Influence, How to Make a Difference, the Giving Hand, Pay it Forward & How to Win
June 4th, 2009
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by admin · Filed Under: Announcements · Articles · Success
I recently returned from an awesome weekend up in North NJ where I tore up the stage with business and training info. This is a DEEP blog post so please take the time to read through and of course, get your chance to WIN some serious shizza.
I spent many hours with my homeboy, Chris McCombs and his wife, and had the chance to hang with Gary Vaynerchuk again and talk a lil biz. Great times were spent in NYC and thanks to my classy driving everyone stayed alive even as I drove the wrong way down a one way street.
Chris, his wife Sarah and Marcell the camera man remained WAY TOO CALM with my driving skills and it was possibly thanks to their layed back, SoCal attitude. Jason Ferruggia would have called me a “Jersey Fuck”. Nice 
While on stage, I had flashbacks of Alwyn Cosgrove coaching me through the creation of my business, WHILE he was undergoing treatment for cancer. He kept telling me to “take the jump”, “Go Big Time” and he pushed me to the edge and through new boundaries.
I had memories of my Grandfather telling me how he outworked both my Dad and my Uncle AFTER working the night shift while building his house and the temps reached 100 + degrees in Israel.
When I shared my “tough times” with the crowd in my gut and in my heart I KNEW 2 THINGS:
1) Nothing is tougher than my Grandfather losing his entire family to the Holocaust, being in 3 different military units in 3 different countries, working the night shift and then coming home and building a house (this house was beyond beautiful with fruit trees surrounding the entire house and exotic birds flying around while exotic lizards scale the walls and trees).
2) Alwyn Cosgrove beat cancer Twice AND still ran a super successful gym AND bought a new fucking house while going through chemo treatment!
My “tough times” were trivial compared to these 2 men.
These 2 men especially spurred my drive to succeed in addition to my family. I KNOW I must represent for my wife and kids and if times get tough I simply need to think for a mere second of any of the above.
Things get put in perspective right away when I think of Cosgrove, my family and my Grandfather.
So, Sunday evening I returned home and Monday morning I underwent knee surgery.
I wasn’t nervous one bit. I almost didn’t feel the right to be nervous.
It’s Thursday and I am feeling beyond grateful from all my past experiences and all the feedback I have been getting lately.
Is the feedback always good? Heck no, but no worries, I focus on the Good, and you should to.
Lots of people were telling me how much they love the blog and love The Underground web site. Stories of how it has helped them in their own training, their business, their motivation, inspiration and education.
It reminded me of Cosgrove and I talking about the Pay it Forward principle. If you don’t know it, watch this video I have for you…
I want to give away a 2 year membership to http://UndergroundStrengthCoach.com with an ethical bribe.
I also want to give away a 1 year membership to http://UndergroundStrengthCoach.com
I am here because of those who have helped me. It has NOT been an individual journey.
On June 20th I am holding my annual ‘Lift Strong’ strongman contest fundraiser which I hold every year at my gym. I will do this until my very last breath on earth, and, when I am no longer here, my son Ethan will carry on the tradition, as will his children, as will theirs….
But I want to make this BIGGER….
So, if you e mail me your receipt of purchase of http://LIFTStrong.com you will get a 2 year membership to http://UndergroundStrengthCoach.com (Valued at $254)
I also want to choose 5 people to win a 1 year membership if they post the person / people who have changed and influenced their life most. I want you to REALLY dig and share your feelings. Don’t hold anything back!
The 5 most inspirational stories will get a 1 year membership FREE.
My Ethical Bribe: Anyone who invests the 20 something bucks in LIFT Strong gets 2 years membership.
Just recently at The Underground, I added a 22 minute bodyweight seminar video, a 7 minute “How To” video on how to build your own training pit and another 7 minute video on how to make your own sandbag and how to train with it.
It’s time to Pay it Forward.
