Your Mindset – Is it Helping You or Hurting You?
Thursday, March 27th, 2014About a year ago, the prospects of curling a 50-lb Blob were meek.
To put this into perspective, I had only done it once or twice prior to 2013, and I had a success rate of about 1 out of 20 attempts.
Last year about this time, curling the Blob came up so I decided to give it a try and I was successful.
First Curl of the Blob in a Loooong Time
If I remember correctly, I first lifted the Blob in July of 2003 and then curled it for the first time in 2005, but never did it again until 2013. Remember that for later on in this post.
The next feat that was discussed was curling the Blob with the back against the wall. This is how Curls are done in competition, so it made sense to give it a try, so I did.
Curling the Blob – Back Against the Wall
It is so much harder to not be able to shift the shoulders back or to twist with the Blob.
From that day until right now, I can’t think of anyone else who has completed the Blob Curl, whether with the Back Against the Wall or Free Standing. (If there has been, and I have forgotten, I am sorry and I am happy to edit this post. Also, if someone has completed the feat and I didn’t hear about it, please let me know.)
Fast forward to January 2014. Luke Raymond has been training intensely and regularly here at Diesel Gym since September, plus he has been putting in serious work in his other training sessions at other gyms when he is not down here.
Luke officially lifted the Blob to Lockout the first time in January.
Luke Raymond Blob Lift
What happens next is something I NEVER would have anticipated.
It’s not like I didn’t think he has the potential, but in my mind, I thought much more maturity and training age would have been required in order for it to take place.
This is what I am talking about…
Mental Strength = Physical Strength
Essentially, Luke Raymond has gone from zero specialized Grip Training to lifting the 50-lb Blob in 4 months. He has gone from Lifting the Blob to Curling the Blob in about 2 months, and from Curling the Blob Free-Standing to Curling it Against the Wall in about 2 minutes.
To reinforce how awesome this is, I put up a post on Facebook directly after these feats took place and people began guessing who it was that Curled the Blob. names like Brian Shaw, Mike Burke, and other top-level strength athletes began popping up. People whom I have almost NO CHANCE to interact with were guessed.
And NO ONE guessed it was Luke. This unassuming yet dedicated lifter was flying under the radar.
I don’t think that will be the case anymore though.
If you don’t train Grip, don’t think this doesn’t apply to you.
It does.
If you are holding yourself back due to limitations you’ve placed in your mind, it doesn’t matter what sport or activity you are training for.
Just like I said at the beginning of the video directly above, the things I have witnessed over the last few months have made me change the way I approach this feat and all my other training.
Have I been putting handcuffs on myself and limiting my progress in my lifts due to my own mentality?
Have you?
If so, break the cuffs – make the changes in your mind and bring about the progress in your training.
As an example of what is possible, on Sunday, March 23rd, I failed miserably to curl a 50-lb Blob.
After watching Luke manhandle the Blob, this took place on Tuesday, March 25.
Blob Curl Showdown
I hope you take a moment to think about your Mindset.
If you are holding yourself back, STOP.
All the best in your training,
Jedd
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