MENTAL INDEPENDENCE(2 of 3)

Cherry, Ask me nicely, Ameiva, Spirit and My Gal are some of the names of the horses we rode, again during that client appreciation day. That one hour horse riding lesson was probably one of the greatest life lessons I’ve ever gotten. It clarified who we are and what we do and or believe in

Lessons to me as a Coach/trainer.

It had been such a long time since I did something that was completely new to me and it reminded me how to coach and train. Keeping it simple, going back to the basics and slow & sure progressions is the best way to coach.

We started off with a simple introduction, knowing your horse by name, helmets for safety and the do’s & don’ts. Relationships are everything, and the mere fact that we knew our horses by names that were used as points of reference every time an instruction was given made it client focused. If he(the trainer) needed you to place your feet on the stirrup without looking at it, he’d just shout ‘My Gal’ then you knew it was you and your horse. He could have easily used numbers, said ‘you’, pointed at you or shouted ‘next’. But it would not have been an experience, now would it?

Group personal training. Whenever the trainer taught any movement e.g. the trot – first while holding on to the horse, then arms free, the first thing the trainer did was to call out the movement, explain it, then allow each individual to do it, while correcting everyone according to their own errors. Focus on the individual. As trainers we only focus on the individual when it's time for them to pay…….. So yes, i'm now a better trainer.. I hope, but I learnt.

Lessons to You as the Client

Go back to the basics and master the basics, however long it will take. You’d think that the trot is easy – it’s a simple up and down movement on a horse.  By definition the trot is a two-beat diagonal gait of the horse where the diagonal pairs of legs move forward at the same time with a moment of suspension between each beat. The training & instruction made it easy but we had to practice. Don’t be embarrassed of performing the squat, push up, deadlift & pullup over & over until you master them. The basics are everything.

Commit: At no point during that 1-Hr lesson did any of us stepped off the horse back. We were there throughout, no quitting, no excuses, just the work, fail, correct, repeat and keep repeating. Of course we got a break from time to time, shared a few laughs but we were tuned in and on the saddle throughout.

Non-quantifiable measurable progress. There was no way to quantify how many or how high/how fast the trots were, but it was evident that we moved from a slow assisted trot, to a fast one, to a hands free trot(the most fun of them all) to eventually taking an actual horse ride on your own.  You don't need to count calories, the weighing scale is not the only way to measure progress. Longer planks, clothes fitting better, headaches, backaches gone, from knee pushups to doing them on toes, more energetic, the list goes on and on and on of how else to measure your fitness progress.

It’s not meant to be comfortable. Before we got the hang of the trot, our entire body was numb. Our hands, legs, abs & shoulders wanted to give up. We could feel the burn but the mind kept getting endorphins & a sense of accomplishment telling you it’s totally worth it. By the time we were done, my white trousers had a nice brown layer of dirt; I was there for a horse ride, not clean pants. When you decide to workout you know that’s not where you go for comfort. It’s not meant to be comfortable, nor excruciating, it is meant to push your limits and be worth your while. Producing results.

The Names

There’s nothing unique about naming animals but to name a horse ‘Ask me nicely’ is definitely unique and it’s the mark of independence and mental freedom. It says we are unique, we don’t do ordinary and we set the rules & standards. This is the sort of independence that you need to say yes when you mean yes and no when you mean no. The freedom to do the stuff that you’ve always wanted to do (Like horse riding) NOW. Not 10kgs from now, when you lose weight or when you’re lighter…. NOW! Choose to be true to yourself, unique, authentic and have the courage to be imperfect & vulnerable.

Bonus:

That horse riding experience is what best describes our training philosophy. But I came across GYM JONES and I absolutely love their training philosophy.

“Dedicated to the Art of Suffering. It is both a safety net & inspiration, individuals push harder & risk more alongside trustworthy peers. Gym Jones is a training project, a physical location & an ideal. It is not a cozy place. There are no TVs, machines nor comfortable spots to sit. And there are no mirrors. Gym Jones is private but not closed.

If I could steal that I would, because it best describes our usual YMCA & now all new Karura, Sigiria Gate. Only thing I’d add is that you’ll get dirty.  As usual YMCA every Mon, Wed & Fri. Karura Tue & Thur 5.25-6.30pm. Plus Saturday mornings.

Cheers!

My Gal followed by Cherry, then Ameiva, Spirit & at the back Ask Me Nicely