The Goat, the Gate, and the Great Escape
The Freedom to Move Is Closer Than You Think... Just Ask the Goat
The other morning, I watched one of our neighbor’s goats attempt a great escape. This wasn’t just any goat. This was Houdini in hooves.
The gate's closed, the fence is solid, but this fuzzy little escape artist manages to wriggle, twist, hop, and slide himself right through a narrow space I didn’t even think existed.
It was honestly impressive. Like watching a yoga master crossed with an NFL running back.
And it got me thinking...
That goat had flexibility… his body bent and twisted like a seasoned yogi.
He had mobility… his joints flowed through their full range like a well-oiled machine.
And he had agility… he darted, juked, and zigzagged like he had a game-winning touchdown on the line.
People confuse those three all the time. But they’re not the same.
Flexibility is how far your muscles can stretch. Think about touching your toes or doing a wide-legged stretch. It’s important, but not the whole story.
Mobility is how well your joints move through a full, healthy range. Can your hips rotate smoothly? Do your shoulders move freely?
Agility is your ability to move quickly and easily, to change directions without tripping over your own feet. That’s balance, control, and reaction time.
You need all three if you want to move like that goat… or at least get off the couch without groaning.
We’ve seen people in their 70s who are more agile and mobile than they were in their 40s. Why? Because they focused on the right things, not just stretching, but strengthening through movement, breathing better, and moving every day.
So next time someone asks you the difference, just tell them about the goat.
Try this, today, stand on one leg while brushing your teeth. It’ll challenge your mobility and agility. Want to level it up? Try closing your eyes. (Just don’t blame me if the toothpaste ends up on the mirror.)
Want more little tricks like that to boost your flexibility, mobility, and agility all at once? That’s what we do at RiversZen. We help you move better, feel better, and live better… with or without a goat in the yard.