Is that even humanly possible, to be scared of nothing? I think life would be pretty boring if you weren’t scared of anything. You would miss out on overcoming a fear, which is quite an amazing feeling. There is nothing wrong with being scared of something. It doesn’t make you a sissy or any less of a human being.
I’ve been a police officer for 11 years. I am totally scared of being killed in the line of duty. I’m a SWAT operator and I’m a traffic officer on the motorcycle every day, so my chances of being killed in the line of duty are escalated. Sure, I could boast that I’m not afraid of anything at work. I could thump my chest and be the first one to run into a dangerous situation without any support. In police work we call this “tombstone courage.” The cop that doesn’t fear anything and thinks he is invincible. Tombstone courage is one of the top ten reasons why cops get killed in the line of duty. So call me a pussy if you want, but my fear keeps me from being complacent. It's why I like to think that I make smart decisions when in heated situations. My fear ensures I get home safe every night.
Some of us fear certain aspects of our training at One World. There is nothing wrong with being scared when it comes to training. I’m not talking about fearing a workout before you even start it. That is just called nervous trepidation. You are dreading that feeling you can have while performing high intensity training. As James "OPT" Fitzgerald says, you are not comfortable with being uncomfortable.
We all have experienced dreading a workout before you start it, but that isn’t being scared. Being scared when it comes to training is an out and out fear of a movement. I see this a lot when there is a chance that you may fall. I’m not sure exactly what age it happens, but at some point in our lives, the ground no longer becomes our friend. People are scared to death of falling. Max effort box jumps really bring out this fear in people, as do attempting handstands. People are seriously freaked out about it.
I’ve experienced firsthand fear of a weightlifting movement. I jacked my wrist up pretty good doing a clean about three years ago. I am not going to lie…. I was scared shitless of trying to go any heavier than my personal best for quite some time after that. My max effort at the clean never got better because of it. It’s been only over the last year that I really enjoy performing the clean again. I still get a bit freaked out when going for new PR's, but I'm slowly making improvements.
I know that there are people who are totally scared of performing weightlifting movements at their max efforts. The fear of injury can be overwhelming. The thought that you will be crushed by a barbell overrides the fact that you can dump the load and get out of the way, or your spotter will be there to bail you out. Often this fear is overcome with time under the bar, but sometimes, people just can't get over their fear of a particular movement.
It’s easy for me to tell you, "Don't be scared. Just do it!" but fear is just not always that simple to overcome. So what is the best way to overcome being scared? I don’t know…. I don’t have the perfect answer to this one. I think your fears when it comes to training can be overcome with time and experience. There is no quick fix. The important thing is to not get frustrated. Maybe time will squash your fear, maybe it won't. Regardless, keep training!
I shared with you what scares me. What do you fear? Got a good tip on overcoming fear? Post thoughts to comments.
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IMPORTANT SCHEDULE CHANGE NOTIFICATION
Beginning on Monday (2/7), the 5:15/6:15/7:15 pm sessions on Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday are cancelled. The new session times are 5:45 pm & 6:45 pm. The rest of the schedule remains the same. You can click on the "Current Schedule" link on the left sidebar to see the new gym schedule.
We are also adding a Sunday session at 10 am. If the "Make-Up Day" falls on Sunday (like it does this Sunday), then the gym will be closed. I will ALWAYS post a notification the day before if the "Make-Up Day" falls on Sunday.
Please text me if you have any questions about the new schedule.
Freddy- 510.209.8990
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It is suppose to be a really nice day in Union City. I hope you all show up for this workout. A few 800m runs won't kill you...
WORKOUT 2/4/2011
"Michael"
Complete three rounds for time of:
- Run 800m
- 50 hip extensions
- 50 GHD sit-ups
This workout can crush you physically. Respect it!!!! It doesn't feel so bad when you're doing it, it's the next few days after that can be miserable. If you are a less experienced Crossfitter, do this with Abmat sit-ups. If you are really new, think about cutting the sit-up and hip extension rep scheme in half. 150 reps of GHD sit-up for the inexperienced CrossFitter is definitely something I would not recommend. Check your ego at the door!
Amen to that Greg!
Posted by: Lyn C | February 07, 2011 at 08:38
Greg, you're a douche bag.
Posted by: JESUS | February 05, 2011 at 19:34
i fear christians...
Posted by: ohmygod | February 04, 2011 at 22:03
I fear God. I know one day I will stand before Him to face judgment. Every one of us will die one day.
So I live my life with an understanding that God is a Judge, who will judge those who transgress His holy law. I also know that God is love, and His love was clearly demonstrated through His Son Jesus.
I have placed my trust in His Son, whom God sent to save sinners from His judgment against sin by dying on a cross. While Jesus was on the cross, God poured out His wrath on His Son, so that those who would repent from their sins, and believe in His Son, could have forgiveness, and look forward to life after death. Jesus rose from the grave, and He lives!
It was this love of God that compelled me to repent from those things I use to do; things like getting drunk, looking at pornography, lying, or having sex outside of the marriage relationship (fornication).
Before I knew the love of God, I lived for today. Now that I know God’s love, and have placed my faith in His Son, I have peace, and His forgiveness. Now I live for Him.
This has made me a better policeman(motor). I do all that I can to be safe, and stay fit, but I know that He has my back, always. Be safe out there Freddy! Love ya man! :)
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“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endures forever.” -Psalm 111:10
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” -Proverb 9:10
“Only fools say in their hearts, "There is no God." They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good!” -Psalm 53:1
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” -John 3:16-18
Posted by: Greg | February 04, 2011 at 19:12
Great post, Freddy! After battling a right shoulder injury (possible torn labrum but not quite sure) since September, I've had a real fear of overhead movements – snatches, OHS & any type of jerk really. I even avoided (maybe not feared, but definitely avoided) pull-ups until about a month ago.
It all came to a head a few weeks ago when I dropped a push jerk at a globo gym. I couldn't bail properly because it has octagonal weights and no Oly platform. Luckily I came away with only a scrape on the shin and a couple bruises, but it's been a struggle to get back.
That being said, the past few power hours (max C&Js and 3/3/3 OHS this week – PR'd both actually) have really helped. While the shoulder's still not 100%, each time I hit an overhead lift it feels that much better both mentally & physically. Keep training indeed.
Posted by: Eric in Denver | February 04, 2011 at 11:07
Feer More Beer.
Posted by: Eric | February 04, 2011 at 08:32
Catching a heavy snatch in full squat. That snatch move scares the crap out of me. It is like this bullet train version of an overhead squat while trying to maintain midline stability enough to have the faith that you are going to catch the damn thing.
I think it is like rock climbing where you just have to keep at it and continue and push through failures. If you don't fall for a long time while climbing, lots of climbers will fall on purpose (relatively safely of course) just to get it out of their systems.
Fine balance because as James wrote too much fear and you will bring it about, as Freddy wrote, have no fear and you are going to increase your chances of getting hurt or killed.
For the snatch...just practice, practice, practice? So, I agree..keep training.
Posted by: Jor | February 04, 2011 at 07:38
He spelled scarred wrong.
Posted by: owned | February 03, 2011 at 23:17
I know exactly where you are coming from Freddy. I tore the capsule in my wrist doing a clean and it took me a while before I was confident enough to lift any significant weight. I think it's important to acknowledge your fears, and to not let your fears seize your mind. I've always believed that embracing your fears and charging through them always makes you a stronger person on the other side.
I've quoted this before and I wholeheartedly agree with it:
"Fear causes hesitation, and hesitation will cause your worst fears to come true."
Posted by: James | February 03, 2011 at 22:46