When the going gets tough, the tough get going

For the past several years I’ve done a lot of reflecting on the person I really am and who I want to be. It started in 2014 with the sudden loss of my dad, which made me want to take action in my own life. I wanted to live and enjoy life and to really make a lasting impression in the world. In 2017, I made decisions in my athletic career that spilled over into my professional career, that damaged and jeopardized friendships as well as my business. This led to a lot more self-reflection, figuring out what I really valued at heart, which allowed me to see that my values didn’t align with my actions. It was at this point that I put my head down and started losing myself in my work, focusing on the things that I knew I valued and couldn’t do without: building relationships and being sincere. From there I started listening to podcasts to be a better coach, leading me to the most influential person of the past several years of my life, Ben Bergeron of CrossFit New England. It started with how to be a better coach, which led to running a better affiliate, a stronger community, and then the most important change in my life: how to be happy with myself and be a better leader.

I could break it down further and list the number of books that I’ve listened (audiobooks) to on repeat, but they all came from the same place. Ben’s podcast has put all of the nuggets of information that I’ve been missing in my life into one convenient package that’s easy to listen to on my drives and bikes.

You’re probably wondering why I find this important enough to share. It’s because we are faced with unprecedented challenges and have been riding waves of highs and lows in a sea of uncertainty for months. Without the challenges I’ve faced in the past several years of my life I would not be able to stay focused and on track, ready to help others and myself. By focusing on the things within my control, trying to live with hindsight in the present moment, trying not to allow myself to speak negatively or talk about others, and learning that the obstacle is the way, I don’t have to worry about what to do when faced with a challenge. I’m working towards being a better person and leader and while I’m far from where I want to be, I’m happy with enjoying the process and my progress.

If you are interested in what I listen to that has made such a difference, here is an episode of his podcast “Chasing Excellence” that focuses on mindset during the pandemic.

Every day the program we follow (CompTrain by Ben Bergeron) provides us with a quote. I’m going to leave you with a life-changing quote that will hopefully let you see who you are and if it lines up with who you want to be.

“Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”

―Lao Tzu

I hope that I can be a good leader not only for my family but for my community. I promise that if we focus on being kind, empathetic, and look for the good all around us, that we will live more fulfilled lives.

Sincerely,

Coach Tron