Which Is Stronger: Muscle or Mentality?
Mind over muscle or vice versa?
How much can you bench bro? What's your max squat? How about your deadlift PR? We tend to measure strength only by how much we can lift over our heads. I'll admit, it takes a strong individual to be able to go into a gym and lift two to three times their body weight. It takes a even stronger individual to lift themselves up after being knocked down time and time again. It does not matter how many muscles you build or hours you spend at the gym, a strong body can still be weak if it possess a fragile or poor mentality.
Everyday, we face hardships or difficulties in some shape or form. Either through repetitive NO's or frequent disappointments. The loss of a job, home, or loved one. A failed attempt at reaching one's goal. These negative encounters are often discouraging and disheartening, leading to low morale and self-confidence. Millions of people, including myself, consider the gym a safe haven from our battles with negativity. It's not just a place where we go to get stronger physically. It's a place where we can tune out the stressors of the world and solely focus on the positive and bettering ourselves. Whether that be gaining muscles, losing fat, recovering from an injury, or forming healthier habits. A place to clear our minds and release all the accumulated negative energy. A place where we're in full control, a luxury we do not experience in our other daily activities. We're in control of which exercises to do, how much weight to lift, how long the workout will be, and what the results should look like. That small sense of control makes us feel like we have enough strength to control other pieces of our lives. To regain some stability in this hectic world. There are people who wake up at 4:00-5:00 in the morning to go to the gym. Not because they're crazy and hate sleep, but it mentally prepares them for the day! It stabilizes their mindsets and gives them a boost of energy to go out and continue to grind through their everyday struggles. The act of fitness breeds confidence and empowerment. That's your mentality building and growing!
Just like building muscles, it takes time and patience to build a solid, positive mentality. Over that time span, you will see progress in many ways. Some will appear in the form of a personal milestone or achievement, a change in maturity, or a spiritual relationship with God. Others will be painful, in the form of heartbreak, anger, confusion, or loss. That pain you'll feel along the way, will eventually lead to growth if you remain patient. Just like that soreness you feel from that leg day two days ago, that growth will result in a stronger you. Not only physically, but mentally and emotionally. No matter how strong you physically become, there will always be an even heavier object. If you are mentally and emotionally strong, you can overcome any obstacle in your way. Many will give up after failing nine times, unaware that success lies behind attempt number ten. The key is to stay patient and positive. A strong mind leads to strong thoughts, followed by strong actions. So which one is stronger......your muscles or your mentality???
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