ON BEING RAMBO
By Steve “Coach Fury”
Holiner
MFF’s Godzilla Geek, Die Mighty Creator, Master RKC,
Master DVRT, OS Lead Instructor, Strength Faction Mentor.
Let’s face it, win or lose
this year’s election process drained, saddened and angered a lot of us. For me,
the election results were more disappointing than surprising. Someone had to
win. Someone had to lose. I am not judging anyone’s political view here. This
isn’t about politics.
This is about standing up
for what you believe in and being a voice for your community.
STAND FOR
SOMETHING. OR DIE FOR NOTHING.
-JOHN RAMBO
There was a post recently on
social media discussing whether or not fitness professionals should post about
politics. The point of concern was that political discussion would potentially
alienate and/or limit the market they may be able to reach. Spreading fitness
to the largest audience possible was the greater goal over voicing an individual’s
personal political point of view.
I respect that where that opinion
comes from. I also completely disagree with it.
In any business, you should
aim to have the most loyal customer base and not the biggest customer base. You
will not be able to deliver the best product or services if you try to be
everything to anyone. You run the risk of being generic, bland and being lost among
your competitors.
There are thousands of online
coaches and fitness personalities. How does one standout from the crowd? PERSONALITY. INDIVIDUALITY. HONESTY.
For better or worse,
successful fitness professionals and entrepreneurs are themselves. They speak
in their own voice regardless of what the greater population may think. Fully
being oneself to the public is scary. The glory is stepping forward despite the
fear.
THE MORE SCARED WE ARE OF A WORK OR
CALLING, THE MORE SURE WE CAN BE THAT WE HAVE TO DO IT.
-STEVEN PRESSFIELD
What you will find is that a
number of people will deeply relate to what you’re saying. And yes, others will
be turned off. You will connect with those that relate and they will want to
hear more from you. What’s equally important is that these connections will be the
EXACT type of person you want to work with. You will have already established a
common ground. This is how tribes are grown. This is how business flourishes. This
is how we build trust and community. This is how we learn to lead. Don’t shy
away from expressing your point of view. Embrace it. Others will heed your
call. Remember to BE RESPECTFUL to others. My opinion is only greater to me than yours because it's mine. Your opinion should be more important to you because it's yours. Letting folks know where you stand doesn't mean you have to be a dick in the process. Be respectful.
IT’S ABOUT
THE STRENGTH OF THE CONNECTION AND THE MEANING BEHIND THE UNIFIED PURPOSE, NOT
THE NUMBERS.
-SETH GODIN
Aside from on online
presence, let’s look at an even bigger need to be vocal on sensitive topics:
YOUR COMMUNITY!
Regardless of being a coach,
business owner or friend; as human’s we have a responsibility to stand behind
our community. We need to support our tribe! My role as a trainer goes far
beyond programming, counting reps and cueing a bench press. Our tribe allows me
to do what I love. Help people.
Staying quiet to avoid
disrupting some unknown masses has NEVER lead to anything good in this world. I
want the people I train and work for to know I support them. We may not always
agree and that is absolutely fine. However, they will know that I will share my
opinion, discuss and back them when needed.
The world has enough videos
on how to do kettlebell swing. There are times when we need to take a platform
on bigger things. Now I'm not saying that everyone should go out and start writing because I said. I'm saying is that if you feel strongly about something you should share it. And we in the fitness community shouldn't judge you for it. I'll also add that being strategically quiet is different than being silent out of fear.
Freedom comes from realizing we don't have to agree all the time. Open yourself up to that fact and let the world know where you stand.
I hope this resonates with
some of you.
I’m prepared if this turns
some of you off.
Either way, I wish you all
the best.
-Fury out
#diemighty
Along with
creating Die Mighty, Steve “Coach Fury” Holiner is a trainer at Mark Fisher
Fitness in NYC and is an Original Strength Lead Instructor, a Master RKC
Kettlebell Instructor and a Master DVRT Ultimate Sandbag Training
Instructor. Through his leadership roles, Fury travels throughout the U.S. and
internationally to teach. Fury has also written for Mark Fisher Fitness, the
RKC, DVRT Ultimate Sandbag Training, Bodybuilding.com, Details Magazine and his
own website.
He’s also
a big Godzilla fan. Duh!
Want to
dive deeper into Die Mighty? Fury is available for online training and is
teaching workshops.
You can buy DIE MIGHTY SHIRTS and HOODIES here: COACH FURY: DIE MIGHTY GEAR