“The Expendables”, Skinny Twerps, and Being a Real Man (NSFW)
Written by Wiggy on August 16, 2010 – 2:12 am -Last Friday was Friday the 13th. Normally, this is a day thought of as “bad luck”. Not this Friday, though. See, this past Friday the 13th was the debut of the new action flick “The Expendables” – a movie I’ve been excited to see literally for months now.
Now, if you don’t know what “The Expendables” is, then you seriously need to get out more. “The Expendables” is a sort of throwback film – an homage to action films seemingly long since gone…or at least seen on a rare basis since the ’80s. This sort of film will never win an Oscar, nor likely be critically acclaimed.
But then again, who gives a rat’s ass? It’s got Stallone, Statham, Jet Li, Ivan Drago, Randy Couture, STONE COLD! STONE COLD! STONE COLD! (<-my Jim Ross tribute), Terry Crews, Mickey Rourke, Ahnuld, Bruce Willis, and more. It’s got enough explosions to destroy a small country (I think maybe they did). It’s got cool one-liners, and bitchin’ music.
Really, the easiest way to explain it is kinda how I did to my 16-year old son (HELL YEAH I took my kids to see this…I’d be remiss in my duties as a good single parent if I didn’t! LOL). Back in the ’80s, action films had a simple formula – you had a good guy, a bad guy, a hot chick, some sorta bad situation to overcome, a major boss battle at the end, and a cool training or preparation montage in the middle (preferably set to cool music). This movie follows that formula to a “T”…only it scales it all up by about a factor of 5 or so.
In short, it’s the ultimate epitome of a guy movie – and something that’s just not made anymore. This movie is pure testosterone-filled awesomeness. Simple as that.
It’s not meant to be pretty or deep or thoughtful or pensive or any of that other happy horse shit. It’s meant to be manly. It’s meant to be tough. It’s meant to be cool. And all that is likely why I had such a kickass time and enjoyed it so damn thoroughly.
Right before the movie though, something happened…something just sickening. In fact, I didn’t know if I was disgusted, pissed off, disappointed, a combination of them all, or something else entirely.
I went to buy tickets, and in the line next to me were three kids – all teenage boys – and what I just assumed was one of their dad. Being four dudes, I guess I just assumed they were going to see “The Expendables” as well. I mean, if this isn’t a great movie for a dad to take his boys out to see, then I don’t know what is.
Didn’t happen, though. I won’t say what they went and saw instead, but let’s just say that it involved a lot of glitter, looked to be full of emo teen angst, and homo vampires.
When we got in the lobby, I turned and looked at these three teens. All 3 of them were skinny, looked weak, had stupid laughs, exuded absolutely no ambiance of “cool” whatsoever, and I don’t think the three of them combined could do one good pushup.
But the real kicker was the dad! He looked just as skinny and weak, ripped up jeans, name brand t-shirt, and leather cuff bracelet thingy. Dude…f@cking really? I swear, I think my 10-year old daughter could kick the shit out of all four of them at once.
People…WHERE IN THE HOLY F@CK has toughness gone? Manliness? Character? Pride? A little ‘macho’? When did it become cool to be a pansy-ass little twerp? When did it become Ok for men to get run all over? When did it become socially unacceptable to look like you actually have some testosterone flowing through your body?
I am so sick of this absolute CRAP. What in the HELL is happening here? Why are we letting society drift toward this sort of essence that is seemingly devoid of masculinity? Devoid of hardness? Devoid of having a set of nuts between its legs?
I don’t know about you, but I actually like being tough. I like being hard. I like being strong (in body, mind, and spirit). I like knowing that I do the right thing when nobody is looking. I like knowing that when push comes to shove, I’m the guy you can count on. I like knowing that I have the character others don’t. I like knowing that when I walk into a room, there’s a damn good chance I’m the strongest guy there.
And I’m nothing overly special. I’m no pro athlete or millionaire CEO. I’m just a regular dude, trying to do the right thing and set the right example for my kids – day in and day out.
