Why You Need To Find Your Tribe
Thanks to Ivan for sharing this recent article from Inc.com titled "Why You Need To Find Your Tribe" - the entire piece is included below for your quick read:
I'm forty-two years old, and today I was in a relay race. Seriously. I was on a two person team. We had to do an inch-worm, a bear crawl, and well ...you get the idea. It was awesome.
The average age of the participants? Probably close to thirty-five. I smiled the entire time. After the relay race, we had a push-up contest. Yep. I'm serious again. Two minutes, max repetitions. I competed against my big brother. He crushed me. He's forty-four.
Then we gathered together and worked out. This all happened at 6:30 am on a Friday. I laughed, sweat (a lot), goofed around and played with my friends. Then I went home, showered and began my day.
The people I CrossFit with are more then my friends. They're my tribe.
It wasn't always this way. A little over two years ago my Dad was dying from ALS Lou Gehrig's disease. My body was no longer responding to my normal workouts, and I needed a positive change to keep me sane. I took my first CrossFit class, and I got hooked. I had found my people.
My tribe.
My type "A" personalities. My beautiful competitive animals. My crazy, super fit and supportive freaks. I love it. And it loves me back. I get fit, and I have fun doing it. I've made some of the best friends of my life this way.
In CrossFit there is always someone who is better than you. When I compete, I largely compete against myself. The CrossFit community is filled with people who take health and fitness seriously. I like that. We're competitive, yet supportive. We're tough, yet there is deep camaraderie. I love that.
I fail often at CrossFit. Which has helped me in business setbacks and in life. I deal with disappointment better. It isn't just about physical health, it's about mental health too.
That is my tribe.
CrossFit is a habit. So I don't need to use willpower to get to class. It's part of my day. That makes it fun. Truly. I'm also setting a great example for my children. They come to class and cheer me when we have in-house competitions. That makes my heart sing.
There are no short-cuts in CrossFit. If you attempt a short-cut, you will get hurt. You must remain focused. You must keep your head in the game. That appeals to me. You can achieve goals if you are methodical in your approach, take your time, practice, and improve. That turns me on.
You must follow a difficult and rocky path to achieve anything in CrossFit. For me, that's what makes it addictive. CrossFit is not for everyone. But it's for me. And It's my tribe.
You need to find your tribe.
Find the people that love and support you. Find the people that are like minded. Find the weirdos, the whack-jobs, the nerds and the outcasts that are just like you. Find the people that turn you on, make your heart sing and challenge you. Every. Single. Day.
Seek out those who are similarly wired. Those who get you, will push you and support you. This is a big and sometimes insane world. You can't do it all alone. You're going to need help.
WOD for 06-21-17:
2 Power Snatches + 1 Overhead Squat:
5 Sets of (2+1)
Climbing as technique allows
-then-
"Interval Isabel, Interrupted"
30 Rounds, Go Every 20 Seconds:
1 Power Snatch @ 135/95 lbs
3 Lateral Bar Burpees
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