One of the most frustrating aspects of the fitness industry is our collective obsession with competition.
Having been a young champion myself, I’ll tell you something most people won’t admit: the championships, trophies, and medals don’t mean much. I have a case full of them that I haven’t looked at in years. What actually provided fulfillment wasn’t the hardware; it was adopting a growth mindset in fitness and focusing on becoming a little better than I was the day before.
If you give me three different people, I’ll show you three unique strengths. One might be stronger, one might move with more fluidity, and another might have superior endurance. That is the reality of human potential—everyone brings a different gift to the table.
The Responsibility of the Gifted: The Sheepdog Mentality
Every now and then, you encounter someone truly gifted. I always say: a wolf notices a wolf. When I recognize someone with exceptional ability, I sit them down for a hard truth. I tell them they are at the top of the pecking order in their discipline, but I also tell them that it means nothing in the game of life. Being able to do more pull-ups or hit a baseball further doesn’t increase your value as a human being.
Instead, being gifted carries a weight of responsibility. I call this the sheepdog mentality. The strongest among us should not seek to dominate others; they should work to elevate them. Without discipline and humility, talent becomes problematic—even dangerous.
Taming the Ego Through the Power of Being Bad
How do I help the extremely talented stay grounded? I put them in situations where they are terrible.
I learned this humbling lesson myself. After years of success in bodybuilding, I wanted to try gymnastics. Deep down, I was terrified because I knew I wouldn’t be a natural. I remembered a simple quote: “Don’t be afraid to suck at something new.”
When I started, I’ll be honest—I acted like a brat. I was frustrated and emotional. That is a common defense mechanism for men when they are suddenly stripped of their competence. But once I broke through that ego barrier, I found peace. I became comfortable with being mediocre and improving at a glacial pace.
Why True Confidence Requires Struggle
Ironically, I gained more genuine confidence becoming “okay” at gymnastics than I ever did being “exceptional” at bodybuilding.
True confidence isn’t built by dominating a field where you already excel. It is forged by struggling, learning, and continuing anyway. We see this in elite athletes like Jon Jones; when things come too easily, natural talent can lead to self-sabotage just to create a challenge. Peace is found when you grow outside of your primary “cage.”
Shifting from Competition to Quiet Progress
I don’t believe in competition anymore. I don’t care who can do the most pushups or who has the heaviest deadlift. I care about where you are today and helping you become better the next time you show up.
I hold myself to that same standard. Every time I walk into the gym, I aim for a marginal gain; it is about maintaining a growth mindset in fitness, even when the progress is little. Maybe it’s my strength, my breathing, or a slightly deeper stretch.
Progress doesn’t have to be loud or dramatic. Often, the most transformative growth is the quietest. In the long run, that is the only thing that actually matters.
If you found this perspective helpful and want to continue the journey of self-improvement, you can read more of my Mindset articles here.
