Perhaps the most compelling reason I became a gym-junkie was because of how ‘positive’ the atmosphere was. It was the exact opposite of where I worked at the time in NZ Government welfare divisions.
People who came to the gym were instead ready, willing, and motivated to step out of their comfort-zone and to put in the effort. The gym-vibe was the flip-side of my employment. I was drawn to it like a magnet.
Even today I witnessed at least half a dozen members with injuries (sporting and other) coming to the gym to do what they CAN, to maintain their strength and fitness. Each of these people believed that they could still make a difference. The injury was not an excuse to lie-down on the sofa. Then our two Cancer-Wellfit ladies came in to weight-train. Each of them full of hope and appreciation for the day AND gradually making strength gains. Both Marilyn and Catherine are seizing on ‘what they CAN do’.
Last week a friend shared the story of Dara Torres (pictured on the above Time Magazine). At the age of seventeen – swimmer, Dara represented USA in the 1984 Olympic Games. She did so several times more and eventually retired from competition. Dara had just given birth at the age of 39. Around the same time Dara began to wonder if she could re-claim her swimming condition and entered the pool. To help, Dara sought out a handful of experts/coaches. She hired a ‘stretch coach’. This was unheard of at the time in the swimming fraternity. To the total surprise of all, Dara tried out to for the next Olympic Team and qualified, beating all others, half her age.
Consquently, most of the women were inspired to hire their own ‘stretch-coaches’ within the following twelve months. Dara competed again, at age 41 in the 2008 Biejing Olympics. Dara, refused to believe that a swimming athletes career is over after their early 20’s and instead sought out ways to make herself better. Dara is now a five-time Olympian, 12-time Olympic medalist and she set SIX World records!
As Arnold Schwarzenegger would agree, there are plenty of people who will tell you what you CAN’T do. But Arnold regularly repeats, “Don’t listen to naysayers”.
Look for what you CAN do. Be positive and make it happen!
This week’s newsletter can be found here
