Every day I coach in the gym is another day to realise that I should be thankful of what I have and not worry about what I don’t have.
I’m thankful for my wife and daughters. I love them more then anything. I’m thankful that I have a roof over my head and that the bills are getting paid. I’m thankful for the fact that I get to wake up everyday and do what I love: run Adapt, help people to take it to the next level and push myself to do the same.
Everyday I coach I get to see people having good days and having bad days. When it’s good it’s all good -> You know the days when it’s all smiles and everything just seems to work. But then there are days when it’s not so good. Everything is a downright battle and try as you might, nothing seems to click.
One thing I’ve come to learn over the last 15 years of my life is that on any given day, absolutely everyone is battling with something. It could be relationship issues, work issues, financial and/or self confidence issues. Whatever you’re going through, you bring that into the gym when you train (whether you want to or not)
I think you have days when you feel empowered and in control of your problems and sometimes there’s days where the very same things become so overwhelming, so consuming and so heavy that you can barely hold yourself together. On some days one small push the wrong way will see you explode (and lash out) or implode and collapse into a crumpled, blubbering mess on the floor.
When girls battle…
It’s probably a little easier to see it in girls because they’re so in touch with their emotions. If you’re not having a good day all it can take is a few firm words from the coach (me) and I’ll see your eyes start to glass up. I’m not trying to make you cry and I’m certainly not trying to embarrass you but sometimes, it just happens. That’s OK. I’ve had good days and bad days too and while I may not know the specifics of your situation I (1) appreciate the fact that you made it to training and (2) the effort you’re making now to do what I’m asking…
Guys are a little different…
It can be much harder to see in guys because we like to pretend there’s nothing’s wrong. I mean we’re supposed to be the masters of our own universe right?! To show emotion is to be weak or at least so we think. So we try to bottle up our problems and get on with it (life)
You think no one knows and you think you can hide it but let’s be honest you can’t. Do you seriously think that CrossFit only uncovers your physical weakness? It uncovers so much more than that. As a coach, I get to see how a guy will function when he is pushed to the absolute limit. If they’re having a bad day some guys will lose their shit, swear and lash out while others will internalise, shut down and from time to time yes, even a guy will tear up.
I get to see how you load up your barbell. I can see when you make irrational jumps in weight. When you fail a lift I can tell if it was because of your ego or your ability. I know it doesn’t seem like much to go on but small cracks in your performance as an athlete are enough for me to know if you’ve got some other shit going on in your life. I know because I’ve battled with the same stuff too.
On a minute by minute and second by second basis, I constantly have to refine my delivery as a coach. To know when you push you, to know when to step back and when to swap out my positional cues for supportive encouragement.
As I said earlier, I appreciate that you’re here and trying to do what I’m saying. To come to the gym when you feel like you’ve got the world on your shoulders shows me your commitment and I respect that. It’s absolutely massive and it never goes unnoticed. YOUR effort earns MY respect. ALWAYS.
Everyday you train is a chance to learn a little more about yourself. How you manage your emotions. How you manage your mental and physical state when you think there’s absolutely nothing left in the tank. How you respond to the requests of a coach and how you respond to encouragement from your training buddies.
Somedays will be diamonds and some days will be dogs. That’s life. That’s training. If you’re battling with something – don’t worry, we all are and that’s OK. It’s OK to cry and it’s OK to fall down. It’s OK to fall down because you’re surrounded by people that can’t wait to see you get back up and go again. I respect the fact you’re here. I believe in you and see your potential even on the days you can’t.
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