Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
“For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.” (2 Timothy 1:6-8)
Scrolling Instagram at the beginning of the year, I came across a CrossFit competition that piqued my interest. I sent the link to two of my coaches and they both told me to go for it. It was six months away but included skills I had yet to accomplish, much less master. It was intimidating.
In the words of one of those coaches: “I believe in doing at least one thing a year that is scary or out of the comfort zone athletically, personally, and/or professionally. I think these things push us and make us grow and learn the most.”
I signed up 一 not exactly sure how I would be able to handstand walk or do ring muscle ups in six months and secretly hoping they would not be in the workouts. Every CrossFit competition has different workouts programmed specifically for that competition based on standards released at sign up, so there was a chance these movements would not be chosen this year. Both ended up being in the competition.
Relying on Faith
My journey with CrossFit has always been one of faith and taking one step at a time. I set goals but trust the process more than anything. Signing up for this competition was no different. Every in-person competition I had participated in before it, I had a partner and was confident of my abilities to meet the standards. Taking a step out of my comfort zone to try something new encouraged me to build strength, skills, and confidence in my abilities without a partner.
As the competition neared, I practiced the workouts. I knew which ones would be my strengths and which ones were weaknesses. They would all be a challenge, especially as I realized the level of athletes who were in my division, but I loved that.
Getting More Uncomfortable
I realized the most uncomfortable part of the weekend was going to be doing it alone. Not only was I signed up as an individual (rather than as a partner), but, due to other commitments and responsibilities, no one I knew would be at the competition with me. This hit me harder than I expected.
CrossFit teaches you how to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Up to this point, most of my experience with this was physical: workouts, movements, and barbell weights beyond my current abilities. With the support of the community and others’ belief in me, I kept showing up, kept trying, and I have been able to do things I never would have dreamed. The idea of competing without any members of my team physically there was hard.
Competition Day
The first day of the competition came. I got in my car in the dark, started the hour-long drive with the Rosary, and found peace knowing that God was with me. He has led me through this CrossFit journey (a much longer story than can be written here), and I knew this competition would be no different. As I neared Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak had a perfect purple glow from the morning sunrise 一 fitting for a competition called the “Purple Mountain Throwdown.” My nerves turned to excitement. I would be spending the weekend doing what I loved, focused on being the best I could be, and not worried about anyone else.
A Retreat
The competition weekend became a sort of retreat. This sounds a bit like an oxymoron. How exactly can loud music, banging barbells, and adrenalin rushes be a retreat? My daily life often requires jumping from task to task without fully finishing any of them: putting something on hold to help a child; making dinner while mediating a fight between two kids; coordinating schedules that seem to completely conflict and making them work. I love it. God has truly blessed me with an incredible life. However, the mental chaos is exhausting. Being able to focus on one single task at a time was refreshing. Not having to hold conversations or consider what others might need was freeing. Sitting in the sunshine between events, resting, and thanking God for this opportunity was rejuvenating. Amid all that, I was able to push myself to my limits, test my body, and compete in something I truly love.
I started the competition with an event win, earning a leader’s jersey. I debated about wearing the jersey for the next event, but 一 nudged by a text from a coach reminding me that this weekend was about pushing myself out of my comfort zone一 I put it on. I don’t like being in the spotlight. I tend to feel like I am bragging or prideful when I share my successes, but (as I noted in a previous article) that is something I am working to overcome. I truly believe when we show others what is possible, they too will strive to be better.
Day one ended with a rather rough workout for me, including two torn hands from the pullup bar; but it also ended just in time to make Mass. I walked into Mass, very sweaty and still in workout clothes. I sat in the back and marveled at the beauty of the Church and by extension the glory of God, who authored the exact weekend I needed.
Me Vs Me
Day two started with two events I knew would be struggles for me. As we warmed up, it was clear the other women were far ahead of me on these skills. However, I was able to mentally switch to a “me versus me” mentality. I knew I would not win these events, but that did not mean I could not beat myself. I walked 180 feet on my hands in one workout and completed four ring muscle ups in the other, improving my personal bests on both.
Supporting One Another
As the weekend continued, a few of my competitors became friends. Yes, we still all wanted to beat each other, but at the same time we were cheering for each other, holding each other to high standards, and pushing each other to higher achievements. One of the reasons I love competing is it shows me where I am, where I need to improve, where I have improved, and where I am doing better than I thoughtt. I was also cheered on by friends from my gym and my family through texts and Facebook posts. They may not have been physically there, but they were there in spirit, encouraging me through each event.
Time to Rest
This competition concluded a four-month season of eight competitions. To say I was exhausted is an understatement, but I was also deeply grateful for the opportunities and the growth, not just within CrossFit but within myself. Pushing myself to my limits, outside of where I am comfortable, teaches me about who God created me to be. More than that, it forces me to rely on Him, to trust His plans, and to surrender.
I believe we must say yes to situations that are uncomfortable. Truly living as a Catholic in today’s society can be pretty uncomfortable, but I believe we can learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable, and maybe that is truly how God created us to be.
“The world offers you comfort. But you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness.” – Pope Benedict XVI*
*There is some debate on whether this quote is mistranslated or actually from Pope Benedict XVI. It looks like the original quote was, “The ways of the Lord are not easy, but we were not created for an easy life, but for great things, for goodness.”
Erica Mathews is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional with Financial Counseling Associates, a family-owned financial planning and investment management firm. She helps relieve financial stress with organization, automation and a plan, helping others manage their finances so they can live as God is calling them to. She lives in Colorado with her husband and four kids; they love CrossFit, rock climbing, gardening, and exploring. Erica’s email is erica@fca-inc.com