body. Embrace the essence of eutony, respect your body's balance, and your strength will grow exponentially, just like the mighty oak."

This lesson stuck with Evan. From that day forward, he trained with a fresh perspective, paying attention to his entire body rather than individual parts. He stopped pushing his limits recklessly and started working towards achieving a harmonious state where all parts of his body functioned together.

In time, Evan noticed significant improvements. He was stronger, his technique improved, and he felt more energetic. Most importantly, his motivation was reignited. He thanked Coach Mike for the valuable lesson on eutony, promising to pass it on to future trainees.

And so, the wisdom of the mighty oak and Coach Mike lived on, inspiring many more athletes in their quest for strength, resilience, and growth. The parable of eutony became a legacy, a testament to the philosophy of the Mighty Oak Athletic.

Michael Ockrim

Meet the Mighty Oak

Michael Ockrim is a strength and conditioning coach and the founder of Mighty Oak Athletic in suburban Chicago, where he trains student athletes and families to build lifelong habits around movement, recovery, and nutrition.

He has more than 30 years of personal training experience and is a second-degree black belt in USA Taekwondo. Michael also serves as a group fitness instructor at Life Time Athletic and is pursuing a culinary degree at College of DuPage to deepen his understanding of performance nutrition.

He is the author of Death Resistant: A Common Sense Guide to Live Long and Drop Dead Healthy, which explores practical strategies for longevity through strength, mobility, and lifestyle consistency.

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http://www.MichaelOckrim.com
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