This month’s message from me is really simple – but for you it’s what makes everything so hard. No matter what your role is within your sport – your rank in Canada, or in the World, my guess is that this year you want to do more than you’ve ever done before. To do that you have to be outside of your comfort zone way more than you’re in it. That is where magic often happens.

Trust in your preparation—all of it. Not just this year’s or last year’s but from your entire career. Trust that you are experienced; trust that you are really good and that you’re doing everything in your power to be better. And then let yourself stretch; reach physically, mentally and emotionally.

This image has been around for a while but I recently saw it used by an adventurer, Bruce Kirkby, as he encouraged an audience to alter their routine, get out of their comfort zone and find their own adventure. It is not about your abilities. It is about exploring beyond where you are comfortable. You should not expect to be comfortable while trying to do something hard, aka new, special, or magical (Yes, this is the whole ‘be comfortable being uncomfortable’ speech).

In an exchange with Tessa Virtue (Olympic Champ Dance Figure Skater), who is on her way to the World Championships with Scott Moir, I realized that all of the training and preparation that they had done alters this image for them. Their comfort zone had shifted; it’s larger and closer to “Where the magic happens”. I believe the two zones can overlap – but probably not completely. It is in our ambitious nature to always want to reach for little bit more, requiring a leap of faith – from our comfort zone towards the magic we seek. Your job every day is to shift and grow your comfort zone by getting out of it.

And… @vankayak and @simonwhitfield are collecting your best songs for a “training for London” playlist. Check out their picks and add yours at #CANOlympicPlaylist

Marnie McBean
Three time Olympic Champion – Rowing

p.s. Between now and the 2012 Olympic Games I will be sending out a monthly email. Think of it as a talking point; you may agree with me, maybe disagree… It may serve as a heads up or reminder to some ups and downs that are a natural point of believing that you can more than just go, more than just compete, but compete at your very BEST at the Olympics. My goal will never be to add to your stress, but to help you wear it well.