I first came across the writings of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (AD 121–180) while reading a 1950s article written by golden age Yorkshire bodybuilding and strength champion Reg Park (1928–2007). Park, urging his readers to have “a complete positive mental attitude when training,” used a quote from Aurelius as inspiration to face and conquer heavy weights in workouts: “Because your own strength is unequal to the task, do not assume it is beyond the power of man; but if anything is within the powers and province of man, believe it is within your own compass also.”
Bio:
Eric Bryan is a freelance writer originally from Burlingame Hills, California. His work has appeared in the Saturday Evening Post, the Globe and Mail, the London Magazine, and many other publications in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong.