Enjoying the Gym and Socialization
I really enjoy the gym because I get to see a lot of interesting people and talk to them—both guys and girls. I also get to train my abs, which is a bonus. I’ve been coming more often after dinner because a lot of people I know go at that time. Same thing with before lunch, around 11 A.M. But when I go after dinner, like around 6 or 7, I know for sure that my friend Osama will be there.
Osama energizes me so much. When he’s around, I feel freer to approach people. It’s like a ripple effect—or a domino effect, same thing. I start with Osama, who is one of my best friends, and since I’m very comfortable with him, I can be weird around him and say whatever I want. That basically frees me.
A Gym Encounter with the Running Girl
That confidence boost led me to approach a girl I had seen before—the one who runs. I saw her during the 5K cancer run and with the running club in general. She’s quite attractive, not gonna lie. But beyond that, I don’t know much about her, except that she runs—which, for me, is a big green flag.
So, I went up to her. She didn’t seem very enthusiastic about the conversation. It wasn’t a bad conversation, just a bit unexpected for her, I think. Maybe she was nervous—I don’t know.
We talked for two or three minutes, and then I told her I was going to do my set and that she could do hers as well. Unfortunately, by the time I finished, she had left, so we didn’t continue talking.
But I did discover something interesting—a method to test if someone actually wants to talk to you. I told her, “Do you know about Midnight Runners?” She said no, so I responded, “I’ll tell you all about it after I finish my set and after you finish yours.” Then I left.
I think this is a good way to gauge someone’s interest. You give them an open invitation—“Hey, I have something cool to share. If you’re interested, come find me.” If they do, great. If not, they’re free to leave. In her case, I don’t think she was the type of person who would approach me. Just based on her energy, she wasn’t very engaged. The conversation wasn’t anything exciting—nothing crazy—so I can understand why she didn’t come back.
Still, it’s a smart way to see if someone is open to interaction. Some women just won’t take that initiative, and that’s something I have to remember.
The Addison Rae Look-Alike
There was another person I had been wanting to compliment for a long time—three months, maybe even since my second year. Actually, two years ago, I remember seeing her and thinking she looked like Addison Rae. And every time I’ve seen her in the gym since, that thought comes back.
Today, she was looking extra spicy, extra juicy, extra sexy. So, naturally, the urge to approach her was extra high. But I resisted. Walking up to her while she was alone felt like it would give off desperate vibes, so I told myself I wouldn’t do it—unless she happened to walk past me.
And then, just a few minutes later, after I took a piss and went upstairs, I saw her coming down with another girl. Perfect moment. It was just a simple interaction—no pressure on her to continue the conversation, since we were just crossing paths on the stairs. And having a friend with her made the situation feel more natural and low-stakes.
I had a split second to decide, and of course, I had to go for it. I was never going to get a better opportunity.
I asked, “Quick question—has anyone ever told you that you look like Addison Rae?”
Surprisingly, she said no. Then she said thank you. As I walked up the stairs and they walked down, I added, “I’d say that’s a compliment.” A few seconds later, I heard them laughing.
I have no idea if they were laughing for a good or bad reason, but honestly, I didn’t care. I had finally gotten that compliment out of my head. And it felt like a huge accomplishment—bigger than it should have, really.
The Ripple Effect of Confidence
As expected, after talking to her, I felt even more confident. It’s that ripple effect again. Once I talk to a woman, I feel like I can talk to anyone. After that, I had two more conversations with Women at the gym, and my confidence was at its peak.
Self-Reflection and Feedback
That being said, I do have some feedback for myself. When I gave the compliment, I was looking down at the floor. Mostly because I was thinking hard about how to word it. The way you phrase things—especially compliments—can make all the difference. It can either make you seem like a creep or turn into a Cinderella story.
So, in some ways, I sounded a little scripted—which is fair, because I had played out this scenario in my head so many times over the past few years.