Brant Secunda and Mark Allen explain how to Ask for help!
Train your mind to see possibilities, not limits.
We call this weight lifting for the soul. Competitive athletes
and other high performers are often held back more by their negative
emotions than by their mental and physical abilities. Practice letting
do of thoughts that weigh you down.Instead of “This
is too hard,” let the thought be “I have all it takes to make it
through.” Instead of “This is a waste of time,” ask yourself “What can I
learn right now?” Instead of “I don’t have the time,” ask “How can I
make my next steps a success?” Lift the weight from your soul and let
the positive aspects of life become your identity.
Remedy self-doubt and discouragement with an action.
We can transform “what ifs” simply by taking action. Action
creates joy, hope, and positive thoughts, and sustains our health and
fitness goals. A number of studies have corroborated the fact that
exercise has a positive and significant effect on people with
depression. The act of moving your body, and doing it consistently,
helps to counteract negative emotions, such as self-doubt, that get in
the way of your competitiveness.Bottom line: when
self-doubt about reaching your destination starts to creep in and you
feel you “can’t do it” or “will never get there,” there’s a simple
remedy. Take action. Start moving. And do it consistently—every day.
Ask for power and energy from the earth.
At age 37 Mark went to Hawaii to defend his title as the
returning World Champion, competing against other triathletes nearly
half his age. In the bike portion, a 24-year-old German flew by Mark as
if on a motorcycle. By the end of the bike segment he had amassed a lead
of more than 13 minutes. Soon three others passed him as well. Mark was
feeling defeated, discouraged, and ancient.And
then he remembered a simple tip Brant had taught him. His body and soul
were already in great shape. All he needed was a little help.
“Everything is alive,” Brant had told him. “The trees, the stones, the
earth. Call out when you need help.” He called out to the Big Island,
standing over 30,000 feet tall from its base at the ocean floor to its
highest point atop Mauna Kea. Its power is undeniable. Mark called out:
“Help me! I’ll give it everything I have, but I need your help!” He
began to gain steam. At mile 23 of the marathon, he finally caught the
leader, three miles after that he closed out his Ironman career with a
sixth World Championship title in a race that would go down as the
greatest comeback in Ironman history.
Competing and winning are about more than working out and working
hard. Learn how to develop a calm, confident, optimistic mindset
bolstered by a balanced life. A fit soul, along with a fit body, will
help you succeed at anything.
