RossTraining.com Blog

This entry is a continuation to a post from last week.

To begin, I’d like to share three quotes from Thomas Edison.  The first is one that I’ve referenced many times.  The reason I reference it so often is that I personally find inspiration in his words and wisdom…

*****

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”

***** 

I take Edison’s words to heart.  As a man with over 1000 patents in his name, he’s not a bad person to emulate.  Many of his quotes are printed on the walls of my gym.  A quick glance to the wall serves as a nice reminder to keep on keeping on. 

I didn’t always realize that my stubborn nature and refusal to give up or give in could be an attribute.  When I was younger, my stubborn nature was often criticized.   As I’ve grown older, I now realize that I wouldn’t have it any other way.  If I believe in something, I’ll argue my point until you are tired of arguing.  If I want something, I’ll keep busting my ass until I get it done.  I don’t give up.  I may get frustrated and come close to losing my mind, but I will keep on trying!  It’s the only way I know how to live. 

If you follow a similar approach to life, you’ll likely enjoy the video below.

Stay strong!

Ross

I’ve had a lot questions come in from people interested in a fitness (training) based career path.  I typically welcome the enthusiasm, but it seems that more and more people are asking these questions for all the wrong reasons.  The questions often have nothing to do with training, and are instead focused solely on money, money, and more money.  How much can I make?  Can I get rich?  What’s the fastest way?  The list goes on and on…

Now, I’m not suggesting that earning a living isn’t important.  I too have a wife and son, with another child on the way.  I need to provide for my family.  I also need to look my children in the eye however and teach them valuable lessons such as the importance of honesty and integrity.  There is only one way to raise my children and that is by leading from the front, and leading by example. 

In the video below, Jack Lalanne delivers a powerful message.  You can literally feel his enthusiasm.  He honestly cares about helping others achieve their goals.  

As I said in my most recent article, if you are looking to get rich, find another industry, as this isn’t the right (or best) place for you.  If money is your only driving force, join the finance industry.  If you want a part of this industry, please share Jack’s passion.  If you don’t, do us all a favor and don’t waste your time, as your entrance will only make others more leery of an already shady industry.  It’s gotten to the point that many people will automatically assume that you are just another snake oil salesman.  You must continually prove that you are not, as someone will always question your motive.   

Now, if you love what you do and are passionate about your work, it won’t faze you. You’ll become successful without trying.  Look at Jack Lalanne for the perfect example.  I’m guessing that he’s done pretty well for himself financially.  He did so by staying true to his word and honestly caring about the success of others.  We can all learn from his example.   

Focus on becoming better at what you do and the financial aspect will eventually take care of itself. 

Ross

After posting the recent 100 pound weight loss story, I’ve received several emails from readers who have expressed their own newfound hope within the story.  A common theme has been those who were previously scared to start for fear that they would fail.  They were essentially running from fear.  Rather than risking the pain of failure, they had taken a safer (in their eyes) road by sitting idle and remaining the same. 

I honestly did not know that the site had readers who hadn’t committed to exercise.  I assumed (always a big mistake) that readers of this blog were already motivated to train.  Considering that I was wrong, it’s nice to know that Q’s story has proved useful to others.

And while on the subject of failing, the video below is definitely worth a look.  It confirms one of my favorite quotes (from Elbert Hubbard):

“The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.”

Take the message from this video to heart.  I’ve made more mistakes than I can even remember.  I’m not ashamed of past mistakes however, as they have allowed me to learn and improve.  In many ways, we are all products of our past mistakes and failures.  It is these events that often shape our future (at least partially).  This has certainly proven true for me personally, and I’m a better man now because of it. 

Ross

In a past entry, I suggested that children imitate their parents.  My son follows my lead.  If I do pushups, he does pushups.  If I hit the bag, he hits the bag.  He loves every minute of it.  He runs around the gym laughing, and loves being inside the ring.  Troy associates the gym with play.  He wears a smile from ear to ear.  The only downside to his regular visit to the gym is when it is time to leave.  He’s never happy when it’s time to pack up.

Now, as much as Troy enjoys the gym, it’s important for me as a parent to realize that he is only 22 months old.  If he comes to the gym, he is coming to play.  This isn’t work to him.  It’s fun time.  He views pushups, squats, and bag work as endless fun.  He’s grown up in the gym since he was an infant.  He is around this lifestyle day in and day out.  Fighters often train right at my house.  Troy always wants a piece of the action.  If boxing is on TV, he runs over and throws punches.  He laughs and giggles the entire time.   It’s fun, and as a parent, I’ll make sure it is always fun.  This isn’t work.  This isn’t training.  This is play.

Unfortunately, not all parents understand that exercise and sport must be fun.   I’ve had parents brag to me that they push their children harder than adults.  Last week, a parent emailed me, bragging that his three year old son has the heart of a champion.  How the hell does a three year old have the heart of a champion?  How do we come to this conclusion?  Has the three year old fought through championship rounds?   

Some parents need a wake up call.  Kids need to be kids.  As a parent, it is your job to make this happen.   Don’t try to live your dreams through your child.   You had your own life.  Don’t try to live out another.  I can’t count how many young fighters that I’ve seen excessively pushed by their fathers.  The kids become teenagers who are already worn out physically and mentally, and end up losing all interest sports and physical exercise. 

It’s our job to lead from the front, but this doesn’t mean abandoning our responsibility as loving parents.  Let’s all get our kids involved in exercise and sport, but never push the children too soon.  They will have plenty of time to be pushed as they grow older and more mature.  The infant years are not the time however.  No one becomes a champion at three years old.  Let the kids have some fun, whether it is at the gym, out in the yard, at the beach, on a walk with your dog, etc. 

