GoodFriday: On the matrix, smith machine, & muscle mass

Happy GoodFriday!  

Here’s something I heard, thought, and did this week.

Something I Heard: The Matrix

"Don't think you are. Know you are.”—Morpheus, The Matrix

I freaking love this movie! This past week I had a discussion with a client about a scene in The Matrix, where Neo and Morpheus are fighting. If you haven’t seen the movie in a while or if you haven’t seen it at all click HERE.

Theres a part in this scene where Morpheus says to Neo, “Don’t think you are. Know you are.” That line struck a chord: Neo’s real battle wasn’t physical, it was mental. He was shackled by his own belief systems. Morpheus, in this scene, is attempting to show him that the Matrix’s rules only limit him as much as he lets them.

What he believes is reality—his fear, doubt, self-imposed limits—they’re all constructs of a mind that hasn’t yet stepped into full power. It’s only when Neo stops trying to hit Morpheus, and knows that he can hit him, that everything changes.

This isn’t just sci-fi drama. We all do it, holding ourselves back, doubting what we’re capable of before we’ve even tried. But when you shift from saying, “I think I can,” to quietly knowing, “I will,” something shifts radically. That’s when you start rewriting the rules on what’s possible.

Something I Thought: Building Muscle is Extremely Important

The more I study health and longevity, the clearer it becomes: muscle might be the single most important thing you can build for your future. It’s not just about aesthetics or strength in the gym, muscle is protective. It guards against injury, supports your metabolism, improves insulin sensitivity, and even helps keep your hormones in check as you age.

The reality is, most people never come close to their true potential when it comes to muscle. And every pound of muscle you add is like making a deposit in your body’s “retirement account,” an investment that pays off in resilience, vitality, and independence for decades to come.

So the thought is simple: don’t just aim for “enough.” Build as much quality muscle as you can, for as long as you can. Your future self will thank you.

Something I’m Doing: Using the Smith Machine

I feel like when it comes to training equipment the Smith Machine gets a bad rap. Honestly though, I’ve been loving it lately. It gives you the ability to push a set all the way to failure without worrying about dropping the bar. The ability to lock it in place when I’m completely cooked gives me a psychological edge; it lets me train harder than I would if I had to worry about a spotter or bailing out.

I’ve been using it for squats and incline bench, and the stimulus is insane. It locks me into a consistent path, removes the fear factor, and forces my muscles to work even harder. If you’ve overlooked the Smith machine, give it another shot. Used intentionally, it’s one of the best tools for building strength and size.

Until next week!

-Cameron Harn