Does the Fighter Still Remain?

You don't have to be "The Boxer" to identify with "The Struggle".  So, right now put yourself in the shoes of the boxer. You are THE BOXER...only IF the fighter still remains.  

As a great boxer (not just good or ok) you've dedicated your life to training. An appeal of boxing is that it's such a vivid demonstration of you vs him. It's a one on one test where all of your training comes to the forefront and your skill as a fighter is demonstrated in front of thousands. Again, the competition is the test or testament toward your training and skill as a fighter. 

The raw brutal nature of the sport does not permit you to slack in your training. If your not on point every weakness, every flaw, and every oversight in your training will be exploited. To put it bluntly "you will get your ass kicked". You don't want to get your ass kicked! So, what are you gonna do?

Start with the truth. Does the fighter still remain? Are you committed? Know yourself. Be truthful. Be authentic. Know what your good at and what your not. Know where your training is falling short and conversely what works. 

Know that the other guy (your competitor) is a lot like you. He struggles just like you and has fears just like you. He dreams just like you. Does he train just like you? 

Know that like life your training is a series of decisions. Every day you make choices that effect the quality of your training. Are you early out of bed eager to get going? Do you eat breakfast? Throughout the day are your nutrition selections appropriate? Do you have a honest to goodness training plan? Do you surround yourself with goal oriented individuals? 

Analyze your training. Is it balanced? Do you overemphasize strength and conditioning over actual skill development or vice versa? What can be improved? What exercises can you get rid of? What exercises should you add? 

What injuries do you need to address? What kind of injuries are prevalent in your sport, career or activity that you need to prevent? Be proactive and that comes from being truthful. 

End with the truth. Does the fighter still remain?

Are You Strong?

What is "Strong" Anyway?

Don't worry I have the answer... I GOOGLED IT! 

Type in "Human Feats of Strength" in Googles image browser and see what pops up

  

  

Hmm.. isn't that interesting. Clearly, I can see how the dictionary definition of "Strong" or "Strength" (below) can be applied to cow lifting  or absorbing the impact of a cannon ball.

Here's what Merriam has to say about it...

Strong 

 adjective (Merriam's Definition)

1   having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks.

"she cut through the water with her strong arms"

2 Able to withstand great force or pressure

"cotton is strong, har-earing, and easy to handle"

Strength

 noun (Merriam's Definition)

 1  : the quality or state of being physically strong

2  : the ability to resist being moved or broken by a force

3  : the quality that allows someone to deal with problems in a determined and effective way

The dictionary definition of strength got me to thinking

- If  an athlete were to deadlift 500 lbs does that make them a strong football player?

- If an athlete were to bench press 400 lbs does would that make them a strong wrestler?

- If an athlete were to throw a football 70 yards would that individual be a strong quarterback?

- If an athlete runs a 40 yard dash in 4.8 seconds does that make them a strong sprinter. Maybe not a blazer but what if that same athlete was a 350 lb lineman would that change your opinion of their strength as a sprinter?

The below is a definition comparing strength and conditioning 

It seems there is a need to determine the type of strength  before one can define it. It also seems apparent that one must consider how that strength is applied and transfers to that sport, function  or activity before you can say he or she is strong.  Further, maybe we should also consider how physical strength may only be maximized through strength of mind, character, and spirit. Wow, we didn't even start talking about mental strength. Lot's to consider. At the end of the day maybe strength can only be defined through the eyes of the beholder. 

The ant is strong. Be strong like ant!

So, the question remains. Are you strong?

Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee is also known as the guy with the 1 inch punch. By the way that punch is an excellent demonstration of POWER.  

What is Power? 

Check out the 1-inch Punch

It's evident Bruce Lee was a SEEKER. A seeker of KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING. He knew that to do otherwise would be to limit ones potential.

Take the time to truly understand what Bruce Lee is trying to communicate. I mean really. He's only the most bad ass martial artist that you or I have ever heard about. Maybe he was onto something or...maybe you just preferred him as the actor in that Hollywood film "The Green Hornet". .So, without TRYING to be THE BEST he became THE BEST. Understand? 

I  created a collage of his more well known sayings. Scroll below.

Bruce Lee lends credit to the statement "only the good die young". He was only 32 when he died. 

It's safe to say Bruce Lee was DIFFERENT. He was different in his approach to training and different in his approach to the world. However, we are all called to be different but FEW SUCCEED. Understand?

"I Shall Finish The Game"

"I Shall Finish the Game". If that message doesn't resonate you must be dead. If you’re an athlete, businessmen, or any sort of competitor read on.

I was flipping through the channels during a commercial break as my beloved NFL team, the Cleveland Browns, received yet another Sunday thrashing. I happened upon the re-run of one of my all-time favorite films "Young Guns II" featuring the sarcastic and confident outlaw Billy the Kid played by Emilio Estevez. In a climactic scene Billy was arguing with his pal and he imparted that story of the three Chinamen gambling. Billy's takeaway message to his friend was simple yet LOADED "I (we) Shall Finish the Game". Click on the video link below to watch how Billy’s story ties in at the end of the movie (warning to the parents and kiddos as it’s a bit violent).

I SHALL FINISH THE GAME. So, what does that mean in the context of fitness, sport, and competition? To me it means the ability to say to yourself, “my competition may have got the best of me today but I will follow through NO MATTER WHAT". Or "I don't feel like training today but I'm going to finish strong NO MATTER WHAT". “I may or may not have accomplished what I set out to accomplish today, yesterday, or over a sports season but I will stay the path NO MATTER WHAT. I’ll stay focused and do what I can and. right now I CHOOSE to finish the game.

At one time the Ohio State Buckeyes football  team would chant the above words before running out of the tunnel in front of 100,000 spectators.

I SHALL FINISH THE GAME may speak to you differently. Just like a good lyric it’s what you make of it. You have to remember those words or images that speak to you.

Don't second guess yourself. Don't second guess your training. If your on a team don't doubt your teammates. As an individual never doubt yourself and your ability to stick with a fitness plan or any plan. If you decided to commit to a sport, a training plan, or goal you had best finish the game. Don’t flake on yourself. Finish the game. Leave it all out on the field. Finish the game. Follow through. Finish the game. Go out in "a blaze of glory”. Finish the game. GET IT.

By the way that Young Guns II soundtrack is INSANE! Maybe the Cleveland Browns need to watch that movie…and read this blog.

Later on,

Coach Hendershot

Finish Strong

Fitness

Fitness is a life sport!