08/29/2024
šļøIn a different life, I was an instructor for the Professional Fitness Institute. I taught all of their capstone educationāthe in-person, hands-on stuff that truly defines fitness.
One of my favorite guest instructors was Tommy Boyer-Kendrick. He used to always say that his job wasn't just about making athletes faster, stronger, or able to jump higher; it was about making them injury-proof. In other words, the more proper and deliberate work athletes put in, the better they could withstand the rigors of their sport.
In other words: Resilienceā¼ļø
This concept has stuck with me, and I've found it to be just as true in other areas of life. As a father and husband, we each need to put in our own proper and deliberate individual work to withstand the rigors of fatherhood and marriage.
Life, much like sports, is full of adversity. Some challenges are small, requiring just a simple tweak or adjustment to overcome. Others are life-altering, demanding a much deeper level of resilience and recovery. But in both cases, just like with any injury, you must properly rehabilitate and find your way back to full strength.
Hereās what I mean:
Small Setbacks: These are the daily challengesāmissed opportunities, minor disagreements, or unexpected obstacles. Like a minor sprain, they might slow us down temporarily, but with the right mindset and a small adjustment, we can quickly get back in the game.
Major Challenges: Then there are the major adversitiesālosses, significant life changes, or deep emotional wounds. These are the equivalent of a major injury in sports. They require time, patience, and a thorough rehab process. You canāt rush through it, but with dedication and the right support, you can come back stronger.
Rehabilitation and Recovery: Whether the challenge is big or small, the key is to engage in proper rehabilitationāphysically, emotionally, and mentally. Just as an athlete would follow a recovery plan, we too must take deliberate steps to heal, grow, and regain our strength after facing adversity.
Returning to the Game: The goal, always, is to get back in the game. Lifeās adversities are not meant to sideline us permanently. With the right approach, we can return to our rolesāwhether as parents, partners, or professionalsābetter equipped to handle whatever comes our way.
Just like in sports, the work we put in to overcome adversity ensures that we can continue to perform at our best. Whether itās a minor tweak or a major comeback, each step in the recovery process builds the resilience we need to thrive in the long run.