The Enemy Within

“Friction may be self induced, caused by such factors as a lack of a clearly defined goal.” MCDP 1

An essential means to overcome friction is human will; we prevail over friction through persistent strength of mind and spirit.

What sets us apart from those that we look up to? What is the difference between you and your idol, your hero, or your mentor? The closer I have become to those I look up to, the more I realize how similar we are.  There have been many days where I have doubted my ability to achieve my dreams. Life can become overwhelming and we can become lost in  completing the day-to-day tasks that pay our bills and put a roof over our heads. But when we are 80 years old and looking back, what will matter more- the car we drove and the house we lived in or the accomplishments we achieved with the people we love?

Deciding to get out of the Marine Corps in order to become a full-time athlete is a huge personal risk. The Marine Corps provides a steady income, medical benefits,  and a stable routine. If I said I wasn’t scared, I’d be lying. I am nervous to walk away from a career that brings me much joy, pride, and security, but I am more nervous of growing old and regretting not giving everything I had into accomplishing a goal that I can’t go a day without thinking about.

My vision is to become a CrossFit Games Individual athlete and more importantly to inspire others to aggressively chase down their dreams .  What is your dream and what is stopping you from accomplishing it?

Rise and Grind By Nike
“A battle between you and your mind, drown out the voice of uncertainty with sound of your own heartbeat, burn away your self-doubt with a fire lit beneath you. Remember what we’re fighting for and never forget that momentum is a cruel mistress. She can turn on a dime with the smallest mistake. She is ever searching for the weak place in your armor, that one tiny place that you forgot to prepare for. So as long as the devil is hiding in the details, the question remains. Is that all you got? Are you sure? And when the answer is yes, and you’ve done all you can to prepare yourself for battle. Then it’s time to go forth and boldly face your enemy, the enemy within. Only now you must take that fight into the open, into hostile territory. You’re a lion in a field of lions, all hunting the same allusive prey, with a desperate starvation that says victory is the only thing that can keep you alive. So believe that voice that says you can run a little faster, and you can throw a little harder and that for you, the laws of physics are merely a suggestion. Luck is the last dying wish for those that want to believe that wining can happen by accident, sweat on the other hand is for those that know it’s a choice. So decide now, because destiny waits for no man. When your time comes and a thousand different voices are trying to tell you, you’re not ready for it, listen instead to that lone voice of descent, the one that says you ARE ready, you ARE prepared, and it’s all up to you now.”