No Pressure No Diamonds

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August 21, 2013 by little hurdles big race

Today was the day I decided to finally increase my speed and incline on the treadmill.  I’d been too comfortable for too long and I knew I needed to step it up a notch.  About 15 minutes in I couldn’t focus and I was arguing with myself about slowing down and taking it easy.  “There is always tomorrow” I told myself, “why am I doing this”.  Then I looked across the gym and saw a guy wearing a shirt that said, ‘No Pressure No Diamonds’.

It was a bit of a jolt to my system.  Right when I wanted to give up it was a reminder that nothing comes without hard work.  As far as I have come I’m not done – I don’t ever want to be comfortable again.  I’m no stronger than you – I just don’t let myself get into situations where I can give in.  It’s one of my favorite Bob Harper quotes “it has to be hard so you will never ever forget”.  Exactly!  Yes, it’s hard, yes it’s painful, yes it can be frustrating, yes you will want to give up more times than you can imagine, and no it won’t happen overnight.  However, this is what I always tell people about my journey.  It took me 20+ years to become person I didn’t really like very much and who was probably going to live a short and sick life.  Imagine how amazing it is to change almost all of that in two years.  I’m also smart enough to know that the hardest part of my journey is ahead of me – the closer you get to your goal the harder it is.  So, I’m not going to be able to do it without sweating more, pushing my limits, and challenging myself.

No logos, no mascots, no sports team, no other message than that one simple statement that we’ve heard a million times before and a million different ways.  Anyone can be comfortable, anyone can go with the grain, and anyone can follow the crowd.  Giving up and giving in is the easiest decision you could make in a day or in your life, but it takes someone special to stand up with the desire and the will to become the best person that they were meant to be.

Precious.