I don’t know about you, but when I grew up, that’s how everybody wanted to be! When I was little, we pretended to blow shit up (then we actually did when we got a little older). I didn’t need a helmet to ride my bike across town. If I fell down and got hurt, my dad told me to pick my ass back up, dust myself off and go back to what I was doing – I’d be alright. When we played sports, not everybody got a trophy just b/c they showed up. Coaches weren’t worried about our feelings, and physical games like dodge ball weren’t against the rules b/c they might foster aggressive behavior.
We as a society are getting soft, dammit. And I find it sickening. So I say “F@CK SOCIETY”. I won’t get soft. You won’t run all over me. You can try and throw your emo bullshit and goth “woe is me” and skinny metro-fag wannabe tough guys and shitbag pop music and weak-ass TV male role models and all that other crap at me you want – it won’t affect me. I’ll chew it all up and spit it out like the crap it is.
As for me – I’ll continue to listen to hard music. Work out hard. Be strong, fast, and conditioned. Do the right thing just b/c it’s the right thing – not b/c there’s something in it for me. Have some character. Live by an actual code of conduct. Not succumb to the pressure of the world just b/c it’s what’s cool now. B/c as far as I’m concerned, almost all of what’s cool now sucks ass.
Who’s with me?
If you’re ready to get tough again, to stand for something, and to not let all this pansy-ass bullshit take you over, then I highly suggest you start off by making your body big and strong.
By putting your time in with the iron, not only will you build up your physical strength and size, but you’ll develop mental toughness and emotional resolve. When you’ve got that heavy bar on your back, trying to grind out one last rep, there’s a toughness there most just will never know anything about. When you’re outside, sucking wind, but you still run up that hill, there’s a character developed others just won’t have.
And when you walk around, arms stretching your sleeves, shoulders and traps making your shirt tight, you can have a pride – regardless of what anybody else tries to say or tell you – that nobody else will “get”, and that nobody else will deserve to have.
Ready to make those changes?
=>CLICK HERE to become stronger – in body, mind, and spirit
Train Hard, Rest Hard, Play Hard-
Matt “Wiggy” Wiggins
Muscle Building Workouts | Muscle Building Programs | Cardio Workouts | Cardio Fitness | MMA Workout | MMA Training
Posted in Character/Motivation, Muscle Building, Strength Training | 33 Comments »
August 16th, 2010 at 6:19 am
Hell yeah that’s what I’m talking about. For way to long the world has been soft especially males. What happened to being rough and tough. I’m raising my boy to be a man not some emo weak little pansy. Wiggy you are the man.
August 16th, 2010 at 6:25 am
Well said Wiggy!
You know what though, I sort of like the fact that it’s cool to have a more feminine look with the skinny jeans and hair. It makes make me stand out more and even look a bit bigger (lol).
On a more serious note I get your point, strength training and conditioning will end up being a very isolated activity and these young men you mention should be aspiring to be strong and capable in life.
Cheers
Neil
August 16th, 2010 at 6:37 am
I feel exactly the same way Wiggy! America as a whole is soft and weak! We need to get back to some serious ass-kicking!Men need to be men again and not the pussies they’ve become! I’m with you and will be picking up Body Armor soon! Keep preachin’ brotha,a few of us are payin’ attention!
August 16th, 2010 at 6:49 am
From a female’s perspective I do agree. Men need to be men and women need to be women. In our society today we have women trying to be men and men who try to play games of manipulation like women. I agree that men need to have character, integrity and a strength, both physically and mentally. That is what testosterone is for and why it’s the main hormone in MEN. Do not abuse the power but utilise it to inspire other young men to be real men, ones that can take the lead and set a good healthy example. Unfortunately less and less of that is happening for both men and women. I could go on forever about this subject but I will choose not to. At the end of the day we all are created what we were meant to be, do we embrace and nurture it or mess with the original plan?
August 16th, 2010 at 6:51 am
Damn straight.
