Scoring Hot Chicks and Winning at EVERYTHING You Do!

Dude!
That shit was off the chamindset and how you must be tough as nails to get what you want. I can relate to what you are saying. If you don’t go through the hard times how are you going to appreciate the good? It would be awesome to maybe post a weekly pump up vid like that one to keep everyone on track. A lot of weak minded people that need help. Keep kickin ass Z.

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Zach,

You are 100% correct! It’s all in the mind, sometimes you just gotta re-program your thinking. There is no “I can’t”.

I know from personal battles all my life it can get tougher than h**l, but ya just gotta keep pushin and never, ever give up. There is no other way.

In the end a person is where they are at because of their own thinking.

Thoughts lead to actions, that’s why one needs to be so careful about what they allow into their head.

What your read, watch, listen too, who you hang around with, all of this WILL affect your thinking and your actions. Take control.

Thanks for sharing,

Walter

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you rock Zach. You are so right. Mindset is King.

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Z,

Dude… No shit after watching this video and having it all sink in I was gettin goosebumps… (don’t worry I prefer Hot Chicks to Shaved Head Ex Wrestlers LOL)

I could not agree more… Mindset is EVERYTHING!

We can have all the marketing and tips and tricks given to us on a silver platter BUT… if we wallow in fears or if we sit on our ass and make excuses.. it never happens period!

Dude you are without a doubt an Unbeatable Man and it’s a real honor and pleasure to be able to learn from you and connect with you.

See you in the Dirtee Jerz Next Weekend!

AT

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Although we like to take credit for “taking control” and making things happen, we must first remember to give God thanks for the blessings he has given us and the talents and abilities he grows within us. Always thank God first and give credit to Him.

Once you do that, you’ll be able to overcome anything in life and your mindset will truly be where it needs to be in order to succeed in this life and in eternity!

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Thanks Zack This came at a good time. I totally believe that mind set is everything. In the next three months my life is going to change. there is a little self doubt at times. so again thanks for reafirming what I all ready believe.

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Jackie

mindset is also Queen

thnx 4 checkin in!

–z–

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nate – hey bro, I am a faithful guy, not very religious though.

still, U need 2 take control of life, not expect or hope or ask from others, just my humble opinion.

–z–

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Joe – hey bro, good idea, I might crank a weekly upliftin vid!

–z–

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Tony

hey bro, belief + massive action will help U kick ass!

–z–

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walter! love ur insights bruddah!

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AT!!!!

yo bro, pumped to see U and Chris

just wait and see who Mr. X is, coming saturday!!!

this is gonna be the sickest USC Mentorship / Cert ever!

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Hell yeah dude. Just listening to you talk about your life and what you’ve been through lit a big ass fire in me. Thanks man.
Keep doing your thing.

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Z,
Congrats on the awesome things that are happening for you in your life. I am inspired by all your videos and appreciate you sharing this wisdom.

You are right – the mind is a powerful thing and we can do anything we put our minds to. The mindset is the way to win. Thank you for the inspirational video this helped me and I am now refocused on what I WANT to do and not what others say I can or cannot do.

You da man bruddah.
T

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Chills man! My hair is standing on end!

Ordering the book now and I am tackling a project I have been putting off for years.

The gloves are off. It’s time to kick Arss!

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Yo Zach,

Man bro, you str8 up kicked ass on this video post.

I know Im gonnna make it. I already have in my mind.

Hearing you say this stuff shows that I’m not the only one that is believing.

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Zach, or Mr. Esh or what ever you say in thy states.
This really inspired me at point in my life where i needed it. Thanks a lot, it is nice to watch something that is not superstength workouts for a change.

Kick ass, rock’n'roll!
/Young swede

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Fantastic post Zach.

See your target, keep it in your sights, and take relentless action until you hit your target. Then pick a bigger target!

Dom

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Whoa, my Man!
Ill tell ya what, that was a powerful message that hit me deep in the core! You couldn’t be more spot on! I was so pumped that I had the BEST workout that I’ve had in a LONG time! I am not just sayin that either! I set PR’s in squat triples and didn’t want to stop. My wife had to drag me out of the garage!!!

