Being involved with the sports performance, health and fitness industry…
I could write a book on the number of excuses I’ve heard as to why a particular person didn’t achieve the result, success or outcome they were looking for…
And a lot of these excuses are quite possibly valid…
And as One of my first mentors said to me…
“Joey do you want Reasons or Results”….
Results being success!
Reasons being excuses!
4 of the most common and possibly valid excuses I hear from parents of young athletes are listed below..
- I can’t make training tonight as I’ve got too much school work and Im falling behind…
- I can’t afford to train anymore…
- My parents can’t get me to training..I haven’t got car transportation..
- I’m injured…
Although, I rarely say it..
The answer lies in your ability to display adaptability….
With a BIG ENOUGH WHY…you will always find the HOW!!
So HOW have my most successful athletes displayed adaptability with the following scenarios????
I can’t make training tonight as I’ve got too much school work and I’m falling behind…(Now I’m a massive advocate and supporter of keeping grades up at school it’s even written into our USP PIT Athlete contract-Case in point Carlton Rookie Matt Lodge would travel from Bangalow in northern new south wales to train at THE PIT, before the new highway was developed it was a minimum of a 3 hour round trip…in addition to the 1.5 training session, he did this trip 6 days per week) but here’s the kicker to the story…Matt Lodge was school captain, got straight A’s, had a musical recording contract with Sony and scholarship with Carlton AFL Club) So now when I hear a local kid that lives 15 minutes away from the gym get behind with his school work and other commitments I think of Lodgey and what he went through to achieve his dreams both on and off the sporting field…
I can’t afford to train anymore…(I am deeply appreciative of the support an athletes’ parents provide their children…after all they entrust in me to help enhance their son or daughters physical and mental performance; help them overcome hurdles and barriers…when I hear this I feel the athlete has not grasped the essence of what we at USP are all about…we are about overcoming the odds, overcoming hurdles…this is what makes us who we are..this displays our resolve at it’s best!
Back in 2006 Nat Barnes was studying full time, working full time and training full time in order to achieve his sporting dream! Reaping the benefits of playing with the Brisbane Broncos age 31 years old!
Who said Mum and Dad have to pay for the training to begin with? It is an elite service that you as the athlete are utilising, that is why its compulsory you contribute towards the training investment..or better still contribute entirely…I’ve had 3 of the junior now professional athletes go about getting themselves a job, (One started a lawn mowing business, he’d walk around to every house in his street offering to mow lawns to ensure he could pay for the investment and continue to train with me…another athlete cleaned gyms, houses and washed cars another helped coach to ensure he could continue to train…These athletes knew the value of the training would be reimbursed tenfold when they made it to the elite level. They also learned the importance of working towards something you value and that nothing of value comes free in this lifetime…
Former Broncos player Nat Barnes busting out the incline bench in one of his spare moments between full time work and study!
My parents can’t get me to training..I haven’t got car transportation..(Interesting this was the exact scenario experienced by one of my most successful junior now professional athletes. He used to have to cycle to training because his parents had no car…here’s the kicker he lived approximately 30km away from the PIT he would do a round trip of 60kms on his bike that’s a pretty extensive warm up and warm down! Ironically he’s now one of the AFL’s most elite endurance runners!!! Another athlete displayed adaptability recently by showing great leadership and simply making prior transport arrangements with another USP PIT Athlete to ensure he wouldn’t miss his PIT Sessions!
Youngster Dayne Beams perfecting his front squat technique at the Old PIT!
I’m injured..I can’t train…(For those that have been around me…know that I can’t stand the word can’t…in fact, it’s banned and if you use it you will banished from the facility forever! Rarely is an athlete that severely injured they cannot train at least one body part…My elite have always found a way to train around it…if the lower body is injured, work the upper body…and vice versa…where there is a will there is a way)! I could list hundreds of athletes over the years that simply work around any challenges they have!
Former Brisbane Lions player Bryce Retzlaff as a junior USP PIT Athlete training despite a broken hand!
Sometimes people make excuses because deep down they don’t truly believe in themselves..
If the athlete backed themselves and wanted it badly enough they be adaptable..
They’d work through…
They’d work around…
They’d find a way!
They’d get a result, rather than a myriad of reasons!
If you train at USP in the PIT we demand results!
Refuse to be average, resist the pull of the pack…stand out, be extraordinary!
Raise your standards!
Raise your expectations!
Achieve the greatness you’re destined for!
USP junior Athlete Dayne Beams reaping the benefits of investing in himself winning a premiership with Collingwood AFL Club!
Burn the ships I say, and seize the day!
You have it in you, trust me I know!
The inspiration for the article comes from my outstanding men in THE PIT!
With the future of these young superstars hungry for success, I know the world is a better place!!
All the best,
Joey Hayes