The Program

40The Case for Physical Fitness

WE ARE EXPECTED and required to behave and perform at a certain level at work, at home, in school, on our athletic teams, in civic organizations, and in the religious or spiritual community we associate with. To do so, to be great teammates and great team leaders on all the teams of which we are a part, requires an incredible amount of positive energy! Positive energy that we can give to our spouse, our children, and our coworkers. Positive energy that both our teammates and the mission deserve. Physical fitness provides it.

Mitochondria are energy-producing organs found in every cell of the body. As soon as we start to exercise, our body produces more of them. More mitochondria produce even more energy. This isn’t something that The Program believes. This is what science teaches us.

For the purpose of this book, The Program considers a “fit” person to be strong, fast, and flexible, with good overall nutrition and wellness for their chosen sport, job, or lifestyle. It only makes sense that a very fit climber (with a lot of energy) will find climbing a mountain easier than a less fit one (who has less energy). It only makes sense that a fit athlete will find a workout or game less strenuous than an unfit athlete. The same is true regardless of the battlefield: a very fit Marine will not find a 20-mile hike or battle as difficult as an unfit Marine. A fit Fortune 500 salesperson or CEO will find a long, difficult business trip less strenuous than ...