CrossFit, bodybuilding, Strongman, “influencers” and society as a whole have idolized the hustle culture to an alarming standard. I’ve fallen prey to this myself and using it all as a coping mechanism. Back to back high level competitions, pushing way past my body’s biomechanical feedbacks to slow down, and people don’t like to hear it but eventually your body isn’t going to wait for you to figure it out. It’s going to decide for you, this is enough, you need to chill. Whether that’s illness or injury, there’s going to a breaking point. I hit mine and haven’t looked at “fitness” the same since. It’s wild the things we did on autopilot for years that never seemed unhealthy until you look at them in hindsight. Happy to see you surrendering to the stillness, a little bit. Love this for us 🫶🏻
I left CrossFit after Covid and started training at home and got a peloton and e never thought it was enough. Like it’s ok to do a 30 min spin ride and be done. We don’t need to kill ourselves in workouts each day. This is the best video you have done in quite some time! ❤❤❤ thanks so much Amanda!
Thank you for talking about this!!! I’ve struggled so hard with this very thing. When I transitioned from a coach in an actual CrossFit gym to following programming at home in my home gym if I wasn’t training 6 days a week to the point of injury or burnout I felt so guilty. Then I would force myself to take a break, but then I would have even more guilt, it was a never ending cycle. I also get very upset with the big CrossFit athletes on social media, they are just completely not relatable anymore. It just makes me sad, I miss the old CrossFit days. 😭
I have NEVER related to something more in my life!!! The obsession of ‘having to do more’ is soooo hard to overcome. Thank you so much for talking about this!!! I’ve saved this episode to revisit on those days where I feel like I’m being ‘lazy’. ❤❤
SO RELATABLE! I went through the same thing, I think you’ve been doing it longer than me. But I felt like who I was was so tied to my athletic performance and this hustle culture. It is rife within CrossFit. I’m now trying to build balance in my life and my fitness journey, enjoyment and literally just do CrossFit for health and fitness. To enrich my life 🙌🏻 I only train 4 days a week now and weirdly I’m progressing more. It’s mad.
1000% i agree with you!!! I was a PT/Fitness Instructor for 10 years. I started my journey just doing cardio, then got into the weights and competing, then crossfit, then weights then power lifting, literally everything, then I realised during covid and lockdown that my body was ruined and needed a break, I'm now back doing my cardio daily walks and runs and a quick 30-45min bodyweight or light weight workouts and that's more than enough. I used to spent 2 hours in the gym in the morning then go back once I took the kids to school for and hour then go to work, in a friggin gym and teach/train classes..... it was crazy what I put my body threw, I definitely burnt myself out. I can honestly say I feel and look the best i ever have since I gave the gym away and just started doing my own thing....
Yesss I’ve felt this way coming out of competitive powerlifting. I left competing to focus on my electrical apprenticeship and had the same feelings. Also to add on your intro thoughts, I watch you because you’re so relatable and keep me motivated while I continue training alongside my career 🤙🏼
Someone once told me this and it forever changed my mindset, It's better to leave feeling like you didn't do enough rather than knowing you over did it.
I am one of the average persons that started CrossFit six years ago at 42 to make sure I stay fit, and I totally get what you mean! Some weeks it gets to a point where I feel bad for taking a rest day - so wrong! There is definitely some peer pressure in the box, whether its seeing the progress of others or seeing how often they train. Thanks for speaking out about this!
You've literally described my life, covid and the lockdowns in the UK really hit my for 6 and im finding it so difficult to just not compare both sides of myself, My jobs recently changed and I just cant train as much anymore, so I guess its time to find that balance. Your're GLOWING btw.
As a former collegiate athlete, I can relate to this. I used to eat, breath and sleep hockey and training off the ice. When my career ended I struggled and still continue to struggle to close that phase of my life. I’m trying to accept that I am in a different stage of my life with my energy focused towards other goals in my life.
Thank you for this! I’ve never been a competitive CrossFit athlete-I’ve done two local comps in the scaled division & came in at the middle of the pack 😂 but still felt the pressure to never take a day off, do class & accessory work on my own, extra WODs at home, get 20,000+ steps, count my macros, the whole thing. For what?? Now, I’m a mom, I have other responsibilities. And my chronic back injury has come to the point that I’m facing serious spinal surgery. And I still fight feeling lazy for “only” doing an extended warmup & 10-40 min WOD. It’s so hard!
I’ve been doing CrossFit since 2012 and my mentality on it has changed so much over the past roughly 6 years. I experienced my first real injury along the way, had to take a year off because of it, changed gyms a few times, found my current gym in 2016, got married, got pregnant, did CrossFit my entire pregnancy, now one year postpartum I am re-falling in love with CrossFit because I’ve come so far in learning to accept what I can’t do/shouldn’t do versus really pushing myself. You have to go through the extreme highs and lows of CrossFit to really appreciate it. I’ve seen it evolve over the last 10 years so drastically with the rise of social media but in the end, everyone will have their personal relationship with it and either keep it part of their life or break up with it.
Holy relatable!! I am a former D1 basketball player and when I tell you the absolute SHOCK to my system I experienced going from being that disciplined and “healthy” to being a normal person was soul crushing. I spiraled into a depression and felt so bad about myself because I wasn’t training for 5hrs a day. 😩 I had to have this exact reality check and realize that healthy looks different for every person at every stage of life and whatever works for you is still good enough. Thank you so much for this! 🎉❤
Yes to this! I felt like I was obsessing about my powerlifting workouts and fitness to the point of major anxiety when I missed a workout. Totally feel this !
I had the opportunity to get into CrossFit when it started, and now it’s so popular and kind of clique like that I haven’t started. I do enjoy a lot of Olympic lifts and would like to do it like twice a week. I’m a bodybuilder and I feel like people are willing to be so unhealthy and do drugs to be the “best”. For that, I am a natural athlete and only compete on natural leagues for the joy of the sport. I just enjoy lifting but don’t want to be unhealthy. I am currently trying to learn cleans and handstands just because it’s fun being active. I have also accepted the fact that I’ll never be at the same level unless I want to take drugs which is not for me. I’ll be 39 this month. I feel like you are still way above average and more people can relate to you than to the top athletes.
Been there done that. For me, I found my entire identity in my physical appearance and in the opinions of others. I was in mental bondage. It could be a beautiful day out and yet I would be completely bummed because I missed a day at the gym. Going on six years now bondage free. Life gains over everything now.
BESTIE!!! I’ve been following you for about 3 years and love your content ❤️. Your honesty and straightforwardness are what brings me back. I tried CrossFit for a little over a year and became super obsessed with EVERYTHING! My diet, steps, workout, etc. so I stopped, but then I just stopped everthing😢. This past year I got back into the gym, doing weight lifting, which I love, and I’m just mindful of doing my best to fell good, have my lab work within range, etc! Thanks for being you
My eating disorder absolutely thrived on the hustle/more is better shit. It was okay to be obsessive over food and exercise because it was "dedicated" and then i started to go to treatment. Ive had a lot of difficulties trying to negotiate exercise and food outside of this attitude and ive been inntreatment working at recovery for 10 years now and im still struggling every day. Sometimes i understand why this illness has such a high suicide rate because its like a prison sentence but social media makes it often feel like, with all the fitness people out there, that its ok to go back to that life of obsessive. Its nice to hear people you look up to and compare yourself to, such as yourself, say its not ok and its depleting from your life and making adjustments away from the "do everything" lifestyle is key because its easy to forget sometimes that social media isnt reality
One of, if not THE BEST video you've put out. I love the honesty and the dedication. That being said: ALL of the athletes at the Crossfit Games and a lot of the athletes in lower tier competitions are on PEDs. And whoever thinks otherwise - is sadly just not correct. We (natties) have to be mindful of our bodies and the effort we put in and if you're not a competitive athlete more than one session a day, for 4-5 days a week is just overkill and will burn you to the ground. Been there, done that, never again.
