5 years ago I spent over 4 hours on the phone with a guy by the name of Alwyn Cosgrove.
I’m talking 4 + hours straight, not an hour here and there.
I “met” AC through special business forums that Ryan Lee created, which were membership forums. The most motivated dudes were on this forum, and back then, as they are now, these were industry leaders.
I was living at home, die hard passionate about doing what I do now for a living. Guys like Brian Grasso, Lee Taft, Jason C. Brown and Pat Bieth were members.
Back when AC spent time on the phone with me, he helped me create a system to run my business, which at the time was being run from the garage of my new home.
Except, back then, my home was being worked on – it was getting a complete overhaul, but, the first thing that got the overhaul was my 2 car garage, ha ha 
I lived with my parents for a YEAR as the house was getting rebuilt, and I payed our contractors through the money I made with my training business.
Little did I know that the smartest man in the fitness industry was lying in his bed with tubed sticking out or his body as he was fighting Stage IV Cancer – you see my friend, AC NEVER told me he had cancer.
He was so passionate about helping me do what I love, he didn’t mention a word about it.
I speak with AC regularly via phone and e mail, and aside from his Coaching group , there isn’t much chance you can connect with my mentor.
But, his Blog kicks serious ass and he gave me permission to borrow a recent post which you will see below. It’s quite powerful and if you have any inkling of a thought that you want to run a fitness business, then you better read every word of what’s written below….
Read more on Everything is Changing…
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Filed under Announcements, Articles, Calendar, Q & A, Success, marketing by on Jan 20th, 2009. Comment. 
The Underground Strength Gym, located in Edison, NJ, was a gym built off “nuts and berries”.
I literally started this place with less than $ 1,000 and little by little added equipment, most of which is used or home made.
Most people think that in order to start a kick ass Underground Gym would require financial assistance from a bank, a business partner / loan, all types of fancy equipment and 5,000 sq. ft.
The Underground Strength Gym is just under 1,500 sq. ft. I could have stayed in my garage and played it safe while others told me how tough running my own business would be. The BIG difference is that I had the balls to do something about my passion, while other cry, complain and make excuses about it.
I have invested thousands of dollars in Coaching and Education because I know that it is an INVESTMENT. Others call it spending.
Too many personal trainers who want to kick ass fear the “investment” because they feel it is spending.
I have hired guys like Jim Labadie, Alwyn Cosgrove, Ryan Lee and even others outside of the fitness industry, often paying $ 1,000 for an hour of their time.
I understand that my investment will translate into many, many multiples of my initial investment.
I don’t fear, I act. I make things happen, and if I need help, I am not so egotistical to ask for it and pay for it.
I pay for my education, as did my Coaches. I don’t expect FREE advice, handouts or anything else for FREE.
I have bene helped by many, and this is why I immediately e mailed Ryan Lee after he announced he would scholar someone for his upcoming Ryan Lee Boot Camp.
The cost to scholar someone is near $ 1,000, I said so what, I want to give back, to pay it forward, to help a certain someone who has the drive to take action and make things happen, no excuses, no crying or whining.
I think there are far too many complainers, whiners and cry babies out there – want everything for free, or discounted, or adjusted for their pleasure and benefit.
I don’t work with people like that, only with people who want to kick serious ass, plain and simple, and know that it will require work and an investment.
It’s time to look in the mirror, and ask yourself, what kind of person are you?
Kill it!
–Coach Z–
P.S. - The next Underground Strength Coach Certification is on Novemeber 1st and 2nd.
If you want in (I’ll be taking 12 people maximum), go HERE, read the entire letter, and if you are ready to Kill It, e mail me to schedule an interview.
I emphasize, SERIOUS, SERIOUS, SERIOUS inquiries only. No tire kickers, noone just to ask a few questions. This is the real deal. You either want in and are ready to Kill It, or you’re just “thinking about it.” I want people who are ready to kick ass like never before, so if you’re just “thinking about it” then forget it, you’re not the right fit for this elite program.
The last group who went through our Underground Strength Coach Cert. is already killing it!
- Dramatic increases in boot camp numbers
- Beginning boot camps in niche markets
- Opening Underground Strength Facilities
- Training athletic Teams
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Filed under Articles, Success, Videos by on Jul 18th, 2008. 5 Comments.
Last night my wife and I rented the movie, ‘The Bucket List’ from DirecTV. It hit me hard, REALLY hard, and of course, had me thinking like crazy about a lot of things. The list is on now
But, it reminded me of a person near and dear to my heart, someone who made the biggest difference in my business, and, if it were not for him, there’s a good chance I wouldn’t be writing this. I would likely still be satisified doing what I used to do, and only training athletes here and there on the side, as opposed to actually being in the thick of it, doing what I love day in and day out.
