Over the past few years I have really wanted a way to be more analytical and technological with monitoring my patients outcome assessment. I have tried everything from standard forms and progress reports to mailing out weekly spreadsheets which patients fill in and return. All of these are time-consuming. Ironically enough, often patients lose motivation as well and do not always complete or return forms properly. Through this I began to develop an iPhone application that would allow for reminders and a tactile surface to measure their daily outcomes. I am happy to announce that I used my concept for the first time as a prototype today and am very excited about the potential of the application.
This may serve as a vital tool for simple, cost-effective, and reliable outcome assessment and patient monitoring. According to the data, outcome assessment should be valid, reliable, responsive to clinical change, and practical. I believe this application contains these components on a fundamental level. Most importantly it is practical. It is simple to administer, requires little input (if any) from the practitioner. Moreover, it allows for yes/no or quantitative type responses for the user. Therefore, this application is time and cost efficient as well as valid, reliable, and responsive.
please note these screenshots are from the prototype and are being sharpened up at the moment.
The application will allow the patient/client to monitor the following areas on a daily basis:
Pain and Soreness
Energy Levels
Quality of Sleep
Motivation
Impact on Others
Willingness to Change
Productivity
Custom Field (Add in anything you would like here; i.e. Job Satisfaction)
The custom field also allows the individual to place a baseline on the lowest and highest values. For instance, if we use Job Satisfaction as an example, the lowest value may be labeled as “I Hate My Job” and the highest being “I Cant Believe I Get Paid to do This!”. It will give freedom over the labels allowing the patient to connect better with their questionnaire.
The application then stores the info and begins to chart the data over time. This is important for a few reasons:
It allows the patient to “SEE” their progress. Any healthcare practitioner can appreciate the impact this has in demonstrating pain trends.
It allows the patient to recall and reflect on their treatment over large periods of time in a matter of seconds.
It allows the patient to understand flare ups and how even though they may be having a flare up, their overall trend is improving
It allows the patient to monitor their own progress and give a sense of accountability
The graphical input will allow the user and practitioner to see the patients progress over the course of:
One Week
6 Months
12 Months
Year to Date (YTD)
Furthermore, the user is able to enter in reminders so that the alarm on the phone goes off or vibrates during the day to prompt them to do one or more of the following:
Record their Levels
Do their exercises/stretches
Custom Field (Add in anything you would like here)
Because it is important for the patient to have great and effective communication with their personal practitioner(s) I have included a function that allows them to email the charts and data (on the spot) to their practitioner(s). I am really excited about this because it puts the accountability in the patients hands and empowers them to understand their pain and talk about their pain in a direct and easy manner.
It will also allow the patient to upload their outcomes to Facebook as a way of showing off their improvement (or perhaps lack of).
The update pathway includes:
Secure data (no patient names for security) upload to a server for pain management research
Children’s version for child cancer patients
Graphical Comparison (look at perhaps pain vs mood)
Advanced Statistical Analysis
Various Graphical Forms
This application will also be able to be branded to your clinic through our brand-the-app affiliate program. This will allow your clinic to place all branding and information on the app (such as splash screen, about, and contacts) for sales to your patients. You will also retain royalties from the sales of the app on iTunes or other supplying stores.
In summary, I am VERY excited about the potential of this application as there is hardly anything of its kind currently available. Its simple, easy to use, and any patient that has an iPhone will love it. Plus, it makes something that was bland and boring, actually fun. The potential for research using this application is also very exciting. This form of outcome measurement is essential in enhancing doctor-patient communication and improving goal setting and decision-making abilities. Consider this when thinking of this application:
Establishes quicker more reliable report with the doctor and patient
Unmasks Ineffective Treatments believed to be Effective
Improves Goal Setting and Goal Achieving (are we making our goals?)
Improves Decision Making
Reduces the “burden” of typical paperwork and progress reports
Highly responsive
Helps justify treatment outcomes to 3rd party providers
I expect this to be available in the iTunes store by the second week of October and for a very affordable price (especially when compared to the cost of a patients office visit). I hope you share my joy in this application.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me via comments below or through my website: www.anthonyclose.com
Insights Interview: The Underworld, The BIG controversy, and Being a Family Man
AC:
Firstly, JC it is important for me to thank you for doing this interview. You have been a major influence in my life both directly and indirectly. Directly, you have been a great friend and someone who I can trust. You respond to emails quickly, you are keen on helping, and you always have great words of advice. Indirectly, people you influence continue to influence me, these people are many. JC:
Thank you for the kind words Anthony. It is words like these that allow me to do my work willingly, happily, and often. No one can ask for a better scenario to make a living. At the end of the day, it’s not what you take with you that counts (which isn’t very much) it’s what you leave behind that defines your history. If I touch people and they touch people, then, my history will be told one day and it will be a good one.