Too many faggy tight jean, long dress t shirt wearing, pop loving, hat to the side wannabes who are trying to keep up with trends. One week it’s slippers instead of shoes, next it’s wearing your hair pulled over one side of your face, the next it is actually being gay.
God damn it since when did males spend more on fashion accessories like huge sun glasses and necklaces than on Metallica cds and gas for a weekend trip with the boys in the V8.
At least this makes me one of the minority who are strong, tough, hard and a real man. Girls don’t want some sissy bitch boy who spends longer on his make up than she does.
August 16th, 2010 at 8:58 am
I’m with you Wiggy, I have 4 kids (2 of each) and they won’t EVER be that kind of kid, hell the oldest boy, 3 yrs, is already doing BJJ (like the rest of ‘em) and kicking his older sister ass. She lets him win to be honest.
It’s time kick out this pansy reality show and cleberity worship culture we live in. The Expendables rocks by the way and should now become the blueprint for future fils.
peace
August 16th, 2010 at 9:35 am
“o I say “F@CK SOCIETY”. I won’t get soft. You won’t run all over me. You can try and throw your emo bullshit and goth “woe is me” and skinny metro-fag wannabe tough guys and shitbag pop music and weak-ass TV male role models and all that other crap at me you want – it won’t affect me.”
Take a breath man..
Wow, my shirt got tighter just reading that!
What happened is we have removed all the danger in life, all the things that make you tough. Without resistance you get soft, mind and body.
August 16th, 2010 at 11:24 am
Well put Wiggy!
I myself wish the days would come again when real movies were made instead of some emo shit where everyone wants to be a vampire!
If more people actually worked out, imagine how the depression and obesity figures would plummet!
August 16th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
yeah man, i hear you loud and clear. it’s a different world these days than when we were growing up in the 70′s and 80′s. the reason the phrase was coined “coming out of the closet” was cause homos were hiding in the closet. it wasn’t cool to be gay. nobody was worrying about coddling the weak and caring for they’re feelings.
the reason i’m a cop, is because when the shit hit’s the fan, i want the gun in my hand, i want to be the one to step up to the plate. that’s why i train myself for the worst case senarios. i want to be able to catch the track star, take down the mma fighter, and take out the active shooter.
my son is 9, and loves football, eat sleeps and drinks it. first practice was last monday. isaac was PREPARED. for 3 months prior, he flipped truck tires, ran sprints, pushed our minivan, did burpee to push presses, hiit intervals of pushups, situps, squats, and pullups (yeah he’s 9!) first day on the practice field he ran everyones ass over. some of those kids out weighed him by 15 – 30 lbs, but it didn’t matter. he had worked hard, and this is his season.
our country is in trouble. and alot of it has to do with this faggot metrosexual, get in touch with your feminine side mentality. when the shit hits the fan, they are going to wish they had spent more time in the gym and less at the pedicure manicure place whatever the hell it’s called.
August 16th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
Matt,
Having been among some of the baddest individuals in the world (why they are allowed to carry weapons frightens me!), coming back to civilian land was an eye opener. Everyone has an excuse as to why they can’t workout. I think the softening of America is deep rooted and to some extent, encouraged. We look for the easy fix. Media outlets encourage the easy fix. The easy way out. I’m not encouraging people to be like that “man” the Situation in Jersey Shore (watched it on a dare) but get off your ass and do something. Personally, I don’t want to look back in forty years and wonder if I coulda done something different bout my life. F@#k that. As always, great post!
August 16th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Hey guys! Thanks for all the awesome comments, and I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who feels this way. It sucks ass, but keep your heads up high, and don’t let the world *ever* convince you that this major pussification of males (and our society as a whole) is Ok.
And to my fellow dudes – go back and read what our iron sister Ada wrote! I don’t care what they say, women don’t respect these weenies, and it’s not our place to be one…so don’t!
Actually had a 13-year old boy email me this weekend, asking for workout advice. I told him that at his age, concentrate on having fun, getting strong, and getting bigger – b/c the chicks (the cool ones, anyway) don’t like skinny dudes! And the ones who do aren’t the ones you wanna impress anyway!
