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CROSSFIT:
3 MENTAL
TOUGHNESS TIPS
D AVI D MO RI N

GOD2DOIT

SETTING AND
ACHIEVING GOALS
DEDICATION,
CONSISTENCY, FOCUS
GOAL SETTING
MIND POWER
Fear

SELF IMPROVEMENT
TIME MANAGEMENT

COMMUNITY ACTIVITY
by Jackson Yee
Last updated: Mar 17, 2015

muscularjohn67
want to do a
Physique show in th
fall. Anyone else in
Gainesville want to?

You don't have to be a CrossFitter to apply some of their strategies for

mental toughness to your own workout. Here are three tips to develop a
stronger mind and a better physique!

danafit1974
the workout
template:
Friday Legs

If you saw any of the 2014 CrossFit Games in July, I'm

sure you noticed some of the incredible physiques
cheering in the audience and competing in the arena.
When I first started CrossFit 10 years ago, the emphasis
was on cardio. Back then, most participants had that lean,
supple look. Since then, CrossFit has exploded into a
more well-rounded and intense training protocol. Today,
CrossFitters have to be strong, powerful, and able to work
for long periods of time. As the sport has evolved, so
have the bodies of CrossFitters. They are now bigger and
leaner than ever.
In order to survive the evolution of CrossFit, I had to

Gardenia1
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VITAL STATS
Name: Jackson Yee
Occupation: Fitness
Trainer
BodySpace: jax4444
Website:
mentaltoughnessguy.com

come up with mental strategies in order to cope with the

overwhelming workload. If not, the demands of CrossFit
would have crushed me and forced me to quit the sport I enjoy so much.
Although I've applied these mental strategies to my improvement in CrossFit, they aren't
exclusive to CrossFitters. These mental strategies are applicable to everyonefrom the
competitive bodybuilder to the marathon runner. Use them to make yourself better, no
matter your sport or your goal. When you learn how to push your body to the limit, you
expect your physique to look better than ever.

1 THE MIND WILL ALWAYS LEAD THE BODY

Many gym-goers struggle to learn how to push themselves beyond the limit of their
perceived limitations. If you're tired, you stop, right? The problem with pushing yourself
only so far is that your body will stop changing. As your body and mind grow accustomed
to a particular workload, they'll stop making progress.
What CrossFit has taught me, and what I think everyone can apply to their own fitness, is
the idea that the body can always do more. The average CrossFit WOD (Workout of the
Day) is deliberately designed to fatigue your body to the point where you don't think you
can go on. The lesson in the WODs is that when your body is totally exhausted, you must
look for a different energy source. And guess what? Your body will do it.

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getmorin 9 months ago

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You must learn to rely on your mind to push you through the suffering. It is in your
mentality, not your 20-inch biceps, that your true power lies. When you learn to depend
on your mind, you'll be amazed at the unlimited amount of strength and endurance that
your body has. "Whatever you convince your mind to believe," says Bobby Ashhurst,
CrossFitter and Pursuit Rx athlete, "will become a reality." Once you discover that your
mind can will your tired body to lift heavier weights, do more reps, and perform longer,
you can develop a better physique, perform better in sports, or be mentally tougher for
any aspect of life.
So the next time you want to quit, listen to that positive voice in your head and let it push
you to keep going!

2 DON'T FEAR FAILURE

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2 DON'T FEAR FAILURE

If you lift weights, you probably know they have to get progressively heavier in order for
your muscles to grow. However, there will come a time when lifting a challenging weight
will be an intense struggle. You might even fail.
These big weights can be scary. They can push you beyond your comfort zone and make
you feel like a total wuss. That's a good thing. The worst thing you can do is be overly
hesitant to try again. Don't live in your comfort zone! Instead of lifting weights you know
you can handle all the time, plan for PR attempts, try that bigger dumbbell, and constantly
strive to get better every time you walk into the gym.
To CrossFitters, professional weightlifters, big powerlifters, and even college and highschool athletes, fail lifts are part of a positive progression. It is a sign that they are
overcoming fear and doubt. Once the fear of the heavier weight is eliminated, you can be
persistent in your pursuit of smashing old personal records with giant weights. These big
weights are why CrossFitters can pack on big muscle.
Don't wait any longer. Go for a new one-rep personal best in your deadlift or back squat
today. If you fail, who cares? Just adjust your training and try again in a few weeks!

ONCE THE FEAR OF THE HEAVIER WEIGHT IS ELIMINATED, YOU CAN BE PERSISTENT IN YOUR
PURSUIT OF SMASHING OLD PERSONAL RECORDS WITH GIANT WEIGHTS.

3 CHANGE YOUR WEAKNESS TO STRENGTH

STORE

Go to any commercial gym and I bet you'll see most guys doing biceps curls or bench
presses, and most gals doing cardio or working on their butts. A lot of people spend the
majority of their time in the gym working on their favorite muscle groups or doing their
TRAINING
ARTICLES & VIDEOS
COMMUNITY
Search
favorite
exercises.
Sure, you biceps-curlers might have big arms, and you booty-blasters might have tight
buns, but eventually your positive body composition changes will come to a disappointing
halt. Moreover, exclusively or semi-exclusively training just one or two body parts can
make your physique unbalanced, your body more prone to injury, and your overall fitness
a joke.
To be a good bodybuilder, a good CrossFitter, a good athlete, or even just a fit, healthy
person, you must be well-rounded. That means sometimes you have to do movements

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person, you must be well-rounded. That means sometimes you have to do movements
that you suck at.