AC:
How did you get started into the “industry”? Give me some details and stuff not so commonly known.
JC:
I guess I have always been “in the industry”. As a child my super heroes were strong men like Hercules, Samson, Tarzan, etc. I was never into the “Sci-fi, Superman, Batman, figures because they were not Men Like enough for me. I always loved MOVEMENT and HUMAN ABILITY, not necessarily sports. Thus, my super heroes fought animals, battled army’s, swung from trees, and picked up heavy stuff (LOL).
My formal entry into the Industry was back in 1973-1974, when I formally had the keys to Brodie’s Gym. I was called a manager at 14 because a ‘manager’ opened, closed, cleaned, collected money for membership ($10/month), sold protein bars and apple cider. I did that and I did it well. That is when I learned a TON from bodybuilders, police officers, military and para-military officers who took me under their wings due to my maturity.
At 12 I stated studying a slew of martial arts and that has not stopped. I did not care about the history or the belts; I cared about how they worked and what worked. As soon as I started the martial arts I started training for performance, NEVER FOR LOOKS! I wanted to break boards, jump high, win tournaments, and basically have the ability kick people’s asses (Although I have never been in a major fight in my life). I’m not a bad ass – but I can take care of myself enough to not have to back down or take any shit from anyone!
I have studies immensity (academic) and worked in multiple professions. I have studied and worked in the engineering, medical, and music industry. I have toured with my own band, owned and operated a bar/liquor store, and owned and managed fitness clubs. I’m a dissertation short of a PhD, and have produce over 70 DVDs and written 14 books.
I have also had my history of the fast life, which many in the industry may not know but all of my friends do. If you have heard tales about my life from the 1980s and early 1990s, I hate to tell you it is most likely true, or at least based on some truth. Yeap – from wining and dining with the underworld of Miami, to ending up in the middle of flying bullets with the same crew – it’s all true. So my journey has been a movie with several sequels. So know this – I’ve done everything twice and loved it all.
How about that for something you may not know!
AC:
You just got back from training with the Bartendaz, in NY I believe. Tell me about that experience.
JC:
I have been disgusted with fitness for some time now, that is why I don’t do anymore shows (they have become circuses and whorehouses – all in one). I have actually become disgusted with our society. We have become lazy, soft, full of excuses, and without accountability.
I have been looking for a return to the basics: to see the complex in simplicity, to see the elite in the basics, to get back to basic principles and values. The BARTENDAZ are a prime example of all of that. We don’t see basic human movement as sexy, moreover, we don’t see what can be done with hard work. Instead, we jump on the latest and greatest to keep our attention (from stability balls, to bands, to vibration, to all of he diets and gadgets you have seen). The Bartendaz experience is a re-connect for me to something that is real, basic but yet extremely advanced. So it is a perfect example of how powerful the basics can be.
We film in a couple of days and this is as excited as I have been about a project in a long time.
AC:
Very true JC! I am excited to see what you and the BARTENDAZ produce. Now, moving into choppy waters. There has been some major controversy going on between the NSCA (which you are on the board) and Mike Boyle. What is the outcome of this? What is hype and what is fact?
JC:
This is what I sent out to people who contacted me on this issue. These people were blindly contacting the Board of Directors (BOD) and sending in form letters without thinking, asking, or knowing ANY facts.
Your email was sent to me so I will offer you a long but accurate account of the situation.
I think before you assume you know or take sides on an issue, you should at least hear both sides; for nothing it what it seems here.
We have only received around 15 emails on this issue. This is NOT the big deal it is being made out to be. That is the nonsense of dealing with these VERY PERSONAL ISSUES through a public forum like Facebook, which I find totally immature, unprofessional on the part of Mike Boyle. I’m very surprised at this behavior coming from a 50+ yr old ‘man’.
Since you sent this to me, I will answer you personally. JUST man to man. Now this is just my opinion and has nothing to do with my NSCA involvement. I roll off the BOD (Board of Directors) in July after which I will much more open on these types of issues.
