age is a circumstance
We're back this week to run through another coaching model, this time about age.
As a reminder, here is the framework of the model.
https://thelifecoachschool.com/self-coaching-model-guide/
Last month I asked you all what you feel "rushed by" in your climbing. In other words, the pressure to accomplish your goals NOW NOW NOW! The number one answer I got was: getting older.
Many people are worried about hitting a performance cap, losing strength, losing energy as they age. So let's walk through a coaching model about it together.
First, remember that age is a circumstance. "I am x age" is the neutral fact, NOT "I'm old" or "I'm getting old" because those are arguable. Someone else could easily hear your age and say "oh wow, you're young!" or "you're not old at all, I have 10 years on you."
And while, yes, there are biological processes that change as you age, your actions still play a huge role in the results of how age affects climbing. And based on this model, actions come from thoughts and feelings.
Unintentional Model
Circumstance: I’m 28
Thought: I'm old. All the girls in high level competition are 24 or younger. My peak is over and it's only downhill from here. There are so many younger climbers around me who have way more time than me.
Feeling: anxious, stressed, resentful, frustrated
Action: try to climb my hardest all of the time, only think about short-term goals, don't give myself breaks, try to train the way younger climbers train
Result: exhaustion, overtraining, climb worse, get injured more, burnout - use as evidence that, "see, I can't keep up with the younger climbers!" which feeds back into the original thoughts
Intentional Model
C: I’m 28
T: I'm 28
F: neutral
A: periodize my training and performance blocks, think about long-term goals (I want to be climbing when I'm 80!), let myself rest and recover when I need to, train in the way that works for my body at this point in time
R: progressively (even if not linearly) climb harder over time, become a more skilled and technical climber, reduce injury risk, climb my entire life
And for those of you who are older than me, before you @ me for being 28 here are what more of our peers have to say:
Age is a circumstance: you can work with what you've got or against it. Let me know your thoughts on this coaching model!
