Yesterday I did a video about embracing the journey and trusting the process. The destination is cool and all, but the journey is where all the growth happens. A goal achieved is great, but look back on what it took to get you there. If not for all the things that happened along the way, you may not have been strong enough to deal with the success of reaching that goal. Trusting the process means embracing the journey and all that comes with it.
Here's what people won't tell you: the journey sucks. It's full of fear, pitfalls, mud and muck, swamps, valleys, enemies, hatred, darkness, and evil. Seriously. I walk the journey everyday and I see it. I struggle with depression. I wrestle with it daily, yet I get out of bed and come to work on days that keep many of my fellow sufferers in bed. Why?
Because I ENJOY the journey. I embrace the fight against the darkness. I run at it headlong and at full steam (or as I tend to say, Full Tilt Boogie). Why?
Because I have stood on the mountain tops and seen the valleys for what they are; illusions. All the bad things that go thru your head about why you "can't" do something, it's all an illusion. I hate clichès, but it's all F.E.A.R. False Evidence Appearing Real. All the reasons you tell yourself you can't, it's all based on evidence that's not evidence at all, it's conjecture and assumption. I'm not saying the struggle isn't real, I'm saying most of it is made up in our heads to scare us out of doing something hard. Everything seems impossible until it's done.
I thought it impossible to own my own business, I'm building it and learning to own it. I thought it impossible for someone like me to run long distance, I've done a marathon and a 30 mile Spartan Race. I thought it impossible for me to be a good dad with a dad who abandoned me and a step-dad who was the example of what not to do but my kids are joyful, disciplined, kind, and we love each other. There are days that I think it impossible to get out of bed because my body hurts and the thoughts that fill my head are all about how much I suck. But I get out of bed because of the small voice inside of me that reminds me I have to fight. Why?
2 reasons:
1) This Marianne Williamson quote - Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
I LOVE watching you all embrace your own journey, it makes the fight worth it. The brighter I can get myself to shine, the brighter I get to watch you all shine. So go get it!!!
And 2) I genuinely enjoy the journey. I enjoy the fight. Because I have seen the mountain tops, and It. Is. BEUATIFUL! But you'll never now how beautiful they are unless you see the mud and muck involved in the journey.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Monday, February 13, 2017
Winning 6 Months of CrossFit Just Got EASIER!!!
Wow. No one? No one wants to take the challenge? Ok, let's give something different a try and I'll tell you why at the end.
What if instead of having to beat me to win, just entering and participating with me gave you a shot to win?
Well, that's what I'm doing now. Enter to participate with me in The Open and qualify for one of 3 prizes: 1) 6 months of FREE training at CrossFit Crossroads 2) 3 months of training at CFC. 3) 1 Free Personal Training Session with me.
Beating me still gets you a steak dinner, cuz, well...tradition I guess.
These stipulations still apply: 1) You must enter the contest using the form by clicking Here!!!. 2) If you currently attend a CrossFit gym, you are NOT eligible. Stealing members is not my thing, sorry. 3) You must sign up for The Open at games.crossfit.com. You must fill out your ENTIRE profile on the CrossFit Games site. Yes, including an actual photo of you. Also, you must list CrossFit Crossroads as your affiliate. 4) All 5 Open workouts must be done at CrossFit Crossroads so that your scores can be verified. Your training can be done elsewhere (Although we'd LOVE to have you train with us), but your official scores for the workouts must be done here, NO EXCEPTIONS. 5) You may enter the Rx Division or the Scaled Division depending on your ability level and we'll help you decide which to do if you don't know. 6) To be eligible for prizes you MUST participate in ALL 5 Open workouts.
There you have it folks. The investment on your end is the $20 to enter The Open and you have a shot to train with coaches who care how you feel and how you progress toward your goal.
That's why I'm doing this. CrossFit has changed my life and I'd love to give you a shot at changing yours. You've tried the rest. Now try the best. Give it a shot. You might surprise yourself with what you are capable of doing.
(If you missed the link above, here it is again).
