Week 379

Positive post Sunday, June 2, 2024…. Week 379.  Following my surgery, a big part of my cardio rehab has been riding my NordicTrack.  I ride most weekdays for 30 to 60 minutes.  Before my surgery, I was riding all over the world (virtually) following the iFIT trainers.  However, I recently came across a workout series that was done in the studio, like a spin class.  The series of 12 workouts is titled Power and Performance, and it was tough!  45-to-55-minute sessions with high resistance and cadence.  The iFIT trainer is Chris Clark and he is a beast with amazing fitness and stamina.

Although I appreciated the physical and mental challenge of the series and I will complete it again in the future to see how I progress with my cardio rehab and fitness recovery, my focus for this PPS is around a statement Chris made during one of the workouts.  At a very tough part of one of the workouts, when my legs were burning and I was gasping for air and unable to keep his cadence he said, “I’m not your best friend, I’m your trainer.  I’m telling you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.” 

At that part of the workout, I was cursing Chris under my breath wondering when he was going to reduce the resistance so I could breathe again.  However, when I heard his statement, it made me realize that he was not an evil trainer trying to kill me, but a seasoned professional who was on a mission to motivate us with a goal of advancing our fitness.  When he finally backed off the resistance for a minute and I regained consciousness😊, I thought more deeply about his statement and realized that I could apply it to many aspects of my life beyond fitness.  His statement really resonated with me in my personal, professional, and spiritual life. 

From a training perspective, I interpreted Chris’ statement to mean that he’s not looking for our approval or for us to be his friend, but he is committed to training us and telling us what we need to do to advance our performance and improve our fitness results. He was preparing the class for rides out on the streets with other riders.

From a personal and professional lens, Chris’ statement reminded me of how valuable and important timely, candid, direct and actionable feedback is to our development.  Letting others know what they need to know to develop, not what they want to hear, is a gift to those who accept and act on it.  I’ve always felt that for feedback and coaching to be effective, the recipient needs to be ready, willing, and open to receiving it and the provider of the feedback and coaching must have an honorable intent to genuinely help the receiver develop.  With this in place, I’ve seen many colleagues and family members grow and flourish.

From a spiritual perspective, I see God as my coach and mentor, and Jesus as my trainer.  With an open heart and mind, I frequently hear and see the goodness of our Lord in my daily life.  As my trainer, and with the Bible as my training manual, Jesus has set the example for me to follow as I strive to meet and exceed my spiritual training goals.  He has shown me the way to everlasting life by telling and showing me what I need to know not what I want to hear. I’m so blessed.

Where have you provided timely, candid, direct, and actionable feedback with the intent of developing those you care about?

With God as your coach and mentor and Jesus as your trainer, how has your spiritual life improved?