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So true Zach!
A line I use in my own Personal Training business is from the movie, Shawshank Redemption “Get busy living, or get busy dying”.
Another inspirational line I use for myself is taken from the movie, American History X “What have you done that has made your life better?”.
We need to make positive steps to our lives EVERYDAY.
I’ve done it all – depression; divorce; and now a struggling small business owner…but I wont give up!

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z, i feel you bro. been so low. that taking my life was the only way to stop the pain.we’ll talk.
see ya friday bro. can’t f’in wait.
fresh

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Hi Zach,

The one thing every great champions have in common is the winning mind-set.

I actually wrote a long comment but this is what I was trying to say.

Thanks man

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I’ve been watching and reading this blog for a decent amount of time yet have never spoken, everything is always interesting, today however it was great.

More and more lately I’ve been hearing this information and I know I need to adhere to what it says.

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Couldn’t agree more. A strong body is one thing, a strong mind is another. The combination of both… unbeatable.

Thanks man.

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I have fallen in to the negative mindset many times, and still do. I come from a working class family, unpleasant family life, etc. etc. But we all have excuses. It’s one thing to understand where you come from and then something else to move on.
Thanks for the continuing inspiration.

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What a sweet Video- You are soo right. Chris and I both went through that same mindset with different guys/girls we came across we were to insecure to go after and actually we both got crazy good at it like you said- and that is how we ended up together- we both made it our goal to get the other one- pretty crazy huh and now because of that mindset business is rockin and we are rockin it together.

Miss McCombs

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Matt, nice bro! Pls send your wife my sincere apologies, ha ha

guys like us love our wives but we also love the iron!!

–z–

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jenno, those are 2 great movies and 2 great quotes!

thnx 4 standing with me!!!

–z–

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Rick, I am honored you took time to respond bruddah, feel free to sound off here, anytime mate, no matter how long it is, your words and wisdom are always welcomed and I look forward to learning from you!

–z–

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Yo D! This weekend is gonna be the best weekend ever!

Come by the gym friday, we train at 4 and go till 7

i assure you bruddah, you will be in a new world and a new man when you head back to Cali after this weekend!

respect bruddah!

–z–

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Bill, thanks for standing with me and checkin the Blog bruddah, it means more to me than you cna imagine, time 4 U 2 step up ur game stud!

–z–

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Rob C – you KNOW it bruddah, you’re right on!

–z–

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Al – you are right bruddah, you gotta let go of the past and move onward.

Never move backwards, only forwards.

Your time is NOW bruddah broskie, be great, nothing less.

–z–

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Mrs. McCombs, ha ha ha – great minds think alike.

Plus, we’re all a lil’ crazy

It took me once to learn my lesson to go for it w/the ladies, it took a lot of pain and troubled times to go for it with my entire life though.

But f**k it, I am now paying it forward and helping thousands of others make change, so, it was all well worth it.

Most important, is to pass it down to my kids so they too can grow up and achieve greatness

I’m also BIG time honored and humbled by our friendship, it really means a lot and Chris is like a bruddah to me.

