The Grace Death Method

Why I do what I do...

For the longest time I gave away my time, energy and expertise away for free. At the time, I did it because I felt that if I show them why I love what I do, and was willing to invest in others, they’d either want to do it themselves and love it as much as I do, or see how much they are worth the investment and want to give back to others.

This time last year the team and I were preparing for their first meet in Las Vegas. It was .bagzik, , and .docena . Jeff was in Virginia and met the remaining team members in Vegas. This photo was captured after Jeff did his last deadlift. Words will never describe what I felt in that moment...to see the look on his face and the tears welling up in his eyes. Jeff was like this son to me and to be able to be there for him at the start of this journey and witness him compete on the platform was such a great experience. I was there with my team and sharing the platform with them, the traveling and adventures made me realize that it ISN’T about powerlifting; it’s about the friendships and experiences that come with it.

I do what I do because it makes me feel like I can contribute back to someone doing something that makes sense to me. I love seeing the look on someone’s face when they lift something they once thought was heavy. I love seeing them want to try harder. I love it when they know they’re capable of so much more.

I don’t make much money doing this, and in the past I’ve been s**t on and used. I’ve adjusted my work schedule to accommodate the lifters I was helping, coached for free when I was told they had no money, I left my child with my parents for hours on end to ensure I have enough time to coach those who said they needed me. Despite all that, there are moments like the one captured that trump all the bad experiences I had in Powerlifting. It’s friendships like the ones I have with Jeff and many others that remind me that I’m doing what I should be doing.

“A tribe is a group of people connected to one another, connected to a leader, and connected to an idea. For millions of years, human beings have been part of one tribe or another. A group needs only two things to be a tribe: a shared interest and a way to communicate.” Seth Godin.

This gym family has grown to something more than I ever expected. Often times frequent gym goers are judged for making it a priority over other things. What people don’t realize is that when you making movement and being active part of your lifestyle, going to the isn’t a chore; it becomes something necessary.

I this picture you have:

5 parents
2 single moms
1 grandma
3 people who work 2 jobs
1 person who works 40+ hours and works full time
1 person who is also in the Guard

Powerlifting brought us all together but it is the respect we have for each other and our goals that keep us connected. Even though we don’t always train together, we are connected through communication and always support each others’ efforts.

Find you tribe. Spend your energy on those who give you the same support you give them.