I’ve been reading Developing the Leader Within You 2.0 by John C. Maxwell recently, and if I’m honest, it’s one of the most impactful books I’ve ever read.
Recently, I finished the chapter on attitude.
As I read it, I found myself reflecting on my own life.
Where could my attitude be better?
Where am I choosing frustration instead of gratitude?
Where am I letting challenges affect my perspective?
The more I thought about it, the more I realised this conversation isn’t just about leadership.
It’s about life.
It’s about relationships.
It’s about work.
And it’s definitely about the gym.
Every day at CrossFit Alberton 2.0 we have a choice.
We can walk through the doors excited to learn, grateful that we get to train and ready to improve.
Or we can focus on everything that isn’t going our way.
Same workout.
Same coach.
Same environment.
Completely different experience.
That’s the power of attitude.
Why Attitude Matters
John C. Maxwell says, “People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude.”
That quote has stayed with me.
Attitude isn’t something we switch on for other people. It’s something we carry with us wherever we go.
It shapes how we respond when things don’t go according to plan.
It influences how we speak to ourselves after a difficult day.
It affects the way we show up for our families, our colleagues, our friends and the people we train alongside.
Life will always present challenges.
Training will too.
You’ll have days where everything clicks and you leave the gym feeling unstoppable.
You’ll also have days where the barbell feels heavier than usual, your legs don’t want to move and nothing seems to go your way.
Your attitude won’t change the challenge.
It will change how you experience it.
Attitude Creates Coachability
One of the greatest privileges of coaching is watching people grow.
I’ve seen members arrive feeling intimidated by a barbell.
I’ve watched people celebrate their first box jump, their first pull-up and their first RX workout.
Those moments are incredibly rewarding.
But they rarely happen because someone is naturally gifted.
More often, they happen because someone is willing to learn.
Coachability begins with attitude.
It starts with believing there is always something to improve.
It means walking into class thinking,
“I’m here to learn.”
Not,
“I’m here to prove myself.”
John Maxwell wrote, “Growth is the great separator.”
Growth doesn’t happen because we know everything.
Growth happens because we’re open to learning something new.
Whether it’s a small adjustment to your squat, a cue during a clean or a different pacing strategy for a workout, every piece of coaching is an opportunity to improve.
One of my favourite sayings is:
Coachability beats talent over time.
Talent may help someone learn faster.
Coachability helps someone keep improving.
Every Workout Has Something to Teach You
It’s easy to judge a workout by the numbers.
Did I lift more?
Did I finish faster?
Did I beat my previous score?
Those things matter.
They’re part of measuring progress.
But they aren’t the only measure of success.
Sometimes the biggest win is learning to stay patient under the bar.
Sometimes it’s remembering to breathe.
Sometimes it’s choosing the right scaling option instead of letting your ego make the decision.
Sometimes it’s simply showing up after a difficult day.
Every class teaches us something if we’re willing to look for the lesson.
Instead of asking,
“How did I perform today?”
Try asking,
“What did I learn today?”
That simple shift changes everything.
Gratitude Changes Perspective
One of the biggest takeaways I had from this chapter wasn’t about performance.
It was about gratitude.
It’s easy to focus on what we haven’t achieved yet.
“I wish I could do pull-ups.”
“I wish I could lift heavier.”
“I wish I was fitter.”
But what if we took a moment to appreciate how far we’ve already come?
Maybe six months ago you couldn’t squat below parallel.
Maybe a year ago you never imagined walking into a CrossFit gym.
Maybe today your victory is simply that you showed up when you didn’t feel like it.
Gratitude doesn’t stop us from chasing goals.
It reminds us to appreciate the journey.
Instead of saying,
“I have to train today.”
We get to say,
“I get to train today.”
That’s a completely different mindset.
The Culture We Build Together
One of the reasons CrossFit Alberton 2.0 feels different is because of the people.
Every member contributes to the experience.
Encouragement is contagious.
Kindness is contagious.
Gratitude is contagious.
When someone celebrates another person’s achievement, everyone wins.
When someone cheers on the last person finishing a workout, it reminds us why community matters.
Your attitude doesn’t just shape your experience.
It helps shape someone else’s too.
That person walking into the gym for the first time is paying attention.
They’re wondering if they’ll fit in.
A smile.
A high five.
A few encouraging words.
Those moments can make all the difference.
Five Ways to Develop a Coachable Attitude
Attitude isn’t something we’re born with.
It’s something we choose and develop every day.
Here are five simple ways to become more coachable and get more out of your training.
1. Come in Wanting to Improve
Don’t measure success by being the best in the room.
Measure success by leaving better than when you arrived.
Even the smallest improvement is still progress.
2. Practice Gratitude
Take a moment before class to appreciate the opportunity to train.
Be grateful for your health.
Be grateful for your coaches.
Be grateful for the people beside you.
Gratitude creates perspective.
3. Stay Curious
Ask questions.
Listen carefully to coaching cues.
Remember that every workout has something to teach you.
Curiosity keeps growth enjoyable.
4. Welcome Feedback
Every correction is an investment in your future.
Your coach wants to help you move better, become stronger and enjoy training for years to come.
Receiving feedback with an open mind is one of the fastest ways to improve.
5. Encourage Someone Else
Your attitude affects the people around you.
Celebrate another member’s success.
Support the person finishing last.
Offer a few encouraging words.
You never know how much those moments matter.
Your Challenge This Week
As I finished this chapter, I realised it wasn’t asking me to become a better leader overnight.
It challenged me to become more intentional about the attitude I bring into each day.
That includes the gym.
So this week, I’d encourage you to ask yourself one simple question before every class.
What attitude am I bringing with me today?
Am I grateful?
Am I ready to learn?
Am I willing to improve?
Am I encouraging the people around me?
The members who experience the greatest transformation are rarely the most talented.
They’re the ones who remain curious.
They’re willing to learn.
They’re grateful for the opportunity to train.
They’re open to coaching.
They keep showing up.
At CrossFit Alberton 2.0, we don’t expect perfection.
We simply want you to arrive with a willingness to learn, an appreciation for the journey and an attitude that helps you become a little better every day.
Because when you bring the right attitude into the gym, you’ll discover that the greatest transformation isn’t just in your fitness.
It’s in the person you’re becoming.
Ready to start your journey?
If you’re looking for a supportive community where you’ll be coached, encouraged and challenged to become the healthiest version of yourself, we’d love to meet you.
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