Currently: 4 Weeks Out from USAPL Cbus Lifting Co. Spring Classic

  You've heard the phrase before: "You can't be scared when you approach the bar" (or something similar) - The number of motivational quotes and posters/tshirts/memes focusing on the theme of "Fearlessness" are pretty common in the arena of strength sports. I think they all have their place, and many of these quotes are from coaches I respect and admire. For many lifters, however, I think this mindset of "fighting fear" can actually be counter-productive. That may sound really weird, but let me explain..

Every lifter is different and personality-type plays a huge role in how each lifter should approach a challenging lift or competition (this is why I think psychology is very under-appreciated in strength sports).

For some lifters, they truly approach a barbell without feeling fear, and that approach works for them. For many lifters, however, they feel a measure of fear or anxiety when approaching a max lift or the competition platform. And for these lifters, if they try to fight that fear and feel they have to be "fearless" in order to be successful, they can actually get more anxiety as they realize they are scared. The downward spiral of internal dialogue can look a lot like this:

"Damn I'm really scared of this weight"

"I CAN'T be scared, c'mon focus"

*tons of pacing and screaming and music and ammonia*

"I'm still scared, crap I'm gonna fail this lift if I can't get rid of this fear"

*lifter now approaches the bar more anxious than when they started*

..How familiar does that sound?

For those with anxiety regarding a lift, feeling like you can't have anxiety is the quickest way to more anxiety. This is where mindfulness comes in..

 Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.  Mindfulness gets touted as a "hippie" buzzword; but it's actually a very effective approach to using fear as a weapon instead of fighting it as the enemy...

If you can approach the barbell and instead of panicking because you're scared, accept that you feel fear and choose to attack the weight in spite of that fear, and even use that fear as fuel, you can direct your energy towards the challenge, instead of fighting your own natural emotions. It seems like a minor difference, but next time you approach the bar and start to feel fear, take a second and recognize "I feel scared of this weight" (and all the physical feelings you're having), and then look at the barbell and tell yourself "I'm going to use this fear as fuel and attack it anyways."

For the Batman fans, there is a good scene from The Dark Knight Rises that I think drives home the importance of fear as a tool versus being the enemy - Bruce Wayne keeps trying to escape the pit and keeps failing, and finally realizes it's his fearlessness that is preventing him from giving 100%...

Competitively - My last competition was the  UPA Winter Rack Attack on December 17th (competed raw at 220lbs). It was my second meet back transitioning to competing raw, and my goal entering next year is to qualify for a larger raw competition (whether it be at the Arnold or elsewhere).

I'm currently the Fitness Director at Ohio University as well as Event Coordinator for EliteFTS. I'm also involved in coaching and public speaking on topics relating to powerlifting, coaching, education, student development, and mental health.

For Coaching & Programming Questions, feel free to contact me at joeschillero@gmail.com

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