CFGC_USA

I was in my gym several days ago, and I had a conversation with one of my athletes about a certain CrossFit workout, which he deemed extremely difficult almost to the point of being impossible to do as prescribed. (for video of the workout, click here)

Needless to say, that got my attention in a couple of ways:

* first, all CrossFit workouts are very hard, as are many others

* second, why would a person limit their self?

Sometimes, I even hear someone say something about younger people being able to do something, but not them. That one really torques me since I am going on 59 (GOD willing) next month.

I believe in train hard, heavy, and often regardless of age; and know that this can be done safely.

The athletes that train with me are all making great progress, and I am very proud of them!
Sometimes, even good athletes can get stuck in a mental quagmire and start to limit themselves.

Over the past four decades of being involved in one training environment or another (military, martial arts, strength & conditioning, etc.) I have seen numerous people radically excel while their peers achieved only mediocrity.
Some try to play the "genetics card" here, but hold on a minute before you buy in to that.
The deciding factor most often was mental toughness, which is not to be confused with positive thinking.

Most people are way stronger than they believe they are, and that makes them unwilling to attempt something that makes them look nor feel bad if they fail. All the while, failing at something very difficult is part of the process.

The journey to excellence involves many missed lifts and frustrating days when you know you "could have done better".
Consistent hard work, done in a smart, dedicated way will bring results.

Champions don't quit when they have a bad training session. They get some rest and come back again, and move ahead.

They stay coachable and focused. They work around blisters, strained muscles, bloody shins, and utter fatigue.

In closing, I watched several clips from this past weekend's CrossFit Games in Aromas, CA and saw mental toughness exemplified. Men and women pushed themselves to unimaginable degrees. Mental toughness is vital to being a champion in anything!

Here's a couple of other videos of Battling Ropes workouts that helped me develop more mental toughness
video 1 Battling Ropes & OH Squats

video 2 Battling Ropes & Rings