I love this photo simply because for me it sums up the definition of success in
health, sport and in life. This was taken late at night, in a parking garage, under a
nameless hotel in a European country that Iʼve since forgotten. This is a bobsled
athlete in the middle of a squat workout. I can remember how cold it was, each breath
was like smoke from a chimney. The kind where if you stand still, it feels like your
bones are starting to chill. It was below freezing as there were ice patches on the
concrete floor. The dull fluorescent lights made a humming sound that seemed to echo
in the background.

We carry two portable squat stands, two barbells and about 300K in weights
when we travel. Thats it. These guys must maintain their weight, their strength, their
speed to be able to compete at the Olympic level with the aforementioned equipment.
Parking structures and unheated garage facilities are the norm.

What the photo brings to mind though, was the attitude. It was cold, it was dark,
it was late, but our schedules had changed, so this was the only opportunity to get the
workout in. Most people and many athletes would have just chalked it up and missed
the workout. No one would have blamed them and know one did. This photo captures
the attitude of, “No Excuses, Pay the Price.”

How many times have you heard itʼs to cold, itʼs to hot, the music sucked, they
donʼt have the equipment I need, I donʼt have the money, I have to be up early, I have to
work late, I have an injury and so on and so on.

Do you want to get better? Do you want to reach your goals? Make the time,
accept the fact that there will never be the perfect situation, improvise. Chin ups at a
playground, stairs at the hotel, incline sprints in a parking garage in the winter. Work
around the injury, shore up weak points. I would bet that you know more then enough
training and fitness information to achieve whatever goal you have. If your not where
you want to be, look at your attitude. Change your mindset and see opportunity and
possibility. Take on the champion mindset!