Peace & C U soon

–Z–

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Brother Zach,
Great pep talk man. It’s 4:50 am, time to hit the gym at 5 rock and roll, dude. Agree with you 110% on attitude, control, mental, mindset, unbeatable and important aspects of practices, training, games, Life and winning. Attitude and mental toughness are so, so important brothers and sisters in pumped up arms.
An approach to go for it and give it everything you got for good and right reasons with a great attitude, belief in yourself, confidence, internal-intrinsic mental approach coming from inside our own heads and hearts leads to achieving, hitting goals, domination, and if it is to be: I/we are unstoppable its up to me.
#1 Attitude and mindset is Everything. Greatness requires setting goals, want to hit them with a burning desire and passion. This takes dedication, coaching, hard work, motivation, practice, training and working much harder that competition giving 110%.
Hit like Babe Ruth MLB HR King: Effort and Practice.
We all create our own destiny, living our Dreams learning as a student of game giving, taking lessons. Greatness is an attitude, mindset, culture, lifestyle, set of values. Top athletes and players share attitude, aggressive mental focus and winning. Shott to be #1 and the best at everyhting you do!
Okay, truth: an All-america rant on You Tube DVD are so Cool man, I/we love to watch them before practices, workouts and games to mentally prepare to be and stay unbeatable. Two things: 1) give it everything you got, like Christ did for us. Check out Athletes in Action Campus Crusade ministries. 2) Do NOT ever- NEVER use illegal drugs, cheat or steroids.
It’s all about achieving greatness and Winning man.
-Best, All-American

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This inspired me more than Al Pacino speech

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Hey Z

Love the post, I can always depend on you to give me some nugget of gold to inspire me. You are so dead on about mind set.

I have struggled with this a lot over the years, I also had/have depression/self esteem issues leading to procrastination. For too long I did not take action and have wasted a lot of my life because of it.

But that is no more, I refuse to be a victim of my own created hell. Over the last year I have made great strides in taking control of my life and taking massive action. I have created several websites, currently working on my first manual on mobility/recovery strategies.

I have huge goals that I WILL reach and owe it all to my change in mind set. There are still times that I falter and go back into my old ways, but then I talk to a mentor, read a great book or a post like yours and it gets me back on track.

There will always be rough times, but we can never give up and never stop fighting.

Thanks for all the inspiration Z!

-Tim-

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Good stuff Zach! I agree that mindset is everything. Whether or not you get what you want; remaining courageous, strong, and positive throughout the turbulence of this human moment is maybe the only real goal of life worth achieving. Peace.

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And moving with those who have that mindset makes it 10X as easy.

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i remember a time when i was seriously depressed too. Even though i had a good stable job in the navy i was just down on life. At the time i was drinking heavily, smoking a pack of cigarettes a day and looking for women in every dive bar in virginia. My “fuck this” moment came when my father passed away and i decided to start back training in martial arts. I was still drinking amd smoking but that changed when i transferred to italy and had very few places to train. I cleaned up my act, starting reading your articles in tapout magazine, ordered a set of kettlebells and things automatically changed. I felt bitter, hostile but not to mention confident and better than ive ever felt in my life EVER. This new sense of confidence was put the test in january of 08 when i was diagnosed with testicular cancer. I can honestly say i could not have gotten through it as well as i did without this mindset that you are talking about and that im in. So everything is fine now and im still going strong so thank you fot what you do zach.

Aaryn

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Z
Great story man. Life has ups and downs like a rollercoaster, we control how long those ups and downs go. Take control and do what you want. Great message

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Z,
amazing video. Once we get our minds “beast” strong, there is nothng that should stop us in life. It took the loss of my father to realize this, but there is no reason to sweat the small stuff. Just set your goals, go at them 100% and everything else is just a minor speedbump.

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Real timely stuff for me Zach. Your thoughts more than Pacino or modern warriors. The books came out. Try the Bones of the Master by George Crane and yes the dude is real up here in the Hudson Valley. In the same vein The Long Walk by Slavomir Rawicz. This stuff slays me all the time when I’m funked.

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Hey,Zach
Great video man,Its so true its all in the mind,its all about having that fighting spirit the will to succed in life in whatever you do.You have to train the mind as well as the body.You get what you focus on!

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Coach Z!

In my previous posting on the last blog article I commented on the similarity we (the readership) all share in terms of origin. In this posting you can see the emmergence of another simliar trait- an undefeatable spirit!

We all, each of us, struggle with several identities: the person we were, the person we see ourselves as currently, how others view us currently, how we want to be viewed by others and ultimately who we ourselves wish and dream to be.

There is no big secret to having a successful mindset. It really boils down to making a decision in the moment to change. The process of change is the longest part of the journey- the actual moment of change takes seconds!