Post below and / or get your copy of LIFT Strong.
Forward your receipts to UndergroundStrengthCoach@gmail.com
Pay it Forward,
–Z–
PS: Chris McCombs spoke about the “Giving Hand” and how he started his business like this. It’s time we give back, it’s time we pay it forward, it’s time we make a difference.
Share your story below….
20 Responses to “Influence, How to Make a Difference, the Giving Hand, Pay it Forward & How to Win”
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Zach,
Listen to your presentation at Fast Track as well as reading this really hit home for me. My dad has worked for the power company digging ditches and pulling cable off massive spools for 30yrs. He’s had to put of with some downright abusive conditions, below freezing temps in the winter and 90+ degree days with 100% humidity in the summer. He did make a ton of money but we wanted for nothing. he’d work all day then come home and take me to whatever practice I had and coach too. As I got older he’d work all day then come home and take me to the gym and squat and deadlift with me. The man has a motor!
Bottom line, like you said, I have to represent for my family. I’m not longer afraid to take that leap of getting my own training biz started. I’ve seen how folks like my dad, you, and countless others have worked their asses off to get where they are and provide for their families. I’m determined to do the same!
damn fingers can’t type…should be “Listening to your presentation” and “he didnt make a ton of money”
Z-You are an inspiration to all of us in the field! Keep up the good work bro…and I wish you a fast recovery w/ your rehab. FYI-I couldnt pass up your bribe..I will be sending you my receipt…I would encourage all readers to do the same! Good luck with the fund raiser as well. In Strength, Brian
When I joined the Army I was free from my family out on my own and like most kids they go party all the time. Well my party never stopped, I was alwas drinking and training. Well there reached a point when I thought wow I am an alcholic like my dad was, this isn’t what I joined the Army to be. So I told my Platoon Sergeant i needed help He had big plans for me as I was a go getter and would do anything to get the job done. He said at first you will be ok I’ve been there. Well I ended up in some trouble that could have ruined my career. This guy stopped and said shit man I am sorry I got caught up in the daily grind and lost site of the real problem you have. So instead of ruining my career he went to back for me puting his career on the line to save mine telling our superiours he would square me away. What happend well first he said he would kick my ass and throw me in the river if I screwed up again but he also lead me to be the person I am today. I look back on those silly times of thinking it was cool to get drunk everyday and night when there is more to life then that. He helped show me that there is and was. Keep spreading the good cheer Zach.
Zach
I wanted to give you my inspiration. reading what you said about Alwyn Cosgrove hit home. You see my wife went through 9+ years of fighting cancer.
Nine years of chemo, surguries, transfusions, a stem cell transplant and I don’t know how many doctors poking and proding at her.
In 9+ years she never complained. Her docs will tell you if not for her never say die attitude she would have died long before she did. she has been gone for almost 6 years now.
Whenever I hear someone complain about how tough they have it (That includes me)I laugh and think your a pussy.
So here is to the TOUGHEST person I have ever or will ever know. My wife Debi. Till we are together again baby.
Joe
P.S. Zach I don’t to be considered for your generous offer. I was inspired by your post and just wanted to tell Debs story
Zach,
I actually have three inspirational people in my life. The first is my Grandfather. This man was on the road selling everyday to provide for his wife and 5 children. When things “settled” for him he would be at work for the electrical company at 7am (working til 6pm most nights) but not before his work out at 5am! All this while he was in his late 40’s and early 50’s.
My Grandfather was the man that introduced me to Ice Hockey and Weight Training. I would frequently join him at the gym when I was 12 years old- lemme tell you my grandfather is the fuckin’ man! At 50 he was reppin’ 225lbs his all out max at that time was 275lbs- he was no pussy and still isn’t!
My second influence is my Mom. I am no momma’s boy but I respect the shit out of her and love her to pieces! As a single parent my mom held down two sometimes three jobs at a time to provide for me. She always had time to hang out and talk with me. My mom and I have an outstanding rapport and I often seek her counsel.
