By Mike Tarrolly – Co-Host of the Crushing Iron Podcast
Happy New Year! Hope this finds you in a good place, ready to move through one more holiday and get into a groove.
A few days ago, someone re-posted something in our Crushing Iron group on Facebook. It said:
Me: Overwhelmed.
Also me: I’d like to train for a marathon, life heavier, learn more about nutrition and generally be the baddest badass I can be.
My reaction: Wrong.
There will be a tendency to “get after it” because it’s a new year, but I highly advise against that approach.
The best plan is to keep everything manageable for the first few weeks and build consistency. The road to being the “baddest badass” is not built by being overwhelmed.
By nature, you are likely here for the right reasons . . . but may not have clarity on what that means. “Fitness and health” is not about impressing anyone (yourself or me or people on social media), it’s about building a base of confidence and trust that will carry you forward.
I’m convinced that most exhaustion starts in the brain. We get distracted by the wrong things and it splits our focus and energy. It’s best to start (or continue) this journey by being present with curiosity for learning, clarity, and exploring the potential within you.
I challenge you to approach each workout with anticipation, innocence, and mystery. Let go of the ego. Every time we try to prove something or get approval we add weight. The goal is to feel lighter.
Instead of pouring more overwhelming goals into the brain, work on creating space. Train to understand yourself, not prove yourself.
It’s important to understand our real purpose.
Don’t make your “why” a race goal or to impress others. Build yourself with your commitment and consistency.
The goal is to be aligned with our purpose so we’re not conflicted in our minds.
When we have a clear focus of why we are doing this, there is more meaning and that meaning multiplies itself. Train to be 1% better each day and reap the exponential benefits.
There will be a temptation to push harder and and go further. Don’t do it. Let those days emerge naturally. Being exhausted is no way to go through life.
Calm your mind, clarify your purpose, and move forward slowly . . . with your body and mind aligned. This is how we find boundless energy.
Happy New Year!
Contact Mike: [email protected]