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Training is much more than getting stronger, faster,and more explosive. 
Its more than getting bigger and better at weightlifting or any sport
you are training for.  Weightlifting is a test of guts, courage and the
discipline to keep pushing on.  Weightlifting will test you as a person,
it is the ultimate report card on what kind of person you are.  Are you
going to fight?  When you get knocked down are you going to get up?
When you are being bullied by the weights are you going to run away and
hide?  When your body says no, will your mind back down and surrender,
or will your mind step up to the plate and keep training? Will you quit
when times get hard?  My mom always taught me that when you get hit ,
you hit back. So I ask, When a weight hits you and destroys you and your
self esteem, will you stand up tall, and try the weight again?  Miss or
make at least you had the pride to try again.  Weightlifting will help
every aspect of your life, if its your job, your relationships, your
fears, or getting to know yourself, weightlifting is the ultimate life
coach.   I don’t consider myself a strength coach, I consider myself a
life coach, especially to these kids that come into California
strength.  I teach strength in so many more ways than with a bar or
weights, I teach these kids how to fight for what they want in life.  I
teach these kids that nothing in life is easy, and that you have to work
hard at anything you set your mind to.  I teach these kids that when
you set your mind to something that you can achieve your dream, whether
its a job interview or  making the varsity football team, I teach these
kids how to become life fighters.  I teach these kids work ethic, I
teach these kids that 200 kilo’s is always going to be 200 kilo’s, and
its up to them whether or not they are going to move it.  I tell these
kids, these small soldiers, that moving 200 kilo’s is the same as
graduating from school and getting your dream job, you half to work hard
to move that weight, no one is going to move it for you, like no one is
going to give you a diploma. The structure, the work ethic and the
discipline that weightlifting provides and demands has made me into a
man and has changed my life for the best, so I want to give back to
these young kids what weightlifting has given me, and give them the
tools they need to succeed in life.  2012

I really like your attitude about how you view yourself as a life coach.   Too often the outer focus of competition is placed on kids without regard to personal achievement via hard work which helps build us all from within.  It’s all about inner strength.  Keep up the great work!

 
Jon… That was touching!!!
 
It made me appreciate the path I choose in my life which is dedicated to living a healthy lifestyle and believing that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.
 
I am a positive thinker and I don’t let anyone or anything get in my way.  If I put my mind to something I will succeed.  It’s about not giving up and having faith and dedication. 
 
If I fall I am confident to get right back up and try harder!!  
 
Weight training and living a healthy lifestyle defines me! If I set a goal to lose weight I will!! If I set a goal to gain muscle, I will!
 
I love the control I have over body.  It is will powder and knowledge that lets me experiment with my body and GET RESULTS!! 
 
Too many people give up when they fall, however; they do not realize that is part of the plan… When you fall you learn and grow as a person…
 
Nobody can STOP ME!! I am driven, motivated and hungry to success! If there is a will there is always a WAY…
 
Thanks Jon… I am super pumped today!   

Wow Jon, that’s an awesome attitude to have. The thing about training clients is that you can’t only focus on the time you spend with them and the hours that you are billing them for, you have to get them to buy in and make life changes with everything they do. Losing or gaining weight isn’t just about the few hours a week you put in the gym, it’s about what you eat (or don’t!), what you drink when out with friends, when and how much you sleep, etc etc. That’s great that you teach them about life along with the technical skills you are coaching. Awesome post!

Jon this one really means alot to me, I can relate the same way in my squatting, its an uphill battle all the way and it never gets easier, it only gets harder. But at the end of the tunnel for some reason you are a better person for it, you are right on here.

its amazing how this sport never egets easier.. you always find a way to push yourself to the next level..

Good stuff. That is the same reason I do what I do. I discovered it and I wanted to share it with anyone and everyone. I always tell my kids kindergarten on up that we are building a powerhouse. I will give you the tools and the tool have a life time garantee. They always work but you have to use them. I teach children that learning to walk, learning to talk, feeding yourself, even wiping yourself required practice and encouragement from someone who loved you and cared for you and believed you could do it. Why do we believe the one person who says we aren’t good at math, at reading or what ever. This way of thinking changed the way I talk and teach my children. Just because you can’t doesn’t mean forever. If you choose to challenge yourself in the physical or mental you can practice and always be better than you are today. What if the first time you tried to walk and you fell down and your parents gave up on you? Silly? Why do we tell them you shouldn’t be good at this because I wasn’t? I was never good at math. Maybe I didn’t have the right teacher guiding me. I will never be strong? Ridicuous!!!Right on Jon!!! Teach them what they are capable of! Limits what are they I don’t know and neither do any of us!!! Keep spreading the good word! CAN!!!

great quote musclegym.. i can tell were yoru heart is in your career
 
 
The best teachers or coaches are ones that have patients and believe in you… they take the time to acknowledge all strengths and weakness and discover your learning process… some people are visual, auditorial or hands on…
 
You have to learn to relate to your athlete/student
 
Coaches don’t realize the impact they have on an athletes self esteem, and the will to BELIEVE…
 

Jon you are the man, good luck at pan ams this week buddy, where all rooting for you.