Alone in a Room Full of People

The Gym Shift

I remember back in the '90s when I first started working out in the Air Force. Everybody in the gym was super supportive. We all listened to the same music without headphones—it was usually some form of metal or rap (haha), and I still like it today—and there was a real sense of teamwork.

Most people don't even make eye contact anymore; they’re just in their own world on their phones. Being in a gym full of people where nobody looks at anyone else is a weird experience for someone like me. It's funny how you can be in a room full of people and feel completely disconnected from everyone and alone.

I’ve been able to meet many friends simply by walking up and asking what they’re working on or how they’re doing. I do it in a friendly way. Because I’ve stuck to that approach, I’ve made lots of new buddies over the years. I like going to places that I spend a lot of time at and having a human experience.

Now that I’m living in San Diego part of the year, I’ve found the gym scene is the same as it is back in Michigan—everyone is glued to their screens. But just in the past couple of months, I’ve already made a few friends I say hi to every time I go. I recognize a big change in how people interact before and after all this technology. For me, breaking that silence is a way to keep my humanity and the human touch alive in a world full of tech. It’s working for me, and I’m still using all the tech too.