PAIN & SORROW, I thank you!
When I dropped out of grad school back in 2001, I had
gone through a bout of confusion and depression as I
tried to discover my place in the world.
In that time of pain and sorrow I began studying the works
of a man named Abdul Baha. His words literally changed
my mind and behavior towards all of life.
On of my favorite quotes of his is, “Be generous in
prosperity and thankful in adversity.”
In a day and culture where the pervading narcissistic
character of most people centers all of its attention on
ego gratification as opposed to values and character
development…
Many people ask me “why would I be thankful in adversity?”
Well, the very same reason why we lift heavier and
heavier weights in order to teach our muscle and nerves
to get stronger, our character is challenged and strengthened
by adversity.
So, as I am grateful for the challenges of strength training,
I am just as grateful for the challenges in life.
To get stronger you MUST be tested.
And you’ll always get the tests that YOU personally need
most to strengthen your weaknesses.
Also, you will never be offered a test that The Creator feels
you can not pass.
The “Great Coach” knows just how strong you can become,
and will give you the most challenging tests that he knows will
build you up.
Here is a video that I created several months ago for a friend
who was going though tough times.
The quote in the video is also from Abdul Baha. If you like
it please share it with others who may need a boost.
Today, while you are stuffing your face with pumpkin pie and
apple cider… just remember that “Strength is often sprouted
in the soil of pain!”
(You can tag me with that quote on Facebook!)
Thank you PAIN & SORROW,
Elliott “The Incredible” Hulse
Categories: Motivation, Strong Body, Strong Character Tags: abdul baha, adversity, inspiration for hard times, Motivation, thankfulness
The Truth About Psyching Up
Blood curdling, Primal Scream at the top of his voice… aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!
Slapping himself in the face with both open hands. whap, whap, whap, whap!
Punching the padded gymnasium walls until his fists were numb. pap-pap, pap-pap, pap-pap!
Sprinting full speed at a wall and then as he approaches the wall he leans back and begins sprinting UP THE WALL!
This, all in the name of getting FIRED UP!
Yep, that was me.
When I played high school football I was that kid that always seemed to be the most fired up. I would bang helmets with my teammates, shout outrageous affirmations like “I kill entire tribes and eat their young!”; I even scraped the word KILL vertically on my helmet to ensure opposing lineman that I intended to do nothing short of murdering them.
And of course, I was the shining example for the other players as to how to get psyched up… that’s why I was usually the player to lead the team onto the field carrying the Baldwin Bruins team flag.
College was different.
Completely by accident, I discovered the power of visualization.
During my rookie year of college football a movie about dinosaurs called Jurassic Park was released. In the movie were these highly skilled, quick and viscous, meat eating lizards called the Velociraptor (or Raptor for short). I fell in love with the athleticism and ferocity of these bad-ass creatures and even bought some toy models of them to play with (always a big kid!).
Well, before games I would sit in my locker and imagine that I was a Raptor!
There in my locker I would close my eyes and visualize myself as a Raptor sprinting down field on a kick-off where I honed in on my prey (the kick returner) with desperately hungry intention to literally devour him! — I could see myself sprinting, with impregnable focus, maneuvering around anything that came between me and my desire… and then as I approached my prey I’d attack him as if my life depended on it.
An example of this type of focus:
Today, as I have competed in both the business world and as a professional strongman I continue to use several motivation / inspiration techniques in order to deepen my desire, sharpen my focus and strengthen my fortitude…
But there is a BIG DIFFERENCE between how I go about getting “psyched up” as a coach, pro athlete, father and businessman… and when I was a crazy kid full of “piss and vinegar.”
And the truth is that experience had shown me that my new methods for getting fired up are far, far, FAR more effective than when I was younger… AND the tools that I am going to teach you are scientifically sound and so powerful that they’ve been used by martial artists and gurus to exhibit feats that most would insist are impossible!
First, let’s get something clear… there are two types of motivation:
Extrinsic Motivation vs. Intrinsic Motivation
Extrinsic Motivation is stimulated via an outside-of-the-body stimulus (or extrinsic).
This can be achieve by the use of something like yelling; slapping yourself; listening to high tempo / heavy beat music; watching a motivational clip; listening to a motivational speech and with stimulants such as ephedrine, cocaine or coffee.