From her I have learned the value of hard work and how to raise your children to be fearless. My mom always heard my crazy ass dreams out- from wanting to play professional football to wanting to run my own training facility she has never discouraged me. Actually her advise would usually fall along the lines of …“well if that’s what you want and you are sure, go after it and get it!”
The final inspirational person in my life is my mentor and close personal friend Mark. At the age of 16 I met him and he has forever changed my life! If my mom gave me the strength and courage to open my wings Mark is the guy that taught me how to soar!
Mark didn’t just train me for football being a former Canadian Football League Player he trained me for life. Our relationship continues to this very day and he is my second source for counsel. His perspective is quite often refreshing, humbling and very astute. He along with Mom and Gramps are the reason why I am who I am today. Through these three people I have witnessed first hand the embodiment of the following quote paraphrased by NFL Head Caoch and Hall of Famer Vince Lombardi:
“The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. Hard work is the price we must pay for success. I think you can accomplish anything if you’re willing to pay the price.”
Keep up the great work Zach!
Were do i start,,well first i wanna say your the man, what your doing here is just awesome.I gotta admit what your doing here struck a nerve and i gotta start representing my family the way my father did and still does today at the age of 78.Im the youngest of 11 my dad came to this country when he was 20 worked in the fields in So Cal picking fruit from sunrise to sundown crouched over all day in the hot So cal sun for just a few bucks. After many hard years he saved enough money to bring his family here, at the time it was 6 kids and my mom.Eventually he move to Nor Cal worked 2 or 3 jobs for many many years,was never on wellfare never asked the goverment for help, actually i really dont have any childhood memories of my dad because he was never around.But thru all this he never drank or smoked never ate out, never treated himself to anything saved every penny, all for his family and now its my turn. im determined to work my ass off like he did, like your grandfather and like you. My dream is to have a hardcore no B.S. gym like yours. you have been motivating me for a few years and i just wanna send a HUGE THANK YOU
-Z-
First off, I want to donate 100 bucks to Your Lift Strong fundraiser – let me know how to send you the cash – got a paypal address?
Inspiration – My Dad hung my first pullup bar for me (30 years ago) when I was 13 and he bought me some sand filled weights. He knew very little about strength training but always encouraged me to find my own answers. He did know a whole lot about outside labor; we spent many a fun day splitting wood and what not – he would always make a game of it!
At age 16, I spent a week living in wrestling coach Jim Peckham’s house learning how to “earn the right to win”. We climbed a 50′ rope x 3 every morning – he taught me the deadlift, snatch, pullups, milk carton pushups and SO much more! I went home and made a lifting chart ALWAYS doing more… Coach Peckham taught me about all the other aspect of being a champion; psychological, mental, work ethic, discipline,heart….
Many, many more stories for me…but these 2 men were the start.
In Strength,
Jerry
I was what one might consider a late bloomer to the world of training with weights,having not started until the age of 39. I can’t say that it has been a bad thing for me, in fact, it was was quite rewarding in the sense of rising to the top of my competitive field in natural bodybuilding. However, let me stop right here because it’s not about what I did on stage, cause no one cares that I had 32 straight wins or over fifty first place titles, or any thing else I accomplished in my career as a natural bodybuilder. What means more to me than anything I did since I started training was the fact that I loved it. I loved going to the gym and spending all my time in there pushing and pulling weight all day everyday until…
I had a run of bad times as we all have I’m sure, but my bad times involved losing both parents in a short period and then followed by one sister. All with the big “C”. CANCER! The bad part was that I had stopped training in 99′, and really hadn’t done anything with the exception of demonstrating moves for my clients. I have to say, that had it not been for my loyalty to the people I trained and the concern for their health and wellness and their belief in me, I would have probably stopped training all together and returned to the investigative field. There is so much more I could tell you, but…Why? No matter where you turn who you talk to we all have our own little tales of woe. The thing is how we handle them, that’s what counts. I chose to stay and help the people that believed in me because I love helping others reach their goals and I’m glad I did. I have to give thanks to a lot of the fitness guru’s out there and they know who they are just by checking their sites and programs where my name shows as a member or past member, but I have to give a special thanks to YOU, ZACH, for it was you with your intenseness, motivation, and down to earth spirit, that afforded me the opportunity to take the leap and become an underground strength coach, and with that I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. And, I will definitely “Pay It Forward!”