Keep kickin’ ass!
August 16th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
WIGGY! Boy I’m starting to think we need to go for beers. No one talks like that anymore and it gets on my nerves that people are afraid to point these things out.
Women ruined everything. I don’t mean all of them. I mean the confused ones who think the sensitive, metro, delicate pansy ass guys are what they want.
Ultimately men (who have no balls) will try to be what they think women want them to be and that’s why we’re getting this influx of twerps today. Hollywood is telling them that women like that type of guy now.
What those guys don’t know is that women cheat on those guys ALL THE TIME! With who? Men. Real men. Men that look like men, act like men and yeah even fight like men. Why? Because guys like that will f@#k like men too.
Wiggy don’t worry about your daughter. When she’s older she’ll instinctively use you as a benchmark for potential boyfriends and twerps will have a hard time getting her attention. By the way…Body Armor kicks ass.
August 16th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
There are far too many ‘Dudes’ in this world and far too few ‘Men’. Keep spreading the Gospel of Hard Work!
August 16th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
I fear we are in the last days of society there are so few real men left. It is truly sad that when I saw the expendables there mostly were older men (35-50) watching. Maybe the 18-35 year olds were watching eat pray love or risk a beating from their significant other. The bunch of sissys. My God help us all.
August 16th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
According to askmen.com http://www.askmen.com/money/mafioso_60/98c_mafia.html
Top 10 Traits Of A Real Man
Trait #1: A real man is strong
Trait #2: A real man is focused
Trait #3: A real man knows the importance of family
Trait #4: A real man doesn’t gossip
Trait #5: A real man’s word is his bond
Trait #6: A real man strives to be a role model
Trait #7: A real man makes his own fortune
Trait #8: A real man doesn’t look like a woman
Trait #9: A real man keeps his house in order
Trait #10: A real man can defend himself
Lesson over
I hear ya. Action movies like Die Hard kick ass. Movies like Rocky are inspiring. When Jason Statham whips ass on a bunch of guys all alone I like it. Even Gran Torino with an 80 year old Clint Eastwood kicked ass. “You ever run into someone you shouldn’t have f-cked with. Well, that’s me.”
I think school kids get into trouble these days even if they defend themselves in a fight on school grounds even if they didn’t start it.
Do schools still have classes on self esteem that became popular for a while? Is that a stupid thing? I don’t have all the answers.
In the PUA (pick up artist) community it’s pretty much common advice that if you want to be an attractive man to women that you need to be a strong and confident man regardless of what you may have heard elsewhere. Read some writings by David DeAngelo about not being a wimp or a wuss. Women don’t like needy men. Read about being a bad boy in the writings of Carlos Xuma. Read “How To Be The Jerk Women Love” by F. J. Shark. The point is women like a real man.
My parents are great and they raised a man who had a work ethic and strength and thought for himself and made his own decisions.
August 16th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
Wiggy,
I could not agree with you more. Society is becoming feminized physically from food additives, hormones, xeno-estrogens from plastics, etc & mentally from media influence to be soft, because you never want to raise your voice or stand up for what you believe in or you might be seen as overly aggressive. Arrgggh! I could just throw up sometimes from seeing people like you saw at The Expendables. I could go on & on about this but I’ll spare everyone my continuing rant.
August 16th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
Totally agree mate, as I say most days of the week, people are soft and getting softer, the slogan on my singlet says it all..” HARDEN THE FUCK UP” some people dont like it, but Colleen and i both wear them in the gym and around town….BODY ARMOUR is the best workout i have done in years mate…keep up the great work…
Mick.
August 16th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
A-FREAKIN-MEN!!!
I think you nailed it with the word “pussification”. I thought I was the only one who actually used the word, but I’m glad I’m not.
Personally, I’m tired of being shunned in some circles. Those that train/workout do it mostly for the looks, and never for the actual benefits. You know, indomitable spirit, iron balls, the will to go and do what and where no one else wants to go.