First – The BOD has nothing to do with the selection of speakers, or Conference Committee policies, procedures, etc. That is how we keep the NSCA clean, independent, and NOT being a BOY’s Club. For Mike to send all of his friends to write to the NSCA BOD clearly shows he has absolutely no idea about how we run the organization. This is totally immature and unprofessional. He could have and should have taken it up with Dave Sandler (Conference Committee Chair), who made the decision along with other conference committee members (INDEPENDENT OF THE BOD – that is the way it is operated exactly for these reasons). I informed Mike of this personally – so I know he knows what the deal is. Why he has done what he has done and said what he has said clearly shows he is NOT interested in the truth, the organization, or even uniting the industry – this is all self promotion.
Second – Mike was UNINVITED by the Conf Committee, NOT BANNED. He was also not uninvited because he was controversial. I suspect that the reason the Conference Committee has decided to uninvited Mike to this year’s conference is because of slanderous comments Mike has repeatedly made about the NSCA (some in my presence – so he can’t say he has not!). Frankly – if it would have been up to me, I would un-invite any presenter that slanders me to my conference, wouldn’t you? I don’t mind respectful criticism of the NSCA –that is how it grows. NOBODY HAS CRITICIZED THE NSCA MORE THAN I – but I have done it with respect. (editors note: There is a BIG difference between slander and criticizing, one of those difference being of the legal sort)
Mike Boyle has (In front of me on more than one occasion) defamed the NSCA publically and in an unprofessional manner. That should not be mistaken for disagreeing or constructive criticism – which we all advocate! However, after talking all sorts of garbage about the NSCA (without really knowing the facts because he has NEVER done anything with or for the NSCA), Mike always asks to present at the NSCA conference. By the way all of this done under the “Skirt” of Perform Better (PB); through PB’s endorsement/sponsorship relationship with the NSCA. He will tell you he never asks to present, PB asks him to present at the NSCA and that he is hired by PB and not the NSCA – that is an outright lie! The NSCA always has presenters sign contracts – remember I was in Mike’s shoes for many years!
Thirdly, much of this comes from an axe Mike has been grinding with Jay Hoffman for almost 3 years now but Mike won’t talk about that!! If Mike Boyle has an axe to grind against Jay Hoffman or someone else then this should be taken up one to one – like real men do. Not in a public forum like some 14 yr old boy breaking up with is girlfriend through text messaging. For the love of mankind, I truly feel like a dinosaur in these times. Where have the men gone in this world?
In my opinion, if you are an honorable MAN and stand by your convictions and opinions, then you will not present for any organization you don’t feel is up to your standards (which is the way I operate). However, Mike does not want to do that, neither does Perform Better, due to the Money and Brand Recognition they get from being involved with the NSCA! I find that extremely hypocritical, don’t you?
I no longer support many fitness conferences because they have sold out (the NSCA is the only one that still stands for something – with ALL of its problems). So what do I do? I DO NOT present at the conferences I don’t feel are up to my standards. I do this at great financial sacrifice but I will not sell out and I do not hide behind any forum, company, or third-party endorsement. Also, I do not call out each and every company, or presenters spreading crap for that matter it is NOT professional. If anyone wants to mud sling, I’ll do it but I will not start it (especially in a public forum).
I think if more men had real balls and stood behind their convictions, this profession, and this world. It would all be a better place. But it seems that the fashion now is to use the Internet to mud sling and talk the crap that would never be said to someone face to face. It takes no courage to take things into Internet forums, chat lines, and text instead of handling business through up-close and personal processes! This is the sad the state of affairs of today’s generation. I expected more from Mike and the rest of the PB management. They [Mike Boyle/PB Management] have shown a childish way of handling business.
AC: Hearing both side of the story is so important. Many people haven’t had a chance to do that, so I thank you for being open regarding the NSCA vs. Boyle controversy. Moving on (and its a great transition) how do you deal with the haters?
JC:
I wish I could tell you I’m mature and I live and let live but I don’t all the time. Sometimes I’m able to ignore them. But Sometimes I tear them a new asshole, in private, in public , verbally, physically – anyway it needs to get done. I hope to God I get better because one day I might end up in jail for beating an asshole an inch from his/her life.
People have become so disrespectful these days, someone needs to do something. I don’t want to be that somebody and I hope I can control myself but sometimes I just can’t. That’s the honest truth.
