You're looking to take your training to the next level?

You think you have everything it takes but would be "set" if you had "this" or "that"?

I am at a place in my life right now that I feel like the Gods of Valhalla are playing some kind of joke on me. When I was younger I knew a fraction of what I know know. I remember spending 30 minutes walking around the gym rolling bars on the floor to find the one that was the least bent. I "hoped" I would have someone there to spot me when the weight got heavy. All the gyms I trained at kinda sucked. Actually I used two and would do half a session at one then drive across town to finish at the other one.  I made due.

I was a fucking machine. It didn't matter what I did, I recovered. If I got hurt it never took long to heal.

Today, I have a gym that has everything one would ever need to get strong or make gains. I have food on the table. I have my own ultra-sound, stim unit, cold laser, hot tub, and get MAT therapy once  a week. I can buy food and even supplements if I want. I have access to whatever I need and/or who ever I need.

But my body is what Buddy Morris calls "fucked up beyond repair".

What kinda of sick joke is this?

I work my ass off to get to have all these things I always felt I needed to get my strongest and without a doubt I am perhaps the weakest I've even been in my life.

I'm not the only one. Most of the guys I grew up training and competing with who are still around today are in the same boat.

Man, if we only had then what we have now!

OR NOT!

What I just wrote was one story or version of seeing this. Here is the other.

You know why I have all that shit now?

I gathered it all along the way as bit by bit it was what I needed to keep going. I did what I had to do to keep doing what I loved to do. That's the fact. If I didn't need it or think I needed it I would have it.

Looking back here are some false believes I used to have that I try to pass on to ensure others do not make the same.

The Perfect Program

There is no such thing as the perfect program. Now, don't get me wrong. I do think there are FAR better ways to train than others but I was reminded the most important aspect or all this -  this past weekend.

Our Purchasing Director Chuck started with us as an intern about two years ago and his eduction, desire and ability to think is what landed him the job he has now.

I have an unwritten rule in the gym and that is we will help others under a few circumstances.

- This is not my job or the job of those who train here. We are there to "get away" from our jobs not to become personal trainers and/or coaches. To coach everyone and then train ourselves would take all day.

- We want to see them get better, not make us look better. This means we will teach you not tell you. We will provide some programing and explain why but it is up to them to ask questions, learn and figure shit out for themselves. There are many times we stand back and watch and ask each others "should we tell them" and then decide not to. Give it a couple more weeks and see if they figure it out.

NOTE: When I say we that includes a total of close to 100 years of experience as lifters with Elite totals. Friends and lifters I have known for 15-20 years.

In short over the past year Chuck has put 400 pounds on his total (#raw #natty #pr) based on all of us TEACHING him how to train with him figuring shit out.

This is why we had a seminar for years called "Learn to Train". Learning to Train will trump being told to train ANY day because when you are being told the limit is based on who you are listening to. When you are learning the limit is based on YOU.

It's funny because we had many coaches and trainers who wouldn't sign up for the seminar because they felt "Learning to Train" was to basic of a concept. This was always funny to me because it really is the most complicated part of the process. Their statement told me they have learned much but understood little.

You are not limited by the lack of the perfect program - You are limited by your own lack to learn and ask the right questions.

Knowing the Right People

This one will not take a long to write out as the other one. If you feel like - if you were able to train with "so and so," or knew and had access to "so and so" you would be better you are completely FULL OF SHIT.

First, if you really wanted access to "so and so" you would find a way. Especially in this industry.

Second, 9 out of 10 times when you meet this person you will most likely be let down. This doesn't mean they are bad people or that they can't help it just means you have made them out to be more than they really are. This also means even when they do suggest you try something you will not do it and then toss it back on them.

There is no doubt knowing the right people can help. NO DOUBT but for this to really work they need to also know you enough to care about your success as well. Use the example provided above. There are times it is better to let people learn the lesson on their own then to tell them the answer directly. This is the type of action people that care would make. Those who don't would rather spend 30 minutes speaking to you so you can see how smart they are. Not teaching you, or coaching you, just speaking their psychobabble to impress you.

Before you go out looking for all the right people - look are the people you have now. I have said this before and will say it again. I know people in gyms right now who are paying people for online training (who can't see them train set for set and rep for rep) while within their own gym are multiple former world champions who would help them for nothing more than the gym dues they ask. They will not coddle you, tell you how awesome you are or take a IG video of your lift. They will help you get fucking strong if you care enough to ask the right questions.