ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
A worn, faded brown, leather weight belt has replaced the flimsy, orange reflective safety patrol belt that 62-year-old Johnny Martin said he wore in elementary school, where he assisted his classmates crossing a road.
These days, as the retired Marine makes his way to the West Fitness Center weight room every weekday, he is still helping others--and, he said, being blessed by the encounters.
The 316th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle operator, born in Rockingham, N.C., and raised in Alexandria, Va., celebrated his birthday Thursday, and continues to serve as an inspiration for those half, even one-third, his age.
When Mr. Martin, who served four years on Active Duty and 26 years in the Marine Corps reserve, walks confidently into a room, there is no observable evidence of a school incident some five decades ago. But, its impact on his fitness was far-reaching.
He shares that when he approached a fellow female safety patrol those many years ago, she said she didn't like "fat boys." He resolved there that day to never again be fat, he said. He began body weight training, a practice he continued through years of sports and, eventually through his enlistment in the Corps. A supervisor later told him he needed to lift weights, and that he has done pretty much ever since.
His easy-going nature betray his appearance as he sits on the edge of a flat weightlifting bench. Sporting one of several Marine-themed baseball caps, he fills out a black skin-tight shirt that shows he's replaced any plump of years past with pecs of note.
"Hey what's up? What's up? Ooh rah!" he greets a fellow patron in the locker room. Conversation flows to and from him with great ease. His is a calming presence, and it seems to buoy (nautical pun intended) others.
"I've had so many young men come and tell me that I motivate them," he said without a trace of self-congratulation. "Thinking about being a blessing (by motivating others through his consistent example) to somebody else motivates me. I think we all have gifts ... and I think mine is to motivate other people."
"'How can I still work out day in and day out?'" people ask him, he said. "The good Lord gives me the strength and the mindset."
An approaching patron slows, gives Mr. Martin a fist bump and moves on to his next set of exercises. Later, another patron greets him and shakes his hand. "They come up and do this," extending his fist to touch knuckles, "every day I come in the gym," he said, grinning. "Young people giving respect, that touches my heart and puts a big smile on my face; I love it!"
It's Friday, and after splitting his four previous workouts between major muscle groups--chest and cardio on Monday, back and shoulders Tuesday, arms and cardio Wednesday, and chest again Thursday, today's schedule calls for a full-body workout. He'll hit all other muscle groups except the pecs today during his 90-minute to two-hour session.
Some of that time is spent sharing his wisdom, "muscle mentoring" if you will. At other times, he's watching other's, from whom he said he can still learn after all his years of lifting.
"People around me are truly a blessing," he said. "You can come in here every day and someone will greet you with a positive attitude. It's like an addiction, a good addiction; it's getting a natural high. You don't have to pay for it, you just have to apply yourself."