Totally agree! My husband and I participated in and coached CF for over 10 years and the pandemic forced us to switch our fitness modalities to things like trail running, hiking, or lifting in our garage and with it came a huge weight off our shoulders. So far, we haven't looked back. I cringe when I think back to vacations where we went out of our way to go to a CF drop in class or whatever so we wouldn't "fall off"....like missing a few days of lifting is going to undo years of work lol. It is so insane that we weren't ok with walking and/or being active and present in the moment.
i’m in my 4 cf classes/week phase in my life and when i look at sugarwod in the profile>>active days per week>>last 12 months>>all time section and seeing that decline over the months from when i used to go 6x a week! made me feel bad. but this video made me feel better/seen :)
Manders! You speak to me! I, like many others have followed you almost from day 1. There are so many things about you that I love and this video speaks VOLUMES to me. I am waaaaayyyy older, and never was elite but I was in a great place fitness wise that included lots of volume and I struggle with this particular thing. I was thick into CrossFit and health which I’m happy about but it absolutely set a baseline that, like you, now that my life has changed and I cannot fit it all in I feel like I’m constantly trying to get “back”. THANK YOU for sharing. You made my day!! I’ll give myself a break 🤪
Crossfit is a methodology to stay healthy. It's a lifestyle to live longer. For a few it's competition for less than 1/2 of one percent it's the games.
LOVED THIS. I think it’s the same with most fitness niches today, it’s like “got my 4 hour walk on my rest day” lol idk they preach balance but are weirdly obsessed with maintaining energy expenditure, I’m slowly finding my balance and I’m happy you are too Amanda!
All the feelings about this video. Thank you for such an honest and quite honestly vulnerable chat about how CF has been a great motivator but also messing us up as far as expectations vs. reality. I went from working out 6 days a week, sometimes two sessions a day pre-pandemic to having a baby, losing my mother and father and juggling a full time job and a baby while my partner works long hours. I can barely move let alone get to the gym. Your honest conversation reminds me that it’s not all or nothing. My w-a-l-k-s with a stroller, little home workouts and getting to CF 1-2 times a week is ok because it’s where I’m at. You do you boo, love you Manders! *follower since 2015!
This video is spot on and thank you for this. I have had this exact thing happen to me as well. I felt I wasn’t spending enough time at the gym working my weaknesses. Then one day it hit me. I had given up parts of ME (gardening, bike rides, baking, family time, etc.) for WHAT? Another pull-up? I ended up leaving CrossFit for a year. I have been back at it now for 4 years with a HEALTHY attitude. I vowed never again to get “caught up” in that mentality. I love CrossFit and the discipline it has taught me and my children who now do it. But I am in a much happier, healthier headspace. You validated this for me today because I thought I was crazy for being this way.
Omg I love this!!! I’ve always worked out but 6 years ago I got a trainer and loved the heavy lift, I was in the gym 6-7 days a week, very heavy lifting, HIIT, strict macro counting. Then 4 years ago I had to sit back a bit due to buying a house, kid responsibilities. But I was so obsessed I would cry if I couldn’t workout. I ask was getting injured more, if I didn’t have a super hardcore workout it wasn’t enough and I was unhappy how I looked. I became very stressed. I was diagnosed with MCTD ( autoimmune disease) right before Covid and needed to scale back again, so I just workout out at home during the lockdown and started to enjoy the lower key vibe. I did strength training, yoga, Pilates and I realized my body couldn’t handle the intense, obsessive workouts anymore. I was hurting my mental and physical. I am working on walking and strength training 4-5 days a week but lower intensity so my body doesn’t fatigue. I still miss the 6 year ago super fit me, but I’m 6 years older and my body and mind both need to be strong. Thank you for making me feel so much better about me.❤️
Read my mind! I’m in this season of my life where I’ve retired from competitive CrossFit because I am tired and exhausted from feeling dead all the time. Too many injures have starting catching up with me. It’s been a big mental change to slow things down but I have been able to figure out things I actually enjoy more. Aka if butterfly pull-ups hurt my shoulder, I’m not doing them but before my ego and need to do more would have gotten the best of me. CrossFit saved me in some areas but it’s also been terrible for me mentally in other ways. Still trying to figure out a new way to train but at least I’m moving daily 🤷🏼♀️
This right here hit home for me in so many ways. I'm a figure competitor in bodybuilding and the competition has just gotten insane. It's so hard to get where I want to be as a natural athlete at the age of 46. And like you I'm having such a hard time with not feeling guilty when it's a rest day. It's even difficult for me to not track my macros and I'm not even prepping for a show or anything. Thank you for this video. Love this and thank you for this!
Not a crossfittER , lol but I have taken most recently last 7ish years to regroup, relearn, or unlearn habits to help my mental health, break bad habits and become a healthier version of me. This is how we evolve and grow. The transitions help elevate is to become everything we are meant to be. Your channel is so real and uncensored that it's refreshing. Keep doing what you're doing gal! Thanks for your realness.
I can totally relate. 5 years ago I was in the gym 7 days a week and eating perfect on my macros. I would also feel guilty if I slipped up. Now I workout 4-5 days, still track macros, but don’t freak out if I get off track for a day or even a few. If I don’t feel like going to the gym I don’t. But I usually do go because it’s more enjoyable now. I don’t stress over it nearly as much as I used to and am so much happier.
THANK YOU!! I needed to hear this. Like really needed this. I have done CrossFit for a while now and that competitive mentality of mine got me to a place where if I don’t have a heavy loaded intense workout , I beat myself up for it. Exactly how you said it. If I take a rest day “am I being lazy” or the “am I good enough” mentality. It’s just not healthy and unrealistic. Especially in this season of my life , growing a human , it has shown me that stepping back and doing what feels good for me mentally and for my body ; is what matters. My ass is not going to the games?! So killing myself with every workout till im burned out is not ok. Seriously thank you for this. I’ve been trying to figure out what the struggle and issue has been and you nailed it for me.
OMG THIS SOUNDS JUST LIKE Meee!!!! Going through a separation I can’t mentally take the double days anymore I can’t the heavy lifting sessions or the go balls to the wall! I love my peloton bike and I feel like riding isn’t enough I need to raise my heart and sweat more. It’s so silly. So THANK YOU both for letting me know it is a common feeling
I’ve been following your content for years, for all your hauls, life stuff day in the life and all stuff MANDERS. I love the lifestyle aspect of your channel. I have never done CrossFit or have I ever wanted to but I still enjoy your content. It’s about lifestyle, health, wellness and being fit and how vulnerable you are that keeps me coming back!!! Love that you are taking a step back and learning how to slow down and be ok with it. Love it girl!!
Thank you for sharing! I have observed this mentality as an outsider looking into the crossfit culture. Imo, crossfit is better suited for elite, or at least advanced althetes anyway. I coached a class for women "of all fitness levels" for a while and I am glad it didn't work out because it just felt wrong to push these beginners into doing all of these compound movements and greatly risking injury for the sake of making this company money. But I digress. I felt exactly what you feel when my life turned on its head and the first thing to suffer was my fitness. I felt like I had failed as an individual and a coach. But then, why did I train so hard before, when I know I would never do what it takes (PED's) to get a leg up on any competition? So now, having taken a step back, I am building a more balanced approach at not only my own fitlife, but also that which I teach to others.
I am so glad you addressed this. The more is better mentality seems to be the "norm." Have you noticed any changes in your physique since you are scaling back? I think that fear drives us to continue pushing. Have a great day!! 💗
This is spot on, exactly where my mindset is presently. After 11 years of crossfit, I finally made top 11 in my age group ( top 10 after one disqualified, tested positive after the games) The year they only take top 10 not 20. The integrity of the sport side is missing, not holding athletes accountable to meet standards , not reviewing video submissions. Add to that the PED usage that we seem to turn a blind eye to , as a natural athlete I'm totally disillusioned with competing. As a coach and CPT, I try to maintain a healthy balance between having fun, improving fitness, but not to the excessive levels you touched on. So many people drink the koolaid and get hurt by not maintaining a healthy balance.
YES! I love love LOVE CrossFit and the community, but it definitely feels as if the average person trying to balance life and fitness is being pushed out of the sport as a whole. I've made peace with likely never doing a muscle up, and not beating myself up for not doing regular box jumps every time they're called for in a WOD.
Thank you so much for making this video! It’s like you kinda read my mind. I was just talking to a friend last night about going back to a regular wrist watch because I feel like I have become obsessed with closing the rings on my Apple Watch! I know it’s supposed to be helpful but I feel like I shouldn’t be obsessed and feel bad when I don’t close a ring, ya know? It’s nice to hear that someone else is feeling this way too.
