Editor’s Observe: That is the third half in a multiple-part sequence written by Athena Perez, chronicling the year-long problem that she’s dubbed her “Hiller Problem.” All year long, Andrew Hiller, a distinguished CrossFit YouTuber whose movies have impressed each die-hard followers and dissenters, will function Perez’s coach and they’re going to each doc the journey throughout social media (and in Athena’s phrases right here). Learn elements one and two now.
As quickly as I used to be capable of overcome the preliminary shock and shock from many who found Andrew and I had been working collectively, the feedback I obtained started to specific considerations about sustainability.
Within the first a number of weeks of collaborating with Andrew, I used to be stuffed with a way of elation on the progress we had been making. By the point I reached the one-month milestone, I had misplaced a major 25 kilos.
Think about lugging round a 25-pound weight all day — it’s no straightforward job!
Nonetheless, some started voicing considerations that the tempo of my weight reduction was too speedy. Many of those apprehensions got here from different coaches inside the group, whereas others in my circle apprehensive that my new route would result in a lack of curiosity in being the LBA [Larger-Bodied Athletes] advocate I had at all times been. They feared that I’d lose curiosity and other people could be left behind. Such a thought had by no means even grazed my thoughts.
In reality, I noticed it as a chance to strengthen my ardour even additional. I by no means noticed Scaled Nation [Perez’s fitness education company and CrossFit Affiliate] as a pastime; it’s my life’s work.
[Read: Part 1 and Part 2 of Athena Perez’s “Hiller Challenge” series]
However even after a month, Andrew hadn’t seen me in motion, in real-time. All the pieces takes on a unique dimension in a stay setting, and in my very own opinion, it was turning into more and more essential for him to know my bodily journey: the surgical procedures I had endured, the restoration course of, and my present talents.
There have been issues I may do and issues I couldn’t—not less than not but.
The one solution to actually bridge these gaps was to fulfill in individual and we set a date to make that occur.
Assembly Up With Andrew
I wasn’t apprehensive concerning the journey to Chicago to work with him. Nonetheless, as I nestled into my airplane seat, gazing out the window, I discovered myself immersed in contemplation.
Would our in-person interactions be as harmonious as our weekly check-ins and every day banter had advised? I wasn’t sure, as there was nonetheless a lot about him that remained unknown.
It was a shiny and early Saturday morning; the air was crisp and chilly, however the solar was shining brightly. As I pulled into the driveway, I switched off the automobile, set free a deep sigh, and muttered to myself, “Okay, right here we go.”
I started to method the home, however I may already see Andrew descending the steps to greet me. As I drew nearer, his initially furrowed forehead relaxed right into a broad smile, and I knew all the things was going to be effective. His heat, welcoming hug immediately dissolved any lingering nervous or anxious vitality I had been harboring.
[Related: The 10 Best CrossFit Athletes of 2023]
Inside half-hour, I used to be standing over him, totally captivated by his piano enjoying. His self-taught expertise was mesmerizing; he may effortlessly play any sheet music positioned earlier than him. Sight-reading, whereas advanced, was doable. Nonetheless, once I requested him to pause and choose a random music from his telephone’s playlist, he appeared puzzled however complied.
We sat in silence for about 30 seconds, letting the music play, earlier than I challenged him to duplicate it on the piano. After a couple of changes to seek out the precise tone, he astonishingly started to play it. I used to be awestruck. He had completely memorized the music, notice for notice. He had exceptional reminiscence, a eager sense of pitch, and extraordinary sample recognition abilities.
It was an emotional second for me, because it make clear his distinctive thought course of and his penchant for recognizing flaws first. Patterns, being repeatable and sure, made sense to him. As I watched him play, in my mind, his movies flickered previous once more and abruptly took on a brand new depth as a result of his content material focus was on inflexible guidelines, routine, and intolerance for deviations from the “norm.” He’s very black and white in a world of one million colours.
That inflexible “black and white” jogged my memory of the significance of my reactions, not simply with him, however with anybody.
I’m ready the place I may face destructive suggestions or criticism. Whereas nobody enjoys both, they will present an unimaginable alternative for self-reflection.
It’s a second for me to query why any specific criticism would have an effect on me in any given method. Is there fact in it? Typically, the harshest stings happen as a result of there may be certainly fact within the criticism.
[Related: The CrossFit Karen Workout, Explained and Scaled for Every Skill Level]
Just a little later, we strolled into Costco for some buying. I used to be desirous to introduce Andrew to the recipes he’d glimpsed in my every day photographs. As he ambled alongside, he was engrossed in assembling his digicam setup.
Immediately, I felt my face redden and my eyes widen on the mere considered turning into a spectacle. My inner panic will need to have been evident in my chatter and facial expressions as Andrew turned to me as we entered the shop and mentioned, “Athena, it’s simpler to ask forgiveness than it’s to get permission. I would like you to be courageous.”
His phrases had been daring and resonant, echoing the well-known saying of Admiral Grace Hopper. I’ve at all times held this sentiment near my coronary heart, not as a license to take advantage of conditions, however as a nudge to push boundaries when vital. Although Admiral Grace meant it in a different way, I took the nudge as “Hey, generally you simply want to know that life is stuffed with naysayers, and generally, you simply must take a leap of religion, roll the cube, and say, WTF.’”
Regardless of my perception on this philosophy, I don’t embody it as a lot as I’d like. I yearned to be braver. Prepared or not, Andrew had simply thrust me into the quick lane.
How does one achieve confidence in something? By merely doing it.
The second day of my journey introduced much more enlightening classes for me, however that’s a narrative for an additional chapter.
The Journey So Far
Right here’s a fast take a look at the place I’m at in my journey:
Day #: 42
Victories:
- I’ve shed 28.5 kilos.
- I’ve misplaced 18.75 inches and almost two gown sizes.
Classes:
- Releasing management is a frightening job for me. In moments of ambiguity, I typically discover solace in sustaining a way of management. Nonetheless, I’ve come to understand that the reality is sort of the other.
- Spend money on others. Make it some extent to be taught concerning the folks round you. Ask them questions, actually hearken to their responses, and present real care. It’s not nearly realizing them however about valuing their experiences and views.
- Constructing unshakable confidence requires some conquering of the inside critic.
Featured picture: @athenamariebt/Instagram