Hey team, I watched a great video from Barbell Shrugged coach Kurt Mullican during the week talking about false beliefs and the excuses that we make for ourselves and thought I’d share it with you all and my own false beliefs.
A wrote down three of my own while watching this video and I recommend you do the same:

1. I suck at gymnastics especially Chest to Bar Pull Ups & Muscle Ups.
2. I wish my recovery was better in particular getting enough sleep and active recovery activities.
3. I suck at running.

Not really noticing I have been using these excuses as reasons to not have to work on my CTB Pull ups, watching TV late at night instead of going to bed early and avoiding running as much as possible. So, it is time to change these beliefs...

1. I will program Chest to Bar Pull Ups & variations twice a week for myself so I master this movement and love them!
2. I will work on and improve my sleep time ritual e.g. turning off electronics 30 mins before bed, making sure I get a minimum of 8 hours sleep each night, and reading more before bed. I will also plan and organise more active recovery sessions, e.g. beach days, walking etc. And make sure I get the recovery my body needs.
3. I will run. I will do the 12km Run Geelong on November 22nd and train each week to build up to that distance.

Make friends with your false beliefs....and kill them!
“Whether you think you can or think you can’t – you are right.” – Henry Ford.
Cheers,
Coach Jared.

We have 18 athletes competing in three teams over the weekend at the Allstar Affiliate Series at the Melbourne Showgrounds. For a number of these athletes this will be their first CrossFit competition. Everyone has been training hard, strategising and planning ever intricate detail of each of the 7 team WODs at the competition for the past 2 months. The work has been done and there is now little that can be done to physically prepare the athletes for the weekend ahead.

For me CrossFit Competitions are an awesome way to challenge myself. I have always been very competitive so when I am placed in an arena setting against other athletes I tend to find away to push harder and get more out of myself than I would training at the box on my own. I tend to PR more and do things that surprise even myself! There is a negative though, along with competing individually there is always anxiety by placing pressure on myself to do well or not fail. I set myself some high expectations which in turn, build’s that nervous feeling at the pit of my stomach. Over time I have developed some strategies that I use to help overcome these anxious and nervous feelings before competition WODs:

1. Lately I have been really enjoying the team competitions. I enjoy these a lot more as competing with a group of mates just takes the pressure off and makes competing a hell of lot more enjoyable. Cheer, Support and do what you can for your teammates. Focus on helping them be their best for the day.
2. Don't try and do anything new on game day, eat what you always eat, wear what you always wear and you will perform the way you usually do. I don’t eat too much between WODs so I try make sure I eat my usual breakfast in the morning, and drink plenty of water throughout the day.
3. Focus on what you have to do, your technique and the WOD itself.
4. Remember that you are competing to better yourself. These are workouts and training stimuli that will make you stronger and fitter. At the end, no matter what, you will be better for the experience and the awesome training you got to complete! Enjoy it!

Here is a great article on CrossFit Mental Training. I especially like the part on the ‘Annie Smile’: “Smiling not only helps you maintain a positive mindset, but scientists have noted that smiling lowers blood pressure and releases endorphins and serotonin, both known to produce feelings of well-being.”

http://www.tabatatimes.com/crossft-mental-training/

Good luck to all Bring It On CrossFit athletes competing over the weekend and especially those competing in their first CrossFit Competition. Enjoy it. It is going to be a lot of fun, and you are ready for this!

“Success in no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing.” – PELE. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

Cheers,
Coach Jared.

Congratulations Jared Toyne who is the Bring It On CrossFit Member of the Month for September 2015! Jared has been making outstanding progress across the board, posting regular PR's and hitting his first ring muscle up not too long ago. Jared is a well deserving winner of this months Member of the Month! Well done mate!