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What is healthy and who is healthiest?

Archive import stamp: November 26, 2025. This is the shared list import time, not a verified original publication date.

 


What's it Mean to be Healthy?


"He's healthy as an ox!" is what my Grandma would say about me when I was growing up.


I'm sure you've heard that saying before, but what does that even mean?


So I asked ChatGPT and here's what the almighty AI in the sky had to say...


"Healthy as an ox" originates from the association of oxen with strength, endurance, and robust health. Oxen have been historically valued for their ability to work long hours under strenuous conditions, pulling heavy loads or plowing fields, without easily succumbing to fatigue or illness. Their resilience made them a symbol of physical vigor and durability.


Based on this description of health, it's very clear that there's a direct connection with fitness. Something I believe our new "modern" society has drifted away from.

In fact, this idea that "fitness IS health" flies in the face of what many perceive health to be nowadays.

In other words, if you ask 100 people what it means to be healthy, you'll likely hear about bodyfat, bodyweight, blood pressure, cholesterol, resting heart rates and all kinds of other "markers" that people believe to be the measure of robust health.

But I've never been satisfied with those answers. 

Here's why...

Ideal doctor numbers only creates an average amount of space under your health curve.

I know what you're thinking...

What the heck is a health curve?


It's a visual representation of your health that begins at your birth and ends at your death.

As you can see, your unhealthiest points are at those two points in your life. So it's your mission (Should you decide to accept) to create as much space under your curve as possible during your life.

Most "normal" people have a line that lies somewhere between orange and red. This includes people who have great numbers from the Doc and have healthy bodyfat numbers. 

But the only way to get yourself to the red line is through a conscious effort to build your fitness.

The red line is only reserved for those who are strong, powerful, and have great endurance.

You see, great Doctor numbers will only get you so far. It's your fitness that creates significant space under the curve.

Think of it this way....

If I were to ask you, "what does a baby and a very old person have in common, I'm guessing you would not tell me about their bodyfat or cholesterol. You'd likely talk about how helpless they are physically and how much care they require to stay alive. 

The truth is, you're never as close to death as when your physical capabilites approach zero.

If this resonates, then it leaves us with a very important question that we MUST answer. 

Because if we can answer this question, it would completely change the health of every human on the planet. (That is, if they'd be willing to do the work.)

What is the most efficient, effective, and safest way to build significant fitness (Strength, Power, Endurance) over the course of a lifetime?

It's what I've obsessed over for decades. Mostly because I want to be the healthiest version of myself as possible.

Stay tuned for the next email where I'll dig in deeper.

But if you'd rather not wait, be sure to check out my Athletic Body Blueprint Masterclass.

You'll get a greater understanding of what it means to be healthy and how you can start building significant space under your health curve in the most efficient, effective, and safest way possible.

And it's been tested in the trenches for decades...so I know it works. :-)



Your Friend and Coach

Tony Bevilacqua























 
This email was sent by tony@totalathletecoaching.com
Athletic After 40 | P.O. Box 3427 Wake Forest, NC 27587