What comes to your mind when you hear, say, or read the word “recess”? For me, it’s instant nostalgia, like a rush of pure energy. Fun time! I think movement, I think freedom, I think play. When I was a kid—just like most of us—recess was the best part of the day, no question. It was the time to sprint outside, burst with excitement, and just move. Whether it was tag, hopscotch, jumping rope, or just rolling around in the grass, recess was when we let loose. It was free, it was wild, and best of all, it was ours.

But then, somewhere along the way, things changed. We started growing up, and little by little, recess faded. Suddenly, “play” wasn’t something you did as an adult. Fun time, playtime, letting loose—that became stuff for kids. We became serious, putting on our “grown-up” hats, focusing on work, then crashing into rest. And sure, we may feel a little relief after a long day’s work. But where did that childlike joy go? What happened to that exuberance and that rush like, “It’s time to have some fun!”? Why do we replace that thrill with vices and routines that feel more like numbing out than enjoying life?

That’s the question that completely changed my approach to fitness. Somewhere in my journey, I had this “aha!” moment where I started seeing fitness and movement as my adult recess. Because recess wasn’t just a break back then—it was actually good for us. Playing tag, racing, trying to catch a ball, even just running around aimlessly was good for us, mentally and physically. It released energy, kept us fit, and filled us with life. That’s when I realized: I didn’t need to lose that just because I’d grown up. I needed it more now.

So, I started bringing recess back into my life as an adult, and the transformation was incredible. I let that little kid who had been cooped up inside come out and play again. I started running, jumping, dancing—not because I had to, but because I wanted to. You want to look and feel young again in your 20s, 30s, 40s? Go back to the things you loved doing as a kid. There’s a reason you loved them: they fed your mind, body, and soul. You were naturally staying active and enjoying every minute of it. If you start viewing exercise as a chore, it will feel heavy. If you see it as just something you “have to do,” it will seem like work. But when you view it as fun, it feels like something you get to do. It brings this spark and enthusiasm that makes you want to jump in.

Nowadays, when I work out, I make it as fun as I can. I crank the music—either in my headphones or on the speakers—close my eyes, and just pretend I’m back in that schoolyard, hearing the bell that means it’s time to get out and play. It’s amazing how much easier it feels when it’s fun. The more fun it is, the less I hold back. I’m moving, I’m playing, I’m in the moment. And there’s no judgment. I just let myself be that kid again, free to run around and laugh and enjoy every second.

People often wonder how I manage to have this seemingly endless energy. They ask, “How do you keep going?” I tell them it’s simple: I never stopped being a big kid. I still play video games. I still find joy in the little things. I still laugh as hard as I can, as often as I can. And here’s the other thing—I have a seven-year-old, and I’m 46 years old. I want to be able to keep up with her, to match her energy, her imagination, her excitement for life. That means staying fit, staying active, and staying in touch with that kid inside of me. When I’m out playing with her, I’m not just giving her memories—I’m making them for myself too. I want to be right there with her, playing, exploring, making the most of every single day, and sharing that joy with my wife and everyone around us.

For me, fitness is like a lifelong recess. It’s not just about looking good or staying in shape, though those things come naturally when you’re consistent. It’s about enjoying this life, keeping the same zest and excitement we had when we were kids. If you want to keep enjoying this life, you have to take care of yourself. And if you’re going to take care of yourself, you might as well enjoy it! You can choose to make that time feel like a chore. Alternatively, you can make it feel like a release. It can be a celebration of movement. And the funny thing is, when you approach it like this, it actually feels easy. You stop worrying about “getting it done” because you look forward to it.

This mindset shift has been huge for me, and it’s what I hope others can find too. We spend so much time stressing over what we need to do. All we need is a bit of fun, a bit of play, a little dose of recess. Around here, we’re about the cheers, the laughter, the spirit of recess that keeps life bright and full. It’s about tapping into that childlike joy, letting it fill you up, and never letting it go. Life is a game. If we let ourselves, we can keep playing. We can keep enjoying it. We can keep loving it every step of the way. So, let’s bring some of that recess back.