I'm Not The Fastest Or The Strongest In The Gym, But That's Not The Point

Caitlyn Davey • April 2, 2025

I’m by no means the strongest, fittest, or fastest person in the gym—and I’ve come to accept that.


It took me time to stop comparing myself to others and realise something important:

➡️ The gym is a priority for me—but it’s not my only one.


I don’t train multiple hours per day or six days a week.


Instead, I choose to invest my energy into other vital areas of my life:

  • Career
  • Family
  • Basketball
  • Personal growth


It’s a personal choice, just like it’s others’ choice to dedicate more time to the gym, their nutrition, their sleep, and their recovery.

And that's okay.


Why Comparison Doesn't Serve Us

Comparing myself to others does me little good.


Why?


Because:

  • I don’t know their full story.
  • I don’t know their health, their history, or their journey.


What I do know is my own path:

  • I live with kidney disease.
  • I’ve endured spinal surgery.
  • I’ve faced months of sickness.
  • I’ve dealt with basketball injuries.


I remember one day, early in my comeback, I tried to deadlift 25kg.


It hurt—and it was a far cry from my personal best of 112kg.


I was frustrated.


But then a coach said something that changed everything:

"Cait, think of what’s on your barbell. Think of the kidney disease, the spinal surgery, the 9 months of sickness—that’s the weight you’re lifting too."

That moment shifted my mindset.


Celebrating My Own Strength

Today, I’ve not only recovered—I’ve surpassed my previous best.


✅ I recently hit a 115kg deadlift, and I’m aiming for even more come testing day.


Thanks to the guidance of my coaches and the importance they place on tracking metrics:

  • I better understand my capabilities and limitations.
  • I can see my progress clearly.
  • I focus on controlling what I can control, both inside and outside the gym.


The Real Victory

I may not be the strongest in the gym.


But I am:

  • The strongest version of myself.
  • Stronger every week.
  • Healthier, happier, and more resilient than ever before.


And that?


That’s pretty cool.


Your Journey is Your Own

It's not about being the best in the room.


It's about being the best version of yourself—every single day.


Progress is personal.


Strength is personal.


And your story is powerful.



Celebrate every win—because you're lifting far more than just the weight on the barbell.

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