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Writer's pictureCoach Gary B.

Is Your All or Nothing Mentality Hurting You?

Updated: Nov 8, 2022


If you are competitive, chances are you probably have an “All or Nothing” mentality.


This mentality will often drive people to give their all in everything they do.


But what happens if you can’t give your all? What happens if something comes up that prevents you from being the best at something? What happens if your priorities change? What do you do then? Do you just shut down and stop doing that activity?


There will be times in everyone’s life when priorities shift. Mine came four years ago. I was blessed with my daughter. Prior to her, I had 3-4 hours a day I could dedicate to the gym. I was competing regularly in CrossFit competitions. I was able to sleep through the night without interruptions. I was back squatting 365 for 8 reps. I was at my peak fitness level.


Post Emmie (my daughter), things were different. Nights were often interrupted by cries. I had to crunch workouts in before the sun came up and rush home before she opened her eyes. Crossfit competitions became few and far between. I was struggling to keep up with the competition around me. I wanted to just throw in the towel and move on to something else because I was no longer at the top of my game.


This is where the “All or Nothing” mentality could have hurt me. I realized that at this point in time in my life “Some is better than nothing” was more applicable.


I am not going to lie, it was a tough pill to swallow.


Here I am, four years later and my strength numbers barely moved, if not lowered with all lifts. My benchmark metcon times have all stalled. My “progress” has literally been on a 4-year hiatus...


But wait… has it? Absolutely not. I am stronger than ever before...


I am now the father of two (soon to be 3) amazing kids. I have a beautiful wife. I have one full-time job and two part-time jobs. I have coached my daughter’s soccer team for two years in a row. I have endless energy to run around the yard with my kids until they get tired. I can pick both of my kids up at once and carry them around the house. I can put my son on my shoulders and walk for miles. I can do all these things because I never stopped carving out time to care for my health and wellness.


At this point in time, I don’t train to be the best at CrossFit. I train to be my best and the best for my family. Had I kept the “All or nothing” mentality, I would have stopped working out. I would have stopped taking care of myself.


So remember,


“Some is better than nothing.”

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