31. Iron Man Mental Toughness for Every-Day People

31. Iron Man Mental Toughness for Every-Day People Endure It Sports Club (ranked 6th internationally) owner and Ironman Top Ranking female competitor, Sara Fix, joins Kefi L!fe to mentally inspire all of us to our personal finish line!  Sara competing in Ironman with daughter Olivia cheering her on   Today's Lexi:  Σίδερο — Sídero (Iron)   Sara being interviewed   In this episode:  This week Sara Fix, a fiercely competitive and mentally sharp athlete, shares her story of participating and placing in 28 Ironman Triathlons, and now preparing for her 30th, only 3 weeks away.   Ironman is one of a series of long-distance races organized by the World Triathlon Corporation, consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride and a marathon 26.22 mile run raced in that order.   Today, Sara, an athletic champion in every way, talks about the mental grit associated with one of the most difficult one-day sporting events in the world.   As a 7th place ranking female in her age group in the world, Sara is privy to information that can address mental toughness in athletics and in life, and this she does during the episode.   Sara addresses the process of Ironman participation and qualification.   How does one qualify for an event like this?   She tells us about workarounds to obstacles and the  most exhilarating moment in Ironman.  How does training for a race like this parallel life?  Sara’s 3 Tips to succeed with athletic events and specifically Ironman. 1 - FAMILY FIRST!  Attack your fitness preparation and execution goals by including, not excluding, significant others.  Involving loved ones will create and inspire a long-term lifestyle sport vs a conducting a short term goal.  People often think they should hide their training and activity level. They try to fit it in and end up frustrating themselves and their family. The key is to expose the hard work. Make a calendar for the family to see. This way your family and loved ones know what you are doing, and they see the sacrifice. I agree your training should not be on their time it should be early mornings, evenings when things are winding down, times when your family is doing something that does not require your attention. If, you fit your training in and they see you are doing it when it does not affect then they are more receptive. Then there are no secrets, and you can ask for help on days you might need a little more time. Sharing in the journey also allows them the opportunity to get involved… maybe take a swim, ride, or a run with you. Finally, encourage your family to come watch your events they will then have a visual of what compromise, dedication, hard work and commitment to a goal looks like. They will enjoy seeing that you too can work hard. It’s called walking the walk- leading by example and it is priceless 2 - LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE  Surround yourself with like-minded people who help to create camaraderie and community.  This will ensure it becomes lifestyle long term goal.  Honestly there is nothing you can do for long periods of time without support. Triathlon training has a reputation for being selfish. This reputation started years and years ago. Like any sport golf, tennis, swimming, horseback riding and skiing they take lots of training to be good and there are existing outlets that have been established like clubs, resort, schools, and training centers allowing community around these activities.  Triathlon unfortunately did not have those establishments in place so, people originally spent the hours swimming, biking, and running alone. All you need is your equipment and a road. So, people did not have to join clubs, resorts etc. to practice.  Training can get alienating and isolating. So, I along with others created clubs and put training groups into place to provide community, camaraderie, and assistance in perfecting people’s ability to swim, bike and run. Historically, look at any sport it becomes mainstream and “normal” when you can join a group and enjoy the activity. That is what I have created with developing Endure It Sports and Endure It Triathlon Club. You are part of a group learning a skill, perfecting it, and competing. This will not only allow the sport of triathlon to flourish but, people’s desire to do the sport is met for years.   3 - NUTRITION Train your brain (mental), train your body (physical), a very important component is that nutrition, which fuels the mind and the body!!! Nutrition for athletes requires a specific individual plan. The key is to practice consumption of carbs, liquid, electrolytes, sodium, calories all IN TRAINING.  On race day, your body should be familiar with absorbing the calories.  A very specific outline of sodium mg, ounces of fluid based on seat rate and calories primarily made up of carbs to keep firing your system and burning fats too.  This nutritional process is created and practiced over and over in all conditions, so you are ready to meet any challenge and be prepared for the conditions of race day. Recovery is huge and vital, and it requires hydration and plenty of protein.   Remember to fuel like an athlete, fuel your body to be strong and healthy.  Food is not a mere comfort indulgence, but rather to fill voids.  Use food like you use gasoline for a car to run and keep going.   Finally, join Sara and the entire crew from Endure It Sports on Thanksgiving morning 2021 for the Beat The Bird Race.  Links below.     Today's Ola Kala Moment: Today’s Ola Kala Moment includes four tips to make it to the endzone!    Resources: endure it! - Beat the Bird Race Beat the Bird Race Registration IronMan   Credits: Music: Spiro Dussias Graphic Designer: Susan Jackson O’Leary   Please be sure to follow the Kefi L!fe podcast to ensure that you are Ola Kala in mind, body and soul.  Insta: kefilife365 For a natural and uplifting support with your health and wellness connect with Kiki to discover the beauty of essentials oils. My.doterra.com/kefilife   This episode made possible in part by: The Law Offices of Liston & Tsantilis —  Ranked #1 https://www.ltlawchicago.com and Kingdom Farms Whole Sale Meats https://www.kingdomfarms.com   This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. None of the information should be construed as medical advice. Users are encouraged to seek professional medical assistance for any significant health-related matters.