TWO MINUTE CLOCK

Hi Friends,

I spent the weekend coaching four of my athletes at my local weightlifting club. 20/24 lifts across the board, an average of 83.33% lifts made. A percentage I'm sure anyone would be happy to take for themselves!

I always find it so interesting to observe the art that is the 'competing', and all the individual approaches that come with it... I've seen everything from the most odd superstitions, a pre competition nap, specific post weigh in meals, to the all important concoction of caffeine and sources of sugar to be consumed backstage throughout the competition.

I remember in 2017, I was competing at an international event that was by far my biggest competition at the time. I was so overly consumed in the finer details surrounding the competition, that I remember sitting at my warm up platform backstage before the competition and staring at all my different food and drink I had prepared. I had a bottle of coconut water, a cup of coffee, a Powerade, a bottle water, and a variety of smaller food items on hand 'just in case'...

Details aside, I have found that 'competing' is a skill within itself when compared to a regular training session. Some who compete well, can manage to match or even exceed their capabilities in training. Some unfortunately tend to fall quite short. There are plenty of factors I believe contribute to this, and I have let many variables get in the way of my potential on the platform. I thought I'd list a few that I attempt to address that are less 'tangible' (e.g. cutting weight appropriately), and more attributes and skills that I have developed through experience.

Tips that Made me a Better Competitor

1. Accepting the Worst Possible Outcome

I remember in 2018 at my first Commonwealth Games. I was there to win a medal, and that was it. Anything below that to me, wasn't something I had even comprehended prior. Looking back, it was honestly a stretch to be able finish on the podium, but my inexperience, determination and delusion said otherwise.

The feeling leading up, and during the competition was like I was playing like I had something to lose. In which I did lose! I lifted 2/6 lifts and placed 7th. It was only through experiencing that, did I realise that it wasn't that deep. My family didn't care I 'lost'. My friends honestly didn't know the rules of the sport and wouldn't have understood if I won anyway!

What that experience taught me, was that the result was irrelevant when looking long term. Sure in the short term it causes emotional highs and lows. But it's all just a story to tell at the end of the day. Realising you don't really have anything to lose, but everything to gain is a much more enjoyable way to play.

2. Keeping Composure

I am someone that always has felt a need to have control of any given situation. As much as we want competitions to run just as we envision them, for me at least, it has rarely been the case.

From missing warm up attempts, to working with new coaches, to experiencing food poisoning prior to the event... Anything can happen in competition. It doesn't always need to be 'bad'. Even 'new' can be enough to throw off someone who likes to have things to exactly go plan.

I remember at my first ever international event, warming up next to someone who would later become the World Champion in the category. I had never seen someone lift so much weight in person before. I would lose focus in my own warm up, just to watch someone lift my maximum at the time in an effort to 'keep warm'.

These are just a couple random examples of how competition can differ to the training environment. Especially while being in such a heightened emotional state, it can be easy to feel 'thrown off', or 'not yourself'... This is competition my friend. The more I have surrendered to the fact that I should be ready for anything, the better I was with dealing with whatever situation was put before me.

3. Staying Present

This is simple and ties into the two tips above. But when I took a competition for what it actually was... Me lifting weights on a square wooden platform in a silly lycra suit. The more I could enjoy the experience and not rob myself of the moment because I was too caught up in my own thoughts and heightened emotional state.

Until next week.

Happy Lifting 😎,

Brandon