True Grit Fit: Fitness Journey for Men Over 40
Welcome to True Grit Fit – a space dedicated to the fitness journey for men over 40. This is a place for men like me, who have family responsibilities, busy lives, and decades of experiences, but still feel driven to stay fit and challenge themselves. True Grit Fit isn’t just another fitness blog. It’s a place where I share not only the achievements and results of my fitness journey but also the setbacks, challenges, and reflections that come with age and life’s demands.
If you’re looking for a sustainable fitness approach or feel that traditional training methods no longer work for you, True Grit Fit might be exactly what you need. This is a place to find balance, resilience, and inspiration tailored to the fitness journey for men over 40.
Table of Contents
Who Am I?
My name is Jacek, and for over a decade, I’ve been on a fitness journey as a man over 40. Starting as a complete beginner, I worked my way up to completing an Ironman, breaking 5 hours on a half-Ironman course, and running marathons with control and confidence. I previously trained under a coach and was part of a supportive sports community that helped me achieve these milestones (TriWise).
But today, I’ve chosen to train independently, relying on my own plan and principles, which I develop and refine as I go. All future achievements – or any setbacks – will be fully my own. True Grit Fit is my record of this self-guided journey, as I navigate health challenges and refine my fitness journey as a man over 40. More about me you can find here.
What Do I Want to Achieve?
The goal of True Grit Fit is to offer an alternative path for men who are aware of their bodies’ limitations but still want to stay active, strong, and resilient. I want to inspire others to embrace a balanced approach to fitness for men over 40, one that avoids extreme methods and prioritizes long-term health. Here, I share insights from over a decade of experience and new lessons learned as I adjust my training to work within my own limitations.
True Grit Fit isn’t just about running or triathlon; it’s a hybrid training approach that combines light running, walking, strength training, and rehab exercises. It’s not the easy path, but it’s adapted to my reality and limitations. I strive to make each day a step forward, even if it requires more patience and flexibility than before.
Who Is This Place For?
True Grit Fit is for any man over 40 who faces challenges related to age, health, and time constraints but still refuses to give up on fitness. This place is for those who want to build a sustainable, balanced approach to fitness for men over 40 without the pressure of quick fixes or extreme results. If you’re looking for a way to start over, training with a full understanding of your body and its needs, you’ll find inspiration here.
You won’t find shortcuts or “magic” solutions here. Instead, you’ll find an authentic approach to fitness for men over 40, focusing on sustainable, long-term health and personal growth.
Who Is This Place Not For?
True Grit Fit isn’t for those who are looking for quick fixes, extreme transformations, or high-pressure motivational content. If your goal is to build lasting health and fitness in your 40s and beyond, this blog will be a valuable resource. However, if you’re seeking immediate results without commitment and effort, this may not be the right place for you.
My Philosophy: A Sustainable Fitness Approach
For a long time, I believed that success meant pushing hard and always moving forward. For many years, this approach worked. But life has shown me that sometimes we need to slow down, reflect, and maybe even change direction. Recently, I’ve faced a series of health setbacks – not life-threatening, but challenging enough to force me to reevaluate my approach and take a more mindful path.
Right now, my fitness journey as a man over 40 is about discovering what my body can handle within its limits. After a period of injuries and necessary downtime, I’m working with a flexible plan, monitoring my body’s response to each new challenge. I’ve set myself 100 days to see what kind of training load I can handle without significant discomfort or setbacks.
But these 100 days are just the beginning. At the heart of True Grit Fit lies a goal that drives me forward every day: to complete a 106-miles mountain ultra before I turn 50 (UTMB). I know it’s ambitious – especially with my current limitations – but with patience, mindfulness, and the right hybrid training program, I believe I can reach it.
This is the core of True Grit Fit: a journey that requires true grit and resilience but in a more thoughtful and conscious way. It’s my path to rediscovering myself, fully embracing my limitations, and working toward a goal that brings lasting satisfaction and fulfillment.
What You’ll Find on True Grit Fit
True Grit Fit is more than just a personal journey. It’s also a knowledge base for men over 40, offering insights into training, nutrition, motivation, and fitness planning. I focus on an approach that goes against the mainstream – no catchy “quick wins” or “hacks.” Instead, I share strategies and tactics that require time and dedication but lead to real, lasting results.
I discuss hybrid training – a combination of strength, endurance, and mobility training, adapted to the realities of a busy life. In a world where everything changes in seconds and immediate results are the norm, I show you how a balanced approach and thoughtful programming can help you break through plateaus and rediscover the joy of movement. It may even give you the foundation to “try again.”
If you’re also searching for inspiration to train in harmony with your body, your life, and your goals – welcome to True Grit Fit. Let’s embark on this journey together.