What’s your motivation? Really, stop right now and think about it. What makes you open your eyes in the morning, and put one foot in front of the other as you walk to the kitchen, your kids room, the shower? This is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately relative to my goals that I would like to achieve in the next 5-10 years. One goal in particular that I’ve been concentrating on a lot lately is my physical strength. Having a 5 year old and a 1 year old is like having two only children. It requires physical stamina to keep up with one who won’t stop running and one who is working with all his might to get there. So, in order to maintain my strength, and yes, my sanity too at times, I’ve been hitting the gym almost every day.
I love group classes. I consider myself to be a leader in many ways, but when it comes to exercise, I am more than happy to follow. One class in particular that I have made part of my regular routine is Greg Capper’s spin class at the Elite Sports Club-North Shore location. Let me just tell you now; calling this a class really doesn’t seem appropriate. It goes way beyond that. Greg was born to lead and inspire motivation. I walk in the room for the workout, but I come back every time for his stories, the people, and the inspiring environment that he is able to create instantly without what seems to be any effort at all.
Greg doesn’t just teach classes. He leads and motivates teams. He has most likely “forgotten” more about exercise than I will ever know. He’s one of those rare breeds who is able to spit out endless information without batting a lash to the point where I often forget that my cadence has been above 80 for the last 5 minutes. But a few weeks ago, he said something to our class that I know I will never forget. It struck a chord and endlessly relevant in every aspect of our lives.
Commitment Created by Curiosity.
Initially, the phrase seemed a bit abstract and cerebral. Maybe I was having a really bad week and was craving extra inspiration. Or maybe it was just that I was actually paying attention that day (I have been known to zone out in class on occasion). But those words stuck with me through the duration of the class, and the day, and through the week.
“Commitment created by curiosity.” This is why I work out. Finish lines no longer motivate me. My journeys no longer end with simple achievements. I am curious how strong I can become, discovering my physical limits, and I’m even more curious to see how far I can push myself beyond what I know to be comfortable and familiar. How strong can I become? What is my body really capable of?
It doesn’t end there.
“Commitment created by curiosity.” Now more than ever, I’m curious and committed to learning how present I can be for my friends, my family, and myself. It is so easy to become lost and comfortable in the daily routines. I am certainly guilty. But days turn to weeks, which can turn to years of becoming comfortable and even lost to what makes us happy at our core; what makes us look forward to another day, because routine and comfort all to easily allow us to resign our future to that which we are most familiar. Remember this. It is never too late to commit to learning more about the person we are, and more importantly, the person we want to become.
All it took was that first step into the gym to ignite my curiosity as to what happens beyond my own personal finish line. If you need a place to start, I invite you to join Greg’s “spin team” at Elite Sports Club-North Shore. You may just leave with a new mantra. At the very least you’ll leave with a great workout and a great story or two.
What’s the motivation for your goals in life? What ignites that motivation? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Written by Susan Madden – Elite Sports Clubs member, mom, and guest blogger.