Photos by Maryanne Bezovic
Next week I'm set to compete in a Strongman competition. It's my second non-novice competition (is that even a term??). There are five events in the competition and the weights are so heavy -in all likelihood- I will zero in at least one event (ie. not even be able to get a single repetition). Not only that but I need to cut about 5kg of bodyweight to even earn the right to get that zero.
I've been hungry and cranky and even started swearing at food posts that I scroll past on my social media accounts...I'm losing my shit a little bit. It's unfun at this point and I feel out of my comfort zone.
So, what is that actual point of doing hard uncomfortable stuff? What is the point of seeking out failure?
I strongly believe that there are some things you can only learn if you push into uncomfortable places. This is true in lifting, in business, in your personal relationships and within yourself in order to fully realise your potential as a human. Strength training and competition has been a fantastic vehicle for me to be able to explore these ideas.
With lifting if you stay in your safe place, unchallenged, you a) don't make progress b) you don't earn the right to have some really amazing experiences c) you don't earn the right to surprise yourself and d) you miss out on doing some pretty fucking cool shit. Over the last 12 months I have really been trying to feel out those places where I feel uncomfortable and move INTO them. This was surprisingly the biggest driver for making The Strength Camp happen and can also be credited for it being such a huge success. I've been so surprised by what I've learned about myself, the behaviors I've been unaware of and I've definitely figured out some behaviors I would like to change.
Some of the women at The Strength Camp, getting out of their comfort zone and learning new things
Fear is always pretty close to the surface for me and that is an excellent thing! Fear shows me that as a business, we are taking risks! We are backing the women we admire, I'm backing myself and what I want The Barbelle Club to be, I'm following through with my big thoughts and we are making cool shit happen for awesome women.
I hope you are currently doing something that is scaring you too!
*post script - I competed in my Strongman comp. Unfortunately, I didnt make weight. I was sitting 1 kg out at 73.5kg. So essentially, I cut to be the lightest in my division (which in case you didn't know - isn't a thing that you do to win in lifting).
I chose to compete anyway, which meant I was in the Open weight division where I got those predicted zeros. In order to compete, I was forced to lift heavier than I probably would have chosen in the lighter division. I chose the minimum weights for some events but with 220kg on the yoke, for a 20m length, I achieved at least one personal best anyway. At this stage I'm disappointed to have not made weight but I know as the dust settles, I'll find a good lesson in the experience. Or else, at least, I'll have a funny story to tell at dinner parties ;)
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AuthorAnna Brown is an average though super keen Archives
January 2018
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