Keep spreading the gospel brother!
Wiggy for Prez in 2010!
August 16th, 2010 at 11:25 pm
EDITED VERSION You’re correct Matt. One thing I haven’t seen mentioned is the state of today’s young women. Has anyone noticed beside me that they’re getting heavier overall? I’m in my early 40s and many young women I see around town would have been called fat back in my day. Just browse your friends-friends pics and you’ll see what I mean.
Before you say “maybe that’s where you live”, I live in Vegas. I see all kinds of 20-somethings come through on vacation. There are people who take care of their bodies, but plenty who are riding the high metabolism of youth. They don’t look fit, they’re thick, and are clearly on a path to more weight gain. What’s worse is they don’t seem to care very much about how they look… or worse, how they feel. It’s a shame.
Fitness in general is becoming an afterthought in today’s society. If you’ve never been fit, do you know what you’re missing? I think it’s a product of too many video games, PE being cut in schools, and not enough playing outside (AKA exercise). These people don’t know what they’re missing.
Keep up the great work Matt.
August 17th, 2010 at 1:45 am
This is right i like this nobody nobody talks about this.people like to sit on there on there butts but see a tough movie like expendables that is just sad and i mean sad.I know a kid that is 155 pounds and he is 12 and he brags about it.
Jimmy Smith,
August 17th, 2010 at 2:38 am
From the desk of a skinny twerp…
A friend sent me a link to this blog entry.
After reading it, I have many thoughts.
I guess some here might call me a skinny twerp.
First I agree on many points…. Expendibles is a great flick. I agree about the pussification of some segments of society.
I strongly agree about doing the right thing even when no one is looking and I would never be caught dead watching some of the limp wristed fantasy vampire movies that are ever so popular.
I am skinny. I have been all my life. I had scarlet fever as a child and have never been able to gain much weight.
I wear a badge and a gun and have for about 20 years. I had to spend $ 1,000 on varrious weight gainers (they gave me very expensive bowel movements and nothing else) and sneak and wear lead weights in my socks to meet the minimum weight requirements to get into the police academy.
I definately want to exercise and work out, etc. I have nothing against fitness or people who are into fitness. I exercise by working around the house and all the walking I do at work.
My major disagreement with some of what has been stated here… would be attitude.
I have actually had a similar conversation with someone before…. about real men and what it takes to be one.
The mark of a real man is not size, nor physical strength, nor martial (fighting) skill… the mark of a real man is charachter.
Being a real man means doing the right thing, no matter who is or is not looking.
Being a real man means having a job and paying your debts and supporting your family.
Being a real man means treating others the way you would want to be treated or better.
Being a real man means trying to work things out with your children’s mother so you can stay together for the good of everyone involved including society as a whole…. as opposed to “being the jerk that women love” (until they try to live with your sociopathic narcissistic ass), it means having moral values, respecting other people, their rights and their property and being true to one’s beliefs and family.
The rest of that “real man” shit is just juvenile minded hype/bravado.
There are vast numbers of TRUE real men who are presently or have served in the military (or law enforcement or firefighting)in the past who are now wheel chair bound and can’t work out and get all beefed up like some of the guys I’ve seen… or some of the guys with the “might equals right” (sociopathic statement # 1) mentality yet they are realer men than most.
I am a proud skinny twerp. I have suprised, embarrrassed (and hospitalized and/or jailed) more than my share of “real men” AKA big muscular guys with big confident attitudes in my time… and I probably will deal with a few more before I retire.
Skinny twerps learn to fight viciously, quickly and very decisively and conclusively at very early ages.
Someone mentioned a book entitled “the jerks that women love”… the jerks that women love seem to be the reason why we have a 50% or better divorce rate in this country, high rates of domestic violence, vast numbers of single moms on some form of government assistance, so many single parent households and the plethora of crime and other societal ills that are a byproduct of all of the above thus threaten our nation at its core.
Terry
“The skinny twerp your father warned you about.”
