This video sums up the experience I had at Learn to Train. Getting coached by Dave Kirschen and learning how to be a gear whore. As a lifter and a coach, we are here to pass on how we've lived and what we've learned but we are continuously learning. Never stop being a student.
warm up: DB presses 2 x 20 (25lbs)
raw warm up: bar x 8, 65lbs x 5, 85lbs x 3, 95lbs x 3, 135lbs x 2
bench shirt: 185lbs x 1, 195lbs x 1, 205lbs x 1, 225lbs x 1
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe9t_HJsNn8]
Food for thought:
I never mentioned I recently interviewed for POWER Mag. This was my second opportunity being part of the publication. I felt fortunate to be able to compare my interviews then and now as a lifter. I saw growth. Rather than hiding behind the conversation about gym bros and meme jokes (a defense mechanism I used to use to avoid how little I knew about training), I was able to talk about training and felt good about it.
Since then, I‘ve grown comfortable with admitting what I don’t know - and the ability to grow and learn more in that aspect is endless.
Growth
In college, I was always nervous presenting in front of large groups. I brushed it off because I thought, “I’m a people person. I know how to socialize.” And, eventually, it would get better on its own. It didn’t. And in this case, learning about a subject I didn’t care about in college wasn't important. But the educating aspect of it, the impact, was what carried over to what I was driven by - training. I never practiced. I really didn't push the limits. I wanted the opportunity to combine both and kept telling myself it would be easy because I know how to train.
Then, I was brought on the team! Educating was the primary source of what made this company. But my ego gave my confidence another boost by thinking I’m a female athlete lifting heavy weights and that will speak for itself. That alone could help me earn ‘it’. Feel like I was eligible. Here it is. Again. The opportunity. I was nervous and I couldn’t communicate properly and just blended in the background. I never addressed the ‘issue’ and I was looking for a quick fix. “Hey, Julia, how do you speak infront of a crowd? What’s your secret sauce? You’re so good at what you do."
But it was deeper than just public speaking. It was feeding my ego that I was strong and outgoing and those alone will get me where I need to be.
Instead of focusing on the action of getting better, I focused on the things around it.
It never occurred to me to acknowledge what I know and what I don’t know. To experience being uncomfortable, looking like a fool, and just experiencing. There is no quick fix. It’s gradually learning. Figuring out where you stand with things. What your purpose is - no matter how big or small. And being okay if it is small.
Acknowledging that, yeah, maybe someone in the room is smarter than you. More experienced than you. But it does not and should not take away the power of the will to learn and what you can offer. And what you know comes from your experience. The trials and errors. The work. Once I started to realize that and tied actions like:
- Listening to mentors and putting their words into practice
- Having a student mindset and approach
- Hosting strength seminars and participating in team seminars/clinics
- Training female clients basic fundamentals
- Training with different athletes: someone who is stronger than me, weaker than me, and just as strong
- Traveling to gyms
- Interviewing for podcasts and blogs
- Using different training methods and approaches and finding what works
Gaining the experience and exposure, I learned how to be comfortable with myself to a larger degree. I focused more on what was important - to live, learn, and pass on. To help others.
I always wanted to be more rather than do more. It’s in the action, not the words.
Mastering a craft is hard. Talking is always easy. It’s taking something you think you’re good at and working down from there. And once I accepted that I wasn't good, the work began.
Admittedly, I still struggle with this but continually conquer my own negative thoughts of whether I'm good enough.
inspired by the book ego is the enemy