By Troy Ismir
I was completely blown away when I came across these statistics about how loneliness and isolation wreaks havoc on our health. Loneliness and social isolation has been linked to a 30% increase of having a stroke or coronary artery disease.
If that isn’t unbelievable enough, one study shows that loneliness has the same impact on mortality as smoking fifteen cigarettes a day making it even more dangerous than obesity.
When I was going through my darkest days of being alone in a marriage that was hopeless and devoid of human connection I felt alone, isolated and extremely lonely. I suffered in silence for many years in a state of a low level depression.
I didn’t see any light, only darkness. Isolation can destroy us and has destroyed many men’s lives.
My only reprieve was my time at the gym. But that was only a short term solution.
Be in Brotherhood
What got me out of my depression and gave me hope again is two brothers who came into my life who deeply cared about me. I had two men who I could share my deepest pain with.
They listened to me. They heard me and talked me out of my state of hopelessness. I don’t know where I would be without their brotherhood.
Most men don’t even have one guy friend to be courageously vulnerable with, let alone two. I have been blessed to have these friendships for over ten years.
Isolation and loneliness are literally killing men. Let’s get connected. Let’s share our souls with one another. Let’s get out of isolation and loneliness and start to be part of a brotherhood.
The second battle that men are facing is poor physical, mental and spiritual health. We have lost our inner athlete. The latest statistics show that three out of four men are overweight or obese.
The good news is that the inner athlete is still inside us just waiting to be unleashed.
In my work as a fitness minister I have seen it time and time again how our poor physical health effects or mental and spiritual health and our poor spiritual health effects our physical health. It works both ways.
Live a Life of Optimal Health
When we start to care for our mind, body and spirit is where life transformation happens.
Most men don’t have a daily mind, body and spirit practice. I was just talking to one of my clients today who struggles with anxiety.
He has learned to use regular exercise, meditation and prayer as his anti-anxiety medication. He said without this daily mind, body and spirit practice his life would be chaos. The internal demons would rule his life.
That’s why having a consistent daily practice that trains our mind, body and spirit are crucial to our overall well-being.
The third battle that men face is a lack of purpose in our lives. Until we know our purpose in life we will be searching for something outside of ourselves to fill that empty spot in our souls.
The purpose of life is to live a life of purpose. Yet so many men’s lives are not in alignment with their purpose.
I know how that feels. It feels like a life of quiet desperation. A soul unfulfilled. An emptiness that leads to smoldering discontent in our lives.
Until we get focus and clarity in our lives about what our purpose in life is, we will continue to lead lives that don’t make us feel fully alive.
Live a Life of Purpose
My sole purpose in life can be summed up in five words, to breathe life into men. To inspire men such as yourself to live a life of purpose for the glory of God and the good of others.
That is why I get up in the morning. That is my ikigai. That is a Japanese word that means “reason for being.” You are my reason for being.
You are the reason I created Barbells and Brothers. It’s a new and revolutionary online men’s fitness ministry that helps men overcome isolation and loneliness, poor physical, mental and spiritual health and living a life without purpose.
The answer to isolation and loneliness is to surround ourselves with other men who are courageous and willing to be vulnerable. Barbells & Brothers will be defined by being that type of community.
The answer to poor physical, mental and spiritual health is having a daily practice of physical, mental and spiritual training working towards optimal health. Barbells & Brothers will be defined by our devotion to this type of practice.
The answer to living a life without purpose is the relentless pursuit of serving others through our gifts. Barbells & Brothers will be defined by our devotion to pursuing our purpose for the betterment of humanity.
I will be launching the Barbells & Brothers online community January 1st, 2020. You can sign up for a free trial here.
There will be a complimentary trial until March 19th and then it will be a monthly investment of $29.95/month after that. You have the ability to cancel at any time.
Here is what will be offered in our Barbells & Brothers online community.
- A daily devotional and workout of the day you can do right in your own home.
- An interactive book study forum that will help us grow spiritually.
- A monthly live webinar with various topics that will help us to live an inspired life.
- A private online community where we will be able to share prayer requests, our big hairy audacious goals, get regular fitness, nutrition and lifestyle tips along with support encouragement and accountability.
I would be honored to have you be a pioneer in bringing something new and refreshing into this world. I want men who are willing to take a chance on themselves to be a part of this groundbreaking community.
Simply follow this link to sign up. Feel free to reach out to me at troy@barbellsandbrothers.com if you have any questions.
Live an inspired life of purpose!
Troy Ismir
Spiritual Warrior
