So there is a blog from www.beastmodaldomains.com floating around social media. In it the blogger profiles certain CrossFit gym stereotypes. Every gym has them for sure, however this particular blogger colorfully describes them in manner that is let’s just say …interesting. The blog detailed certain specific behaviors that are counter-productive to achieving positive results. While I don’t disagree that there are these types of folks in CrossFit, I just think it can be discussed differently. To me all the examples can be summed up in a simple way, being above the line or below the line. This is a concept that I have learned from my business coach.

Being Above The Line….. OAR

Ownership is the first key to being above the line. As CrossFit coaches we are guides, teachers, motivators, (amateur) psychologists, friends, etc. The one thing we can’t do for you is perform the workout or eat properly for you. These things are on you. We will give you tools, provide resources and be a resource, but YOU have to put in the work and make the right choices. Take ownership of your lifestyle!

Accountability is the second key. At CFWH, we are your accountability partners, helping you be your best. We hold you accountable to the integrity and honesty of performing the workouts to the standards. But you have to hold yourself responsible. Be accountable to you. We can be your sounding board for nutrition advice, but we can’t be there when you are out with friends trying to decide if it is a good idea to have the double chocolate brownie cake dripping with ice cream.

Responsibility is the third key. As coaches we will help guide you through this journey safely, while trying to push you when you need pushed, pull you back when you need to pull back, but ultimately moving forward. For the most part we have a great understanding of each of your capabilities, but it is really impossible for us to know each of your maxes on every lift, your last Fran time, etc. Be responsible by tracking your numbers, listen when we say drop weight, and do homework mobility drills that will help you move better and prevent injury. It’s very important to follow the coach’s instruction, guidance and counsel. We see things you don’t feel, and we know the training response we want out of each and every workout.

Being above the line is like being in a canoe, digging deep and paddling hard. Staying above the line means you will improve weaknesses, make proper choices in your training and with your nutrition. Take ownership. Be accountable. Be responsible.

Being Below The Line…..BED

Blame is the first example of being below the line. We all know people like this. They are the first to point the finger at someone or something else, blaming being late on traffic for example. While this is Houston and that is a real possibility sometimes, being habitually late is not traffic, but time mismanagement. The heights we can grow to are limitless. Stop blaming and start growing! If you are habitually late, leave earlier, find a different route, listen to traffic reports….be better

Excuse is the second behavior. Again, we all know people like this. There is an excuse for everything. This is the “dog ate my homework,” “my alarm didn’t go off” person. There are all kinds of reasons why eating well can’t fit into life. The list can be endless. Listen to the things you say to yourself and others. Are they excuses? Live life with no excuses, then you will have no regrets.

Denial is the third behavior. From time to time, we all can fool ourselves into thinking that events are out of our control. There certainly are some things that are out of our control, weather for instance. However, most things we can control and should control. Introspection is difficult and admitting that we might be a bit flawed is a blow to the ego. However, being able to call BS on ourselves is a powerful tool. Much of the time it is our ego that gets in the way.

When we live below the line it is like being in bed. We are immobile looking for things to change or happen for us, rather than taking action and controlling our own destiny by taking ownership, being accountable and responsible. How can we be above the line in CrossFit?

• Follow your Coach’s, guidance, counsel and direct instruction
• Track your workouts AND nutrition
• Be on time
• Focus on the movements and performance, not time
• Be respectful to yourself, others and equipment
• Push yourself, but know your limits
• Mobilize daily to avoid injury
• Educate yourself on movements, recovery, nutrition and sleep
• Be serious, but don’t take this and yourself too seriously…laugh from time to time
• Ask for help
• Help others
• Be awesome

Live above the line and opportunities appear! Your growth is CrossFit and in life will change significantly if you can analyze (and be honest with yourself) about where you are.