Vulnerability
We all deal with it. We are all terrified of it. How could you not be? Making yourself vulnerable is exposing yourself completely. You can be judged, ridiculed and belittled. So many negative things can happen so it’s so much easier to just keep ourselves to ourselves.
But what if I told you, that it does not have to be that way. What if I told you that by making yourself vulnerable, you are liberating yourself. That by making yourself vulnerable you are growing and learning about yourself. That by making yourself vulnerable you are telling the world that it cannot dictate who you have to be. That by making yourself vulnerable you are overcoming fears. That by making yourself vulnerable you are getting one step closer to your dream. That by making yourself vulnerable you are loving yourself for EXACTLY who you are.
One of the many things I love about CrossFit is that we make ourselves vulnerable every single day! We walk in and have to perform movements that might not be up our wheelhouse in front of many people. We walk in not “feeling” it that day and have to just move through the workout knowing it might not be our best output and people can see that. We walk in with the possibility of “throwing” up after being on vacation for a while. We walk in to a community hoping we can fit in. I want y’all to know how damn proud I am of y’all for doing that day in and day out. Being willing to step out of your comfort zone on a daily basis.
The fact that we do that everyday is a showing of the community, family and tribe we have in our gym. We are most vulnerable at home with our parents and siblings because they are family. Making yourself vulnerable to them is a complete show of trust. The same can be said at our gym. You know that you will not be judged or ridiculed or belittled here. Instead you will be applauded and celebrated and told great job!
It’s normal to fear vulnerability. So don’t think for one second something is the matter with you. I fear vulnerability every time I speak in large groups due to my thick accent. I fear vulnerability at the beach or pool due to my concave chest. But I face it every time because I get a little bit of myself back every time. CrossFit has definitely helped me face those fears so the next time you fear it in public or work, remind yourself that you overcome vulnerabilities for one hour at our box daily!
Regards,
Josh Melendez
