Be a Captain

Our entire world revolves around respect, or lack of it. It is the basis for every relationship, because of respect I listen to my parents, hold doors open for the elderly and obey the rules of the road. This idea of respect governs how we act in every relationship and the need for respect does not change inside the training room. In fact, it may be the most important aspect of coaching. When your athletes respect you they will believe in what you ask of them.

Respect is very individualized and it is earned in different ways from different people. For some the sole fact that you are offering a service is enough. For others it may require some form of palpable results before you are given respect. The faster you acquire it the smoother your relationship and the quicker the results. So what is the best way to gain your athletes respect?

Train with them! Take of the stopwatch and put down the clip board and grind it out with them for a day. Be a captain instead of a coach, still lead and instruct but do it from the front lines rather than the back. I think that often coaches are afraid to look silly in front of their athletes and as a result are afraid to train with them. If your athletes are better than you, your doing your job right.

My suggestion is to do it on a conditioning day. Why? Because they are shitty, make you hate your life and bring athletes together. It shows that you are willing and able to perform everything you ask them to do and know and understand exactly what they are going through when you ask them to give you more. Plus, as coaches we don't get an opportunity to embrace the struggle as often as we would like, especially with those around that can push us. So try it out, be a Captain.

Return of the Jedi

I was really struggling for a good title and seeing as I still hope to one day be drafted into the Jedi order it seemed fitting. I would title this "Back by Popular Demand" but I doubt that is accurate, I have had a few people ask and it inspired me to start writing again, that and I finished the Hunger Games Series so that freed up some of my time.

I want to take this post to just mention I will be moving to Toronto this summer to work at Gary Roberts High Performance Center. I was very fortunate in gaining an opportunity to work there and owe a lot of people for helping and taking a risk on me. I will also be graduating, sort of (I have to finish a research project first but finished all of my classroom time) so I really am joining the big boy world and want to thank my professors and peers at LSSU.

I also want to thank everyone who has helped shape and guide me the last 4 years. Staying home and attending university was something I regretted initially but it has changed my life for the better and I wouldn't change a thing. My roommates (parents) have my sincerest thank you, they have listened and offered advice almost daily for the last 4 years. I have been able to walk upstairs, raid the fridge and receive advice. I haven't always asked for it or listened but thank them for it. I also thank my brothers, who I have watched grow from little boys into young men and into my closest friends.

Chris Cooper and all those at Catalyst Fitness also deserve a special thank you. Chris not only pulled me out of the potential Globo-gym assembly line but also offered me a job that I love going to, where I hang out with a bunch of awesome people. If your reading this and haven't been there (unlikely) check it out, 99 Industrial Court.

The last, and most important thank you goes out to MMA/BJJ community. Without a doubt  the largest change in my life. Here is a Facebook message that changed it all.

hey man...I watched one of your fights on youtube nice submission but i'm sure you've heard that a few times. I'm looking to get into MMA and was wondering if you've got any pointers. I emailed Ho Shin Sool but was wondering if you could tell me the kind of training that goes on there, MMA specific that is. Thanks and maybe we can train together sometime.
Adrian  

This was sent to Brent Fryia, on August 28th, 2008 and I probably hit backspace and delete about a 20 times before sending it but I really wanted to train UFC. (I tried to find a start date of my GI BJJ career but even with the aid of Facebook Timeline feature I can only guess late 2009.) Now, 4 years later I train and coach at the gym he owns with a bunch of awesome people. The sport has let me meet some of the most humble and amazing individuals and share the mat with champions. The mat has changed who I am and what I feel is important. It has become my favorite place.

PS. A big thank you to Karly Meincke, Devin Boston and Josh Deluco (Zach Griffin when he is in town) for tucking me in late at night and checking the room for ghosts.