Be the Best Me, by Eric Elliott
If you haven’t already, you should sign up for the Snow Slam this December. Let’s get that out of the way immediately.
I know, I know, competition is this crazy thing that only the few among CrossFit athletes are suited for and they’re the ones who go south each Summer to showcase their skills. We might even know one of these people eh? 😉
But what if I told you that competition is for absolutely everyone. Everyone. Now let me start by saying that I’m someone who’s competed all my life outside of CrossFit so when it came time to sign up for my first CrossFit competition, the Open, you didn’t exactly have to twist my leg to do it. I’ve loved the competitive side of life and sports since I was old enough to skate on a hockey rink or throw a baseball.
For many though, competing carries a much different meaning than I often give it credit for. It can be intimidating. It can mean putting yourself out there. Heck, in a lot of cases, it can mean failure and embarrassment (both of which I’ve been a part of and will be again in the future). But it doesn’t have to.
Merriam-Webster defines “compete,” as “to strive consciously or unconsciously for an objective (such as position, profit, or a prize) :be in a state of rivalry.” Let’s break that down for a second.
Each morning, afternoon or night, you walk through the doors of Endeavor Fitness CONSCIOUSLY or UNCONSCIOUSLY pursuing an objective. You do. For most people that objective is to sustain or create a healthy, sustainable body or maybe even a more improved physique. You compete for that every single day; however, we often don’t think of that as competing because the obstacles (or competitors) in our way are not physical people and thus don’t fit with the socially acceptable definition of competition of, ‘me against the world.’
Thinking of it this way then, the Snow Slam is exactly the same thing. The only difference then is the meaning we attach to the word competing inside the walls of a competition like this, in-house or at the CrossFit Games. And this mindset is extremely important, even for the people like 2015 & 2016 CrossFit Games competitor Katrin Davidsdottir who said during an interview, “I really work to make sure that when I’m on the competition court at the CrossFit Games or any competition, I’m the best version of myself…then I know I’ve done everything I could.”
Notice she never mentions comparing herself to others, her placing in the competition or a variety of other factors beyond her control. It’s simply herself. Finding the best version of Katrin Davidsdottir.
So when it comes to signing up at the Snow Slam next month, don’t think of it as trying to beat the other team or finishing first or even, not finishing last. Instead think of competing to be the best version of yourself.
While you’re at it, we can all have ourselves a little fun.