The Good Old Days (Or Were They?)
Two decades ago, fitness had clear categories: you were either a bodybuilder, an athlete, or part of the general population that only exercised by accident—usually while running to catch a matatu. There was no real middle ground, no broad culture of movement simply for the sake of feeling good. Exercise was a niche activity, and the idea of being fit and strong purely to improve everyday life? That was practically unheard of. Who worked out for their mental health 20-30 years ago?
No Longer for the Select Few
Fast forward to today, and I can count on one hand my friends who don’t work out. Fitness is no longer reserved for a select few—everyone from accountants to grandmothers is hitting the gym, going for a run, or joining some kind of movement-based community. And here’s the kicker: putting fitness at the center of your identity doesn’t make you special anymore. For those who used to relish their status as the “fit friend,” this might be a hard pill (or protein shake) to swallow. But for the next generation? It’s an incredible shift.
Improved Technology and Accessibility
Technology and accessibility have taken away most of our excuses. Apartments have gyms and swimming pools. Gym memberships are cheaper than a monthly caffeine addiction (yes, even at your favorite Java or Artcaffe), workout plans are one YouTube search away, and even the most remote duka stocks protein powder next to the maize flour. But here’s the challenge: technology can lure us into focusing on the 1%—the fancy trends, the viral workouts—when the real benefit lies in the 99% of simple, consistent habit-building.
Yet, despite all the innovations, one thing hasn’t changed—there’s still no magic pill for fitness. No silver bullet. No shortcut that replaces the simple act of showing up and putting in the work.
Coach Philip.
Let’s Normalize It
As a 46-year-old father, my advice to parents is this: teach your kids that strength, fitness, and vitality matter—but don’t frame it as some elite or heroic pursuit. Fitness should be as normal as brushing your teeth, not some sacred ritual that makes them superior to others. The goal isn’t to raise mini-Olympians or future influencers who think their morning workout deserves a TED Talk. The goal is to raise kids who move because it makes life better, not because it makes them special.
Fitness has gone mainstream, and that’s a beautiful thing. So, let’s normalize it. Make it part of the everyday, not the exception. And for those still clinging to the old days of fitness exclusivity? Sorry, but the gym isn’t a VIP club anymore—it’s just another place where life happens.
Feel Fitness.