CrossFit Crossroads 2017 Open Challenge
There you have it folks. The investment on your end is the $20 to enter The Open and you have a shot to train with coaches who care how you feel and how you progress toward your goal.
That's why I'm doing this. CrossFit has changed my life and I'd love to give you a shot at changing yours. You've tried the rest. Now try the best. Give it a shot. You might surprise yourself with what you are capable of doing.
(If you missed the link above, here it is again).
CrossFit Crossroads 2017 Open Challenge
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Win a 6 Month Membership!
So, you think you're fit? You think CrossFit is for sissies, wierdos, or people who like getting hurt?You look at crossfitters and think "I could totally smoke them at (insert fitness oriented category)". Okay. Prove it. What do you have to do? It's simple, but first some quick background.
I started doing CrossFit full time in 2011. It has been a long road filled with learning more about fitness and the fitness industry than I ever learned in school (I have a degree in Exercise Science). In 2012 I entered my first CrossFit Open. An open competition that serves 2 purposes; 1) (probably most famously) it is the initial qualifying step to the CrossFit Games. For the elite folks, this is the main focus of "The Open". 2) For us mortals (yes I am quite mortal compared to those folks) it's a yearly check-in. It's a chance to truly test whether or not you are actually doing the work to be fitter (or is it more fit? I'm going with fitter) than last year.
Each year since 2013 I have issued the Coach B challenge: beat me in any one of the 5 workouts and I'd buy you a steak dinner. 4 years running and no takers.
So this year I'm upping the ante: beat me in The Open and qualify for one of 3 prizes: 1) 6 months of FREE training at CrossFit Crossroads 2) 3 months of training at CFC. 3) A steak dinner (sorry, I had to do it for my own entertainment). Beating me means you must place higher than me WORLDWIDE in order to win (yes, this is open to ladies and yes there are PLENTY of you ladies I'm sure could beat me).
There are stipulations: 1) You must enter the contest using the form by clicking Here!!!. 2) If you currently attend a CrossFit gym, you are NOT eligible. Stealing members is not my thing, sorry. 3) You must sign up for The Open at games.crossfit.com. You must fill out your ENTIRE profile on the CrossFit Games site. Yes, including an actual photo of you. Also, you must list CrossFit Crossroads as your affiliate. 4) All 5 Open workouts must be done at CrossFit Crossroads so that your scores can be verified. Your training can be done elsewhere, but your official scores for the workouts must be done here, NO EXCEPTIONS. 5) You MUST enter the Rx Division in order to be eligible for the top 3 prizes. If the Rx Division seems out of your reach, you may enter the Scaled Division and I will be setting scores to beat there as well. Scoring for those workouts will be handled in house. There are also prizes for winning in the Scaled Division. Come and see us for the info on that. 6) Win or lose you agree to participate in ALL 5 workouts.
There you have it folks. The investment on your end is the $20 to enter The Open, and if I beat you, you owe me a hi-five, a bro hug, and a "see ya next year" (ok, and maybe a side wager of a beer and some good food, on an individual basis).
Come and get some. I double dog dare you! ( You missed the link above, here it is again).
CrossFit Crossroads 2017 Open Challenge
I started doing CrossFit full time in 2011. It has been a long road filled with learning more about fitness and the fitness industry than I ever learned in school (I have a degree in Exercise Science). In 2012 I entered my first CrossFit Open. An open competition that serves 2 purposes; 1) (probably most famously) it is the initial qualifying step to the CrossFit Games. For the elite folks, this is the main focus of "The Open". 2) For us mortals (yes I am quite mortal compared to those folks) it's a yearly check-in. It's a chance to truly test whether or not you are actually doing the work to be fitter (or is it more fit? I'm going with fitter) than last year.
Each year since 2013 I have issued the Coach B challenge: beat me in any one of the 5 workouts and I'd buy you a steak dinner. 4 years running and no takers.
So this year I'm upping the ante: beat me in The Open and qualify for one of 3 prizes: 1) 6 months of FREE training at CrossFit Crossroads 2) 3 months of training at CFC. 3) A steak dinner (sorry, I had to do it for my own entertainment). Beating me means you must place higher than me WORLDWIDE in order to win (yes, this is open to ladies and yes there are PLENTY of you ladies I'm sure could beat me).
