The latest season of The Last of Us has been nothing short of intense, especially seeing Ellie and Abby on their respective revenge quests. While I won’t spoil too much, Ellie’s journey highlights something that can be a highly potent driving force. it links a deep, emotional pain to a clear mission.
Now, I’m not suggesting that you seek out pain or injustice to solely further your goals and dream body. But what I do know is that negative feelings like anger, frustration, and sadness aren’t inherently bad. In fact, they can serve as valuable fuel if channeled correctly.
I Remember Kobe Bryant’s concept of the “muse cage.” In a video I saw years ago, he talked about creating a ‘dark muse cage,’ a place that has images or words that evoke harsh emotions and negative feelings that push you to prove something to yourself. In my personal life I went through a pretty bad breakup recently. In one hand I try to be an adult the situation and in the other i rationally accept that anger is part of the grieving process. You can best believe that the anger I feel from the situations I experienced in my relationship are going straight into my dark muse cage.
This idea is powerful: harnessing your darker feelings to propel you forward. The truth that people often don’t talk about is that chasing your goals, whether building muscle, losing fat, or transforming your body completely, won’t always feel good. But if you connect your “darker side” to your vision, you’ll find motivation even on the toughest days. That’s why the term “revenge body” isn’t just a catchy phrase; it’s a mindset rooted in turning pain and desire for progress.
If you’re sitting in a “villain’s arc” in your journey, feeling upset or angry, use that energy. Instead of suppressing your feelings, I urge you to direct them toward your goal. Whether you want to shed fat, gain muscle, or simply become stronger mentally, your darker emotions could be the secret weapon missing from your strategy.
Ready to channel your negative emotions into tangible progress? Reach out—I’d be honored to guide you on your villain arc towards your “revenge body.”
