The Most Important Kind of Strength Is Mental Strength

Very rarely does a freak accident become a life highlight. But for pro CrossFit and Nike athlete Logan Aldridge, losing his left arm on a wakeboarding boat — at age 13 — was not only “the best thing that ever happened” to him, it was also the foundation for his purpose: to help anyone build confidence. To kick off season 9, the cofounder of adaptive-equipment company All Things Adaptive and training director at the Adaptive Training Academy details the mental and physical journey that helped him become the third-Fittest One-Armed Man on Earth. He also shares the four words his mom spoke that transformed his perspective, the goofy sense of humor that keeps a smile on his face, and the five-second rule he swears by for taking action. No matter your body, ability or sport, his insight and try-anything attitude can help us all grab our goals, one rep at a time.

Mind-Body Links

• If you’re interested in training any athlete — that’s anyone with a body — check out the Adaptive Training Academy, which Logan mentions. 
• Jac gives a shout out to Chandler Smith’s work for racial equality in CrossFit. You can hear more about that in Chandler’s own Trained episode. 
• This whole episode makes us think about one of our favorite articles on the psychology of confidence. Give it a read.