Learning Never Ends (Part 2) – Guest Post by George Samuelson

Note from Josh: If you’re just getting here, please start with Part 1.

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By George Samuelson

2007

By now, I had rotator cuff tendonitis and impingements in both shoulders. An accident left me with some compression around C5 which would cause me to randomly black out. My own stupid work ethic and drive would cause me to work ridiculous hours with no real regard for my body. Around this time, I started learning more about kettlebells and incorporating them into my own training.

I was asked to help open one of our new centers, and I jumped at the opportunity. My goal was to be the #1 trainer across the board in our company- more state of the art equipment, etc.

What Changed

Given this club was farther away, I distanced myself from being “best friends” with my co-workers. I was there for the members, to help improve their lives, train my clients, and then drive my hour commute home. Some of my co-workers didn’t like me, but I really didn’t care.

I would try to incorporate things into my clients’ routines that they liked to do even if I wasn’t the best suited to do so. They saw marginal results but they were happy and enjoyed their training with me.

What I Learned

Don’t teach something you don’t know. Also, sometimes clients don’t need to do what they want to do. During this time period I started to question more and more about my training methods and how they related to clients’ success. I hungered for more knowledge

When another trainer from a rival club came on board our staff, it was my goal to either try to match or beat him. I was stubborn. We both had different trains of thought, and of course, he wasn’t exactly my friend. This would continue for about a year until he left to open his own vision of a studio. He has done very well for himself and his staff.

What Changed

The old stubborn me wouldn’t have said this. Thank you VC for making me better and work harder.

I wish him continued success in his business and for his clients.

2008

I completed a screen certification in the beginning of the year and implemented it on myself and my clients. I was dysfunctional; my clients were too. I started to implement these strategies more into my own training as well my clients. We all started to move better, and I started listening to my body more.

I was reading more and craved more knowledge than before. Anything I could read or get my hands on via text/web/print: Powerlifting, corrective exercise, kettlebells, Olympic lifts, barefoot running, etc. I wanted more.

I sought out coaches more experienced in these disciplines, listened to their guidance, and applied their ideas.

I continued to train with kettlebells and completed my RKC certification in late 2008. I was proud of all the hard work and training I put into reaching my goal of getting certified.

What I Learned: Even though I was certified, I still had some serious restrictions in my cervical and thoracic spine and my movement.

2009

I started implementing kettlebells into my clients’ programs. They loved the tool as it was a different concept than what they were used to in a traditional fitness center setting. I started small group training with them and was/still am very successful with it.

I became labeled “the kettlebell guy” and some of my fellow trainers and their clients didn’t see the benefits of it. I just turned a blind eye to those.

What I Learned

I could have done a better job communicating with the objectors.

I spent more time in trying to educate some of the trainers that were interested in kettlebell training and the PT business. I tried to guide them by sharing what I did right in my preparation for RKC and what I did wrong. I was proud of their development and growth.

I started training in martial arts (Krav Maga & BJJ); something I never thought I would do and enjoy.

My own thirst for knowledge continued: CK-FMS, RKC II, Z-Health, assisting at RKC, Indian clubs, powerlifting, business, marketing, etc. MORE! MORE! MORE!

My thought processes continued to evolve. I started questioning certifications, program designs, training modalities, equipment, etc. more and more.

Which lead me to this.

What I Learned

I was and still am a beginner. There are people that have forgotten more in a specific methodology than I would ever learn. I would always be a student of the game. I could always learn more.

Over the rest of the year, there were a few select people I got to know pretty well, one of whom is Adam. Albeit he lives halfway across the country, I consider Adam a very good and personal friend of mine and have we have shared personal experiences with each other. Adam would always offer advice on my own training, and I would do the same for business. As you’ve read in one of Adam’s articles, I want to see Adam have his passion be able to generate a livable income like I have.

2010

During the end of 2009, I started having some pretty bad viral infections (like many others) which carried over into late January/beginning of February. Anti-biotics weren’t working, energy was down, etc. However, I started incorporating more bio-feedback during this into my training to see if anything would be good to train. Deadlifts for a surprisingly long time tested well.

