I am regularly inspired by the sacrifices I see individuals make to pursue their goals and self development in the gym. I know, for example, that some of the students at No Boundaries regularly have long days away from home, going straight from the gym in the morning to a long day of work, or straight from a long day of work to the gym for the evening. Of course 12+ hour days away from the home aren’t their first choice, but these individuals have taken ownership of their process and accepted that some sacrifices will be necessary. I know also that many of our students juggle raising children, difficult work schedules, late nights and early mornings, tight budgets, long commutes, and more, and still manage to make the time and space to dedicate to a regular physical practice. Again, these individuals have not chosen to have long commutes or difficult schedules because that’s what they prefer; they’ve recognized the value of showing up to learn, struggle, commune, and improve their physical selves here at No Boundaries, and have chosen to manage the things that they control (and to accept what they cannot control) to create space for this practice.

On the flipside, I have seen many individuals shy away from the idea that sacrifice may be necessary. I’ve seen the inconvenience of commutes, the discomfort of early mornings, the difficulty of learning new things, the challenge of work schedules, the financial cost, the discomfort of physical training, the burden of long days away from the home, and the idea itself that sacrifice may be necessary stand as a barrier between people and the results they so fiercely insist they want.

It is not my place, nor will it ever be, to judge whether these individuals are making the right or wrong choice. It is not my decision what sacrifices, inconveniences, and discomforts they should or should not be willing to make, and we all have to draw our own lines in the sand and determine our own values. Sometimes a sacrifice really isn’t worth it. Other times, it absolutely is.

What you can do for yourself is get out a pen and a piece of paper and write down a list, right now, of what you are and are not willing to do. Define your boundaries.

Are you willing to get up when the alarm goes off before the sun, and you want nothing more than to sleep in another hour? Are you willing to change how you eat? Are you willing to adjust your schedule? Are you willing to set aside time that could be spent doing something you otherwise enjoy? Be honest with yourself. Remember, this isn’t a competition to see who has it the hardest. This is no one’s decision but your own, and there are no right answers.

I don’t want to make this out to be some big life sacrifice, because it’s not. It’s fitness. It’s enjoyable, rewarding, and an opportunity more than a burden. But that doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy, and it doesn’t mean you won’t have to make difficult or uncomfortable choices along the way.

- PS

10/11/18

• Overhead press - 5,5,5

Then...

• In 5 mins:

• Max C2B pull-ups

• Every minute on the minute, complete 4 deadlifts (275/185)

• Rest 2 mins

• In 5 mins:

• Max K2E

• Every minute on the minute, complete 4 deadlifts (275/185)