Today was a first.
Not my first time training. Not my first time with a personal trainer. But my first time bringing my son to the gym with me. And something about that changed everything.
Tomorrow, he turns 10. Double digits. And today, as a little early celebration, he came along to see what “Mom’s workouts” are really all about.
He was buzzing. Eyes wide, curious, bouncing around the space like it was a jungle gym. He sat on the slide between exercises, pretending to be my coach. At one point, I literally had to pause my set so I could slide him down like we were in the park.
It was pure joy. Chaos and connection. A reminder that discipline and play are not opposites, they’re teammates.
And while I was pushing through reps on the first day of my cycle (which, let’s be honest, is not the easiest time to train), that moment made everything feel lighter.
But what really stayed with me, what genuinely moved me, was something small he said:
“Mom… I don’t want to lie to the people in the gym and say I’m 11. I’m turning 10 tomorrow. I can’t lie.”
That. That right there is the kind of thing that makes you stop and breathe in the moment.
Because sure, it’s a small thing. A tiny white lie avoided. But it’s also a glimpse into who he’s becoming someone honest, thoughtful, and brave enough to say, “This is who I really am.” And that’s what this blog is really about Grit, yes, but also growth. Showing up when it's hard. Leading by example. Creating moments that feel small but shape everything.
It reminded me of the kind of strength that doesn’t come from lifting weights.
And it made me proud, not just of him, but of the values we’re building together.
In three days, I’ll turn 36. And today this funny, sweaty, joyful, slightly chaotic day in the gym is exactly how I want to step into it.
Because they are the big things.
With grit and gratitude, The Gritter