The problem with this type of “motivation” is that it is FAKE.
- It is shallow, never penetrates the level of base emotions (anger, anxiety, rage, etc)
- It is temporary, never lasts long enough to carry you through challenges and adversity. And in the case of music and movies… what happens when the music stop or the high wares off?
- It is draining, most extrinsic motivation drains your catabolic hormones, energy and can lead to adrenal fatigue… this is BAD if you actually have a game to play after you’ve gotten your feather all ruffled!
Intrinsic Motivation rises up from within. It comes from your heart and deepest intentions.
Intrinsic motivation comes from within. It is a deep reservoir of intention that resides within AT ALL TIMES. It is always there, you never have to “turn it on”. This burning fire can be accessed by using a few simple “Jedi Mind Tricks” that I will teach you later.
The great thing about this type of REAL motivation is that, well… it’s real!
- It is calm, focused, mature YET outrageously powerful. It can be compared to a mighty river.
- It is enduring and never fades away, or can’t be taken away!
- It ENERGIZES you all the days of your life. It gives you the drive to work with no sleep; train when others are tired; focus when chaos ensues and brings all of your latent powers together in order animate your TRUE greatness.
As you can see… most athletes and high achievers are going about psyching themselves up with superficial, inferior and essentially ineffective tools. Music and Tony Robins CDs stop motivating you a few moments after your iPod battery dies.
But INTRINSIC motivation, that lives deep within your soul, can easily be accessed by using techniques such as “emotional triggering”, and NEVER DIES!
Oh, and now when I compete (and whoop ass!) in strongman or need to motivate myself for anything else, I simply stoke the “internal flames” and then use my favorite emotional trigger.
See it here:
Categories: Motivation, Recent Posts, Strong Character, Uncategorized Tags: get pumped up, inspiration, Motivation, motivational songs, psyching up
What Is Your Science For Psyching Up?
Watch this motivational video that displays the many different ways that athletes get themselves psyched up for winning! After you watch the video leave a comment about your BEST “Science For Psyching Up”
here is the link I mention in the video: http://www.hulsestrength.com/page/science-of-psych-join.html
My Success Mentors
Whenever starting out in any new endeavour of which I have little or no experience, the first thing I do, is as Brian Tracy says, “Find one who has achieved what you will, and imitate their every move.”
Basically, find someone (a mentor) who you can “Copy Cat”.
Throughout my life I have entered into and out of several developmental stages, each of which required a new mentor for me to “Copy Cat”.
Since most of my interest lies in the realms of Personal Development, Spirituality, Relationships, Health And Business as I described in a previous post => Elliott Hulse’s Personal Development Secrets , my mentors have been consistent with these ideals.
Below are a few short clips of a few the men who have helped shape my mind, manners, life and aspirations. Often, it was just a simple statement or a “tip” from one of these gentlemen that drastically altered the direction of my life.
Today, I seek to “Pay It Forward” by serving others with my experiences through this blog and with my in-depth personal development or business courses like the “How To Start Your Own Warehouse Gym” course.
Brian Tracy
Paul Chek
Edmund Hulse (My Father)
Earl Nightingale
OSHO
Ralph Waldo Emerson
PS – Oh, have you gotten my FREE CD yet? ==> “How To Start Your Own Warehouse Gym”
PSS — I’d love to hear about your mentors or any book, movie or song that has been supportive to you in achieveing goals and becoming a STRONGER man!!
Just comment below!
Categories: Motivation, Recent Posts, Strong Character Tags: brian tracy, chek, emerson, mentor, Motivation, osho, Personal Development, Success
Burning Boats & Achieving Goals
This video is a follow up to last months, Truth About Fitness Business & Marketing video.
A common fault of people aiming towards a particular goals is that they look for reasons why they CAN’T before creating a plan that says they CAN.
Learn how using the Pirate tool of “burning your ship” can help to assure the achievement of even the most daunting goals.
Hey, if you are a Strength Coach or Personal Training need some more inspiration to start your own “strength camp” business, read My Personal Trainer Story
And be sure to sign up for the “early bird” list where I am releasing my Strength Camp Business Blueprint later this month.
