I am by no means the strongest, fittest, or fastest in the gym, and I’ve come to accept that. It took me a while to stop comparing myself to others and realise that the gym is a priority for me, but it’s not my only one. I don’t have the time or energy to train multiple hours per day or six days a week because I choose to use that energy in other areas of my life, such as my career, family, basketball, and personal life. It’s a personal choice, just like it’s others’ choice to focus more on the gym, their progress, and their numbers, as well as their nutrition, sleep, and recovery.
Comparing myself to others in the gym does me little service because I don’t know what has happened in their lives or what their backgrounds are. What I do know is that I have kidney disease, my body operates differently from others’, and I’ve had health setbacks, including spinal surgery and sickness, as well as injuries from basketball. I remember one day when I was back at the gym after my health trauma, I tried to deadlift 25kg and it hurt, which was far from my personal best of 112kg. I was frustrated, but a coach said to me, “Cait, think of what’s on your barbell. Think of the kidney disease, the spinal surgery, the 9 months of sickness as weight on your barbell.” That changed my mindset, and now I’ve surpassed my personal best with a 115kg deadlift (and aiming for more on testing day).
The coaches have emphasised the importance of metrics and tracking my numbers and workouts, which has helped me better understand my capabilities, limitations, and progress. But what I really focus on is controlling what I can control both in and outside the gym. I celebrate that I’m the strongest I’ve ever been, beating my own personal bests time and time again, thanks to adhering to my programming, focusing on myself, and appreciating my progress.
I may not be the strongest person in the gym, but I’m the strongest version of myself, and that’s pretty cool. I’m getting stronger every week, and that’s what matters to me.
