I first went to the gym in earnest a little over two years ago. I was self-conscious of my body and aware that anyone looking could see I didn’t know what I was doing. I understand – in theory – that a body will get better at any action you ask of it consistently over time. In the gym, though, I sincerely wondered if my body might be an exception to this. We can become courageous, Aristotle says, by doing courageous things.

Source: The Irish Times January 12, 2026 22:36 UTC