Go Your Own Way
What’s poppin’, people? It’s Dante, checking in as I walk along the Schuylkill River Trail here in Philly. It’s one of those mornings—the air is crisp, the clouds are draped like a blanket across the sky, and I’m all bundled up. This is my spot. This is where I thrive. Solitude. Peace. The trail gives me clarity, and today I’ve got some things on my mind.
Let’s talk about meat.
Meat is my medicine. People like to get in your business about it, though, don’t they? I’ve had someone tell me—rudely, by the way—that I’d be a better man, a better Catholic even, if I gave it up and went vegan. Can you believe that? Like, my diet defines my moral worth.
Here’s the thing: I love the Catholic Church. The mythos, the story of Jesus, the teachings—they resonate with me. I’m Catholic. But lately, I’ve noticed this trend. It’s like we’re replacing God with something else. In churches, it feels like God is being swapped out for nature or some other ideology. And in society? God gets replaced by bureaucracy, especially here in the States.
At the end of the day, it’s your choice. That’s the point, right? Freedom. Freedom to live, eat, love, and move how you choose.
Mind-Body Alignment
When I think about the carnivore lifestyle, it’s not just about getting stronger or looking good—though those are perks. For me, it’s about alignment. Fasting and eating meat create this unshakable connection between my mind and body. When I’m fasted, nothing is weighing me down, literally or figuratively. It’s clarity. It’s focus.
When I walk alone in nature, there’s this quiet relationship with God that comes through. It’s raw, powerful, and unlike anything else I’ve ever experienced. The physical benefits are great, but for me, this journey is mostly spiritual now.
The Pain of Misalignment
A couple of days ago, I decided to hang from my pull-up bar, testing my limits, just trying to impress myself. I was hanging there, thinking, How long can I hold on? Turns out, not long enough to avoid some pain.
Now my left index finger is strained, my lower back is aching, and I’m thinking about how unnatural that movement might be. We’re not monkeys. We’re humans. We’re meant to stand tall, to walk and march, not to swing from trees. When your body is out of alignment, everything else—your mind, your emotions—starts to feel off too.
Finding Beauty in the Morning
Let me tell you, the view on this trail? Incredible. That blanket of clouds stretching across the sky is something else. I’ll probably walk toward the Ulysses S. Grant statue next, head down Kelly Drive, and pass those iconic boathouses.
Standing on an elevated spot like this feels like zooming out. It’s like seeing myself from a third-person perspective, an eagle’s view of how small I am in this vast world. Yet, in that smallness, there’s a connection to everything.
This is my respawn point. My tactical insertion. It’s where I come to reset.
The Message
We have the freedom to choose. Freedom over our minds, our bodies, and our lives. Don’t let anyone guilt or shame you for the path you’re walking.
Go beyond the horizon. Keep striving. Live how you want to live.
That’s the message today: Go your own way.