Woody Allen Was Wrong

In Annie Hall Woody Allen's character Alvy Singer notes that " Everything our parents said was good is bad. Sun, milk, red meat... college." And in the 1970s, we thought that was true. For me, however, all of those things actually are good. Given that I live in the Pacific Northwest, spending time in the summer sun is an important way to stock up on vitamin D--low levels of which have been linked to cardiovascular disease. Milk's easy to defend. Non-fat milk has protein, calcium, and just enough carbs to make it one of my favorite post-workout drinks (whirred in the blender with a frozen banana and some cocoa powder of course). Red meat? I could go for a nice, lean buffalo burger right now.

Which brings us to college.

I graduated on Saturday with a Bachelor of Science degree. Ironically, it was 30 years exactly after I graduated high school, so that was amusing. I'm pretty grateful that I was able to take two and a half years out of my life and get this degree. Even though I often complained bitterly, it was a privilege to be able to wake up every day and be immersed in thinking and reading and studying.

College also gave me something very important aside from career training and a degree. When I entered PSU, I was a bit beaten down. The previous few years had not been kind to me careerwise (or, some might argue, in other respects. But I'm not going there). The process of earning my degree helped me get my confidence back. The path to excelling at college is very visible when you have the perspective that middle-aged adulthood gives: Show up for all your classes. Read the syllabus. Study for tests. Work up a passion for what you're learning. Because it was easy to see how to do well, I did well. Gradually, I began to rebuild a sense of self-esteem about my abilities. It didn't hurt that I was also getting stronger and fitter physically.

PSU's gym was where I first got my hands on personal training clients. What a high to be able to earn money while helping others find the fun in fitness.

And perhaps most importantly, college provided me with a community of people who are as in love with exercise, health, and wellness as I am--I made what I hope are lifelong friends at PSU.

So, you see, Woody, college ended up being the ultimate good thing for me. In fact, I might have to change your quote to "Everything the hippies said was good is bad. Sprouts (cuz of salmonella), carob, dropping out of college, communes ...."