Cults, communities and CrossFit

May 2019 was a big month for me. I joined a cult. A year later and I can safely say it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.

Strange rituals completed on a regular basis? Check. Frequent encouragement and cheering from fellow cultists? Check. The need to run around sweaty and half naked? Check. Constant questioning looks from non-cult members (especially the neighbours during lockdown)? Check.

May 2019 was the month I joined Jolly Sailor CrossFit. Cults, CrossFit - same thing right?

I won’t go into the details of why discovering CrossFit has been so good for me (I fully appreciate it isn’t for everyone). But what I will say is the community I’ve become part of has become a massive part of my life. And it’s something that’s become invaluable during lockdown life.

From support through to challenges, it’s been a true source of strength - a rock to cling to while the storm rages. It helps it’s full of like minded people, there’s an amazing culture, and it’s full of inspiring athletes. It makes me want to get better, to be better, and to help others do the same. 

I finished the 10,000 kettlebell swing challenge last week. It took me 21 days and I had a month to do it (although when I first started I thought the challenge was to do it in 20 days, hence the pace I set!). I received some touching words of praise from my coaches about my motivation which was great. But, the thing is, training is now such an integral part of my life - and I love it - that I didn’t struggle with motivation (apart from the day I was exhausted and it was raining!).

If you do something long enough and often enough it becomes a habit. And building positive habits - no matter how small they are - can be life changing. They have been for me. I’m incredibly fortunate I’ve been able to run, cycle, throw weights around, swing kettlebells and everything else in between throughout lockdown. It’s been made much easier because I was already in the habit of training every day but also because of that community around me.

And I believe, right now, there are few things more important than having strong communities - whatever shape or form they take - in our lives.

With many things currently being put in place to support social distancing, we’re going to be separated from other people, at least for the foreseeable future. To a certain extent, we’re going to be starved of connections. Being part of a community (or a number of different ones) is a step to keeping us connected to others - and it’s vital we don’t lose sight of what this gives us.

It’s not just training where having a strong community around me has brought benefits. I wouldn’t be able to do my job if I hadn’t built strong relationships and a community of people I work with.

In my eyes, it’s the most important thing any freelancer or someone thinking about pursuing a freelance career should do.

It’s not about networking events (I don’t go to them), or dishing out business cards (I don’t have any), or chasing sales (I’ve never done it) - it’s about asking what you can do to help others and focussing your energy on building great relationships.

Of course you need ability, of course you need a strong work ethic, and of course you need a slice of luck every now and then, but never underestimate the power of trying to do the right things for the right reasons. 

Give without expecting anything back. Listen without having your own agenda. Help without being asked to do it. Reinforce positive habits every day and I promise they’ll make your life richer, fuller, and more rewarding. And the communities you’re part of will be better places for it.

It’s hard to do right now - but like someone wiser than me once said, nothing worth doing is easy.

And while being part of a community is amazing - I still miss my cult and cannot wait for the next time I can get sweaty and half naked with some of the best people I know.