Hey,

I really enjoy The Jocko Podcast and his work ethic. i've had various bouts of being on the path slightly (never fully i don't think) and usually fall off for periods of time before getting back on it.

I really appreciate a lot of the things Jocko says. I really like is individualistic mindset, I like where he says that he grew up not following people and was always questioning things.

I'm M/35 - So great to see some younger people getting to listen to Jockos lessons - I think i've always had some issue with discipline, so listening to his podcast and his motto of "Discipline equals freedom" has been great, as it resonated with me and I could see a lot of past mistakes and ways of living that have lead to some difficulties from not being disciplined. Everything from the way I dressed badly / not being well groomed to not keeping things tidy and just how I viewed/thought about life in a not disciplined way. That motto of "Discipline equals freedom" really changed all these things.

This last year i've been working as a support worker for people with learning disabilities and autism, mostly in a respite centre (A place where families take a relative to get some respite for a day or more) and some outreach. Jockos words have been helping with this too, as the job has aspects to it like having to change people / keep them hygienic / see people struggling with daily tasks /physical violent behaviours / living with severe disabilities which can be hard to deal with. I can't say which specific thoughts, but its more like an attitude of facing up to difficult events and not quitting when doing some "Not Nice" things or when the going gets tough. You learn a lot about fortitude in these events.

Being on the path in terms of working out = Luckily I started running and doing more physical activities ten years ago, but i've also had bouts of over eating and less working out. I have arthritis in my hands/elbows (both are deformed slightly) this makes things like pull ups feel impossible as i cannot grip things for every long. i've taken to swimming due to the low impact nature of the thing.

What I should have been doing though all these years is stretching / Yoga. I really would like to get to be able to Squat as i could try some weight lifting and other workouts that involve squatting, but also as it would help with my job. I'm going to try schedule an appointment with a physical therapist after this coronavirus stuff goes out the way - this is another thing Jocko has helped with, which for some reason i've not been so good with - The thought to seek outside professional help.

His words are also helping me with my studies - I'm doing a Degree part time online - and really enjoyed his words about his time in University. I like how much he crushed it, even though he had his family life and other things going on.

I'm still struggling with falling off the path quite frequently though, which I find weird as I feel like I am such a better person when working hard to be more disciplined. I get back on it, but with various amounts of spaces in-between. Anyway listening to his podcast does work as a sort of focal point / wake up call to "Get after it" - even these fun phrases, which he laughs after saying on the podcast, seem to be a sort of mindfulness reminder.

One last thing i'd like to end with, is i get a feeling of excitement from listening to his podcast. I think the realistic no BS attitude, The thought of the life long challenge of the grind, and the view of a life lived in this way is an exciting one. I like that view of not just wanting to sit on your bum all day long watching the telly. I've had bouts of too much internet, thats for sure, though i've turned more towards internet reading that helps more me forwards.

unsure if this is a place for this sort of writing above, but I wanted to leave a thanks anyway.

cheers.