TO BE A GOOD BODYBUILDER, A GOOD CROSSFITTER, A GOOD ATHLETE, OR EVEN JUST A FIT,

HEALTHY PERSON, YOU MUST BE WELL-ROUNDED.
Every CrossFittter has a weakness. For me, it was the Olympic lifts. For others, it might be
handstand push-ups or rowing. To be successful in the gym, you must have the mentality
to overcome your weakness. When you work on movements you don't usually do, you
exert your muscles in new ways and recruit different fibers you normally don't use. This
stimulates growth and builds overall muscle in your entire body.
By constantly learning new and challenging physical skills, you force your body to grow all
over. This is a huge reason why veteran CrossFit men and women look great from top to
bottom! You don't have to work out in a CrossFit box to achieve similar results. Pick a new
movement you've never tried before, like front squats or power cleans, and give it a go in
your next workout!

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

CROSSFIT COMPETITIONS: HOW TO PREPARE TO
PERFORM YOUR BEST
Heading to your local box to do the house WOD is one
thing, but learning how to prepare your mind and body for
a competition is an entirely different beast. Here's how to
prepare for a CrossFit competition!

CROSSFIT WORKOUTS: 5 KILLER CROSSFIT WODS

Love it or hate it, CrossFit has found its place in the
fitness world. Not sure what you think about it? Before you
decide, try one of these workouts.

CROSSFIT WORKOUT: HEATHER WELSH'S HIGHINTENSITY INTERVAL MOUNTAIN WORKOUT

Learn how CrossFit Games athlete Heather Welsh uses
hills and trails to burn fat, build stamina, and boost her

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CrossFit: 3 Mental Toughness Tips - Bodybuilding.com

hills and trails to burn fat, build stamina, and boost her
speed! Think outside the box.

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Building your best body takes hard work. But hard work with the wrong mindset can
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15 FIT TIPS FOR 2015

Arm yourself with these tips to make 2015 THE year you reach your goals once and for all.
View All Mind Power Articles

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jackson Yee
Jack has been working as a fitness trainer for more
than 25 years. He continues that training while also
pursuing a Ph.D in sports psychology.
View All Articles By This Author

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CrossFit: 3 Mental Toughness Tips - Bodybuilding.com

repower
Good reading, I'm totally agree with n 3, but, at the same
time, n3 isn't enable to achieve without n1 and 2.
Sep 30, 2014 6:20pm | report

Body Stats
ht: 5'8"
wt: 182.98 lbs
bf: 14.0%

Rep Power: 0

jax4444
Thanks for your comment on reading my article!

Body Stats

Jack

ht: 5'4"
wt: 144 lbs
bf: 9.0%

Oct 2, 2014 3:56am | report

Rep Power: 0

kiestonreece

Rep Power: 0

Great read! I recently started doing everything that I

HHHHHATE in the gym, and I have seen more results than
ever. I hate heavy weights, I hate circuit training (full body),
and more than ever, I hate clean & press...........and now, those
are a staple in my workout. I push myself to the point that at
the end of my workout, I'm glad I made it, LOL!

Body Stats
ht: 6'2"
wt: 218 lbs
bf: 10.3%

Oct 1, 2014 5:05pm | report

jax4444
kiestonreece - that's why you look like a BEAST!!!!

Body Stats

Great job with working on your weakness!

ht: 5'4"
wt: 144 lbs
bf: 9.0%

Oct 2, 2014 3:55am | report

Rep Power: 0

HomeWorkouts88
Great tips. I like to think that there are principles we can learn
from every type of training and I definitely want to learn more
about crossfit.
Rep Power: 0

Oct 1, 2014 7:16pm | report

Body Stats
ht: 5'8"
wt: 157 lbs
bf: 9.0%

jax4444
I have more CF articles on the way! Let know if you
have any questions on Crossfit.
Thanks again for reading my article!
Rep Power: 0

Body Stats
ht: 5'4"
wt: 144 lbs
bf: 9.0%

Oct 2, 2014 4:00am | report

chef525
Follow these tips for anything fitness, and you will be Amazed
at the transformations and Achievements your body makes.
Article Rated: 10
Rep Power: 0

Body Stats
ht: 5'8"
wt: 165.8 lbs
bf: 7.0%

Oct 1, 2014 8:37pm | report

jax4444
I totally agree with you! Thanks!