Yesssss!!! Totally agree with you. I've been doing crossfit since 2013 and I love it but I always feel this pressure to NOT scale any workouts or push harder than I need to.... the competitive aspect gets to me sometimes and I won't even talk about my body issues (which is Totally my own shit) but I always compare myself with these amazing "pro" crossfitters bodies.
YES YES YES. I recently left a more competitive gym (that houses Games athletes) that always made me feel like that and now I go to another more chill/normal/nicer gym that is more lax and validates the work I put in even though I'm not an elite athlete. The gym is a coping mechanism, NOT therapy :))))
Yes! I feel this way about Jiu Jitsu. For years it was training bjj and lifting everyday. I was also 21 years old with less responsibility and more time. Now that I’m 30 living that lifestyle is just not possible. Injury after injury and now that I’m pregnant and starting a family it’s really forced me to check this mindset I developed being an athlete 😅 and even being pregnant not being able to perform even 50% that I could previously. I find myself not giving myself grace even while PREGNANT 😂 ugh but yes I RELATE to say the least 😅😅 social media has made having hobbies like this stressful for no reason? Like no one can just do a sport anymore it’s like if you’re not training to be at the top what are you doing kind of thing. I always had to take a step back and remind myself I started this before social media was a “thing” and that it truly is a passion. But yea social media ruins everything 😂
Having issues with comparison or feeling like you have to go the extra mile isn't a CrossFit issue, that's personal and will happen in any space you put yourself into. Professionals in the weightlifting, gymnastics, etc. spaces have to lead a different life than "normal" people who do it for fun and don't compete at an athlete level. That involves more time in the gym and tailoring their habits (diet (what they eat), additional hobbies, work/not, etc.). People in the NBA/WNBA do that full time and we can't get mad that we aren't able to do what they can, because they literally do it full time and some people are born with the build and genetics to excel past us "regular" hobbyists. The CrossFit community is a fun space whether you don't do the workouts and just follow the games, occasionally do MURPH or go all in and commit to it as a lifestyle. Similar to a cycle/yoga/barre class, Chain gym, or specialty fitness, you have your chill people and the ones that want to "win".
It has 100% changed and I agree that it’s a slippery slope! It sucks because I would like to compete for fun maybe in a scaled or intermediate division. I finally have a coach and train for max two hours a day but most of the time 1.5 hours and it will take me longer to progress but that’s all I can do and don’t want to start hating it by overtraining. This video definitely helps to not feel bad or that your not good enough! Thank you so much for being raw and honest!
wow, I can relate so much! it's like you put it in clear words for so many of us thank you! when life happened to me and I couldn't train intensely anymore I was depressed for the first time in my life, and basically believed I was a luser... a few years later decided to find a new box and a new community that is all about a sane healthy lifestyle and not about who is the most badass. you are still a fantastic role model- your opening up about it is precisely why!
Yes I totally agree!! I was just talking about this too, how I struggle with the mindset that I need to be training for something but like you said, you literally can’t compete in CrossFit, just doing classes!
Oof. As a used to be elite power lifter and ok ish weightlifter who recently moved on to just “healthy lifestyle” focused….this is so accurate. It’s even hard to relate to my friends who are still in these sports because I’ve moved on.
I'm a couple of years older than you and I also hit that point in my life when hard workouts every day is not attainable. I was also upset with myself whenever I wasn't exercising as much. Since then I have transitioned to more laid back exercises. Our bodies change as we age and I love how you made a video for this because it's a really frustrating time that nobody in the fitness world talks about! I do a lot more pilates and walking now and I don't burn as many calories as before, but I am okay with that. :) I never was into Crossfit; I watch your videos because I love your nutrition content and your favorites!
Inspirational. I didn't crossfit as such but got into metcon and bootcamp routines heavily for just over 5 years before and after covid lockdown. On top of running, weightlifting, other cardio, etc. The metcon/bootcamp classes were just the end of the gym day. Great through mid 40s...not so much fun into early 50s when you hit the reality that recovery wasn't happening nearly as fast as it used to. But it helped put me on track to face some nagging relationship and career issues also.
As a triathlete I can 100% relate to this! I often tell people that my perception of reality is skewed because I don’t feel healthy/fit unless I’m in peak race condition
Yikes!! I’ve been doing CrossFit since 2015 and NEVER felt this way in my local box. In fact our head coach discouraged me from tying to attain some kind of high expectation for myself. It was and is about quality movement and improving functionality. My takeaway from CrossFit was being consistent in my workouts and eating food that wasn’t garbage.
Thank you for sharing! I feel exactly the same, i've been on a "program" for 1 year. I lost the joy for crossfit for a while. Now i'm doing classworkouts only and i feel super happy and healthy! 😁
I totally agree with what you said. CrossFit is a great way to get, be, and stay in shape. I do believe there are many who compete that are not natural. I will continue to train CrossFit and enjoy watching and coaching it even though that is true. Good video!
Hi! I'm still struggling with the anxiety and never enough mentality crossfit gave me and I've been out of it for 3 years. It didn't help that my coach made me feel like a sack every time I couldn't do or complete something, even as a diabetic and an asthmatic. I'm even struggling with really bad anxiety during hot yoga classes to this day because of it. There are so many pros to crossfit, but the mental toll makes me regret ever doing it.
This past year I have been feeling like the daily programming, even when scaled, is just so unattainable for the “average” CrossFit gym goers. It makes it unenjoyable and I’ve noticed a lot of athletes losing motivation. Hearing you put it into perspective like this, on how it’s gotten so much more competitive over the years definitely makes sense. It’s not fun or about a healthy lifestyle anymore.
I agree that MANY of the sports that are geared towards the "normal" person has moved into that realm of PEDs to be competitive. Perhaps it is the judges, organizations, or pressures of social media that has pushed "everyday" athletes into that bigger and better at any cost mentality. Awarding the athlete that are outside the "standards" that pushes the level outside the grasps of natural, parents, 9 to 5 humans. I'm not sure what needs to be done to get these standards back to the levels that were originally set or back to a "non-professional" level so that the every day Joe or Flo could be successful and stand on the podium.
Just WOW. Thank you for this! I only did Crossfit for a couple of months and felt sucked in! So I completely agree with you. Plus, you've made me think about my own habits and feelings wrt "activeness", even though I'm more in the bodybuilding world - it also has its own messed up thinking in ways.
I am not an elite level athlete. I do CrossFit words at my own pace as the CF community suggests for those who want to improve their health. I love watching the CrossFit games and am so inspired by their achievements.
I started doing CrossFit about 4 years ago and finally had to just take a step back. I am very athletic but would just continue to beat myself up if I couldn’t do what other could in my gym. Then it felt like you were kind of pushed to the side if you were not at the top. I have 4 kids (one is autistic), 2 jobs and a husband that I need to be present for but also felt that I needed to work out a couple times a day to maintain or even try and be at the level of others in the gym. I was extremely hard on myself.
I really support your thoughts on not being an elite athlete and therefore not needing to train like an elite athlete. You can just train for fun or train to be more healthy and that’s fine! What bothers me is that you are saying you can’t sustain that pace and recover that fast because you are not on steroids or any substance; at least to me it sounds like you are taking the merit away from those of us that do train with that intensity because then we must be on steroids or else we wouldn’t be able to handle it, and that’s just not true. Again and respectfully I think that if you can’t or don’t want to train like that it is fine but please don’t demerit those of us (by hinting we are probably on steroids) who beside other things (personally I’m a med student) also make time to train as intensely as we can
I needed to hear this more than I knew. I am not in CrossFit but when you mentioned using fitness as a coping mechanism it hit home! Because, like you, my life has shifted and I am getting angry at not meeting those goals instead of meeting me where I am now. Thank you for being real and letting us know we are not alone in this. ❤
Hi I just came across your video and I must say your comments are the most honest comments I have heard on you tube apart from Andrew hiller, very refreshing and honest glad to hear your comments very interesting keep up the good work Paul 🏴😊
That was so helpful. I feel this same way if I miss a day of running and like you I have other things 3 kids, a job, and a husband. I knew it wasn’t healthy my need to run to feel healthy but it’s sooo helpful to know others struggle this same way. Thank you
Won't lie. You are spot on with looking up to these athletes and TRYING so hard to be natural and get to their level while having life happen. I have my wife, 3 kids, a full time job, coach crossfit and also try to train and look like the athletes we see. Legit have been thinking I'm not producing enough T that maybe I need my levels checked and maybe need TRT. But for all I know I just have a terrible ruined headspace. Thank you for your video.
