Optimum Performance Training

I think we first started dishing out this test in 2016? I can’t remember exactly but I think it was around then.

Anyway, at the time I remember thinking I didn’t really like using Fran or Diane individually to assess performance at a level like the “Regionals” (aka - Semifinals). Just from my perspective, I didn’t think they showed me what I wanted to see in an assessment. Honestly, the tests weren’t long enough at that point.

So, what I wanted to do was to create significant amounts of fatigue in all main movements, pressing, hinging, pulling, and squatting. By doing this, you will also elicit a very large cardiac output, as you are involving all main muscle groups. Not that Diane or Fran can’t do that on their own, but, I wanted the test to be a bit longer, and I didn’t want to just double the reps for each of those events. So, I decided to combine them.

Combining the events allows for spreading the fatigue around the body, thereby generally permitting the individual to keep a high rate of work with a limited bottleneck. The bottleneck will be created by fatigue (I don’t want to keep doing) as opposed to an inability to perform the movement anymore (ie - back to back to back LLRCs). If these movements create a bottleneck for you or your athlete, then the test is a bit too hard for them.

I’ve watched people perform this workout both in person and from video recordings many many times. Really good scores are in the low seven minutes and faster. What’s your score?

I think I did this test one time, and I was around 10-11 minutes or so. I died!

Thruster - 95lb/65lb
Deadlift - 225lb/155lb

—Michael

Fitness Coach Mastery

The seminar is named as such for a simple reason. Myself, as well as any attendee, are on the path of mastery. Meaning, we are working to improve our craft. This is not to say that I have “figured it out “. Because, that is certainly not the case. I have by no means “figured it out“. I am like the people in this picture, I have strengths and weaknesses too.

This seminar, which will likely be the last one I create, has been a work of extreme love and passion. It allowed me to discuss topics, to develop my ideas, and to lay them out in a more expensive format.

It took me many years to even get to the point of starting development of the seminar. I have spent an incredible amount of time (for me) working on it.

The process for finalizing it would be something like this… after we would get our children to sleep, I would basically spend 2 hours per night, 4 to 5 days per week for several months working to put the information and slides together.

That said, like I would tell any individual pursuing a goal in Fitness, the outcome cannot be your only purpose. The purpose must be in the act itself. I am not content because of the outcome of my efforts, I am content because of experiencing what went into it. That experience is mine alone.

The group of coaches pictured here were an absolutely fantastic collection of individuals. Wonderful ideas, great ability and generous with their time. I cannot thank them enough for all their attention and participation over the last 7 weeks.

My plan is to offer this seminar once per year. Maybe I’ll see you at the next one.

—Michael