#1. We don’t care where you came from, only where you’re going.

We don’t care where you came from or how you got here, as we all have different backgrounds, genetics, social status, and commitments. Like creating a random character in a role-playing game, we were all “dealt a hand” that we had absolutely no control over—it’s now up to us to play that hand to the best of our ability. Our a kick-ass group of people push each other to level up our lives.

We figure out what went wrong (sh** happens, remember?), and then we work together to find a way to fix it.

The past is just that: the past. Today can be the first day of the rest of your life if you truly believe that. (I know too many people who are content to play the “victim of my past” card because it’s easier than putting in hard work. Everyone has a past. Some are more difficult, all are surmountable.)

#2. When you join, you’re in for life.

We aren’t looking for quick fixes or for people who aren’t interested in making permanent, lasting changes. The Rebellion is full of people who are interested in prioritizing adventure, happiness, and improvement.

If your friends won’t join you on your mission, then you’ll have to lead by example until they decide to follow. It’s a heavy burden to bear, but one that will absolutely make your life more fulfilling. (I love this, don’t do the dabble, jump in and every morning when you wake up and you want to put something off, repeat over and over ad nauseam “Just get it done,” until you do it. That’s how changes become permanent.)

#3. We train as naturally as possible.

When we train for adventure, we do so by preparing our bodies with real-world movements! We don’t use machines; we focus on movements that recruit multiple muscle groups and efficiently set us up to be antifragile.

Here’s my complete stance on free weights vs. machines. (This is awesome, nixes all those “I can’t afford a gym” excuses. We don’t need gyms. Just start with what you have right now and make it work).

#4. We understand that you can’t outrun your fork.

How we fuel our bodies is 80 percent of the battle and will determine how successful we will be on the battlefield of life. I’m not talking about switching to all salads and water, but instead making small, calculated changes to what you eat over a long period of time.

We eat real food. We understand that although the total number of calories we eat certainly impacts our health, WHAT those calories are made of is just as important, if not more so. (Small changes over a long-period of time. Real food. What’s not to love here?)

#5. We train with conviction and intelligence.

When exercising, we have a plan for what we’re going to do, and we know how hard we need to push ourselves to be better than the day before. When setting life goals, we have a plan for what we’re going to do, and what needs to be accomplished in order for us to make progress. Then, we do it.

We plan out what kind of superhero we want to be, pick our own super power, and work every day toward becoming that hero. Those who are willing to dedicate themselves to the cause will get results. Settling is not an option. (This takes all the tough love and makes it warm. Who doesn’t want to be a superhero? The best support in the world is from people who will tell it to you straight and believe in you to make those changes)

#6. We exercise because it’s fun.

Find something that makes you happy, gets your heart pumping, and will keep you in shape. There is something out there for everybody, so keep searching and keep pushing until you find something that drives you to succeed. Yoga, karate, cycling,Belegarth, whatever it is—find it and do it. This is a crucial part of an adventurous life! (He’s given tough love, warmed it up a bit, and now he’s encouraging fun. Really, this list is awesome!)

#7. We never leave our wingmen.

We’re all in this together, and we’re here to support each other.

Although we have friendly competitions, it’s all in good fun to keep us accountable.

If you are training or leveling up your life with friends in real life or online, pick them up when they’re down, motivate them when they’re tired, push them when they need encouragement, and yell when they need tough love. They’ll do the same for you one day, and we’ll all be better off because of it.

Never leave your wingman. (Truer words were never spoken).

#8. We question everything.

The Rebellion exists to open our minds to a world in which the impossible is possible. Like waking up from the Matrix, we want to show you what is possible. One day, you can lift that weight, run that mile, lose those extra pounds. We question conventional wisdom and social norms and “because that’s how it’s always been done” tricks us into living lives of complacency. We find our own path. It’s up to us to take what we’ve learned, question it, and find a way to apply it to our lives. (He says question, I say research. Same thing, always remember to ask the vital questions: Who, what, why, when, and how?)

#9. We take care of business

If you’re a gamer, keep gaming. If you’re a family man, you better show up at your kid’s soccer game instead of staying late at work. We all have things we love in life, things that are important to us, that make us who we are. As long as these things aren’t detrimental to our health, then I encourage you to keep doing them. We also have obligations to our families, employers, and friends—we do what we say and we say what we do. (This is the key; do what you want, but keep your responsibilities in check).

#10. We take pride in ourselves.

Too many people blame their unfortunate situation on the government, the weather, their genetics, global warming, the economy, their parents, etc. Not us. We don’t expect anything to be handed to us; we are not owed anything by anybody. In fact, it’s our responsibility as humans to live the best life possible. (revisit my comments on the first rule – applies here, too).

We want to be better husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, people. We want to be stronger, faster, and healthier—we know it’s going to take a lot of hard work and determination to get there.

We welcome the challenge.

The more daunting the task, the sweeter the victory.  We like being the underdog, because everybody loves a good underdog story.  Life is hard, and it’s those that shut up and get things done that succeed.

I want to be the best damn Steve Kamb that I can be, and that means I need to be in the best shape of my life and help others to do the same. I’m doing what I can to help build an army of incredibly intelligent, efficient, informed, and fit nerds.  Don’t worry Mom, when we take over we’ll be using our powers for good, inspiring others to transform their own lives.