I’m constantly surprised how many friends I have who watch the cross fit games think all of those female athletes are completely natty…and compare their bodies to what they see on tv. Thank you for sharing this!!
I feel like when Crossfit became more about the race than the methodology, is when it fundamentally changed in a way that impacted the entire community, some for the better and some for the worse. I love the methodology, but like a ton of other people, at 50 y/o and having spent 26 years in the military I have mobility challenges and some nagging chronic issues that prevent me from performing at a level that I "thought" I had to perform at to consider myself fit. What I have come to realize is that I am more fit than the vast majority of people in my age bracket, and I need to scale workouts appropriate to my capabilities and focus on the quality of my workout over the quantity of my repetitions, loads, etc. I appreciate your commentary around the perception of being fit and being healthy. I can attest that I have met many people are fit, but aren't healthy.
I love this video. People don't talk about this nearly enough. I love the mentality that CrossFit gave me because now I work out where before I did nothing. But I am like you if I don't do a workout I feel like a failure even if it's just one day. I don't know about people taking steroids in CrossFit but I'm going to guess that there is some sort of genetic distillation that is happening over time it's very frustrating to the rest of us but the truth is we are all built differently.
Thank YOU!!! I’ve felt this way the last couple of years and to have friends that compete high level around me is very hard mentally making me feel lazy. I actually just started taking my Fitbit off as well and it’s already helping!!! Love your videos girl ❤
Hiiii I rarely comment on videos I wanted to say, yes, people need to stop thinking these competitors are natural and can train the volume/ intensity they are without the help. If that’s not something you desire, you need to be honest with your fitness level and choose to honor and accept that!
Feeling this way too. Need to scale back for better recovery. Warped sense of what’s normal. Was my birthday yesterday. Getting older. Need to focus on long haul.
I can relate to this SO MUCH. I am on my 9th year of crossfit and it’s been almost two years since I’ve competed and it’s the happiest I’ve been in this space. Like.. I was killing myself for WHY? So I could take third to last place in the intermediate level of WZA one time? Gurl bye lol. I don’t regret anything because it made me who I am today but I enjoy fitness soooo much more now ❤ we love an evolving Manders
Thank you so much, I am 58 years old, work 12 hr shifts, and love cross fit but I have chosen not to go to a gym any longer and bought my own equipment and squat rack to work out at home and scale my workouts to fit my life so I don't feel like a looser if I don't sprawl out on the floor or vomit after a workout. I got tired of saying I don't want to push that hard and hear you can do it, yes I can but I choose not to. Sorry to rant but so glad you brought it up.
Thank you for this! Sooo relatable at this point in my life, u nailed it on the head. Happy to hear your self reflection has changed some of your previous views. I’m there with you Manders. Hope you have a wonderful week!💛
This video is SPOT ON. it’s hard AF to be a “normal” person in competitive CrossFit. It’s insane how many people are on some sort of PEDs at the average CrossFit competition. And it’s mostly people who say “oh I get testosterone from my local doctor because my hormones are off”. Yeah, okay 😂. Anyways, as always your video is super relatable & I appreciate you speaking your truth!❤
This is actually funny, because like 2 months ago I had to move cities and leave my crossfit gym. I was devastated, because I truly loved the people there and the only place for fitness available in the town I'm living in now was a regular bodybuilding style gym, but what was I gonna do, so I signed up there and started doing the usual lower body/upper body split + some cardio 4 days a week. Before that I was basically killing myself doing crossfit classes 6 days a week + weight training and accessories after classes, and still feeling like I'm not doing enough. Because wtf, at this point I should be at THAT level, am I really so goddamn weak? Yeah, turns out I just couldn't recover and therefore wasn't progressing. Everyday soreness and exhaustion went away. My mind cleared and my sleep improved. The using of fitness as a coping mechanism is absolutely a real thing and I feel like crossfit definitely encourages the all or nothing mindset. I can relate to everything you said in the video and totally agree, thank you for discussing this! ❤
I’ve never done CrossFit, but former bikini competitor and it’s absolutely a part of that culture too. I haven’t competed in years but it’s taken a LONG time to really be ok with doing “normal” fitness volume & intensity and not feel shitty about it. It’s like body dysmorphia but with intensity/expenditure/workouts. It’s super frustrating but in the long run (especially with getting older) it will be beneficial to take those steps back. I’m in my mid thirties and I’d be kidding myself if I thought I could train how I used to and not get injured 🤣
I have accepted that I’m not the best and I’ll always struggle to climb to be great at anything. Most of that big name workouts I can’t complete with a good time, but I love the challenge. I have some obsessive traits, but my workouts haven’t been a part of that.
I love you 😭😭 thank you so much for all the content you put out - you have helped me more times than I could count and I wear my 25 kg necklace every day 💖
I’m 50 yo, love CrossFit, but told all of the coaches that I’m never giving my score out after class again and I refuse to post it on SugarWOD. This gives me the space to NOT feel as if I have to go balls to the wall in every wod. I can be intense if I want…or not. And no one but ME will know! It has helped me so much to chill the eff out🤣
Hey thank you for sharing This I think there’s more in life that only train eat and sleep, it got me into depression just by doing that… mental health is very important and not a lot of people talk about this thanks God I realize a lot of thing and now I enjoy working out again
I'm a mom of 5 I love crossfit and struggle with finding a gym with women like me. I don't fit in with the elites and the young kids that don't work 40 hrs and manage 5 teenagers and a husband. Not only that but I found myself being more critical about my 44 yr old squishy body while these young woman were killing it. I have been diagnosed with fibromialga and I am struggling getting back to the gym because I'm embarrassed to start over.
I appreciate this video so much!!!!!!! I started watching you early on maybe like 2012/13? I lived in lake worth and thought omg a beautiful girl my age and she’s doing CrossFit! So I started at CrossFit 561. And no offense to you AT ALL but as the years whet on and you got more and more into CrossFit, I felt like I was behind and couldn’t keep up with the way I should be doing CrossFit because I could only go to one class 4 days a week. And then one day I fell off the wagon all together. And now I’m stuck in a cycle of not feeling good enough because watching the games has become insane (still love it). But hearing you say all of this was very very humbling ❤❤❤
Great video and also feel like this applies to bodybuilding as well. I know I felt the same exact way after competing. Like I always had to eat and workout perfect to maintain the shredded look I had on stage. Like CrossFit, all the elite bodybuilders take HRT , ext. to get to the highest level which makes it impossible for a natural competitor to compete at the top level. Great video Manders! Also so happy to see you upbeat and thriving in your new home and environment 😊
Recovering CrossFit addict/washed up college athlete here. Just entered my walks & yoga phase. Thanks for making me feel normal ❤️
CrossFit, bodybuilding, Strongman, “influencers” and society as a whole have idolized the hustle culture to an alarming standard. I’ve fallen prey to this myself and using it all as a coping mechanism. Back to back high level competitions, pushing way past my body’s biomechanical feedbacks to slow down, and people don’t like to hear it but eventually your body isn’t going to wait for you to figure it out. It’s going to decide for you, this is enough, you need to chill. Whether that’s illness or injury, there’s going to a breaking point. I hit mine and haven’t looked at “fitness” the same since. It’s wild the things we did on autopilot for years that never seemed unhealthy until you look at them in hindsight. Happy to see you surrendering to the stillness, a little bit. Love this for us 🫶🏻
Agree 100%
I left CrossFit after Covid and started training at home and got a peloton and e never thought it was enough. Like it’s ok to do a 30 min spin ride and be done. We don’t need to kill ourselves in workouts each day. This is the best video you have done in quite some time! ❤❤❤ thanks so much Amanda!
Right!! I had this EXACT same mentality!
Thank you for talking about this!!! I’ve struggled so hard with this very thing. When I transitioned from a coach in an actual CrossFit gym to following programming at home in my home gym if I wasn’t training 6 days a week to the point of injury or burnout I felt so guilty. Then I would force myself to take a break, but then I would have even more guilt, it was a never ending cycle.
