A while back, out on a hike with a friend, I was thinking of all of you in the studio. My buddy lives at the base of a ski hill called “Highlands.” It was my second day here, and we decided to take a hike up this hill and “take on” the mountain. I like to think I’m pretty fit, but I’m not used to the altitude or hiking up such a steep incline.
A couple hundred feet up, my lungs were burning, my calves were on fire, and we still had another two hours until we reached the top! I thought, “There’s no way I’m going to make it.” But then I thought of all of you back at the studio—kicking ass and grinding through every day to get closer to your goals, both inside and outside of Hustle Fitness.
Thinking of you and your determination kept me going.
I thought, “What kind of coach would I be if I just turned around when things got tough?”
And you know what? The further we went up, the easier it became to keep going. I knew with each step I was closer to the top. The closer I got, the more I felt that failure was not an option because I had already come so far. If I had quit at the beginning, I would have never known how achievable the climb would be.
I started thinking about the hills and mountains we all face every day: bad days at work, feeling tired or sore, dealing with kids (your own or someone else’s), working out at 6 a.m. before work, or hitting the gym at 8 p.m. after a long day…
These are all small hills we have to climb to get what we want. Sometimes, these hills turn into mountains that seem so steep, you question whether you can make it.
The key is to take it one step at a time. Be patient.
If I had sprinted certain parts of the hike, I would have burned out and not finished. Being patient and having faith that I could do it kept me going even when my heart was pounding and my legs were screaming.
It helped having my friend with me. He’s been on this mountain many times and knew the terrain. His experience supported me throughout the climb. I thought about how you inspire one another each and every day—how working out side by side with someone helps motivate and encourage us to keep going.
I know how intimidating it can be to take on something new, to feel as if everyone is watching, or to worry you can’t keep up. This is exactly how I felt on the mountain with my friend. Everyone experiences doubt at times: “I’m not sure I can keep up” or “I don’t think I’m ready.”
But time and time again, the same people who voice these doubts are the ones crushing their workouts a few weeks later. Then a new member arrives at our studio and thinks, “I’m not sure I can keep up with so-and-so…” unaware that the person they’re worried about felt the same way not long ago.
I am proud to be part of a studio where we encourage one another and tackle our mountains together.
We did reach the top of the ski hill, and it was an amazing experience. I saw two deer, took some incredible photos, and had a lot of fun. I’m sitting here at a bar typing this, nursing my sore legs—I worked out in the gym this morning (upper body only because my legs were sore)—and I’m looking forward to taking Amy, my fiancé, on a hike tomorrow. This time, I’ll be more prepared, adjusted to the altitude, and ready to take on the next challenge.
Most of all, I’m excited to get back and help all of you take on your next challenge, too!
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