I look forward to the Hyrox class on Saturday’s because I know I will be tested – usually within the first 5 minutes of a 45-minute workout. I’ll be in the middle of burpee broad jumps wondering why on earth I chose this when I could be at home drinking coffee, watching my kids run around like maniacs. But the truth is, I love the growth that happens in that discomfort. I love putting myself in that uncomfortable situation. If you know me, you know I excel with strength and barbell movements, not long cardio grinders. But still, I like doing them. I will likely not have the fastest time, or have the most rounds, and I will push the time caps… but I will also work extremely hard. I have wanted to quit, to reduce reps, to scale in the middle, but the power comes when I don’t. (Disclaimer: there is a time and place to reduce reps/weight! No shame in that). It feels like power since my desire to make my workout “easier” is not because it’s physically hard (which it is), but because it’s mentally hard.
If you’ve pushed yourself hard enough in a workout before, you have felt how overwhelming it can feel to continue – I still have 8 rounds left?! The next round is a heavier weight!? I can’t possibly do another burpee…. The carousel of thoughts in our minds goes around and around. Usually, I can do a CrossFit workout and lose myself in it, mind blank just focusing on the next rep. But with these longer Hyrox workouts, it’s different.
And while it might seem like the goal of this blog is to get you to try the Hyrox class, it’s actually to encourage you to find something hard this year. Don’t just coast.
“’Don't just coast’ is advice to live with purpose, effort, and engagement, rather than doing the bare minimum, applying to life & work” [and fitness!]
So few people TRULY challenge themselves – TRULY find their limit or realize their true potential on something. And it doesn’t have to be a heavy lift, a long Hyrox class or getting up on the rings.
In a Podcast I listened to recently, Chasing Excellence, they interviewed a guy named Trevor Ragan from The Learner Lab and he was discussing how to build the “muscle” of facing discomfort through small reps. He gave this example:
“…it could be as small as like, okay, I know I don't like speaking up and that has robbed my growth because I've had questions and because I feel weird, I don't ask them. So, I'm going to make the commitment that even though I feel weird, I'm going to raise my hand a bit more often.”
His main point here was that we should be deliberately practicing discomfort to grow. And personally, this example resonated with me (why do I always get so sweaty when raising my hand in a meeting!?). It doesn’t have to be big PR’s (though that’s awesome too) but there are many ways we can challenge ourselves this year.
One last note, again referencing that same podcast, is the concept of neuroplasticity. It’s a fancy word that really means: the brain changes with practice; anyone can improve at almost any skill. If you reflect on a skill you have learned – ANY skill – double unders, pullups, box jumps, snatch, CJ, bench press, air squats, a new process at work, etc. etc. etc. – all started at baseline zero. And when you really consider what you have been able to learn, the next powerful thought is ‘what’s next?’ Be curious. What else can I do?
“Every time you learn a new skill, practice a movement, or even think differently, you’re strengthening certain neural connections and weakening others.” It’s scientific proof that improvement is possible (!!). So reach out and freaking grab it!
Podcast reference link: The Learner vs The Knower: Which Identity Is Holding You Back?
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