Results or Research?

Results or Research?

I have discussed this topic with several colleagues, and I am still on the fence with my conclusion.  Here’s the full debate.  Which is better, a coach that continually produces champions or a coach loaded down with a PhD?  Here are my thoughts on the subject.

If a coach is continually helping athletes improve, then it’s hard to say that they are not equipped.  When you think about it, no one does more research than a day in and day out coach.  How many people has Louie Simmons coached?  Are you telling me that someone that has performed a couple of research studies is more of an expert?  Think how much data Louie has to prove his arguments. 

That’s why I was pumped to be a part of the new “Stronger Experts” platform.  “Stronger Experts” worked hard to bring together the top 20 strength and conditioning experts from around the world.  Now you have guys like Greg Nuckols and Zach Long that are on the cutting edge with research, and coaches like Sean Waxman and me that are constantly turning out athletes for International Competition.  (FYI go to www.mashelite.com/strongerexperts/ and use code “EARLYBIRD” to save $100)

In a perfect world, coaches are going to guys like Dr. Andy Galpin and learning about the latest discoveries in Exercise Science, and then we can go back and apply those discoveries to our athletes.  This is the way that advancements are made in our industry, and this is the way that America can compete against countries that continue to dope.  We simply have to do things better.

My biggest frustration is when people say that results doesn’t really mean that a coach is proficient.  I can’t agree with that.  They say that coaches can be good at recruiting and good at forming awesome atmospheres versus having concrete knowledge.  Here’s the thing.  If you are a coach with all the knowledge in the world with a terrible atmosphere and no good athletes to coach, then you my friend are a not so good coach.  It probably means that aren’t a really nice person to be around, and that’s a huge part of coaching.  People are drawn to positive people that can motivate others to excel. 

If someone is growing their pool of athletes, motivating those athletes to succeed, and helping the athletes reach their goals, then that’s a good coach in my book.  You should probably look at injury rate as well.  If you are hurting 20% of your athletes, then that is a problem.  Ivan Abadjiev (may he rest in peace) comes to mind.  He developed the infamous Bulgarian Training System, which was basically maxing out three times per day in the Snatch, Clean & Jerk, and Front Squat.  He produced a lot of champions.  He had some crazy unorthodox ways of motivating his athletes like sic’ing mean dogs on his athletes.  Several athletes couldn’t survive the grueling method, so only the strongest and most durable athletes in Bulgaria survived. 

So was Ivan a great coach?  Personally I don’t think so.  He had an endless supply of athletes because it was a state sponsored program leaving athletes with very few choices.  It was a survival of the fittest program.  Anyone could develop something similar, but in America we would probably get sued.  I always wonder if he hurt his best athlete, so the world might never know what could have been. 

So what’s the answer:  results or research?  The answer is both.  A good coach is normally someone who is well read, delivers a great training atmosphere, and is able to recruit athletes to his or her training facility.  Somewhere in the middle is where the sweet spot lies. 

For all of you young folks trying to come up in the industry, here are a few suggestions:

• ·      Never stop learning
• ·      Find a mentor
•      Work on your ability to motivate others
• ·      Learn to create an environment that is competitive, inspiring, encouraging, and fun.

I am surrounded with friends like Mike Israetel, Dr. Andy Galpin, Greg Nuckols, Coach Joe Kenn, and Louie Simmons, so I am always learning through my own research and conversations with my friends.  This is the best way to get in on the cutting edge as you will hear things before they are even published. 

I will say this in conclusion.  Don’t tell my athletes or me how amazing you are, if you haven’t even coached an athlete to Youth Nationals.  You need to get some skin in the game before you go around beating your own drum.  All you have is a theory that might or might not work.  Until you have coached over twenty athletes onto Team USA in Weightlifting, over 10 to the NFL, 5 to the NBA, and hundreds to Division I Collegiate Programs throughout America, keep your theoretical information to yourself.  Well unless I ask that is.  I have my go to experts that are proven in their fields.

If you are trying to improve your own tool box, check out Stronger Experts at www.mashelite.com/strongerexperts/ and use code ‘EARLYBIRD’ for $100 off yearly or $10 per month for a monthly membership.  You will get content from 20 of the world’s best strength and conditioning and nutrition experts.  I am pumped to be a part.