I wanted to share something a little different with you today. It’s a story of what being an underdog has taught me about life and overcoming obstacles.
During my competitive days in strongman I was known as The Giant Killer.
This was undoubtedly a reference to my being “undersized” in a sport where no weight classes exist, and most of the athletes are over 6′ tall, and weigh anywhere from 265 lbs. to the mid-300′s in some cases.
Standing 5’7″ tall and weighing a modest 220 lbs. (during my competitive days), I was able to hold my own against, and even defeat much larger men.
Watch me training for my October 10 bus pull.
Pulling For The Hungry – Insane Uphill Sled Drag
But being a Giant Killer always had much deeper significance for me beyond my competitive exploits, one which has greatly impacted my life…and still does today.
I never thought of myself as being less capable than anyone else, and the times I was not successful, I never used my size as an excuse, or let that be the reason that I couldn’t do something.
I would just have to work that much harder than everybody else, be that much better trained, because win or lose, it was my preparation, combined with my ability to execute on that day that would determine the outcome. Nothing else.
In short, I just plain refuse to accept limitations for myself.
No one else can tell you what you can or cannot do. That’s entirely up to you. Yet, too often we chose to listen to others’ opinions of what is or is not possible.
Being a giant killer simply means you make your own rules.
If you’re not supposed to able to do something, you do it anyway!
A giant killer eats obstacles for breakfast! Because each obstacle overcome represents a step in the direction of your desired outcome.
A giant killer is self-reliant, determined, focused on his/her goal, and never, ever, ever, gives up.
But perhaps most importantly, a giant killer is realistically optimistic, and will never count him/herself out when facing a challenge, no matter what the odds are!
Bottom line, you have to be willing to lose in order to win…and you can’t be afraid to try.
But here’s the best part: I believe that we all have it within ourselves to be more than we are, to be greater than just the sum of our parts.
I submit that the little voice in your head that tells you “you can’t do it” is not your true voice.
It is programming you’ve received over a lifetime, something you’ve been conditioned to believe which is inherently meaningless.
It’s a safety mechanism. It’s your mind’s way of protecting you, by keeping you within your “comfort zone”. Because in your mind, if you never do anything difficult, you can’t get hurt.
It’s a petulant child, and deserves about the same amount of respect.
Starting today, whenever you hear this voice you’ll respond with four little words, “thank you for sharing”, and you’ll just go on about your business. Don’t allow it to have power over you, or disguise your true voice, the real you that is waiting to shine!
Try to do at least one thing today that frightens you, and feel how it empowers you, and energizes every fiber of your being.
Then, join me in my mission to create an army of giant killers, of people who are willing to live with passion and create true joy in their lives – in the face of so much hardship.
You don’t have to pull a school bus for charity like me. Find your true voice, face your own private Goliath – and you’ll go far.
I think Henry Ford said it best:
“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, either way, you’re probably right.”
Live Strong and Healthy,
Conor Kelly
The Giant Killer
EvOLUTION FITNESS – PERSONAL TRAINERS TORONTO
(416) 220-7883
P.S. Don’t forget to pledge me as I am set to pull a school bus in Yonge-Dundas Square on October 10 to raise money for the Toronto Foundation For Student Success! Pledge online at:
