Shakespeare
2016. A year that provided me great insight into the above quote. And what I've learned, well, reminded me of how little I know. But the beauty of this year was the realization of the importance of constantly getting up, no matter how many times you fall. What does that rather cliche statement mean? Well.....
The year didn't start out particularly gangbusters for me. Losing a job at a place that I thought I had respect and loyalty, only to be tossed aside and used as a scapegoat, seen as too brazen in my coaching style, suffering some debilitating sinus issues requiring more than just a MRI, and realizing I bought a bike from someone I thought I could trust only to discover it was at least a size too small, wasn't exactly the promise to a great year.
But I didn't mope, I didn't complain, I took stock of where I was, who I was, and more importantly, where I came from, thinking of my grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles who sacrificed over and over, and got off my ass to change my situation. I got a job in an environment that I love most, and suits my coaching style, but more importantly approach on life, CrossFit Iron Flag, sold my bike, got to an ENT specialist who solved my sinus issues, had a son, and discovered that failing was the most beautiful and wonderful thing we have. It provides insight into who we really are, and more importantly, experience. Of course that comes with some personal accountability - if you aren't paying attention, well, to put it bluntly, you won't learn shit.
But I didn't mope, I didn't complain, I took stock of where I was, who I was, and more importantly, where I came from, thinking of my grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles who sacrificed over and over, and got off my ass to change my situation. I got a job in an environment that I love most, and suits my coaching style, but more importantly approach on life, CrossFit Iron Flag, sold my bike, got to an ENT specialist who solved my sinus issues, had a son, and discovered that failing was the most beautiful and wonderful thing we have. It provides insight into who we really are, and more importantly, experience. Of course that comes with some personal accountability - if you aren't paying attention, well, to put it bluntly, you won't learn shit.
Thanks to the help of some really special, really important people, my coach, Cody Burkhardt, Brian MacKenzie, Louie Simmons, CT Fletcher, the wisdom of my grandmother, the smile of my son, I realized that things like talent, gifts, potential, "would've", "should've", are all bullshit. The biggest difference between success and failure is simple - its work. Its not just work for the sake of work, but working your craft to realize your goals, your dreams. Its not just being willing to do what others won't, its about constantly doing what others won't, every day. It means you eat, sleep, breath your passion. Its the shit that keeps you up at night, and gets you jumping out of bed in the morning. Its uncomplicated. Its pure. It hurts like hell, and it screams at you like a fly over from the Blue Angels. Call it a voice, a higher power, whatever you want, but its the same mantra that goes off daily -
"get the fuck up and get to work. Get up, and keep getting up. Stop looking around to see who's watching, to see who's there to help you out. Guess what, maybe no one is. Does that mean you quit? Really? Are you going to give up that easy? Hell no. Because giving up means you stop living. So pull yourself off the floor, the couch, the bed, and get to work. Work hard on the days you feel great. Work harder on the days you feel like shit. Success doesn't come easy, and it doesn't happen right away. You are prepared to fail and keep failing until you get it right. You are prepared to sacrifice, to grind, to work until you can't see straight, have a cup of coffee, and then hit it again. You are willing to be called 'weird' 'standoffish' 'a loner' 'obsessed'. You know the word obsessed is just how others make themselves feel better about your dedication, desire and drive. You are prepared to go after your dreams alone because they are yours, not anyone else's, so there's no reason to expect help or a hand out. Fuck the majority. Don't expect family or friends to understand, or support. Its not their passion. You're prepared to hear negative shit, from everyone, including loved ones, and you will shrug it off. You know there's something bigger at play. You know that you have much to give the world, so you block out the noise, and get to work. Because work is the bridge between dreams and reality. It doesn't end when you have success, it just lets you know that you are on the right road."
If you work at a 9-5 every day, then you are essentially "working" for someone else. You are fulfilling someone else's dreams. You are allowing your potential to be taken by another's passion. You do so willingly, and most frequently, without thought. Even on the days you bemoan your job, you still get on the same train, or bus, or highway, and drive to your slow death. And you have the balls to complain about your current state, as if you are being forced into the situation. You quickly start the excuses train, vomiting reason after reason as to why you can't get ahead, follow your dreams, live the life you want. The thought of taking accountability for your situation never even crosses your mind, except in quiet moments, in empty rooms, some of the most honest places in the world. And in those moments you realize, you're dead. You may be 30, in good health, clear of mind, but you are dead inside. The flame, the light of your passion is gone. All you are doing is going through the motions until they put you in the pine box.