There are stipulations: 1) You must enter the contest using the form by clicking Here!!!. 2) If you currently attend a CrossFit gym, you are NOT eligible. Stealing members is not my thing, sorry. 3) You must sign up for The Open at games.crossfit.com. You must fill out your ENTIRE profile on the CrossFit Games site. Yes, including an actual photo of you. Also, you must list CrossFit Crossroads as your affiliate. 4) All 5 Open workouts must be done at CrossFit Crossroads so that your scores can be verified. Your training can be done elsewhere, but your official scores for the workouts must be done here, NO EXCEPTIONS. 5) You MUST enter the Rx Division in order to be eligible for the top 3 prizes. If the Rx Division seems out of your reach, you may enter the Scaled Division and I will be setting scores to beat there as well. Scoring for those workouts will be handled in house. There are also prizes for winning in the Scaled Division. Come and see us for the info on that. 6) Win or lose you agree to participate in ALL 5 workouts.
There you have it folks. The investment on your end is the $20 to enter The Open, and if I beat you, you owe me a hi-five, a bro hug, and a "see ya next year" (ok, and maybe a side wager of a beer and some good food, on an individual basis).
Come and get some. I double dog dare you! ( You missed the link above, here it is again).
CrossFit Crossroads 2017 Open Challenge
Monday, January 23, 2017
21 Days to Make a Habit? A Few Tips to Stick to It!
We've all heard it. "It takes 21 days to make or break a habit". Does it really work? I've always wondered what started such a saying so I did a little digging. Here's what I found.
Where it Started
As far as I could find it began in the 50's with a plastic surgeon who noticed that the phantom pain from certain surgeries would begin to subside about 21 days post-op. He would go on to write a book about the idea and years down the line, like a decades long game of telephone, self-help gurus began latching on to the idea as a catch phrase. They started saying "21 days to make a habit" forgetting the initial part of the idea that it takes 21 days to BEGIN noticing the change.
You see, the 21 day mark is where you start to notice that the new thing really has the ability to become a part of you. You begin to make peace with it. But you are not adept at it just yet. Come on, did you really think you could quit smoking, give up soda, run 3 miles a day, read each night, stop using your Facebook after 7pm (yeah, right!), etc. in just 21 days?! The only research done around this area has shown that even the simplest of habits takes about 66 days to build! Depending on what you are trying to accomplish, it could take a year or more. Ask anyone who has successfully quit smoking, gotten sober from anything, or mastered any skill, it takes constant work to stay successful.
What You Can Do
Mastery of something takes a lifetime! But, that doesn't mean you shouldn't start. It does mean though, that you must be in it for the long haul. Creating a good habit or breaking a bad one is a journey, not a destination. Rather than try it only to fall off the wagon on day 22 just because you made it 21 days, commit to it for the long haul. Just know that after 21 days of doing it (or not doing it) you'll BEGIN to notice it really might become a part of you.
Here are a 3 tips to get/keep you going:
1) Don't get fooled by the Honeymoon Phase. The first few days may seem easy, like this is going to be no sweat. It might be that way (depending on what you are tackling), be prepared for a fight, and soon.
2) Win the fight thru moments. How? We are the sum of our thoughts. Kill off negative self talk and remind yourself why you wanted to this. Give yourself positive self talk and focus on success in that moment. You may not always be able to control the end result, but you can control your attitude and your effort when you want to give up the most. Lose a fight thru moment, and you'll give yourself permission to lose again and again. FIGHT THRU!
3) Don't let hiccups become road blocks. So you lost a fight thru moment. To borrow a phrase from my days as a hockey goalie, "you gotta have a short term memory". It means if you let one by, don't let it be the reason you let the next one by. Give yourself room to grow and get better. You're not perfect, but you are trying to be better which goes back to the fight thru moments. Here comes another. Are you going to fight to win? Or are you just putting on a show but have decided to lose already? Remember, you can control your attitude and your effort in these moments. Use it to propel yourself toward success.
