A Few Words About Discipline and Sacrifice
Tonight was one of those nights where I absolutely did not feel like a doing a damn thing when I returned home from work. Work was hectic right until the last minute and I just felt burned out mentally and physically by the time I pulled into my driveway at 9PM. The last thing I felt like doing was dragging myself down into the basement to train. To make things worse Lauren was sitting on the couch watching “Big Bang Theory” and wanted me to come snuggle with her (which admittedly is not an easy offer to turn down).
I actually considered it for half a second, and thought that maybe I could just get up early and train in the morning before work, but then I immediately realized I that I already knew I needed to do. No matter how crappy I felt, or what I had going on, I knew that the only way I’m going to achieve my goals is to give it everything I have every single day. Obviously, lying on the couch is not part of that equation. So I dragged myself downstairs to my dungeon of a gym and put in the effort that was required of me tonight. After that, I got to work preparing my last scheduled meal of the day, even though I really just wanted to crawl into bed next to my beautiful wife. Of course these are small sacrifices, but ones that I must confront on a daily basis to remain on the path that leads to my goals.
So, now it’s close to 1AM and I’m choking down the last of my required food for the day (I started my pre-contest diet this week) as I sit here and type this out. I push in a mouthful of food and chase it with water to make swallowing it easier. The food is bland and dry and I’m not far enough into my diet to where my appetite has become ravenous yet. Again, I do this because I know this is what my goals require of me.
People that aren’t like me often ask how I get by on so little sleep and how I eat the things I do day in and day out. They really don’t understand…and the explanations I offer up don’t really seem to bring them any closer to seeing things from my point of view. Just as frequently they state that they could never do that, but always offer excuses as to why right along with it. When I talk about things like training through major injuries, training myself to endure pain and some of the really crazy stuff I have done and continue to do, I see a bewildered look in people’s faces and right then it really hits me just how different I am from most of the people in this world. I often feel like I’m speaking a foreign language and it’s just not possible to communicate what goes on in my mind.
I realize that a majority of the people in the world (or at least in this country) suffer from weakness and the inability to force themselves to do the things that are necessary to achieve the things that they would really like to in life. For me, the pain of failing to achieve what I set out to do is much greater than the pain I endure to do what is required of me to achieve those goals. I can think of nothing worse or more painful than to give up and never move closer to the things I really desire. It is this fear of failure that often drives me and far outweighs the pain of discipline and sacrifice.
My attitude is not at all unique, though. This same level of discipline and sacrifice is displayed universally throughout the world and not only in athletics, but in academics, business and any other pursuits that people are passionate about. If you look at anyone that is extremely successful in their chosen passion you will find not only a very similar level of discipline, but also a very similar degree of sacrifice. Simply put– it is what is required to separate yourself from the masses, for if you wish to achieve more than most, you must be willing to suffer more than most. This is an ideology I willingly embrace and if you are among that minority that desires to be more than average in life…so should you.
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Matt made quite a statement at the 2006 Arnold Classic. Lifting in the 220 lb class, he squatted 926 lbs, bench pressed 617 lbs, and deadlifted 733 lbs and came away with the win. A cancer survivor, Matt has overcome many obstacles on his way to becoming one of the most dominant forces in powerlifting today. He currently trains in Michigan and has competed in the USAPL, WPO, and the APF.
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Long ago I used to train in the evenings but with a family, job, etc. I was always making excuses not to put in the work. I finally said screw it and moved my workouts to the morning. I’m up at 4AM and done training before my kids are awake. I get to spend the evenings with family and relaxing. I go to bed around 10PM which is when most of my friends are still playing video games or wasting time staring at the TV. The way I see it you can make excuses or progress towards your goals.
Great write up Matt. I’ve been reading your articles for a while, just thought I’d let you know that you’re a great inspiration in training and in life. Thanks so much for sharing these sorts of stories.
Awesome..
Thanks for sharing.. training through pain, training between managing family and work, training to come face to face with yourself and staying grateful for keeping life so… brilliantly… simple. Been reading your articles here and on T-nation Matt, really inspiring awesome stuff! All the best!
Persistence and hard work are key to anything. Good job denying The Big Bang Theory (or should I say your wife?).
I am sure she understood.
Its articles like this that make Elitefts such a great company and coalition of individuals. Knowing that there are like minded people who say to hell with all excuses and push themselves to train is hugely inspiring.
I think you may be underestimating people somewhat. Most people are actually pretty comfortable the way they are. They value their stability and comfort first, which is fine, but these same people shouldn’t complain about others who “make more money” or “get promoted to head that department”. I think most people have the strength to work hard and force themselves to do things they didn’t think they could do when an outside event (job loss, death, etc.) forces them to. They may not be able to see that in themselved until it’s forced out though.
Matt I love your writing, it’s truely inspiring. I’m 18 and just really getting into powerlifting and want to compete soon. I’m up every morning at 3am getting ready for work at 4 unloading trucks. And every time I think about skipping training because I’m too tired I just say to myself “Fuck that Matt can do it why can’t I”. Thank you.
We will start or continue doing something when, even in out weakest moment, we know the reward will outweigh the pain.
We avoid or stop doing something when, even in our weakest moment, we know the pain it will cause will outweigh any reward.
Matt,
Im in Kalamazoo and would like to meet up and train some time. Please contact me at your earliest convenience.
http://www.Nolimitsp@gmail.com
Phil
Great article. Always great to hear someone speaking my language!
Matt:
Thank you. For the better part of two weeks, I’ve been feeling sorry for myself. I dont want to get into it here, but this is what I needed. Although my path is difficult, its not impossible, and with the right amount of effort and sacrifice, I’ll succeed. Thank you.
Thanks for the inspiration! BAD ASS!!!
Awesome article, Matt!
I love this. Life gets so crazy busy and I’m tempted to skip training to catch up on sleep or homework or whatever, but the truth is the best thing I can do for myself is train. It keeps me sane, great stress relief and when k leave the gym after a great session I feel like everything else can suck it
Matt, your a hero of mine, but I am a little upset at what your saying – I just *feel* like the overhwleming pressure to do what is harder isn’t always what your goals require.
Habits make things easy, the hard thing is going against them, but if your habit is going to the gym and your goal is your wife – snuggling is the hard ‘champion’ thing to guzzle down. If your goal is bbing and to be a champion, the habit is snuggling, the harder thing is to do what you did – but I just know from contest prep I ruined my body and muscle by always vying for the harder route, when if I wasn’t so intent on taking my body to the brink every single day, and I would’ve not done so much work, I would’ve responded better.
Supposedly all of these great marathon runners, weight lifters, whatever are hyper obsessive analyzers that don’t tune out (I think its alled ‘associating’) – how does my body feel, I’m doing this now, what is it saying, should I back off, should I go, etc? The idea is its harder to stop and ask (if its not your habit, and it definitely wasn’t mine) does my body want rest even though I know hardcore wise I need to train. You were probably right on with training anyway so I have no idea, but I know from log books and notebooks my brain is screwing everything up, and I respond well on things that dont make any sense (time of day, if I Trained earliar some other group, if I ran, what I ate, etc) that I can sorta not do so well if I just balls out it and say *im training, doing supersets, running my HIT and shredding this to shit because thats what a man does* – I shredded it to a mother and lost too much muscle. O well.Your awesome so no worries!