And No PRs were had

When we stop worrying about the weight on the bar, we’re free to focus on how that bar moves.

The entire class just finished snatching. And no PRs were had.

Not. A. Single. One.

Ten years ago, I would’ve blamed my athletes. They’re not trying, I’d say. They’re lazy. It’s all their fault.

Five years ago, I would’ve beat myself up. Overanalyzed the programming, criticized my coaching. I wouldn’t have slept, and for several days, I’d imagine how much I was failing those I care for.

That’s progress, I suppose.

Today, however, after years of anxiety and self-doubt, I’m thrilled.

Let me explain.

Coaches are people like everyone else, generally in need of validation. And I might just be one of the worst.

There’s a healthy side to this trait, of course, but there’s also a toxic side. Like when numbers become more important than health. And if we’re not careful, that’s where we’ll land. Hollow, and waiting for validation that will never come.

It’s not that I didn’t expect perfect technique or that I allowed anything short of the best lifts possible, I just wanted pristine technique AND broken records, and I wanted it all the time. And I wanted others to want it as much as I did.

But it doesn’t work that way. Not only do each of us define success differently, but by focusing on lifting better, we almost always lift lighter. And that’s a good thing! Because when we stop worrying about the weight on the bar, we’re free to focus on how that bar moves.

I still need validated today. I wish I didn’t. And I’m not sure it will ever go away, but at least it’s a slightly healthier form of validation. I think it is, anyway.

Today, that validation comes from seeing an athlete’s eyes light up when they finally understand that there’s more than one way to PR a lift. And knowing beyond knowing, that if forever fitness is indeed the goal, these are the days that mean the most. Days when we all snatched. And no PRs were had. And it was a good day.