My advice in combating the above mindstates: Forget who you were. The past is a meta-anchor that can inhibit and hinder progress more than it can help. Who you were has no impact on who you can become(if you choose not to let it affect you)- so disgard this risidual self image as it is useless as a compass to the future.

Forget who you are now and realize that in one moment to the next you are changing and in a constant state of change- the power and beauty of this realisation is liberating. In this reality you can come to understand that you have the choice to affect life and not let life affect you. Be proactive daily and cease adapting the victim mindstate.

The next two points intertwine with one another- how others perceive us and how others will perceive us is out of our control. This is a really tough philosophy to accept. We as a society need to categorize and organize things into groups and if we ourselves do not fit into a group where do we belong? Who are we? Being yourself is a struggle because afterall what is this concept of self? Who is “I”?

In Eckhart Tolle’s book “A New Earth” he struggles to bring to the forefront of discussion this very concept- who is “I” to the reader?

“I” is personal and as such cannot be defined by anyone other than you. Peoples opinions and perspectives will be ever changing as are your own. Know that wisdom comes from experience and that as one gains more life experience their perspectives and opinions too shall change- why would you place so much importance on an opinion that is so tempestuous?

Finally this bring me to the person we dream to be. This is the most empowering version of ourselves. We see this visage of who we long to be and in that moment we can be that person. The mind is a powerful tool. Reality is a piece of realty that we occupy for a space in time now matter how long or brief, the duration is affected by choice!My belief is that we all have the chance to be whom ever we choose. The major question that needs to be satisfied is how.

How does the me I want to be live daily life? What is so different from the way that I do things now? How do I do those things that I need to do and be that greater me? The answer- you already know how to be great, just go out and DO IT!

As you always say Coach be an action taker! In taking action consistantly we are redefining ourselves with each fading moment. You see who we are goes beyond the physical borders of this world. As stated above the realisation that who we are is transitional and ever changing, ever evolving is liberating- bask in the freedom of what you can be, what you will be. Your mind cannot distinguish between what actually is and what we perceive to be reality. Choose you reality- CHOOSE GREATNESS AND GO AND GET IT!

AGE QUOD AGIS
Christopher

p.s. my apologies for the rant but I sincerely hope it helps!

STOP thinking of the excuses as to why you will fail and start to think of the reasons you will succeed.

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Zach- your lesson is one I wish we all could learn a lot earlier in life. My goal is to get my son and daughter to get a glimps of that lesson. Even though one really won’t understand the lesson until they’re older.

Jason

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Thanks for the inspirational video. It appears we all have been down this road. It is amazing how we self doubt ourselves when we have no proof to substantiate it the doubt. Remembe We Are What Think.

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Nice work, Z. We are watching you from Guatemala, where your words are reaching loud and clear. Thanx for the post, man! PEACE!!

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Hey Zach,
Thanks for posting such important and personal content once again for us. I echo the sentiments of many others who have commented here… these are lessons that I am now trying to live, but I can’t help but wish I had learned them so much earlier in life! I wish I was exposed to this mentality, and mentors like yourself, when I was a teenager! But I do thank God that I am now in a situation to raise my daughter as a champion of life.
Keep doing what you do Zach… thanks again.

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Hey,

I never thought exercise can change the way i see life, until i begin to do it, i never thought be a father can change my life style, until i became one, right one, i questioning myself if what i am doing today, the way i am doing is how i want to continue doing for the rest of my life, the only answers i have right now is: no; the only one way i can change it is: one step at a time or one “inch” at a time… and i already begin to walk to that change, and the the way i can continue finding more answers is reading, watching, enjoying and learning from people who enjoy the way they live and how they live, and that’s why i follow your blog.

Saludos.

