Here’s a fun hypothetical to ask your kids:
If you could have an out-of-body experience (think of something like in the movie John Malkovich), and perform ANY physical fitness feat, what would you choose?
If you want to get more specific, here are some guidelines.
3 clarifying rules
- You can only perform this feat ONCE. One and done, baby.
- This feat must be something you could probably never perform successfully. Even if you dedicated the rest of your life to it β think grandiose in your answer. Not, “I’d like to run a mile in under 7 minutes”.
- It has to be humanly possible. Answers such as “I’d like to jump over a house!” or “I’d like to throw a football 300 yards!” do not count.
Dad’s Answer
Here’s how I’d answer this hypothetical.
Run the fastest 100m dash!
Is there a more explosive, dominant, and prestigious feat than saying: “I’m the fastest human on the planet”?
I really can’t see anything that could rival the experience of running 100 meters in less than 10 seconds. The average person just can’t comprehend how fast this is. I imagine it feeling like riding in a car, but my legs are moving at an insane pace.
Sample answers to help the hypothetical
If you’re having trouble soliciting answers, throw a few of these sample answers out in the hypothetical to get their brains churning:
- Run a 4-minute mile
- Deadlift over 1,000 pounds
- Perform a triple axel in figure skating (quick hit on that below)
- Climb Mount Everest
- Highest pole vault
- Gymnastics floor exercise or parallel bars
- Solo climb Yosemite (like Alexander βAlexβ Honnold)
- Fight a grizzly bear, and win!
Need more ideas? Check out this list of amazing human feats!
The triple axel is a big deal in skating, and it’s almost mystical. It requires a massive amount of skill. However, on this side of actually experiencing a triple axel β I don’t think my initial response would be: “WOW, that was the MOST ridiculous thing EVER!”
Nevertheless, a fun feat to debate with your kids!
Importance of fun hypothetical questions
Getting kids to dream big, from a physical fitness perspective, is a great thing to cultivate. It not only activates imagination but opens the door to curiosity for things they never knew were humanely possible.
Who knows, maybe they do fight a grizzly bear when they’re old enough (and wise enough) and win. π
I hope you, and your kids, enjoy this fun hypothetical question!
You got this, Dad!
Can you win at Dadhood AND everywhere else in life? I'm just crazy enough to believe we can. With the right knowledge, hacks, habits, and motivation β we can crush it ALL!
About Eric
Eric Sharp is the founder of Healthy Dad Hacks. He married the love of his life (Sarah) and proud Dad of a blended family (Hazel & Roman). When not thinking about being a better Dad, he enjoys; CrossFit, entrepreneurship, eating carnivore, staying loyal to his Chicago Bears, music, and fancy sneakers.
[Picture: Turkey Trot 2021]