Where it Started
As far as I could find it began in the 50's with a plastic surgeon who noticed that the phantom pain from certain surgeries would begin to subside about 21 days post-op. He would go on to write a book about the idea and years down the line, like a decades long game of telephone, self-help gurus began latching on to the idea as a catch phrase. They started saying "21 days to make a habit" forgetting the initial part of the idea that it takes 21 days to BEGIN noticing the change.
You see, the 21 day mark is where you start to notice that the new thing really has the ability to become a part of you. You begin to make peace with it. But you are not adept at it just yet. Come on, did you really think you could quit smoking, give up soda, run 3 miles a day, read each night, stop using your Facebook after 7pm (yeah, right!), etc. in just 21 days?! The only research done around this area has shown that even the simplest of habits takes about 66 days to build! Depending on what you are trying to accomplish, it could take a year or more. Ask anyone who has successfully quit smoking, gotten sober from anything, or mastered any skill, it takes constant work to stay successful.
What You Can Do
Mastery of something takes a lifetime! But, that doesn't mean you shouldn't start. It does mean though, that you must be in it for the long haul. Creating a good habit or breaking a bad one is a journey, not a destination. Rather than try it only to fall off the wagon on day 22 just because you made it 21 days, commit to it for the long haul. Just know that after 21 days of doing it (or not doing it) you'll BEGIN to notice it really might become a part of you.
Here are a 3 tips to get/keep you going:
1) Don't get fooled by the Honeymoon Phase. The first few days may seem easy, like this is going to be no sweat. It might be that way (depending on what you are tackling), be prepared for a fight, and soon.
2) Win the fight thru moments. How? We are the sum of our thoughts. Kill off negative self talk and remind yourself why you wanted to this. Give yourself positive self talk and focus on success in that moment. You may not always be able to control the end result, but you can control your attitude and your effort when you want to give up the most. Lose a fight thru moment, and you'll give yourself permission to lose again and again. FIGHT THRU!
3) Don't let hiccups become road blocks. So you lost a fight thru moment. To borrow a phrase from my days as a hockey goalie, "you gotta have a short term memory". It means if you let one by, don't let it be the reason you let the next one by. Give yourself room to grow and get better. You're not perfect, but you are trying to be better which goes back to the fight thru moments. Here comes another. Are you going to fight to win? Or are you just putting on a show but have decided to lose already? Remember, you can control your attitude and your effort in these moments. Use it to propel yourself toward success.
Monday, January 16, 2017
Resolutions are hard...
We're 16 days deep into 2017. Are you sticking with your resolution? Have you started to slip? Having worked in the fitness industry now for over 10 years, usually about now motivation begins to wain and attendance in gyms start to slide. Commitment to your new diet has already hit a stumbling block or two. That book you said you would get read has gone a day or two with out having turned a page (ok, that may be my confession). The homework for that class you signed up for is starting to weigh on you.
Resolutions...crap their hard.
That's the thing about something like a "New Year Resolution", you start out on fire and sputter out rather quickly. Why? I mean, you were full of gusto just a few days ago, why did the passion fade away so quickly?
Much like a passing fad, the passion for the event or goal lives in the novelty of it. The idea seems great because you know you'll be better for it, but you rapidly grow weary of that idea as life takes it toll on your motivation.
Motivation. Such a dirty little word. Motivation is fickle. It seems hopelessly lost when you need it most, then POOF, there it is at 11pm when you're trying to sleep. Stupid sleep. I guess I really didn't need it anyway.
Here's the secret: forget motivation. What you need is discipline. In order to have discipline, you must have a written out (or typed up) plan that lays out what you will do in spite of motivations presence. It's a prescription that must be followed that helps you take the steps you said you would take in order to get you to the goal you want to achieve.
Screw motivation. It will always leave you in the worst moments like a bad boyfriend/girlfriend. Discipline is the one to marry. It will see you thru the good times and the bad.
Discipline is what makes dreams come true.
Resolutions...crap their hard.
