#75 - Cincinnatus' Code: Harnessing Historical Virtues for Modern Motivation and Well-Being

Ever wondered how a Roman statesman's virtues could elevate your Monday motivation? Join me, Gus Holland, as I share the fascinating story of Cincinnatus alongside a heartening push for the power of exercise to boost not only your physical health but also your mental acuity. This isn't just a fitness spiel—it's a rallying cry for embracing activities that bring you joy and sharpen your mind, from the serene rhythm of a hike to the adrenaline rush of a paintball match. We'll explore how these pursuits can be a conduit for positive energy and a cornerstone for personal growth and well-being.

In this episode, I also open up about a significant shift in my own life, marking the end of a 13-year chapter at the post office. As I navigate this transition, I reflect on the preparations laid out to ensure the smoothest possible change for both my family and me. It's a personal tale woven with historical inspiration from the life of Cincinnatus, offering practical advice for anyone seeking balance, motivation, and a more enriched life. Tune in for a blend of timeless wisdom and contemporary insights that promises to kickstart your week with a new perspective.

Transcript

Speaker 1 0:00

Hey everybody and welcome to another episode of Way of Life . I'm your host , gus Holland , and today is another Motivational Monday episode . Today's episode is focused on the quote it is exercise alone that supports the spirits and keeps the mind in vigor . This is a quote by the Roman philosopher , marcus Tullius Cicero , and it truly highlights the holistic benefits of exercise , not just for the body but also for your mental wellbeing . So it's not a foolproof plan , but if you're having a bad day or you need a little pick me up or even just a change in your day-to-day happenings , try and do some form of exercise and really , especially for mental well-being , choose something that you truly enjoy . If it's a hike , go for a hike . If you like swimming , if you like playing sports or like paintball or anything like that , go , try it out . Change the trajectory of your day or your week or month or whatever it is . In keeping with the Roman theme , I'd like to read a quick little story that I think goes well with that quote . So Cincinnatus was a Roman statesman and a farmer who lived around 460 BC .

Speaker 1 1:24

He is remembered for his humility , integrity and dedication to the well-being of Rome , according to historical accounts , during a time of crisis for the Roman Republic . Cincinnatus was appointed as dictator , which was a temporary position granted during emergencies . The story goes that he was working on his farm when he received word of his appointment as dictator . Despite his humble lifestyle , he answered the call to serve Rome . He immediately set aside his plow and took up the mantle of leadership to address the threat facing the Republic . After successfully resolving the crisis and restoring stability to Rome , cincinnatus voluntarily relinquished his power and returned to his simple life as a farmer . He chose not to exploit his position for personal gain or for prolonged authority . This embodies the virtues of selflessness and civil duty . Cincinnatus's story is often cited as an example of virtue and the idea of the citizen-soldier . His commitment to duty and his ability to transition seamlessly between roles , from farmer to dictator and back to farmer , again reflect the values of discipline , resilience and service to his community In the context of exercise and self-improvement . The story of Cincinnatus illustrates the idea that physical strength and mental fortitude can be cultivated through hard work and dedication . By maintaining his physical fitness and mental clarity through his agrarian lifestyle , cincinnatus was able to rise to the occasion when called upon to lead , demonstrating the importance of holistic self-care in achieving personal and societal success . The story of Cincinnatus is much longer and much more drawn out .

Speaker 1 3:29

I might go into it more in depth at a later time but for this specific episode I just wanted to kind of touch on it . I think it's a great way to kind of add a little bit to that quote . His full name is Lucius Quinn I don't know how to say . His middle name , quinn crank to us , I don't know , Cincinnati's . He is , I guess , the basis of where the town Cincinnati in the United States got its name . So it is based upon the society of Cincinnati , which is based on his morals and virtues as a Roman hero . So that was something new that I learned . That I thought was really interesting and , like I said , I'll touch on it more in depth at a later time , but I thought it was very motivational . And his , I guess because he was not only such a good farmer and citizen but also obviously physically capable of handling such a stressful load , he was chosen to step up and help his community .

Speaker 1 5:02

I'm going to wrap up this episode today , keep it pretty short , because a lot has been going on with me that I've just been trying to kind of play catch up with everything , just to catch everyone up in . In regards to my stuff , I have fully quit the post office . I've been , I worked there about 13 years and I'm not going to really harp on any of the negatives or anything , but for a long time I had been trying to set up , set myself up and my family up in a situation , set myself up and my family up in a situation in a yeah , I guess , a situation or predicament that would be as comfortable as possible when transitioning out of the post office . So , yes , it is , you know , in on paper , it is easy to quit a job , you know , um , but not necessarily when you're trying to maintain current lifestyle and pay all the same bills and everything like that . It took me longer than expected to get out of the post office , but I did it , and so I'm super happy and super grateful that I was able to accomplish that . I'm also about one month away from receiving my bachelor's degree . Well , I guess , not receiving the degree , but completing my degree plan for my master's of business administration , with a focus in IT management . I did the focus in IT management . I am going to go for my master's degree and , yeah , I'm just super excited about that . It's a lot of changes . Obviously , I've had a job change , been going to school etc . And yeah , so it's just . It's just been a lot .

Speaker 1 7:26

But I appreciate everybody that's stuck with the podcast and that have been supporting and enjoying the episodes . If you do enjoy these episodes , please share it with a friend or family or your workout group or whatever . That is the number one way to help me in the podcast . You can check out wayoflifepodcastcom . That's where you're going to find all the different ways to listen to the podcast , as well as merch and the blog , which is kind of an active work in progress . But bear with me on that . Other than that , thank y'all so much for the support . Again , I hope you'll have a great week and an episode will be coming out this Wednesday , so keep an eye out for that . All right , love y'all . Bye .