I have been thinking quite a lot about the word “endurance” the last few weeks – partly because of our New Year Challenge, and everyone’s personal struggles to conquer their goals amidst a very busy first few months of the year. Our 6-week Challenge finished on Friday, and 48 of our members succeeded! Our prize-giving ceremony is this Wednesday, and I simply can’t wait to reward all our participants for their hard work!
…But what sparked my thoughts about endurance the most, was the book, “Finding Endurance” by Darrel Bristow-Bovey. I agree with Lizelle – this IS definitely one of the best books we have ever read. It describes the expedition of the “Endurance” ship to Antarctica in 1915-1916, led by the renowned explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton.
The primary goal of this expedition was to make the first land crossing of the Antarctic continent. However, the ship became trapped in the ice of the Weddell Sea in January 1915. Despite attempts to free the vessel, the ice eventually crushed the ship, leaving the crew stranded on the desolate ice floes…
Their remarkable story of survival and endurance became one of the most iconic tales ever. Despite the harsh conditions, the crew displayed unwavering determination and teamwork. One gets a new understanding of courage and hardship, and throughout the book we are reminded of how extraordinary humans can be.
What’s more, we are reminded that miracles still happen: human miracles, performed by flawed people in helpless situations. Despite the failure of the expedition’s original objective, Ernest Shackleton’s leadership ensured the survival of all his crew members.
He genuinely cared for the well-being of his crew. He fostered a sense of camaraderie and unity among them, which was crucial for their survival. He led by example, never asking his men to do anything he wouldn’t do himself. He was actively involved in all aspects of the expedition, sharing the same hardships and dangers as his crew.
Shackleton maintained a positive attitude and instilled hope and optimism in his crew, even in the most hopeless situations. His ability to boost morale was instrumental in keeping the team together and motivated to endure their hardships. He didn’t just send one of his men for help, he went himself to brave the elements.
When Shackleton’s ship was discovered below the Antarctic ice in March 2022, 106 years after it sank, the world thrilled anew with one of the greatest survival stories of all time…
…On Friday afternoon I watched the highlights of the Academy awards – in a beautiful tribute to Oscar contender, Annette Bening, Charlize Theron, said:
“Watching you portray Diana Nyad is an intense sensory experience – you can taste the salt water, feel the sun burn and relate to the relentless determination. Your work is a beautiful illustration of how to navigate the waves in the ocean, and in life.”
For those of you who haven’t watched the movie, “Nyad” is the true story of Diana Nyad, the long-distance swimmer, who, at the age of 64, swims from Cuba to Florida without the aid of a shark cage. We learn that Nyad made a previous attempt at completing the 103-mile swim in 1978, when she was 28 years old. During her first attempt, her companions pulled the plug when winds began pushing her off course.
Decades later, Nyad made four more attempts, and then, at last she succeeded. She finds endurance – a product of mental fortitude, preparation, resilience, a support system, and unwavering determination. Just like Ernest Shackleton…
But what does this have to do with you and me? Most of us don’t run marathons, have no intention to ever ride The Cape Epic Mountain Bike Race, and really have no urge to swim the Midmar Mile, or be part of an Arctic expedition. We tend to think that endurance applies only to those who climb, swim, run, kick, pedal, and throw.
How does the term “endurance” apply to us, then? In the journey of life, we wear multiple hats – be it dedicated professionals, nurturing mothers, supportive partners, or housewives. ALL of us occasionally yearn for that extra reserve of strength and endurance to navigate the challenges that life throws at us. And sometimes, those 7 Moringa tablets, and potent GNC Burn60 tablets, which diligently take us through our days and our workouts, are simply not enough.
Endurance is not just about pushing through physical challenges and withstanding jellyfish bites. Endurance for you and endurance for me could be totally different things. But: Endurance is a mindset that empowers us to withstand and overcome obstacles, both internal and external.
Endurance is the true test of your Inner fight, and you always have two simple options – to continue, or to stop. Stopping is losing. Continuing is winning. And sometimes it’s just not so easy to continue. As the artist, Anastasia Bitkova, recently posted on Instagram: “The hardest battles are the ones that are happening inside us. Especially when we don’t know which side we are on.”
Often, when my clients come for their final InBody assessment at the end of a fitness challenge, I hear: “I could have done better, but it was tough…” We are complicated beings, who constantly grapple with our own limitations, fears, and insecurities, as we strive to become the best version of ourselves. And most of the times we sabotage ourselves!
The complexity of life can make our journey feel like the extreme obstacle courses and endurance runs we see on television. These games, whose competitors are people like us, are a metaphor for life today. The overwhelming pressures of our lives are symbolized by the near-impossible feats they must face. We identify with those “average superhuman” athletes. Their stories inspire and encourage us. If they can endure, we can endure. If they can hang on by their fingertips, maybe we can too.
There is a verse in the Bible that never ceases to challenge me. It’s Hebrews 10:36, which states simply,
“You have need of endurance.”
We all need to find endurance, because the Bible urges us to. Few things about life are easy. While we shouldn’t face each day with grim determination, we need something to carry us. Life requires a sustained determination to remain strong and faithful — step- by- step, day by day, and moment by moment. As Leo Tolstoy said in War and Peace,
“A man on a thousand-mile walk has to say to himself every morning, ‘Today I’m going to cover twenty- five miles and then rest up and sleep.’”
I don’t know in what area of your life you feel that you lack endurance. Are you struggling to lose weight? Are you battling stubborn illness, physical weakness, or chronic pain? Are you plagued by recurring injuries? Maybe your heart is broken over a relationship that ended in disappointment. Perhaps you’re worried about your children. Are you grappling with tension in your workplace? Are you exhausted? Working too hard?
Trials and sufferings aren’t unique to you or me; they’re the common lot of all humanity. That’s why God wants to infuse us with a “can- do” attitude, with supernatural endurance, perseverance, and resilience. You and I cannot give up— not for a moment.
Shackleton’s journey of endurance lasted 634 days. Diana Nyad swam for 53 hours before she staggered onto the beach in Key West Florida. In both life and endurance sports, things take time, passion, and persistence. Life challenges our dedication, will, and aspirations. And in the end, only we can decide how to handle it.
The Scottish author, William Barclay, once wrote: “Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory.” You and I, we need to learn to navigate the waves of life, and we should never stop trying. Because miracles still happen – human miracles, performed by flawed people.
Yours in fitness
Mirna
082 779 0507