I also get very upset with the big CrossFit athletes on social media, they are just completely not relatable anymore. It just makes me sad, I miss the old CrossFit days. 😭
I have NEVER related to something more in my life!!! The obsession of ‘having to do more’ is soooo hard to overcome. Thank you so much for talking about this!!! I’ve saved this episode to revisit on those days where I feel like I’m being ‘lazy’. ❤❤
SO RELATABLE! I went through the same thing, I think you’ve been doing it longer than me. But I felt like who I was was so tied to my athletic performance and this hustle culture. It is rife within CrossFit. I’m now trying to build balance in my life and my fitness journey, enjoyment and literally just do CrossFit for health and fitness. To enrich my life 🙌🏻
I only train 4 days a week now and weirdly I’m progressing more. It’s mad.
1000% i agree with you!!! I was a PT/Fitness Instructor for 10 years. I started my journey just doing cardio, then got into the weights and competing, then crossfit, then weights then power lifting, literally everything, then I realised during covid and lockdown that my body was ruined and needed a break, I'm now back doing my cardio daily walks and runs and a quick 30-45min bodyweight or light weight workouts and that's more than enough. I used to spent 2 hours in the gym in the morning then go back once I took the kids to school for and hour then go to work, in a friggin gym and teach/train classes..... it was crazy what I put my body threw, I definitely burnt myself out. I can honestly say I feel and look the best i ever have since I gave the gym away and just started doing my own thing....
Yesss I’ve felt this way coming out of competitive powerlifting. I left competing to focus on my electrical apprenticeship and had the same feelings. Also to add on your intro thoughts, I watch you because you’re so relatable and keep me motivated while I continue training alongside my career 🤙🏼
Someone once told me this and it forever changed my mindset, It's better to leave feeling like you didn't do enough rather than knowing you over did it.
I am one of the average persons that started CrossFit six years ago at 42 to make sure I stay fit, and I totally get what you mean! Some weeks it gets to a point where I feel bad for taking a rest day - so wrong! There is definitely some peer pressure in the box, whether its seeing the progress of others or seeing how often they train.
Thanks for speaking out about this!
You've literally described my life, covid and the lockdowns in the UK really hit my for 6 and im finding it so difficult to just not compare both sides of myself, My jobs recently changed and I just cant train as much anymore, so I guess its time to find that balance. Your're GLOWING btw.
As a former collegiate athlete, I can relate to this. I used to eat, breath and sleep hockey and training off the ice. When my career ended I struggled and still continue to struggle to close that phase of my life. I’m trying to accept that I am in a different stage of my life with my energy focused towards other goals in my life.
Thank you for this! I’ve never been a competitive CrossFit athlete-I’ve done two local comps in the scaled division & came in at the middle of the pack 😂 but still felt the pressure to never take a day off, do class & accessory work on my own, extra WODs at home, get 20,000+ steps, count my macros, the whole thing. For what?? Now, I’m a mom, I have other responsibilities. And my chronic back injury has come to the point that I’m facing serious spinal surgery. And I still fight feeling lazy for “only” doing an extended warmup & 10-40 min WOD. It’s so hard!
I’ve been doing CrossFit since 2012 and my mentality on it has changed so much over the past roughly 6 years. I experienced my first real injury along the way, had to take a year off because of it, changed gyms a few times, found my current gym in 2016, got married, got pregnant, did CrossFit my entire pregnancy, now one year postpartum I am re-falling in love with CrossFit because I’ve come so far in learning to accept what I can’t do/shouldn’t do versus really pushing myself. You have to go through the extreme highs and lows of CrossFit to really appreciate it. I’ve seen it evolve over the last 10 years so drastically with the rise of social media but in the end, everyone will have their personal relationship with it and either keep it part of their life or break up with it.
Holy relatable!! I am a former D1 basketball player and when I tell you the absolute SHOCK to my system I experienced going from being that disciplined and “healthy” to being a normal person was soul crushing. I spiraled into a depression and felt so bad about myself because I wasn’t training for 5hrs a day. 😩 I had to have this exact reality check and realize that healthy looks different for every person at every stage of life and whatever works for you is still good enough. Thank you so much for this! 🎉❤
Yes to this! I felt like I was obsessing about my powerlifting workouts and fitness to the point of major anxiety when I missed a workout. Totally feel this !
I had the opportunity to get into CrossFit when it started, and now it’s so popular and kind of clique like that I haven’t started. I do enjoy a lot of Olympic lifts and would like to do it like twice a week. I’m a bodybuilder and I feel like people are willing to be so unhealthy and do drugs to be the “best”. For that, I am a natural athlete and only compete on natural leagues for the joy of the sport. I just enjoy lifting but don’t want to be unhealthy. I am currently trying to learn cleans and handstands just because it’s fun being active. I have also accepted the fact that I’ll never be at the same level unless I want to take drugs which is not for me. I’ll be 39 this month. I feel like you are still way above average and more people can relate to you than to the top athletes.
Been there done that. For me, I found my entire identity in my physical appearance and in the opinions of others. I was in mental bondage. It could be a beautiful day out and yet I would be completely bummed because I missed a day at the gym. Going on six years now bondage free. Life gains over everything now.
BESTIE!!! I’ve been following you for about 3 years and love your content ❤️. Your honesty and straightforwardness are what brings me back. I tried CrossFit for a little over a year and became super obsessed with EVERYTHING! My diet, steps, workout, etc. so I stopped, but then I just stopped everthing😢. This past year I got back into the gym, doing weight lifting, which I love, and I’m just mindful of doing my best to fell good, have my lab work within range, etc! Thanks for being you
My eating disorder absolutely thrived on the hustle/more is better shit. It was okay to be obsessive over food and exercise because it was "dedicated" and then i started to go to treatment. Ive had a lot of difficulties trying to negotiate exercise and food outside of this attitude and ive been inntreatment working at recovery for 10 years now and im still struggling every day. Sometimes i understand why this illness has such a high suicide rate because its like a prison sentence but social media makes it often feel like, with all the fitness people out there, that its ok to go back to that life of obsessive.
Its nice to hear people you look up to and compare yourself to, such as yourself, say its not ok and its depleting from your life and making adjustments away from the "do everything" lifestyle is key because its easy to forget sometimes that social media isnt reality
One of, if not THE BEST video you've put out. I love the honesty and the dedication. That being said: ALL of the athletes at the Crossfit Games and a lot of the athletes in lower tier competitions are on PEDs. And whoever thinks otherwise - is sadly just not correct. We (natties) have to be mindful of our bodies and the effort we put in and if you're not a competitive athlete more than one session a day, for 4-5 days a week is just overkill and will burn you to the ground. Been there, done that, never again.
Totally agree! My husband and I participated in and coached CF for over 10 years and the pandemic forced us to switch our fitness modalities to things like trail running, hiking, or lifting in our garage and with it came a huge weight off our shoulders. So far, we haven't looked back. I cringe when I think back to vacations where we went out of our way to go to a CF drop in class or whatever so we wouldn't "fall off"....like missing a few days of lifting is going to undo years of work lol. It is so insane that we weren't ok with walking and/or being active and present in the moment.
i’m in my 4 cf classes/week phase in my life and when i look at sugarwod in the profile>>active days per week>>last 12 months>>all time section and seeing that decline over the months from when i used to go 6x a week! made me feel bad. but this video made me feel better/seen :)
Manders! You speak to me! I, like many others have followed you almost from day 1. There are so many things about you that I love and this video speaks VOLUMES to me. I am waaaaayyyy older, and never was elite but I was in a great place fitness wise that included lots of volume and I struggle with this particular thing. I was thick into CrossFit and health which I’m happy about but it absolutely set a baseline that, like you, now that my life has changed and I cannot fit it all in I feel like I’m constantly trying to get “back”. THANK YOU for sharing. You made my day!! I’ll give myself a break 🤪
Crossfit is a methodology to stay healthy. It's a lifestyle to live longer. For a few it's competition for less than 1/2 of one percent it's the games.
LOVED THIS. I think it’s the same with most fitness niches today, it’s like “got my 4 hour walk on my rest day” lol idk they preach balance but are weirdly obsessed with maintaining energy expenditure, I’m slowly finding my balance and I’m happy you are too Amanda!