Click here==> http://www.WarehouseGymBusiness.com
Categories: Fitness Business, Motivation, Recent Posts, Strong Character Tags: burning boats, business, Motivation, pirates
Pain = Growth, in Strength & Conditioning and life
We live in an age and in a culture where is it admissible to attempt a life void of any discomfort or pain.
We shelter our children from challenges.
We avoid adversity in all regards.
We numb our psychological and spiritual challenges with prescription medication and alcohol.
We seek physical comfort and most are unwilling to test “the flesh” with the virtues of HARD WORK and DISCIPLINE.
Little do most of us understand that we are VIOLATING several Laws Of Nature.
Like Brian Tracey explains in his audio program, “The Luck Factor” – you can not violate the laws of nature without paying the penalty.
These penalties manifest themselves in many of our so-called “Mental Illnesses” and “Diseases”. These man-made afflictions are nothing more than our frustrated and flustered souls seeking refuge by escaping our lifeless, cold and uninspired bodies.
Feel the pain NOW or feel the pain LATER.
Look, if you are comfortable living below your potential and content by never challenging yourself mentally or physically… then this is ABSOLUTLY NOT FOR YOU ==> http://www.StrengthCampDVD.com
Categories: Motivation Tags: growth, inspiration, Motivation, pain, self help, self improvement
Motivation vs. Discipline
I awake at 4 AM most mornings of the week.
I do this because of a commitment I’ve made to myself… to meditate daily.
With all of the responsibilities of being a father, husband, business owner Pro Strongman… 4 AM is the only time I have throughout the day to meditate.
There are mornings that I don’t FEEL like getting up… but I still do.
Does this mean that I am highly motivated?
Or is there another secret that allows me to spring out of bed when most people are still drooling on their pillows?
Discover my secret for DOING THE RIGHT THING… whether I feel like it – or not.
Unmotivated? — Then get off your ass and change your life in 100 days! => http://www.hulsestrength.com/recommends/100_days
Categories: Motivation Tags: meditation, Motivation, self discipline
Elliott Hulse’s Personal Development Secrets
I’d love to sit here and tell you…
That I always knew exactly what I was going to be when I grew up.
That I have never been depressed about my life.
That I have never stayed up at night worrying about the future.
But the truth is that even today I meditate on my life, my motives, my mission, my values and my future.
About 5 years ago, when I was lost and depressed I developed a tool to keep me focused on personal development.
For the first time ever, I am revealing the secret words that changed my life.
Categories: Motivation Tags: business, elliott hulse, family, god, life, Motivation, personal development tool
How to make moolah the fun way
I often tell friends, coaches and fitness clients, “You not only owe it to yourself to earn a living by DOING WHAT YOU LOVE MOST, but you owe it to God and the rest of humanity too.”
If you were meant to – play the tuba, paint murals, dance on tables or coach athletes… YOU MUST DO IT! For you to feel compelled by extrinsic forces and commit your life to a cause or purpose of which you have no passion, you are no better than a bird trying to bark or a fish living out of water.
We each have a role and a duty to fulfill which contributes to the evolution of Mankind. We must each take into account our true calling and then commit whole-heartily to fulfilling that calling… regardless of what others may think AND in the absence of succumbing to fears. When everyone does this – Earth will be a better place to live.
Of the utmost importance in this matter is your willingness to – LEARN how to conquer your fears and follow the lead of one “who has been there”. (no sense in re-creating the wheel)
I’ve spend my life coaching athletes and fitness clients to get in extraordinary shape using my formal education and experience to guide me.
Since opening my own “gym”, learning to build websites and how to earn money through my passions I have emersed myself in the study of business building and most importantly MARKETING. I’ve used the same intensity to learn and apply this stuff as I did with fitness.
Today – I again use my formal business education (over $10,000 in courses, seminars and coaching) and experience to help other “Rebel Fitness Business” owners to take the necessary steps and action towards their dream of building an Information Business or Fitness Services.
