In 2011, at the Ironman World Champioshipin Kona, Hawaii, I had a battle on my hands for 2nd place, and it was the most painful experience I’ve ever had to push through and remain focused on a task at the same time. If you missed the instagram post with the video below, here it is for you. And here’s few more words to go it 🙂

Being able to calm your mind is a doorway into the “Zone”. The “zone” or FLOW state” as some say, is when you become present, when nothing exists in your mind except the moment your are in. Here there is no ego, no past, no future, and that means no fears, no worries, no doubts, no expectations, NOTHING, not a single thought outside of this moment.

Some call it meditation, Eckart Tolle calls it being present with no ego, either way it is a mindset we should all achieve at least once daily. If you can’t quiet your mind into the present at least once a day for a minute, then its likely you are a worrier type of personality, or more anxious, or can’t sleep well, and the list of health issues that can be triggered by this “busy” distracted, mind is endless and can include anything. The stress from a mind that never rests is the same as  the stress from constantly being chased by a lion – eventually you become tired and depleted of many hormones, vitamins, and minerals.

Practicing being present allows mind and body to perform at much higher levels than when experiencing stress of past or future. It is distracting, and that is tiring. If you can’t switch off anytime, even when laying in bed, how are you suppose to manage your doubts and fears when there is a much more pressing event nearby, or when you are in fact IN the event?!

Being in the present allows you to make the best decisions with a calm clear mind. It also means less tension in your body so your muscles can be more relaxed and powerful. Less stress mentally means more relaxed breathing and better oxygen uptake into your muscles (and brain), being present uses less energy (less thinking, lower heart rate etc.) It also means you are more aware of your body, as being in the present is often linked to being more connected to your body and breath, as your awareness is not elsewhere in the past or future, but here and now with your physical self.

To practice, focus on your breath, relaxed and light, into your belly. If it feels weird, you are getting it, as you might not be used to this feeling now days with constant distractions becoming a habit – such a phones, tv, and all sots of other thoughts driven by ego.

I could go on forever about this topic, but I won’t. Not today 🙂

Below is what I wrote on Instagram in case you missed it.

Instagram Post

“Being in the “Zone” is the same as being present -there’s not a single thought in your head.

The power of being 100% in the moment is undeniable. No distractions, no fears, no doubts, no wants, no stories of past, no uncertainty of the future, just a pure flow of energy.

To get the most out your day, your race, & your life, being able to quiet your mind (& ego), is one of the most valuable techniques you can have in your toolbox.

I finished 2nd in @Ironmantri World Championship in 2011 because I was able to block out all thoughts, all discomfort, all recognition of what I had put my body through, and what I still had to push through.”

by Pete Jacobs