Doug LarsonPodcast links: iTunes, Stitcher
“Seek opportunities to show you care. The smallest gestures often make the biggest difference.” – Coach John Wooden
Did you see The Weightlifter’s Journey part 4? If not, make it part of your planned leisure this weekend. Stream it to your beautiful HD TV for maximum effect. Trust me, you don’t want to miss it.
We had the opportunity to chat with both Travis Mash and his weightlifter Adee Zukier, just before she competed at the MIA Classic. The show is jammed pack with nuggets and pearls of training wisdom, but more than that, the competition environment highlights the powerful relationship between an athlete and their coach.
You simply cannot reach your full potential without the upward pull of a great coach, which made me realize that there were a few more things I could say about the topic. Just a few lessons that some of my coaches and mentors have given me that I think could make a difference in your life.
But I also thought that I would reinforce a very important point – Whether it’s books, seminars, online coaching or face-to-face interaction, you have to realize that it’s always YOUR responsibility to get coached, to find mentorship, and to surround yourself with challenging company that will demand growth and change from you.
No one said the journey would be easy, but there’s absolutely no reason why you should try to make it on your own. Starting today, and everyday, remain coachable and very curious. Leverage the experience of those that came before you, and then learn how to pay the wisdom forward to as many people as possible.
How could that approach not lead your someplace interesting?
I hope you dig the show. If you have any questions – about anything, really – just leave them in the comments below. I’d love to help out anyway I can.
Cheers,
Chris
How do you help an adult athlete stay positive when they are still in the process of leaning the Oly lifts and they are picking it up slowly and are frustrated?
Thanks for all your team does!
Casey, watch our show the Weightlifter’s Journey Part 2. Hour of discussion on pretty much this very topic. Best,
Chris
Just want to say that I absolutely love the show! Get Change as well as Barbell Shrugged!
Over the past year I was a Strength & Conditioning coach in the NBA D-League and I had kind of lost the passion for training. I was in Erie, PA where its fucking colder than Dante’s 7th layer of hell! Anyways, we trained out of a glorified YMCA, that was very nice but I couldn’t drop weights, there were no bumper plates, 3 barbells in the entire facility, etc… So I stopped training regularly.
Then I stumbled onto you guys back in February, or March, around the time that you had Jim Wendler on the show, and it totally reinvigorated me! I went to a local crossfit gym, paid $25 a month to use the facility and do my own program, and I hit the gym hard! Listening to you guys totally reignited my passion for lifting, turned me onto new things, and stimulated my thirst for knowledge! I watch your show every week and use it as a continuing education tool for myself. Taking notes and learning whatever I can.
Just wanted to let you guys know how much you have helped me to be a better coach and lifter! I always watch or listen and I’m excited, not only for part 5, but for what you guys will do after that!!
-Sheldon Dunlap
Sheldon, that’s amazing to hear. Thanks for the kind note.
Chris
[…] boys over at Barbell Shrugged produced an awesome podcast about the importance of coaching and everyday […]
Chris,
Love your podcast dude. Just started listening from the beginning. This one is by far my favorite so far. What would you recommended for online coaching? Someone to run programs, nutrition and lifting form through every few weeks/months.
Is that something you would be interested in? Thanks for all your work.
Chris, your books, musings, thoughts and podcasts are a constant source of inspiration and reprieve from the daily grind.
I am currently reading Get Change and have to say its by far your best and most poignant work to date. I love it.
Thank you for being the voice of the everyman, even thought we’re thousands of miles apart its encouraging to see you struggling and succeeding as we all do.
I have desires to leave the corporate lifestyle and pursue my dreams and am making baby steps to do this.
I look forward to the day that I burn the boats and learn to fly on the way down.
Keep on with the great content.
Lee
Lee, thank you for the note. Means a lot. 🙂 Best to you,
Chris
Hoping this finds you in great health with fortified energy! In fact, I know this to be true, because everything put out by your team grants me just that. Truly inspired!
Following your advice and my gut, I had to get in touch with you guys! I have had a pretty dope journey that has lead me to this email and I decided to reach out in hopes you’ll reach back. The content of your brand has been one of my most important developing forces. You guys have added drive in my progress. And, as a coach, synergy seems to affect everyone I come into contact with!
Adding value to the world. Delivering a platform to develop. Awareness. Health.
Without sounding like a super hero, I’d like to be a force multiplier! I am taking the initiative to purposefully positioning myself for progress. Reaching out to highly intelligent, influential people to raise my own standards, knowledge and production. I follow what you guys are doing and feel intimately passionate with your path and projection of human potential.
In exchange for your time, true affirmation of your work will be apparent. As well as, mentoring an extra executioner of progress ;). A meeting, a meal, a D3&T session, a day… anything you’d be willing to open up to a follower and leader of growth.
Thank you for your time!
Comfortable with being Uncomfortable
Melany Bates