What does it take to transform from promising talent to elite competitor? For Erica Folo, the answer lies not in the gym, but between the ears.

Erica's journey began as a sprinter who was drawn to CrossFit after spotting a "jacked" teammate who was secretly training at a local box. Despite her initial assessment of the warehouse gym as "looking like a jail," she found herself immersed in the community. Natural talent quickly became evident, leading to a CrossFit Games appearance as a teen in 2018.

Then came the unexpected plot twist – a departure from serious training during university years where partying took priority over PRs. It wasn't until 2022 that Erica returned to competitive fitness, initially joining a team before surprising herself by surpassing her teammates' abilities. The physical capacity was always there, but something was missing.

The breakthrough moment came during a brutal mental breakdown at the 2024 Syndicate Crown semifinal. Despite impressive early performances, Erica describes entering the final day convinced she would fail: "I could tell you I lost the last workout before it even started." That painful experience catalyzed a transformation in her approach to competition.

Fast forward just months later, and we witness a completely different athlete mentally. Describing her approach to a crucial qualification event, Erica reveals: "My brain was just literally shut off... when I'm able to shut my brain off and literally just complete the work, knowing what rep scheme I'm going to do, that is the key for me."

Now deliberately seeking uncomfortable training scenarios that trigger her ego's resistance, Erica builds bridges between her exceptional physical capabilities and a developing mental game that could propel her to the sport's highest levels. Her story reminds us that the greatest battles in fitness are often fought not against weights or workouts, but against the limitations we place on ourselves.

Want more insights on developing your mental game for competition? Subscribe to the Misfit Podcast for weekly conversations with the sport's most compelling athletes and coaches.

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