Obligations: What Trainers, Soldiers, And Street Sweepers Have In Common...

 

Kara M...

Renee...

“One always dies too soon - or too late. And yet one's whole life is complete at that moment, with a line drawn neatly under it, ready for the summing up. You are - your life, and nothing else.”

Martin Luther King Jr once said and I paraphrase, "even if your a street sweeper, be the best street sweeper you can be". Essentially you are obligated to be the best you can possible be to those you agreed to work for. Even if you are less than passionate, you still are obligated.

I had a very confusing conversation with a trainer the other day about how they viewed their new affiliation with CrossFit. That conversation provoked me to question others as they spoke about their professions, and their attitudes, and passions or lack thereof for their current careers. This trainer was new to the affiliate scene and trying to get a wrangle at the kind of workload they may have, and what they should expect. After our conversation, I think I stressed them out more.

Personally, and professionally, in anything you put your name on. Any activity you receive compensation for. Any action you stand up for in some way, you must put your all in. To me it is inconceivable to offer your employer any less than 100%. If you can't bring yourself to this, you need a different job, or a disability check.

What does it mean to be a good trainer, a great street sweeper, a great soldier. It means dedication to your employer. In my case as a trainer, my employer is my athlete. I am supremely obligated to begin everyday with their best interest in mind, and end everyday and time with them ensuring they are ultimately aware of their value, and how even if I make them uncomfortable or pissed off I want the best for them, and I will do my best all the time, everyday to make sure they are cared for.

For instance, just recently an athlete handed my a check for my services. I declined payment. They were of course astounded. Embolden they questioned why I did not want compensation. I informed them, "over the past few months together I have yet to find a trigger to motivate you". A way into your psyche. Essentially I feel I have made you no better, and I don't accept donations. I may very well be an exercise whore looking for the next thing to make all my friends better, but I damn sure ain't no dime store hooker giving time to the highest bidder. I will bust my ass day in and day out for you, but you will work too, and if you fail to accept this responsibility myself, and other trainers should cut you all the same. This isn't exercise by association...I put in tons of work, so all you have to do is show up and give the effort.

The new trainer I spoke with said they just didn't want to spend the kind of time building a business that I had...and there was there problem. Training is not a business. Frankly anything you are passionate about isn't. Especially when humans are involved, humans you would call each and everyone of them friend. Training is making people better. Obligation is a deep seeded need you feel in yourself to be better, the best you can possibly be at your art, therefore ensuring all your friends who come to you can benefit as you so desperately want them to. Not because its some bullshit business, because its the right thing to do. Because obligations are from the heart, businesses are on paper.

I left my new friend with a gleam of hope. Maybe they have yet to see the face of someone when they get their first pull-up. Maybe they have yet to watch the mother of three smile as she trots around the block for her first unbroken 400 meters....ever. Maybe they have yet to see one of their young CFer's make a game winning tackle, or better yet take a horrible hit, and stand up unscathed. Maybe they still haven't measured the 20% loss in bodyfat that gets the young girl into her first prom dress, because last year she was too uncomfortable to go. Maybe they have yet to find a sleepless night because one of your friends got injured, and you know how bad that sucks, and how much you want to fix them. If you can witness any of these, and ever say your working....quit, this job ain't for you. If you don't feel compelled to pour your soul into seeing this everyday, then your soul ain't in it. If you want applauds join the theatre, good trainers, street sweepers and soldiers know what they do matters deep down, they don't need to be told.

Strength:

Rest

For Time:

10-Hang Power Snatch 55/85

10-Overhead Squat 55/85

10-Swings 35/55

10-Box Jumps 20/24

7 Rounds

Post time to comments

Comments

[seeking zen]

“To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.” - Steve Prefontaine

[holly]

15:51+

[Angela]

25:42(m) i completely underestimated this wod!!!!
***Holly u were on FIRE!!!

[katieb]

i really appreciate this post. it speaks volumes more than is clearly written and its about time someone put it down for other trainers to read. thank you for your always candid outlook and frank attitude. its pretty damn refreshing.

[Chuck T]

wow 2:00 and only 2 post on WOD

[holly]

i agree chuck i think that almost everyday!
& thanks Angela, stay pretty!

[heather mc]

21:13+ (M)

[vicki]

GREAT job Holly!!

22:48m One of these days, those box jumps are NOT going to freak me out!

[vicki]

Thanks Keisha for helping me! I heart you.

[Lori]

19:55(m)-45# Snatch & OHS

[Chuck T]

21:15

[Keena]

9:20(M) 3 rounds...and yes the 3 Modified rounds hurt...wow big WOD after being gone so many months....felt so good to be back!!! lots of love