Success and Failure

Being successful. We all want it. We do not always get it.

Success is awesome. But what makes success awesome is the effort it took to get there. The million struggles, failures, falls. But no matter how hard we fall or how hard we fail, we get back up. We keep trying for that million and one try. Maybe this time it will be successful and when it is, the feeling is gold.

Throwback! DH 2010

I found that success exactly two weeks ago when I competed at the Dark Horse at Metrorock. I have been competing in this competition series since I was 17, through all of my ups and downs of climbing.

I went to this competition with no expectations. I had not climbed in a month because I have been so darn busy. I thought to myself, "all of the kids are going to beat me!" However, I was okay with that. I was okay with that because I knew that I had an entire day dedicated to climbing and that made me psyched. I got so psyched because I missed climbing and I absolutely love the sport. Through thick and thin I have held onto the sport and not let go.

With this thought process, I got this immense amount of intrinsic motivation to just climb. That allowed me to be successful. It distanced me from the actual competition and allowed me to interact with everyone. It allowed me to climb without feeling "jittery". It allowed me to not only climb hard, but do it with a smile on my face. I was able to use my competition as a way to enhance my personal performance. It got me to encourage others and make the competition experience so much more exciting.

I wound up placing 5th at the Dark Horse. I think that is pretty darn good and I am extremely proud. Did I win money? No, but neither did any kids ;)

That competition was the best competition I have ever had. It is a lower placement in comparison to my past, but that is not the point. The point is I felt happy the entire time. I enjoyed every second of the competition and regret nothing. I could feel the energy from the crowd in finals and I could feed off of that! I gave 110% the entire day and that is why I was successful. I satisfied my intrinsic needs and it showed in my climbing ability.



I guess in short what I am trying to say is, don't give up. Don't ever give up. Success will come and it will be worth everything you fought through to get to it.








Here is a little recap of the competition:

Things That I have Learned

Earlier this morning I was sitting in my 3rd floor apartment watching the leaves fall off the trees outside of my window. As I watched I caught myself thinking, "Wow, is it already fall". The seasons are changing, winter is coming closer. It is already getting darker earlier and the air is feeling cold again. As I look outside, I think about this past year and the change of the seasons. Change. Change is something that I have experienced more so in this past year than any other time in my life. My favorite part about change is that it gives you the opportunity to reflect and learn. In the past 365 days, I have learned a lot. So today I have decided to reflection these change and share some of it with you:

Without further ado, here is my list of Top 31 Things I have Learned in 365 Days:

1. Change can be difficult, but so can getting out of bed in the morning. Eventually you will stop hitting the snooze button.

2. Don't judge someone by a single action. That is like taking one lick of a tootsie pop and then judging how good the roll in the center tastes. (Mr. Owl taught me that it takes at least three licks to get to the roll in the center)

3. Competition was originally used to further enhance personal performance. So next time you look at the scoreboard think about what actually matters. Did the competition push you to play harder than you ever have? Then you have been successful.

4. Failure is good. It makes success that much sweeter. 

5a. Pain is a perception. 

5b. However people feel pain on very different levels. What might be a 2 for you could be a 7 for someone else. Pain is still pain and should not be ignored. 

6. Listen to your body. If you don't hear anything, maybe it is time to stop and pay attention. Your body could be drowning. 

7. You can never get enough mobility. Floss on. 

8a. Correct technique is the key to injury prevention.

8b. Correct technique will get you farther than pure strength. 

9. Slow and steady wins the race. Go at your own pace, not someone else's. 

10. Your legs are just as important as your arms. Do some squats (ahem, climbers)

11a. You only get stronger on your rest days. 

11b. If you get too bored on rest days, try active resting. Like yoga. Yoga is amazing for all ages and genders. Your core will thank you. 

12. Lifting weights will not always give you bulk. Bulk depends on many factors including (but not limited to) the way the weights are being lifted, how much weight, frequency of lifts, genetic predisposition, gender, age, and caloric expenditure. 

13. It is important to work on antagonist (opposing) muscles. The body will perform better when it is in balance. 

14. Challenge yourself. Life is more fun that way.

15. Think outside of the box. 

16. Dare to do things that people say you cannot do.

17. If you aren't sweating, you aren't working hard enough.

18. Set reasonable goals. 

19. It is not a "diet", but rather a "lifestyle choice". Diets are temporary and can potentially be so strict that it is impossible to live by those standards forever. Find something that works, tweak it to fit you, integrate it into your life. 

20. Occasionally it is okay to give into that nagging craving. Give in, don't feel bad, move on with your life. 

21. The present will dictate the future. Be in the moment and make smart decisions. 

22. There is no such thing as normal. Even if there was, individuality is too special to give up. 

23a. It is important to have variety. Have a variety in activities and interests just like you would have a variety of vegetable colors.

23b. Yes, a variety of vegetable colors is a good thing; it keeps you more full and healthy.

24. Live. Laugh. Love. 

25. Friends are special. Keep them close. 

26a. When using google, grammar matters.

26b. Double check your sources. Don't be that guy who spreads around a false story and then looks like an idiot.

27. Get to know yourself. Learn your patters, likes, and dislikes. Become aware of your emotions. Work together with you body. Having this knowledge about yourself will help you reach your goals faster. 

28. Play on your strengths. Work on your weaknesses. There will always be one of each. 

29. Sometimes it really is just all in your head.

30. Enjoy the little things in life. Like the leaves falling from a tree. This can be very beautiful and very peaceful. 

31. Life does not always go as planned. It may throw you a curve ball that decides to take a hard right turn and hit you in the face. Enjoy that life has the ability to never be boring.