As we near the end of the lockdown, I know everyone must be getting excited.  It is almost time to once again enjoy all the things that we loved but have not been able to embrace this past while.  Hanging out with family and friends, eating and drinking at your favorite bars and restaurants, and training at your beloved gyms (wink wink).  

We sure will be busy again…

And there lies the potential problem.  Being busy is not an excuse for us to procrastinate on confronting our internal issues.   

A reminder to everyone that even though we are about to return to our busy schedules, don’t forget to make time each day to be alone with your thoughts and feelings, no matter how uncomfortable that may be.

| Talent + Effort = Skill |
| Skill + Effort = Achievement |

Why are we always so quick to initially assume a person’s success is due to talent and never hardwork? "He's so talented!" "She's so gifted" "He's a natural." We have all made and heard of these remarks. Perhaps it is so we can excuse our perceived shortcomings by telling ourselves that we were born without talent or natural abilities. And perhaps that gives us an "out" to even try in the first place. I’m sorry to disappoint you (not really), but effort appears twice in the equations that lead to achievement, not talent. Effort plays a much greater role than talent in the achievement of success.

Equation #1
Talent + Effort = Skill

It is true that talent plays a role in skill aquisition. However, you must note that talent only increases the rate at which you learn that skill. Having more talent may get you there faster, but effort will ensure that you actually get there.  Talent without effort is just wasted potential.

It may take a little longer to do so, but a moderately talented and hardworking individual can often achieve the same level of success as their extremely talented counterpart. As a muay thai coach and Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor, I have sadly observed many talented fighters to be among the most irresponsible and lazy. Their talent may have allowed them to strive in the early years of their craft, but as time progresses, I often see them fall behind their less talented peers who were willing to work harder. The less talented individual who hammers away at their craft day in and day out for an extended period of time will eventually succeed. As Will Smith once said:

“I’ve never really viewed myself as particularly talented, where I excel is ridiculous, sickening work ethic. While the other guy is sleeping, I’m working. While the other guys are eating, I’m working. If you don’t dedicate yourself to becoming better every single day, you will never be able to communicate with people the way that you want.”

Equation #2
Skill + Effort = Achievement

Once you have acquired the skill, you will then again need to put in the effort to make something of it. The measure of personal achievement is relative to the individual and corresponds to their relative potential. For example, achievement for an individual who has always lived a sedentary life could simply mean to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle through exercise and proper nutrition. While achievement for the physically “talented and gifted” athlete could mean becoming a world champion at his chosen sport. Likewise, there is little to no achievement for that same athlete who possesses the talent and skill to be the best, but instead fails to put in the effort and quits before that potential is realized. In all examples, effort must be present in combination with skill for one to achieve something of worth; what constitutes as achievement varies from person to person and almost always exceeds their perceived limitations.

Do not underestimate the power of EFFORT. We may not be able to change our god given gifts, but we surely can all work a lot harder and smarter with what we have been given. And if we do this day in and day out, eventually, success will just be around the corner.

Citation
Duckworth, A. (2016). Grit: The power of passion and perseverance. Scribner/Simon & Schuster.

teamLEGACY.BLOG would like to introduce our Holistic Nutritionist, Michelle Stone.  Michelle will be making sure we stay informed and educated with our food choices as our newest nutrition & liftstyle writer!  But first, here's a little bit about her:

I am a lot of things. I am a woman, a school teacher, a registered nutritionist, a fitness enthusiast, a partner, a daughter, a writer, a friend, a chef... But most of all I am a fighter. Yes, I train at Legacy Fight Club, but what I mean by “a fighter” is not just in the literal sense of the word which is “to contend in battle or physical combat”, or, “to engage in boxing”. It is to constantly put forth effort and determination in everything I do. So when I say I have been a fighter all my life, it is true. 

For me, fighting is putting in 100% until I get the results I want. It is definitely not easy, and the little voice in my head tries to talk me out of a ton of things, but I have this fire inside to help push me through to achieve what I set out to do. Everyone has it. Whether it is a voice, a feeling, the fear of failing, or exhilaration once you have accomplished a goal. You just need to focus on what drives you. 

This is what has brought me to love Muay Thai. I was introduced to boxing when Federico asked me to do a class with him in Toronto over two years ago. I had been dating him for less than a month and was terrified to make a fool of myself as I had never put on a pair of boxing gloves before. However, I played many sports and went to the gym often so I figured I might be ok. We walked into a rundown-looking place with a ring in the middle of a tiny gym looking like something right out of Fight Club. Federico wrapped my hands, I slid on the gloves for the first time, and man was I hooked! Every movement, burpee, and jab-cross made me feel alive. It was hard, technical, and exhausting, and I knew this was something I needed in my life. Since then, I have joined Legacy and every day I put on my gloves and strive to become a better fighter in and outside of the ring.  

