“Be bold. If you’re going to make an error, make a doozy, and don’t be afraid to hit the ball.”
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“Masters focus on the basics. An unwavering foundation in the basics is the only way to fully understand and master anything advanced! Everyone is so interested in learning advanced techniques or information, but their grasp of the basics is so weak that they have nothing to build upon.”
"Advanced" is not better than "basic." Rather, advanced is built from a basic foundation. Only when the basics are mastered should one move onto advanced.
“You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
You’re on your own.
And you know what you know.
You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.”
“It is historical continuity that maintains most assumptions–not repeated assessment of their validity.”
When I was in college studying exercise and sports science, and even nowadays at certain continuing education seminars, the terms primary and secondary movers are thrown around referencing muscles and their actions. I overheard a trainer the other day citing these terms with a client, so it got me thinking: it was only through the Resistance Training Specialist program, which emphasizes science, mechanics, and physical application, that I came to realize that primary vs. secondary movers is really an inaccurate description of muscles and their actions.
Primary, by definition, means first in importance, degree, or rank, while secondary means below the first in rank, or not as important. These definitions make sense, but not when they pertain to the muscles of the human body. First off, we cannot isolate a muscle. We can focus on isolating a joint position, but we cannot isolate a single muscle because there’s always going to be more than one muscle involved whether it’s trying to help or prevent motion. Muscles do one thing: they pull two attachment points together by generating force. The human body is designed for efficiency, which is why our muscles work in synergy. Whether they are helping motion or opposing it, this is still a synergistic effort around a joint axis. Because muscles work in synergy, they do not out rank one another. If you were able to take away one muscle from the effort or action you are trying to produce, you would not be able to perform that action—simple as that. Or your body would have to greatly compensate to even get close to attaining the desired outcome.
I’ve come to realize that no single muscle is more or less important than another. Our actions produce a concerted effort around the involved joints. Why do we have to put a label on everything? There are many terms and myths in the fitness industry that the general population and (unfortunately) “experts and professionals” misinterpret. But when you really stop and think about it, does it still make sense? As a fitness professional, I’ve come to the understanding that I must question and rethink everything. That’s the only way I’ll be satisfied. I will not accept something someone else tells me unless I am certain of it myself.
“I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough, we must do.”
It doesn’t matter how much we know or how smart we think we are if we cannot teach others, or if we aren’t able to succeed in getting our ideas across in a way that others might understand. As a personal trainer, I need to be able to explain ideas in more than one way, sometimes in ten different ways. Different people understand things differently. We are far from a one-size-fits-all population. The better I am at expressing myself, the better I’ll be able to reach others with my ideas and rationale.
“How to Inspire the World to Fitness: Be Strong. Enjoy What You Do. Practice Patience. Stay Positive. Teach the “How” and the “Why.” Challenge Yourself. Dream Big. Love. Breathe. Lead. Change. Continue Learning. Be Kind. Show Courage. Empower Others. Lead by Example. Try Something New. Be Mindful. Never Give Up.”
“Exercise to stimulate, not to annihilate. The world wasn’t formed in a day, and neither were we. Set small goals and build upon them.”
Oftentimes we want things and we want them now. Patience needs to remain a virtue, and sometimes we need to adopt the mindset that slow and steady wins the race. There are no quick fixes that are healthy or sustainable. Our bodies respond to stimulus (exercise), and adaptation is a result of the human body’s response to this stimulus. If we hope to see a favorable outcome, we must first set realistic goals in both the short-term and long-term, and progress our stimuli appropriately.
“Success or failure depends more upon attitude than upon capacity…. [S]uccessful men act as though they have accomplished or are enjoying something. Soon it becomes reality. Act, look, feel successful, conduct yourself accordingly, and you will be amazed at the positive results.”
“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year.”
Be thankful for who you are and what you have. When someone is healthy, generally they are happy. This starts with you first and foremost. Put forth the effort and commit to yourself.
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”
I think a great quote that would pair nicely with Edison’s was said best by Milton Berle: “When opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” Some of us are fortunate enough to recognize and seize opportunities when they come our way. When an obvious opportunity pops up, like a job offer or a free workshop, it’s easy to take advantage of it. But most of the time it’s not so obvious, and our eyes, ears, and minds remain closed—we end up missing opportunities because we weren’t being receptive. Perhaps we were looking too closely for specifics. But opportunity does present itself regularly, and it might not always be a slug in the shoulder, or a loud shout; it may be a gentle nudge or a soft whisper. Sometimes we will need to create our own opportunities instead of sitting around waiting and hoping. We create our own opportunities, I believe, when we truly understand our talents, capabilities, and resourcefulness. Otherwise we get stuck in uncertainty and may never discover our true capacity or potential. Carpe diem!