Find a NEW Way to Peel the Banana

There are times in life where everything is viewed one way. Then suddenly, after an interaction or revelation, the entire subject is seen in a completely different manner, as though the former observation never existed. I was a senior in high school, taking an anatomy class, when such a moment occurred.

The semester had gone relatively smooth thus far, predominately learning insertions and origins. I’ve always had a knack for the sciences, and I was already setting my sights on a vocation in physical training. Taking an anatomy class as the final science requirement of my high school career seemed like a great idea. Until I failed the first test.

Believe me, I was familiar with the concept of failure. I’ve bombed out of my fair share of life experiences; however those were things like Spanish quizzes, 8th grade Basketball tryouts, and World History (I still swear Mrs. Kohl hated me), but not my beloved science. Our teacher, Mrs. Moravec, privately addressed those of us with subpar performances stating simply, “You need to find a different way to peel the banana.” We were bewildered at what she meant.

Unbeknownst to us, in the wild, primates predominately remove the outer casing of the banana fruit completely different than the domesticated homo sapiens. While humans might peel from the stem, or the “top”, gorillas and monkeys remove the peel starting at the bottom. What Mrs. Moravec was suggesting was that it was not for a lack of effort that we failed her test, but an improper method of preparation. In instances like this, I’ve found that sometimes the smallest revelations are the most profound.

Why on earth would I peel the banana differently? Why change my approach? Shouldn’t I just try harder with the same method? If I may continue to use the banana analogy, one process for peeling isn’t necessarily “better” than the other; however is there a more efficient, more intuitive, more optimal method for me individually. Sure, I could’ve just kept my haphazard memorization tactics and probably seen some success over the course of the semester and year, but to what end? We instead, were encouraged to change the process to achieve success, discovering something else entirely through the pursuit.

Our solution as students was to work together, forming study groups. Through this process I discovered more about myself as a learner than I ever anticipated. I found that I learn best through outward processing, i.e. educating others. If I’m forced to teach someone the necessary content, I’ll become more masterful with that information. I worked especially well with a few close friends who needed subject matter explained in multiple ways before achieving mastery, making us a successful team. Better banana peelers.

I’ll ask you then…

• Is there a seemingly unsurmountable task that you need to try tackling from a different perspective?
  • Jump starting a nutrition, fitness, lifestyle change?
• Where are the areas in your life needing a “methods” overhaul?
  • Responses to others, process for dealing with relationships, common procedures at work?
• How can you step back from a situation, observe weaknesses in the current plan, and make shifts to form a more optimal path?
  • Major life event, hardships, or day-in-day-out struggles?

I learned many lessons in Mrs. Moravec’s class, a majority of them having to deal with life, not just anatomy. And for the record, since then, I’ve peeled all my bananas a “new” way. From the bottom.

Taylor Gish is an Exclusive Coach at MSP Fitness and Lead Instructor to the Strength+Endurance Program. His individual training focus is on the sport of Olympic Weightlifting where he has been competing locally and nationally since 2013. Taylor enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, cooking, and lecturing on health and fitness as an adjunct professor at his alma mater.