According to four-time Ironman champion and guest coach for CNN Health’s Fit Nation, Chrissie Wellington, the most important part of your body to train is your mind. Having seen the obsession over logbooks, cardio training, weight training, and everything inbetween, when it comes down to it, every athlete realizes that “a strong mind is the most powerful weapon of all.”
Wellington says that she really learned this from her coach who told her “You have to get over your [mental weakness] the same way as you improve your athletic weakness – by knowing and training it.” Chrissie believes that it was not simply her heavy muscle and cardio training but her mind that carried her to her toughest victories.
Among her tips for training minds, which she will use as a coach on Fit Nation, is the power of positive attitude. It is important for people to think positively and fill their minds with positive images and thoughts rather than worry, fear, or other negative thoughts. This also helps you develop focus and discipline as you are being driven by your positivity, not being weighed down by negativity.
Wellington suggests creating a mantra for yourself. Her’s is “Never, ever give up – and smile.” but everyone is different. Smiling is also important because it puts you into the right positive attitude. A mantra also helps you stay focused on your goal and is a constant reminded of why you are doing what you are doing.
Most importantly, Wellington says, is to develop the habit of training yourself to be strong minded. This includes a continual self-assessment of both your attitude and your body language. You can’t suddenly decide you are strong-minded, you have to train your mind like you would any muscle. Ultimately, Chrissie says the top thing to remember is to focus on your goals and why you are going for them. Oh, and an uplifting song like Cool Runnings really helps too.
