Erin comes up from her 1RM back squat with some positive support.
The world gives back what you give it. Like the ocean. Throw trash in the water and guess what? That same bag of garbage is washing up on your shore. It might take a while, but it will happen. One morning, a putrid mess could be swishing over your toes.
The gym is no different. What you get out of your CrossFit experience is going to be directly related to what you put into it — physically and emotionally. So you might as well throw your heart into it right now and get some beautiful, clear water back.
See these folks in the photo? They could have been doing something else. Working on a lift. Stripping down their bars. Getting a drink of water. Checking their Facebook. But they all stopped what they were doing and came over to watch Erin try to get a new max on her back squat. They cheered her on — and she got it. Sure, it might not seem like that big a thing, but it’s huge.
Whether we admit it or not, it helps to have a cheering section in life. Did you watch the 2010 CrossFit Games? Who didn’t want to be Jason Khalipa, with an entire section full of crazy guys waving signs, chanting his name, and spelling out “K-H-A-L-I-P-A” on their bare chests? They couldn’t help him lift the bar, but they helped lift his spirit during some brutal, crushing workouts — a feat of strength that we can only begin to imagine.
So, the next time you’re wondering why life — or CrossFit – isn’t giving you the results you so desperately want, think about what you’re putting into the mix. Think about the effort and enthusiasm you’re bringing to the task in front of you — and the task in front of the others around you. Become a cheering section. You don’t have to paint letters on your chest, you just have to yell a little for the other guys. You just have to hope desperately for successes other than your own. You simply have to help will the others to victory too. And the ocean will return what you give it . . .
(Words by Lisbeth Darsh/CrossFit Watertown.)
July 27th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Amen!
July 27th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
so true! well put lis!
July 27th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
On vacation this week and I just started missing all of you after this post.
July 27th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
Great article Lisbeth… and thanks for the shoutout for my folks out at CFSantaClara.. we luv Jason and were so proud of his accomplishments at the games. That is one thing that other sports can’t brag about that Crossfit can; we WANT our fellow competitors to do well, and hell yeah baby.. we’ll support them all the way! Erin, just so you know, we’re very proud of your accomplishment as well!
July 27th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
great post…kept getting chills while reading it…so true!!! love our Crossfit family!!
July 28th, 2010 at 11:51 am
@Brian: We miss you! Enjoy your vacay!
@Jojo: Thanks for the kind words! Jason is awesome — you guys are lucky to have him!