“Just remember: somewhere, a little Chinese girl is warming up with your max.” – Jim Conroy, Olympic weightlifting coach
The above quote is really about ego. Don’t be one of those guys in the gym. You know who I mean right? The guy who slams down the weights, spends 15 minutes walking around in a vest that surely must have shrank in the wash and won’t stop talking? Gym tourism aside…I like this quote a lot. The point is that no matter how strong you are, there’s probably a Chinese girl using your personal best…Just to warm up!!
But I also think this quote works in another way too. Rather than concentrate on not having an ego, I think this should actually be a motivator. You’re staring at that bar thinking “can’t do it” but a Chinese girl half your age is kicking your arse right now!! She can do it. OK, so we’re not all enrolled on Olympic programs with a sporting super power. But there’s not really too much difference biologically between you, me and a guy with a gold medal around his neck. I’m not saying you go and challenge Michael Phelps to a race. Unless you’re part of the Justice League, you’ll likely lose. BUT, what about if you challenge yourself? So, if it’s possible for someone to do something and you’re not really that different, then what’s limiting you?
“Do not think that what is hard for you to master is humanly impossible; and if it is humanly possible, consider it to be within your reach.” – Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
We can’t all win gold medals or lift 1000lbs (please don’t!!). BUT, we can push ourselves and our capabilities further than we realise. If you’ve ever ran a road race, the best part isn’t the beginning when you’re fresh. It’s the part at the end when you’re ruined physically. Because there’s a rare satisfaction from that. Because if you finished…you just proved that it is in your reach.
But if you don’t try? If you don’t believe that it’s possible? Well then…you’ll never know what you’re truly capable of.
Effecutivity 