Stop Celebrating Mediocrity: No More Credit for Doing the Bare Minimum
Let me be real with you. We're in a world where people expect a damn trophy just for showing up. For doing what they're supposed to do. And it's bleeding into sports, into the gym, into the mindset of our athletes. It's a problem.
We’ve got people out here who think they deserve applause for doing the bare minimum, and that’s some bullshit. You showed up? Great. You did the workout? Good for you. But guess what? That’s just the baseline. That’s what’s expectedof you. It’s not special. It’s not praiseworthy. It’s fucking normal.
Society Has Softened, and So Have Athletes
Somewhere along the line, we decided that everyone’s feelings were more important than their performance. We’ve become obsessed with making sure everyone feels good about themselves, even if they’ve done nothing to earn it. We’ve become a society of soft-ass people who think that effort alone should be enough. Sorry to break it to you, but effort doesn’t mean shit without results.
Athletes are no different. The constant need for validation, the participation trophies, the “good job” for showing up mentality—it’s killing performance. Physically, athletes are weaker. Mentally, they’re fragile. And why wouldn’t they be? They’ve been coddled, told that everything they do is good enough, that they’re special just for trying. Trying doesn’t win games. Trying doesn’t make you the best. Winning does. Being the best does. And that takes more than just showing up.
The Real Work vs. Looking Busy
I see it all the time—athletes doing the bare minimum, going through the motions, but expecting a pat on the back. They think just because they’re there, that’s enough. But that’s not how greatness is achieved. You don’t become elite by being average, and you sure as hell don’t get there by seeking validation for doing what’s expected.
There’s too much eyewash and not enough substance. Too much fucking talk and not enough action. I’m sick of it. We’ve got people who look busy, who look like they’re putting in the work, but when you peel back the layers, there’s nothing there. It’s hollow. It’s fake.
Stop the Coddling, Demand Excellence
As a coach, I’m not going to stand here and coddle you. I’m not going to tell you you’re doing a great job just because you showed up. That’s the baseline. You’re not special for doing what’s expected. You’re special when you exceed expectations, when you push past your limits, when you do what others aren’t willing to do.
It’s time to stop celebrating mediocrity. Stop congratulating people for doing the bare minimum. Demand more. Demand excellence. Because if you don’t, you’re just contributing to the decline in performance that’s plaguing athletes today.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for praise for just doing what’s normal, you’re in the wrong place. I’m here to push you, to challenge you, to make you better. But that only works if you’re willing to go beyond average, beyond what’s expected. Stop seeking validation for just showing up. Start earning it through your results, through your commitment, through your relentless pursuit of being the best.
That’s how you get better. That’s how you win. And that’s what I’m here for. So, stop the bullshit, put in the real work, and let’s fucking get after it.
