From Struggles to Strength: David’s Journey of Passion, Persistence, and Pride in Sports

In the scenic landscapes of Auvergne, near Clermont-Ferrand, we had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with David, a sports enthusiast whose journey encapsulates the essence of resilience and personal growth. David, 40, hails from the vibrant football culture of Marseille in the South of France, yet his story unfolds in the rugged, rugby-loving terrains of Auvergne. This profound shift in regional sports culture mirrors the evolution David has undergone, transforming struggles into milestones of pride and persistence. His narrative is not just about sports; it's about overcoming personal barriers and discovering inner strength in the face of adversity. Join us as David shares his inspiring story, rich with passion, persistence, and pride, a testament to the power of staying true to oneself amidst life's challenges. What follows are David’s own words, capturing his lifelong relationship with sports and self-discovery.

From as far back as I can remember, I've always had a passion and desire for sports, for physical activity. My first encounter with sports was when my parents wanted to enrol me in judo so that I could confront myself and confront others. Unfortunately, I was too young for that activity. But it wasn't the end of it!

At the age of 6, I wanted to join football (aka soccer). It was the early 90s, and Marseille was at its peak. It was the golden age of Papin, Waddle, Boli, Pelé, and others. Also, I wanted to stay with my best friend at the time who was joining the sport. The spirit of sharing and camaraderie has always been important to me, which is why team sports have always attracted me. Since childhood, I've always been up for a game of football, basketball, beach volleyball, or even dodgeball. Much to my father's dismay, a rugby player, I spent 5 years playing football. But I never felt like I belonged there... too big, too slow, too introverted. Constantly mocked and even humiliated, it took a great deal of strength of character to persist in a sport I was passionate about but whose mentality didn't suit me. After one humiliation too many, I crossed the line and went to the greener pasture on the other side.

After a training session and a tournament, I felt that my weakness would become a strength in this sport. Rugby Union is a sport where every physique has its place, its role; without others, individuality is nothing! And that suited me well. I got my license and have had one ever since... From being looked down upon in football, I became a full-fledged member of a group of friends, and for the first time, I felt useful... And considering my region of origin and family history (father, rugby uncle), it suited me better. Furthermore, 1995 was a World Cup year, which further convinced me. I found this sport aesthetic, very authentic, and I found new idols: Olivier Merle, Christian Califano, Abdel Benazzi.

I joined the various youth teams of CO Berre XV with the same group of friends, which culminated in a journey to the final of the junior French championship. I felt good, fulfilled, useful unlike what was happening in my life. I can even say that at that moment in my life, rugby carried me. I was still obese... in rugby, it could be a strength but in life, it was a bit of a burden.

Around the age of 18, I ventured into practicing other sports. It was probably the starting point of a certain toxic relationship with my sports practice. Running, weightlifting, etc... I discovered sports not for pleasure anymore but for health, to lose weight, to build muscles, to shape this body that I couldn't stand. Furthermore, once in the senior ranks in rugby, I discovered competition within the same team, the same group. Every week, I had to be better than others to be in the group, to be in the first team, to be a starter. So, I practiced weightlifting several times a week following approximately relevant programs. But I never liked weight training. Too static, too tedious. The pleasure was never there. But it was "necessary" to perform in my sport and for the relationship with my body.

During my rugby career, I met a physical preparation student in STAPS (Sport studies) in Salon-de-Provence (France) who gave classes at the athletics club, in the "athletics health" section, which resembled what is now called CrossFit. This sport, combining athletics, gymnastics, weightlifting, and cardio, had the playful aspect that was missing in all the sports I practiced preparing for rugby. Also, the group class aspect brought mutual aid, complicity, and competition. As soon as this sport became popular, I joined a CrossFit box. I knew the gym in Salon-de-Provence, "Le Fit Lodge Studio," where I mainly practiced CrossFit but also rowing, yoga, and stretching, and I loved this gym because it brought a very friendly atmosphere in addition to the sport, which I didn't mind. I am still currently enrolled in a box, in Issoire in Auvergne: Neocrossfit.

I have trail runners in my family. Until now, I practiced a little bit of running, especially in the preseason, to regain endurance. But I didn't enjoy it. My family, especially after quitting rugby, led me to practice trail running and I found the aspect of mountain hiking in addition to the sporting challenge, the self-improvement. More kilometres, more elevation gain, and I found myself registered for races where often, I was the only trail runner over 100 kgs. And at the end of each race, I was proud as a peacock to have finished and sometimes even achieved a good time. And that's what I need in this struggle with my relationship with my body... pride! It was the first time I found myself in a sport alone facing myself. I've always loved team sports but there, in a race, you find yourself alone moving forward. It's tough! But I learned to love it. Having only oneself to rely on and trusting oneself.

I loved it so much that I set these challenges for my own vacations. I went on several road trips on my bike. Combining 2 of my passions: travel and sports. Combining the playful and discovery aspect of travel with physical exertion and the challenge of sports. This challenge, like trail running, tickles my strength of character. Because here too, you find yourself alone facing yourself, and the difficulty reinforces self-esteem.

Strength of character is defined by one word for me: challenge. I've always needed, in my sports practice, challenges. To show others that I was capable and later, when I worked on myself, to show myself and feel proud... Capable of playing football, capable of playing in the first team, capable of playing at that level, capable of coming back, capable of running a half marathon, a trail of so many kilometers, capable of lifting that bar, capable of going there on a bike, capable of doing all that with a non-athletic physique, capable of moving forward... For that, I had to resist multiple pains, injuries... both physical and mental. I still haven't resolved my relationship with my body, nor with sports. I still "impose" sports sessions on myself to compensate for the excesses of a weekend, to lose weight, out of necessity but I am proud of my sports journey because it greatly contributes to the person I am and where I am... stand my place.

To find out more about the benefits of training for both mental and physical health, contact us here: https://www.is-athletic.com/pages/get-in-touch