EDITOR’S NOTE: Welcome to the athlete journal of Allison Moyer. Allison is a nationally ranked NPC Figure Athlete, nationally and internationally published fitness model, an avid CrossFit athlete, BSN, C.P.T, C.S.N, C.N.W.C, and owner of Alli-Fitness Systems and Predator-Diet. Read all about Allison’s unique approach to training and diet every other week.
Everyone’s life is filled with chaos, conflict, and confusion. In fact, I think if someone has no troubles and no conflict, they’re also probably someone who’s never dared to go after anything meaningful. Someone who’s never taken a risk, pushed their limits, or truly lived.
We all have problems, all of us.
We all have our own battles to fight.
It’s important to remember that whatever you’re going through – whatever challenges, struggles or battles you’re fighting – it’s only temporary. Circumstances do not define you. A situation is not who you are, it’s just something you’re dealing with. And all situations, even the sticky ones, are opportunities to grow.
Struggle builds character. In order to grow, you need to accept your situation for what it is and then start thinking about doing what needs to be done to eradicate it. For me, that means breaking it down. Start with one simple action. One step. One thing that’ll get you moving in the direction of where you want to go. Personally, I think the first step needs to be changing how you are viewing your situation.
There’s a quote I love by Napoleon Hill that sums it up well: “Every negative event contains within it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.” No matter how difficult life may get sometimes, you can find a positive in just about everything if you look for it. And if you can’t see it with your eyes, then feel it with your heart and reach for it with your hands, because it’s there.
Often when going through something challenging, it’s hard to see what could possibly come out of it that’s good, but something always does. I have had to go through some miserable, dark places in my life to be in the place I am now. Chaos seems to always precede balance and peace.
I do know that I would’ve never been led into CrossFit had I not gone through some emotional roller coasters from figure competitions. I wouldn’t be writing the kind of stuff I write had I not been through some of my life experiences. I’d have nothing to write about! This athlete journal probably wouldn’t even exist. I probably wouldn’t be in a place of balance or peace, nor would I have come to realize that life is about so much more than just being ripped and getting a figure pro card. I would not be who I am today, in this instant, had I not learned the way I had to learn and discovered what does and doesn’t work for me.
In my experience, the most incredible and motivating people who generate the most impact are the way they are because they endured and didn’t quit. They learned and they grew. They didn’t run from the pain or the challenges they were facing, but instead they dug deep and waded through and came out stronger on the other side. It is always darkest before the dawn. And when that dawn comes, it’s our time spent in the dark that makes us appreciate the light that much more.
Tough situations can kill us, or they can be our greatest gift. The choice is yours – it’s how you view it.
Fasted A.M Training:
Spin bike intervals (These SUCKED). Four rounds:
- 60 seconds hard/60 seconds easy
- 45 seconds hard/45 seconds easy
- 30 seconds hard/30 seconds easy
- 15 seconds hard/15 seconds easy
Finished off with a three-minute elbow plank.
Olympic Weightlifting Training
- EMOM Warm up/ 15x KTE (knees to elbows) on even minutes, 15x burpees on odd minutes
- High hang snatch: 10×1
- Clean w/pause at the knee: 8×2
- Jerk: 8×1
- Squat: 1×5 @ 65%, 1×3 @ 75%, 2×1 @ 85%, drop to 20% 1RM and do 2 sets of 5 explosive weighted squat jumps
- Overhead walking lunge (held a 35lb weight plate overhead): 3×10
- Ran 2 miles
Today’s Thought: “The resistance that you fight physically in the gym and the resistance that you fight in life can only build a strong character.” -Arnold Schwarzenegger
