The Shape I’m In

The mirror looks a bit different these days. It hits a bit hard, sure. But also in the knees. In the way my back and hips remind me I’ve been sitting too long. In the way my breath catches on the stairs. It’s not from exhaustion, but surprise.

Being a former fitness junkie, I used to think “in shape” meant lean, fast, ready. Numbers on a barbell and six pack. A shirt that fit just right. But now I’m not chasing ready. I’m chasing resilient.

There was a time I measured progress by soreness and sweat. The ache of constant improvement.

More. Better. Harder.

But I’ll be honest, I burned out. Or maybe I just finally stopped pretending I wasn’t tired. Not just physically. Spiritually. The sort of tired that comes from holding too much for too long without setting any of it down.

These days, I train to stay available and present to my kids, to my work, to my partner, to the people I work with, and the those I miss. I don’t want to be impressive. That doesn’t fulfill me. I want to be present.

I still lift. I still move. I still push myself.

But now, strength feels like:

• Carrying groceries and patience through the door at the same time.

• Getting up early to stretch instead of scroll.

• Knowing when to push, and when to pause.

I don’t need to be at my peak. I just need to be in my shape. The one I’ve carved over time. The one that holds me now.

And so I ask:

What shape are you in — really? Not your weight. Not your stats. Not the version you post on social media. But the one that wakes up tired, keeps showing up, and is still figuring it out.

That’s the shape I want to hear about.

That’s the shape HEWN is for.