Joe Lombardo, a strength enthusiast and writer, delves into the philosophical dimensions of physical fitness. He discusses how ancient Greeks viewed fitness as essential to personal and social virtues, highlighting a neglect of the body as a moral failing. The conversation also touches on early Christianity's complex relationship with exercise and the muscular Christianity movement. Lombardo shares insights from Yukio Mishima, exploring how strength training connects to confronting mortality and achieving spiritual enlightenment.
57:31
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Lombardo's Fitness Journey
Joe Lombardo, upon turning 40, realized he felt physically and mentally unwell.
He was inspired to return to physical fitness after a coworker commented on his weakness.
insights INSIGHT
Fitness and Philosophy
Lombardo's improved well-being led him to explore the philosophical connection between physical fitness and the mind/soul.
He found this connection in Greek philosophy, unlike the views in academia at the time.
insights INSIGHT
Socrates on Idiocy
Socrates viewed neglecting physical fitness as a form of idiocy, prioritizing individual pleasure over social responsibility.
Physical training was essential for personal and social virtue.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Yukio Mishima's "Sun and Steel" is a unique blend of autobiography, philosophical essay, and physical training manual. Mishima details his rigorous physical training regimen, emphasizing its impact on his mental and creative life. He connects physical discipline with spiritual and artistic growth, arguing that the body is a crucial vessel for self-expression and self-discovery. The book offers a compelling exploration of the relationship between physical strength, mental fortitude, and artistic creation. It remains a powerful testament to Mishima's dedication to self-improvement and his complex artistic vision.
The Greek way
Edith Hamilton
In *The Greek Way*, Edith Hamilton provides a profound understanding of ancient Greek civilization, examining its philosophical foundations, artistic achievements, and societal structures. The book delves into the intellectual and moral framework that shaped Greek identity, highlighting contributions to democracy, literature, and philosophy. Hamilton analyzes Greek literature and prominent figures such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, and explores the Greeks’ artistic achievements in drama, poetry, and sculpture. The book offers a nuanced perspective on the Greeks’ complex worldview and their enduring impact on Western culture[1][3][4].
The Manliness of Christ
The Manliness of Christ
null
George Orwell
Published in 1903, "The Manliness of Christ" championed a vision of Jesus as a strong, physically capable figure, contrasting with common effeminate portrayals. The book used biblical accounts to highlight Jesus's physical endurance and strength, arguing that Christians should emulate his vigor. It connected physical fitness with spiritual devotion, suggesting that a strong body was essential for effective missionary work and service to God. The book's message resonated with the Muscular Christianity movement, influencing the development of physical training programs within religious organizations. It promoted a holistic approach to faith, emphasizing the importance of both spiritual and physical well-being.
When you’re lifting weights, you might be thinking about setting a new PR or doing your curls for the girls.
But throughout history, philosophers have thought about physical fitness on a deeper level and considered how exercise shapes not only the body, but also the mind and the soul.
My guest today, Joe Lombardo, is a strength enthusiast who follows in this tradition and has explored the philosophy of bodily exercise in his writing. Today on the show, Joe and I discuss several different ways the philosophy of strength has been expressed over time.
We begin our conversation with how the ancient Greeks thought of physical training as a way to develop personal as well as social virtues, and why they thought you were an "idiot," in their particular sense of the word, if you didn't take care of your body. We then discuss early Christianity's relationship with physical exercise and the development of the muscular Christianity movement in the 19th century. We end our conversation by looking at the philosophy of physicality espoused by the Japanese writer Yukio Mishima, and what he had to say as to how strength training moves us out of the life of the night and towards the light of the sun.
The Art of Manliness 
