There are a lot of sayings out there that have been created by the new world of CrossFit, and most (if not all) of its population! There are very few in the CrossFit world who take a minority stand on the basic principles of fitness, strength and conditioning. Those who do often find out that by standing firm in the midst of those training at 100mph will remain standing… stronger and ready to train another day… injury free, and perhaps even a little smarter, by having learned from each training experience.
What we do in the gym creates incredible data and transformation in so many ways… from the physical, to the mental, to the spiritual… the data doesn't lie, and the transformations are real!
If you know me, you know I love to talk about this stuff, and I thoroughly enjoy finding comparisons to create metaphors that will force our athletes to think and be more mindful of what's going on during their respective fitness journey.
After some research and studying, I came across the lone wolf concept and I couldn't help but observe its relevance to what we do in the gym. Society would have you believe that a lone wolf is a badass… a tough guy who goes his own way, makes his own rules and lives life on his own terms. Truth is, though, that a lone wolf is an outcast… a loser… rejected from his pack. Now to paraphrase from the beloved story of The Jungle Book… "the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack". I cannot help but stand firm in my belief that this is exactly how success is achieved in a group training atmosphere… i.e. the CrossFit Model! We are a pack! Alphas may emerge, but casting out a lone wolf (or wolves) is a last resort option. Why? Because of one simple concept…
Encouragement
All Alphas were once pups… just like every athlete at the shed (or any affiliate) was once inexperienced, unfit, or uneducated in the ways of fitness for life, or the snatch, double under or muscle-up. The Alphas emerge because of the display of leadership and maturity in all aspects of "the strength of the pack". The true Alpha doesn't abuse his/her position, but instead treats it as a tool to fix any leaks or cracks in the pack, to ensure all members of the pack have the same opportunities to learn, grow and possibly emerge as the next Alpha… or simply achieve a better position in life within the pack through the encouragement of others.
Men and women offer encouragement… boys and girls offer judgement
When you encourage others, you are giving them some of your courage… you are offering up your previous experiences to help them get from where they are now, to where they want to be later, which is next to you in the pack!
When you are judgemental towards others, you are sending them negative vibrations which is a lack of caring, and an obvious neglect of awareness that you were once "a pup" yourself. Casting judgement takes energy away from the now, and has negative ramifications on your own performance in the gym, and in your life!
Every single day in the gym we have an opportunity to offer encouragement and build the strength of the pack by providing some of our own courage to one-another. Those who choose to judge become the lone wolves.
The strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack.
Men and Women offer encouragement… boys and girls offer judgement.
Some would say these words have nothing to do with fitness… but I disagree, and I will take a minority stand against the majority who think that standards, scores and whiteboards make fitness relevant… or create better people. That stuff was created for competition only (judgement)… not to help an individual improve health metrics and reach personal goals through fitness (encouragement)! 8 years of data and experience in CrossFit have proven that elitism waters the seeds of judgement, divides a pack and feeds into the lone wolf concept.
The lone wolf needs the pack, or he will starve and die… it's the law of the jungle!
Last words of this rant… nobody in the shed is elite enough to have the inability to offer encouragement, and if you disagree with me, it's time for you to get over yourself, reflect on your journey, understand where you came from, and make your way back into the pack… I will be there with open arms!!
~cpj
I think this post hits the nail on the head. Supporting others definitely creates a stronger bond and makes us more likely to welcome newcomers and help them through those scary first months. Encouraging others is a big part of the community. Great post!
I think this post hits the nail on the head. Supporting others definitely creates a stronger bond and makes us more likely to welcome newcomers and help them through those scary first months. Encouraging others is a big part of the community. Great post!
“Men and Women offer encouragement – boys and girls offer judgement”. Best quote ever.
Thanks for sharing this.