Body Stats

Oct 2, 2014 3:57am | report

ht: 5'4"
wt: 144 lbs
bf: 9.0%

Rep Power: 0

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/crossfit-3-mental-toughness-tips.html

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CrossFit: 3 Mental Toughness Tips - Bodybuilding.com

SpAgetttt
"The average CrossFit WOD (Workout of the Day) is
deliberately designed to fatigue your body to the point where
you don't think you can go on"
Rep Power: 0

Well I guess all the WODs I've ever done have been far below
average

Body Stats
ht: 6'2"
wt: 195 lbs
bf: 10.0%

Oct 1, 2014 8:50pm | report

jax4444
Well I guess all the WODs I've ever done have been far
below average - if that's the case, you got to turn up
the intensity. What were some of your most recent
WODs?
Rep Power: 0

Body Stats
ht: 5'4"
wt: 144 lbs
bf: 9.0%

Oct 2, 2014 3:58am | report

PTwarrior
Nice article about how our minds come into play not only in
the gym but, anything we take on when it comes to setting
goals and achieving them.
Rep Power: 0

Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and wisdom.

Body Stats
ht: 6'1"
wt: 196 lbs
bf: 12.0%

Oct 2, 2014 11:45am | report

jax4444
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom as
well!
Jackson
Rep Power: 0

Body Stats
ht: 5'4"
wt: 144 lbs
bf: 9.0%

Oct 2, 2014 5:05pm | report

PedroDVC
Great articule. Never looked back since I started doing
Crossfit and circuit training.
Oct 2, 2014 3:21pm | report

Body Stats
ht: 5'10"
wt: 176.37 lbs
bf: 10.0%

Rep Power: 0

jax4444
Thanks for the kind words! Glad you took up CV and
staying with it! Keep up the good work!
Oct 2, 2014 5:04pm | report

Body Stats
ht: 5'4"
wt: 144 lbs
bf: 9.0%

Rep Power: 0

Stat911
Short article, but really inspirational. Thank you.

Body Stats

Oct 3, 2014 1:11am | report

ht: 6'2"
wt: 255 lbs
bf: 28.5%

Rep Power: 0

jax4444
No, thank you for taking the time to be positive with
me!
Jackson
Rep Power: 0

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/crossfit-3-mental-toughness-tips.html

Body Stats
ht: 5'4"
wt: 144 lbs
bf: 9.0%

Oct 3, 2014 3:51am | report

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CrossFit: 3 Mental Toughness Tips - Bodybuilding.com

RealLordSoares
Outstanding article! Definitely key points to keep in mind.

Body Stats

Oct 3, 2014 10:39am | report

ht: 5'11"
wt: 190 lbs
bf: 18.0%

Rep Power: 0

jax4444
Thanks for taking the time and writing me such a
positive review!
Jackson
Rep Power: 0

Body Stats
ht: 5'4"
wt: 144 lbs
bf: 9.0%

Oct 3, 2014 5:46pm | report

mike2lane

Rep Power: 0

This article is right on. I often struggle with getting in that

extra rep or two in the middle of the workouts, but somehow I
find the strength to burst through the last 45 seconds before
the end. This tells me that it is all in my head. You have
motivated me to push harder through my weak moments.
Thanks.

Body Stats
ht: 5'11"
wt: 204 lbs
bf: 19.0%

Oct 3, 2014 2:29pm | report

jax4444
I am so glad I to have helped you! And you have
motivated me to write more articles for BB.com.
Stay strong, push through the fatigue and become
mentally stronger!

Rep Power: 0

Body Stats
ht: 5'4"
wt: 144 lbs
bf: 9.0%

Your friend,
Jackson
Oct 3, 2014 5:49pm | report

61customrebuild

Rep Power: 0

For me the big problem with crossfit is the lack of grace due
to the desperation that falls upon the individual when the
body crosses the line into the survival/aerobic breathing
mode and form deteriorates. But I do like the crossfit torso
physiques with natural strong well-balanced muscularity. My
approach used crossfit type bodyweight suspension moves
for physique development. Olympic bar moves, not for me,
too awkward and unbalanced.

Body Stats
ht: 6'1"
wt: 215 lbs
bf: 15.0%

Nov 5, 2014 9:31am | report

Salahaldin
This article change my life. I'm a rookie to working out and
healthy lifestyle, and that right there is what I needed to read.
Thanks for writing this gospel.
Rep Power: 0

Nov 9, 2014 7:56am | report

Body Stats
ht: 5'10"
wt: 224 lbs
bf: 27.1%

PTwarrior
Thanks for the article. Pushing through our pre-conceived
limitations is something that we constantly need to work on.

Rep Power: 0

Training the body is easy, its the training our minds that is
difficult!

Body Stats
ht: 6'1"
wt: 196 lbs
bf: 12.0%

Nov 18, 2014 3:10pm | report

Kayellebee
this is just what I needed - been in a rut for the past couple
days with sub-par workouts. Now I know I've got to mix it up
and get out of my comfort zone... it keeps things interesting
mentally and physically ;)

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/crossfit-3-mental-toughness-tips.html

Body Stats
ht: 5'7"
wt: 130 lbs
bf: 17.0%

8/10

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mentally and physically ;)

Rep Power: 0

Nov 23, 2014 7:58pm | report

SH50140
Wimpiest triceps ever! But I work them hard to get stronger I'm not even sure what those little guys do but if they exist,
they get trained.

Body Stats
ht: 5'4"
wt: 170 lbs
bf: 32.0%

Nov 24, 2014 6:35pm | report

Rep Power: 0

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