AC:
I struggle sometimes with the same stuff JC. Again, thank you for being open. We all have our 15 minutes of fame. Some people capitalize on that 15 minutes to make it a lifetime and some people don’t. Obviously, you capitalized. What was your “big” break and what has been your “big” trial/tribulation?
JC:
I owe my break to Lee Brown (The NSCA’s former President). Lee was the one who suggested and insisted that I write an article and do a presentation for the NSCA. After my first presentation I was invited back to a standing room only. From there the rest is history. So my BIG BREAK was the NSCA Annual Conference, 1997, in Vegas.
My biggest challenge has been to maintain a balance with all of my work, my family, and my private life. The balance of being a family man (with ALL of its responsibilities), staying at the top of my industry, and having time for me (e.g. my own personal development) is very hard. I do it fairly well and have fun doing it. So it is not too bad.
AC:
As you mentioned JC, you are a dad, business owner, and international speaker. How do you manage your life?
JC:
I’m very disciplined and a hard worker. I have to be because I don’t have any natural talents to speak of. I have a very strong character that keeps me real, grounded, and focused. I make sure I do all that is necessary daily, from giving my family love and safety, to dealing with issues at IHP, to training and getting rest. Some days I do better than others but at the end of the month I take inventory and get most of it in. I do that month in and month out. Because I’m well balanced like that I’m able to stay happy and creative. It’s not easy but I get it done.
I’m very hard to live with if you are not with the program and don’t give me space so I’m blessed with a very understanding wife that is very supportive and gives me the freedom a person like me needs! TRUST ME, I’m good at what I do, I’m all man and take care of my family but I’m no prize. It’s a package deal with me; you want to ride and show off the stallion, no problems, but you better leave your spurs at home. You spur me once and I impale you on the first low-lying branch I find (LOL). As a matter of fact, when my wife is giving me a little more “BIZNESS” than I’m willing to take, I tell her, “you’re spurring me”. Then she knows she needs to back off and give me room. We
are great together and laugh a ton at ourselves THAT IS WHAT KEEPS ME GROUNDED AND BALANCED.
AC: Many people think that all the sudden you just became internationally known but we know it took years of work. What is the best advice you have for people wanting to lecture internationally?
JC:
10,000 hours or 10 years OF DELIBERATE PRACTICE (not to be confused for pure repetition)! Get out the clock and calculator and get ready to pay the piper; that is what it takes for anyone to accomplish world-class excellence at ANYTHING.
READ TALENT IS OVER RATED.
These new guys and gals all want to do it through a web site, pictures opps, and e-books! They all attempt to cheat the 10,000 hours/10 yrs, but they won’t be able to. What is happening is the BAR IS DROPPING in all aspects of entry criteria into various fields of work (from armed forces, to professional schools, to presenting at conferences). Just look at the Internet claimed experts and new conference presenters – who the hell are most of these people? They are artificial and market driven figures who usually have only accomplished half of what they claim and only have a third of the knowledge needed to be who they say they are! Much less the ability to possess WORLD-CLASS EXPERTISE. This is why I don’t do conferences anymore (except with the NSCA).
AC:
Your expertise and hard work has paid off and you inspire people daily JC. That is an amazing talent. Are you able to give readers (and me) some pointers on being a great teacher?
JC:
Thank you for your kind compliment. Frankly, I can’t believe I have had the success I have had. ALL I wanted was to be a great coach but when you are a great coach, you inspire people, that is what coach does. I made a mistake in thinking that a personal trainer needed to know about exercise to be able to do their job. We ARE NOT THERAPIST’S OR EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGISTS, we are coaches.
We inspire people to make behavioral changes and make better choices and those choices may start with exercise but they (positive choices) penetrate EVERY ASPECT of people’s lives.
All I can tell you is that to teach you have to inspire people to learn. To illicit change you have to inspire people to work for what they want. To inspire you have to be real, honest, grounded, and perfectly imperfect – so people can see you work through your own challenges. People learn in part my imitation so role modeling is huge. You have to live what you preach.
DO NOT take yourself too seriously – you are going to screw up and fixing it is half the fun of life.
AC:
What is your biggest advice to new trainers?
JC:
“Do unto others as you would have them do on to you” is an all time favorite.
Here is mine…….
“Work like you will live forever, live like you will die tomorrow”
That’s about it brother – no secret, no rare words of wisdom, no complicate paradigms – there aren’t any. The answers to most questions are usually right in front of us and simple.
