Hang On To That Towel

The Mill:  It's been a little while since the last post, and a lot of exciting news has come our way as a family.  I've been thinking a lot about 'the path' and the why of what's happening now.  If you're weekend warrior Hammer Mill reader then you know that my family and I have taken on some new challenges.  Despite being awesome, challenges can still be difficult.  With that said, lets get back to the thinking process of the why.  Coaching is just more than rounding out a team and running them out onto the field or court.  John Wooden said numerous times that coaching is teaching first.  I've also had the privilege of learning that particular lesson and many more through the great coaches that I've had along the way.  One of the best was my dad and he lived that everyday.  He was a great coach and in reality a great teacher. As well as my mother.  Another side note I guess.  Back to the topic at hand the 'why'.  Coaching is in my blood and it evolves everyday.  I learn something new to improve as a coach almost daily.  I never had a strength or performance coach growing up.  I trained in my basement and ran hills up Skaggs Drive in good old DC from 6th grade through the time we moved.  Then came high school and the bigger, faster, stronger program which was awesome, and in college we did more of a bodybuilding type program.  You know that type with curls on Friday afternoon for the big night out.  We worked hard, but that's the one part that I wish I knew what I know now.  Not that I would have been drafted or dropped bombs, but I could have stayed healthy a little longer and been at the top of my game physically every time.  Part of that was self-learning and most of it was trial and error.  That under the barbell type of education.  So I guess my goal is to give individuals the constant teaching that will help them throughout life's endeavors.  Training improves you in all facets of life, and that is the goal in the weight room.  Not championships, not wins, but maximizing everyone's potential.  Once that happens the wins usually follow.

Basically, I want to take the trial and error out of the equation for youth, intermediate and high school athletes.  The important thing to remember is that training doesn't have to complicated.  Youth do not need to be scared away from training with gizmos and gadgets. I don't have a lot of exposure to teaching progression in certain lifts, but I know that will come.  

The move has challenged me in all three phases (don't get me wrong I love what I do). Personally, professionally and pick your third from mentally, physically or spiritually.  Primarily just because it's different.  But it's these challenges that have helped me become a better coach.  It's never easy to avoid mistakes, but mistakes make us who we are.  They help us learn and develop.  Without mistakes or twists and turns life would be pretty boring.  I learned how to deadlift properly through trial and error.  It took one big pull and a pulled muscle in my back to learn the right way for me to deadlift.  Mistakes happen.  But hold yourself accountable and continue to move forward.  Throwing the towel would be easy, but be determined to never make that mistake again.  Lessons are all a part of the game.  Trust your support system to help you plow through those lessons learned.

You've probably noticed the word 'learn' appear quite a bit.  Was it on purpose?  Trust me I'm not that smart to do it intentionally.  Remember coaching is teaching  and various positions in life turn us all into teachers sooner or later.  As a teacher you have to allow yourself and be willing to learn constantly.  That way you give your students, children, athletes etc. the knowledge they need to be successful.  Caring is coaching.  Care about the each individual, and let them know that you appreciate their work/effort.  Coach to change lives and train to change yours.
 
Thank you all for reading!  Don't be afraid to share, post, retweet, like, favorite, or anything else out there.  I really appreciate you all that continue to read this blog.  Keep kicking ass!

Big shout out to JH and MM primarily because I know that they read this and I appreciate it.  Also because you two are badass.  Big shout out to the opening of DC Barbell.  Awesome stuff.

Here's a few new touches to the Deadlift Dungeon.  Found the Rocky poster I had in our basement at Skaggs Drive.  Sprint those hills.

And check out this free music that my brother Patrick sent us.  Carey Ott just living his passion one day at a time.  Love it!

Train like an animal
-Hammer