I am a pretty easy going person, I like to laugh. But, when it comes to my training, I’m as serious as they come. I don’t play around. I don’t like to smile a lot or talk too much when I’m working. My training sessions get really intense; I take it to a whole other level. My mood and energy changes and those around me can feel it. I can tell, because I feel the stares. But that doesn’t stop me from going “Beast Mode”.
I’ve been to the Junior World Championships twice and I loved the seriousness and work ethic of the athletes. At the training hall, they were there to handle business (that’s the way I like it). I have been away from international competition for so long that I had forgotten how exhilarating it feels. But that was awoken when I competed at the Pan American Games last week. I was there for business, I was pumped! There would be time for pleasure after the competition.
Seeing the focus of the athletes and their no nonsense approach to training made me feel right at home. I felt like this is where I was meant to be. They didn’t care how they came across to others; they were just working, doing them. That’s how I try to train, but, hold back because I’m afraid of what people are going to think of me when I really chose to unleash my beast. The aggression and intensity of their training opened my eyes. My dad used to always tell me to smile and greet people whenever they entered the gym. So I kept that in the back of my mind; “always be approachable”. Being told that I look intimidating by some, and others trying to make me laugh by telling jokes when I’m trying to stay focused, gets to a girl at times. With the type of training I am doing, I can’t always be “on”. Most days I don’t even want to get out of bed, let alone train! I do not feel like smiling and being friendly every day. I don’t go to the gym to socialize; I am there to work. I just feel like going to the gym, getting my work done and leaving. During breaks I don’t mind greeting people and having a little chat, but that’s about it. I get straight back to business.
Being around elite athletes with similar work ethic, helped me to refocus, and reminded me to just do me. I am doing elite training, and I get that some people will never understand me. But in writing this blog, I hope that they at least get a better insight into me. I’ve got tunnel vision. I know where I want to go and I am going to get there.