E53 - Zack George: The power of internal motivation

Zack George is one of the world’s top CrossFit athletes, a fitness influencer and officially the UK’s Fittest Man 2020. Zack’s story is one of dramatic change, resilience and hard work. As a child and early teenager, Zack was severely overweight and deeply unhappy in his body. It was his father’s offer of a Playstation to lose some weight that became the catalyst for change in Zack’s life. 

After realising what he could achieve with hard work and determination, Zack put his mind to accomplishing greater challenges by taking up a variety of sports and in 2013, Zack came across a YouTube video documenting the 2013 CrossFit Games and from that moment on, set himself the goal of making it as an individual athlete to the CrossFit Games. In 2015, Zack opened CrossFit BFG in Leicester and began to seriously focus on his training to become a CrossFit Games contender. Zack went on to achieve first place in the UK CrossFit Open 2020. Unfortunately Zack is injured at the moment and can’t take part in the Games in 2021, we wish him all the best and know he’ll be back!

We’re incredibly excited to be working with Mission. Our podcast is all about high performance and we couldn’t think of a better brand to be partnering with on this exciting journey. For an extra 20% off your first order with Mission, type HIGHPERFORMANCE at checkout at missionuk.com. That’s code HIGHPERFORMANCE - all one word - at missionuk.com.  

As always, a huge thanks to our founding partners Lotus Cars. We love you! And GIVEMESPORT - the exclusive sports partner of the High Performance Podcast. To gain further access to editorial and social content from the Podcast click here https://www.givemesport.com/podcast

Remember, you can PRE-ORDER THE NEW HIGH PERFORMANCE BOOK NOW! smarturl.it/hv0sdz. Get extended episodes of the podcast on our YouTube channel bit.ly/HPPYouTube and follow us on Instagram @highperformance.

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Sure, here is a summary of the podcast episode:


### Summary of the Podcast Episode with Zach George, UK's Fittest Man in 2020


**Introduction:**


- Zach George, one of the world's top CrossFit athletes and the UK's Fittest Man in 2020, shares his story of transformation from being severely overweight and unhappy to achieving remarkable fitness and success.


**Overweight Childhood and the Catalyst for Change:**


- Zach's journey began as an overweight and unhappy child.


- His father offered him a PlayStation 2 as an incentive to lose weight, which became the catalyst for Zach's transformation.


- He started making small changes to his diet and lifestyle, such as reducing junk food and increasing healthier options.


**Discovering CrossFit and Setting Goals:**


- Zach discovered CrossFit in 2013 and was inspired by the CrossFit Games.


- He set a goal to qualify for the CrossFit Games as an individual athlete.


- In 2015, Zach opened CrossFit BFG in Leicester and focused on his training to become a CrossFit Games contender.


- He achieved first place in the UK CrossFit Open 2020.


**The Silverback Mentality:**


- Zach's nickname is "Silverback," which reflects his resilience and persistence in pursuing his goals.


- Despite facing criticism and skepticism due to his size and physique, Zach remained determined to prove his doubters wrong.


- He worked tirelessly to improve his fitness and gymnastics skills, eventually qualifying for the CrossFit Games after seven years of hard work.


**Key Lessons and Takeaways:**


- Zach emphasizes the importance of resilience, persistence, and ignoring negative input.


- He believes that anyone can change their path and destiny with hard work and dedication.


- Zach's story serves as an inspiration for those seeking to improve their fitness and overall well-being.


**Conclusion:**


- Zach George's journey from an overweight child to the UK's Fittest Man is a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and the ability to overcome challenges.


- His message is one of hope and encouragement for anyone looking to make positive changes in their lives.


**Additional Points:**


- Zach highlights the importance of setting realistic goals and breaking them down into smaller, achievable steps.


- He emphasizes the value of finding a supportive community and surrounding oneself with positive influences.


- Zach also discusses the importance of nutrition and recovery for optimal performance and overall health.


- The podcast episode provides valuable insights into the mindset and approach of a top athlete and the sacrifices and dedication required to achieve success.

# **High Performance Podcast Episode: The Path to CrossFit Games with Zack George**

## **Episode Summary**

In this episode of the High Performance Podcast, host Jake Humphrey sits down with CrossFit athlete Zack George to discuss his journey to becoming one of the world's top CrossFit athletes. George shares his story of dramatic change, resilience, and hard work, from being severely overweight and unhappy in his body as a child to achieving first place in the UK CrossFit Open 2020. He emphasizes the importance of resilience, patience, and obsession with hard work as key factors in achieving success in any area of life. George also highlights the unique community aspect of CrossFit and how it fosters a supportive environment for athletes to thrive. He offers valuable insights into his mental approach during competitions, including the use of triggers and cues to stay focused and motivated. Additionally, George stresses the importance of running one's own race and not getting caught up in comparing oneself to others, especially in the age of social media.