All the feelings about this video. Thank you for such an honest and quite honestly vulnerable chat about how CF has been a great motivator but also messing us up as far as expectations vs. reality. I went from working out 6 days a week, sometimes two sessions a day pre-pandemic to having a baby, losing my mother and father and juggling a full time job and a baby while my partner works long hours. I can barely move let alone get to the gym. Your honest conversation reminds me that it’s not all or nothing. My w-a-l-k-s with a stroller, little home workouts and getting to CF 1-2 times a week is ok because it’s where I’m at. You do you boo, love you Manders! *follower since 2015!
This video is spot on and thank you for this. I have had this exact thing happen to me as well. I felt I wasn’t spending enough time at the gym working my weaknesses. Then one day it hit me. I had given up parts of ME (gardening, bike rides, baking, family time, etc.) for WHAT? Another pull-up? I ended up leaving CrossFit for a year. I have been back at it now for 4 years with a HEALTHY attitude. I vowed never again to get “caught up” in that mentality. I love CrossFit and the discipline it has taught me and my children who now do it. But I am in a much happier, healthier headspace. You validated this for me today because I thought I was crazy for being this way.
Omg I love this!!! I’ve always worked out but 6 years ago I got a trainer and loved the heavy lift, I was in the gym 6-7 days a week, very heavy lifting, HIIT, strict macro counting. Then 4 years ago I had to sit back a bit due to buying a house, kid responsibilities. But I was so obsessed I would cry if I couldn’t workout. I ask was getting injured more, if I didn’t have a super hardcore workout it wasn’t enough and I was unhappy how I looked. I became very stressed. I was diagnosed with MCTD ( autoimmune disease) right before Covid and needed to scale back again, so I just workout out at home during the lockdown and started to enjoy the lower key vibe. I did strength training, yoga, Pilates and I realized my body couldn’t handle the intense, obsessive workouts anymore. I was hurting my mental and physical. I am working on walking and strength training 4-5 days a week but lower intensity so my body doesn’t fatigue. I still miss the 6 year ago super fit me, but I’m 6 years older and my body and mind both need to be strong. Thank you for making me feel so much better about me.❤️
Read my mind! I’m in this season of my life where I’ve retired from competitive CrossFit because I am tired and exhausted from feeling dead all the time. Too many injures have starting catching up with me. It’s been a big mental change to slow things down but I have been able to figure out things I actually enjoy more. Aka if butterfly pull-ups hurt my shoulder, I’m not doing them but before my ego and need to do more would have gotten the best of me. CrossFit saved me in some areas but it’s also been terrible for me mentally in other ways. Still trying to figure out a new way to train but at least I’m moving daily 🤷🏼♀️
This right here hit home for me in so many ways. I'm a figure competitor in bodybuilding and the competition has just gotten insane. It's so hard to get where I want to be as a natural athlete at the age of 46. And like you I'm having such a hard time with not feeling guilty when it's a rest day. It's even difficult for me to not track my macros and I'm not even prepping for a show or anything. Thank you for this video. Love this and thank you for this!
Not a crossfittER , lol but I have taken most recently last 7ish years to regroup, relearn, or unlearn habits to help my mental health, break bad habits and become a healthier version of me. This is how we evolve and grow. The transitions help elevate is to become everything we are meant to be. Your channel is so real and uncensored that it's refreshing. Keep doing what you're doing gal! Thanks for your realness.
I can totally relate. 5 years ago I was in the gym 7 days a week and eating perfect on my macros. I would also feel guilty if I slipped up. Now I workout 4-5 days, still track macros, but don’t freak out if I get off track for a day or even a few. If I don’t feel like going to the gym I don’t. But I usually do go because it’s more enjoyable now. I don’t stress over it nearly as much as I used to and am so much happier.
THANK YOU!! I needed to hear this. Like really needed this. I have done CrossFit for a while now and that competitive mentality of mine got me to a place where if I don’t have a heavy loaded intense workout , I beat myself up for it. Exactly how you said it. If I take a rest day “am I being lazy” or the “am I good enough” mentality. It’s just not healthy and unrealistic. Especially in this season of my life , growing a human , it has shown me that stepping back and doing what feels good for me mentally and for my body ; is what matters. My ass is not going to the games?! So killing myself with every workout till im burned out is not ok. Seriously thank you for this. I’ve been trying to figure out what the struggle and issue has been and you nailed it for me.
YESS absolutely!!!!!
OMG THIS SOUNDS JUST LIKE Meee!!!! Going through a separation I can’t mentally take the double days anymore I can’t the heavy lifting sessions or the go balls to the wall! I love my peloton bike and I feel like riding isn’t enough I need to raise my heart and sweat more. It’s so silly. So THANK YOU both for letting me know it is a common feeling
I’ve been following your content for years, for all your hauls, life stuff day in the life and all stuff MANDERS. I love the lifestyle aspect of your channel. I have never done CrossFit or have I ever wanted to but I still enjoy your content. It’s about lifestyle, health, wellness and being fit and how vulnerable you are that keeps me coming back!!! Love that you are taking a step back and learning how to slow down and be ok with it. Love it girl!!
Agree!!!
I agree! I if and have competed in bodybuilding but I follow her for lifestyle, food and fitness.
Thank you for sharing! I have observed this mentality as an outsider looking into the crossfit culture. Imo, crossfit is better suited for elite, or at least advanced althetes anyway. I coached a class for women "of all fitness levels" for a while and I am glad it didn't work out because it just felt wrong to push these beginners into doing all of these compound movements and greatly risking injury for the sake of making this company money. But I digress. I felt exactly what you feel when my life turned on its head and the first thing to suffer was my fitness. I felt like I had failed as an individual and a coach. But then, why did I train so hard before, when I know I would never do what it takes (PED's) to get a leg up on any competition? So now, having taken a step back, I am building a more balanced approach at not only my own fitlife, but also that which I teach to others.
I am so glad you addressed this. The more is better mentality seems to be the "norm." Have you noticed any changes in your physique since you are scaling back? I think that fear drives us to continue pushing. Have a great day!! 💗
I think so too! I do think I have a bit "softer" of a look, but that could just be me being harder on myself!!
This is spot on, exactly where my mindset is presently. After 11 years of crossfit, I finally made top 11 in my age group ( top 10 after one disqualified, tested positive after the games) The year they only take top 10 not 20. The integrity of the sport side is missing, not holding athletes accountable to meet standards , not reviewing video submissions. Add to that the PED usage that we seem to turn a blind eye to , as a natural athlete I'm totally disillusioned with competing. As a coach and CPT, I try to maintain a healthy balance between having fun, improving fitness, but not to the excessive levels you touched on. So many people drink the koolaid and get hurt by not maintaining a healthy balance.
Everyone needs to give themselves some grace. Especially when life throws curveballs.
YES! I love love LOVE CrossFit and the community, but it definitely feels as if the average person trying to balance life and fitness is being pushed out of the sport as a whole. I've made peace with likely never doing a muscle up, and not beating myself up for not doing regular box jumps every time they're called for in a WOD.
Thank you so much for making this video! It’s like you kinda read my mind. I was just talking to a friend last night about going back to a regular wrist watch because I feel like I have become obsessed with closing the rings on my Apple Watch! I know it’s supposed to be helpful but I feel like I shouldn’t be obsessed and feel bad when I don’t close a ring, ya know? It’s nice to hear that someone else is feeling this way too.
Same!!! I feel like a lazy cow if I don’t get those steps/close my rings and get 2 hours of workouts in. Glad I’m questioning this behavior.
Yesssss!!! Totally agree with you. I've been doing crossfit since 2013 and I love it but I always feel this pressure to NOT scale any workouts or push harder than I need to.... the competitive aspect gets to me sometimes and I won't even talk about my body issues (which is Totally my own shit) but I always compare myself with these amazing "pro" crossfitters bodies.
After needing surgery due to shredding my knee during the 1000 weighted box step ups workout, I definitely had to take a step back and reevaluate!
