Why Elite Athletes Swear by "Boring" Basics

I used to screenshot every elite athlete's workout, analyze their training splits, and obsess over their supplement stacks. Sound familiar? Yeah, I was that person—convinced there was some secret formula I was missing.

Then I read about Jamie Simmonds, the 3rd fittest woman on Earth in 2019, and honestly? Her approach made me feel like an idiot. In the best possible way.

The Woman Who Embraces Being a "Weirdo"

Jamie's story isn't your typical fitness fairy tale. She went from rugby player (with a beer habit, she admits) to podium finisher at the CrossFit Games. But what caught my attention wasn't her achievements—it was her mindset.

When asked about pre-competition nerves, she said: "I'm a weirdo and love the feeling of being nervous."

Wait, what? An elite athlete who enjoys being nervous? In a world where everyone's selling calm confidence and zen-like focus, here's someone who's basically saying "bring on the anxiety."

That's when I realized I'd been thinking about this whole thing wrong.

The Social Media Comparison Trap (We're All Guilty)

Jamie called out something that hit way too close to home: "Today, I think the biggest challenge is comparison (social media is a killer for this!)."

Let's be honest here. How many times have you scrolled through Instagram, seen some ripped influencer doing a crazy workout, and immediately felt like your training wasn't hardcore enough?

I've been there. Hell, I lived there for years.

You see someone deadlifting 500 pounds while standing on a bosu ball, juggling kettlebells, and chanting motivational quotes, and suddenly your basic deadlift session feels pathetic. But here's what Jamie gets that most of us miss:

You're on your own journey.

That sounds like generic motivational poster BS, but stick with me.

Why "Boring" Basics Beat Flashy Complexity

Jamie dropped this truth bomb: "The other challenge is overcomplicating training. When it comes down to it, it's the simple stuff that gets you more fit."

This woman has stood on podiums at the highest level of fitness competition, and she's telling us that simple works. Not the latest Bulgarian squat-to-burpee-to-handstand combo. Not the secret Eastern European periodization scheme.

Simple. Stuff.

Think about it—when was the last time you saw an elite athlete's training and thought "wow, that's... surprisingly basic"? Probably more often than you'd expect. Because while we're chasing the next shiny program, they're perfecting the fundamentals.

Jamie mentions that "sometimes slowing down may speed up your progress with skills and strength." Talk about counterintuitive. In our instant-gratification world, the idea that doing less might get us more feels almost rebellious.

But it makes sense when you think about it. If you're constantly jumping from program to program, exercise to exercise, you never give yourself time to actually get good at anything.

The Hidden Gift of Getting Knocked Down

Here's where Jamie's perspective gets really interesting. After dealing with multiple injuries—snapped Achilles, shoulder problems, surgeries—she doesn't sound bitter or defeated. Instead, she says: "Without challenges, I wouldn't be who I am today, and I wouldn't have the skill set I have now."

Most of us treat setbacks like personal failures. We get injured, miss workouts, or have bad training days, and we spiral into this narrative of "I'm not cut out for this" or "I'm falling behind."

But Jamie flips it: "When in post-injury, sometimes you actually have more to do. You know you have a hole in your game, so all of your energy goes into fixing this."

That reframe is everything. A setback isn't evidence that you're weak—it's intelligence about where you need to focus.

I learned this the hard way when I tore my meniscus a few years back. Initially, I was devastated. Then I realized my injury forced me to finally address the mobility issues I'd been ignoring for years. By the time I was fully healed, I was moving better than before the injury.

The Real Secret Sauce: Finding Your "Why"

When Jamie faces pressure or feels down, her strategy is simple but profound: "I think about why I do what I do, what I actually love about the sport and the life I live."

This isn't some fluffy mindfulness technique. It's practical psychology.

When you're clear on your actual motivations—not what Instagram tells you they should be—everything else falls into place. The comparison trap loses its power because you're not trying to be someone else. The complex programs seem unnecessary because you know what actually moves you toward your goals.

But here's the thing: most people never ask themselves why they're really doing this. They just follow trends and hope for the best.

What Does This Mean for the Rest of Us?

Jamie's advice to wannabe CrossFitters applies to anyone pursuing fitness: "Enjoy it. Never take yourself too seriously, and stick to the basics—they're always needed."

Let me translate this into practical terms:

Stop making it so damn complicated. That perfect program you're looking for? It probably involves movements you already know how to do. Squats, deadlifts, presses, pulls, some cardio. Revolutionary, right?

Embrace the suck. Jamie loves being nervous because she's learned to channel that energy. Your discomfort in the gym isn't a sign you're doing something wrong—it's often a sign you're doing something right.

Play the long game. Jamie's been competing for six years and is still learning. If someone at her level is still figuring things out, maybe you can give yourself permission to be a work in progress too.

The Questions You Should Be Asking

Instead of "What program should I follow?" try asking:

• What do I actually enjoy about this?
• What basics am I avoiding because they're not exciting?
• Where am I making things harder than they need to be?
• What would I do if no one was watching or posting about it?

Jamie's goal for the next 5-10 years isn't to revolutionize training or become a social media star. It's to "see what my body and mind are capable of at this elite level" while enjoying the process.

That's it. Simple curiosity about her own potential, combined with having fun along the way.

Your Move

Look, I'm not saying you need to aim for the CrossFit Games podium. But maybe there's something to learn from someone who got there by embracing nerves, sticking to basics, and staying curious about what she's capable of.

The next time you catch yourself falling into the comparison trap or chasing the latest complicated training trend, remember Jamie's approach: bring it back to the basics, remember why you started, and maybe—just maybe—learn to love the parts of this journey that make you uncomfortable.

Because if being a "weirdo" who enjoys the process got her to 3rd fittest woman on Earth, imagine what embracing your own weird journey might do for you.

What basic movement or simple habit have you been avoiding because it's not Instagram-worthy enough? Maybe it's time to get weird about the fundamentals.