How Mind Overpowers Muscle

“Physical strength will get you to the start line, but mental strength will get you to the finish line.”

As I continue my fitness journey, I’m always looking for new ways to challenge myself and push my limits. Recently, I’ve been gearing up for HyROX in April, where I’ll compete in the women’s doubles pro category alongside an amazing partner. Last year, we clinched 1st place in our age category, and this time, we’re ready to raise the bar even higher.

To prepare, I’ve been integrating more running and higher-intensity training into my weekly routine, alongside some soccer, which I’ve been playing once a week. It’s been a juggling act, but I’m thrilled to have found a balanced training schedule that works for me. My routine includes a bit of weightlifting, CrossFit, soccer, HyROX-specific training, and running, plus two rest days to make sure my body is properly recovered to bring my best performance to each workout.

When it comes to long races and tough challenges like HyROX, one thing becomes crystal clear: physical strength can only get you so far. At some point, your muscles will fatigue, your body will feel like it’s ready to quit, but it’s your mind that will push you through.

This last weekend, I took on the Primal Race in Dubai for the third time as part of my training, and it truly put this concept to the test. The race is a brutal, one-hour challenge, and while physical strength got me to the start line, it was my mental resilience that carried me through to the finish. During those moments of exhaustion when every muscle screamed for relief, it was the mental fortitude to keep going that made all the difference.

Despite the grueling nature of the race (and maybe a few moments of questioning my life choices!), I truly enjoyed every minute of it. Doing the race with two friends made the experience even more rewarding, and it provided a valuable opportunity to gauge where I stand in terms of my upcoming competition.

While the final result wasn’t exactly what I hoped for, I’m grateful for the lesson in perseverance. It reminded me that in long, challenging workouts and races, the battle isn’t just physical—it’s mental. Pushing through those tough moments, when it feels like giving up would be so easy, is what separates a good performance from a great one.

With only a few weeks left to go before HyROX, I’m feeling confident and motivated to finish this last stretch of training strong. The Primal Race served as an important checkpoint, and now it’s all about fine-tuning my performance and staying focused. The mind overpowers the muscle, and I’m ready to show up with both strength and resilience. Can’t wait for what’s next—let the countdown to competition begin!

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