Wednesday, January 20, 2016

The power of our people (it's what makes Unparalleled Performance so great)

We have all seen the quote:
Most people accept it as true even though it can seem quite simplistic in nature. It's so wonderfully and devastatingly true though. I see it in my work all the time. When we are trying to help folks break out of some negative, harmful cycles they are entrenched in, often we talk about changing the peer group... because of the various levels of influence those people have on us. I want to talk about this in a more lighthearted way though.. related to training.
People often say they don't expect Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan to somehow be this unusual "hub" of excellent powerlifting. I think any of us that have been interviewed by radio, tv, newspaper get asked some variation of the question "what makes this happen?" The gym... the people in the gym... the passion in the people! We make each other better. We push each other, support each other... tease each other ;) It's more than just being there to spot for one another. It's the energy in the place and the fact that every single person there loves the sport and wants to be better.
Last night this was so apparent I felt the need to write about it! Not only do I get to train in this facility, but I get to train with the best lifters in Canada and I'm lucky enough to call some of them family (the rest I call my powerlifting family anyway!). Rhaea was in her suit at first, and Pam and I were doing our belted work sets of squats and then moved on to our belt and wrap singles. Or, so we thought it would be singles. As Pam finished her first one in her wraps, Rhaea said "do another", so Pam did. Rhaea went over, and did a wrapped set of 5 (with enough weight it makes new lifters' heads spin... still mine sometimes!). My turn... I'd already done my first single with wraps, I went up, just a bit over my target weight... and when I did the first, it felt good, so I did a second. I joked that I couldn't be a slacker when these 2 were working so hard. But, it's true! If I'd been there with 2 other people who were just doing the basics, I probably would have too! Now, one squat doesn't make the difference. But, take that one squat, multiply it by 6 days a week, 52 weeks a year and all the meets we hit up as a group and now you're talking about a huge impact.
When we surround ourselves with people who push us to be better, we can rise to the occasion. This is about process and work, not numbers. We all can't squat what Rhaea squats, but we can use her drive to improve as the example by which we set our own standard to work harder and drive ourselves to be better. This is what makes Unparalleled Performance Training Centre and Moose Jaw the "hub" of powerlifting in Saskatchewan... heck, one of the best in Western Canada. We have the best because we create an environment where we brew the best. While I'm not one of the "original founders" of Unparalleled (proud to brag I'm the sister of the "owner" though), I'm so incredibly grateful to be a part of this place!