Your New Tent Pegs in a Storm

If we cast our minds back to the spring of 2020, our worlds changed. Every routine was disrupted, and we were faced with immense logistical and emotional challenges as we individually and collectively navigated a turbulent few months. With races canceled, many athletes became understandably directionless. At that time I made a call to action for every Purple Patch athlete to reset their relationship with their sport, and double down on the commitment to training and performance. I believed, rightly in retrospect, that the routine and stability of a framework of training could really help folks retain mental and physical health, and thrive through adversity. The vast majority of athletes did just that, and did it well.  The following months required the whole Purple Patch team to really think out of the box when it came to best training, and we tore up the playbook to create a whole year of training like no other. As we emerged into 2021 I predicted that, as a group, we were set up unbelievably well for the season of racing ahead. I believed that we could have a banner year of performance results. What followed was exactly that, the best collective season of performance ever for Purple Patch. Massive personal accomplishments and results. It was joyous to see.

Do I reflect on these two distinct predictions with an aim of showcasing the power of my performance predictions? Of course not. I highlight these as, I believe, we find ourselves at another moment. Another challenge. Many athletes are facing this challenge, but might not even be aware of the stress and turbulence it is causing, so let me explain.

The vast majority of us are not emerging to our new normal. The world begins to lean back toward our old lives, but a new version of normal. I would label it a blended existence. Races and events are back on, things are opening back, but we are now going back through change. Change is hard, even when positive. The change is, for many, a shift back to commuting, office time, shifted expectations, school events and kids sports, a drop of the flexibility that many of us have become accustomed to over the last couple of years. We see many athletes who are now experiencing a different type of turbulence and stress from the shift back toward the ‘new normal’, and it is tough. It is hard logistically and emotionally. So what should you do in 2022 if you are going through this shift?  Double down. I cannot overstate this, and I believe it is massively important for you individually, for you in the workplace, for your health and how you will show up at work. I highly encourage you to double down on your commitment to training and performance. Let this be the framework of stability and grounding. Double down on sporting commitments and goals, within the context of life.  I am not preaching this because of anything but a direct coaching call to help you navigate and flourish in this change. 

Let me be clear, the stress of change, once again, toward a new normal is real. It doesn’t mean it is bad, and you are in control. It is up to you how you approach this stress, and you are empowered to adopt the right mindset and all roads lead back to the most basic and important principles of Purple Patch. If you focus on your four pillars of performance, maintain a regular training routine as the stability of your evolving life, then you will find solace and control. You will feel better and establish a strong platform to build from.

If you read this piece and it resonates, I would like you to commit and double down on yourself. Stand up and shed those emotions that are tying you down, and realize that the shifting ground under your feet is a normal reaction to the flow of events that we have navigated. It is up to you to navigate out, and I believe that your best path is a full bloodied commitment to your training. Quickly, before you realize, you will thrive.

Stay with it. We are Purple Patch!  Stay strong.

Matt