If you are here it’s because you are attempting to better yourself physically, and whether you’re doing it on purpose or not, mentally as well. In light of our search for answers we inevitably look to others for answers at potentially do some of the same things as someone else. By that logic we are connected, not only in our search for answers to our truth but in the actions taken to get there. That means if you’re in pain, you should be here. If you are an athlete looking for an additional push with some sport specific needs for training you should be here. If you are a on the road a lot (truck driver, taxi, etc..) , stay at home parent or somewhere in between, this place will have knowledge to be shared about all aspects of training, nutrition, rehab, and the things to help you progress even further than you thought possible. The mind is a powerful weapon, your body is the best tool you could ever desire especially when armed with the information necessary to accomplish the goal in mind. While there is so much information out there that can pull you down a rabbit hole that doesn’t mean that the right information isn’t within reach to help you reach your greatest heights. It essentially comes down to a level of discernment coupled with the realities of trial, error, and success to get it right in the long run.  

This is the time when we can look to the thoughts of great athletes to help guide, inspire, and comfort us with their motivation on our journey.

“I hated every minute of training, but I said Don’t Quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.”
Muhammad Ali

“Some people create with words or with music or with a brush and paints. I like to make something beautiful when I run. I like to make people stop and say, ‘I’ve never seen anyone run like that before.’ It’s more than just a race, it’s a style. It’s doing something better than anyone else. It’s being creative.”
Steve Prefontaine

“If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done. Make at least one definite move daily toward your goal.”
Bruce Lee

“Work like you don’t need the money. Love like you’ve never been hurt. Dance like nobody’s watching”
Satchel Paige

There is a realization that must be made. When training the body the mind must be trained as well. It should not be left to be the limiting factor in the quest for physical growth. We are here to play, perform and be free to find true expression, without limitation. The goals we set must be accompanied with the intent to not just reach them, but surpass them. Just knowing that every journey happens one day at a time is not enough. It must be realized that it is up to us to find the drive to push through every single day; not just when it is easy, but especially when it is hard. Because it is just that easy for the mind to be drug down into the depths when energy is low and the goal seems a life time away. The conviction that is set at the beginning must be refreshed every time we take our minds back to the first day of the journey when we were excited to begin. Having thoughts like “Why am I doing this!?” or “It can’t be worth it.” are false worries that only lead to rage quitting and burnout.

You already know the reward for accomplishing the goal is worth more that the instantaneous gratitude of some empty pleasure seeking activity than the bliss of knowing what you have overcome to reach the finish line. Nothing beats completing a task when the odds are overwhelming. There is nothing like being on the other side of the line looking at the person you left behind to become the person that you are now. While it doesn’t always require winning the race or beating your opponent. It does require you to not quit on the journey. Giving up in the middle of competition to sulk about what someone else has or what you haven’t been able to do is a regret that negatively builds your ego. And ego is the destroyer of your ability to surpass who you are now to become the person that you want to be.

Ego tells you that “you don’t have to do this if you don’t want to because it’s not going to change who you are.” The ego wants you to believe that what you do doesn’t matter. The ego would have you believe that you can never beat or compete with someone else when the reality is so much more compelling. This is why the mind has to be trained with the body; to silence these thoughts. Yes, it is possible to thrive off the noise of doubt, but only after the drive to walk through any tunnel of negativity without taking your eyes off the goal has been developed can this be achieved. This is done through countless hours of physical and mental rehearsal. Physical, mental, and emotional training must be done to show yourself that what you desire can be achieved, but only when there is no doubt.

Once doubt enters the mind the disadvantages begin. Outcomes will be measured against these doubts when it’s really the process that is the pivotal decision maker. It’s when outcomes and expectations find ways to root themselves deep into your psyche poisoning your ability to reasonably know what can and can not happen that weaken your confidence. Thereby weakening the ability to follow through with the process.

The process of how you do something is the dictator of whether it will be a success or not. Whether it’s the process of getting up to go workout, putting up shots in the gym, making swings at the range, hitting balls at the court, throwing balls down the lanes, picking up the kids from the school or having a conversation with a client/coworker it is the process before anything else. While this is a deeper topic, we all know that if we repeat the correct process for something over and over again until it is not just a habit, but an instinctive response then it is inevitable that there will be success that follows it. There is also the knowing that even if it’s done right every single time, there will be some that don’t succeed. The lion doesn’t always catch it’s prey. This leaves us with the reality that if we follow the process we are more likely to succeed than not, but also that as long as we follow a process that yields positive results we can reap positive results, not just expect them. False expectations just leads to regrets and dreams unfulfilled.

So, take this with you as you begin or continue your journey. Expect nothing. Work for it. Find your process. Refine it. Learn from your mistakes. Refine the process some more. Hone the thoughts of your mind to filter out doubt. Let your process dictate your outcomes not your ego.