Prior to a recent transformation which I recently underwent- I made the choice to negatively interpret a great deal of circumstances which infect our industry and society. I found myself in continual disappointment with respect to a host of factors.

In retrospect, I found particular discontent on two primary fronts:

1. I was annoyed with those whose efforts are fueled by self-serving interests

  • ·  I was disappointed by the fact that certain individuals in this industry of ours gain ‘success’ by inventing training and rehabilitation protocols and buzzwords which fall apart under the scrutiny of those who have awareness. The reality, unfortunately, is that awareness exists only in subcultures. The masses are, in fact, unfamiliar and therefore unknowingly support the glorified efforts of those who empower the status quo.

2. I was disappointed in the state of affairs here in the west, specifically in regards to the preparation of athletes.

  • ·  You see, I am self taught. I am self taught in the weight room, self taught as a coach (never interned or assisted anyone) and self taught on the theoretical/pedagogical side of the equation.

Note- pedagogy is synonymous with education and the art/science of teaching. I don’t use this word, or any other, in order to complicate the elementary. I simply use the words which are, in my view, the most appropriate.

- and because of being self taught I am fortunate to have subverted the attempts of western academia. You see, academia, to a certain extent, propagates misinformation. One result of this, which impacts our industry, is the fact that the insufficient developmental training of our young athletes truncates their potential to achieve high sport results later in life.

  • ·  I was disappointed in the realization that the systematic and long term training of athletes is nearly non-existent in the United States

I wear a few different hats in this industry. I am a S&C coach for a high school football program, I am a published author, I am a public speaker and lecturer, I discuss training with a domestic and international audience both through private email and phone conversations and through the Q and A here at eliteftsand my website, I recently opened my own gym, I am a Physical Education Advisor for a High School District, I construct the training for military special operations personnel, and military personnel who are screening for special operations selection courses, I train athletes and their parents privately, I am coaching an Olympic weightlifter in preparation for the 2008 games, I assist the USAPL Junior National Squat record holder (Dane Kelley) with the planning of his training, and I routinely converse with individuals who, in my opinion, are the some of the brightest minds in the industry

I have stated this for a reason; the reason is that I am very much present and in the moment with respect to the developmental process of athletes. The unfortunate truth is that we, in the west, are in the dark.

Based upon our economy, resources, and ethnic/genetic cross-section, it is my opinion that the US should be unconquerable in every conceivable sporting discipline, let alone free of an epidemic of obesity amongst adults and children both. This, however, is not the case.

So why is this the case? My former self asked the following questions:

  • ·  Why does the use of scientific vernacular put so many on the defensive in our industry?
  • ·  Why does the US routinely get served in so many Olympic disciplines that fail to make prime time network television coverage?
  • ·  Why is the pre-high school and high school athletic standout an anomaly in stead of a commonality?
  • ·  Why is mediocrity at the coaching level so commonplace even amongst our ‘most esteemed’ NCAA and professional sporting organizations?
  • ·  Why are PE teachers provided credentials for demonstrating a less then mediocre understanding of the physical education process?
  • ·  Why are coaches of alactic and alactic/aerobic athletes still having these sportsmen perform middle distance running?
  • ·  Why do many sport coaches lack even the most basic understanding of physiology?
  • ·  Why are so many S&C coaches incapable of doing their work?
  • ·  Why aren’t personal trainer certificates simply found in cereal boxes?
  • ·  And so on…

I have my own answers but this is neither important for the purpose of my message here nor consistent with my adjusted directives.

Here is my point, I am no longer burdened by disappointment or motivated by the negative energy which these circumstances have the potential to generate. I now chose to interpret these previously mentioned circumstances as ones which present me with the opportunity to offer insight and resolution. I am now, in fact, positively motivated by these circumstances which I have just mentioned. This is my choice. My former choosing rewarded me with negative results. I now chose to take actions which in turn will produce positive results.

Those of us who are inspired to cultivate the most powerful expectations of leadership must continually perform self-evaluation. This, amongst the assessment of other criteria, is something which I have become more conscious of as time moves forward.  In regards to applying this mindset (self-evaluation) to training, some of you may have reviewed this in an article I wrote entitled “Questioning Training Methodology”.

So as a result of a recent bought of self-evaluation I have made the determination to express my gratitude for all that positively motivates me and to do my best to ‘give back’ as much as I am prepared to at any one time.

In this regard, I have an announcement to make: In the immediate future I will be hosting a series of live conference calls. The times and dates of these calls as well as the calls themselves will be announced and occur on a weekly or every two/few week basis. These calls will encompass the numerous considerations surrounding the athlete preparation process as well as any idea, no matter how distant it may appear at first glance, which serves to facilitate this process.

I will be hosting these calls. Some of the calls may feature me alone while others may include my industry associates and colleagues as special guests.  The length of the calls will be determined by the content. Every call will be opened up at the end for questions from the listeners.  The call will be free of charge.

The only expense will be any long distance charges that may apply for certain callers.

Why free? Because I know that giving back is congruent with my process of cultivating positive and powerful expectations and results. I now chose to concentrate my efforts to heighten the awareness of those who seek it. I will further my growth, both personally and as a trainer of athletes, by collaborating with other leaders and by assisting you in furthering yours.

So keep visiting the Sports Training section of the Q and A here at elitefts and look for upcoming announcements.

I have written and stated that the training process is a living thing. I know that it is as alive and as dynamic as the human organism. For this reason, I will do my part to ensure that it grows at the most accelerated rate and at the most epic proportions. I will broaden the scope of my efforts to reach out in order that I may positively impact the training of athletes who I may never meet in this lifetime. I will offer what I know and believe to anyone who will listen.

Your price is to pay it forward.