August 17th, 2010 at 4:09 am
Terry – I think maybe you’re misinterpreting what I had to say.
There’s nothing wrong with being skinny in and of itself – esp when you’ve taken measure to deal with it, if you have physical ailments that have resulted in it (such as in your case), or the like.
The problem I have is the “skinny twerp” mindset. The kind that are skinny, weak, and frail, yet don’t give two shits to ever change themselves. They’re the ones who think that b/c they’re small they should be afforded extra opportunities, and just b/c a guy is big and/or strong, he must be slow, stupid, a ‘dumb jock’, or any other number of stereotypes.
Are these stereotypes true in some instances? Of course they are. But for every stupid big/strong guy, I can find another guy who is skinny, frail, and the like, yet thinks it’s totally Ok, cool, or whatever. That’s where character comes in.
B/c in today’s society, for some reason, it’s against the grain to stick up for yourself, to protect a woman, or stand up for the virtue you believe in. We’re supposed to all be “understanding” and “accepting”.
Well, call me close-minded, but everything has a point of diminishing returns. B/c as far as I’m concerned (and I’m only speaking for America here – those of you from other countries, feel free to chime in), the more we’ve tried to “understand” and “accept”, the more f@cked up we’ve gotten. Everything has a justification, everything has a rationale. And that’s bullshit.
So if you wanna be skinny, that’s cool – as long as you can back it up and still have the character which we both seem to agree on. But I know there are a whole shit-ton of today’s youngsters who lack respect, lack authoritative role models, lack strength (of body, mind, or character), lack motivation, lack worth ethic, lack self-discipline, and a helluva lot more.
Yet, it’s all supposed to be “Ok”.
Well you know what? I think it’s BULLSHIT.
A lot of people need a lot of character in today’s world, and I think a perfect place to start building it is with some hard f@cking work.
August 17th, 2010 at 4:34 am
Wiggy,
Thanks for the reply. I see we agree more than I originally thought. I appreciate your reply… I agree with many points on the 10 item list…
I would say that the first step to becoming a real man starts with your heart, soul and charachter. The body is merely a container for a real man… be a real man first, then work on the container. BTW: I do work on my container… just not as much as others.
August 17th, 2010 at 6:41 am
Alright Mate,
I read this and could not agree more, I go to a military college in England for potential officers, We join at 16 and do two years of training and exams before leaving for more training and the like at uni then finally get to go to our officer training academies. Its a long slog and as I was doing selection for the college I thought to myself that while there would be around some pretty cool guys, tough guys and health nuts and people who would make me push myself.
Wrong, even at somewhere which is meant to be training the future of the British Army I was laughed at for doing ‘gay’ things like wrestling, jiu jitsu and judo muay thai was laughed at for using kicks, as they too are also gay (Id love to headkick some of the people there and see how gay that is). I ate healthy and stayed away from all the crap in the canteen that was served. Therefore that was also ‘gay’. It pissed me off no end, my two heroes in life are Rudy Reyes and GSP and I got a lot of comments and ridicule for the poster on my wall.
Not even people who are meant to be leading soldiers into warzones want to do combat sports or a horrible hill sprinting session with a weighted backpack…
Whats wrong with the world?!
Ive read articles about the military in the UK where they are having to increase the length of the self defense courses because they are getting kids who have never been hit or fought back, is the same sort of thing happening in the US military? Anyone know?
Cheers,
Nathan
PS- No comments about the British Army being pansy from any yanks
August 17th, 2010 at 7:33 am
Wiggy, I agree with most of your post, except the paragraph about having pride.No, I am not skinny, at age 53 probably more muscular than 90% of other guys in my age
, even with deadly health condition.
But to me for having pride is more important to be a human, goodwill to others, behave yourself and respect others, etc… The greatest problem of today is loosing values, for kids are more important to be like a media star than to be good in school,more important to play a computer game than to go outside and play with other kids,lady Gaga is more valued than (for example) athletes like Usain Bolt or Rulon Gardner, or any scientist. There are no more values like friendship, honesty, being a gentleman, etc…
I know many young guys with big muscles, but could not say that their personality is worth a cent.
