I'm fired up as I'm hitting the road to drive down to North Carolina tomorrow. Travis Mash and I will be crushing our seminar together and the next one will be here in NJ. My drive is going to be about 9 hours. And when I get to think about driving, I get to think about how many excuse makers there are. I question where they acquire this attitude of convenience over excellence. I've held seminars where I flew 4, 5 + hours and people within 45 minutes driving said, "Let me know when you're … [Read more...]
3 Ways WE Can Change The WORLD Through STRENGTH
Kid parks his car in front of the house to deliver pizza. It's a test. All of it. I watch to see if he'll take the sidewalk or cut across the front lawn. He cuts across the front lawn. I think to myself..... "That kid never struggled under a heavy squat...." It's not his fault. We failed him. Teachers. Coaches. Somehow, someway, we missed that kid. … [Read more...]
Before The “Perfect Workout” Program, Do This 1 Thing
The world is in a strange place...... I find myself saying that often. Hence, why I get so fired up and this article will be part rant and part advice on "what it takes"... I see what is happening in this world and of course experience some strange things on a daily basis between running The Underground Strength Gym and training athletes, working with parents and coaches on the regular. Before you can be a state champ, national champ, pro athlete, etc ..... You MUST pull your head out of your … [Read more...]
What It Takes. MANY Talk About It. Few ARE About It.
Above, The LAST Crew for The USC Cert. I Gifted 2 of My Favorite Books / Influencers: Gary Vaynerchuk & Steven Pressfield. I was 13 years old. It was the Summer before entering high school. My friends weren't doing what I was doing. My older brother convinced me to join the wrestling team as a freshman. I didn't really know what I was in for. - The Intensity - The Mental Toughness - The Desire to Fight - Learning How to Harness my Fear Into Strength These were … [Read more...]
Why Some Athletes Are NOT Tough!?!?
This blog post will evolve as I evolve but for now, I am standing my ground on something I have picked up on tremendously over the past few years. I've learned this when it comes to understanding why some athletes are tough and competitive while others couldn't care less if they lost / lose over and over again. After working with over 1,000 athletes at The Underground Strength Gym, I've come across kids who simply do NOT care. They will cancel workouts 5 minutes before their schedule, … [Read more...]
Hard Work Is BEAUTIFUL!!!
Hard Work is BEAUTIFUL. That is the first step towards success in any endeavor, Loving work rather than fearing work. You'll find resistance all around you as you work your ass off to achieve greatness in any endeavor, be it in the gym or in life. People will call you "crazy" and say "that's not normal". You're damn right it's not normal. Normal people achieve normal or average levels of success. I have ZERO interest in being average or normal. Recently, I was reminded like a punch … [Read more...]
3 Key Truths In Training You Must Accept To Maximize Size & Strength Gains
There are 3 critical keys that have been largely responsible for my success in training as well as coaching. Yes, there is science behind it, but most of all, there are these 3 keys behind the training. … [Read more...]
Putting In The SWEAT Equity VS Complainers
It's shocking how many people only want the FREE things. Not just free in regards to money, but also free in regards to effort. It's a sign of the times and as a Strength Coach, I feel it's my duty to change this. If you're a Strength Coach, you should feel the same obligation. You should be inspired and motivated to create change, especially among the weak and timid souls who think they are entitled to everything. Yes, these complainers irritate me with their poor attitudes but I … [Read more...]
WHY You MUST Earn It & Respect It!
I was in Vermont at SPARTAN HQ with 15 other Underground Strength Coaches. 2 days in a row we trekked up the mountain behind Joe DeSena's house and although I had been to the top before, it never gets old at the top. But, I am sure, for some people, they don't get it.... They don't understand why they should embrace the work. This is why..... … [Read more...]
Top 5 Lessons Learned at Rick Macci Tennis Academy
I am always intrigued to see other Coaches in action, regardless of what sport they Coach. As a Coach myself and a very Type A Coach who demands excellence from my team and from myself, I like to see how others get the job done, or perhaps, don't get the job done. Some Coaches are horrible and some are great. Some are in the middle. I see some Coaches who have awesome web sites and use buzz words & hypey marketing to trick people into the efficacy of their program and I also see other … [Read more...]