I think that there was always a sense of "enhancing life" when engaging in a fitness regimen, a sport or any lifestyle behavior modification… diets, 3min abs, buns of steel… you get the drift!?
As a Fitness Coach, I believe there is more responsibility than just teaching fitness… there are life lessons to be learned in the gym and they are often taught by the barbell, pull-up bar, jump rope, gymnastics rings or plyo-box!
In "Kung Fu Panda", Po was chosen as the Dragon Warrior… and Master Shifu was determined to make him quit… because how could a big, fat panda be a legendary Kung Fu warrior?? As the story unfolds, Po is unwilling to give up! Master Shifu finds humility as a "Master", understanding his gifts as a teacher and showing appreciation and gratitude for his opportunity to train the Dragon Warrior. As he (Master Shifu) prepares Po for his battle against the evil Tai Lung, Po reaches a point where he experiences a similar realization of humility, appreciation and gratitude… and all of the sudden, he "gets it"!! As a confident Po jokes with his master about his new found awesomeness, Shifu reminds him that one of the traits of a true warrior hero is humility.
If you know me, you would know I truly love the KFP stories… and I think it is because there is a equal amount of fantasy and truth in these stories… and once you stop dreaming, it's time to die!!
With that said though, the truth is that we all experience humility in the gym. We all have strengths and weaknesses alike. Part of my job is to remind you of that!! Missing a lift, or failing a rep here and there is part of your journey. It is a lesson in humility… and allows you to open your mind to the gifts you possess that put you where you are at any particular moment… awareness and mindfulness of what it took for you to walk through the door, pick up the bar or jump up on to that box.
There is always a takeaway… doesn't always need to be one, and it doesn't always have to be positive… but if the takeaway is always there, why not go ahead and grab it… and make it positive!!
In reflection you can create awareness of what went wrong in the efforts to build yourself up for the next challenge; whether that challenge be in the gym, at work or in a relationship.
Fitness humility makes us stronger… in mind, body and spirit!
Olive KFP – so many life lessons!