YES YES YES. I recently left a more competitive gym (that houses Games athletes) that always made me feel like that and now I go to another more chill/normal/nicer gym that is more lax and validates the work I put in even though I'm not an elite athlete. The gym is a coping mechanism, NOT therapy :))))
Yes! I feel this way about Jiu Jitsu. For years it was training bjj and lifting everyday. I was also 21 years old with less responsibility and more time. Now that I’m 30 living that lifestyle is just not possible. Injury after injury and now that I’m pregnant and starting a family it’s really forced me to check this mindset I developed being an athlete 😅 and even being pregnant not being able to perform even 50% that I could previously. I find myself not giving myself grace even while PREGNANT 😂 ugh but yes I RELATE to say the least 😅😅 social media has made having hobbies like this stressful for no reason? Like no one can just do a sport anymore it’s like if you’re not training to be at the top what are you doing kind of thing. I always had to take a step back and remind myself I started this before social media was a “thing” and that it truly is a passion. But yea social media ruins everything 😂
Having issues with comparison or feeling like you have to go the extra mile isn't a CrossFit issue, that's personal and will happen in any space you put yourself into. Professionals in the weightlifting, gymnastics, etc. spaces have to lead a different life than "normal" people who do it for fun and don't compete at an athlete level. That involves more time in the gym and tailoring their habits (diet (what they eat), additional hobbies, work/not, etc.). People in the NBA/WNBA do that full time and we can't get mad that we aren't able to do what they can, because they literally do it full time and some people are born with the build and genetics to excel past us "regular" hobbyists. The CrossFit community is a fun space whether you don't do the workouts and just follow the games, occasionally do MURPH or go all in and commit to it as a lifestyle. Similar to a cycle/yoga/barre class, Chain gym, or specialty fitness, you have your chill people and the ones that want to "win".
Yeah except for the fact that you're not going to an NBA gym with NBA players working alongside them :)
True, but you can be in a gold gym, planet fitness and be amounts body builders, sculpt queens, and people competing in various areas
It has 100% changed and I agree that it’s a slippery slope! It sucks because I would like to compete for fun maybe in a scaled or intermediate division. I finally have a coach and train for max two hours a day but most of the time 1.5 hours and it will take me longer to progress but that’s all I can do and don’t want to start hating it by overtraining. This video definitely helps to not feel bad or that your not good enough! Thank you so much for being raw and honest!
wow, I can relate so much! it's like you put it in clear words for so many of us thank you! when life happened to me and I couldn't train intensely anymore I was depressed for the first time in my life, and basically believed I was a luser... a few years later decided to find a new box and a new community that is all about a sane healthy lifestyle and not about who is the most badass. you are still a fantastic role model- your opening up about it is precisely why!
Yes I totally agree!! I was just talking about this too, how I struggle with the mindset that I need to be training for something but like you said, you literally can’t compete in CrossFit, just doing classes!
Oof. As a used to be elite power lifter and ok ish weightlifter who recently moved on to just “healthy lifestyle” focused….this is so accurate. It’s even hard to relate to my friends who are still in these sports because I’ve moved on.
Proud of you always.
The brain is so complex and we can be so hard on ourselves and not realize it.
It’s just a new season of life 👏❤️
The freedom that comes with NOT wearing your fit bit / Apple Watch… girl… it is liberating!!
I'm a couple of years older than you and I also hit that point in my life when hard workouts every day is not attainable. I was also upset with myself whenever I wasn't exercising as much. Since then I have transitioned to more laid back exercises. Our bodies change as we age and I love how you made a video for this because it's a really frustrating time that nobody in the fitness world talks about! I do a lot more pilates and walking now and I don't burn as many calories as before, but I am okay with that. :)
I never was into Crossfit; I watch your videos because I love your nutrition content and your favorites!
Inspirational. I didn't crossfit as such but got into metcon and bootcamp routines heavily for just over 5 years before and after covid lockdown. On top of running, weightlifting, other cardio, etc. The metcon/bootcamp classes were just the end of the gym day. Great through mid 40s...not so much fun into early 50s when you hit the reality that recovery wasn't happening nearly as fast as it used to. But it helped put me on track to face some nagging relationship and career issues also.
As a triathlete I can 100% relate to this! I often tell people that my perception of reality is skewed because I don’t feel healthy/fit unless I’m in peak race condition
YESSSSS
Yikes!! I’ve been doing CrossFit since 2015 and NEVER felt this way in my local box. In fact our head coach discouraged me from tying to attain some kind of high expectation for myself. It was and is about quality movement and improving functionality. My takeaway from CrossFit was being consistent in my workouts and eating food that wasn’t garbage.
Yep! Not for everyone :)
Thank you for sharing! I feel exactly the same, i've been on a "program" for 1 year. I lost the joy for crossfit for a while. Now i'm doing classworkouts only and i feel super happy and healthy! 😁
I totally agree with what you said. CrossFit is a great way to get, be, and stay in shape. I do believe there are many who compete that are not natural. I will continue to train CrossFit and enjoy watching and coaching it even though that is true. Good video!
Hi! I'm still struggling with the anxiety and never enough mentality crossfit gave me and I've been out of it for 3 years. It didn't help that my coach made me feel like a sack every time I couldn't do or complete something, even as a diabetic and an asthmatic. I'm even struggling with really bad anxiety during hot yoga classes to this day because of it. There are so many pros to crossfit, but the mental toll makes me regret ever doing it.
This past year I have been feeling like the daily programming, even when scaled, is just so unattainable for the “average” CrossFit gym goers. It makes it unenjoyable and I’ve noticed a lot of athletes losing motivation. Hearing you put it into perspective like this, on how it’s gotten so much more competitive over the years definitely makes sense. It’s not fun or about a healthy lifestyle anymore.
I agree that MANY of the sports that are geared towards the "normal" person has moved into that realm of PEDs to be competitive. Perhaps it is the judges, organizations, or pressures of social media that has pushed "everyday" athletes into that bigger and better at any cost mentality. Awarding the athlete that are outside the "standards" that pushes the level outside the grasps of natural, parents, 9 to 5 humans. I'm not sure what needs to be done to get these standards back to the levels that were originally set or back to a "non-professional" level so that the every day Joe or Flo could be successful and stand on the podium.
I think so too!!! It's INSANE. Even at INTERMEDIATE level WODAPALOOZA - the top girls are insane.
Just WOW. Thank you for this! I only did Crossfit for a couple of months and felt sucked in! So I completely agree with you. Plus, you've made me think about my own habits and feelings wrt "activeness", even though I'm more in the bodybuilding world - it also has its own messed up thinking in ways.
I am not an elite level athlete. I do CrossFit words at my own pace as the CF community suggests for those who want to improve their health. I love watching the CrossFit games and am so inspired by their achievements.
Awesome, good for you!!
I started doing CrossFit about 4 years ago and finally had to just take a step back. I am very athletic but would just continue to beat myself up if I couldn’t do what other could in my gym. Then it felt like you were kind of pushed to the side if you were not at the top. I have 4 kids (one is autistic), 2 jobs and a husband that I need to be present for but also felt that I needed to work out a couple times a day to maintain or even try and be at the level of others in the gym. I was extremely hard on myself.
I really support your thoughts on not being an elite athlete and therefore not needing to train like an elite athlete. You can just train for fun or train to be more healthy and that’s fine! What bothers me is that you are saying you can’t sustain that pace and recover that fast because you are not on steroids or any substance; at least to me it sounds like you are taking the merit away from those of us that do train with that intensity because then we must be on steroids or else we wouldn’t be able to handle it, and that’s just not true. Again and respectfully I think that if you can’t or don’t want to train like that it is fine but please don’t demerit those of us (by hinting we are probably on steroids) who beside other things (personally I’m a med student) also make time to train as intensely as we can
I needed to hear this more than I knew. I am not in CrossFit but when you mentioned using fitness as a coping mechanism it hit home! Because, like you, my life has shifted and I am getting angry at not meeting those goals instead of meeting me where I am now. Thank you for being real and letting us know we are not alone in this. ❤
Hi I just came across your video and I must say your comments are the most honest comments I have heard on you tube apart from Andrew hiller, very refreshing and honest glad to hear your comments very interesting keep up the good work
Paul 🏴😊
That was so helpful. I feel this same way if I miss a day of running and like you I have other things 3 kids, a job, and a husband. I knew it wasn’t healthy my need to run to feel healthy but it’s sooo helpful to know others struggle this same way. Thank you
Won't lie. You are spot on with looking up to these athletes and TRYING so hard to be natural and get to their level while having life happen. I have my wife, 3 kids, a full time job, coach crossfit and also try to train and look like the athletes we see. Legit have been thinking I'm not producing enough T that maybe I need my levels checked and maybe need TRT. But for all I know I just have a terrible ruined headspace. Thank you for your video.
