“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)
Every year, the CrossFit Games—the world’s premier fitness competition featuring the top 50 men and women from around the globe—aims to crown one of each as “The Fittest on Earth.” For the past four years, the “Fittest Man on Earth” title has belonged to Rich Froning, a devout Christian who recognizes Jesus as “the reason for everything” and has Galatians 6:14 boldly tattooed on his side.
CrossFit has inspired millions to test their personal limits and train in new, community-driven ways. Dr. Landan Webster, a good friend of mine, is one of those millions.
As a chiropractor and former collegiate athlete, Webster understands the athlete’s body. So, when he took up CrossFit, he had a bit of an advantage. He enjoyed some early success, qualifying in the South Central Regionals as part of a team and then as an individual in 2012 and 2013. He was training alongside some incredibly fit athletes who pushed each other to be their best, but, in his own words, “I never had a mentor. I never gave anyone else permission to truly coach me, evaluate me, or help me get to the next level.”
Webster realized a fundamental truth that with a mentor, we can be so much better, so much sooner. The best coaches have been where we want to go and are willing to walk with us in our journey. They do as much showing as telling; trust and confidence are earned through showing. When we put what our mentor shows us into practice and get results, we begin to believe.
In 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV), Paul encourages believers to “follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” Paul was the ultimate mentor. He lived his life in plain view for all to see, and he encouraged others to imitate him.
Webster gave his mentors permission to push him. He asked them to show and tell, critique everything, fully engage. The mentors checked their egos at the gym door and did everything they could to get everything out of him. Webster believed he had 10 percent more inside of him, but he needed their knowledge, motivation, encouragement and belief to get it out.
Legendary Dallas Cowboys head coach and FCA staple Tom Landry once said, “Leadership is getting someone to do what they don’t want to do, to achieve what they want to achieve.”
The best mentors know our current capacity and can see our future capabilities. They’re not limited by our doubtful or discouraging thoughts and feelings, but instead are driven by their belief in us. Most of our limits originate in our minds. Our self-talk and thoughts from the enemy can prevent us from pushing and overcoming obstacles. Coaches (the good ones) know how to speak encouraging words of life. They understand that words have the power of life and death.
The best mentors believe in you more than you believe in yourself. Great coaches know how to get that extra 10 percent of effort and commitment. They know how to prepare you for challenges, and also how to push you beyond your limits and prepare you to overcome. Ultimately, Webster’s mentors were the catalyst he needed to get that extra 10 percent and finish in the top 48 in his region. As a full-time doctor and part-time CrossFitter, that was an amazing accomplishment.
The best mentors maximize your time, because they separate facts from fiction. Mentors pass on truth that has been proven. They don’t have time for guesswork, and neither do you.
We cannot do life alone if we want to be our best for God. We will not instinctively get stronger, work harder, seek more or grow unless we have a mentor to show and tell. Those folks don’t have to be perfect (and they never are), but that’s even better, because we often learn as much from their mistakes as we do from their successes.
Personally, I’ve relied on mentors in almost every area of life: spiritual, physical, relational, mental, emotional and financial. When you give mentors permission to push, you will grow. You will get healthier in all aspects of life, and you will get that extra 10 percent to become the person God made you to be.
Go find a mentor. Find someone you trust with your health. Give them permission to lead, guide and push you to be your best. That’s what coaches are there for—to get that extra 10 percent and make you so much better, so much sooner.
–This article appears in the March/April 2015 issue of FCA Magazine. To view the issue in its entirety digitally, click here: March/April 2015 FCA Mag Digital
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