Watch the preview below and then read on….
I started feeling the pain of “what if….” as the movie came to an end.
It reminded me specifically of when I was a featured presenter at Ryan Lee’s first ever boot camp, and the night before, the day of and all freaking day, Alwyn Cosgrove kept telling me, “You better light up that f**ing stage brother or I’m gonna kick your ass!”
That motivated me! HA!
I co-presented that night with my close friends Jason C. Brown and Josh Henkin, both of whom have been HUGE influences on my training methods.
As we presented, every time I was demonstrating and speaking, I saw Alwyn in the waaaaaaay back of the room, staring right at me, with his fist clenched and his head shaking with a big grin on his face, he kept pumping his fist as if to say two things:
1) “You’re killing it brother, keep killing it!!”
2) “You better kill it more or I’m gonan kick your ass!!”
I get goosebumps thinking about that day…..
Alwyn was likely remembering all the hours he spent on the phone and the computer with me, coaching me with how to run my business and, in a subtle way, how to live life.
If you don’t know Alwyn Cosgrove, he is to fitness what Lance Armstrong is to bicycling. He is probably the most respected fitness professional out there, and, by far, the toughest mother f**er in the field, no doubt.
These times of coaching were 3 or 4 years ago, and man, does time fly… where the heck does it go?
When I look at some of my athletes, those who are 18 or 19, I am in shock, because I remember being that age like it was yesterday, tearing it up in the gym. Now, 32, it’s almost half my life time ago…. another 18 years, and I’ll be 50.
Time goes fast whether you’re having fun or not (guess who told me that one , so you might as well follow your passion, go full steam ahead like a run away freight train, and start doing what you love.
If you do not take action and begin doing what you love and begin doing things you’ve always wanted to do, you are doing a disservice to the world, somehow, someway, you’re not only cheating yourself but cheating others as well.
Time to take some action!
Dedicated to your success,
–Zach–
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Filed under Articles, Success, Videos by on Jul 7th, 2008. 1 Comment.
A little story about what we did, with the full story to come soon.
In Strength,
–Z–
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Filed under Articles, Success, Zach's Workouts by on May 23rd, 2008. Comment.
In case I forgot (which I think I did….)
On Saturday, May 10th, at 12 Noon, I will be holding my annual LIFT Strong fundraiser, a strongman contest for my athletes who are raising money to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Feel free to come and watch. Looks like we have approx. 15 competitors attending.
This event is done out of respect and admiration for my close friend and mentor, Alwyn Cosgrove who created the product at http://LIFTstrong.com.
There is no fee to come and watch, but it would be great if you took action now and picked up your 800+ page jam packed copy at http://LIFTstrong.com.
I hope to see you there! We’re located in the same parking lot as Apollon Gym.
Our address is:
160 Talmadge Rd
Edison, NJ 08817
See you next Saturday!
In Strength,
–Z–
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Filed under Announcements, Calendar, Success, Zach's Workouts by on May 3rd, 2008. Comment.
I recieve many e mails regarding how I have attained success so quickly and especially more e mails on why I am such a go getter and so positive.
Well, without a doubt, my past has shaped my future….things I have gone through in the past have helped me become who I am today. Taking things to the next step is thanks to the many people you will see on my book shelves.
With our baby boy on the way soon, my office was moved down stairs…it’s pretty cool down here. I was worried it would be gloomy and dungeon like, ha ha, but the sun shines through these windows plenty.
Why am I sharing all this with you, aren’t I scared you’ll steal my “secrets”?
I have said this before….I am a man who believes in prosperity. I am not jealous, or scared or worried about what others are doing. The pie is big enough for everyone! I have learned from what’s on my shelves and I hope you do as well!
Enjoy the tour!
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Filed under Q & A, Success, Videos, Zach's Workouts by on Apr 21st, 2008. 6 Comments.
First off, thanks to all who responded to my “personal blog post” late last night.
The responses have been very motivating to me. As you can see, I am very emotionally driven when it comes to training and life in general. If you personally know me, you cna attest to this
I also know that not everyone will be on the same page as I am, and I don’t expect them to.
It does remind me of some very funny instances though, where I was told by a friend and colleague of mine how a big name strength coach was bad mouthing me.
Read more on Stay away from egos and assholes, Part II…
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Filed under Announcements, Articles by on Apr 4th, 2008. 3 Comments.
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