How Physicality has Helped me on my Journey - Christian Callaghan

Keeping an active lifestyle has always been a requirement in the Callaghan family. With my mom running marathons with me in a stroller to completing my first Spartan race at the age of 10, much of my life has been structured around keeping a healthy and athletic body. My dad introduced me to both rock climbing and skiing at 5, and I wrestled for 4 years in high school, serving as captain of my team my senior year, when we placed second in the state. With that said, coming into college, I had a drive to be healthy, and by God, I was not going to gain that freshman 15. Unfortunately, that is easier said than done, as I spent the first 4 weeks of college playing video games in my dorm with my roommate. I noticed I was feeling sluggish and depressed, as lacking that adrenaline and endorphin release in my life was something that had not happened to me before. However, I knew I had to stop dragging my feet, so I joined the rock-climbing club and made a gym schedule to attend after classes. Joining that club was one of the best decisions I made, as I met so many new people and became much stronger, both physically and mentally. In fact, I went so far that I was eventually nominated to be the internal/external relations director for the team. 


Written by Marcus Tulius Cicero, "It is exercise alone that supports the spirit, and keeps the mind in vigor”. If I had not participated in this active lifestyle, I would not have the physical and emotional capacity that I have today. I owe part of my meaning making to staying fit and being able to push myself in both nature and in the gym to better myself.

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