posted on March 30, 2020
I’ve been lucky enough in my life to have many smart and strong training partners. I’m convinced that the best thing about training is the people. So many people have helped me on my journey, and I know that I’m not in any way an island. I’m only as strong as those around me.
Union Fitness (UF) has one of the greatest training environments that I’ve ever seen. Last year, UF had 46 members compete in powerlifting and many others compete in other events. Throughout my training career, I’ve competed in many Strongman competitions as well as powerlifting meets. I know how training for something can change how you see your daily habits. When getting ready to train, we will plan when we eat, rest, and take in caffeine as well as many other mundane daily chores.
It’s the team
The reason that we all do this isn’t for that brief moment on the platform. We do this to be a part of something bigger than us. We pay it forward every time we spot, teach, or coach anyone in a training session. We learn that even the best laid out plans sometimes fail. I only bombed out of one meet and it sucked. I was happy that Louie Simmons did give me three white lights that day. I’ve seen many great lifters bomb out of meets when I know their training went great up until that day. But I’ve also seen all their training partners there to support them during that time. We are a family when it comes to training.
How many times have you entered the gym without your head in the game? You aren’t feeling great. You had a bad day at work or had an argument. Then you begin training and one of your training partners changes your view immediately. For me, this more often happens when I see a lifter fight through a rep or attack a set and I snap out of my funk and say, “If they can do it, why am I being soft?” Other times, someone believing in me as much or more than I do can change that view for me.
Strange times
During this time where we can’t come into the gym or get together and train, we must learn to adapt. As Charles Darwin said, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent; it is the one most adaptable to change.”
We must now find a way to push each other and ourselves in order to reach our goals as well as aid all others to have success. Social media has shown us both the best and the worst of humanity. We can now use this to connect to one another and help one another. Here at UF, we’re hosting live Instagram workouts consisting of home workouts and different exercises that you do while home. I hope this helps keep some normalcy to your (and our) lives.
In order to adapt, we must feel uncomfortable, so allow this discomfort to enter our lives. If you need help, reach out to a friend or reach out to us at UF and we will help you get through this just as we would if we were in the gym helping you get through a set. We will be stronger for this. It won’t always be easier, but we are stronger together.
Keep on keeping on, and remember—we’re all here to support one another. Reach out, be active, and let’s get over this stronger than before.
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