Hector

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Zack,
That was great! It is so easy to be negative and not to do anything to change your life. Fear of failure and not taking risks are major roadblocks that you create because it takes you out of your comfort zone. Most people that succeed do not take no for an answer and condition themselves in taking action and risks by thinking outside the box. You Zack are that person ,most people trained the conventional way (bodybuilding) and thought that they needed to go to a gym to train and to get fit. By you thinking outside the box and taking the risk of opening a new website and training facility was hard enough ,however you took a even bigger risk by teaching and bringing back a forgotten method of training and proving that you can get fit anywhere !

That my friend was accomplished by a positive mindset and a big pair of COJONES.

Just a thought bro!

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Matt Furey is nothing but a joke.

The power of the mind is powerful to say the least. It has been documented that the attitude that one has may even cause an anabolic environment to build muscle with ease. This even furthers the idea about muscle building and the mind connection. If you are training the body you better train the mind.

Zach..thanks for the video.

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Zach,

Thanks heaps mate.

I don’t want to piss in your pocket too much(!)- I haven’t been following you/your website long but fairdinkum you inspire me a lot. I bought your LSOS a little while ago and it’s awesome.

I wish I had of known a lot of the training stuff whilst I was still playing (OZ Rules) but I can’t wait to pass it on and teach others so they get that chance. I’ve kinda got lost on my path in certain ways but you’ve really been a great role model and someone to look up to.

Thanks again for sharing – will get the book.

Take it easy mate

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wohh i am almost 19! lol
the age that all this shit started happening to you
i feel like you are spaking just me man, i can realte to you
i i know everything its all on the mind

thanks for the wake up call coach! its time to live my dream, its time to conquer the world!

im fired up man, time to let go the past and start fuking living!

peace!

-Luis-

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Zach, I know a little about adversity so I will share.
First of all I am a combat veteran Marine, who has seen combat on a few different continents: Honduras in 89 during a civil war, 90 in Rowanda during that etnic cleansing bullshit, 91 in Desert Storm and 02 in Alfghanistan. I have been to hell and back and have seen things that most people have not. I really sometimes cant believe that I am still walking around, because I also have the ‘Im the first guy thru the door’ attitude.
After all that my ex wife sent me to prison for falling behind in child support because I was making no money, not that I was withholding it. I spent 6 months in a place where I was with criminals- dregs of society and getting into fights weekly, and not being able to see or talk to my kids the whoile time, as a father I am sure you know how tough that can be.
After all that I came out stronger than ever. I will not lose PERIOD, I WILL WIN. I decided to change careers at that point becaus eI hated what I was doing and needed to find a career I could love and have a sincere deep passion for. With the help of some friends I came to tghe personal training, sports conditioning world, AND I LOVE IT. I truly dont feel like I work, because it feels like play to me, and at the same time I am changing people’s lives, whether its out of shape unhealthy adults or young athletes—-I AM HELPING THEM. And that makes my life whole.
You my friend are one of the reasons, along with ur boy Jason C Brown another serious Jarhead YUT YUT, and a whole bunch of others.
I started out with a national chain bullshit fitness center to get started, and dove in hard and fast and learned. I spent 2 1/2 yrs there then left and started my own gig. And I am never looking back only looking forward. I have a ways to go but its awesome. I am so happy and only see great things to come.
A mentor once taught me: Glory is not in the never failinmg but picking yourself up each time you fail. Well I pick myeslf up everytime with no shame and keep on charging.
So thank you for all you have done for me even if you dont know it, and one day will make the not too long trip to edison nj from ny to meet you.
To all your followers I leave this: Find your passion, keep your eye on the prize and kick ass and take names.
FAILING ISNT BAD ITS WHAT YOU DO WHEN YOU FAIL THAT SEPARATES THE LIVING FROM THE DEAD.
Stay strong and healty
Motivator of men and friend to none-J

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Hey Zach,

Great thoughts, stories and truth from you. It takes courage to be that open. It takes courage to be successful.

Your main point being it’s all about mindset. Look at all the supposedly successful people – movie stars, rock stars, celebrities, politicians and corporate fatcats that spiral out of control when they “make it big”. We watch them crash and burn all the time.

