Elite Performance is NOT the same as general health/ fitness. Not by a long shot.
The goal of elite performers is to squeeze every ounce of ability out of a system
without breaking it, but only just without breaking it.
To get maximal performance you have to push as close to breaking as possible
without crossing the line.
Health is different. Whilst improving your performance is likely to improve health up
to a point, it shouldn’t be the only goal, as there are many other factors that are
relevant.
Let’s use cars as an example.
If we look at F1 as elite performance – immensely highly tuned cars and components
designed for maximum speed all the time.
They break a lot, cost loads of money and have a huge team around them to just
keep them race ready (this is your elite athlete).
You’d be livid if your family car broke as often or was that high maintenance.
And it would fall to bits if you tried to drive it like a F1 car at maximum effort every
time.
This is no different to your body.
If you’ve been sitting in at a desk for a decade or more, maybe doing some training
or none at all – your body is probably equivalent of a second hand fiesta (at best).
Probably a little bit rusty, in need of a service and has absolutely no place being in a
race or on a track, it’s just about road worthy.
If you owned this car, you wouldn’t expect it to last you long, work particularly well or
even be that comfortable and you wouldn’t, or shouldn’t be driving it like you stole it.
Yet people do this with their bodies and wonder why they get injured and they feel
like crap.
I get it, you feel like you should be able to go from a day’s work to a game of squash
or 5-a side like you could in your 20’s without a problem.
But the reality is different now (guys and girls over 30 with a desk job, I’m talking to
you)
You need to upgrade your components (training, movement and nutrition), because
you can’t just buy a new body. But your body is ridiculously adaptable, and you will
be able to get to a place where you can perform at a higher level without breaking.
You want to be in a position that allows you to feel good and move with ease day to
day, but when you want to have fun, the capacity is there to unlock without the
wheels coming off and you can put your foot down for some fun.
I could go on making car anecdote, but by this point I hope you have an idea of what
I’m trying to say.
Elite sport isn’t health and longevity focussed. That’s not the goal. The goal is to win,
and break records, whether its sprinting, bodybuilding, or F1. The expectation is that
the vast majority will have a short career and you play to win, often to the detriment
of your health in the long term.
If you want to train and eat to have a better quality of life for longer, with the
opportunity do keep doing the fun stuff sometimes around your day to day life, it
requires a different approach. One that actually works with you rather than forcing
you into a system that probably doesn’t suit you or actually just puts you in a cycle of
activity -> injury -> half assed rehab -> activity -> injury again etc…
One that supports you to progress and doesn’t leave you injured, uncomfortable and
even more frustrated.
The fitness industry is rife with ‘train like an athlete’ programmes (which is fine if you
are competing, are already well conditioned or have the time to put in). But for most
of the guys and girls I work with, they just need to get back to not feeling like their
body is falling apart to feel strong and confident again.
Once you have re-built this foundation – which you absolutely can do, you have the
choice to push on and follow a more athletic path if you wish, safe in the knowledge
that you can trust your body to support you.
If this sound’s like something you have fallen foul of before or want to take the next
steps to actually get back to feeling strong with a body that will support you, hit the
link HERE and book a quick consultation call. Or check out or online programmes via
the website.
Even if you decide not to sign up, feel free to ask any questions that you have, and
you’ll leave with a better understanding of what you need.
Have a strong week! 💪
Speak soon,
James
