Thulsa Doom: Ah, it must have been when I was younger. There was a time, boy, when I searched for steel, when steel meant more to me than gold or jewels.
Conan: The riddle…of steel.
Thulsa Doom: Yes! You know what it is, don’t you boy? Shall I tell you? It’s the least I can do. Steel isn’t strong, boy. Flesh is stronger! Look around you. There, on the rocks, a beautiful girl. Come to me, my child…
[Coaxes the girl to jump to her death.]
Thulsa Doom: That is strength, boy! That is power! What is steel compared to the hand that wields it? Look at the strength in your body, the desire in your heart. I gave you this!
—from Conan the Barbarian
As Conan slashes his way to revenge, we learn two universal truths via his character arc/journey—a man is in complete control of the weapons he commands and a man’s spirit is far more powerful than any weapons he stands against. That’s why two were able to stand against many in the final battle scene. Conan didn’t need Crom. He only needed his sword, some personal accountability for making his own destiny, and belief in himself. With that realization, he fearlessly jumps into battle and conquers his enemies with a warrior’s fury, despite the seemingly insurmountable odds. This lesson can be applied to all things.
Yes, I have seen that movie a hundred times. And yes, my wife does complain whenever it is on TV and I have to watch it again. Do I understand that others may potentially find it sad or pathetic that I’ve learned important life lessons from fictional characters? Yes. Do I care? Not really.
Whatever can motivate you and help you become a better athlete—or man/woman in general—is valuable regardless of the source. And Red Sonja motivated me for other reasons, but that is another story for another time…
In Conan’s world, it was the riddle of steel. In our world, it is the riddle of iron. What is the answer to the riddle? The twofold answer is the same as what Conan discovered:
1. A man is in complete control of the weapons he commands. You can use the iron for whatever you desire—to get stronger, bigger, or shredded; to rehabilitate an injury or let out some aggression; for personal sanity in a chaotic life; or for everything and anything in between. Don’t let others try to dictate to you what the right way is or push their personal goals on to you. Don’t follow the trends or conventions if you don’t believe in them.
Training needs to be a personal, individualized endeavor. Simply identify your personal goals at this moment in time whatever they may be and regardless of what anyone else thinks (especially society). Find the right coach/mentor (there are a variety of experts at Elite FTS) and commit 100 percent to an appropriately designed program.
2. A man’s spirit is far more powerful than any weapons he stands against. A spiritless man/woman may crumble before plastic-coated, pink weights. But no bar, no matter how many plates or pounds are loaded on to it, is any match for a real man/woman. Attack your training with confidence, not with fear.
Borrowing from another warrior culture—the samurai—remember this: “No matter what it is, there is nothing that cannot be done. If one manifests the determination, he can move heaven and earth as he pleases.” –Hagakure.
Contemplate this—not on the tree of woe—but the next time you are on the lifting platform. Until next time, crush your enemies—the squats, deadlifts, and presses that stand before you.
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Nate Miyaki is a certified personal trainer and a certified specialist in both fitness and sports nutrition (ISSA). He has completed post-baccalaureate studies in kinesiology at San Francisco State University. Nate has successfully competed in natural bodybuilding with both the NPC and Musclemania federations. In a former life, he toured as the professional wrestler the Kamikaze Kid. 
Awesome stuff. Loved your stuff on Tnation.
Keep it up man!
Read it after a very difficult squat session, in which I did a 315lb lift (20lb PR). This would be peanuts for most people reading this; nine months ago I suffered a serious lumbar herniation due to which medical opinion was that I never lift again. That happened after just one and a half months of training; 3 months of rest and 6 months of recovery training later I can say that this article is very true.
Hope to see more similar articles, keep it up!
Awesome and so true. Just what I needed to hear, Nate. Definitely going to have the Conan soundtrack cranking at the gym tonight!
I keep a copy of “Fantastic: the life of Arnold Schwarzenegger” by my bedside at all times, and flip to random pages for inspiration (yes, for real).
To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women.
Squats, I fear them. I know it hurts, but I know I can lift the weight and I do. I feel relieved when I’ve done ‘em, not triumphant. Other lifts, I crush ‘em! lol
Thanks mate, good excuse to watch either Conan flick, and I can watch Olivia D’Abo:)
Of course, in the final battle scene Conan did get a slight assist from Valeria’s spirit at a crucial moment, but you could read it as she wouldn’t have helped him if he had not been so determined to press on through his own inner strength. I have always loved that movie and enjoyed this article. Here’s to getting bigger and stronger, so as not to become dinner for wolves!
Neat article.
Not to pick nits, but in the final battle Conan still needed help from his dead girlfriend, who showed up fresh from the land of the dead wearing a way-too-shiny viking helmet, just in time to give Ben Davidson a sword-smack in the face.
There really isn’t anything wrong with getting inspiration from a movie. “Conan The Barbarian” was directed by John Milius, a huge fan of the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. This fact becomes quickly obvious to anyone familiar with Nietzsche right at the introduction to the film;
“That which does not kill us makes us stronger.”
Nietzsche makes awesome pre-workout reading, especially for the non-religious thinker. For the faithful, Former heavyweight champ Joe Frazier once said that the biblical ‘Book of Judges’ always put him in the mood for war, so he read it before all of his fights.
Great stuff. Seriously thinking about the following quote for my email signature, and yes I would plan to reference your name with it. “Don’t let others try to dictate to you what the right way is or push their personal goals on to you. Don’t follow the trends or conventions if you don’t believe in them.”
Words to live by, both in the gym and out.
terrific article , it speaks the truth , use it , live by it , train by it !!!grow !!!! absolutely love the conan series , i have the sountracks to both on my ipod , it helps to get into a zone thundering , powerful music …… ” enough talk ” .
I qoute “CONAN” ALL THE TIME. Ask any of my students. Great Article, Great Insight, Thanks!