On September 12, 2024, I felt like I made a real impact on the community here. My day started early, as usual, with me heading to work at 7:30 a.m. After spending the first hour sweeping the trash from the rec yard, I asked the officers if they needed any specific tasks done, but when they said no, I decided to head over to the weight pile to see where I could help.
Almost immediately after arriving, a group of guys approached me, asking if I could “train” them. They were getting ready for a shoulder routine, so I took the opportunity to guide them through their workout, teaching them the importance of warming up their rotator cuffs and tailoring the routine to match their fitness goals. It ended up being a two-hour session since there were seven of them working out together. Afterward, I stuck around to lead the regular group I train with, focusing on a shoulder routine that emphasized burnout and muscle fatigue. I made sure to explain the reasoning behind each exercise, showing them proper form and monitoring the weight they used to prevent injury.
By noon, we wrapped up the session, and I jumped right into helping another group with their shoulder workout at 12:30 p.m. I spotted them through their exercises until 1:30 p.m. before heading back to my unit to eat, shower, and catch up on emails to my wife.
Looking back, it was a productive day, and I felt good about the work I did. Not only did I help people with their workouts, but I also shared knowledge and helped them understand why form and safety matter so much. On top of that, I made time to stop by the library to pick up an assignment example so I could work on it later. All in all, I feel like I’m contributing to a positive environment and helping build a healthier community here.
