Hey Team,

Welcome to another week.  It’s been a pretty chaotic week in the ‘back-end’ of the gym with staff away and lot’s to do…the Challenge is rolling, Peak Performance is getting closer to kick off, a new block of Fully Loaded is about to start, planning is underway for the Christmas Party…it really does feel like ‘everything’ is happening at once!  Regardless of all that, it really has been great to see some busy classes in the gym (as I type this I think the Sunday 8am Boxing Class which is running has a ‘full book’ of 40-athletes all getting stuck in!) and even some smiling faces!

It’s days like today when I KNOW I made the right choice to quit the corporate life and open the gym all those years ago.  It’s not about the work or the money (that’s for sure!) – but there’s something unique about those who commit to living a fit and healthy life. They’re often hardworking, creative, and driven by an insatiable need to ‘solve problems.’  Does that sound like you?  Well – it sure sounds like me!!!  (Self assigned compliments are always the best, right??).  Anyway, whether it’s improving a deadlift or preparing for a 5km Fun Run, those people who are ‘training’ are always looking for ways to get better…

But therein lies the challenge: a constant battle between conflicting goals. One day – you’re doing a strength class and the dream is to become stronger and build muscle. The next day, you go and watch you’re friend in a triathlon and then it’s all about losing a few keys and doing a fun run.  Or, if you’re a true fitness numpty, saying things to yourself like “If I’m going to run 21km, I may as well keep going and run 42!” Can we really say yes to everything? Is it possible to train for a marathon and increase your bench press max at the same time?

Can We Really Have It All?

If fitness was a business (lol – it sorta is in my life but I’m sure you know what I mean), the sensible answer would be to double down on what you’re already good at. Like a shrewd accountant might advise, “Maximise your strengths, cut the fluff, and focus on the area that yields the highest returns.” If you’ve read the pretty amazing book called “The Pumpkin Plan” by Mike Michalowicz I guess that’s what that WHOLE book is about…doubling down on what works, eliminating what doesn’t (and what you “LIKE” doesn’t come into it!). In fitness terms, that means identifying your primary goal—be it strength, endurance, or flexibility—and putting all your effort into it. Want to improve your deadlift? Maybe it’s time to let go of the daily runs. Dreaming of that sub-4-hour marathon? The heavy back squats might have to take a back seat.

But fitness is more than just achieving a single outcome. It’s a multifaceted pursuit, much like life itself. And just like there’s more to work than income, there’s more to fitness than chasing one result.

As a bit of a post-script, I’m pretty sure I blogged about “The Pumpkin Plan” book a few years ago though I’m not sure it made it across to the new website…in any case, it’s a pretty cool book to read and I would also really recommend “Clock Work” by the same author!

Mental Health impacts?  It’s gotta be F-U-N!!!

If we were to consult someone concerned more with our mental health than our physical PRs, the advice would likely be different. Yes, going ‘all in’ on one goal might optimise your physical results, but it might also strip away the joy of trying new things and solving different challenges. Just as in business, where focusing solely on revenue could stifle innovation and creativity, in fitness, a narrow focus could lead to burnout and a loss of passion.

Sometimes, it’s not just about what your body can achieve but also what keeps your mind engaged and your spirit motivated. Variety can be the spice that keeps you coming back day after day, not just grinding towards a single, defined end…

The Art of Compromise and Commitment

Doubling down on my last point, I get asked these questions all the time:

• “Boxing or strength classes – what works best?”
• “Can I train for a half marathon while still hitting my back squats?”
• “How do I prepare for a triathlon and still do my boxing classes?”

The answer to all these questions isn’t as simple as black and white. It’s always going to be a blend of compromise and commitment. Yes, you can run a half marathon while keeping up with your squats—but perhaps you’ll need to lower your squat weights temporarily as race day draws near – or work in your high volume running days with lower weight/higher rep strength days to avoid risk of injury. You can do triathlon training and still box, but if you are racing on Sunday maybe getting involved in a sled push relay in Saturday’s boxing session isn’t too smart – just back it off a bit and do the session, move the needle without compromising your race-day goals!  It’s about balancing your goals, acknowledging trade-offs, and finding a way to say yes to what excites you without feeling like you’re sacrificing everything else.

What Do You Really Want?

Of course, if your goal is to win the Olympic 100m sprint, then no, you can’t spend half your off-season playing volleyball – that wont cut it.  But if your goal is to win the 100m Sprint in the parents race at the local school athletics carival…well, you can probably afford to diversify your training a little bit! But the real question is: what do you actually want to achieve? Is it a specific outcome, like a medal or a PB, or is it the journey itself—the variety, the excitement, and the joy of solving new problems and tackling fresh challenges?

Maybe the real trick isn’t about achieving a single goal but learning to embrace the chaos, juggling multiple objectives, and finding satisfaction in the complexity of it all.

After all, fitness is not just about reaching the destination but enjoying the ride. And if that means trying to do a little bit of everything along the way—why not?

See you in the gym (doing a bit of ‘everything’!).

Michael.