Do not misunderstand me, I truly respect exercising and GPP, simply because I own my life(several times) to strength and resistance of my body.
Terry, it is a realy nice thought that “becoming a real man starts with your heart, soul and charachter”.
August 17th, 2010 at 10:43 am
Punch first, ask question later is my theory. You know how i feel about your Body Armour training, results are mind blowing already folks so get on board.
August 17th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Wiggy, I’m a big fan of your work and I enjoy the commentary… I liked a lot of the previous comments esp. from Terry.
A lot of problems in today’s society could be prevented I believe if people simply just worked within their means at taking care of themselves. Reality TV and Hollywood gossip is a whole other story- I don’t even know where to begin…
You don’t need to be a juiced out walking chemical factory who gets blood work done every other week to be a strong, lean, fit and capable individual. Just eat right, get a lot of physical activity including martial arts, follow the code of human conduct, be a productive individual outside of the gym who makes time for people other than him/herself, and go to bed knowing you did the right thing. Sure, EVERYBODY screws up at some point but you just keep truckin along and learn from experience.
~Mike
August 17th, 2010 at 7:01 pm
I see there are some things being either misunderstood, or being taken out of context.
a. I agree with Wiggy’s social commentary. It’s spot on all counts.
b. I agree with Terry’s comments, and clearly see his perspective. I really like the container/vessel analogy.
c. Nathan’s gripe is also spot on! I’m ashamed to admit. I’ve seen people on the ROTC program that leave a lot to be desired from any officer candidate. They sure don’t make them like they used to. For what is worth though, I’ve worked details with some our British cousins, and at least the ones I’ve worked with we tough as nails.
d. As for Imrev, with all due respect, I believe the term “pride” may have escaped you in this case. I believe we are referring to “pride in appearance” and/or pride in capabilities” than the biblical term. Contrary to today’s consensus, there used to be a time when we took a certain pride in the way we looked and the quality of the things we did. Today’s society as a whole has fallen in the mediocrity and complacency trap. We need to get ourselves out of this hole we’re in.
Good day Y’all!
August 17th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Wiggy-
You are absolutely correct! You hit the nail right on the head. You motivated me to start Body Armor Monday morning. Day 1 was awesome – stoked for Day 2! Keep up the great work brother!
August 18th, 2010 at 9:32 am
Wiggy, you’re 33, but you sound like an oldman: “Nowadays everything sucks, in my time everything was cool.” The ‘skinnie in tight jeans’ trend reminds me of hippies of the 60′s and 70′s, and your vibe in the post reminds me of that man with a shotgun in a truck in the final scene of the hippy classic ‘Easy rider’ movie that asks Dennis Hopper “Why don’t you cut your hair?” and ‘BAM!’ from the shotgun. But you’re right that being big and strong is awesome.
I constantly see skinnies on Youtube doing their workouts. And they’re obviously not raw beginners. They work out and they’re skinny. Look at the ‘ Spec ops trainer’ Scott Sonnon. He’s not exactly buff. In that video Sonnon looks very skinny http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etB3-bwtm84.
August 18th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
I think many are arguing the same side of the coin without realizing it. The pussification of society, youth’s general lack of character and values are all linked. Wiggy and Terry are pointing out the same flaws but from different angles. To bridge the gap I’ll say this.
The skinniest twerp here is definitely me. I’m a way overeducated professional who tips the scales at a whopping 125 lbs. I’ve always been the little guy in the room. I work hard and pay the bills. I don’t lie, cheat, or steal. I look and sound a lot more like Terry’s definition than Wiggy’s “real man”. Until I am tested.
I break my ass to be capable of manning up. I have gone through a few of Wiggy’s programs, am currently doing Body Armor, am a Black Belt, and will be spending the evening in an MMA gym. I have humiliated bouncers despite my frame.
When I read Wiggy’s rant I didn’t see myself in the twerp side. It isn’t about looking buff. It’s about being capable of putting your balls on the line and facing challenges. There are plenty of buff softies who might look tough but are pansies instead.
