Lisbeth’s Essay, “Show Me Who You Are” is a great collaboration of words sparked by the spirit of the CrossFit Games. We have all witnessed and experienced that spirit… when someone can crush you in competition, and yet be your biggest supporter in the same event. That is pretty cool, but it doesn’t always happen that way. After all, we are all in this game for different reasons. The thoughts and experiences that sparked Lisbeth’s essay are thoughts and experiences each of us have had or will have at some point on our CrossFit journey. I know it is an internal battle I have had each year the shed has been in existence, and I am glad that someone else was able to put those thoughts on a platform for us to read and explore.
I particularly like this paragraph:
This is CrossFit. Who you are here is who you are in life. Hardcharger, weak finisher, cheater, stand-up guy, liar, whiner, true friend, false friend, enthusiast, degrader, master bullsh** artist, or whatever: the person that emerges in these workouts is the person who lives closest to your soul. It’s you. Let me see that person — because real is so much better than fake perfect.
When you read those words, who – what – when pops into your head? Is it a particular WOD, competition, person or event?
Think about this sentence for a minute: “the person that emerges in these workouts is the person who lives closest to your soul.”
Now apply that sentence to your CrossFit journey. Who is that person for you?
One of the advantages of being on the Coach’s side of the WOD is that I get to see that person as he/she emerges. What I have seen has landed on both ends of the spectrum, from completely awesome to completely disheartening. I have witnessed natural born Coaches, and spoiled brats still having tantrums. Needless to say, I know who I want next to me in the foxhole!
I am addressing this topic because it is important to all of us.
Don’t confuse the message though!
I am not saying that you should be consumed by how people view you, but you should have an awareness of who you are when the shit goes down and it is time to be that person who lives closest to your soul.
Are you the one lying on the floor having a profanity riddled tantrum, or are you the one genuinely supporting your fellow athletes? Do you ask questions on how to get better, or do you whine about all the things holding you back?
CrossFit questions that apply to real life!
