The Top Transformers: Don't start out on top.

Greatness is something that is earned.

I chose Kathy Clarke for this example, she is one of many of my top transformers that sometimes draws commentary regarding her performance. Some assume that she is somehow gifted, started out that way, it was somehow easier for her, etc. Sure she hasn't had to lose 30+ lbs of fat right out of the gate, but that hasn't been a barrier for Audrey, Steph, Jeff, Danae and others, and she turns 50 this year, not a spring chicken or an old hen, well maybe her kids call her that. She does have several, and both her and her husband travel for their professional careers. Her plate is full and time is tight. In addition, she has degenerative disc disease and arthritis in her back, shoulder flares up from time to time along with the usual pains of advancing age that give most an excuse not to exercise. 

In response to a several comments that I overheard this week (not negative but a bias toward, "well we expect her to be good because she's Kathy"), I wrote a short piece in FB on Kathy yesterday, one she thanked me for this morning and told me that almost brought tears to her eyes (and I hate tears unless it's because I barked at someone for screwing up). Anyway, a little perspective for the non-FBers of where Kathy started, certainly not a top transformer by any stretch.

About 2 years ago Kathy Clarke wasn't getting any of the CF/OL stuff. In fact was not at all comfortable being upside down, told me flat out she would not do headstands, let along HSPUs. KB work was beating her up, swollen/bruised wrists, couldn't clean a 35 lb KB properly. C&J and snatch, forget it. Didn't have the hip flexibility, speed or ability to wrap her elbows. Now her s**t is textbook and focus impeccable. Able to put aside fear, broom out the BS in her head and nail the lift. Also knows when her head isn't into it and goes light to avoid injury. Quite frankly I thought I would lose her as a client two years ago as I did another that couldn't handle the pressure of the skill/technique work involved in what we do. Someone that spends at least twice the amount of time Kathy does in the gym. The difference between the two, two years later, huge in all aspects of fitness (see note below). The difference was persistence, consistency with training, ability to handle failure, fix what you don't get right away, do your homework, handle my no bullshit style of coaching, and diet that keeps her non-contractile mass down and allows her to crush the guys on a relative basis at almost 50 yrs of age. As Amy Ball once said, you get out of it what you put into it. At MM Team Fitness, we don't tell you you're good because you pay us, you have to earn it, then you know you have something to feel good about.

*Fitness is defined by 10 generally recognized points. Cardiovascular, Stamina, Strength, Flexibility, Power, Speed, Coordination, Agility, Balance and Accuracy.

My point is, for all the clients just starting out (meaning with one or less year of training with MM Team Fitness) everyone starts out somewhere and its never easy being the best you can be within your physical limitations. Sometimes it's easy to look at the top transformers and somehow think they've had it easy, they have not, they have worked hard for their achievements and continue to work hard to maintain them and avoid overuse, burnout and injury. Never assume anyone has it easy, that's just an excuse to be less than you can be. Lastly, don't compare yourself to others, compare yourself to yourself. Do better than you did yesterday, last week, or last month because in two years, you'll be somewhere you never thought you'd be. Then work to maintain it.

Carry on.