Terry is right too. It’s about heart first, but Wiggy’s point is that today it has become ok to be a wuss and being a real man is damn near frowned upon because you look like a Neanderthal for being aggressive or protective.
People need to toughen up in general both physically and mentally and the first step is in conveying a “not cool to be a pussy” mentality.
August 18th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
@Terry – yeah, man – I think we’re making a lot of the same exact points…just taking a different approach to it.
@Juice – EXACTLY!!! You f@cking “GET IT”, my man. “It isn’t about looking buff. It’s about being capable of putting your balls on the line and facing challenges….It’s about heart first, but Wiggy’s point is that today it has become ok to be a wuss and being a real man is damn near frowned upon because you look like a Neanderthal for being aggressive or protective…People need to toughen up in general both physically and mentally and the first step is in conveying a “not cool to be a pussy” mentality.”
Couldn’t have said it any better myself, brother!
@VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV – Sonnon is a good enough dude and all, but don’t get me started there…seriously.
August 19th, 2010 at 3:39 am
Well, everyone is probably done commenting by now but I’ll throw out a few thoughts anyway just in case someone might look at this blog post again.
This issue is complicated and thought provoking.
There was a time that a man’s honor was so important that men actually had duels with pistols.
When Pearl Harbor was bombed in 1941 and the U.S. entered World War II, men couldn’t wait to sign up and fight. Celebrities put their careers on hold to join the military. Men who were considered medically ineligible to fight sometimes had strings pulled because they wanted so much to be part of the war effort.
I’m not advocating war or duels with pistols. I’m just throwing some thoughts out there.
Is Arnold or Stallone more of a real man than Bill Gates? I am guessing Bill Gates doesn’t hit the weights a lot. But, he obviously can provide for his family and he has been at the helm of Microsoft and been hugely successful in business. Is Bill Gates a skinny twerp? I don’t think I would call him that.
A self defense expert named Tim Larkin teaches people how to take out an attacker by being violent. But, Tim Larkin also says that if it’s not a fight for your life, if for example it’s just a bar fight situation, then you should just check your ego and walk away.
I’ve had friends who were athletes and friends who were into music and books. I have drank beer in bars and yet I have also dressed up “nice” and went to dance clubs.
I love action movies. I have looked at a few girly mags in my life as well. But, I can also watch dramatic movies and romantic comedies. I enjoy hard rock but I can also listen to techno, rap, or classical music. Just don’t ask me to listen to boy bands from the 90′s.
I was a champion athlete and didn’t back down from a challenge and yet I was also known as a nice guy.
Part of me believes “to each his own.” If some guy doesn’t like sports or lifting weights and prefers other things why should I care? But, I also believe it’s fine to actually act like a real man who has testosterone.
I have actually read the book that Tharin mentions above called “How To Be The Jerk Women Love” and though it might seem a bit off subject I think it ties into the discussion. The author of the book doesn’t actually suggest being a “jerk” or being abusive or being mean. The title is a little misleading. The author had this to say in one of his marketing ads: Thanks to the television shows of today that portray men as idiots, many men have lost their “masculine mojo” and have fallen into what I call: “the rut of the wuss”.
The author doesn’t suggest being mean or abusive at all. He is saying that it’s okay to be a man and that he doesn’t want to have to sacrifice his values to win a woman’s heart. I think it’s kind of like Wiggy was saying. It’s okay for a man to acknowledge the fact that he “has a pair” and that he has testosterone in his body and that he can be decisive and be a strong person.
Now a guy who really is a jerk that is selfish, self centered, egotistical, and has no empathy at all for another person’s feelings may in fact be a factor in divorce rates, etc. as Terry pointed out. I think we can all agree that a man can have empathy and be kind and yet still be a man.
Terry, I salute you. I appreciate that you are in law enforcement. You made a lot of valid points.
Wiggy, this is complicated in some ways. But, I get what you are saying.