To Be an above average lets say CrossFit athlete, takes a lot of things number 1 having a disdain for being average. Tons of people when ever they see the CrossFit Games on ESPN think to themselves with a overblown entitlement that what they're seeing isn't that difficult and they themselves could easily accomplish such tasks, if it weren't for (insert excuse here). But those that can truly have the ability to reach for those heights see those athletes on the screen and only wonder how long it would take them to do that wod and are immediately inspired and driven to go learn and perfect whatever skills it will take to attack that wod. This is a basic idea of never being satisfied with wondering you must go out and do. One of my favorite sayings even if its a little street for some peoples taste, "don't talk about it, be about it". Basically shut up turn off the TV and go outside and be awesome. If I ever do anything I want to be the best at that thing, whether that's CrossFit or being a dad, or a husband, or your job whatever it is you should strive to be the best in your field. This will require a little bit of passion for what you do, but if your this to the extreme it really doesn't need that much passion. All you truly need is an internal drive to be the best. This can be difficult for people who don't have a natural need to compete, but if competition gets you going this step should be a no brainer.
The 2nd requirement of an above average Athlete without a doubt is a solid base of Athletics and/or a blessing of talent (the 1%). Although people who have never been an athlete their whole life do gravitate towards CrossFit it will be difficult to make the athletic adaptations necessary to succeed in the sport at an age past 25. Because without a great mind to body connection that athletics provides from adolescence through puberty, it's difficult to learn to move through Olympic lifts and high level gymnastics fluidly without those previous mind to muscle connections. You can always see it in an individuals movements who hasn't had those years of work put in getting familiar with how there body moves and is supposed to move. Now there are a few individuals who can pick up anything with unbelievable ease, and be very successful and this is possible with CrossFit but in all likely hood that individual has probably done something athletic even if not competitively at some point in their life. So if you're still in high school or Junior High get involved in some type of competitive athletics or in college you should find an organized team in whatever sport you like and train with them this might help develop some of what you missed out on as a child.
The 3rd and final requirement of an above average for example CrossFit athlete, is a motivation greater then themselves, whether your motivation is achievement for someone else or just to prove to yourself that you can. The major requirement of this step is a deep burning passion an emotional connection that can change your attitude in an instance. For some individuals this is a religious connection and a passion brought on by their religion, for others it's the scorn, or mockery of others or the lose of a loved one, or even the passion to inspire others. (I know of a CrossFit games athlete who before he was a games athlete, left his girlfriend to focus on becoming a games athlete, and that motivated her in turn to try and prove to him that she wasn't a burden on the journey and she was determined to make regionals, even though she never made it, that was her external motivation and it probably took her further then she could have ever gone on her own). There are countless athletes out there doing it to glorify the word of God and spread his message. But the 1 thing in common across these three is that it's a deep emotional connection that allows you to zone out the pain of exercise for something greater then your current situation. So forgetting that you're in pain and out of breath and remember that what you're doing goes beyond just yourself, your pain isn't about you its about having a why for what you do. Making yourself push past the physical pain because you have a deeper mental pain or desire that can only be extinguished through this process. This is also why people fall in love with the pain of working out. Because soon that relief of working out and improving brings a high that lets you know that you are improving and you are getting better.
It's a fairly simple equation but I feel like these are traits that are all learned at an early age and difficult to acquire later in life. Not to say that it's impossible I just believe that if you look across the board at above average CrossFitters this is a common Recipe. A distation of being average, a concrete athletic base, and a strong passionate external motivation.
Thanks, guys
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