Don't Sink to Their Level

We're always told to do our best, to try our hardest, to give it all we've got. And a lot of the time we think we do. So why, then, do we see great athletes occasionally get beat by mediocre athletes? Why, then, do smart students occasionally bomb average exams? Why, then, do lifters occasionally miss weights they're more than capable of handling? It's because far too often we sink to the level of our opponent. 

Your opponent can be anything. If you're an athlete, it could obviously be the individual or team you're competing against, a teammate you're trying to beat for a spot, or simply yourself. If you're a student, it could be an exam, a project, or a presentation. If you're a lifter, it's the weights. If you're a teacher, it might be your students' attitudes or the expectations for the class set by your superiors. If you're a human, it could be the day in general and how it's been going. Regardless of your field, you have an opponent.

You absolutely know what you're capable of, and when you know that defeating your opponent requires a 70% effort, what do the majority of people do? They put forth a freakin 70% effort. And that's exactly how the greats lose to the average. If there's any fluctuation, if you drop just a hair below 70% or your opponent happens to bring their best, you're walking away defeated. Not just defeated, but embarrassed. You should've won, but you didn't deserve it. You were more than capable of winning. Everyone expected you to win. You have no excuse.

If it requires 70%, give 100%. If the guy next to you is slacking, set the tone with your excellence, embarrass him, and make him think twice about cruise-controlling. If your students have bad attitudes, be that leader. If the test is supposed to be easy, blow it out of the water. If the weight is relatively light, perfect your form and nail the lift. Destroy the standard. Throw off the curve. Make it clear that your opponent should never have even considered competing against you, and make dang sure they never want to again.

Sinking to your opponent's level is a dangerous waste of your time. Don't mess around with that. Bring your best, do your best, be your best always. Excellence in everything. 

Comfort: You're Seeing it All Wrong

“Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.” I’ve heard it, said it, written it, read it. Growing accustomed to pushing yourself beyond your perceived limits is a powerful tool for anyone striving for more than just average. But is that enough?

Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. The way I read it, you, the athlete, are making a change based on the circumstance. Times are tough? You adapt and battle through. That’s not proactive, that’s reactive. You, the “getting comfortable with the uncomfortable” individual, are one step behind. You’re too slow. You’re playing defense when you should be on offense. And that’s not going to cut it.

Here’s what I want.

I want you to be uncomfortable with what’s comfortable. I want you to despise settling in. I want the mere thought of giving up, giving in, and pulling back on the reins to make you uneasy to the point of sickness. I want you to run from what holds you back, what drags you down, what asks you to sit around in belief that where you are now is the best you’ll ever be. And that requires a complete mental shift. That requires you to want something so bad that giving anything less than everything is an absolute waste of your time. That requires you to cut those out who aren’t building you up, who aren’t pushing you forward, who aren’t holding you accountable, who aren’t demanding your best, because you deserve better than that.

[If we’re the average of our 5 closest friends, what does that make you? Be smart with whom you choose to surround yourself. “Bad company corrupts good character,” but that talk is for another time.]

You only have one life before you, and it’d be a dang shame to waste it away having never pushed your limits. Shift gears and sprint from passivity and apathy. I’ll never say it’s easy, but it’ll absolutely be worth it.

Uncomfortable with the comfortable. Get there. 

Why You Over Them?

If everyone in a given room posses the same trait, that trait can be crossed out as a differentiator. It no longer matters. It sets no one apart. 

Every single person in your field wants the same thing you do. Every MLB player wants to get to the World Series. Every lifter wants to win the competition. Everyone applying for a job obviously wants that job. So when the day comes that you get the slightest chance to get something you want, and someone asks you “Why should we pick you over anyone else,” you’d better not say, “Because I want it.”

Because everyone wants it.

But this isn't even about when they ask you -- this is about when YOU ask you. 

Don’t let yourself think that you “wanting” something is going to be enough to get you there. The real question is “How bad do you want it,” and that question can only be answered with your actions.

Why you over them?

What makes you better?

How have you set yourself apart from the rest?

What have you done to deserve that position, that role, that opportunity?

What do you do, day-in and day-out, that pushes you ahead of the rest?

Because guess what:

Every single person you’re competing against wants it.

Every single person has the same required qualifications.

Every single person is “passionate” about it.

Every single person has “wanted this since I was a kid.”

Earn it. Because at the end of the day, we don’t get the things we want – we get the things we deserve. That means if you haven’t put in the work, you’re going to get beat and there’s no way around that. And that loss will be yours to bear.  

So why you?

Shortcuts.

“[The easy way out] has never taken anyone anywhere worth going.”

What does that mean? What does that look like?

That means any time you have the opportunity to challenge yourself in anything related to your pursuits, you step up and do it. You don’t just accept the opportunity to grow and excel, you stinkin seek those opportunities out. You don’t just do what’s required at the lowest acceptable level of intensity, you push the envelope and force those around you to catch up. You don’t just work hard when those who matter are watching, you lead from the front and you don’t look back.

“Shortcut.”

“Acceptable.”

“Cheating.”

“Fine.”

“Alright.”

“Good enough.”

“Average.”

Words I never want to hear associated with anything I’m a part of. 

