The sixth, but by no means the least important rule of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s success was ‘give something back’.
A new addition to our story, which is developing in the right direction, even faster than my expectations in some aspects, is the first ‘outside’ piece of equipment, a so-called ‘chin-dip station’, structure provided by our new trainer Igor Kostrenčić Pajo. ‘Outside’ simply means it will be outdoors at all times so that anyone visiting Matkino can freely use it. This is just the beginning of the external arrangement of our complex, which will, over time, based on our ideas, turn into a real workout park where everyone is welcome, whether they train with us directly or not. With that in mind, our only request and desire is for you to treat the equipment you find here with the same respect as if it was yours. Only thanks to few individuals who care enough to do something, the playground and the surrounding space now look presentable. Before our appearance Matkino was left hanging so to say for solid 10-15 years, if not more, and the whole area was only lightly cleaned days before annual handball tournaments. This summer, we would have lost one of the two baskets since the whole thing was leaning and about to break due to the irresponsible misuse of people not from around here if Josip Sokolić hadn’t taken it off, straightened it at home, and returned it to its place. Regarding our internal exercise space, most of the earnings are constantly directed towards the purchase of new equipment.
Number of ideas I have is immense, and yes, I admit I am often a bit unrealistic in that context, at least beyond my current capabilities, but the most important thing is progress, both on a personal level and on this ‘love what you do’ one. I think that’s completely natural when a person really loves what they do and does what they love. Once again, a sincere thanks to Igor, who ‘jumped’ into the whole story headfirst, without too much thought, signed up for the try-outs, systematically and with precision passed the training camp, and is now ready to help and continue the tradition of our movement. About his welding skills, there’s no need to waste words since practically everything you see in the photo he did by himself, from welding the middle bar to securing the station in the ground. Soon my dad and I will paint it completely to make it look a bit more presentable.
In conclusion, to finish the story the way we started it, truly successful people, no matter what area of life and work they talk about, want others to succeed, especially people around them who they care about. Only ‘small’ people think that their success requires someone else’s failure. Being aware of the difference among people in this regard is of great importance if you engage in an area like fitness, which involves stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something that the vast majority of people simply won’t do. Again, from successful people who know what it takes for you to succeed, you will get encouragement, advice, motivation, and support. From unsuccessful people, criticism, baseless ‘advice’ (people often like to think they are experts even in something they have never done in their lives), jealousy, envy, and malice. Ultimately, surround yourself consciously, and if possible, exclusively with the former because you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with, and because it simply makes more sense. Regardless of that, keep the feeling of success, satisfaction, and happiness close to yourself because those are emotions that, in order for them to be sustainable, simply must start from within, since everything external, no matter how powerful and indestructible it looks in the moment, like the ‘Titanic’ (pun intended), is fragile and in the end transient.
P.S. An extremely important part of this whole story was also Roland Pobor ‘Kiga’ whose helpfulness and willingness to ‘give a hand’ (or a truck in this case) made it possible for this station to be delivered from Crikvenica to us.
Original release date: October 15, 2019.
