January 17, 2025 “Are you a Cow or a Buffalo?”
I have been listening to some inspirational audibles on my drive to the gym. I recently heard the story of the cow vs. the buffalo. This story made me think about how I’ve witnessed either a cow mentality or a buffalo mentality, in every aspect of fitness whether in fitness classes, bootcamps or personal training sessions. Which one will you identify with?
When a cow and buffalo are in the same region, they can both sense storms approaching, however their responses to the storms are different.
A cow will try to run to get away from the storm. Now, the only problem is that if you know anything about cows, they're not really fast. So, the storm catches them rather quickly. Without knowing any better, the cows continue to try to outrun the storm. However, instead of outrunning the storm, they run with the storm, maximizing the amount of pain, time, and frustration they experience from that storm. Isn't that crazy?
Well, (we) humans often do the same thing. We spend so much of our lives constantly trying to avoid the inevitable challenges (storms) that come with life and sometimes our very own choices. By trying to avoid the challenges we tend to increase the amount of pain and frustration we experience, because the storms do not go away.
Conversely, what buffaloes do is very unique for the animal kingdom. Buffaloes wait for the storm to cross over the crest of the peak of the mountaintop. And as the storm rolls over the ridge, buffaloes will turn and charge directly into the storm. They run at the storm and by running at the storm, they run straight through it, minimizing the amount of pain, time, and frustration they experience from that storm. Notice how the cow and buffalo are going through the same storm. Because they approach the storm differently, they achieve different results, with buffalo go through the storm more quickly and with less pain and aggravation.
Being healthy and fit is everyone’s goal. We all weather this storm daily. How we face the storm demonstrates whether we are a cow or the buffalo. Which are you?
A "cow" represents someone who avoids challenges or difficult workouts by running away from them, they avoid run day Monday’s, they avoid cold or hot days, they choose to continue to eat the same things that caused their diabetes, etc. (like a cow running alongside a storm). Whereas a "buffalo" signifies someone who directly confronts challenges head-on, charging into the "storm" of a tough workout, showing up when they don’t feel like it, not letting injuries and setbacks deter them, minimizing the time spent struggling and quickly overcoming the obstacle.
An additional tidbit of information based on the inactivity or activity of the animal. Cows are “slow” or “lazy” and Buffalo are very active. Thus, Buffalo meat, often referred to as bison meat and cow meat have many similarities as well as some distinct differences. While both types of meat offer health benefits, bison is often considered a healthier and more sustainable option. Bison Meat is leaner and richer in certain nutrients.
Key points about the analogy:
- Cow behavior: When faced with a tough workout or fitness challenge, a "cow" might procrastinate, avoid the exercise altogether, or only do the easiest parts, essentially prolonging the discomfort by not fully engaging with the challenge. They tend to yell out “what’s the modification” without even trying the exercise.
- Buffalo behavior: A "buffalo" mentality means actively tackling a challenging workout with full commitment, pushing through the discomfort and getting it done quickly, similar to how a buffalo would charge directly into a storm. They tend to, regardless of team color, start the exercise without a second thought and getting it on the first, second or even third try.
There will always be storms in our lives, businesses, and as leaders. Storms reveal who we are.
Storms reveal who others are.
How to apply this to your fitness routine:
- Be a buffalo: When you see a challenging workout on your plan, don't shy away from it. Embrace the difficulty, approach it with a positive attitude, and push yourself to complete it with full effort.
- Identify your "storms”: Recognize what exercises or fitness goals feel like "storms" to you and actively work on facing them head-on. When storms come, you can choose to run into them and face them head on.
But I know after reading this article that you will adopt that buffalo mentality and become No Mess!
