The Most Important Aspect of Your Training: Mindset
My focus has been on building my business and competing in powerlifting and most recently my first bodybuilding show. I keep this momentum going in my life with goals that pertain to the gym and outside of the gym. I know I must continue to stay persistent and in pursuit of my goals. Every little aspect of my life is all about momentum and building off of the previous situation.
Everyone has something, intrinsic or extrinsic, positive or negative, that motivate them every day. For me, these things include my training, my faith, and my passion for making a difference in people’s lives.
My day starts when the alarm goes off at 4:00 A.M. This is followed by a period of prayer and reading, which help me develop myself as a person and strategize to tackle, my day, week, etc. Once I’m done, I head to the gym to engage in one of my passions: powerlifting. My personal goals in powerlifting are to squat 600 lb., bench 350 lb. (comp paused), and pull a700 lb. deadlift. These goals keep me on track with my diet and discipline; they give my effort and sacrifice a tangible, measurable meaning. After training, I have clients to train until about 12 P.M. Once my morning training has been done, I head home to program workouts, call clients, and send emails. I’m back in the gym training more clients by 3:00. At 6:00, I head home, tie up any loose ends, and finish my day. My mindset is to be the best man I can be, physically, mentally, and spiritually. In addition to being a trainer and powerlifter, I am also a college student. Juggling all these things isn’t always easy; in fact, it can seem hopelessly exhausting at times. But I have a very clear goal for my life. I want to have the greatest positive impact I can on the fitness community and the people within. This goal centers me, gives me direction, and gives purpose to my struggle. Anything that is a distraction to that goal falls away. I know what I expect out of myself and of others. But I wasn’t born with this mindset; it was cultivated. It took a few wake-up calls when I was younger to understand that life requires purpose and drive. As a child, I was lazy, and at times, misbehaved. But once I realized that you can only achieve extraordinary things though extraordinary effort, I buckled down and never looked back.
I believe that if you put forth maximal effort in your faith, diligence and determination, all goals will be achieved. I firmly believe that God has a plan and purpose for every individual. I don’t aspire to simply be a coach or trainer. I want lead people by example and push them to be the best version of themselves. If I can do this, so can you. I know from personal experience that it can be to commit to this. There is a comfortable anonymity it mediocrity. It’s easy to go with the crowd and conform to their ways. But taking this step takes heart, commitment, and discipline. So, I challenge YOU. Set goals and work tirelessly to achieve them. It doesn’t matter who has hurt you or who told you couldn’t do it. YOU are in charge of your fate. You. Remember, you’re always one step away.