They weren’t prepared for success. Maybe they stumbled into it, inherited it or just got “lucky”. Or unlucky as the case may be.

What I’m saying is, all that failure any of us have suffered and we all have, or depression or whatever challenges we’ve been faced with, is just training that makes us stronger. It prepares us to be the person we really are inside. It prepares us to be victorious no matter what.

Maybe we should thank our lucky stars that we at least, had the opportunities to fail and be screw ups in ways that set us up for massive success later. Which is NOW!

You’ve got a great thing going. You inspire and give VALUE to the people ready for it. Keep rockin’ it my brother.

Wishing you all the best,

Jeff and BOOM Superfoods

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Thanks for the pearls of wisdom my favorite from you is still if you wanna get Stronger put more weight on the bar.
That is one to live by.

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Hey Zach,

Awesome video! This comes at a really interesting time im my life. Needed this!! Thanks!!!

Mike

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hey everyone,
any of you who have been LOW! getting your ass kicked by everyone.
read “under the bar and behind the bar” by dave tate
he really got his ass kicked. read them
we have all been there.
fresh

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Zach,

WOW, is what come to mind when I see your videos. I say this because you are a very inspirational man. I read some of the stories above and I feel like many of us have gone threw many bad times and busted our asses to get out of them.

I sometimes think that my story is no different than the next mans but I want to give back and tell people about my struggles in life and how I still fight everyday to keep things going.

My life went to the shitter when my grandmother passed away on October 15,2007, in my house, 5 days before my birthday. This lady was my second mother and I loved her with all my heart.

She was living and fighting Liver Cancer for more than 15 years. Many people could not believe that she had survived for so long. Well since my mom was in shock and I never came to realization that my grandmother passed away and this was a a hard hit for every one in my family.

This when I was lost for good. I was about to lose my family, my son, my wife. I lost a business that I worked so hard to start up from nothing and lost a good business partner. I started to work two jobs that I hated because I need to get my mind of the gutter and just wanted to find a way to make everything go away.

In that time my son and my wife left to Venezuela for a planned trip and at that time I had no control over my life. I was suppose to go to Venezuela but I never went but I never went because of my two jobs that I hated.

When my wife can back with out my son from Venezuela I even more lost. I left my house and did not come back until my son cam back. Once I saw him I knew that I had to be there for him No Matter What. So I stopped everything I was doing. I left everything that would drive me away from son and started to follow my heart again. It felt like was blind and finally could see again.

I started to read and listen to positive minded people again. i started to follow Zach site and see how he went from nothing to following his dreams.

Till this day I am still fighting to stay a float but at least I have some direction. I am doing what I know and love to do. I have my son around me all the time and will not allow to miss another 6 months of his life.

I feel what Zach is saying and everyone else that wrote a comment.

Life has a different story and a different lesson for each one of use. The ones that are successful are the ones that learn from their failure and are able to keep moving forward.

When I left my 2 jobs, I was scared but I reminded myself that if I did it once I can do it again. All I have to is fight like I never fought before.

Thank you to everyone that shared their story and I wish everyone the best of luck. Make sure to take ACTION…WE GET PAID FOR DONE

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great video. words to live by. i am always working on a better mind set and this helped a lot. especially in scoring hot chicks!

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Hey Z,

Great video. I remember going through some tough times in my life when I was in the Military. I survived the first bout in Iraq, bankruptcy and some pretty heavy marital problems. You see, I’ve been married since I was 17 and until my mid twenties I felt like I was dealt a bad hand. In 1996 I gave up wrestling, a Naval career and moved my wife and kids back to Ohio.

Your site and the training I do has given me my life back. I am in better shape than I was 18 years ago, cherish everyday I wake up and most importantly love my wife and kids unconditionally. Thanks for the continued inspiration from you and all of the people that visit this site.