Same goes for those of you who aren't happy with your weight, your nutrition, your energy levels, your fitness. You bitch and moan, you over complicate the hell out of stuff, saying that being fit/healthy is "complicated" or " restrictive". Umm no. The study of aerospace is complicated; a straight jacket is restrictive. Stop making these bullshit excuses when the truth is, you just don't want it bad enough. You are afraid, yes, afraid, of what other people will think if you actually take the steps to get healthy. You don't want to hear the comments from family, friends, co-workers "you're eating Paleo? That sounds terrible". "You're working out again? Haven't you done enough? Who are you trying to impress?" These quotes sound familiar? Yeah, I thought so. I know this because I have heard them, and continue to hear them. From people I love. So you quit, because you've allowed someone else's fear, lethargy, jealousy, negativity pull you down to their level. Because you fear being different; you fear being left out. According to recent statistics, over 33% of Americans are suffering from Type 2 diabetes. Is that the group you are so determined to be a part of? Because those same naysayers are most likely headed down that road. Not taking action, is actually an action. Its a conscious choice to not take care of yourself. Its a conscious choice to give away your health. I'm not talking about the ability to run a sub 5 minute mile or snatch 300 lbs. I'm talking about being able to walk up and down your fucking staircase without pain, and without losing your breath. Is achieving wellness easy? Fuck no. But its not nearly as hard as you think and its not nearly as complicated. It takes dedication, i.e. work, every day to get there. It means that you will backslide, you will fail at times, but that's ok, as long as you keep moving forward.
For athletes, all of the above applies to you and something additional - stop complaining that you don't have - the right equipment, the right body, the talent, the natural gifts, the time, the energy, the support, the right gym, the right coach, etc, etc, etc. Shut the fuck up. Honestly. Its beyond comprehension when I hear athletes complain about why they aren't progressing only to discover they spend significantly more time bitching about what they lack, instead of focusing on what they have and how to use that to get what they want. You want a better bike? Win races. Or earn more money and buy one. You aren't hitting your numbers in your lifts? Well, are you following a plan to help you do so? No? Then guess what, you aren't going to progress. You aren't going to hit your numbers. See if you really want to win, and I don't care what level or sport, you better learn 2 things - spend more time working the body and mind than the mouth, and talent doesn't mean shit to people who work hard. I have zero talent. I'm not being self depricating, I'm being honest. I don't have any physical gifts to help me in my sport. Short torso, long legs, ridiculously long arms, I'm short overall, broad shoulders that will not shrink, flat footed. Not one of those "negatives" has prevented me from attacking each and every day. Stop running your mouth and put that energy into your training. Stop making bullshit excuses as to why you aren't where you want to be. I listened to an athlete constantly whine that she felt like she needed to get in shape before going back to the gym. What? How does that even make sense? That's what the gym is for, isn't it? That's where the equipment is, coaches, all the tools to get fit, to get competition ready. See all those excuses are fear. Fear of what others will think. Fear of failing. And if that's keeping you small, then here's the truth - you just don't want it bad enough. I've seen the ones who really want it, who really want to succeed. They would be called "obsessed" by society, but I call them athletes. Because if you legitimately want to be successful, you will get up before 4 am, you will train when the gym is closed to the public, at 9, 10, 11 pm. You will train alone. You will listen to your coach. You will fight, claw, scratch, bleed for your sport. For success. If you aren't willing to do the aforementioned, then stop saying you really want to succeed. Because an excuse is simply proof you just kind of want it. Only when things are good, or going your way. Guess what? Most days won't go your way. Most days will suck. That's the deal. You don't quit because its hard. Life is hard. Rise above. Or don't. But make your peace with your decision and shut up.
I'm not speaking from simple observation, I'm speaking from a place of experience. I'm 43 years old and do not have a family that supports what I do for a living. Be it my sport, or my coaching. Here's an example - I recently did a photo shoot for sponsors, but more importantly to showcase the Southside of Chicago. One picture was of my calves, the only part of my body that I am truly proud of. My dad saw that photo and said, verbatim "those veins on your calves make you look deformed, like a freak. It doesn't look healthy." That comment shouldn't have hurt, but it did for one reason, because I know that my calves look the way they do for the purposes of performance. Its not aesthetic. The assumption was, I was trying to look like that. Now, in truth, I am not giving up my calves, and the aesthetic benefit is great, but its not the driving force. Performance has always been, and always be, what I'm chasing. That's just one of several examples I have. After that comment, I chose not to show them any more photos. And it bothered me because I wanted them to see the old neighborhood through a different lens. We all came from there, they have as much connection to the Southside as I do. But I had to close the file and move on. Within minutes, I was back doing what I needed to do. I reminded myself, this is my passion, this is my dream, not theirs. They won't get it because they don't want to, so suck it up, and get back to work. Your competition is working, so don't you fucking dare have a pity party.
Work. That's it. To get what you want will require work. You've heard it a million times. But its so true. If you aren't willing to work, fine. Nobody cares. Yeah, you've cheated yourself and the world of giving us something of yourself that could have been amazing, but you allowed fear to drive the bus. That's on you. Do i believe in helping others? Absolutely. That's one of my passions - helping others realize their dreams. But will I coddle and enable, will I sit around and listen to to someone whine about a situation they put themselves in, or could get themselves out of? Fuck no. If you aren't willing to help yourself, why should anyone help you? If you aren't willing to have faith in yourself, how can you expect others to have faith in you? Your positive will attract positive, it will draw in the right people, people who want to see you succeed. People who will help you succeed. You stay negative, you draw negative. That self talk, good or bad, draws the exact same to you. You tell yourself you're not getting that promotion, you probably won't. You tell yourself you won't do well at a race, you probably won't.
Chin up, especially in the face of naysayers (they hate that shit) and keep moving forward. There is a light that is brighter and warmer than anything you've ever imagined on the other side of all that work.
On to 2017. I wish you all the gift of hard work.
Stay strong.
Guy
