Why Knowledge Alone is Not Enough 🎓

Jamie Stumpe
Nov 23, 2023
2 min read

I. "I know Kung-Fu" 🥋

If only learning were as easy as in The Matrix. You sit down, plug yourself in, and instantly download the knowledge and experience to master any skill. Just like Neo's - "I know kung fu" - followed by an epic fight scene.

I would definitely be out of a job.

Want to become stronger? Watch a few YouTube videos on strength training.
Want to lose weight? Read the latest diet book.
Want to reduce stress? Read a blog about mindfulness.

We have unlimited access to all the information we need, but unfortunately, that's not how knowledge and experience work. Imagine reading a book on swimming and then jumping into the deep end to test it out. The result would be far less epic than Neo's battle; though he did lose that fight too...

Having the knowledge of how to do something and the experience to do it well is not the same. Most of us already know enough to improve our fitness, health, and quality of life. Could you learn more? Sure. Will you need to know more later? Yes, probably. But do you need to learn more to start now? Probably not.

How often have you read or heard some health & fitness advice and thought, "Yeah, I already know that"? That's awesome, but do you actually do it?

When we think we already know something, the temptation is to switch off and search for something new that we don't know yet --Yeah, I know sleep is important. Yeah, I know I should stretch more. I know I should eat more protein. Hyper-processed food is terrible, blaa-blaa.

But how often do you actually do those things? We can only gain confidence and competence through applied effort and through trial and error.

So before you rush to learn something new, check in with yourself and ask - "What do I already know that I'm currently not doing?" and start there.

II. Fancy lifting heavy?

If you're planning on pressing heavy, it's a smart idea to take care of your shoulders. The Prone A+T drill is a simple exercise to incorporate before a press session to warm up and get ready to rumble.

Check it out here...