I’m constantly surprised how many friends I have who watch the cross fit games think all of those female athletes are completely natty…and compare their bodies to what they see on tv. Thank you for sharing this!!
I feel you... I'm not elite and the bar to be one of the best is always rising. I'm still obsessed with CrossFit chasing my full potential.
I feel like when Crossfit became more about the race than the methodology, is when it fundamentally changed in a way that impacted the entire community, some for the better and some for the worse. I love the methodology, but like a ton of other people, at 50 y/o and having spent 26 years in the military I have mobility challenges and some nagging chronic issues that prevent me from performing at a level that I "thought" I had to perform at to consider myself fit. What I have come to realize is that I am more fit than the vast majority of people in my age bracket, and I need to scale workouts appropriate to my capabilities and focus on the quality of my workout over the quantity of my repetitions, loads, etc. I appreciate your commentary around the perception of being fit and being healthy. I can attest that I have met many people are fit, but aren't healthy.
I love this video. People don't talk about this nearly enough. I love the mentality that CrossFit gave me because now I work out where before I did nothing. But I am like you if I don't do a workout I feel like a failure even if it's just one day. I don't know about people taking steroids in CrossFit but I'm going to guess that there is some sort of genetic distillation that is happening over time it's very frustrating to the rest of us but the truth is we are all built differently.
Love this. Thanks for being so honest. I've taken steps back from fitness influencers myself for this very reason.
Thank YOU!!! I’ve felt this way the last couple of years and to have friends that compete high level around me is very hard mentally making me feel lazy. I actually just started taking my Fitbit off as well and it’s already helping!!! Love your videos girl ❤
I HAD TO STOP WEARING MY FITBIT TOO. Has done loadssss for my mental health. 👏
Hiiii
I rarely comment on videos
I wanted to say, yes, people need to stop thinking these competitors are natural and can train the volume/ intensity they are without the help.
If that’s not something you desire, you need to be honest with your fitness level and choose to honor and accept that!
Feeling this way too. Need to scale back for better recovery. Warped sense of what’s normal. Was my birthday yesterday. Getting older. Need to focus on long haul.
I can relate to this SO MUCH. I am on my 9th year of crossfit and it’s been almost two years since I’ve competed and it’s the happiest I’ve been in this space. Like.. I was killing myself for WHY? So I could take third to last place in the intermediate level of WZA one time? Gurl bye lol. I don’t regret anything because it made me who I am today but I enjoy fitness soooo much more now ❤ we love an evolving Manders
Thank you so much, I am 58 years old, work 12 hr shifts, and love cross fit but I have chosen not to go to a gym any longer and bought my own equipment and squat rack to work out at home and scale my workouts to fit my life so I don't feel like a looser if I don't sprawl out on the floor or vomit after a workout. I got tired of saying I don't want to push that hard and hear you can do it, yes I can but I choose not to. Sorry to rant but so glad you brought it up.
Thank you for this! Sooo relatable at this point in my life, u nailed it on the head. Happy to hear your self reflection has changed some of your previous views. I’m there with you Manders. Hope you have a wonderful week!💛
This video is SPOT ON. it’s hard AF to be a “normal” person in competitive CrossFit. It’s insane how many people are on some sort of PEDs at the average CrossFit competition. And it’s mostly people who say “oh I get testosterone from my local doctor because my hormones are off”. Yeah, okay 😂.
Anyways, as always your video is super relatable & I appreciate you speaking your truth!❤
More Manders podcasts!! 😂 Also where is that gray crop from?? It looks so cozy!
You’re 100% spot on with all this, and it’s the reason I stopped doing CF
Wow...This is so (too) relatable! Thank you so much for sharing this video, and putting this into words 💕
Thank you so much for sharing this, I really needed it. You’re an inspiration. Cheers babe ❤️ looking forward to more….
This is actually funny, because like 2 months ago I had to move cities and leave my crossfit gym. I was devastated, because I truly loved the people there and the only place for fitness available in the town I'm living in now was a regular bodybuilding style gym, but what was I gonna do, so I signed up there and started doing the usual lower body/upper body split + some cardio 4 days a week. Before that I was basically killing myself doing crossfit classes 6 days a week + weight training and accessories after classes, and still feeling like I'm not doing enough. Because wtf, at this point I should be at THAT level, am I really so goddamn weak? Yeah, turns out I just couldn't recover and therefore wasn't progressing. Everyday soreness and exhaustion went away. My mind cleared and my sleep improved. The using of fitness as a coping mechanism is absolutely a real thing and I feel like crossfit definitely encourages the all or nothing mindset. I can relate to everything you said in the video and totally agree, thank you for discussing this! ❤
Yep!! trust me, I get this 100%!
Love this video, and it explains why I could never get into CrossFit in the first place 😂 way too much pressure! I love my peloton classes at home 😊
I’ve never done CrossFit, but former bikini competitor and it’s absolutely a part of that culture too. I haven’t competed in years but it’s taken a LONG time to really be ok with doing “normal” fitness volume & intensity and not feel shitty about it. It’s like body dysmorphia but with intensity/expenditure/workouts. It’s super frustrating but in the long run (especially with getting older) it will be beneficial to take those steps back. I’m in my mid thirties and I’d be kidding myself if I thought I could train how I used to and not get injured 🤣
YES!! that's exactly the way to put it - body dysmorphia but with intensity of workuots!!!!
I have accepted that I’m not the best and I’ll always struggle to climb to be great at anything. Most of that big name workouts I can’t complete with a good time, but I love the challenge. I have some obsessive traits, but my workouts haven’t been a part of that.
In my town there are two crossfit boxes in the same building separated by a chiropractors office. I imagine he does a booming business.
Thank you so much for this. I needed it. Everything you felt or feel I do as well. We beat down on ourselves.
I love you 😭😭 thank you so much for all the content you put out - you have helped me more times than I could count and I wear my 25 kg necklace every day 💖
I’m 50 yo, love CrossFit, but told all of the coaches that I’m never giving my score out after class again and I refuse to post it on SugarWOD. This gives me the space to NOT feel as if I have to go balls to the wall in every wod. I can be intense if I want…or not. And no one but ME will know! It has helped me so much to chill the eff out🤣
Hey thank you for sharing This I think there’s more in life that only train eat and sleep, it got me into depression just by doing that… mental health is very important and not a lot of people talk about this thanks God I realize a lot of thing and now I enjoy working out again
I'm a mom of 5 I love crossfit and struggle with finding a gym with women like me. I don't fit in with the elites and the young kids that don't work 40 hrs and manage 5 teenagers and a husband. Not only that but I found myself being more critical about my 44 yr old squishy body while these young woman were killing it.
I have been diagnosed with fibromialga and I am struggling getting back to the gym because I'm embarrassed to start over.
I appreciate this video so much!!!!!!! I started watching you early on maybe like 2012/13? I lived in lake worth and thought omg a beautiful girl my age and she’s doing CrossFit! So I started at CrossFit 561. And no offense to you AT ALL but as the years whet on and you got more and more into CrossFit, I felt like I was behind and couldn’t keep up with the way I should be doing CrossFit because I could only go to one class 4 days a week. And then one day I fell off the wagon all together. And now I’m stuck in a cycle of not feeling good enough because watching the games has become insane (still love it). But hearing you say all of this was very very humbling ❤❤❤
I agreed with you... your body can not take the damage....your body needs to heal ...and that takes time...
Yep!! it's near impossible when you're natural
Great video and also feel like this applies to bodybuilding as well. I know I felt the same exact way after competing. Like I always had to eat and workout perfect to maintain the shredded look I had on stage. Like CrossFit, all the elite bodybuilders take HRT , ext. to get to the highest level which makes it impossible for a natural competitor to compete at the top level.
Great video Manders! Also so happy to see you upbeat and thriving in your new home and environment 😊
I definitely struggled with this too after I stopped competing. It's such a mental game to deal with. I love your videos so much! ♥