Gaining Confidence and the Fu Manchu

Looks can be deceiving

Three years ago, I first thought that to be considered the fittest human on earth, to be the elite of the elite, one would have to be a big huge guy who is ripped weighing over 200lbs of solid muscle. Someone incredibly strong that can handle heavy lifts in CrossFit workouts with ease. Once I went to a competition, I immediately through that assumption out the window.
The top athletes were very unassuming. I learned that men who weighed 140lbs to 155lbs performed just as well, if not better, than those who were in the 185-205lb range. It is mind boggling because in a CrossFit competition, everyone is performing the workout with the same weights. This is the same thing for the ladies. CrossFit provides the true test of grunt work. Only those who have the correct mindset, the immense amount of determination and dedication will perform on top. This is very inspiring to me. These elite athletes look completely normal. Outside of the CrossFit world, they are normal human biegns. No one from the street will be able to tell (with their clothes on) that they are one of  < 1% of the fittest humans on earth.

Perfect example. Chris Spealler of CrossFit Park City. He is am amazing athlete! Watch this video and learn what it takes to get to his level. I am not talking about his training program. His training is targeting his weaknesses. CrossFit athletes may have to target their weaknesses in order to have a better General Physical Preparedness.

Check out a regional workout he did from last year:


WOD 1 from Andrew Garcia on Vimeo.



I myself had made so many gains throughout the years. Here are a couple of things I would like to share:

First month of CrossFit (March of 08') I had:

• Approx 15 min mile
• 0 Push Ups
• 0 Pull Ups
• 335lb Deadlift
• 135lb Clean was considered HEAVY
• Hated the WODs
• Always doubted myself
• Zero Confidence
• Angry and determined at the same time

Now:

• I have ran a sub 7 min mile (have not done it in a while)
• 28 Pull Up
• 500lb Dead Lift
• 275 lb Clean
• Appreciate the WODs (a different hate)
• Very Confident
• More determined than ever.

Overall it was my confidence that took me to where I am at now. Not only it helped with my GPP but with my Health, My social life, and knowledge of true fitness.

SPORTING THE FU MANCHU

Just recently I shaved off my beard I was growing and kept on a mustache. I am not sure exactly what the name of this mustache is called but I have heard you guys say the Fu Manchu the most so I am going to go with that. This mustache I am sporting for the next month is somewhat important to me. If you guys think back to when you first started your CrossFit journey, a lot of you guys were shy and quiet around the class and then all of the sudden we can't get you guys to stop talking and pay attention! That is the family we have at Canyon and I love that! However; remember when I made you guys lift for the first time? Remember how we told you to lay off the weight? (Mainly girls) Then all the sudden you felt comfortable wit the same barbell and I told you to up the load. How did that make you feel? Nervous right? You looked at me like I was crazy! Some of you girls can clean and Jerk 135lbs. Not only do you get that barbell overhead, but you slam it to the ground! You were not like that before, you girls became CONFIDENT. Confidence takes you a long way in the CrossFit world. I am more confident than ever before now.

I don't think before CrossFit would I ever sport a mustache like this. Looks can be deceiving! An elite athlete does not have to look a certain way, they just have to demonstrate high work capacity. To do that, they must be fearless and never give up. When I was in junior high school, a teacher accused me of doing something. It really got to me. I was in an electronics class and I got called back into class. The teacher looked angry. He started to yell at me telling me I left a bag of feces in the classroom and told me to pick it up. (Kind of funny) I told him that I didn't do that and I shouldn't have to pick up anything. It was stereotype. Because of the way I was dressed (somewhat baggy jeans), he assumed it was me. He told me to get my act together. He had a camera installed in the class and said that he has proof. The next day he apologized.

Situations like this happen all the time. This is also a reason why I am sporting the Fu Manchu. My facial hair shouldn't have to be stereotyped. It certainly correlates with my personality. A lot of our new clients look at me scared, makes me laugh everytime.  I use the stache as courage. I use it to train, to make myself believe in achieving my goals. It helps. It gives me more motivation to workout, to perform harder than ever before. It helps me focus on a better lifestyle. CrossFit women do the same thing, they just don't wear mustaches. They dress up for competition!

I encourage everyone to do whatever it takes to keep you motivated. Wear a Mohawk, wear a stache, dress up, get tatoos, do whatever,  because the outcome is wellness for the rest of your life. To increase your GPP and become part of that 1%.  I don't know about you but I want to live a long and healthy life. I want to stay active as I get older, and I am confident that I will.

WOD:

Clean & Jerk: 1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1

Result: 135-185-205-225-255-275F- 275f-265-270F-270

Pr'd my Clean and Jerk by 15lbs!

I need tons of work on the Push Jerk and Split Jerk. It is keeping me away from heavier lifts! Grr...