Tricky Ricky

That time I tried to get to look moody but found out she’s smiling literally all of the time 😂

3 months working with , and several years trusting them as my go-to kit for comps and training.

The leading brand for compression, trackies that are barbell-proof, the softest tees you can find anywhere.

Take a look at their range and save some money by using TRICKY10 at checkout.

Life isn’t about finding yourself; it’s about creating yourself.

There is opportunity to decide who you are and what you stand for every day.

38. Lots happened this year; I handed the reigns of to my closest friend, I became a full time Fire Fighter, I competed both in the UK and abroad.

More importantly, I went on a ton of adventures with Sky and my son, I read so many new books, and I ate at some bloody lovely new spots 👌🏻

This year has been the most relaxed and comfortable I’ve been in a long time. I’ve felt incredibly loved and supported. I’ve not felt any pressure or expectations…I feel like I’ve just been with people who want to help me along my way. And I hope I’ve helped people along theirs too. I’m grateful and I love you all so much.

People often say Instagram is often only the highlight reel, and it’s not real life. Well I know you’ve seen enough tears and anger on mine over the years, so I hope you can share with me the good times too. I don’t try to post highlights, it’s just that this year has been pretty damned good. I hope you can feel that with me.

Winds change, tides turn. 37 was a gift but I’m happy to be 38 and meet what’s next.

Content. Grateful. Excited.

Cheers to you all 🥃

She swept me off my feet, mounted me then took my breath away. I tapped. Our Valentine’s Day was a little bit different.

My four rules to fight feeling the victim:

1. Don’t feel sorry for yourself. Just ask yourself what you’re going to do to turn this around and make the first move.

2. Don’t complain about yesterday. It’s gone, it’s over, carrying its weight won’t help. What can you learn from it that will help tomorrow?

3. Let go of what’s holding you back. Focus on what makes your fire burn, focus on what’s coming, and hold fast.

4. Square up to your fears. Don’t look down and don’t look away from what scares you. Stare that fu**er down and make it blink first.

“I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself. A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough without ever having felt sorry for itself.” DH Lawrence

My reflections on taking the power back in my story.

The idea you have to train for aesthetics OR functional results is just not valid.

Functional is an aesthetic. And it’s ok to want a little of both.

For example when I see a strongman, I admire that physique. For its sheer mass and density. A product of his work.

When I see a climber, I admire that physique. Light, chiselled to fk and tough. Carved by the rock it climbs.

I don’t know what my aesthetic is but I trust it reflects moving very heavy s**t to very heavy music, and sweating profusely.

So really it’s important to remember fitness isn’t polar and you can live in between two places.

But I would say that functionality frees you from a lot of self scrutiny many people don’t need. And if you can simply focus on doing the work your body follow.

Journey before destination.

Words that I’ve enjoyed or been inspired by this last week.

1. “Don’t feel entitled to anything you didn’t sweat and struggle for”.

2. “If you want to be a lion, train with lions”.

3. “He who would learn to fly one day must first learn to stand and walk and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into flying”.

4. “Thankfully, persistence is a great substitute for talent”.

5. “Money is not the only commodity that is fun to give. We can give time, we can give our expertise.”

6. “True teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross; then, having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create their own”.

Some days I’m tired, I’m sore and I feel like I’ve not got much to give. But I will always find time and I will always give my effort. Time and effort is sometimes the only currency that matters.

Six quotes that I’ve enjoyed, or been inspired by, in a couple of months of learning.

1. “Don’t feel entitled to anything you didn’t sweat and struggle for”.

2. “If you want to be a lion, train with lions”.

3. “He who would learn to fly one day must first learn to stand and walk and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into flying”.

4. “Thankfully, persistence is a great substitute for talent”.

5. “Money is not the only commodity that is fun to give. We can give time, we can give our expertise.”

6. “True teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross; then, having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create their
own”.

Some days I’m tired, I’m sore and I feel like I’ve not got much to give. But I will always find time and I will always give my effort. Time and effort is sometimes the only currency that matters.

*tFeelBetter

💥50K GIVEAWAY💥

So I hit a bit of a milestone with 50,000 followers…madness! I’m so grateful to be able to share my passion with such a awesome and warm group of people everyday.

Fitness, competing, travelling. The fire service, owning GritStone. Mental health, single parenting. Every high and every low.

THANK YOU for being part of it all 💚

are going to help me help me say thank you by giving a £300 voucher to one of my followers.

And there’s a bag of GritStone Merch for a friend too.

To win the £300 of kit, simply:
- Like the post.
- Follow me and .
- Share the post on your story.
- Tag a friend.

Here’s to a brilliant 2023, thank you for coming along with me 🙏🏻

Just really grateful for a mint weekend amongst some legends of UK CrossFit. Third place and a chance to step on the podium this weekend.

Happy to represent & at an incomparable event, .