It was the afternoon after my exam, and I’d finally started to unwind. I had turned in all the required health forms from the folder—signed, filled out, checklist complete. I even double-checked my answers on the food diary before slipping it into the company drop box in the lobby. Everything was submitted.

Still, I couldn’t help but replay parts of the exam in my head. As much as I wanted to laugh it off like it was no big deal, the truth was—it had left a lasting impression. Not just because of how personal it got, but because of what it represented: a shift in how I was being treated. I wasn’t just some intern being shown where the printer was. I was being taken seriously—as a professional and as someone responsible for their physical health.

At around 4:10 PM, my phone buzzed. The caller ID read: Jason (Business Admin Dept.)

I straightened up instinctively and answered.

“Hello, this is Caleb.”

“Hey Caleb! It’s Jason from the office—your soon-to-be new workplace,” he said with a warm chuckle. “You got a minute?”

“Of course, yes sir.”

“Good! Just wanted to give you a quick update. First off, we got everything back from Dr. Porter and his wellness team. The full checklist is complete, and your health history forms were turned in. He gave us the summary report earlier today.”

I could feel a small wave of relief roll through my chest. “That’s great to hear.”

Jason continued, “And more importantly—you passed everything. No flags, no delays. Dr. Porter said you handled everything professionally. He even left a note about your overall fitness and willingness to comply with the new policies.”

“Yeah… I tried to take it seriously,” I said. “Some of it was definitely new territory for me, but I knew it was important.”

Jason’s tone shifted slightly, softening with appreciation. “Listen, I know that exam probably wasn’t the most comfortable experience, Caleb. You’re not the first guy to feel a little awkward about it—and you definitely won’t be the last. But I want you to know, we’re proud of how you handled it.”

“Thank you, sir. I wasn’t expecting how thorough it would be… but I understand the reasoning behind it now,” I said honestly.

Jason replied, “That’s exactly the mindset we were hoping for. Our CEO and the board are very serious about turning this into a healthier, more forward-thinking workplace. It’s about longevity. Prevention. Performance. You're actually the very first employee to go through this new system from beginning to end—and you knocked it out of the park.”

That made me pause for a second. I hadn’t realized I was literally the first employee under the new policy. Suddenly the intensity of the exam made a little more sense.

“Well, I appreciate you saying that,” I said. “I want to make a good impression.”

“You already have,” Jason said firmly. “Which brings me to the good part—your start date.”

My heart picked up a beat.

“We’d like to have you start next Monday—bright and early at 8:00 AM. We’ll have your badge ready at the front desk, along with your department access card and onboarding packet. You’ll do your HR orientation in the morning and then I’ll show you around your unit. Sound good?”

“That sounds perfect,” I said. “I’m ready.”

“Glad to hear it. Oh—and one more thing,” he added, chuckling a bit. “You’ll get your first gym orientation session that Friday. Don’t worry, it’s nothing intense. Just an intro to the equipment, our personal trainer, and a walk-through of the fitness goal tracking system. No drills or burpees your first week, I promise.”

I laughed lightly. “Got it. I think I can handle that.”

Jason paused, then added one more note: “Keep doing what you’re doing, Caleb. It’s rare to find someone fresh out of college who takes responsibility for both their career and their health. You’re setting a high bar already.”

“Thank you, sir. I really appreciate the opportunity.”

“You’ve earned it. We’ll see you Monday.”

We said our goodbyes, and I ended the call with a small grin.

As I sat back and stared at my phone screen, the reality settled in: I had a real job. With real expectations. And for better or worse, I had already passed one of the toughest onboarding experiences anyone in my friend group had ever heard of.

Next Monday, it all begins.

And somehow… I was more ready than I expected.