Physical strength is a mental decision. All of human performance is quite frankly.
If I time a mile on a track it’s not going to be good, yet if I pop out at the wrong trail head I can easily run 2 miles back to the truck at a good pace.
Lately I’ll be out of breath walking up stairs, my personality can be very tense sometimes, and I’ll be holding my breath unnecessarily.
I could walk onto a wrestling mat and by my second practice not gas at all though.
It’s so situational and all mental.
My physical performance, both positive and negative, is easily seen as correlated to my mind.
Am I relaxed? Flow state? Amped? Showing off? Tense? Thinking too much?
I’ve carried shit at work showing far more strength than I’ve ever done in the gym.
Wrestling strength and gas is so easy the second “this is live” clicks.
I don’t need warmups as I’ve never thought I’ve needed them.
Frankly I have huge mental blocks on the barbell. It’s the only reason my numbers aren’t higher. Occasionally I’ve gotten through the block. The difference is crazy.
“Show mode.”
Physical strength is a mental decision.
Relatedly I say everyone is better off going hard on high reps.
A strength base is built with volume, not low rep specialization and peaking.
Work involves serious time under tension. Gym? Not so much.
You’re gonna muscle up with the high reps, and after building up to a respectable minutes long 20rm everything lower rep is going to be very very easy physically and even easier mentally.
500 doesn’t sound like much once you’ve gone 315 for 20.
Most of physical performance is simply a lack of mental blocks.
Choose to be strong and you will be. Be strong by choice, and train with what you’ve got. Always.
Persistence & Tenacity