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

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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.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey everybody and welcome to another episode of
Way of Life.
I'm your host, gus Holland, andtoday is another Motivational
Monday episode.
Today's episode is focused onthe quote it is exercise alone
that supports the spirits andkeeps the mind in vigor.
This is a quote by the Romanphilosopher, marcus Tullius
Cicero, and it truly highlightsthe holistic benefits of

(00:24):
exercise, not just for the bodybut 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 upor even just a change in your
day-to-day happenings, try anddo some form of exercise and

(00:46):
really, especially for mentalwell-being, choose something
that you truly enjoy.
If it's a hike, go for a hike.
If you like swimming, if youlike playing sports or like
paintball or anything like that,go, try it out.
Change the trajectory of yourday or your week or month or

(01:06):
whatever it is.
In keeping with the Roman theme, I'd like to read a quick
little story that I think goeswell with that quote.
So Cincinnatus was a Romanstatesman and a farmer who lived
around 460 BC.
He is remembered for hishumility, integrity and

(01:27):
dedication to the well-being ofRome, according to historical
accounts, during a time ofcrisis for the Roman Republic.
Cincinnatus was appointed asdictator, which was a temporary
position granted duringemergencies.
The story goes that he wasworking on his farm when he

(01:48):
received word of his appointmentas dictator.
Despite his humble lifestyle,he answered the call to serve
Rome.
He immediately set aside hisplow and took up the mantle of
leadership to address the threatfacing the Republic.
After successfully resolvingthe crisis and restoring

(02:08):
stability to Rome, cincinnatusvoluntarily relinquished his
power and returned to his simplelife as a farmer.
He chose not to exploit hisposition for personal gain or
for prolonged authority.
This embodies the virtues ofselflessness and civil duty.
Cincinnatus's story is oftencited as an example of virtue

(02:31):
and the idea of thecitizen-soldier.
His commitment to duty and hisability to transition seamlessly
between roles, from farmer todictator and back to farmer,
again reflect the values ofdiscipline, resilience and
service to his community In thecontext of exercise and

(02:52):
self-improvement.
The story of Cincinnatusillustrates the idea that
physical strength and mentalfortitude can be cultivated
through hard work and dedication.
By maintaining his physicalfitness and mental clarity
through his agrarian lifestyle,cincinnatus was able to rise to

(03:13):
the occasion when called upon tolead, demonstrating the
importance of holistic self-carein achieving personal and
societal success.
The story of Cincinnatus ismuch longer and much more drawn
out.
I might go into it more in depthat a later time but for this

(03:33):
specific episode I just wantedto kind of touch on it.
I think it's a great way tokind of add a little bit to that
quote.
His full name is Lucius Quinn Idon't know how to say.
His middle name, quinn crank tous, I don't know, Cincinnati's.

(03:54):
He is, I guess, the basis ofwhere the town Cincinnati in the
United States got its name.
So it is based upon the societyof Cincinnati, which is based

(04:18):
on his morals and virtues as aRoman hero.
So that was something new thatI learned.
That I thought was reallyinteresting and, like I said,
I'll touch on it more in depthat a later time, but I thought
it was very motivational.
And his, I guess because he wasnot only such a good farmer and

(04:49):
citizen but also obviouslyphysically capable of handling
such a stressful load, he waschosen to step up and help his
community.
I'm going to wrap up thisepisode today, keep it pretty
short, because a lot has beengoing on with me that I've just

(05:10):
been trying to kind of playcatch up with everything, just
to catch everyone up in.
In regards to my stuff, I havefully quit the post office.
I've been, I worked there about13 years and I'm not going to

(05:31):
really harp on any of thenegatives or anything, but for a
long time I had been trying toset up, set myself up and my
family up in a situation, setmyself up and my family up in a
situation in a yeah, I guess, asituation or predicament that
would be as comfortable aspossible when transitioning out
of the post office.

(05:52):
So, yes, it is, you know, in onpaper, it is easy to quit a job
, you know, um, but notnecessarily when you're trying
to maintain current lifestyleand pay all the same bills and

(06:14):
everything like that.
It took me longer than expectedto get out of the post office,
but I did it, and so I'm superhappy and super grateful that I
was able to accomplish that.
I'm also about one month awayfrom receiving my bachelor's
degree.
Well, I guess, not receivingthe degree, but completing my

(06:39):
degree plan for my master's ofbusiness administration, with a
focus in IT management.
I did the focus in ITmanagement.
I am going to go for mymaster's degree and, yeah, I'm

(07:13):
just super excited about that.
It's a lot of changes.
Obviously, I've had a jobchange, been going to school etc
.
And yeah, so it's just.
It's just been a lot.
But I appreciate everybodythat's stuck with the podcast
and that have been supportingand enjoying the episodes.

(07:33):
If you do enjoy these episodes,please share it with a friend
or family or your workout groupor whatever.
That is the number one way tohelp me in the podcast.
You can check outwayoflifepodcastcom.
That's where you're going tofind all the different ways to

(07:54):
listen to the podcast, as wellas merch and the blog, which is
kind of an active work inprogress.
But bear with me on that.
Other than that, thank y'all somuch for the support.
Again, I hope you'll have agreat week and an episode will
be coming out this Wednesday, sokeep an eye out for that.

(08:16):
All right, love y'all.
Bye.