Gamefit or fit for testing?

It was during my first preseason as a college athlete that I learned the difference between “fit for testing” and “gamefit”.

As you can probably already imagine, distinguishing the two from one another is straightforward. Through the lens of women’s soccer at George Mason University, fit for testing meant passing the required times/scores for preseason conditioning tests, whereas gamefit translated to one’s ability to play soccer and play it well – without a lack of strength or conditioning getting in the way.

Besides confirming what should be obvious – that to be gamefit was objectively, wholeheartedly more important than to be fit for testing – I still showed up to my freshman season exceptionally over-trained, anxious, and underweight. And, though I arrived “fit” to crush the beep test, 120s and 300-yard shuttles, I was equally unfit to withstand the increased physicality of NCAA Division I soccer. Not only that, I was unfit to manage the stress of not performing well, as well as cope with reduced playing time, and for the first time in my life.

Now, as much as I’d love to fill you in on all the inspirational growth & lessons that occurred after that first fall season, that’s not the point of this story. Rather, I share this story as a reminder: to keep rites of passage in perspective to the greater purposes they pertain to.

No matter your pursuit(s), whether it’s to be a better athlete, coach, employee, entrepreneur, friend, spouse, etc. — check the boxes that you need to, but more importantly, exercise the discernment necessary to filter the meaningful from the trivial.