It's important I get this concept of the "Warrior Mindset" for you.
That's the BIGGER part of training I want you to come across. Can you become an ass kicker the natural way?
Thoughts on steroids as a short cut vs using them to push your potential to a higher level while still working your ass off?
[youtube width="640" height="360"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVC0PaKdgXc[/youtube]
Some more interesting thoughts on steroids being an easy way out:
[youtube width="640" height="360"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygstMhXKsXo=3m3s[/youtube]
My goal is to help you achieve MORE than just stronger muscle that can lift heavy weights. A strong body is NOTHING without a strong mindset.
You MUST develop the Warrior Mindset. THAT is the ticket.
Drop a comment below.
Live The Code,
--Z--
16 Responses
Great topic! Few years back while making a push towards getting my strongman pro card I was faced with that choice. Take or don’t take? I am not genetically gifted. My strength comes from hours of training but I didn’t have that extra to get to where I wanted to go. I wouldn’t do it. It wasn’t me and I knew if I did I would be hooked! Not every strongman is on it or super strong dude. That is what media wants you to believe. Phil Phister never took it and won the Worlds Strongest Man. Mark Phillipi actually pushed to have testing at the Worlds Strongest Man.
Could I have trained harder-Yes or better Absolutely! I am not making excuses but at that time I didn’t think so. Only years later as I obtain more knowledge do I realize I could have done more but back then I had nothing.
I still compete but my passion and changed. I do strongman for fun and for the first time it is. Olympic lifting and powerlifting are my primary competitive sports. Will I compete against users? Probably. I don’t care because in competition it is about me and the steel.
Dude that is passed about users don’t sweat it. If they don’t take of their body they will break down. At least you can look yourself in the mirror and know you didn’t need it. More importantly your children.
I find their are just as many people that fail to achieve their goals because they believe they can’t do it without taking so they never try.
Train hard! Make your Legend!
“Keep your body lean! Keep your body clean!”-Henry Rollins
Zach,
You’re spot on on this. Rugby (like wrestling) is a game of skill and will. The physical is not nearly as important. There are no androgens for your will. There is no shortcut to developing your skills.
Good stuff.
The physical prowess is certainly key but if the mind uses drugs as a short cut, that athlete will NOT survive the toughest battles
Here’s a great quote that fits with your awesome post Zach!
“A Warrior knows that an angel and a devil are both competing for his sword hand.
The devil says: “You will weaken. You will not know exactly when. You are afraid.” The angel says: “You will weaken. You will not know exactly when. You are afraid.”
The Warrior is surprised. Both the angel and the devil have said the same thing.
The devil continues: “Let me help you.” And the angel says: “I will help you.”
At that moment the Warrior understands the difference. The words may be the same but these two allies are completely different.
And he chooses the angel’s hand.”
― Paulo Coelho, Warrior of the Light
Damn, Corona, LOVE that!!!
Effort over talent (natural or synthetic) all day / every day. If you cheat you are a cheater… period. But what it really says is that you are ok with shortcuts vs. doing the work and learning from sacrifice. It’s not the results that define you in or outside the arena but the path you take and the mindset you make. That said, when you are in competition and able to dig down, go longer, and stronger it’s because your mind knows the fire and willpower necessary to unleash your fullest potential. Shine on Z!! Regards to The Underground.
Warrior Spirit, Chris!
I always knew when my old training partner was waiting for a shipment. He would be by the coffee pot by the front desk trying to get a caffeine buzz. He couldn’t lift crap either. With that said he swore I was juicing and would get pissed that I wouldn’t share or let me in on it. Juicing or not I out trained him.
Personally I don’t have a problem with juicing. If that is what you want to do then fine. That is your choice. Like drinking and driving.
The thing that pisses me off is people that believe all great strength feats come from the juice. Some people use it as a reason to not train hard “Can’t get that strong without it. I won’t take it.”
That mentality is cheating a person as much if not worse than the juicer.
My mentality for training is simple “Victory or Death.” Death can be physical and spiritual. Believe me missing a lift you have done before kills a lifter. And if you don’t understand how that can be you need to take training more seriously.
I hear ya, I’ve seen the guys who don’t push until they get on drugs, that is a weak minded person more than a weak body person! They go hand in hand!
Lance Armstrong was known as one of the hardest trainers in cycling…juice enabled him to do the work without breaking down. This is how all elite athletes use it…
Colin – correct, Elite athlete use it like that – they don’t crutch it, they use it to go next level….
At that level, it is often a level playing field with many on drugs, I still believe that if they took away the drugs, the champion would still be the champion MOST of the time
Zach you are right on target with this one. I know exactly what you mean by the “fire in the gut.” That is something that I’ve always believed in personally as well. Anybody with a competitive spirit understands this. It’s funny you mentioned coach McLeod b/c he is a good friend of mine as well. Mental toughness and heart trumps everything. Once again thanks for sharing.
Natural Athletes VS Steroid Users? This is a great topic. I have been into bodybuilding and martial arts over many years, and one thing i must say is that lots of my friends and training partners were into steroids while i was into being natural, and very fearful of getting hooked on that stuff. One thing that i had over those guys who were hooked on steroids was a great mental strength more than them. I trained and had the intensity of a champion, and that helped me to have a great competitive edge over most guys. I will definitely agree with Zach Even -Esh, its all about having that strong mindset and the mental fortitude to do the extra mile in terms of training and intensity that must steroid users wont do.
I don’t like the argument about taking shortcuts vs working hard. I just want to focus on the reality that steroids are illegal,very expensive, and have many bad side effects. How can we make the Arnold’s, Louie’s, and countless other Very Hard working athletes as are athletes/warriors to look up to when we teach kids to obey the law and not cheat? Its almost like telling them as long as you work your butt off it’s ok to do the illegal stuff because it is a work hard winner take all mentality that supersedes the laws on steroids.
I never endorse or OK steroids to the kids I train, but if other adults want to take it and that’s how they compete they are open to their own decisions
I fully agree I have been a track and field athlete since the age of 5 till 19 years old, started cycling at 16 years old and bodybuilding at age 18. Swimming also forming part of my regiment from age 20 and indeed doing all this playing rugby,football and sports like tennis made me strong in the gym that at age 42 I still pump better than my buddies who use steriods cos I’m naturally strong and can lift a half ton van easily. Its not about the steriods its your mindset so always keep it clean.