Training Body and Mind

Alright, buckle up because I’m about to take you on a bit of a journey…

Let’s start from the top, shall we?

When I was growing up, I was lucky enough to have parents who had me involved in any sport or activity they could convince me to do (and if you know me now, you’ll find it hard to believe I was very shy as a young’n).

So I started by riding horses and gave soccer and gymnastics a try when I was younger, but neither of them was a real fit. I couldn’t find a team sport I really enjoyed.

Then I got to high school, found rugby, and everything changed.

I got to play alongside girls I had grown up with since kindergarten, and it was some of the best times of my life.

Rugby allowed me to focus my energy, competitive nature, and, if we’re being honest, frustrations, in a constructive way. Through some great coaching and hard practices, I quickly learned what hard work and dedication looked and felt like (hill sprints are hard – but they work … always remind yourself of that – I still have to).

The training certainly wasn’t easy, and when I started, as much as I hate to admit it, I was a quitter.

I knew what I was capable of but never pushed myself to get past my limits. Reading that back makes me cringe. It really isn’t something I’m proud of, but unfortunately, it’s the honest truth.

I had a friend on the team who I always would put myself near during training to try to combat the quitting. I knew if I was keeping up with her, I was at least working a little harder than I normally would.

So time and our seasons rolled on, and I was coasting on the fact that I was always naturally much taller and stronger than my opponents. Doing well on my team, but not my best.

Then, the summer I was 16, my coach presented myself and my pal the opportunity to go to try-outs for a team playing at a higher level, and I blew it.

I watched the chance to play for a provincial team slip through my fingers because of the excuses I was making for not working hard enough.

My friend who came to the tryouts as well made the team and travelled across Canada to bring home a gold medal.

I was jealous, but I couldn’t have been more proud of her. Really. It was a huge accomplishment she deserved more than anyone else. She put the work in, and I admired her for that.

But, if I’m honest, I was a bit heartbroken. I knew that I could have been alongside her during the journey, but I only had myself, and my poor attitude to blame.

A few years later, that friend got very ill. That was a new kind of heartbreak.

I watched someone who had inspired me to work harder and try to be the best version of myself throughout our years of friendship turn into a very fragile being. She still had the fighting spirit in her, but her body couldn’t match it.

This was eyeopening for me. This is when I realized I had no reason to make excuses. I had a strong body, a strong heart, and could work on creating my mind to be just as strong – stronger than any reason to quit.

Now working in Glasgow as a Personal Trainer, I carry that lesson with me every day.

In my personal life, in my own training, and in the training sessions with my clients.

Every time you put yourself through something challenging or step out of your comfort zone, you are training your mind as hard as you are training your body.

Every rep you push out that you didn’t know you had left in you, every extra 10 seconds of hard work you put in, every decision you make to be better – even if it scares you – is a victory that helps build your mind.

No more of the “I can’t” attitude. I only accept “I will”. You will only accept “I will”.

It’s easy to come up with reasons not to reach your goals. It’s easy to put them off, until tomorrow, until next week, next year, whenever.

I believe if you want to get something done or make a change, you’ve got to put your head down and grind it out. And yes, that is often much easier said than done, and I too still need a little nudge along the way sometimes, but that is what I want to do and to be for you.

That nudge. That encouragement. That constant motivation.

I want all of the people I’m lucky enough to work with to finish in the gym, whether it be in a session with me or with a program in hand, and feel accomplished.

I want you to feel like a total badaƨƨ.

Powerful.

Strong.

Capable.

You can change your life. And I can help you along the way.

Christine ~ True North Training

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