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This is one of the best ways to put it. I dont think you can become a man without overcoming the tough times. At the end of the day your right its a mindset and what YOU do about it

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Zach,

Great post, again. Everyone deals with difficulties, at some point or another. I’ve always found that if you’re nice to everyone, it comes back to you, often when you’re not around and people are speaking, and acting, on your behalf. Call it good karma, or whatever you want, but good, positive thinking, mixed with intense focus, is a great recipe. Keeping your goals simple and clear also helps. Thanks again and keep producing; clearly, your words impact a lot of people.

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What up bro man Z,

awesome post! I can totally relate to how you had to sludge through a period of depression and how one day you woke up and was like enough of this crap.

Back in the day I was the fat, lazy, insecure kid in class and really and truly believed that I would never amount to anything… Things got so bad my second year of college that I broke down mentally and flunked out of school. I went to see the school counselor and he put me on meds (which seems to be everyone’s solution to everything)….

TO make a long story short I decided that I had had enough of letting life live me! I got up and flipped the world the bird and friggin took control of my life…

I figured that all my problems were in my head and that I had nothing to complain about; so I got off my ass and started working out and ended up losing 50 + lbs… granted that I knew nothing about proper muscle building nutrition and exercise but I knew that if I just began doing something I would figure the rest our on the way.

I got back on track at school and through much turmoil I finally graduated in 2007 and moved to the far east in search for adventure and success.

Looking back I realize that warriors are not born, rather they are built; trials and hardships are necessary to eradicate weakness and build character and at the end of the day, the person we become is a direct result of the choice to make in how you deal with the crises that life inevitably brings.

Keep doing what you’re doing coach Z!

D

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Always an inspiration. Everybody has a story of ups and downs, but the specifics are irrelevant, what is important is that you get back up and take action to move forward no matter how many times you’ve been knocked down.

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Hey Zach loving your videos man and Matts book looks awesome, already read the first three chapters he has sent out.I am glad to see NLP hitting the main stream and people understanding the power of the mind.

Looked into buying Matts book but the p&p is killing me to the UK!!

Keep the vids coming buddy

thx

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There’s a lot of talk here about ‘overcoming hard times’ as if once you’ve pulled yourself out of that one difficult situation you’re set for life. I disagree – overcoming that difficult period is the easy part. The toughest part is maintaining the focus, effort and commitment necessary to ensure you don’t fall back into it and you keep improving yourself.

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As usual great info, great videos, awesome site. Your enthusiasm keeps me motivated! Keep up the good work.

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J – holy sh*t, it is always FACT that when we think we have been low, someone else has been lower.

You’re a beast for the new path you have taken and created and I am glad you’re out to see your kids again brother,

you’ve only just begun!

–z–

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Richard! How right you are bruddah, it’s harder to keep on keepin’ on.

I have nothing else to say bro, you are dead on!!

—z—

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Dan – warriors are built, not born, how right you are bruddah, I do believe we can change

–z–

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There is lots of talk of the power of the mind being so obvious, BUT, we must wonder then, the problem still seems to lie in people knowing what to do but simply NOT doing it.

To bring back the quote which hung above the squat rack at old Diamond Gym, next to a photo of Tom Platz squatting 6 plates in college….

“There are those that do
and those that don’t…

Those that will and
those that won’t”

Which person are you?

–Z–

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Zach, the only guy who I believe when he uses the word “brudha”.

You have said it soo many times before, attitude, attitude, attitude. Because of you and your mentor, Alwyn, its moved me into underground strength training. I tell my clients “if your not ready to win, then stay home. Because your defeated before you show up”. Attitude. I could even get spiritual, but I’ll do that on my site. Either way, as you would say.. ” GO HARD, OR GO HOME” Thanks Zach

Jay

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It started as a vision. To start with the very basics and produce elite results. Stay simple, promote through actions, be different, but honor the strict. Garage Ink Powerlifting was born in a 20 x 20 garage. It didn’t matter what you did in the gym, get the lifts done on the platform. Get your lifts done in INK. No Heat, No AC, No Mirrors, No Excuses!!! We developed a small following. So much that 13 pieces of equipment, 9 people training in a 20 x 20 garage was too much. People getting too close to the Kerosene Heaters and getting burnt. Spending a lot of time teaching others while sacrificing my own lifting. A vision, had become a mission. Pass it on. Be a farmer. Plant the seed. If they comeback, then feed them more. Pass it on. Since 2004, we’ve now grown into a full blow commercial gym. Yeah, maybe on a shoe string budget, but its all mine. No loans, no overhead, except rent. 6,000 square feet and growing. That’s why its called “Vision Fitness”. It started with just a dream, a vision; and we made it happen. Good luck. See ya soon. Vision Fitness…where hard work beats potential, when potential won’t work hard!!!!

