Fitness is not just a good habit or a hobby, it is a lifestyle. In the journey to becoming fit, you will change the way you look, the way you eat, and the way you think. Many people do not know the many benefits of being fit, but in my nine-plus years of varsity and recreational athletics, I have learned exactly what fitness has to offer me. I am a collegiate runner, rock climber, martial artist, calisthenics practitioner, spearfisher, and nutrition enthusiast. Fitness has been the driving force in my life, and I have drawn on the lessons I have learned from my many coaches to overcome the challenges I face inside and outside the classroom. My high school running coach was one of the greatest mentors in my life and through four years of cross country and track and field, he taught me discipline through my training. To be a successful runner, you must possess a certain level of mental toughness, as running is largely about pain management. Every workout and every race is an internal battle your mind wages against your body, a struggle of wills to determine whether you will perform that day. To master your mind, you must exercise discipline in practicing your craft relentlessly and without excuses. Every day you will face a new set of obstacles, motivation will come and go, but discipline will carry you through the highs and lows. My coach taught me discipline through his philosophy of "no days off", which meant my teammates and I trained year-round. This meant morning practice Monday through Friday, meets on Saturdays, long runs on Sundays, and holiday breaks. It meant ice baths, calf massages, vigorous stretching, and yoga after practice to stay on track. It required sacrificing free time and time to study, while also mandating proper sleep and nutrition. I have taken the values impressed on me by my high school running coach and changed my life. I aim to never miss a day of training, proper eating, or sleeping and I complete my work far in advance of deadlines. Once you take a closer look at fitness, you begin to realize your life is like a series of dominos. Once you choose to pursue fitness, you have tipped over the first tile, and you can hardly imagine how it will change your life for the better.