Don't Be Afraid - Mike Miller

[Firehawk]

The Mule (Mike Miller) wrote this: I picked it up over on Steroidology.com. He frequents that board, as do alot of other record holders in powerlifting. I post it in here because i think more people look in this forum than in the "powerlifting" forum. It applies to anyone weightlifting .

For those who dont' know who Mike Miller is, he holds the all time world record for a competition squat. I think it's 1175 lbs.

Don’t Be Afraid
I was about to attempt a 1,000 Lb. squat. This was the first time I had ever been under this much weight. I was in the gym surrounded by a bunch of big ass powerlifters whom I trusted to spot me, as they had all be around this kind of thing many times before. Bob Youngs myself, Jim Wendler and Bill Crawford had just gotten done giving a two day seminar and now everyone was working out.
I was a little on edge but I felt pretty strong and very confident in those around me. As I grabbed the bar and began to grit my teeth, I pulled in my last breath of air I heard a deep, gritty voice , grumble DON’T BE AFRIAD!!! Yeah that’s right what the f--- why should I be afraid. At that moment those 3 words pulled me together more than any advice or any psych up I had ever done. More than any smack on the back more than a crack in the mouth just 3 simple words, DON”T BE AFRAID, do what you need to do to get your job done and do not let fear rule your ability. As I completed the lift I felt really good inside, not only because I had squatted a 1,00lbs.
But I did it without fear. Don’t’ be afraid is more than just sound lifting advice it’s a way to live your day to day life, it’s an attitude, not cocky or arrogant, but self assured and confident. It’s a way to be, a way to make decisions. I have always kind of lived life by the seat of my pants and I could think of no better motto by which to live. Ever since the day I heard those words for the first time I have kept them with me, I write DBA on the front of my sneakers so that is the last thing I see before I make a lift.
We make decisions every day, some that are important life altering ones some not so important ones, but regardless I will do them without fear. As we all get further along in our powerlifting careers several things start to happen, the weight gets a little heavier, recuperation time gets longer and everything we do has an impact on our lifting. Mental toughness is paramount for not just advanced athletes but beginners as well. When I started lifting what it took to get me to me “there” is much different than what I do know. I used to go through a big psych up with a lot of shouting slapping and carrying on, now I wait until I get under the bar and focus my attention on the lift, there are very few antics involved in my lifting. I found it not only to be a waste of energy but over stimulation can directly effect concentration. I know allot of you are thinking this is much easier said then done and I will admit there are plenty of times that I have walked up on the platform only to be met with a vicious case of jello legs or the shakes.
Most of us are worried about doing well and we of course want to beat our pr’s and do well in front of our peers. Those who have sponsors also want to maintain them and make a good appearance for them as well. But these are the times that will make you stronger, time to overcome your fears and put it all aside, focus on the good lifts you have made in the past, it’s normal to see your self making a bad lift or to visualize something negative but if you can turn that thought around and remember a good day when the weight felt light and you crushed your lift, I’m sure the outcome of the lift your about to perform will be the same. Visualization is a very powerful tool and can absolutely change the outcome of any sporting event.
Don’t be afraid, of the weight, of yourself, your ability to go beyond what you think is your best. Every time you train and you think you’ve put it all out there put 20lbs more on and do another set. When you get out there on the platform, it’s just you, the bar and the weight; make it do what you want it to not what it wants you to do, take control of your lifts and command the weight and above all else DON’T BE AFRAID!!!

[Axion]

Good read.
On monday I was getting set to do some heavy dead lifts, I had 315 racked up and had never quite woked with that weight for reps before so i just told my self that this weight was going up for 4 reps and that was final...and it worked.