A Moment Of Inspiration: Drew & The 250 Project

For today's blog, I wanted to tell you about my friend Drew and how inspiring this individual is to me and his crazy 250 Project. Drew is attempting to be the first person to bench press 250 lbs and run a marathon at 2 hours and 50 minutes in the same day!

Today, April 7th, is his attempt at completing the 250 Project because the Bakersfield Marathon is being held this morning at 7am.

Drew drove in from out of town and met me at Naspower Gym at 5:20am. I was there to load and unload the bar, so he can just focus on lifting. His warm up sets went smoothly and then worked up and we loaded the bar at 250 lbs.

First attempt, missed.

Second attempt, missed.

Not sure what happened because 240 went up so smoothly. Both attempts at 250 looked great. Drew was explosive off the chest but just stalled out halfway up.

Of course he was disappointed that he didn't hit 250 lbs. And with disappointment, comes self negative talk.

I told him that I was super impressed and not to get frustrated. I had to remind Drew that he is a badass and in league of his own. I told him the following:

• Only 0.17% of the population have ran a marathon.
• 4 hours and 28 minutes is the average marathon finishing time out of 1.3 million finishers.
• Only 0.01% can bench press 225 lbs or more.

As you can see, the combination of strength, speed and endurance that Drew possesses makes him ELITE STATUS!

Why am I talking about this?

Because it brings up the topic of self gratitude and self negative talk. Let’s delve into the fascinating interplay between self-gratitude and negative self-talk. These two forces shape our inner landscape, influencing our emotions, actions, and overall well-being.

We are our own harshest critics. In a world with such negativity, we must learn to appreciate and love ourselves more. Trust me, I am working on that now myself - to learn to value and respect myself.

So let's talk about this more...

The Power of Self-Gratitude

Gratitude is like a warm sunbeam that pierces through the clouds of negativity. When we practice self-gratitude, we intentionally acknowledge and appreciate the positive aspects of our lives, including our own qualities, achievements, and experiences. Here’s why it matters:

1. Shift in Perspective: Gratitude redirects our focus from what’s lacking to what’s abundant. Instead of dwelling on shortcomings, we recognize the blessings we already possess. It’s like adjusting the lens of a camera to capture the beauty around us.
2. Boosts Emotional Well-Being: Expressing gratitude releases a cascade of positive emotions. It’s like planting seeds of joy, kindness, and contentment within ourselves. When we water these seeds regularly, they grow into vibrant flowers that color our inner landscape.
3. Strengthens Resilience: Gratitude acts as armor against life’s challenges. When we face difficulties, acknowledging the silver linings reminds us that we’ve overcome obstacles before. It fuels our resilience and helps us bounce back.
4. Enhances Relationships: Grateful hearts make better companions. When we appreciate others, we strengthen our connections. Likewise, self-gratitude enhances our relationship with ourselves. We become our own supportive friend, cheering ourselves on.

The Stealthy Saboteur: Negative Self-Talk

Now, let’s shine a light on the shadowy corners where negative self-talk lurks. This internal dialogue can be insidious, undermining our confidence, dreams, and self-worth. Here’s how it manifests:

1. The Inner Critic: Imagine a stern teacher who grades your every move. Negative self-talk often masquerades as this inner critic. It whispers, “You’re not good enough,” “You’ll fail,” or “Others are better.” These words erode our self-belief.
2. Cognitive Distortions: Our minds play tricks on us. Negative self-talk thrives on cognitive distortions—twisted ways of thinking. Catastrophizing, mind-reading, and black-and-white thinking are its tools. For instance:“I got a C on this test. I guess I’m not good at math.” (Realistic appraisal). “I’ll never be able to go to a good college.” (Fear-based fantasy.)
3. Impact on Mental Health: Negative self-talk isn’t just stressful; it’s a silent saboteur. It increases the risk of mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. It’s like watering weeds instead of flowers.

Cultivating Self-Gratitude and Silencing the Saboteur

1. Practice Mindfulness: Notice your thoughts. When negativity creeps in, pause. Ask yourself, “Is this thought helpful?” If not, gently redirect it toward gratitude.
2. Express Gratitude Daily: Write down three things you’re grateful for each day. They can be small—a warm cup of tea, a kind word, or a sunny morning. Over time, this practice rewires your brain for positivity.
3. Challenge Negative Thoughts: When the inner critic speaks, question it. Is it grounded, mean, or hopeless? Reframe it. “I may not be perfect, but I’m learning and growing.”
4. Be Kind to Yourself: Treat yourself as you would a cherished friend. Celebrate victories, forgive mistakes, and offer encouragement. Remember, you’re a work in progress—a masterpiece in the making.

​In this dance between self-gratitude and negative self-talk, choose your steps wisely. Nurture the seeds of gratitude, and when the saboteur whispers, counter it with kindness. You deserve a symphony of self-love, played on the strings of gratitude.

In Closing,

If you had read this far, you may be wondering how did Drew perform in today's Bakersfield Marathon?

Drew ended up placing 3rd place and ran 26.2 miles in 2 hours and 50 minutes! That is freaking amazing!

It just goes to show the mental toughness this guy has. Instead of letting the bench get him down, Drew dug deep and got a personal best in the marathon! Phenomenal!

Anyways, enough rambling for this Sunday,
Vice