Many people think that they’re not ready for CrossFit. They’re not in shape enough, they’re not intense enough, they wouldn’t be able to make it.
Check out this awesome video called “No Limitations”…
Anja Staten – No Limitations from Windy City CrossFit on Vimeo.
Smashby's Training Blog 
that was deep man… got me in tears…
I liked that video and reminded me of a philosophical difference between some schools of Zen Buddhism – some sects believe in gradual practice and meditation leading to a state of enlightenment, while others believe in the complete opposite; sudden enlightenment followed by gradual practice.
I always liked the second school of thought better; in this case, it’s a sudden enlightenment that deep underneath there is an athlete, regardless of what your appearance or fitness level is. What truly matters is the gradual practice that follows.
That is a really good point, Will. But here’s my question to you… do you prefer the second because you “already know” you’re an incredible athlete? For someone who might be deconditioned (on any level), don’t you think it would be a lot harder to convince themselves of that? (“I am an athlete, I can do it”)
What I’ve noticed in my experience in CrossFit, is that sense of confidence and defying your own abilities only comes from that practice. I walk in on day #1 and use 5 assistance bands to help me get through pull-ups. It’s really only when I drop down to 4 bands, do I start to see that maybe I am getting better. Then when I’m down to 3 bands, “Wow, I’m really getting better”, and so on.
So while I agree that the second school of thought is IDEAL, it still seems that the majority of people who just won’t let themselves walk through the door to try it out, fall into that first category. “I’m not ready yet.”
My suggestion: Regardless of WHY you give it the time/practice/meditation, at least give it the time. Throw on your shoes, walk out the door and into the gym, and let your body start to head in the direction of “enlightenment.” Through this type of training, it will happen 🙂
Thoughts?
I agree with everything you said, and I wouldn’t say I liked that school of thought simply because I was already an athlete, but rather I liked the approach that the learning and the competing are more about the journey rather than the end. You hit it right on the head when you said that practice is what leads to MORE confidence, and that’s the hard part with most people. Our society has become too quick to focus solely on results – i.e. I can bench 200 lbs instead of 150 lbs now! As a coach myself, I would rather my athletes learn something about themselves during the process rather than just increase numbers on the plates.
A similar metaphor is what Michelangelo said about his famous sculpture of David; most people saw it as something he created; something he chiseled out of a large block of stone, but his perspective was that the statue of David already existed in the block of marble from which he chiseled. All he had to do as the artist was to reveal its existence.
My feeling is that there is an athlete in all of us, but it’s up to us to 1) decide we want to become such and 2) put in the work to attain it. It’s hard to teach greatness when there’s no desire to become great. The most important thing involved, as with anything in life, is that you have the desire to do so. We can’t all be Michael Jordans, but we can all be athletes.