Functional Path Training

Are you going to slow down? Why?

I was asked the other day why I am not slowing down, the person asking stated that I have been coaching 44 years you are 67 years old why don’t you kick back? Real simple it is not in my DNA. My passion for coaching and teaching runs deep. I sense no decline in my desire. I am addicted to learning and obsessed with self-improvement. It took 40 of coaching and 62 years of life to begin to figure this all out so why not take advantage of the lessons learned from my successes and failures. I have learned how important it is to define yourself and follow your heart. It is too easy in today’s world to let others define you and get pulled in many different directions. I am looking forward to having the most productive and satisfying years of my life sharing with other coaches the lessons I have learned and continuing to coach young people to help them achieve their dreams of excellence on and off the field, court, track and pool. I watched an interview last night with Willie Nelson, at age 81 he has brought out a new album, he still performs over a 100 shows a years and trains everyday. He could kick back, but why should he? Willie is one of my heroes. In our so-called golden years I say just turn the lights up brighter and get on the road again. I am off to Ireland and Scotland next week to teach and learn. The journey continues.

GAIN VII - 2014

It seems like just yesterday that 22 of us gathered at the Holiday Inn Sports Complex in Sunrise Florida for the first GAIN. Today at Rice University in Houston Texas we start the seventh iteration of GAIN with 42 attendees (20 new attendees and 22 returning) and 12 instructors. From day one it has been special but it keeps getting better each year. Why? Because of the people, the amazing instructors and attendees willing to share and question to learn to be better at their craft. It has grown into a wonderful learning community. It is certainly the highlight of my year. The energy, camaraderie, knowledge and passion sustain me. I want to thank all of you that have made GAIN special, the attendees, Rice University Track & Field staff, the sponsors and above all my wife Melissa who does all the behind things that make it work. Hopefully you will join us next year.

GAIN VII Theme

Focus on the process of developing athletes from their first step in the sport to the step onto the podium.

The GAIN goals are:

Provide a career defining educational experience for all involved

Define the field of Athletic Development

Reinforce the concepts that:

Training = Testing and Testing  = Training

Training = Rehab and Rehab = Training

Failure - A viable option?

I find it interesting how popular failure has become. Experts are writing books about how important failure is. There are blog post and comments galore. Hate to say I told so, but I discovered how important failure was over fifty years ago. I was a thirteen-year-old ninth grader and I failed miserably in school. A grade of C was a good grade, heck I could not even take PE maybe my only chance to get above a C because of Osgood Slaughters disease in my knees. Many people wanted to define me as a failure but thank God my parents did not, nor did I. My failure in Math and English drove me. I needed to figure out a way. I persisted, sure there where times when I gave up and threw my algebra book against the wall in frustration, but then I picked it up and went back at it. The same was true in sports; I was essentially a year too young for my grade in school. I was runt and then I grew, eight inches in ten months. What a mess. No idea where my hand was in relation to my face, my feet to my hips, but I was determined. I had an older brother who was a great athlete; I was determined to follow in his footsteps. I got better as an athlete; I did it on persistence, grit and determination not talent or ability whatever they are. I realize now fifty plus years latter that the failure fueled me, they drove me on, they made me more determined than ever to achieve. I guess I never thought of them as failure, I certainly did not think they were learning opportunities as I teach to my athletes now. I learned from them though, somehow I got past them and earned a college degree, a masters degree from Stanford (A school whose name I could not spell in ninth grade), played college football and competed in decathlon as a post collegian. I continue my work toward an advanced degree in the school of life. I continue to make mistakes, to take chances to stumble and fall forward. At age sixty-six I may not be smarter but I am significantly wiser. I think I know what I don’t now and work everyday to close the gap between what I do know for sure and what I don’t know (Huge chasm). That is what gets me out of bed in the morning; it drives me to be better. So failure is an option, but failure is not final, it represents an opportunity. Take advantage of the opportunities failure presents – go for it!

We

If it is to be it is up to me we. Success is not about me, it is about we, it is about collaboration, working together with other people to achieve a shared goal. You can’t do it alone. You need a support team. That support team can be as big or as small as you need it to be. For me my support team consists of friends, professional colleagues, mentors, and above all family. The Lone Ranger had Tonto, Holmes had Watson, Butch had Sundance, Jobs had Wozniak, Watson had Crick  just a few example of famous teams. Make sure your team is not composed of ‘yes men” people who always agree. Dissent is healthy in fact it is productive. Otherwise you have intellectual incest where the same ideas are continually passed around and no progress is made. Successful people have colleagues or affiliations, it very tough to go it alone. Build your team to be the best you can be.

