The Comfort Trap
by: Ryan ParkerWhy do you train? For me, there almost always comes a point in a hard workout where that little voice in my head says: back off, take it easy, have a rest. And that’s the point where I try to do the opposite - turn up the intensity, push through, and get it done. Because if I step back and evaluate my fitness objectively, I probably have more than I need.
The Work You Can't Skip
by: Ryan Parker"Every human should be able to perform basic maintenance on themselves." I first heard Kelly Starrett say that nearly 20 years ago. Around that time, Kelly - who owned CrossFit San Francisco, the 21st affiliate ever opened - created the Mobility Project, a daily video series teaching people how to take care of their own bodies. That information changed my life.
Perfection < Consistency
by: Ryan ParkerI don’t remember where I first heard this, but in fitness it rings painfully true: Most people overestimate what can be accomplished in five months—and grossly underestimate what can be accomplished in five years. Shannon and I hear this all the time. When we talk with strangers or new acquaintances about fitness or physique, there’s almost always an assumption baked into the conversation: You must be obsessed You must train for hours a day You must track everything you eat People are usually shocked—or skeptical—when they find out the truth.
The Inner Conversation
by: Ryan ParkerAs we head into a new year, it’s tradition to think about goals. Around here, it’s obviously not “I’m going to start working out.” It’s bigger than that, we are already working hard. Instead, it might be: Finally losing the weight that’s lingered for years Feeling like our fitness has truly moved to the next level Earning an A+ on a DEXA scan or bloodwork And yet, here’s the uncomfortable truth I’ve seen play out over decades of coaching: Few people fail because they don’t work hard… They fail, stall or burn out because they never change how they work.
