Mental Health for Aging Athletes
Lucho shared this video of David Goggins.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmwIkXk4QtA
So many memories come back when I listen to Mr. Goggins share his truth.
It takes courage to change.
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Here's something I learned from the greatest triathlete of my generation...
If your mental health relies on a physical expression of self then focus your drive on reducing your patterns of self-harm.
Everything else is details.
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Some useful details...
What's your objective?
Can you answer this question simply, and immediately?
What's your objective?
Not because of the the importance of whatever you are working on.
Rather, because working towards an objective gives structure to your days and meaning to your life.
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What's your pattern of daily release?
Strength training and uphill cardio have better long-term outcomes than...
drugs and alcohol
violence and anger
outrage and gossip
...if your current alternatives aren't working then consider...
Strength training and uphill cardio.
Whatever works for you... remove the things that prevent you from getting your daily release.
Pay attention to the habits that screw up tomorrow.
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What is your pattern of breakdown?
You are going to see this in your peers, before yourself.
The closer you are to the sharp end, the brighter your flame will burn.
Whether it is 5, 15 or 25 years... each body and mind has a limit to the amount of elite-level output it can sustain.
Similar to how you conditioned yourself to endure, train the capacity to appreciate when you've had enough.
Enough pain
Enough challenge
Enough exercise
Enough work
Enough glory
Enough winning
Enough dessert
Encourage the humility required to admit you've had enough.
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When life seems out of whack, return to the basics.
Objective
Release
Patterns of Breakdown
Then...
Do good deeds in private.
Be your own hero.