You're Stronger than you Think!

Ok, we don't necessarily have to clean the house like this... Although, it's not a bad idea... 🤔

Present day modern humans are strange creatures. Our species has SURVIVED tens of thousands of years as modern humans. You don't do that if you're not strong and resilient as a species. Our bodies aren't the dumb and fragile entity that we believe in most cases. It's INCREDIBLE. That's why you and I are here!

Here's a shift (among many that's happened): Today, the way humans live, we have time to think about this and to create all kinds of false beliefs for ourselves internally. Back when we lived outdoors and our daily existence was "survive and carry on the species", there was no time for this. We simply did what we HAD TO DO TO SURVIVE. We live DRASTICALLY different lives (ones that our ancestors would never have believed possible - and would have LOVED to have)... But we're STILL the SAME human species with an amazingly strong, adaptable and resilient physiology.

...We just need to ACT LIKE IT.

I've talked about our EGO before and how, for most of us, THAT is a MAJOR barrier in our health and wellbeing.

👉It's the ego that says "I can't" because we're afraid what others will think if we "appear weak"...

👉It's the ego that says "If I can't do it in a particular way, then I can't do it at all"

👉It's the ego that says "look at 'so and so' and what they can do... you can't do that"

We create our own LIES and total BS most of the time.

When I started my "Redefining Strong" strength & mobility groups (for folks 60+ yrs old), I was immediately met with a wonderful woman who pulled me aside to tell me all the things she "can't" do. The key one being getting up and down from the floor. For context, we were at the front desk of the studio filling out forms. We hadn't set foot into my space yet, we hadn't discussed anything in regards to specific exercises etc and already she was putting up walls for herself (she's not alone either - I get this often, with all ages).

My immediate question(s) to her (as my go to to provide context and a little "ah ha" moment for her if needed) were; "You 'can't' at all? Or you CAN put maybe need some help from someone else, a chair, a bench etc...? Or you can't due to debilitating pain or condition?". Quickly her words changed realizing she was maybe being dishonest with herself. Here's the common prejudice or stereotype people seem to have when hiring a coach (or professional help of any kind in health) - they think we're looking for "perfect" or something "earth shattering". WE'RE NOT!!! And neither should YOU!

My next common go-to after her response was; "Unless I specify something needs to be done in a particular way (which is rare for something like getting up and down from the floor), you can do it ANY WAY that is COMFORTABLE and POSSIBLE for you! We can even work specifically to make THAT easier!".

You could see her settle herself a bit in hearing that.

To fast forward, as we get into my space and begin the first session, I brought my weight bench over to her to have as an aid if need be. I also offered my help if she needed. Guess what happened? She barely used it!! Day 1 of our sessions, after that entire discussion up front before starting, she got down to the floor just fine. In getting up she used the bench a little bit. I commented on what just happened by reminding her that she just "got up and down off the floor". Whether she used a bench or not is irrelevant. She GOT UP AND DOWN from the floor!!!!

Coach's Point: You're stronger than you think!!

Take that same type of person and imagine if they "ALLOWED" themselves to get up and down off the floor at home in WHATEVER WAY they needed to (as this woman did in our first session) and they just did it. THAT ACT of getting up and down off the floor IS HUMAN STRENGTH!!! We just take it for granted (until it's gone). I can also argue it's STRENGTH OF MIND as well! If this same woman was "allowing" herself to get up and down off the floor at home (instead of saying "I can't" and avoiding it) she would build strength and mobility each day without even realizing or thinking too much about it!

*Side note: By session #2 this woman didn't even USE the bench to get up and down. I think it was until session 4 or so that I brought the bench beside her, after that it wasn't even necessary. 😀

I've become SO PASSIONATE in helping people RE-DISCOVER their capabilities that they HAVE. If we shove our EGO into the closet of our mind for a short time and "allow ourselves" to WORK FROM WHERE WE'RE AT NOW in our abilities, we could create SO MUCH more resilience, independance and strength (physical and otherwise) for ourselves, along with more energy and a greater positive impact on overall deep health!

☯ We'd complain less...

☯ We'd begin to take back control of our physiology (by listening to it)...

☯ We'd begin to feel more energy and vibrancy in our days...

☯ We'd create a willingness and excitement to do things and try things...

☯ We'd re-discover what our individual body is capable of right now, at this point in our life and work WITH it...

We ALL need to OPEN our minds to the FACT that modern humans can do SO MANY DIFFERENT things to live a healthy lifestyle. The foundation is NOT WHAT we're doing, it's WHAT we're telling ourselves in our own mind! Put your energy into THAT and things will become much easier to create positive changes in your health and wellbeing.