4/4 Mental Toughness Thursday

I have written several times about the importance of competition. I heard it said that competition develops character. I completely disagree. Competition reveals character. 
Last week I competed in the National Masters Olympic Weightlifting Championships. This is the competition where the best Olympic Weightlifters (Snatch and Clean & Jerk) who are over 35 in the US compete. I placed second and I couldn't be happier. 
An Olympic Weightlifting competition always starts with the snatch. I was so high key that I threw my first snatch right over head and damn near into the rafters. I had just 2 minutes to come back and try again. My second snatch was a no lift. My arms bent ever so slightly once the bar was over my head. This was it! I had only ONE more attempt to make a snatch and stay in the competition. 
I was upset, mad, scared, and a range of other emotions in the 2 minutes I had to make my third and final snatch. My closest competitor and friend said to me, "You better make this snatch because this is way more fun when you're in the game!" So what choice did I have? I made the third snatch. 
It is during competition, when things are not going as you planned, when life throws you a curveball, that you find out who YOU really are. I am a competitor and being able to rise up and make it happen is something I value. But, the competition also revealed my competitor's character. She wanted me to succeed because a rising tide lifts all the ships and we still needed to chase each other in the clean & jerks. Chase each other we did! I ended up winning 3 sliver medals and a priceless lesson in perseverance. 
Luckily for YOU, you have the same opportunity with the Festivus Games on April 27. Today we are practicing workout #2. You still have time to register, and you better do it quick because we have only FOUR team spots remaining. We sell out every year and I want YOU to claim your team spot TODAY! Click on the image below to register for the Festivus Games on April 27. 

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