2012 Looking Back

Each year at this time of year I look back on the previous year just completed and as I get older I find myself looking back increasingly over years gone past. I do this not for nostalgic reason rather I do it to gain perspective to more forward. Much like a rower in a single scull sits facing away from the direction they row, they must look back to move forward effectively. The end of the year is a time for reflection and analysis. Each day is special, so do something to make each day special for yourself and for someone else. Family is special; it is too easy to lose sight of this in pursuit of a career. True friends are special – those who are willing to tolerate your mistakes and stay with you during the good and bad times. I am looking forward to 2013; it will mark my 44^th year coaching. I stopped making resolutions years ago, rather each year I try to renew my resolve. I simply want to keep improving as a person and as a coach. I want to continue to honor those people who have helped me and to help others to achieve their potential. I will continue to do what I do not for recognition but for the fact the pursuit of excellence has it’s own rewards. Have a happy and healthy 2013.

Happy Holidays

Best wishes to all for a happy holiday season. We have much to be thankful for in this crazy world we live in. Take a moment amid all the revelry to give thanks for all the good things we have, the good people and family who have enriched our lives. Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. I am looking for to sharing more of my ideas and experiences with you in 2013.

Figuring It Out

Life is precious and fragile. The passing of Steve Jobs and the outpouring of accolades and the review of his accomplishments and philosophies only served to remind of the fragility of life. How special life is and how important it is to live each day as if it is our last. It took me 62 years to figure this out! Two years ago yesterday, Jed Anderson, my brother-in-law and friend passed away. I got to spend three precious days with him in November 2009, when he was terminally ill. I knew it would be the last time I would see him. Seeing and experiencing the dignity and courage he showed in his illness woke me up. It made realize how special family and close personal relationships with friends. How LOVE is a word not to tossed around lightly or taken for granted. How important relationships, giving and helping other is. Jed may not have been Steve Jobs, but he changed his world with his impact on his family, friends and community. Reflecting on those three days with Jed made me realize how important it is to take a moment each day to stop and reflect on who you are and to reach out and thank someone special to you. When all is said and done the material accomplishments, the wins and loses, the accolades are meaningless. It is how you live your life. Admit your faults and mistakes. Do some small things everyday to make your world and a better place and those around you better. Thank you Jed for opening my eyes, you are with us everyday in spirit.

2011 Lessons Learned - Lesson Nine

Lesson Nine – It is important to stand up for what you believe in and if you are wrong to admit it. Valuing honesty, respect, integrity and professionalism does not make you a bitter old man, it makes you a wise. In today’s world of quick fixes, fast information and instant Internet experts it is easy to lose sight of substance and strong foundational beliefs. Being an excellent coach is being an excellent person, it is not about being the smartest and most verbal, it is about having meaning and purpose in everything you do. One of my core beliefs going back to my first year coaching is that “the pursuit of excellence has it’s own rewards,” everything I have seen and learned this past year has reinforced that.

Ahead in 2012 and beyond I am looking forward to learning and challenging myself to keep getting better. I am forever thankful for my family and my roots and those who have helped me along way.

Curt Gambetta’s Art Exhibit - Office Light

Parenting is much like coaching. You teach, you encourage, you guide, you get frustrated and then you turn them loose to spread their wings and fly. It was so cool to see my son Curt spread his wings and fly Friday night. Curt presented his art project at the Lawndale Art Center in Houston Texas. It was so neat to see his ideas come to fruition. From when he initially got the idea it was at least six years in the making. Curt is a 2002 graduate of Vassar College where he majored in Political Science. In 2009 he got his masters in Architecture from Rice University in Houston. He is now the Peter Reyner Banham Fellow at the University of Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning for the academic year 2011-12. This project  titled “Office Light” is an outgrowth of some initial work he did with light in 2005. Here are some pictures:

  

Back in the USA

It is good to be back home even it is only for eight days before I leave for Scotland. The trip down under was wonderful. Over the next few days as I get caught up I will share with you some of the things I learned. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who was so helpful: Glynnis Nunn of the Australian Track & Field Coaches Association (The winner of first Olympic Heptathlon in 1984 and a wonderful person). My good friend and colleague Dean Benton, Performance Director of the Brumbies for doing the initial legwork to get this trip off the ground. It was an honor to present to his staff and their world-renowned coach Jake White, coach of the 2007 Rugby World Cup winning Springboks. Bill Sweetenham for inviting to present to the Podium Forum at AIS. Getting to finally meet Bill after all these years was very special. He is an icon the coaching world. Thanks to all the folks at the Western Australian Track & Field Coaches Association for finally getting me to Perth, a corner of the world that I definitely will come back to. A special thanks to Phil King for a great four days in Melbourne and allowing me to work with his athlete, Jana Pittman. Lachlan Penfold, Performance Director Sydney Roosters ARL, my good friend and colleague for hosting me the last four day in OZ and allowing me to brainstorm on training with his staff. Rob Medlicott for the wonderful luncheon on Sunday with some old friends. Australia is a special place for me. From my first visit in 1996 I fell in love with the place because of the warm and friendly people, the great coaches eager to learn and share and the national passion for sport. In my little world that is very special. I am already looking forward to the next visit and I have only been home for twelve hours. This visit epitomized what is so special about sport and coaching. The friendships and connections with people are so special, it transcends wins, loses medals and championships.