Thanks for being here. If this was forwarded to you, you can subscribe here to join The Root 9 Community.
On Mondays, we’ll lock in together: See below for a motivational tidbit to start your week, perspective on movement I’m focusing on, and music I’m enjoying I’d like to share with you 🙂
1/3. Motivation
There's the pain of discipline, and the pain of regret. If you choose the pain of discipline, you'll never have to deal with the pain of disappointment.
This quote lays out a powerful truth: our choices often determine the emotions we face. The "pain of discipline" speaks to the hard work, the early mornings, the saying "no" to immediate pleasures for a future goal - which can be painful in the moment. But that pain is a temporary discomfort from pushing ourselves. On the other hand, the "pain of regret" can be a heavier, lingering ache of knowing we could have done more, been more, achieved more. The beauty here is the direct link – choosing the temporary sting of discipline acts as a shield against the far deeper wound of disappointment.
So, as you step into this new week, consider where you can apply a little extra discipline. Maybe it's tackling that daunting task first thing, committing to that workout, or making a conscious effort to focus in a meeting you may typically tune out but know focusing will serve you better long term.
Embrace that initial push, knowing that each disciplined step you take now is an investment in a week free from the nagging pain of "what ifs."
Choose the path of proactive effort, and reward yourself throughout the week for filling it with small wins, rather than regrets. You've got this!
2/3. Movement
Swinging into Something New: Kettlebells
TLDR: Feeling the struggle of balancing strength and cardio, I'm turning to kettlebells, hoping they can help with functional fitness and address a recent chest sprain caused by muscle imbalances. I'm starting with basic movements and aiming to eventually build up to full kettlebell circuit workouts.
One of the trickiest puzzles I'm still trying to solve in my fitness journey is striking the balance between building muscle (strength training) and cardio (running). For me, it’s easy to over-index on one depending on my mood or, honestly, the weather.
I've heard a lot about the magic of kettlebell workouts – how they can seemingly do it all, building strength and boosting cardiovascular performance at the same time.
Yet, if I'm being completely honest, stepping into the gym and actually using a kettlebell has felt a little daunting. That familiar wave of imposter syndrome washes over me – the feeling of not quite knowing what I'm doing. It's tough to break away from the comfort of my usual routine.
However, I recently sprained my chest, and it was a bit of a wake-up call - highlighting a muscle imbalance on my right side. Kettlebells are a good tool for addressing muscle imbalances. The unilateral nature of many kettlebell movements – where you work one arm at a time – forces each side of your body to work independently. So, I've more seriously digging into how to incorporate kettlebells into my workouts. I figured, why not share some of my initial findings with you this week.
The Basics: What Makes Kettlebells So Unique?
Kettlebell workouts offer versatility, ranging from slow, controlled movements for strength to fast, explosive exercises for cardio.
Regardless of the pace, these workouts efficiently engage muscles throughout the entire body.
A key benefit is the significant activation of stabilizer muscles, particularly the core, due to the dynamic nature of the movements.
Many kettlebell exercises are unilateral (performed with one arm), which can be instrumental in identifying and correcting muscle imbalances and asymmetries.
What I'm Aspiring To: The Kettlebell Circuit Dream
My aspiration is to dedicate a full workout to a kettlebell circuit (around 45 minutes) that cycles through various movements, similar to a dedicated run or strength training session.
Achieving this, however, requires familiarity with the individual movements.
Kettlebell workouts can be physically demanding, especially for beginners. Jumping into a long circuit with short rests might be too ambitious initially.
How to Start Off: Baby Steps and Smart Strategies
I found a helpful Healthline article introducing 7 key kettlebell movements that can serve as a foundation for future circuit workouts: linked here
Another common approach is to use "kettlebell finishers" at the end of workouts – short, high-intensity bursts (e.g., 20 seconds on, 30 seconds off for 4-6 rounds).
3/3. Music
There is no definitive formula for what constitutes a deep cut—and I'm not self-proclaiming to have found one with this track—but this is one of my absolute favorite songs, and I wasn’t even sure I knew the band until I realized their most popular track was “Sweet Disposition.” I’d argue this one hits a lot better.
Even though the song starts off quite existential, I really love its ending message. Despite the undeniable curtain call each of our lives will eventually face, surrendering to love makes it worth living. Great vocals, a lovely piano melody, and a build-up of layered instrumentals—give it a listen :)
Plus, I looove a song that is longer than 5 minutes, personally.
Wow, 3 whole months of The Root 9 – your support means the world! 🙂
As I think about how to scale, I'm excited to have found an opportunity that also hits something I'm genuinely curious about: Meal Services & Huel. I’m hoping it'll be a game-changer for maximizing protein intake while saving precious weekend hours. I'll be sharing my honest thoughts in a few weeks. Want to learn more? Check it out below!
Breakfast that’s actually F-A-S-T
No more sad granola bars or sprinting out the door with just coffee.
Huel Black Edition is a ready-in-seconds shake packed with: 40g protein, 6g+ fiber, 0 prep. Just shake, sip, go.
Get 15% off your first order + a free t-shirt and shaker with code HUELSPRING, for orders over $75.
Want to live with intention and find more joy in your daily life? The Root 9 Community is for you. You’ll get inspiration, reflection, and mindful indulgence straight to your inbox three times a week. Unlock your potential for a more balanced, fulfilling life, one week at a time. Join The Root 9 Community here and find your balance.