Stoicism & Bodybuilding?

Good morning everyone, I hope training has been going well since the last time we caught up (weekly emails are back!)

Diving into one of my favourite topics that is Stoicism and how I feel it can help us on our bodybuilding journeys.

Imagine Marcus Aurelius (Roman Emperor 161-180 and a Stoic philosopher) walking into the gym. He’d be calm, focused, completely unfazed by distractions. No complaining, no excuses. Just pure, disciplined effort.

That’s the power of Stoicism—a philosophy of resilience, control, and relentless self-improvement.

1. Focus on What You Can Control

"You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realise this, and you will find strength." — Marcus Aurelius

Some days your energy is low, the gym is packed or the scale won’t budge. A Stoic wouldn’t waste energy on frustration. Instead, they’d ask: What’s within my control? Your effort, your mindset, your discipline. Focus on those and results will follow.

2. Embrace Discomfort—It’s Where Growth Happens

"If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself but to your estimate of it." — Marcus Aurelius

Hard workouts, sore muscles, early mornings—these aren’t obstacles; they’re opportunities. The Stoics practiced voluntary hardship (cold baths, fasting, sleeping on the floor) to build mental toughness. Next time your workout gets tough, don’t resist the discomfort—welcome it. That’s where the real growth happens.

3. Show Up Every Day, No Matter What

"Well-being is realised by small steps, but it is truly no small thing." — Zeno of Citium

We all want results yesterday but progress isn’t about one big moment. It’s about small, daily actions—getting your reps in, eating well and staying consistent. The Stoics didn’t believe in waiting for motivation; they believed in doing the work regardless of how they felt.

4. Your Mindset Shapes Your Reality

"The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts." — Marcus Aurelius

Think of your thoughts like reps in the gym—train them wisely. Instead of saying, "Ugh, I have to work out," say, "I GET to train my body today." Instead of focusing on setbacks, focus on how far you’ve come. Your mindset is your strongest muscle—train it daily.

The Takeaway:

• Control what you can—your effort, attitude, and discipline.

• Lean into discomfort—it’s where real progress happens.

• Show up consistently—small actions lead to big results.

• Train your mind as much as your body—your thoughts shape your journey.

  
  Your strongest, most resilient self is waiting.

Stay disciplined,

Lewy Blackmore