Were you nervous before CrossFit Games Open Workout 18.1?

415,276 people are officially #intheopen as of press time, and I’d bet almost 100 percent of them were nervous before 18.1. I understand why. For some reason, entering a competition ramps up the stress level—even for people who don’t have competition goals.

But as soon as a scorecard comes out, everything changes. People who thrive under the massive pressure of running million-dollar companies fret over how they’ll get into the rower. Busy parents who are successfully raising flocks of amazing kids get frazzled by the placement of their dumbbells. Athletes who perform at a high level all the time suddenly get really, really quiet. Everyone needs chalk. All. The. Chalk.

Athlete completing 18.1 at CrossFit 204

But then the clock starts, the dumbbells fly and the garage or box is awash in smiles, sweaty fist bumps and camaraderie. Here’s why: The Open might represent a test, but every single CrossFit workout is a sort of test. Every time you decide to get off the couch and go to the gym, you’re making a conscious investment to weather the uncomfortable to reap the reward. And you’re going to run into a lot of hard questions before you get home.

“Can I do this? Can I keep going? Can I stand up with this load? Can I learn this new movement?”

You’re confronted with these questions every time you step into a CrossFit gym.

And you answer them.

CrossFit 204 athlete during 18.1

The Open’s tests really aren’t any different. In fact, throughout the year you’ll likely face many workouts that are just as challenging. Know of any easy CrossFit workouts? I don’t. There are no easy days, as they say. But hard days are still good days.

Remember that with 18.2 on the horizon. You meet challenges head on every single day—at the job, at the gym, in your family life and everywhere else. You are a person who rises to the occasion. You get shit done.

Here’s your goal for 18.2, and it has nothing to do with your score: Recognize your nerves for what they really are. They’re a signal that you’re going to do something great. If that isn’t true, why do we see so many PRs in the Open, so many first muscle-ups, pull-ups, toes-to-bars and so on?

No, that nervous feeling isn’t a weakness or some defect of character. It’s just your body and mind assuring you that they’re wide awake and ready to roll.

So when 18.2 drops on Thursday and you suddenly feel nervous, know that you have an opportunity to shine. It’s OK to be nervous. But then flip the script, channel your inner Muhammad Ali and go forth with confidence.

CrossFit 204 during 18.1

Week 1 is done, and you’re experienced now. You’ve been knocked down a few times, but you always get back up. You’re prepared, mentally and physically. You wrestle with alligators and tussle with whales every day in class. You hospitalize bricks on the regular while others sit on the couch.

You’re bad men and bad women, my friends, and in 18.2 it’s time to show everyone how great you are.

More importantly, it’s time to show yourself.