My energy level increased. My body fat lowered. I was asked by one of the doctors if I was taking anything illegal because it didn’t make sense. I told them no, only pizza.

I stopped driving the Ferrari with the parking brake on. Other movements and patterns tested better and better.

In the past six weeks, I have put on about 12 pounds of muscle and my body fat has decreased about 1.5-2%.

What I Learned

My body is pretty damn intelligent.

I have incorporated this with the trainers I work with and my/our clients. Plateaus are shattered. A trainer that has a similar frame to Josh’s (6’8″) and played D1 Volleyball is up 10.5 lbs, 1% body fat down, and 1″ on his vertical in two weeks. Another is close to destroying the Beast.

People are seeing fat melt off, gaining muscle and strength, decreasing pain, and improving movement every session.

Moreover, everyone is having more fun training.

I renamed workout cards and training logs to “Activity Sheets” since it sounds cooler. Occasionally, we will fill them out with crayons and laugh at how silly our logs look; yet smile at our continued evolution.

Again, some of our colleagues think we are taking some kind of supplement. Most of us only take pizza every seven days (every six would raise testosterone to illegal levels).

As I said to Adam, it’s like we have a Game Genie with all cheat codes, the Contra 30 lives code, and God Mode on full blast (Adam told me I left out Spread Shot because Spread Shot kicked ass).

What Has Changed

My cervical spine flexion is the best it’s ever been. So is my thoracic spine extension. My TGUs have significantly improved. I am improving in any lift or skill when my body is giving me good feedback. The athletic carryover to my other interests is there as well. Barring contact injuries, I am pain free and feel good.

When ‘bio-feedback’ was “introduced” a few months ago, I had numerous colleagues contact me asking me my opinion about it. My answer was “Well, have you tried it?” If their reply was “No,” I would tell them we could revisit the conversation when they did. If their reply was “Yes,” the next question was “Well, did you see improvement?” Whether they replied “yes” or “no,” the next statement was “Then you probably have your answer.”

Too often, too many people want to talk rather than do. Test it. If it helps you improve then you can determine for yourself. If it helps your clients improve, then you can determine for yourself.

Over the course of my journey, my outlook on a lot of things has evolved as well.

Advice that may or may not help you

When trainers/coaches discuss business with me about how much they should charge, they are met with this question: “How much are you worth?” Before you answer, think about this question. Adam and Brad have heard me go over this before. I’d be interested in your responses. Shoot me an e-mail with them.

Which leads me to this…

My fellow trainers/coaches, in your marketing, “complimentary” establishes more value than “FREE.” If you have value to your service, it is not FREE. There are certain instances where free is better suited; however, they are fewer than expected. You are helping someone change his/her life (hopefully for the better).

Also, if you start it with “Dear friend,” you should probably know that the reader already recognizes that you’re trying to empathize with them before they continue the rapport building and then the sales pitch.

I rarely say “I understand where you’re coming from,” etc. Unless we’ve had the same exact life experiences/relationships, you probably don’t. You might be able to say you’ve had a similar situation, and then we can discuss further.

I enjoy making mistakes. I grow from them.

I learn something everyday.

I grow everyday.

I no longer look at things as “good/bad,” etc. It’s “good/what I could do better.” This applies to your reps that you do. There is no such thing as a bad rep. There is a rep you could do better. Recognize what you could do better or improve on that rep and put that in the back of your mind. You can learn and grow from every rep as what to repeat and what not to.

George today

Any goal that you want to accomplish essentially boils down to your wanting to get better or improve at something. Create two columns, what you’re good at and what you can be better at. Work more on what you need to get better at and everything else will improve.

At times I still get fired up, stubborn, angry, etc. I’ve learned to just let go, and I’m still getting better at it. Wasted energy affects positive and continual growth. I can only worry about myself and those that I have an influence with.

Thanks for taking the time to read this article. I hope it has a positive effect in your growth, be it mental or physical.

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Tagged as: articles, biofeedback, George Samuelson, guest posts