That's the thing about something like a "New Year Resolution", you start out on fire and sputter out rather quickly. Why? I mean, you were full of gusto just a few days ago, why did the passion fade away so quickly?
Much like a passing fad, the passion for the event or goal lives in the novelty of it. The idea seems great because you know you'll be better for it, but you rapidly grow weary of that idea as life takes it toll on your motivation.
Motivation. Such a dirty little word. Motivation is fickle. It seems hopelessly lost when you need it most, then POOF, there it is at 11pm when you're trying to sleep. Stupid sleep. I guess I really didn't need it anyway.
Here's the secret: forget motivation. What you need is discipline. In order to have discipline, you must have a written out (or typed up) plan that lays out what you will do in spite of motivations presence. It's a prescription that must be followed that helps you take the steps you said you would take in order to get you to the goal you want to achieve.
Screw motivation. It will always leave you in the worst moments like a bad boyfriend/girlfriend. Discipline is the one to marry. It will see you thru the good times and the bad.
Discipline is what makes dreams come true.
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Actually Achieving Your Resolutions in 2017
This quote (minus the final 4 words) is all over the place. I added the final 4 words. The quote is a reminder that just thinking about something or even saying that you have a goal is great, but without and plan of action it's just hot air. We are in the final week of 2016. New years resolutions are sure to ramp up as the final days come to a close. This year, I encourage you to take actual steps to accomplish your goals. That means setting deadlines, building a plan of attack and actually doing something that makes you accountable to that plan.
Although I'm a gym owner, I'm someone who cheers for the success of others regardless of the category. If you set a goal I want to see you achieve it. Lose weight, gain muscle, get stronger, get faster, get a Masters degree, a Doctorate, apply for you dream job, start your dream business, ask that guy out, propose to that girl, make the lives of your kids and spouse more important...the list really is endless.
The dream. The goal. It's the end game. Or maybe it's the beginning of something even more amazing than you ever thought possible. No matter what it is, you have put it out there and then build a plan to accomplish it. Put the plan on paper. Hang it up where you see it every day. And then attack it like this is your last chance to get it done.
Happy New Year!!!
Need help building a plan? I'd love to be your helper! Email me at brandon.garcia@crossfitcrossroads.com and we'll get you started.!
Thursday, December 15, 2016
A new vision
So...it's been 9 months since my last post. This is not good. Mostly because, well, it makes me look lazy. I'm not lazy. Spacey, yes. Busy? That too. But not lazy. Also, I've been mislead. For whatever reason I thought blog posts needed to be these insanely long diatribes regarding the soap box on which I currently stand. This is not the case. So the new vision is greater frequency with shorter duration.
What brings about this renewed vigor and sense of obligation to post? Well, a mixture of "I'm not sure" and some amazing work God has been doing in me thru time with Him and small amounts of work with a few Podcasts and mentors. I have learned that in many cases, less is more. I have also learned that being long winded is typically frowned upon outside of academic circles...people tend to get bored.
I guess the question to ask now is; what does this new vision have in store for the minds, souls, hearts, and mildly quippy senses of humor? To quote Gary Kubiak, we're fixin' to find out.
Stay tuned. I promise I won't take 9 months off again...and to keep it short. Unless y'all tick me off or I need to vent. Then you're all gonna have to read another 5000 word blog!
Go lay some bricks, and God Bless!
What brings about this renewed vigor and sense of obligation to post? Well, a mixture of "I'm not sure" and some amazing work God has been doing in me thru time with Him and small amounts of work with a few Podcasts and mentors. I have learned that in many cases, less is more. I have also learned that being long winded is typically frowned upon outside of academic circles...people tend to get bored.
I guess the question to ask now is; what does this new vision have in store for the minds, souls, hearts, and mildly quippy senses of humor? To quote Gary Kubiak, we're fixin' to find out.
Stay tuned. I promise I won't take 9 months off again...and to keep it short. Unless y'all tick me off or I need to vent. Then you're all gonna have to read another 5000 word blog!
Go lay some bricks, and God Bless!
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