12/29 Mental Toughness Thursday

Sarah A. and Brian grind through thrusters. 
Improvise, adapt and overcome. This has been our mental toughness theme for the past three weeks. We've discussed improvising solutions to a problem, adapting our actions for changing situations, and today we look at overcoming obstacles. 

The ability to overcome is a mental toughness trait that is really difficult to train and develop. It, perhaps more than the other mental toughness traits, is more dependent upon your inherent outlook on life. Are you a glass half empty or half full person? If you're half full, it's easier to develop your ability to overcome the shitty things life throws at you. Now, you can develop a more optimistic outlook, and it takes daily practice. It takes a daily gratitude practice.

Gratefulness will increase your ability to overcome life's trials exponentially. A grateful mindset makes you feel good, and when you feel good you can do anything. REALLY! I used this mindset when I was training for the World Masters Games. If I was happy and feeling good I could snatch and clean with ease. When I was angry and feeling bad every lift was a monumental struggle. 
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Have you heard the saying, "Fake it till you make it"? IT WORKS! I have used this saying many times to get me through tough times. It's helped me overcome many difficult situations. Try it next time you're in a bind, focus on two things for which you're grateful. Allow the feeling of gratitude to chemically alter the chemistry of your brain, then fake it till you make it. Tell us in the comments other mental toughness techniques you've used to overcome life's obstacles. 

Today's Workout 
Gymnastics Pressing Progressions: 3-5 rounds not for time. Pick a handstand push-up, ring dip and pistol progression you can do. You can pick a progression from different levels as needed.

Level I

1. ​5 downward dog handstand pushups (HSPU)
2. 10 second ring support hold
3. 5 pistols each leg with a box

Level II

1. 3 strict partial range of motion (ROM) HSPU
2. 10 second dip support hold 
3. ​5 pistols each leg with bands

Level III

1. 3 strict full ROM HSPU
2. 3 strict ring dips
3. 5 pistols each leg

​then, 
10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 reps for time of:
Squat Clean Thruster (Cluster) 95/65 lbs
Lateral Barbell Burpees
Every squat clean thruster (cluster) rep comes from the floor. Watch this video for a cluster demonstration.