A few times a week I get Supervisors coming into my office to discuss leadership. Specifically, interaction between them and their students. For those of you that don't know, in addition to mindset coaching and massage therapy, I am the Director of Clinical Services at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in New York City. We are one of the biggest acupuncture, herbs, and massage schools in the country and the clinic I (allegedly) run has over 30,000 patient visits a year. The clinic experience … [Read more...]
Response-Able
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Language can be a pain in the ass, and as I read and re-read this article, I feel as though some things may have been lost in translation. As such, I consider this to be a "living" document and will revisit this as I find a clearer way to articulate it. Any feedback is always welcome Sign Up NOW for a FREE Goal eBook and access to FREE MEMBERS ONLY monthly WEBINARS! (Not joking...FREE) Email Address First Name I'm a big fan of Viktor E. … [Read more...]
Athletes, Ego, and the Post-Competition Blues
Note: There is a very distinct difference between an athlete that may be feeling down and out after a victory, and an athlete that is suffering from clinical depression. It is imperative to emphasize that if you are coaching an athlete who you feel may be clinically depressed and/or is having suicidal ideations, these are symptoms that require intervention from a licensed clinical Psychologist. Mental Skills Training and effective coaching can go a long way to enhance mood and confidence, but do … [Read more...]
Managing Expectations – Leanness and Life
One of the biggest challenges I face: managing expectations. Not just clients, either, mind you, but managing my own expectations has turned out to be quite an enormous pain in the ass. Allow me to illustrate this in typical if-it-ain't-broke-Jonny-will-break-it fashion: Jay Ashman, of Ashman Strength Systems, was busting my balls the other day about this photograph: "You look bloated," he said jokingly, but a point was made that is worth elaborating on First, some background about … [Read more...]
When More Isn’t Better
More isn't better! You all shuld know this! Ok, look, let me preface this article by admitting that I used to do all of the same shit that I am about to tell you not to do. This list includes, but is not limited to: 2-a-day resistance training workouts. Sometimes 3... 2,000 push-ups a day. (Admittedly this wasn't sustained long). Also, once 3,500, just to prove someone wrong. (I WON, Torrey...the crusty old Chief Petty Officer beat you!) 30+ mile runs. Back to back long runs for … [Read more...]
Coaching Philosophy, Personal Development and Sport Psych: What I do
It dawned on me recently that, while many people know of me, not many know exactly what I do with regards to my style of coaching. This is, of course, totally my fault, so this article will give you a primer on what I am all about. What is Sport Psych? Although the fitness industry has been inundated lately with a rash of "mindset" experts, there is actually a rational and science behind the application of Sport Psych principles. This is not "woo", or "voodoo", but rather a systematic … [Read more...]
I’ve Known You Forever
I've known you forever. And I'm not just saying that figuratively. Really...I've known you forever. I've known you since the Universe flashed into existence and flung outward the particles that would coalesce into us. That unbearable heat that sent us barreling into the inky blackness of the void with no other intention but to burn off the Old Energy. To fight back against gravity for whatever it would prove to be worth. Heinrich had it right: "Aliveness is to resist inertia" ...and there was … [Read more...]
Fail a Lot
A client got me thinking about the way we view failure. As both an athlete and a coach, I fail a lot, and that's not a bad thing... The best thing about coaching, or any form of leadership, it that there is much that can be learned simply by doing it. You know, hands-on. Unfortunately, this is also the worst thing about coaching. Doing things hands-on on means that there are going to be moments when you fail, and fail a lot. Sign Up NOW for a FREE Goal eBook and access to FREE … [Read more...]
Lest We Miss The Forest…
Sometimes we need to stay present and positive, lest we miss the forest for the trees.First, I managed to do something to tweak by distal biceps tendon in my right arm.While warming up for deadlifts.It's one thing to get hurt, but to get hurt with 315lbs on the bar, when you haven't even gotten to work sets yet, is just infuriating. I spent a week with no pulling exercises and a multitude of rehab drills, trying to stay positive.Next, during a practical massage class where I was being used as a … [Read more...]
What You Say You Are…
You are what you say you are... I've quoted Vonnegut before, here. I had deja vu when penning this post and had to go back through the archives to be sure. I had this feeling that I had broached the topic of us being "What We Say We Are", and used Vonnegut's quote. There it was: “We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.” ― Kurt Vonnegut Sign Up NOW for a FREE Goal eBook and access to FREE MEMBERS ONLY monthly WEBINARS! (Not … [Read more...]