The Ultimate Seduction

The Killer and The Rise...

Odysseus, in the midst of a 10 year journey home from the Trojan War, is warned of the Sirens by the goddess Circe. They are alluring, seductive creatures who emit sweet, heavenly sounds. Beneath the surface, they are monsters, whose bewitching song lures countless sailors to their deaths. Circe instructs Odysseus to clog his men’s ears with beeswax so they may bypass the Sirens without adding to the great heap of dead men’s bones, with the flesh still rotting off them.

Circe mentions that Odysseus may listen to their song for himself, but only if he takes precaution. He must be sure to have his men tether him to the mast of his ship. Further, he must mandate that should he beg his men to free him, they must instead bind him tighter.

As they pass the Sirens, Odysseus is swept into a trance by their song. He desperately thrashes in an attempt to free himself and swim to them. As commanded, his men bind him tighter despite his pleas.

As Odysseus’ bindings dig deeper and deeper into his flesh, the ship drifts far enough away that the Sirens become only a faint echo. The threat of demise has passed and Odysseus, returning to his senses, is unbound.

The Killer

Sirens present in many forms. For athletes of all kinds, one of the most seductive is what I call The Killer. This is a never back down, push, grind, can’t stop, won’t stop mentality. It is an initially useful adaptation.

When you’re 16, it’s very difficult to overtrain. Whether it’s football 2-a-days or jiu jitsu 3-a-days, you have a window of youth to sculpt your nervous system through immersion. Your tolerance for extremes of volume can produce rapid growth and learning. It’s the perfect strategy at the time. But, at some point, whether 10, 15, 20 years in the future, your body will be unable to sustain this pace.

“His body couldn’t keep up with his mind” - Joe Rogan

This is often cast as a compliment, implying a god-like tenacity that cannot be tamed. This mindset can endure, struggle and push beyond the capacity of any mortal. No human body can contain it’s power.

I disagree. It’s not a superpower, it’s a mind that failed to adapt. As the realities of our physiologies, lifestyles, and capabilities change, our minds must transform in sync. The Killer is the past, no matter how sweet it’s song.

Pushing through becomes mental slough, not resilience. Tweaks are not tweaks, they are warnings to be held in high esteem. Seasons, promoted heavily in childhood, become necessities as active adults.

But, this mental paradigm is as seductive as it gets. It explains every performance enhancing drug, hormone replacement and cutting edge rejuvenation tactic. I’m not saying don’t use them. I’m saying they are indicative of a refusal to adapt your mind.

Rock Bottom

This is the 48 year old with an 18 year old’s training schedule. Haphazard not progressive, impulsive not methodical. Society celebrates this, when it goes well. It works, until it doesn’t. Rock bottom is where The Killer will take you.

You become the marathon runner punching a wall after pulling out of yet another race. You become the jiu jitsu instructor sprawled out on the mat after “throwing out” your back again. You knew you shouldn’t push it today.

I’ll heed Circe’s warnings here.

I’m so miserable that I’ll do anything to change. I don’t care if I never get to luxuriate amongst the Sirens again. I’ve tasted death and I don’t want it! I surrender.

“Sometimes, you have to surrender before you win” -Shantaram

The Rise

At rock bottom, I accept I must change. There is no choice. I dial down my volume and regress exercises that are too aggressive. I seek outside support and guidance whether it’s from a coach, therapist or friend. I listen to their mandates. I take away anything that might be an offender. Whether it’s dance, jiu jitsu or any motor skill, I can use motor imagery or film study to replace the volume. I rest more.

There’s a wave gliding across a body of water. It’s headed in the wrong direction, toward destruction. I can’t immediately change it’s course.

But, given time, patience and support I can slow it down, ride it out and build it back up in the direction I want…

It’s working.

Slowly at first, but I feel the momentum building. My powers are returning. It’s all been worth it.

Now!

Now I hear the Sirens, their majestic aura and song. I know they’re monsters, but there pull is so strong. Rationality and willpower don’t exist in this world.

“Oh stay, O pride of Greece! Ulysseus stay!

Oh cease thy course and listen to our lay!”

I’ve built myself up from nothing. Now The Killer can return.

The rules don’t apply to me!

My men? Plug their ears with wax, they’ll succumb to the Sirens. But me? I’m different. I can listen. Tie me up so I can listen…

But that pull is so strong…

Untie me! I’ll do anything to meet the Sirens.

“My soul takes wing to meet the heavenly strain;

I give the sign, and struggle to be free”

Rock bottom, although not long ago, no longer resonates. I hear the warnings of Circe intellectually. I see the bones and rotting flesh. But I don’t FEEL them.

I’m back in heaven, 16, with superpowers. I can just train, push and grind. Euphoria.

Survival

And how do I survive this seduction? How do I avoid destruction, returning to rock bottom again and again?

Not alone. I don’t care how knowledgeable, well versed, or resilient you think you are. The Sirens will destroy you if you listen alone.

It’s only because Odysseus’ men follow his instructions, rowing harder and faster while binding him tighter, that he survives a treacherous death. Alone, the Pride of Greece would have joined the pile of rotting flesh.

Training is no different. The pull of The Killer is too seductive. Whether it’s God, friends, training partners, mentors or therapists. I need support outside myself.

If I can accept and embrace that, I’ll feel the joy of having my restraints removed once I’ve passed the Sirens. But, they’re always lurking.