If You and I would be quiet and still….just long enough….we would hear the voices that are talking and chattering away in our minds.
Some of the voices of are fear…and some of are doubt.
Some of them are of lack and some of them are voices that were played since childhood that have done nothing but left You or I feeling INSECURE.
But it is in those moments of silence and when the night falls, while everything and everyone around us is asleep that we should and can confront these voices and ideas….and see them clearly for what they are.
And deep down You and I know….that we are at a crossroads and must and will and have to challenge those thoughts that tell us that we are not good enough, or that there is not enough for everyone, or that others will steal and rob from us.
We have to change and replace the thoughts with real and valid principles and truths.
We have to change our realities and take responsibility for that what we think we know to be true and disect it for what they are….and toss out the badd and keep the good.
For many years while growing up some of us were told how we should act….and be with money, women, ourselves and with others. And we have heard it from our loved ones and close friends…although they meant well.
But the truth is that anyone is willing to give advice about what they don’t know although they believe it to be so.
Now it is our responsibility to let go of the past and move forward with a mind of a champion. It is time to change the old realities that are not helping our families, our finances, or our businesses or whatever our goals and dreams are.
So it is not that we have done everything right and not recieved what we deserved. Everything in the universe revolves around laws and priniples.
We know about gravity although we may not understand it. We know about electricity although we may not understand how and why.
So what I am saying is that the only reason we may not be successful yet…or have not reached the goals we have had…..is only because we have failed to understand and apply certain laws and principles correctly.
We as trainers know that getting stonger, faster, and better is a science. If we train with baby weights, we will have baby muscles. If we train with heavy weights we wil be heavy hitters. If we do A and B, we will get C.
And then there is the law of Give to Get. That says to give freely and it shall return to you many times more. Dont do it once but over and over.
When we cringe on hearing that,…. it is only because the fear of not enough or lacking is creeping in our minds, “those old negative ideas”. And that is when we must snatch them like kettlebell and toss em’ out.
And there are tools for that. We must learn and develop and condition our minds as we also condition our bodies that there is plenty and an abundance of wealth, and everything else we desire…if we only learn how to believe and bring it about.
Now is my time to give.
Although my businesses have not always worked and my websites have not turned out as I envisioned..it is only because I have not learned how to find ther right personel to outsource it to. But I will because I know it is up to me and I will find a way and the people I need will soon get in my way.
I thank Zach and Chris and Steve and Jim Pat and Nick and everyone else that has been my motivation when things have not always turned out the way I wanted.
I should and will listen to them more and do what they say to do. They are the examples and the leaders that we should learn from.
Now I am paying it forward by offering a few great reads that everyone should have and disect and let marinate in their minds daily.
They are:
The Richest Man in Babylon,
The Secret
Think and Grow Rich
The Power of Positive Thinking
THe Bible (great stories regardless of how you interpret or your faith)
Success through a Positive Mental Attitude
Rich Dad Poor Dad
I also have a PDF e-book and audio that I have been sitting on that has a wealth of information that if Zach agrees, I will forward to him as a gift for him to distribute freely to his members and friends. FREE . My way of paying it forward.
And I thank Zach again for writing the post that inspired me to JUST DO IT!
P.S. Zach, I look forward to the day that I will hire you as a business coach. In time brother man. In time.
