'The street work out that brought me back to life'

Zoomin English

After witnessing a murder and almost losing his mother, Wesley hit rock bottom. He quit his job and sought help, but only one thing could help him overcome his demons.

Transcript

00:01We were driving in the police car, we had a call, two guys fighting.

00:05One guy, he had a big knife, and he killed him.

00:10He stabbed him twice, and he run away.

00:14So we performed CPR on the guy, but doing CPR,

00:17every time we pushed, the blood flows out.

00:20He was like, I'm going to die, and I was like, keep focus, keep focus.

00:23And then he just left.

00:28I saw him leaving his body.

00:31I turned off my emotions, I was like a robot.

00:36I'm Wesley Kalikhoven, about three years ago I started to do calisthenics.

00:40Calisthenics really helped me through a tough time.

00:54I was like 24 when I joined the force.

00:57At that time, I had a really big ego.

01:00And I thought I was a tough guy, and emotions were like, for sissies.

01:05I told myself that I choose to do this kind of job.

01:08So don't cry, this is what you want to, this is what you have to do.

01:13So I put all my feelings aside, and just go through, and it builds up.

01:19There were also family issues.

01:21My mom, she got sick.

01:22And everything came together, and it was really a hard time.

01:26So colleagues of mine, they were asking, like, Wes, maybe you need to talk to someone.

01:32And I was like, no, no, no, I don't have to.

01:34It's okay, it's okay.

01:36And after a while, more people are asking me that.

01:39And so I went talking to someone.

01:41And I was in this state that I couldn't think straight anymore.

01:46So I could not do my job anymore.

01:49So they were like, Wes, you need to leave.

01:53I started training a lot.

01:58I've done all different kinds of training.

02:01But I just wanted to train as hard as I can, so I didn't have to think.

02:06I didn't have to feel.

02:08That's why I like the whole calisthenics vibe.

02:12That it's a balanced way of training through strength and focus.

02:18Because you cannot force yourself into a handstand by getting stronger.

02:22But if you don't have the focus and the mindset for it, you will fall.

02:28It has to do with training without any mirrors.

02:35When I was in the gym, I wanted to create muscles.

02:39Because I thought when I have muscles, when I look big, I get respect.

02:43But what I noticed on a later age, of course, is that it's only helping build the ego, right?

02:50If getting muscles are the goal, I think you will never reach that point when you are satisfied with your body.

02:58Because if you always look at your body, you don't see any growth.

03:01But if you focus on a skill, and in calisthenics you have multiple skills.

03:07You need strength for those things.

03:09But then strength has a purpose.

03:12What I really like for people is to break the autopilot.

03:20Because there is no awareness in being on autopilot.

03:26Your life is being lived for you.

03:30I'm really tired.

03:32But I'm really proud of you.

03:33But I'm really proud of you.

03:34Where are my muscles?

03:35Yeah.

03:36Well, we are more than just about the foot straps.

03:38We're not good at this level.

03:39We're not good at this level.

03:40I think it's fine.

03:41I hope to go ahead and see you.

03:43I hope to get a look.

03:44So far, if you have any thinking.

03:45So far, let's go ahead and see you.

03:46So far.

03:47Please, appreciate it.

03:48So far.

03:49I'll be with you.

03:50And the people at the same time, in the years.

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