It was Tuesday evening and I had just gotten off the bus at the Kitchener Station.  The original TKO Fighting Arts was located on Charles St. West,  just a 10 minute walk east of the station.  I remember my mind racing with uncomfortable thoughts.  Half excited, and half scared. "How will I do?  Are people going to laugh at me?  Was my friend John right and that I am just way over my head on this one?" (If you guys don't remember John, you can read about him HERE).  These thoughts lingered in my mind as I anxiously walked towards the building;  I remained determined to see this day through.  I mean, what’s the worst that could happen?  I arrived at the location some minutes later in front of an old dilapidated greyish white building and thought, “Damn, this is some Rocky S#%* going on here!”  I entered, walked up a flight of stairs and turned left down a corridor towards TKO.  As I arrived at the entrance, there were a bunch of people just mingling by the entrance way.  Awkwardly, I excused my way through the thickened crowd and was greeted by a young man in a grey tank top built around my size.  I assumed he was the man to talk to since he was surrounded by a posse of students all trying to grab his attention. “My name is Bao, I’m here for my trial class.”  I said tentatively.  He replied in a stern voice with a straight face, “I’m Chris, fill this waiver out and change over there.  Class will start in a few minutes and the instructor’s name is Scott.”  He pointed to the change room directly behind me. 

I got changed and proceeded to the training floor.  This place looked more rundown than in the photos I thought to myself.  I wanted the real deal and I knew after stepping in here that this was it.  As I apprehensively stood there in the middle of the training floor, someone spoke out, “Name is Alvin, looks like your first class.  Grab a rope over there, we are going to start soon.”  I felt a little more relaxed and welcomed as someone actually noticed me!  “Thanks.” I replied, and went to grab a skipping rope.  Some moments later, a gentleman twice my size walked on the floor.  He was wearing some funny looking shorts and towered over the rest. I assumed that he was our trainer Scott.  He directed his attention at us and yelled,  “This ain’t no country club! Start skipping and pick it up!”  I began skipping.

We skipped for a few rounds and then followed up with calisthenics.  Push ups, squats, burpees, situps, all the usual body weight stuff.  After about 20 minutes of conditioning, we paired up. One partner was instructed to wear pads, and the other to get their boxing gloves on.  Scott taught us a few beginner punching techniques and we would practice these strikes on the pads with our partners.  The entire training session lasted about an hour long and boy was I tired by the end!  I knew at that very moment that this is what I wanted to do.  I signed up on the spot.

Reflecting back on that day, I realize that most of my anxiety came from the moments leading up to the class.  The class itself wasn’t so bad!  And the feeling I felt after the class was amazing.  In my head, I had made up all these scenarios of possible things that could go wrong...but that was all it was, "made up" scenarios.  Ultimately, it was just me being afraid of negative judgement and criticism.  I was lucky enough that TKO Fighting Arts was very supportive and  welcoming.  The members were all friendly and had made me feel right at home.  Within the first month, I made some amazing friends and couldn’t be happier about my decision to join.  I love muay thai, but it’s truly the community and camaraderie that keeps me coming back.  You’ll never know what you are missing until you put yourself out there to try something new. 

Don’t be afraid of being afraid.  Be afraid, and do it anyway. 

Former UFC Champion,  George St. Pierre, said it best:

"Before every fight, before every hardcore training session, I was afraid.  Afraid to be humiliated, afraid to disappoint my mentor, and afraid to get hurt. I believe I shouldn't be afraid to admit I'm afraid.  Being scared doesn't make you a coward.  You know what? There’s no courage without fear.”

I would love to hear your story.  Feel free to tell us your first muay thai experience below.

What do you guys think?  Talent?  Intelligence?  Hard Work?  What about passion or discipline?  No doubt these are all important traits that one must possess in order to be accomplished in their respective field,  but there is something else that plays a more significant role in determining whether one will, or will not succeed: MOTIVATION.  Angela Duckworth calls it GRIT, Daniel H Pink calls it DRIVE, you may call it perseverance or even persistence.  Motivation is absolutely essential to your success.

There are 3 key elements to motivation according to author Daniel H. Pink, who also refers to it as drive:

#1. Autonomy - the extent to which you are free to self-direct your own life and well being.  In otherwards, being and feeling in control of your own life.

#2. Mastery - the process of developing and achieving a high level of competency in a challenging skill or subject.  Continuous learning and growing elevates your motivation level.

#3. Purpose  - to have a deeper reason or sense of direction for your own existence.  These reasons must be intrinsic in nature for long lasting motivation.

If you have some more time to invest, I suggest giving DRIVE by Daniel H. Pink a read, or listen to it on audiobook.  An excellent book that has made me look at motivation in a different light.  

Here's a fantastic video summary: