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Episode 67 – Q & A with Coop
Today we are staying warm by the fire and doing a long overdue Q+A session.
We have a pretty long list of emails that we get after every show and I want to make sure that I give my attention to some of these because they are really good! I won’t be addressing questions addressed on previous Q & A episodes as those have already been talked about however, be sure to check out Episode 30 for more great questions and answers:
If you need help, you can watch our free videos that will help you transform your business here.
Be sure to check out Two-Brain Business 2.0 on Audible.com!
In this Question and Answer Session:
What are the things I wish I had updated in the original Two-Brain Business audiobook?
Is adding an "open gym" service to your CrossFit box a mistake? When is it the right move?
The "employee vs contractor" debate for a CrossFit box
Why do I always say, “Ask your clients what they want" instead of "How to give your clients what they need.”
What are my top tips for content marketing?
Why should you pay for the mentoring program when I publish so much stuff for free?
How do I fill CrossFit Kids classes?
Who are my mentors and why is having a mentor important?
Why do I want to be a landlord instead of coach?
What should you follow the intramural open with?
Why do I talk about profit so much? Isn’t that secondary to how many clients you have?
Why does Help First talk about other service industry businesses?
Timeline:
0:57 – Question and answer session introduction
2:11 – What are the things I wish I had updated in the Two-Brain Business audiobook?
2:58 – Is adding an open gym service to your CrossFit box a mistake? When is it a good idea?
5:28 – The "employee vs contractor" debate for a CrossFit box
6:53 – Why do I always say “ask your clients what they want" instead of "Here’s how to give your clients what they need.”
10:33 – Why it is important to also ask your staff what THEY want in their job
11:15 – My top tips for content marketing
12:16 – The first rule for content marketing: don’t wait
13:25 – The second rule of content production: don’t repeat yourself.
13:49 – The third rule of content production: treat all of your content as fishing nets
15:53 – The number four rule of content production: repeat yourself
16:58 – The number five rule of content production: it doesn’t have to be perfect
18:09 – The number six rule of content production: be a storyteller
19:33 – The seventh rule of content marketing: keep it simple
20:02 – Why should you pay for the mentoring program when I publish so much for free?
21:56 – How do you fill CrossFit Kids classes?
24:55 – Helping parents overcome their fear of CrossFit for their kids
25:38 – Who are my mentors and how do they help?
28:30 – Two-Brain Summit and modeling's place in the mentorship process
30:20 – Why do I want to be a landlord instead of coach?
32:26 – What do you follow the intramural open with to keep that momentum going?
34:45 – Why do I talk about profit so much?
36:45 – Why does Help First talk about other service industry businesses?
Ray Gowlett leads our UpCoach program. He is a former MMA fighter and motocross rider. In addition to this he is a big questioner of authority specifically within the education system. Ray in many ways is a shit disturber and what he doesn’t like is dogma, fake research, and unqualified opinion. If you are part of our UpCoach program you’ve spoken to Ray and you know he bounces around a lot. Today we are talking about the ten basic habits that every coach should have. The UpCoach program develops these qualities as he has learned himself so if you are looking for help within your gym be sure to reach out. Ray’s lectures at the Two-Brain Summit this summer will be amazing. If you have not already register do it now!
Reminder the 2017 Two-Brain Summit coming this June 3rd and 4th in Chicago. Be sure to register now!
Top 10 Habits Every Coach Should Adopt:
Limit your coaching cues when working with clients
Be an expert in personality types so that you can relate to clients effectively
Adapt your coaching style to each client and personality
Give clients what they want and not what you want
See the big picture for your business and your client
Eliminate arrogance within your coaching style
Be wary of the "next big thing"
Learn and become educated to understand evidence and research
Understand the different needs and positions of your clients
Learn the "bend, don’t break" principles relation to exercise
About Ray:
Ray Gowlett is a former professional MMA fighter, motocross racer and current research skeptic. His lab contains almost 600 subjects (it’s a high school) and Ray is constantly seeking new ways to teach and coach. Many of these kids are high-level athletes; just as many don’t want to be in the class at all. He’s always trying new things, but this cross-pollination of students means every innovation has to satisfy two standards:
It has to make people fitter;
It has to make people happier.
Ray coined the phrase we repeat at Catalyst often: “Exercise until you’re happy.” It’s the base of the hierarchy he teaches students. He also teaches research skepticism: how to read and rank the value of “research.” Imagine a generation of people who believe what they read on Facebook: that’s what’s coming, except for the students in Ray’s classes.
Timeline:
1:33 – Ray Gowlett Introduction
2:44 – The top ten really simple coaching habits every coach should adopt
4:02 – The importance of having mentors and coaches throughout your life
4:46 – Coaching Habit 1: Keeping your coaching cues to three or less
9:26 – Coaching Habit 2: Learn about personality types to effectively adapt to clients
11:03 – Personality tools to determine your personality type
12:33 – Coaching Habit 3: Being a different coach for every person
15:23 – Coaching Habit 4: Give clients what they want and not what you want
17:25 – Coaching Habit 5: See the big picture for your business and clients
19:58 – Coaching Habit 6: Eliminate arrogant coaching
22:52 – Ridiculous and arrogant posts from CrossFit box owners
23:35 – Coaching Habit 7: Be weary of the next big thing
25:35 – Cyclical knowledge and trends within the fitness industry
26:23 – Coaching Habit 8: Learning about understanding evidence and research
29:49 – Coaching Habit 9: Sharpening the saw and being critical of new ideas
31:38 – Coaching Habit 10: Understand all the different needs and positions of your clients
33:20 – Understanding projection bias within your program
35:41 – Coaching Habit 11: Be the voice your client wants to hear
38:38 – The way in which you should talk to your clients
39:46 – Coaching Habit 12: Bend don’t break principle
41:26 – The many types of conjugated periodizat
Episode 65 – Mindset
I am always fascinated by the mechanics and emotions of the entrepreneurial brain. There are a lot of highs and lows that you need to buffer against. I am also really into the tools that we can use to be better at it by avoiding shiny objects; dealing with stressors, lawsuits, copy cats; how we can meet people with confidence; and avoid feeling like a salesman. Instead of just one guest, we have four for this episode!
We talk to Sherman Merricks of CrossFit Dynasty, Tommy Hackebruck of Ute CrossFit, Craig Hysell of Conviction Training, and Josh Price of Loco CrossFit all about the entrepreneurial mindset and the tools and skills they use keep their eyes on the prize, keep from being derailed, and avoid stress. Join us for this action packed interview and be sure to take notes!
Reminder the 2017 Two-Brain Summit is coming this June 3rd and 4th in Chicago. Be sure to register now!
In this Interview:
The importance of Focus and its role in the entrepreneurial mindset
Why you should have an emotional reason to succeed
Moving on from anger and focusing on what you can control
Plus:
When to bypass diplomacy and put your foot down
Achieving success by avoiding cognitive overload
The importance of discipline for the entrepreneurial mindset
What IS success?
Today's Guests:
Sherman Merricks of Dynasty CrossFit
Tommy Hackenbruck of Ute CrossFit
Craig Hysell of Conviction Training
Josh Price of Loco CrossFit
Timeline:
1:31 – An introduction to the entrepreneurial mindset
4:24 – The first component of the entrepreneurial mindset is focus
6:46 – How to deal with too many opportunities to choose from
7:39 – Having an emotional reason to succeed
9:07 – Sherman Merricks on setting goals and staying focused
10:31 – An example of an emotional goal to keep you on track and keep you motivated
12:45 – What to do next after hitting an emotional goal?
13:52 – Achieving success with cognitive overload
15:34 – Learning to focus on what’s important the hard way
18:08 – Tommy Hackebruck on focus and obsession despite the circumstances
20:24 – Channeling the inherit skill of focus in the right direction
23:02 – The importance of discipline for the entrepreneurial mindset
26:44 – Dealing with the extraordinary stress of copiers
31:38 – Being pissed for five minutes and then moving on
34:59 – Spending $170,000 training coaches before learning how to filter
36:18 – Josh Price of Loco CrossFit introduction
40:37 – Is help more powerful than anger?
44:11 – A practical way to get into a steady mindset from a state of anger
47:43 – The art of practicing not to be your first thought
48:39 – Having success is necessary for motivation
51:22 – Can motivation occur after being discouraged?
52:24 – Flipping the tables on success
56:46 – Being at rock bottom is a huge advantage
57:51 – The romantic notion of the entrepreneurial grind is false
58:27 – Craig Hysell on how people should define success in the CrossFit industry
59:53 – What are the steps to determine what success is
62:01 – Ineffective leadership by asking the wrong questions
64:04 – When to bypass diplomacy and put your foot down.
65:10 – The best favor you can do for people is to tell them what you want them to do
70:14 – How to choose which ideas to focus on as an entrepreneur
72:44 – The process of saying hell yes or no
Books mentioned during this episode:
Extreme Ownership - U.S. Navy Seals by Jocko Willink
Good to Great by Jim Collins
Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Turning Pro by St
Episode 64 – Training Think Tank
Sometimes I invite a guest on the show because they are nowhere near as popular as they should be. This is the case with today’s guest, Max El-Hag. You will hear a lot of humility from Max in this episode but don’t mistake it, as he has profound knowledge of the fitness industry. In this episode we talk about his company, Training Think Tank, and how it is helping athletes of all sports connect with coaches who are able to advise and train them to the highest abilities. We talk strategy, methodology, and more related to his business and life!
Reminder: The 2017 Two-Brain Summit is coming this June 3rd and 4th in Chicago. Be sure to register now!
In this Interview:
What are the first steps to creating an online training program
Testing Philosophy with remote clients
Do athletes need an individual mindset to be successful?
Plus:
Finding the right balance with the commoditization of intensity
The one message all CrossFit gyms need to hear
Building nutrition into remote training programs
About Max:
Max has had a long career as an athlete and was first inspired by his father who was an Olympic fighter. After qualifying for the CrossFit Games a team and making it to Regionals as an individual, Max decided that coaching is what truly inspired him. At this point Max coached many clients from models and future NFL stars to ultra-runners and CrossFit athletes. He now runs Training Think Tank, a company that focuses on remote coaching, educational courses, and online programs for athletes and coaches.
Timeline:
0:58 – Training Think Tank introduction
2:41 – The lead up to Training Think Tank with Max
4:52 – Finding CrossFit for the first time
8:05 – Starting out as a personal training prior to CrossFit
9:18 – CrossFit principles mixing into training for fighters
11:10 – How Training Think Tank has grown to where it is today
14:07 – Training Think Tank from a global perspective in today’s world
16:45 – What are the first steps to starting an online training program?
19:09 – Tools needed to start a remote coaching program
20:30 – Testing Philosophy with remote clients according to their goals
23:56 – How often should you be retesting clients on their progress?
25:27 – Building nutrition into a remote training program
28:18 – Keeping workouts nontraditional leading up to the CrossFit Games
32:41 – Different training programs for games athlete’s vs non games athletes
37:00 – Finding the right balance with the commoditization of intensity
41:00 – The top solutions gym owners take away from Max’s program
45:03 – Recommending group training to individual clients
46:20 – Do games athletes have to have an individual mindset to be successful
47:50 – Firing individual clients when it’s not working out
49:43 – Keeping clients compliant with the program
51:06 – Giving athletes a win when you know they are down
54:49 – Creating a template for your clients leading up to the CrossFit Open
56:10 – Establishing a format of training for your gym
59:18 – Where should a client look to do individual training in a group training gym?
61:03 – How to implement a culture of one on one training in your gym
63:16 – The one message all CrossFit gyms need to hear
Contact Max:
https://www.trainingthinktank.com/
max@trainingthinktank.com
https://www.facebook.com/trainingthinktank/
https://www.instagram.com/trainingthinktank/
Episode 63 – OPEX
Today we are joined by two very special guests from OPEX. James “OPT” Fitzgerald joins us as well has his business partner Jim Crowell. James Fitzgerald was one of my primary motivators when I first started CrossFit. James started OPEX soon after moving to Arizona which has become one of the most popular training programs in the world. Now on the eve of the rollout of the OPEX physical location gyms, James and Jim join me to discuss the OPEX model, how it works, program design, and flaws they see in the group model.
Reminder the 2017 Two-Brain Summit is coming this June 3rd and 4th in Chicago. Be sure to register now!
Contact:
Contact: http://opexfit.com/
Timeline:
1:31 – James OPT Fitzgerald & Jim Crowell introduction
5:10 – Optimum Performance Training to OPEX: The story
7:47 – What do the day-to-day operations of the OPEX gym look like?
8:30 – Jim’s story and how he fits into OPEX
9:48 – What is the OPEX model and how is it different?
10:41 – What does the intake process look like for a new client in the OPEX gym?
12:24 – How does an absolute beginner learn when they are brand new?
13:17 – Movements for a brand new client post first assessment
15:15 – How to determine when a client is ready for more complex exercises?
18:32 – Is there a point where you restrict your clients from pushing further?
23:12 – How frequently is the ongoing prescription for a client?
25:27 – Helping clients realize that the gym is individualized
26:44 – Reassessing with clients and upping their training program
28:44 – How OPEX incorporates nutrition and broader lifestyle choices for clients
32:30 – An example of a burned-out client and how to give them a break
34:18 – High-intensity fitness and its effect on coaches
36:46 – Is there a place for individual and group training in the same gym.
39:03 – Ensuring that each client is receiving equal attention in a group workout session
41:03 – The important relationship between a coach and a client
42:01 – How to deal with a client that needs more attention than others
44:09 – The business model for brick and mortar OPEX gyms
46:28 – The long term vision for OPEX
48:50 – How to get your brand name out there to the masses
50:07 – Fine-tuning the structure of OPEX for continued scaling in the future
52:48 – How is OPEX best positioned to meet emerging opportunities and join the tribe
54:45 – Certain things that OPEX used to recommend but no longer does
57:35 – What is retention like for brick and mortar OPEX locations
60:57 – Who determines the pricing model for each OPEX gym
64:05 – What systems come with the OPEX license?
67:24 – What is the coach’s compensation model in an OPEX facility?
69:01 – Who are the mentors to James and Jim?
73:56 – Best advice for entrepreneurs in the fitness industry
Episode 62 – The Power of Stories
Today we talk about using the power of stories to help grow your business, help your clients, and help you live a better life. Today I share some personal stories and strategies for how to connect better with clients when telling a story. I also talk with Jason Cohen about how he is using the power of stories to help veterans with PTSD.
The 2017 Two-Brain Summit is coming this June 3rd and 4th in Chicago. Be sure to register now!
In this Interview:
Plus:
About Jason:
Jason Cohen is a former Marine where he was originally introduced to CrossFit. After five years he retired from the Marine Corps and got his degree at the college of Charleston. Jason then started coaching full time. He is now the founder of SemperFit Squad, a company that provides workout plans based around stories to help veterans with PTSD.
Timeline:
0:57 – The true power of great stories
1:56 – A personal story about Greg Glassman
3:20 – An introduction to telling great stories
4:09 – The hero’s journey within a great story
5:50 – The hero’s journey boiled down more simply and applied
7:33 – Why does the hero’s journey matter to you?
7:59 – Making Joe the hero of his own story
17:13 – The real happy ending for a client
17:39 – How does a coach fit into a story?
18:17 – Jason Cohen Introduction
19:03 – Jason Cohen’s Story
20:57 – How stories can help veterans diagnosed with PTDS
23:54 – Compelling someone with PTSD to get started exercising
25:43 – The gamification of exercise and CrossFit
27:06 – Moving people from extrinsic to intrinsic motivation
27:51 – Placing people into life like stories within a CrossFit gym
30:41 - Drawing people in to stories where they feel like the hero
31:14 – How does placing someone in a scene help someone with PTSD?
32:40 – Developing a platform for veterans in need with PTSD
33:35 – Where to find Jason’s scenarios to try them out
36:14 – Getting wrapped up in a story
37:05 – Where the mentor, or coach, in the hero’s journey comes in
39:36 – The first test for a client, the social test
41:44 – The second great test for a client, becoming injured
44:51 – The implementation of the prescriptive model by creating heroes
45:37 – Why are stories so effective for sales and marketing?
49:01 – Testimonials versus a client story
49:59 – A client’s primary barrier to signing up for CrossFit
50:20 – The 2017 Two-Brain Summit Announcement
SAMPLE:
Today's Mission:
It's June 6th 1944: D-Day. You're with the 101st Airborne flying high above the Douve River taking heavy anti-aircraft fire. Your unit's mission is to destroy 2 bridges over the river so the soldiers on Utah beach can push forward. As you approach your jump window, your aircraft takes a hard hit and loses its #2 (starboard) engine. The time to jump is now or never...GO GO GO.
As you hit the ground you check your map and realize you're over 1 click south of your drop zone. You've landed in thick marsh and walking through the mud is like dragging your feet through wet concrete. To make matters worse, you've got to get prone from time to time because enemy patrols saw your open chutes and are on the hunt for you and your men.
Your Mission:
Complete 5 Rounds of:
2
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