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.
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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.