Voices in my Head
Two weeks ago, I hit a big goal for myself and finally benched 135 lbs. Being able to put a plate on the bar was something I had seen other people in my training crew do for so long, and I wanted to do that too, probably for an equal sense of belonging and pride. Going into the next week with confidence, I loaded the bar with the same plate, and it didn't move. Cue the negative self talk. But, this time, instead of hearing my own criticizing voice, I heard the familiar voices of the guys I train with each week: Rob, Mike, Tom, Austin, and Tim. Rob, whenever I start to list all of the reasons I can't bench, squat, or deadlift a certain weight, you stop me mid-spiral to say, "of course you can," as if it's absurd to have anything but confidence in my abilities. Considering that I used to put my wrist wraps on backwards, your unwavering belief that I belong in the gym and alongside you in a workout is pretty remarkable. You hold up the mirror that allows me to see ...