The Beginning of My Fitness Journey: The Birth of "Get Up and Go"

If you had told my younger self that I’d one day struggle to find time for fitness, I probably would’ve laughed. After all, I was a 3-sport athlete in high school—constantly moving, thriving in the competitive energy, and feeling like being active was just part of who I was. But life has a funny way of shifting priorities without you even noticing. Fast forward to 2017, and I’d been working in education for about seven years. Somewhere along the way, my health got away from me.

It wasn’t just the weight gain or fatigue. It was something more severe. There were times I found myself literally paralyzed, unable to move, due to the toll that stress and poor health had taken on my body. Those moments were terrifying and sobering. I knew right then that something had to change—no more putting it off, no more excuses. I had to be there for my kids, my wife, my family, and my friends. I had to take control.

So, I made a decision: 30 minutes of fitness. Every. Single. Day. Nonnegotiable. No excuses. No exceptions. On January 1, 2017, I committed to making time for my health, and it wasn’t just about fitting exercise into my day; it was about reclaiming my life.

Those 30 minutes a day were hard at first. I was out of shape, frustrated, and sometimes ready to give up. But giving up wasn’t an option anymore. I reminded myself daily of the why—for the people I loved and the life I wanted to live. Slowly but surely, I started to feel better. My energy returned. I was more present with my family, and I could give more to the things that mattered most.

Though my fitness journey started on that New Year’s Day in 2017, the mindset behind Get Up and Go was born in those first few months. It’s more than just exercising; it’s about making a commitment to show up for yourself and the people who need you, every single day. It's about refusing to let stress, fatigue, or even paralysis stand in your way.

Even though my brand, Honu, didn’t launch until 2023, the essence of Get Up and Go began in those early days. I’m excited to share more of this journey with you in the upcoming blogs and hope it inspires you to find your own reason to Get Up and Go. No excuses. No exceptions. Nonnegotiable.

Jon

Building healthy habitsDaily fitness commitmentExercise for busy parentsFamily fitnessFamily fitness inspirationFitnessFitness for mental healthFitness inspirationFitness journeyFitness motivationGet up and goHealth transformationHealthy lifestyleNew years fitness resolutionNo excusesOvercoming health challengesPersonal healthStress and health recovery