Why I love What I Do

There are three things that, if I had waited until I was completely ready, I never would have done. Get married, have kids, and open my gym. And yet, when I think where I get the most enjoyment and satisfaction in my life right now, it’s those exact three things – my wife, my kids and my business.

That is why it was so difficult to no longer coach in my gym on a daily basis and start GYM MOMENTUM. To share my knowledge and experience.
I’d wanted to take “my show” on the road for a while, but always had excuses. Finally, four years ago, conditions were “perfect”. And by perfect, I mean I had just had my hip replaced, So what better time to forego a regular paycheck and jump off the deep end? What could be better to rehab my hip than set up lectures and clinics through out the country and now the world.

In retrospect, I’m not completely sure what I was thinking. But I can’t imagine doing anything else. In fact, I might be downright unemployable now. I absolutely love what I do, not only because I love the work but because it enables me to meet some truly amazing people.

My goal in life has been to make a positive difference in the life of others in (and out) of the gym. Gymnastics is such a great sport. I am truly lucky to do what I do. In the last 12 months I have taught and lectured at gymnastics conferences and training camps through out all of North America (Let’s see if I can remember where I have been with out checking credit card receipts)
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Vermont, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Oregon, Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota, Iowa, Nevada, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Quebec, Alberta, Ontario, Yukon (in February- WTH was I thinking?)

Outside of North America I’ve taught in
Australia, Iceland, Italy
As this year finishes off, I will be headed back to Canada, then Brazil, Mexico and Hopefully Italy.
(BTW- If You are interested, I still have some open weekends)

Here is a small sample of some of the notes from gymnasts and parents I have received. I treasure each note.

Tony,
I just had to write again and say a huge thank you from all our gymnasts and staff, and from me personally. Not only did we all enjoy every minute of the time with you in so many different dimensions, the doors that you opened for us will have a lasting impact on the direction and success or our program and gymnasts. I had been concerned and nervous that we would have a fun and exciting weekend and then get back into our normal routine and not be able to use the information within our program. I’m incredibly impressed at how you were able to touch on so many facets of what we need, and do it in such a positive and encouraging way. I had told you beforehand that I probably needed some encouragement- I never would have been able to guess at the way in which you were able to offer it to me and us.
The reason people email you after you have left is that it takes time to digest and try out what we have taken from the weekend. This week I have discovered a lot more of what you said or were giving us that I didn’t realize at the time. Probably the biggest one happened 5 minutes before the clinic ended and you were showing progressions for yurchenko drills adding the flip from the mat stack. You mentioned putting it all behind the table and I asked if we had room. Your nonchalant response was “I don’t know- we’ll find out”. Throughout the week I’ve realized that one of the biggest points of the weekend was you giving us tools to launch from and think for ourselves. It is not about following the exact warmup or exact drills, but taking the tools and applying them to our program to discover the best formula that works here- for us. That will be what we work to put together in our coaches meeting today, and something I’m already working to instill in the girls. It has been refreshing this week to see our staff having fun trying out new drills even for classes and applying concepts. Kat’s preschool circuits were much more creative and applicable this week because of the inspiration you gave.
In ways this week was hard for the girls because everyone wants to continue the high of the weekend, and the reality is that we still have season just around the corner. However, I feel like I have a new level of communication with the girls, and they definitely have a new perspective of themselves and the sport that I think will really last.
What this weekend opened for the girls is possibilities in the sport that they never knew existed. What it did for me is show me how I have slowly over time limited my expectations and what our program can accomplish so as to avoid disappointment. This created a ceiling for the girls and for my staff that you showed us doesn’t have to be there. Every coach and parent and gymnast had their expectations exceeded for the weekend and can see it carrying forward.
Everyone is already asking when you are coming back, and some have even asked for specific dates. Once you catch your breath, we would love to to start talking in that direction.

One more quick story- sorry to be long when I know you are at training camp. On Wednesday Mary was at the grocery store. An employee passed out and stopped breathing. Mary- 16 years old, performed CPR and recussitated and saved the man’s life. Doesn’t necessarily directly relate to gymnastics but you did work with her this weekend and I wanted to share and brag- I am so impressed with her…

Have a great weekend- Lillian says hi!