Juan Carlos “JC” Santana is a world-renowned authority in the area of performance enhancement and is one of the most prolific speakers in the fitness industry. JC has been published extensively and has produced many videos on the subject of performance enhancement. His educational resources bring the most innovative and cutting edge training methodology to fitness professionals around the world.
JC is a proud graduate of Florida Atlantic University (FAU), where he received his BS and MEd degrees in Exercise Science. While at FAU he served as an adjunct professor of Weight Training Systems and Sports Training Systems.
JC is a member and a certified Health Fitness Instructor with the ACSM, and a member and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). He is a certified Senior Coach and Club Coach Course Instructor with the USAWF, and a LEVEL I coach with the US Track and Field Association. JC has served as the Chairman for the NSCA’s Sport Specific Conference (1999-2000), an NSCA Conference Committee member (1998-2001) and was the NSCA’s Florida State Director (1997-2001).
JC has always believed in practicing what he preaches. This is why you can find him at IHP everyday training his diverse clientele. You will also see him giving back to the community through the many hours he volunteers to local athletes, particularly the Spanish River Wrestling Team where he is on his 4th year as their strength and conditioning coach.
JC is the director of his consulting company, Optimum Performance Systems (OPS), which is based out of IHP. OPS provides: Consulting for equipment manufactures, fitness organizations, fitness professionals and major sports teams, athletic development camps, education for fitness professionals and internships for graduates in the allied health professions.
In spite of his professional accomplishments, JC feels his highest achievement has been his family and the bond they share. His wife of 9 years, Debbie and his three children, Rio (14), Caila (5), Dante (3), Mia (newborn) remain his top priority. JC pledges to pass on the legacy to his children that his parents passed on to him; family first, then everything else.
Insights Interview: Forecasting, Silver Linings, and Sales Techniques
AC:
Hi Ish, I want to thank you for your time and effort in making the interview happen because I know how much you hate writing. You have been a driving force being multiple companies. Firstly, you have been the superpower behind much of cooperate giant, LES MILLS, personal training business seminars and education. Secondly, you run ishcheyne.com which is pumping out some amazing podcasts and client information. So as usual, tell me how old you were when you started becoming interested in the field and also what your background is.
IC: I got in to the fitness industry when I was 18 completely by accident. I am a qualified Chef and I had an address given to me for a job interview but when I turned up at the address it was a Gym not a Restaurant. So I said I really want a job and the guy said can you sell gym memberships, I said sure (not that I had any idea if I could or not, I had never even been to a gym before) so I started the next day, fell in love with the fitness industry and the rest just kind of happened
AC:
Many people often get, “tall poppy” syndrome (where the person tries to cut another down for their own gain). I am sure this happens to you at some time or another but what do you do to keep your mind focused away from this sort of stuff?
IC: I spend as much time as I can adding value to people’s lives by building positive relationships. Help someone get what they want and you then get what you want. Don’t worry about the dickheads.
AC:
How do you, Ish Cheyne, motivate the unmotivated? How do you make someone who is in denial about their health to come to terms with themselves?
IC: I just tell it like it is, to many people have a cross your fingers attitude to health and fitness and say things like, I hope I don’t get cancer, I hope I don’t get fat, I hope I don’t get sick. It’s better that they can prevent it before it happens rather than living in reaction. I just give them the options then if they’re smart they make a good decision
AC:
Thats a straight forward attitude. Its true that prevention is always better treating the problem after the fact. Speaking of motivation, you are very skilled in marketing and sales, how do you handle hesitations (regarding a sale)?
IC: The best line I ever learnt was, “so aside from….blar blar…is this something you would like to do” So if the person says it’s too expensive, you just say. Ok so aside from price is Personal Training something you would like to do” if they say yes, then say “well you know yourself best how much could you put towards it per week” then work it all out from there. If they say No, then they don’t see the value in what you are offering…either that or they think you’re a dick and it’s pretty much over
AC:
Okay so we know that if you are a d**k then motivation is not an option. However, who is the one person who has motivated you the most in your field?
IC: It’s not just one person; it’s Les Mills as a company. They have changed my life. The businesses innovation and the people that work in the company are amazing
AC:
You have been in the game for a bit now, where do you see the gym and fitness industry heading? What will be the next big step for the fitness industry?
IC: Small group training and membership options for people who don’t want to join or commit to a contract
AC:
If you could train anyone who would it be?
IC:
Chuck Norris!!
AC:
What’s your biggest advice for a new student or trainer?