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Zach-
Great vid!!…its something that cant be said often enough as we all need that kick in the a** sometime.

Interesting response you gave right above abt taking action as this has become an area of focus for me the last couple weeks — basically what am I actually DOING to get 1% better each day.

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Z-

Thanks for sharing. That, allong with just about everything else you put out there, was very inspiring.

I’m hoping to follow in your footsteps someday soon!

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Zach, life is good if you know how to approach it, but people that don’t find it this way are often in some sort of bad phase, mindset, or situation. Change is what is needed in those that typically have a negative outlook on themselves, which is pretty obvious to everyone except for the person involved. If we could all get our minds to accept what we have, we’d be much better off. However, if we could get our minds to push us through our daily challenges and struggles, we’d be unstoppable.

Your post was very influential. It’s not always about the physical, even though most of us are here to enhance the physical side of ourselves. The mental side of ourselves is often pushed to the side, and not tended to, although this is by far the most important aspect of “self”.

Ask most athletes about the last time they had a workout that really crushed them, and pulled every ounce of energy out of them. You’ll probably hear answers like “earlier today”, “yesterday”, or maybe “last week, but that’s only because I broke both arms and a leg over the weekend”. Now, ask those same people the last time that they had a meaningful conversation with themselves or with others, and you’ll get a look of wonder, as in “are you serious”? People take for granted the mindset of themselves or others.

I was always an emotionally closed person, which lead to a separation between my wife and myself. I started to go to a therapist to talk about my feelings (god forbid), and it was tougher than anything that I had done in the gym. I finally started to really open up, and to my amazement, I wasn’t struck down by lightning. Since then, I’ve opened up much more to everyone in my life, and my wife and I have reconciled most of our differences, and are working to a better future together.

The point of this post is that while most of us spend a lot of time preparing to work out, working out, and recovery, few of us I’m sure spend little to no time looking inside of ourselves, and creating a mindset that can overcome all barriers. We may be strong on the outside, but if the inside isn’t just as strong, then we have nothing. Great bodies have done very little for mankind throughout the ages, whereas great minds have effected all of us in some way or another.

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Zach, you’re absolutely right about attitude. I wouldn’t have come this far with all my health problems without having a mindset for lifting heavy. I have a steel rod in my back from scoliosis surgery at the age of 12. I was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 18. I’m 42 now. I almost died from a rare bacteria infection when I was 32. The only reason I survived was because I was fit. The doctors called it a miracle that I survived that illness. For me, I was determined to be strong and healthy. I climbed Mount Baldy when I was 35 even though I was told by my doctor not to do it. I’m now flipping tires, deadlifting 195lbs, carrying my trainer up steep hills, doing walking lunges with 70lb dumbbells. I just don’t tell my doctors about it. I know this attitude carries on to other aspects of my life too. My motto is when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Your video is such an inspiration to anyone that sees it, Zach.

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This is why I love you bro, this is the real deal shit! Your really helped show me all this when I decided to make a change in my life and do my own thing, and it keeps getting better. I opened the gym of my dreams and now have the girl I am going to marry and its only started

Thanks brotha!!

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There is no such thing as a painless lesson. They just don’t exist.
Sacrifices are necessary,
You cant gain anything without loosing something first.
Although, if you can endure that pain, and walk away from it
You’ll find that you have a mindset strong enough to overcome any obstacle.
yeah… A mind like STEEL**

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