State of Mind

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State of Mind

Mental State: Regardless of Goal

 

As a coach in the strength and conditioning world I have certain physcial benchmarks that I want a new athlete to achieve. Its not anything like a double bodyweight back squat or unassisted pull ups. Its for them to learn the proper body mechanics and move well. Its my goal for that to translate in to everyday movements and for their conditioning to improve.

Honestly, any decent coach can do that. I hope to achieve something more with each athlete. That’s to improve their state of mind. Just like training goals are different for every athlete so is state of mind.

For competitive athletes it’s convincing them that they don’t need to slow down, they don’t need to break up the reps. Creating that never ending push with the idea that someone else is working while you’re resting. It’s the concept of the work out hasn’t started until you’ve become uncomfortbale. All the athletes at Regionals, or the playoffs, or distracts, or whatever higher level of play; have one thing in common. They know how to play the sport. They can do pull ups, make free throws, or stick handle. What seperates the good from the great is their mind. It’s the athletes that ignores that little voice in their head that says “Its ok to put the bar down” “Its ok, you’re tired, that was good enough.” The great ones don’t entertain those small negative voices. They get silence by the booming of “ You can do this!” “You’re better then that!” “ COME ON!” Its all well and good to say it, but you have to BELIEVE it.

“Yeah, that sounds great coach but I’m not a competive athlete.” Totally, I get it. Just like I train every athlete as an unqiue little snowflake, I approach each athlete’s state of mind the same way. For the athletes that show up daily to simply try and better their health and become more fit we still try to make that switch. Its more of a switch in little things. Such as using different words. Instead of “ I have to” say “I get to”. I get to pick up my kids today. I get to work out today. It will totally change your attitude going into things. That little switch will turn into less pressure, more confidence and more enjoyment in what you are doing. Being in the gym is hard work, to improve at CrossFit is hard work. If you’re are loathing showing up, and complaining about every movement and every rep you’ll regress. Using the positive words and positive thoughts takes pressure off and instills confidence. Everyone is happier and will work harder when they have confidence in themselves and their life.

 

“Negativity is a theif, its steals happiness.”-Unknown

 

It’s natural to have negative thoughts. Don’t entertain them. Silence the negative voices with the positive roar of your confidence.

 

Nick Carignan

CrossFit 8 Mile[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]