For those that like it long: Ish Cheyne is one of New Zealand’s top personal trainers (2008 South Island Personal Trainer of the year) and with over 15 years of experience working across the Health and Fitness industry, Ish is internationally recognized as a leader, educator, and visionary.
As a leading presenter, Ish is highly regarded for his dynamic, motivational and informative seminars. Through radio interviews, television shows and international speaking engagements, Ish’s expertise and knowledge have become well-known and highly valued. Ish is the National Facilitator for Les Mills and teaches all aspects of exercise prescription, business, marketing, sales and customer service.
Les Mills International has contracted Ish to assist in the area of training development. He is one of the best facilitators in the world and has written and delivered education DVDs now seen by over 80,000 instructors in over 70 countries.
Through mediums such as television, radio, speaking events, pod casts, blogs and e-books, Ish is a key solution provider in the areas of personal training, fitness, sales and staff performance. Blar Blar Blar….. (Told you it was long)
Insights Interview: Silver Linings and Forecasting of the Industry
AC:
Hi Bret, I want to thank you for your time and effort in making the interview happen. I have looked up to many great people in the health and fitness industry over the last 15 years and one name that I keep seeing more and more of is yours. Tell me how old you were when you started becoming interested in the field and also what your background is.
BC: Hey Anthony, first of all I want to thank you for allowing me to do this interview. To answer your question, at fifteen years old I started reading every muscle mag I could get my hands on and training using bodypart splits. At twenty-four I stumbled upon HIT training. Before that I seriously didn’t know there were other “methods” out there other than HVT. Shortly after that, I stumbled upon sport-specific training and never looked back. Over the years I’ve taken a hard look at nearly every method, system, and style imaginable. I’m a 33 year-old CSCS with a master’s degree and a background as a high school mathematics teacher.
AC:
We all go through tribulation and trial and if you haven’t you will. When you first started doing your job and focusing on your work, what were some of your biggest let downs, failures, and/or rejections? What did you do to overcome this negativity?
BC: The most difficult struggle I ever went through professionally was when I had to let go of the idea that my invention was going to make me a lot of money one day. In late 2006, I invented a glute-apparatus called the Skorcher. I thought it would take off especially considering the compelling EMG experiments that were conducted showing it’s effectiveness. However, the world wasn’t ready for the invention, the economy plummeted right around the time I was able to raise money to launch the product, and my dreams of “making it big” came to a screeching halt a couple of years ago. I became quite bitter and distrustful after this experience and am not sure if I’ll ever fully “recover” from the let down. I was lied to and taken advantage of by unscrupulous investors.
As time goes on, it becomes easier to see that everything happens for a reason. I gleaned some great business lessons and learned an awful lot about what type of person I never want to become. Best of all, I own one of the few Skorchers out there and can use it in my own training! Here’s my friend Keats Snideman using the Skorcher to do a single leg hip thrust.
AC:
Many people often get, “tall poppy” syndrome (where the person tries to cut another down for their own gain). I am sure this happens to you at some time or another but what do you do to keep your mind focused away from this sort of stuff?
BC: Tim Ferriss wrote an excellent blog about “dealing with haters. Here’s the link:
1. The more popular your work, the more haters you’ll likely develop
2. The more cutting edge and innovative your work, the more haters you’ll likely develop
3. The Strength & Conditioning profession is male dominated and often ego-driven. Getting hated on comes with the territory and many don’t like “newcomers”
4. All publicity is good publicity
5. If you put yourself out there and your stuff works, you’re going to positively impact thousands of people. I’m one of the few trainers I know of who have invented and popularized exercises and created terminology that “caught on” in the industry. Focus on the good you’re doing and resist the temptation to get enraged by comments written on blogs and forum threads
6. Strength training attracts a lot of “meatheads” who love to pick fights on forums and say horrible things. Once again, getting hated on comes with the territory.
7. All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident. – Arthur Schopenhauer 1788-1860
8. Nobody likes a negative person. If you can’t learn to deal with adversity and be positive most of the time, then doors aren’t going to open up for you and you’re not going to be able to spread your message and positively impact nearly as many people as you could if you were a happier person.
9. Our profession needs critical individuals who aren’t afraid to call it like they see it. Learn to appreciate these highly critical and opinionated folks as they’re a natural “checks and balances” system for our profession
10. Every negative situation that occurs is an opportunity for you to display your positivity, professionalism, adversity, and determination
I find that after considering these thoughts I’m able to calm down and not be deterred by haters.
