The Body as Symbol: How Fitness Shapes the Mind and Reflects the Self

Working out grounds me. The physical effort clears my head and puts me in a better state for the rest of the day. The gym has become a daily temple where I train, listen to music, reset small social moments and reflect on whatever I am learning about psychology, archetypes and meaning. I show up five to six days a week, and that consistency has shaped how I see myself. Training has made me feel like a Warrior Poet type, someone who builds resilience through discipline and movement.

I also think about how the body becomes part of identity. Physique, tattoos and clothing are all forms of expression. At the gym or the park, I notice what people react to, especially when I wear bright racer tanks or compression shorts, which is uncommon in Seattle. I do not mind standing out. It lets me lean into the Athlete Artist side of myself and shows how physical training expresses identity as much as it builds it.