Strength does not come from winning..

As my previous post outlined, everybody wants to be great. The fact is though that nobody starts out there. The definition of ‘great’ has also become incredibly misguided with the development of technology and social media.. so much so that its probably doing more bad than good.. I see so many Instagram profiles for both men and women filled with images of 6 packs and zero % body fat. I don’t doubt that everybody looks at them and thinks ‘I’d love to look like that’.. myself included. How many of us could realistically get there though? Yes it is technically possible but at what cost? So why do the people posting feel that this is the way to do things?

Having a brother who is a bodybuilder ( @bigfella2901 ) I see the hardwork and dedication that goes into it along with raising 2 young children with his Fiancee.. he manages the balance incredibly well and I’m extremely proud. Does this mean his Instagram pictures will motivate the average person who works a 9-5 and fancies making a change? The simple answer is no it wont. His pictures will motivate the bodybuilders who want to get better at it and perhaps seek advice and motivation.

Everybody has started out as that person who walks into the gym feeling totally overwhelmed and self conscious. The internet should be the same. Yes we look up to that guy lifting 100+kg like its nothing but we don’t need to workout next to him every single day.  That is what the internet is becoming. Not everyone will get to that stage but it doesn’t mean they should be ignored. I know i’ll never be an elite marathon runner but at the same time I know I’m going to try my best every session and I’m happy with that. If people kept telling me my goal was to beat Mo Farah then I’d give up a lot sooner than simply ‘doing my best’. I think this is reflected over social media. So many people will see all these perfect bodies and just consider it too out of reach to even try. If I can motivate even one person to at least do their best and feel a sense of achievement within themselves then I’ll be happy. You don’t need to take your top off on Instagram to feel like your worth something. Yes it may get you a few likes and a cheeky follow from ‘Chardonnay from Brentwood’ but is that really going to mean anything?

Just do your best. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that isn’t good enough. Not all of us are built to be superstars but that doesn’t make us any less of a person than the one’s who are considered so. Cristiano Ronaldo may be ‘great’ but he got there by ‘doing his best’ and having a little bit of luck along the way no doubt. If you’re doing something you love and your doing well at it then your on the right path. Your best IS good enough and you WILL get out everything you put in. You just have to start..

Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strength. When you overcome hardships, that is Strength. (Arnold Sschwarzenegger)