AC:
How do you, Bret Contreras, motivate the unmotivated? How do you make someone who is in denial about their health to come to terms with themselves?
BC: First of all, it’s important to realize that you can’t motivate everyone. As a young personal trainer I used to give discounts and train so many people for free to the point where I went overboard in my quest to “save the world.” Now I reserve trying to “motivate the unmotivated” mostly to family members and dear friends. For these people, I try every angle imaginable. I beg, plead, bargain, write simple programs, print articles, email links to journal study abstracts, and try to find an “angle” that will do the trick. Sometimes you just have to accept that a person isn’t ready to care about their health and be proud of the fact that you may be “planting seeds” that will sprout later on down the road. Just never give up!
AC:
Who is the one person who has motivated you the most in your direct family? How about in your field?
BC:
Although I have the greatest Mom and Dad in the world, I have to go with my Gramps on this one. He was an engineer and always bought me all kinds of math and physics books when I was in high school and college. I was probably the only kid in my high school who read Steven Hawking books and understood the theory of relativity. He would give me his Discover Magazines and talk to me about science all the time. This affected the way I approach everything in life.
As to my greatest influence in the field…that’s really tough. I’m a very unique trainer and don’t always follow the norm. I’ve been heavily influenced by Louie Simmons, Charlie Francis, Mike Boyle,Christian Thibaudeau, and Gray Cook. However, my training and methods are quite different than theirs. My number one influence would have to be Mel Siff (although I didn’t read his book until after he died so his influence on me occurred post-mortem). He was in my opinion the brightest guy to ever care about fitness. Although I’ll never come close, I aspire to think like him on a daily basis.
AC:
Where do you see the gym and fitness industry heading? What will be the next big step for the fitness industry?
BC: I thought long and hard about this one and have realized that I’m no prophet. My friend Carl Valle offered some insightful opinions on this topic. Here’s the link:
I’m curious to see if our profession ever enacts stringent licensing procedures for personal trainers. I’m curious to see if gyms keep becoming “fruitier” or if “manly” gyms will be resurrected. I look forward to the time when our profession has a better understanding of what “functional training” entails, as well as what best practices are for assessment/screening, gaining mobility/flexibility, maximizing transfer of training, and optimizing core training. I look forward to the time when we have a better understanding of program design as it pertains to manipulating training variables for various populations. As the different fields of Physiology, Biomechanics, Physical Therapy, and Psychology converge, we’ll gain a much better understanding of the “Big Picture.”
AC:
If you could train anyone who would it be?
BC:
Definitely Usain Bolt! I would love to conduct all sorts of analyses, experiments, and studies on him in hopes to figure out exactly what makes him so special. I would also love to see if I could help make him even faster. It’s easy to make a novice better. But getting the best in the world to be even better takes someone who really knows what they’re doing.
AC:
What’s your biggest advice for a new student or trainer?
BC: As Rob Panariello, one of the brightest minds in the fitness and physical therapy fields likes to say, “Know the difference between fact and opinion.” Strength & Conditioning is an arte scienza. It’s a blend between art and science. There are too many variables to ever allow us to boil it down to an exact science. Much of what we do is based on opinion. No expert has all the answers. In fact, no expert even comes close. Many roads lead to Rome and there are many methods that can lead to success. Learn from all the experts via books, textbooks, articles, blogs, DVD’s, journals, seminars, college courses, and internships. Have respect for those who know what they’re doing but don’t put them on a pedestal. No matter how smart you think they are, they don’t have all the answers. We don’t have much figured out so always remain open-minded yet at the same time be highly skeptical. Try to be evidenced-based while also remaining innovative and staying on the cusp on scientific advancement. Don’t be afraid to try new methods as that’s how we learn. Don’t be afraid to fail. Develop your own philosophy based on evidence, theory, anecdotes, and opinions. Always err on the side of safety. Learn from a variety of fields as that sparks creativity. Make friends in the profession. Never stop training yourself!
That’s awesome advice Bret. Thank you Bret for your time and input, I am really excited to keep following your work. Although I have been through a decade or so of school, I am really new to the field and like everyone, I am always learning. I am really inspired by your drive and work ethic and applaud you for your effort. Thanks Bret, I appreciate you.
-Anthony Close
Thank you very much Anthony! I appreciate those words very much. It’s very nice to know that I’m inspiring others. Excellent and unique interview questions. Thanks again!
Doctor Anthony's Insight 