Strength starts with showing up is the foundational truth most people overlook. You can’t build anything from a place of absence. It’s the first and most critical step.
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Meaning
The core message is that all meaningful progress, especially in fitness, is predicated on the simple, non-negotiable act of being present and starting the work.
Explanation
Look, I’ve seen it a thousand times. People get so caught up in the perfect plan, the perfect supplement, the perfect *everything* that they never actually get to the gym. Or they have one bad session and disappear for a month. This quote cuts through all that noise. It’s not about the weight you lift on your best day; it’s about the fact that you were there to lift it. Consistency is the secret weapon. Showing up, especially on the days you don’t want to, is where you build the mental fortitude that translates into physical strength. It’s the compound interest of personal development.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Life (320) |
| Topics | beginning (9), discipline (252), effort (77) |
| Literary Style | minimalist (442), motivational (245) |
| Emotion / Mood | encouraging (304) |
| Overall Quote Score | 76 (131) |
Origin & Factcheck
This comes directly from Marc Perry’s 2011 book, “Built Lean,” which was published in the United States. It’s a cornerstone of his philosophy, and while the sentiment is universal, this specific phrasing is his.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Marc Perry (57) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Built Lean: The Bodybuilding Guide for Men and Women Who Want to Lose Fat and Build Muscle (57) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Marc D. Perry studies how hip hop and performance shape Black identity, citizenship, and everyday life in the Caribbean and the Americas. An associate professor and author of Negro Soy Yo: Hip Hop and Raced Citizenship in Neoliberal Cuba, he engages anthropology and African American studies to analyze culture, politics, and belonging. The Marc Perry book list emphasizes ethnography and critical theory, and his teaching, writing, and public talks translate complex scholarship into accessible insights about race and culture.
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Strength starts with showing up |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2019; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9781097511885; Last edition: 2019; Number of pages: 240 |
| Where is it? | Chapter 1: The Foundation, page 20 / 240 |