((((((((((((NOW TIME TO GO DO SOMETHIN CRAZY)))))))))))))))
Zach,
I loved your offer for free membership, In exchange for Charitable donation. Accepted
But I have a couple more things I’d like to add.
It has been almost a year since I started my fitness journey. When I started I joined a bunch of Fitness Training and motivation Lists for Fitness tips, Muscle Training advice and Lifestyle motivation. I have to say after a year Zach has the best list of the dozens I joined, Hands Down! A little soft sells and a lot of get off your ass and get moving. As a webmaster I know list are tough to do and extra tough to keep up on. So I give Zach Props for helping when I first started and giving me something to look forward too. Zach Fitness renovations has enabled me to train without putting my bank in the negative. Great Job Zach, Keep it up.
My Pay it forward! Free Webmaster Help(within reason), While I’m not an expert at anything I can do almost everything. SEO, limited graphic design, keyword research, word press or script, hosting, etc. And If I can’t help you I will see if I know someone who can.
Here is the Catch (easy), You need to have/add a link to one of Zach’s sites(affiliate link ok) or The Lift strong on the top third of the site. While I would like to help love to help everyone build a custom site from scratch I don’t have that much time. But I can get sh*t done so hit me up. Dandith /@/ Gmail.com take out the // and spaces. Put Zach’s pay it forward in the title somewhere. See if I can’t help out.
Peace.
thanks zach, great inspirational post! have a great weekend with your fam!
Great post Zach.
I’m am now reflecting on the work my grandfather and father did and the people around me who have accomplished amazing things.
I have no right to bitch about things — EVER.
Loving the blog, bro. Take care.
WOW dudes, we had a boat load of action takers snag their copy of http://LiftStrong.com and get their 2 free years to the underground (valued at $154) which ROCKS!
The winners for the inspirations stories (and I actually recvd many via e mail who were not wanting to post their stories here) ==>
- Joe Gagliano
- Chris Reed
- Jerry Hill
- K Man
- Adrian
Pls. e mail me and I’ll get you guys the 1 yr membership to http://undergroundStrengthCoach.com as promised
Also, please don’t fear posting comments here
I want to create a strong community here, and, often times, it is YOUR story that will inspire and lift someone else up, so remember, “Pay it Forward” – don’t be shy.
–Z–
Zach, I like to thank you for being one of your chosen inspirational stories, however, I would appreciate it if you pass the membership along to one of your underground beast so that they can reap the rewards of what we do. I know one in particular is DuPoux, man that young bruddah really gained my respect. Peace..
Much love for you my bruddah,
K-Man
Zach,
I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for being real and straight forward with me. I have a story just like everyone else. I was born and raised in Brooklyn and never had a Father to call my own. My Dad left my mom when I was about 4 years old. My mother worked long hours and was never really there for my brother and I. My grandmother came to live with us from Ecuador. She was a true warrior. She passed away about 2 years ago. She was my second mother. When when my grandmother passed away my wife went Venezuela for 6 months and I stayed back to work. I started working two jobs,that had nothing to do with fitness, and I did not want to listen to my heart because I was hurting too much from my grandmother passing away. I lost my grandmother that raised me ever since I was 4 years old. Well from there my life went down hill and I just lost my self.
Then I came to your gym for about a month and let you down. That also was a negative point in my life that made me feel like I had nothing. I felt like I just could not make anything good happen in my life.
When my son came back from Venezuela, I found that fight that my grandmother had (by the way my grandmother lived with liver cancer for about 15 years, diabetes and high cholesterol and never when for Chemotherapy) all her life. I felt like I was raised from the dead and found my true reason for living.
When I was at Fast Track in the last week of May in New Jersey I talked to you Zach. At first I felt bad and did not know how to talk to you. Then when we finally talked after your presentation to everyone in Fast Track you said something to me that will always stay with me forever “I believe in you”. I never in my life had some one say that to me and really place such powerful impact. It made me feel like there was actual light at the end of the tunnel.
