Are You in the Arena?
Why Health is Your Greatest Asset
Winter, Sickness, and a Hard Reminder
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about health—not just in the "eat well, exercise, and sleep more" sense, but in the broader sense of what it truly provides us. As I sat with these thoughts, enjoying Ohio’s fleeting springtime warmth, two moments—and the reflections they sparked—hit me harder than I expected:
Teddy got sick for the first time this winter. The kind of sickness that keeps you up at night—not just because he was miserable and there’s that (sometimes irrational) fear that his condition will take a turn for the worse, but because, for the first time, I truly felt the weight of being responsible for someone else’s well-being. Seeing Teddy vulnerable broke me in two. We’ve been incredibly lucky with his health, and I’d like to think it’s a testament to keeping him active, happy, and well-fed. But for the first time in six years, we had to bring him to the pediatrician, fill a prescription, and work to care for him as he lay miserable on the couch, skipping meals and drifting in and out of sleep.
More significantly, Mel lost a friend and colleague to flu complications. Many of you have heard about the Worthington school district teacher who suddenly became ill and tragically lost her life just days later. A young, healthy person—gone. It’s heartbreaking and unfair, but it’s also a brutal reminder that we cannot take our health for granted. As individuals with loved ones who rely on us, we don’t have the luxury of waiting until we’re “motivated” to take care of ourselves. We owe it to ourselves and those around us to do everything in our power to build a resilient body and a bulletproof immune system.
As we shake off winter and step into spring, this is on my mind: Health isn’t just about us—it’s about how we show up for others.
The Arena vs. The Stands
One of my favorite concepts comes from "The Man in the Arena." As a young, impressionable coach, this quote spoke to me on so many levels. It even played a role in why we named our son Theodore. It’s a powerful reminder that still rings true today in so many aspects of life.
If you’re not familiar, the quote highlights the difference between those who are actually in the fight and those who sit in the stands—watching, judging, and waiting for the “perfect time” to start.
If you’re stuck in a cycle of “I’ll start when I’m ready” or “I just need to get through this busy season first”—you’re in the stands. I know this because I’ve been there. We all have.
But the second you step into the fight—whether that means committing to your training, prioritizing your nutrition, or simply showing up even when you don’t feel like it—you’re in the arena.
And once you’re in the arena, you realize something: You’re not just fighting for yourself. You’re setting the example for others.
The person next to you thinking about letting up on the echo bike.
Your training partner who just found out a loved one is in hospice care.
Your partner, watching you step up your game, knowing your baby is due in three months.
Your kid, noticing you skip the drive-thru to eat grilled chicken and vegetables at home.
For me, this community has been my greatest source of accountability. It’s one thing to say I value health—it’s another to be surrounded by people who are in the fight, pushing themselves, and expecting the same from me.
The Push & Pull of Helping Others
One of the hardest parts of health isn’t what we do for ourselves—it’s how we help the people around us once we find the way.
As a friend, a brother, a coach, and a parent, I wrestle with this constantly:
Do I push harder? Do I call someone out and say, “Step up, you can’t afford to be slipping like this”?
Or do I pull them along? Lead from the front, inspire through action, and say, “Hey, I’m going for a run—join me.”
Honestly? I don’t always get it right. And the more I sit with it, the more I think it’s an *and/*or—with more and than or.
But here’s what I do know: You have to have a leg to stand on first. If you’re not living it—if you’re not “being about it”—then your words don’t mean anything. That applies to family, friends, colleagues, and everyone else watching your every move.
This past weekend, I stepped outside my comfort zone and chose to be about it. Enter The Men's Club. As many of you know, I’m passionate about supporting dads and dads-to-be. Men don’t always talk about their struggles—we don’t always know how. But I’ve found that laborious, physical tasks that lead to shared suffering—pushing through something tough together—open the door for conversation and break down walls.
This past Saturday at 6:30am, 12 other dads showed up, and we experienced exactly that. True connections were formed—free from ego, external pressures, and distractions. It was a huge success, exactly what many of us needed. I’m looking forward to making this a recurring thing and opening it up to more men in our community.
If you’re feeling stuck—if you’re looking for a way to get back into the arena—this is it. Take the first step. YOU’VE GOT TO SHOW UP!!
Are You in the Arena?
This week, my call to action for the community is this: Are you in the arena? I don’t want this to be a one-sided conversation. I want to hear from you:
What’s your biggest struggle right now when it comes to health?
What’s stopping you from getting in the arena?
What topics do you want me (or others) to dive into?
Reply to this week’s Sunday email, maybe even more importantly forward it to someone who needs to hear this message and let’s start the conversation.
At the end of the day, health is the foundation for everything. Everything is super important, until you are sick. Then you realize there was only ever one thing that was important, your health. The only question is: Are you in the fight, or are you watching from the stands?
See you out there. Hugs,
Coach Andy