## **Episode Highlights**

* **Resilience and Hard Work:** Zack George emphasizes the significance of resilience and hard work in achieving success in CrossFit and beyond. He shares his experience of overcoming setbacks, such as not qualifying for the CrossFit Games due to a single workout, and how he used that as motivation to come back stronger and achieve his goal.

* **Obsession and Hard Work:** George believes that obsession and hard work are essential ingredients for reaching the top in any field. He highlights the importance of being willing to put in the extra effort and consistently work on improving skills and weaknesses.

* **CrossFit Community:** George speaks about the unique community aspect of CrossFit and how it fosters a supportive environment for athletes. He mentions how CrossFit gyms often have a family-like atmosphere where athletes encourage and help each other.

* **Mental Approach During Competitions:** George discusses his mental approach during competitions and how he uses triggers and cues to stay focused and motivated. He explains how he switches from a relaxed and laid-back demeanor to a competitive mindset as soon as the countdown starts for a workout.

* **Running Your Own Race:** George emphasizes the importance of running one's own race and not getting caught up in comparing oneself to others. He highlights the dangers of social media in this regard, as people may compare their progress to others and become discouraged. He encourages individuals to stay patient, consistent, and focused on their own goals.

## **Key Takeaways**

* Resilience and hard work are crucial for success in any area of life.

* Obsession and hard work are essential ingredients for reaching the top in any field.

* The CrossFit community provides a supportive environment for athletes to thrive.

* A strong mental approach is vital for success in competitions.

* It is important to run one's own race and not compare oneself to others.

# Podcast Summary:

**Guest: Zack George**

* UK's Fittest Man 2020
* Former professional rugby player
* Currently injured and unable to compete in the 2021 CrossFit Games

**Topics Discussed:**

* **Overcoming adversity:** Zack shares his story of how he went from being overweight and unhappy to becoming one of the fittest men in the UK. He credits his father's offer of a Playstation to lose weight as the catalyst for his transformation.
* **The importance of hard work and dedication:** Zack emphasizes the importance of hard work and dedication in achieving success. He believes that anyone can achieve their goals if they are willing to put in the work.
* **Dealing with failure:** Zack discusses the importance of being able to deal with failure and setbacks. He believes that failure is a natural part of life and that it is important to learn from your mistakes and move on.
* **The power of positivity:** Zack talks about the importance of staying positive and maintaining a positive mindset. He believes that a positive attitude can help you overcome challenges and achieve your goals.
* **The importance of balance:** Zack stresses the importance of finding a balance between work and life. He believes that it is important to take time for yourself and to enjoy life outside of the gym.
* **Advice for aspiring athletes:** Zack offers some advice for aspiring athletes, including the importance of being patient, working hard, and staying focused on your goals. He also emphasizes the importance of having a strong support system.

**Key Takeaways:**

* Hard work and dedication are essential for success.
* Failure is a natural part of life and it is important to learn from your mistakes and move on.
* A positive attitude can help you overcome challenges and achieve your goals.
* It is important to find a balance between work and life.
* Having a strong support system is important for success.

# Zack George: From Overweight Teen to UK's Fittest Man

**Introduction:**

* Zack George, one of the world's top CrossFit athletes and the UK's Fittest Man 2020, shares his inspiring journey of transformation from an overweight teenager to a fitness influencer.

**Overweight Childhood and Unhappiness:**

* As a child and early teenager, Zack struggled with severe overweight and unhappiness with his body.
* His father's offer of a PlayStation to lose weight became the catalyst for change in Zack's life.

**Discovering CrossFit and Setting Goals:**

* In 2013, Zack came across a YouTube video of the CrossFit Games and was inspired to set a goal of becoming an individual athlete in the CrossFit Games.
* In 2015, he opened CrossFit BFG in Leicester and dedicated himself to training for the CrossFit Games.

**Achievements and Setbacks:**

* Zack achieved first place in the UK CrossFit Open 2020, showcasing his dedication and hard work.
* Unfortunately, an injury prevented him from participating in the 2021 Games.

**Partnership with Mission:**

* The podcast highlights the partnership with Mission, a brand that aligns with the podcast's focus on high performance.

**Gratitude and Appreciation:**

* The podcast expresses gratitude to Lotus Cars and GIVEMESPORT for their support and collaboration.

**Book and Podcast Promotion:**

* Listeners are encouraged to pre-order the new High Performance book and follow the podcast on YouTube and Instagram.

**Conclusion:**

Zack George's story serves as an inspiration, demonstrating the power of hard work, determination, and the ability to overcome challenges to achieve remarkable transformations. The podcast emphasizes the importance of setting goals, maintaining focus, and embracing challenges to achieve high performance in various aspects of life.