What Lifting Taught Me About Leading Myself (Part 1 of 3)

PRESS! ONE MORE REP! DRIVE!

These are the things I used to shout at myself (internally, mostly 😅) when grinding through heavy reps at the gym—especially when chasing a new PR. For a while, it worked. Like I’d discovered some secret mental judo: firing up my neurons, squeezing out more strength, sharpening my focus just enough to make it count.

But eventually, the injuries started stacking up. Turns out that secret edge had its limits.

I approached work the same way. Longer hours. Pushing harder. Taking pride in being the one who always got more done—no matter the cost. Skip breaks. Slam energy drinks. Prioritize everyone else’s needs above my own. I told myself it was worth it.

Until it wasn’t.

The health issues crept in, just like the overuse injuries from lifting. Fatigue. Burnout. That feeling like you’re sprinting on a treadmill that’s only speeding up. I had to face the truth: intensity without intention will always catch up to you—whether in the gym or in life.

What changed?

I started treating my lifts—and my life—with more respect.

I began visualizing every step.

Controlling my breath instead of letting it control me.

Choosing alignment over adrenaline.

Zooming out to see the bigger picture, then working my way back to the present moment with clarity and purpose.

That’s when everything started to click.

Lifting progress surged. Injuries slowed to a near halt.

And most importantly—I started leading myself.

Not from a place of hype, but from a place of grounded discipline.

Not through force, but through focus.

We don’t talk about this enough:

Sometimes the person you need to lead most… is you.

This is part one of a three-part series on what lifting taught me about life, leadership, and personal growth.