Coaching

I have been interested in coaching for quite some time.  I am not an altruist nor do I believe that coaching could drive my economic engine.

That being said, I would like to take on clients for a number of reasons.  

• I would like to teach people to move safely and efficiently.  Too many people try to exercise and get hurt.  Too many people look at the equipment in the gym and feel intimidated.
• I believe the general population lacks the guidance to assemble an overall training program.  Some people walk, do yoga, lift weights, play sports, etc; but very few can create a varied program of functional movement that leads to longevity
• Some times people just need a helping hand without the rigors of group fitness or the aloneness of solitary training.  Nobody wants to hear about your workout, but sometimes you need to talk about it

My personal training adventure spans bodybuilding, powerlifting, weightlifting, calisthenics, gymnastics, yoga, high intensity interval training, running, bicycling, and swimming I have enjoyed sports including softball, flag football, basketball, and tennis.  I enjoy adventures such as hiking, skiing, scuba diving, canyoneering, and rock climbing.  Most recently, I had a chance to try Scottish athletics.  My personal goal is to be fit enough to not be afraid to try an activity.  One of these days, I will be too old to join in the fun.  Today is not that day.

When doing an intake on a new client:

• Goal(s), eg. lose weight, train for competition, train for general physical preparedness, look better naked
• Past fitness activities if any and current activity level, what do they enjoy, what do they not enjoy
• Medical history, physical limitations, injuries, fears
• Dedication level, eg. how much time do they have, when do they expect to see results, willing to modify diet, sleep, invest in recovery tools
• Access to fitness equipment
• Fitness test - Height, weight, relevant body measurements (chest, abdominal, hips, upper arm), one mile for time (honest effort, not max effort, can walk, etc), observe movement (squat, push-up, pull-up, sit-up)

In the past I have put together a training plan for my sister to complete a half marathon.  I have trained my wife and daughter for bodybuilding.

We are all athletes that fall on a spectrum of struggling with activities of daily living to competing for an Olympic medal.  Our training will vary by intensity and volume, but not by type.

Fight Club, "On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero."

GSElevator, "A guy came up to me at the gym and asked me what event I was training so hard for. Life motherfucker."