When someone joins the program, I am the happiest guy on Earth.
When someone leaves, my world crumbles.
My wife tells me that I take all of this too personally.
But to me, everything is personal.
When someone leaves, my immediate reaction is to question myself.
Is my program not good enough?
Why does he want to leave?
Will someone else make him a better athlete?
After all this time in the game, you'd think I'd be immune to this.
Unfortunately, it's not the case.
I take pride in being the best, so when someone leaves, it stings.
I go back to the data to see if what I am doing works.
The self-doubt quickly leaves.
My confidence is restored by seeing data showing years of athletes making HUGE gains.
Gains big enough that I would stack them up with any trainer in the country - even guys like Joe D and Jason Ferruggia.
(Actual data can be seen HERE and HERE)
Deeper thought reminds me of what happens to 99% of the athletes that leave.*
It's usually one (or more) of the following:
- They quit football
- They get injured**
- They come back to Advanced Training
My self doubt turns to sadness.
Sadness for the athlete always looking for the next best thing.
Sadness for the athlete too soft to train with us.***
Sadness for the athlete who will never reach his true potential.
I know I want Advanced Training to be exclusive.
I don't want it to be for everybody.
NO PRETENDERS!!!
On the flip side, it tears me apart when someone walks away from this opportunity.
Once again, my wife steps in.
She reminds me to spend more time focusing on the guys still in the program than the guys that left.
She's right.
To those of you that put your career, your strength, and your health in my hands, I am honored.
I truly Thank You.
Notes:
* I could say 100%, but a handful are still officially playing ball. As a man who cares deeply about any athlete I have trained, I hope they can finish their careers healthy and happy - with or without me.
** I am not saying that any athlete who has trained with me has never gotten injured. While my goal is to bullet proof your body, I cannot completely eliminate the risk of acute injuries during sport, chronic problems incurred before training with me, or dopey things an athlete chooses to do on his own outside of the program. Given all of those variables, my track record is still exceptional.
*** These feelings are not directed toward the athletes that no longer compete in legitimate organized sports. If you are not a college or pro athlete, I don't blame you for walking away.
In fact, I encourage it - especially if your main goal is to look good at D'Jais.
For those of you crazy-men who want to do this for fun, I tip my hat to you.