Have some integrity. Integrity of work, integrity of effort, integrity of movement. Anything worth doing is worth doing to the best of your ability. If you say you’re passionate about something, if you say you truly care about it, then show it.

//rant.

The Great Limiter

"You'll never outperform your self-image."

Continuous Running vs High Intensity Training: Why are you still jogging?

The Dark Fleet of Airdynes.

The scientific literature is in agreement, but the abounding number of joggers I see on a daily basis tells of the clear disconnect between this scientific literature and the average exerciser.

Mobility Work is a Waste

Kelly Starrett, the MobilityWod Sensei

It's boring, annoying, and time consuming, and it takes forever to see any progress. No need to waste your time.

Complacency Kills.

To find yourself completely satisfied with your current state in any discipline is to severely limit your potential for growth and excellence. Complacency is a highway to mediocrity and guarantee to a life of average averageness. 

Priorities, Patience, and the Platform

My dad has always told me I have a one-track mind; if I’ve gotten something into my head, I can’t shake the thought until I’ve discussed it or worked for it and gotten it. Aside from the times when I have to consciously tell myself to not bring something up so I won’t annoy my friends, it’s a fantastic trait that drives me and motivates me to get things done. My weightlifting goals are such a thing. 

Next Level Lifting Wrap-up: I'm Speechless.

On June 11^th, a group of 11 CrossFitters walked into our gym for day 1 of Next Level Lifting, my Olympic weightlifting program at CrossFit 979. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, they listened as I talked them through the visualization of a lift, the importance of self-belief, and the dangers of setting easily attainable goals (some may call this “being realistic”). The tone was set with a quote from Robert Collier, who said, “Your chances of success in any undertaking can always be measured by your belief in yourself.”

It's You vs You. No one else.

I have lots that I could say, but this'll be quick. Stop comparing yourself to other people.

Technique. Is it worth it?

Though the answer to this question is seemingly obvious, our actions often differ from our immediate responses. 

Do I Need Lifting Shoes?

Weightlifting shoes have grown to become the most popular weightlifting accessory at my gym, and the question of whether or not these shoes are a necessity is nearly inevitable in most athletes as time passes.

My Passion and My Future

You guys, I just want to take a moment to say how insanely excited I am about pursuing my dream of becoming a Strength and Conditioning coach. Every single time I venture off into the world wide web looking at internships, career opportunities, certifications,

Muscle Activation and Muscle Fiber Types

Chapter 1, Part 2/4: The Neuromuscular System (Part 1/2)

Introduction/Overview

Now that we’ve covered the muscular system, we will carry on into the neuromuscular system. Simply put, the neuromuscular system is the relationship of nerve cells (or motor neurons) and the muscle(s) they are connected to, as well as how they work together. Motor neurons are responsible for transmitting the electric current to the muscle, and are connected to the muscles via the motor end plate (aka the “neuromuscular junction”).

How do Muscles Work?

And I'm back again, folks, working to conquer a textbook over the summer. We have a long way to go. Today I present to you:

Chapter 1, Part 1: Structure and Function of the Muscular System (Part 2/2)

Sliding Filament Theory of Muscular Contraction

We left off last time discussing muscles and their makeup in depth. Serious depth, actually. Before we continue on today with part 2 of the muscular system, I want to remind you of our friends actin and myosin, two myofilaments within a myofibril that are in charge of contracting the muscle.  I’m also going to bring this picture back from the other day because it’s awesome.

First on today’s agenda we have the sliding-filament theory, which simply states that

Materialism and The American Dream

America. The land of the free, the home of the brave. And the home of the American Dream. 

Don't get me wrong, I have absolutely nothing against the American Dream. I believe that everyone, regardless of race, gender, social class, or circumstance of birth should have an equal opportunity to succeed. The danger, however, is how we define this success. Today, the American Dream is defined less as "equal opportunity for success" and more as "get a huge house, a nice car, and lots of money." And this is where my heart is deeply troubled. 

Structure and Function of the Muscular System (Part 1/2)

Let me start this blog post off with the following disclaimer: this blog post (as well as all those like it to follow) is more for my own benefit than yours. I’m sorry to be selfish in this way, however as I previously mentioned, one of my goals is to read through my strength and conditioning textbook over the summer, and I’ll be using this blog to hold me accountable. So lucky you, you’ll be getting my own typed-up summary of this book. Maybe by the end, you can just go take the CSCS exam and be certified along with me.

Anyway, if you're interested in this kind of thing, I think I made it somewhat readable. If you're not interested, I apologize. 

Chapter 1, Part 1: Structure and Function of the Muscular System (Part 1/2) 

(wait a second…chapter 1, part 1, part 1 of 2? HOW MANY PARTS ARE THERE?!) 

All exercise involves forces. These forces

Goals.

This summer, I have one simple goal: 

Growth.

Growth spiritually. 
Growth physically.
Growth financially.
Growth relationally.
Growth professionally.

I intend to use this blog to share my journey with you guys, and my hope is that every reader will grow alongside me and will be inspired to set and conquer his or her own goals. Every blog post will be centered around my growth in one of these five areas, and I'll do my best to hit each of them weekly.