Let a kid be a kid…

Ross

In recent years, members of the strength and conditioning industry have become more involved (than ever before) in the development of combat athletes.  Fighters often turn to strength and conditioning coaches in search of greater strength, power, speed, and endurance. 

At face value, the extra attention (from the coaches) and the eagerness of the athletes should be commended.  Unfortunately, many athletes make the mistake of focusing too much attention on the supplemental work, and not enough on the actual skills of their respective sports.  The S&C coach who doesn’t truly understand the specifics of the sport is also at fault.  He must understand the intensity and steep learning curve of the combat sport.

Strength, power, and added endurance mean little if the athlete lacks skill.  Superior skill is the ultimate equalizer, and regardless of what you read in an advertisement, there is absolutely no substitute for skill training with an experienced coach.  As a fighter, much of your development takes place inside the ring or cage.   Even the best book, video, or web page can’t provide you with live sparring. 

The video clip below shows the importance and danger of skill.  Watch how Donald Curry counters the jab with a perfectly placed left hook.  

Milton McCrorry never has a chance to brace for the punch, as he is hit before he even knows it.  All of the strength training in the world wouldn’t have saved him, nor would the most sophisticated periodization model.  Curry beat him with skill.  The counter left hook is a thing of beauty when properly executed.  Developing the skill and instinct to land this punch without conscious thought requires many hours inside the ring.  You can’t buy this ring experience in a book.  It only comes to those who put in hours of work at the gym.

The lesson to be learned is simple.  Each piece of the puzzle is valued, but no single piece should stand in the way of skill development.  Supplemental work is supplemental.  Do not make the mistake of putting supplemental work in place of your actual sport/skill.

Ross

Who said you need a fancy gym to get in shape?

Pumping Iron In Haiti

Julien Spencer trains at home with scrap metal, car batteries, and disassembled car engines. 

Obviously, I’m not suggesting that you open the hood of your car in search of exercise equipment.  There is a message however that one can take away from this story.  You do not need a state of the art facility to improve physical fitness.  A little creativity, coupled with perspiration, will go a long way. 

Julien Spencer is a living example of this simple idea.  And as far as I know, there are no JYEC’s (Junk Yard Exercise Certifications) available at this time.  Believe it or not, but you don’t need a fancy certification to get up and exercise. 

Go visit a prison if you want another example.  Many convicts get up and exercise, and become tremendous physical specimens.  They exercise without all of the nonsense that litters today’s fitness industry.  They don’t have top level coaches guiding their every movement.  They don’t have access to luxury gyms.  Their diets are far from optimal.  The list goes on and on. 

Now, I’m not knocking all cert programs, nor am I glorifying prison, but it seems like a new certification hits the market every week.  Before you know it, there will be certifications on how to become certified.  Years ago, these programs didn’t exist.  It didn’t stop anyone from getting in shape.  Go to the Sandow Site for more examples than you’ll ever need.  You could literally spend all day and night reading up at the site.

Sandow and The Golden Age of Iron Men

Bookmark ^ this site! 

I’m not sure how a discussion of car batteries turned into a discussion regarding convicts and the Sandow site, but these things happen after a long day. 

Ross

A friend of mine just passed along this video from Youtube.  It tells the story of Sylvester Stallone and his development of the Rocky movie.  It’s a great story that shows the power of perseverance, consistency, and the refusal to give up on your dreams.  Many who grew up watching Rocky have no idea how it all began.  Take a look at the clip below to hear the interesting story.  You’ll likely find some motivation in the process…

Enjoy,

Ross

I have a new article available at the link below.  Don’t expect anything fancy or revolutionary, but do expect to read a few ideas about training others.

http://www.rosstraining.com/articles/observations.html

Enjoy,

Ross

I often receive a few hundred emails in a single day.  Within these emails, there is usually a question regarding fat loss supplements (with no mention of exercise or nutrition).  Instead, the individual wants to know what pill can be popped for immediate results.  What is the fastest way to lose weight!?!? 

My response is usually the same.  I share my thoughts regarding fat loss supplements (not a fan), and explain how exercise and simple nutritional strategies are much more effective and healthy.  There is no quick and easy way to lose weight.  Getting in shape isn’t something that you do a few weeks before summer.  It’s a lifestyle change.  It’s something that you do today, tomorrow, and every day for the rest of your life.  There are no shortcuts or secrets.  If you want to do something, do it.  If what you are doing isn’t working, do it better or find a better way.  Train harder, eat smarter, etc.  It really is that simple.  You don’t need a doctorate-level nutritional researcher to confirm that candy bars and soda don’t fall into the healthy for life category. 

As mentioned in a past blog entry, keep it simple and you will succeed.  But who am I to say?  I’m already in shape.  What do I know?  I must be full it, right?

Not so fast…

The link above showed one recent example, and another inspirational story is displayed below.  This man has lost over 100 pounds.  Check out the before and after pictures, and read about his story at the following link (and give the man some props!):

http://www.rosstraining.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=26460

As stated in his words:

“Did this with no weight loss products, no protein shakes, and no gym membership.”

*****

Before:

After:

I’ll be honest, even I was shocked by these pictures.  This man is living proof that if you want something, you can get up, bust your ass, and go get it.  He walked the walk, and hopefully there are others out there who can find inspiration in his story.  I sure as heck found his story motivational, even with my own athletes.

Train hard!

Ross

If you answered yes to this question, you may change your mind after reading this report:

Prescription Drugs Found In Drinking Water

As stated within:

A vast array of pharmaceuticals — including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones — have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans, an Associated Press investigation shows.

*****

Reading this kind of report makes one wonder if it is possible to truly live a healthy lifestyle.  Sure, we can all make choices regarding our health, but it appears that more and more factors are out of our control.  There is only so much that one can do to avoid such toxicities. 

Ross