I used to believe strength was something you were born with. You either had it or you didn’t.
For years, I felt like I didn’t. I was stuck in a cycle of bad habits. Binge eating, drinking, and laziness were my normal. I weighed over 110 pounds more than I do today, and I felt weak in every sense of the word. My body was tired, my mind was foggy, and my spirit felt heavy.
The change didn’t happen overnight. It wasn’t a single moment of inspiration but a slow, grinding process of building myself back up, one small choice at a time. I learned that physical strength isn’t just about lifting heavy things at the gym. It’s about building the discipline and resilience that bleed into every other part of your life. When you get stronger physically, you start to feel stronger mentally and spiritually too.
It’s about showing up for yourself, especially on the days you don’t want to. It’s about respecting the body God gave you. These quotes have helped me on my journey, and I hope they can offer you some encouragement as you build your own strength.
The Foundation of True Strength
Before we get to the quotes, I want you to know something. Building physical strength is one of the most powerful things you can do for your overall well-being. When I started my journey to lose weight, I thought it was just about food and exercise. But it became so much more.
Learning to push through a tough workout taught me how to push through tough moments in life. The discipline of sticking to a plan, even when I was tired or unmotivated, helped me break free from addictions that had held me captive for years. For me, strengthening my body was also an act of faith. The Bible says our bodies are temples, and I realized I had been neglecting mine. Honoring God with my body became my deepest motivation—my "why."
Your "why" might be different. Maybe you want to have more energy for your kids. Maybe you want to live a long, healthy life. Whatever it is, hold onto it. It will be your anchor when things get hard.
25 Quotes to Build Your Physical Strength
Words have power. Sometimes, a simple phrase can be the spark you need to get moving. Read through these, find one or two that speak to you, and write them down. Put them somewhere you’ll see them every day.
- "Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength." – Arnold Schwarzenegger
- "The resistance that you fight physically in the gym and the resistance that you fight in life can only build a strong character." – Arnold Schwarzenegger
- "The human body is the best picture of the human soul." – Ludwig Wittgenstein
- "No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable." – Socrates
- "The body achieves what the mind believes." – Napoleon Hill
- "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
- "The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus." – Bruce Lee
- "It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness." – Seneca
- "What stands in the way becomes the way." – Marcus Aurelius
- "The last three or four reps is what makes the muscle grow. This area of pain divides the champion from someone else who is not a champion." – Arnold Schwarzenegger
- "Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment." – Jim Rohn
- "Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come." – Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
- "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." – Aristotle
- "To keep the body in good health is a duty… otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear." – Buddha
- "The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary." – Vince Lombardi
- "Nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent." – Calvin Coolidge
- "The best way out is always through." – Robert Frost
- "A man’s health can be judged by which he takes two at a time—pills or stairs." – Joan Welsh
- "He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how." – Friedrich Nietzsche
- "All growth starts at the end of your comfort zone." – Tony Robbins
- "Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live." – Jim Rohn
- "Our bodies are our gardens – our wills are our gardeners." – William Shakespeare
- "Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity." – John F. Kennedy
- "You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." – Marcus Aurelius
- "It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." – Confucius
How to Start Building Your Strength Today
Reading quotes is great for motivation, but strength is built through action. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the idea of starting, I get it. I’ve been there. The key is to make it so simple you can’t say no.
- Start ridiculously small. Don’t think about going to the gym for two hours. Don't even think about a 30-minute workout. My first step was simply walking around the block. That’s it. Maybe for you, it’s doing five push-ups or holding a plank for 15 seconds. Start with a win.
- Focus on consistency, not intensity. A 15-minute walk every single day is infinitely better than one heroic gym session every month. Consistency builds habits. Habits build a new lifestyle. It’s the small, daily efforts that add up to massive change.
- Find an activity you don’t hate. You don’t have to become a bodybuilder or a marathon runner. You just need to move your body. It could be walking, hiking, swimming, dancing, or playing a sport. If you enjoy it, you’re more likely to stick with it.
Strength isn't a destination. It's a continuous journey of showing up. It's about taking the next step, even when it’s hard. It’s about choosing to be a little better today than you were yesterday. You have it in you to be strong. You just have to start building.
So, let me ask you: What is one simple choice you can make today to start your journey?
