Hello there,
Ola,

Its’s been a while that I’ve reflected on the special things I’ve achieved this year with the guidance of the one and only Wim Wamsteeker. Being in my own bubble; of eat, work, gym, eat some more, sleep and repeat does that sometimes. And to be honest – this time– for way too long.

With that said I find it important to keep myself on track and look back on this crazy journey and adventure I’m still on. Today finally I take some time to sit my butt down and create room for NOT (over)thinking and letting things flow and grow.

The (almost last 365 days) in 2019 has been all about making C H O I C E S and being P A T I E N C E. #OHLORD, #MYOHMY, #PREMIERE, #ITOLDYOUSO.

C H O I C E S
At the end of 2018 Wim asked me to write down what I wanted to focus on in 2019. For the people who know me, or are about to, my first answer to his questions was: HUH…..why should I, I still want to focus on everything that’s possible and comes my way. Thinking that if I keep my options open there will always be enough to achieve, do and see. I was about to find out that that I’m not a superhuman nor a robot so that I needed to narrow things down, to be more and highly effective in the things I’m wishing for and am able to achieve.

P A T I E N C E
Wim warned me that 2019 would be a difficult year training wise. Meaning: Working harder for every (kilo)gram. Not by doing more but by sharpening my technique. That included a lot of patience (not my first nature when it comes down to myself) and therefor a lot of downs and ups. More ups and downs because, as you might have seen and noticed…the fruits of all this labor payed of big time by begin able to set a new world record on the deadlift at the World Open Championships in Dubai.

D R E A M S   VS   R E A L I T Y
Still at this point I can’t believe that all those training hours spend in the gym and all the tears shed, aches and pains have led up to (and as I like to say and see it) US achieving this.

It’s been 4 weeks and exactly 3 days POST meet, and I still am afraid that someone will pinch me and tell me it was all a dream.

I’ve come to the realization that being an athlete is not something that you do part-time besides your job. It’s something that you are and If you pay close attention to it you can feel it in your bones.

THANK YOU IS NOT ENOUGH – NOT ONY THE GOLD –
A NEW WORLD RECORD
Thanks to Wim I’m still learning how to CHECK IN instead of checking out, or not even showing up at the bus stop. Especially when I’m getting too much caught up in details rather than zooming out and looking at the process = progress. Will I ever be able to love the 1sth word :-0).

Wim shows me that ‘Failure is instructive’ : even when things don’t feel right, being an athlete makes you look in the accountability mirror and pick yourself right back up.

Meaning: you get up, show up and get the job done. ALL WE HAVE IS NOW and COURAGE over COMFORT is what makes you GROW.

NO,   not only when I’m feeling sorry for myself and doubting if I’m doing things right;
NO,   not only in the gym, and on the platform;
YES,  pretty much in general!

>>□ These are the live lessons by Wim I take by heart □<<

Philifsophy says it all: It’s BEYOND the program and more about YOU.

• Want to read more about what Philoftsophy and all the lifters touched by Wim are up to?
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XOXO

Until we meet again
Iris
below some videos: