“To get stronger, you have to be stronger” - A Lesson in Mental Fortitude

Mental fortitude is a vital aspect of everyday life. Each day, we are faced with challenges at work or in our personal lives that require mental toughness to overcome. It is only fitting that we take this same principle and apply it to the realm of strength, endurance, and dedication to our own health and fitness.

The word “fortitude” is defined by expressing courage in the face of adversity. The first time each one of you stepped foot into CrossFit Stealth, you exerted this courage. By taking the first brave step to invest in yourself and your future, you created a pathway to more success. Whether you have been with us for a few weeks or a few years, consistently showing up is already half the work done. This includes, however, showing up on days when the WODs may not be your favorite - or even on days when the WOD may scare you a bit! Trusting yourself, your body, and your capability as an athlete is one of the bravest things you can do. Cherry picking is mental weakness. Remember to keep showing up, you can do this!

Additionally, being honest with yourself about your exertion level is vital to continuous improvement. In every step of your fitness journey, there will be points when weight that once felt heavy will start to feel lighter, and movements that you once struggled with you will suddenly perform with ease. While these can be some of the most exciting moments we experience, they are also a signal that it is time to take the next step. CrossFit is beautifully unique in that everything is both infinitely scalable AND can be made infinitely more difficult. We are lucky to be in a sport where the limit does not exist. Use this to be your own motivation every time you hear the 10 second countdown.

Lastly, the most important aspect of mental fortitude is having confidence when you execute a movement. When you step up to the barbell to attempt a PR or chalk up your hands before what could be your first pullup, remind yourself that you are strong and capable. Being mentally tough isn’t just about pushing yourself to the limits in a metcon, it’s also about having the patience to smash your goals. Effort is EVERYTHING when it comes to overcoming obstacles. If your head isn’t in the game, your body won’t cooperate. You have put the work in, you have continued to show up, now is the time to see tangible results. To get stronger, you have to BE stronger. So take a deep breath, set your gaze, 3..2..1.. go.

Coach Julia