“What I have discovered about the gym is, it is the place of transformation. Outside of here, I’m Father Bill, the priest. Inside the gym, I’m Bill. In here, the focus is on physical exertion, which allows me to disconnect from the outside world and find a sense of peace and renewal.”
Meet Father Bill Hill. Born and partially raised in Sheridan, Wyoming. He later moved to Rock Springs, Wyoming during his high school years. Following college, he entered seminary and has since served the people of Wyoming as a Catholic priest for 18 years.
Physical fitness wasn’t on Bill’s radar for many years. He describes himself as someone who didn’t know how to care for his body in high school and college and acknowledges a period of significant unhealthiness during his seminary years. He stated that his weight reached a critical point during his time in seminary.
In 2014, as a way to stay in shape, he started dabbling with running which turned into a serious endeavor, leading him to run several ultra-marathons. His mindset, “If a little is good, more is better” propelled him to consider even longer distances. As he expressed, “If you can do a 32 mile, why not try 50 miles. If I can do a 50, why not 62. After 62 miles, I figured I might as well attempt a 100 mile. However, a foot injury forced him to shift to weight training, which has become a significant part of his fitness regimen for the past ten years.
To enhance his training, Bill maintains a detailed log of his lifts, a practice his friends playfully call ‘the old man logbook.’ Since 2019, this record has allowed him to monitor his progress and strategically plan his workouts. “You cannot manage what you do not measure” he asserts. Additionally, the logbook provides a dedicated space for mindful focus, free from the distractions of his phone. In essence, both gym logs and life experiences emphasize the importance of tracking progress, setting goals, identifying patterns, and maintaining discipline to achieve desired outcomes. They both require reflection and adjustments to overcome plateaus.
He also found that working out not only supports his physical health and goal but most importantly aids in managing his mental wellness. Living and growing up in Wyoming, mental health isn’t something that is talked about partly because we have the tough guy mentality. “I’ve dealt with seasonal depression for over ten years. Through extensive research and self-awareness, I discovered the vital role of light exposure (natural and artificial) on my mental state, especially living in Wyoming where we are lucky to get 6 months of decent sunlight”.
Drawing from his own experience with seasonal depression and recognizing lack of mental well-being discussion, Bill uses his platform to share his personal journey to help normalize mental health discussion, particularly within his congregation. This approach aims to build personal connections to eliminate the shame and stigmatization often associated with mental health challenges, especially in Wyoming. He strongly acknowledges the power of prayer but also recognizes the therapeutic value of physical activities like, exposure to light, weightlifting, and outdoor exercise, stating, “Prayer is good and helps a lot, but sometimes, you just have to lift some heavy weights or get out for some sunlight, and sweat it out.'”
When asked about the most significant lessons he’s learned as a priest and in life, he emphasized humility and understanding. “It’s not about me,” he stated. “It’s God’s work, and I need to chill out trusting that He is in control”. He stressed the importance of walking alongside people through life’s complexities, regardless of their perceived shortcomings or not meeting our standards.
Furthermore, he highlighted the vast, overwhelming diversity of God’s creation, suggesting that ancient wisdom and interpretation may not have fully capture its breadth. With over eight billion individuals on earth, each with unique backgrounds, cultures, languages, and perspectives, he believes that the key is to strive for genuine understanding of each other. This serves as a reminder that despite our differences, we are all part of the same human family, originating from a common source. By striving for genuine understanding, we can build a more peaceful, harmonious, and inclusive world.
When it comes to working out and weightlifting, he plans on keeping his four day a week regimen in the gym (as much as life and work allows him), keep his ‘old man logbook’ practice as a way of reflecting on his progress and strength and to stay healthy with the goal of age well.
