The Ideal Performance State: OPT and Higher Orders of Thinking
Jean Williams, editor of Applied Sport Psychology: Personal Growth to Peak Performance listed several characteristics of the "Ideal Performance State":
- Absence of Fear
- No thinking about or analysis of performance
- A narrow focus of attention concentrated on the activity itself
- A sense of effortlessness
- A sense of personal control
- A distortion to time and space, in which time seems to slow
This is the lens through which we CrossFit athletes see OPT. “The plan is set, that is all that needs to be said. I had a dream,” says James Fitzgerald in response to CrossFit One World’s Freddy Camacho after a 2010 CrossFit Games preparation question. Three years ago, OPT had a dream that materialized as a first place finish at the 2007 CrossFit Games. Since then, he admits that he hasn’t competed with the same mental acuity but yet, his 2008 and 2009 performances have done nothing to hurt his legend. OPT is James Fitzgerald, the athletic alter ego of one of CrossFit’s most renowned trainer-specialists. He is holistically in tune to his mind, body and spirit.
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When you listen to Coach Greg Glassman or James Fitzgerald present on human performance, they articulate their message in an unflappable manner. Coach Glassman's science is sound and his inflection exudes his confidence in empirical data collected over many years. Many trainers rely upon their best imitation of Glassman’s explanation and his ice-cold delivery to respond to questions. Or worse, they offer no explanation at all. Fitzgerald spoke on the importance of “finding out why.” We should rely upon our education, practical application and our empirical data to better our clients. We should make an effort to embolden our ability, ultimately becoming a master of our craft.What is the difference between an expert and a master? An expert pursues answers and is eventually satisfied. A master’s pursuit is endless. “Experts think they know everything; masters KNOW that they don’t know,” Fitzgerald says. Over three days, the world-class Canadian coach and elite athlete contributed heavily to the sensory overload of the 40+ affiliate owners. If the participants retain even a tenth of the information that he presented, their communities will be noticeably better by this week’s end.
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A multinational group of affiliate owners and trainers observed Fitzgerald articulate his vision of the near and distant future of CrossFit. For those that took notes, their clients should expect an immediate emphasis placed upon programming, recovery and the record of empirical data. But this weekend was about so much more than programming, nutrition and business. It was just as much about the mind of an athlete: fear, disappointment and triumph over internal and external obstacles.
Fitzgerald's holistic approach to CrossFit was in full display this past weekend; he described the capability of the mind to overcome adversity, "Listen to the little voice but don't judge it. As soon as you judge it, that voice takes over." We saw glimpses of the vigor that Every Second Counts chronicled in 2008. “Spiritually, I will get to another level that will override what I am capable of physically,” Fitzgerald said. I smiled, looking at the equally focused, Jeremy Thiel. They both believe that they are going to win this year.
This sort of conversation is what separated the Summit from other CrossFit-related seminars. There was no rehearsal and little scripting; the speakers allowed us the privilege of seeing past their competitive "1000 yard stare" that graces hundreds of videos on YouTube. We saw the subtle differences between OPT and James Fitzgerald, we listened, intently, to an introspective Jeremy Thiel, a resurgent Dutch Lowy and a rarely-shaken Carey Kepler. Lindsey Smith, 5th at the 2009 Games, was running around CrossFit Central with our two-year old daughter all weekend. In each of these unique glimpses, we saw a consistent truth. Each of these individuals has been dehumanized by our admiration of their fitness, yet, they are no less fearful, anxious, self-critical and vulnerable than the other 99% of CrossFit.
Fitzgerald's holistic approach to CrossFit was in full display this past weekend; he described the capability of the mind to overcome adversity, "Listen to the little voice but don't judge it. As soon as you judge it, that voice takes over." We saw glimpses of the vigor that Every Second Counts chronicled in 2008. “Spiritually, I will get to another level that will override what I am capable of physically,” Fitzgerald said. I smiled, looking at the equally focused, Jeremy Thiel. They both believe that they are going to win this year.
This sort of conversation is what separated the Summit from other CrossFit-related seminars. There was no rehearsal and little scripting; the speakers allowed us the privilege of seeing past their competitive "1000 yard stare" that graces hundreds of videos on YouTube. We saw the subtle differences between OPT and James Fitzgerald, we listened, intently, to an introspective Jeremy Thiel, a resurgent Dutch Lowy and a rarely-shaken Carey Kepler. Lindsey Smith, 5th at the 2009 Games, was running around CrossFit Central with our two-year old daughter all weekend. In each of these unique glimpses, we saw a consistent truth. Each of these individuals has been dehumanized by our admiration of their fitness, yet, they are no less fearful, anxious, self-critical and vulnerable than the other 99% of CrossFit.
Toward the end of the Summit, affiliates began discussing the future of the sport and for a moment, I sat defensively at the edge of my chair. It seemed that there were people in the audience who saw James “OPT” Fitzgerald, Thiel, Dutch and Carey as just business-savvy licensees. One affiliate owner was quoted, “My clients have no clue who OPT is, they don’t even know that there is a CrossFit Games.” I sat perplexed, upset yet sympathetic to him.After three similar comments, the owner/athletes displayed the typical easy stare seen on the internet clips that, long ago, incited our enthusiasm for CrossFit. I whispered to my best friend and training partner, “Doesn’t that guy understand? They are instructing us because they’ve been to the summit and the vision, from the top, is clear.”
CrossFit Chronicles: The Smith Family
CrossFit Chronicles: The Smith Family
4 comments to "The Ideal Performance State: OPT and Higher Orders of Thinking"
Web, you're a very talented young man. Do you see athletics, training or writing being more your thing? Do you plan on writing for the CF Journal, Performance Menu, as well? Are ya freelancin' or do you work for SICFIT? Just wondering. Keep up the good work man.
Great content! You guys need an RSS feed though so I can keep on top of it!
To Jack and Brendan,
Thank you for your kind words. I will make every attempt to respond as quickly as possible.
@ Brendan Every single day, this website will improve. This site is for any and everyone that loves CrossFit. Like the political junkie who peruses drudgereport.com, the MMA junkie that follows sherdog.com, this site will be "all-things-CrossFit." SICFIT can be the voice of the hundreds of affiliates that impact fitness enthusiasts, world wide.
@ Jack that means a lot to me. The simplest answer is: all of the above. My aspirations are extremely high yet within my reach. I hope that CrossFit can help me reach these goals. SICFIT is the brain-child of Jeremy Thiel. As such, it is an upstart that I wanted to be a part of. Everything is being ironed out. An organically-run business is a beautiful thing.
Thank you for reading,
Web Smith
CrossFitChron.com
SICFIT.com
Mr. & Mrs. Smith,
Great writing so far on this site. I am not an affiliate owner. Just a seventeen year career Army Soldier trying to stay young. I am a Crossfit "insurgent" in the Army, which refuses to fully drink the Kool-Aid. Maybe one day.
I have been following your personal blog since it's fruitation. Great writing. Continue to write unbiased and with integrity and know that your words are reaching all corners of the Crossfit community.
@Brendan- Add their blogs to Google Reader. I swear by GR! One of Google's greatest inventions.
Take care.
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