Mental Strength ... The Athletes Mind . . .

by Donna Jones, Elite ASN Athlete and IFBB Pro

The biggest difference between athletes and non athletes is mental strength. Now, when I say that I don’t just mean competitive athletes, I mean every one of you that hauls your butt into the gym to train week in and week out, compared to those who get up and drag themselves to work and then back home at the end of the day to sit on the lounge cook dinner (or get take out!) and then go to bed again. Some might even detour to the pub! Let’s face it, training makes us internally healthier, allows us to appear younger and feel a whole lot better about ourselves.

People always ask me... how do you train every day?!

Over the years I have discovered varying degrees of mental strength but none are more determined than those who choose to compete. With the September/October shows looming and everyone is dieting and training hard to look their absolute best this is when we are pushed to our limits. What’s going on between our ears is more often than not what gets us there.

Unfortunately, life does not stop because we want to get ready for a show. So all of a sudden you are getting up at or often before the crack of dawn to do cardio before anything else, then you prepare your food for the day and off to work for 8 or more hours. Sometimes I resent being at work so bad simply because it cuts into my training time. Then at the end of the day you push yourself to get to the gym, pump those weights maybe more cardio and then home to prepare more food and get 8 hours shut eye. Now this doesn’t even take into account those of us who are parents as well and let’s not forget our long suffering partners-husbands/wives who often get completely neglected in the 3 months leading into a show! Is it any wonder competitors fall apart every now and again.

In the last few weeks I have had emails from just about everybody struggling with not only dieting but the demands of life as well… and they are not alone. The thing to remember is why you do this sport- because you love it- because very few people can do it- because it makes us feel special when strangers come up to you and say, “how do I look like you?” Mental Strength- that is what sets us apart.

As I write this I am in the USA training with Jenny Hendershott who is herself 5 weeks out from the Fitness Olympia and training like a demon. She wants that number 1 place and she has the brute determination to do what it takes. Just keeping pace with her is tough. For example at the moment the temperatures are in the high 30’s. Yesterday I got up and did 1 hour cardio, prepared food for the day, did cycle for 1 hour then straight into the gym and trained. Right after this we ran sprints at a football stadium. The only thing that got me through is mental strength and the will to succeed.

We all look up to someone. Your lazy co-workers look up to those who just train and workout because they wish they could. Casual trainers might look up to those that compete in amateur shows because that is their goal. Beginners look to the national title holders and so on. Me, I find inspiration from the No.1 fitness competitor in the world because her strength of mind is truly inspiring.

Whatever your goal is one rule holds true. Stay strong mentally and everything else is easy.

Till next time
Donna J
xxx
* ASN Team Member & IFBB Pro Fitness Competitior