Zach when my son came back from Venezuela I did a lot to get my self off the ground. I started to listen to Brian Tracy Law of Achievement in my car every morning and I joined Boot Camp Blue Print with Pat, Nick, Jim, and BJ and I stopped listening to the radio and started to listen to the crazy amount of Cd’s that I have bought through out the years. But there was always one thing that I would always check, I really wanted to prove to myself that I could achieve this goal, and that was your Underground Certification site. I would check the dates of the next up coming certs, re-read the text and watch the videos over and over. I feel that it is one of the biggest honors to have your certification because you make sure people take ACTION and don’t just talk smack and you care about what about people.
Just to prove to all of you guys and gals why Zach is not all talk here is an email he sent me:
bro u rock
pls post this on the blog brother, it’s a powerful story and it will move others!
share UR story and become part of the community
im proud of U bro, ur son is proud of u, ur family is proud, ur now on the road to greatness!!!
This is one of the reasons why I share this story. It still hurts me when I type and read this but I have to be strong for my Family. I can not quit.
Never Give Up People No matter how hard it gets Keep driving your feet and you will break down that wall.
Zach I added a few lines and once again thank you for your powerful and yet simple words.
I will be an Underground Strength Coach and I will make you proud.
Well see you at the top Zach
Bro you have ALWAYS been there for me from the start so THANK YOU and my thanks goes to Alwyn as well for him helping you it helped me. Now I have my intern and am paying it forward to him and will be holding my lift strong event soon as well after the grand opening.
I’m not looking to take up the challenge, I just want to say that I like and applaud your competition.
My Wild Geese Martial Arts & Fitness newsleter carries a link to LiftStrong every single month.
My Uncle recently got beat by cancer and i have a client who recently had a mastectomy. Not that you’d know, part of her Lat was removed and sculpted to form a new breast. She now raises cash for a cancer support community in Dublin.
She deserves a prize. But would never ask for anything.
Keep up the good work my friend.
Regards
Dave Hedges
you have bribed me, i will buy lift strong and you will seem my receipt
Great post Zach… really hit home for me as well. Thanks for sharing your inspiration as well as the journey to recovery from your recent injury. This brought back memories of a pretty serious injury I had back in my teens.
I was a passenger in a major car accident – the vehicle was traveling over 100km/hour, a tire blew out and it rolled three times into the median ditch. I was thrown out of the car about 20 feet into the ditch (thankfully not into traffic!).
When I landed I felt a sharp pain in my lower back and knew right away it wasn’t good. At the hospital I was told that I had 3 fractured lumbar vertebrae (spinal compression fractures). The doctor said it was likely because I had been lifting weights that prevented any serious nerve damage.
I was told not to lift heavy weights again, but it didn’t make sense to me that the same training which protected me from serious injury was now considered “bad”. So as soon as I healed and was able I began lifting even heavier!
During tough times like this I also think about those people in my life who have inspired me. For me, the most influential person in my life was my father.
My dad, Edward, was a giant of a man, standing 6′5″ tall, with broad shoulders and a full beard. He was active in our community, volunteered with an environmentalist group, and he was a family man. He was the greatest man I ever personally knew. When he passed away from cancer at the young age of 46 it turned my world upside down. But even while he was fighting cancer, I never heard him complain. There are two things he said that I will always remember:
* “Everything happens for a reason; that doesn’t mean you’re going to like it.”
* “The way to become immortal is to positively influence the lives of other people. Your actions will live on in the memories of others.”
He taught me that there is a lesson or an opportunity for growth in everything that happens to you, both good and bad. I also learned that to lead a fulfilling life one needs to have a purpose that includes helping others. Lessons to live by.
Thanks again for sharing Zach, and for giving us an opportunity to do so as well. Some of this stuff isn’t always easy to talk about, but it’s real and it’s important.
In strength,
Josh