Here are the blogs of a few of my students:
Ryan Magin - (BMX Professional) has created his own DVD, “BMX Strong” that sells on his blog for $19-$60 a pop. Rayn has no intention of ever getting a real job, he is committed to bringing his passion to the world and to get paid well for it. Check out his blog www.RyanMagin.com
Donnie Kiernan - (Army) has created a blog aimed towards helping people who would like to join the Army get in shape for their physical testing. Donn is is currently working on a product that will sell for $39 that will help these guys out BIG TIME. There is nothing wrong with making money by helping people! Check out his blog www.TrainToStandard.com
Jimmy Lamour - (Sports & Fitness Coach) This guy has impressed my since I got his first e-mail. Jimmy not only talks the talk, he walks the walk by using himself as a guinea pig. Now, he is offering fitness boot camps and is an affiliate for several fitness products on his blog. Not an official student but a guy who is earning a living doing what he loves most by learning from those around him. Check out his blog and his camp http://wwwthechamber-jimmy.blogspot.com/
We live in the greatest country in the world and in the best time in history to take full actions towards self realization. Never has there been more opportunity for strong-willed and committed SERVANTS to bless our brothers and sisters our skills and passions.
Support human evolution… do what you love most and serve people with it. We have enough human anchors and psychic vampires to go around.
Do something that’s worth the oxygen you breathe! -> http://www.hulsestrength.com/coaching/
Categories: Fitness Business, Motivation Tags: Fitness Business, Motivation
The truth about D1 Football walk-ons…
I don’t know about you, but I’ll bet that most folks who are struck with a great idea or a inclination to shoot for a HUGE goal immediately shoot themselves down with negative self talk or are quickly discouraged by those who are “just being realistic.”
“Within the every goal are the seeds for its fulfillment”, once said W Clement Stone. The mere fact that you have a desire for something means that you have the ability to obtain it.
Here is a question that I got from one of my readers and Football Strength System customers this week:
Hey Coach Elliott,
I just graduated from high school. I was not as good as I could have been. I was plagued by injuries. I broke my thumb in the 5th game of my senior year in football. I had 3 pins put in it. I recovered just in time to play goalie for my school’s soccer team. We had the first ever winning record in our school’s soccer history (about 7 years) and made the playoffs. I however got kicked in the 3rd to last game of the regular season and had a level 3 ankle sprain. I was in a splint for a week, a cast for 3 weeks, a boot for a week, and then an ankle brace for 4 more weeks. It still bothers me to. Well because of these injuries i have been unable to work out much over the last 9 months and it’s starting to show. My goal and the reason i purchased your book is because I would like to get strong and fast enough in the next year to try to walk on to my college’s football team next year. I know that is possible except that I am going to the University of Alabama which is a major D1 college. Do you think my goal is possible or completely ridiculous? Please be honest with me. Regardless of what you say I still plan to work out using the stuff in your book Football Strength System. Currently I am 6′ tall and weigh around 170. Do you think you can help me develop a work out routine to accomplish my goal?
- Kory
Kory,
The first thing that you need to start doing is, STOP GETTING INJURED! Shit happens, but you’ve got to cultivate an attitude that says, “I NEVER get injured, just a little banged up”. Your ‘Self Explanatory Style’ dictates much of the results you receive in life. Never speak of your situation in negative terms or let anyone else speak about you in this way.
The most important thing that you can do is assess the way you are thinking and speaking, and then adjust it to support you. For example, in February I was battling with a cold. I WASN’T SICK! Nor would I allow anyone to even ask me if I was “sick” – I was simply, Fighting Something Off!
This set my subconscious mind, which in some way controls my immune system, to FIGHT MODE… a resourceful state to be in, when Fighting Something Off.
When you say, “I am sick” or “I am injured” you have associated all of your being with a weakened state. It’s just like saying ” I am stupid” or ” I am useless”… how much more resourceful would the phrase – “I’m still learning” , be?
Another point… you are always BECOMING! You are a PROCESS and are never static. Always aim to phrase your assessments of your situation in that manner. Never say “I am poor.” YOU are not poor… you may not be in the possession of much money, but you are never poor. To phrase it in terms of a process, you may say, “I am building my fortune.” or “I am leaning how to make more money.”
To quote you and to assess your Self Explanatory Style lets examine your phrase,
“I was plagued by injuries”.
You weren’t “plagued”, you were just recovering from a few bumps and bruises.
My point is not to make light of your situation but to make you (and anyone reading this) aware of how insidious Negative Self Talk can be. Most people are negative, and they will puke all of their negative vomit all over you if you are not aware. Notice if you are using the language of winners or losers.
Sure, you DID break your finger and you DID sprain your ankle… but how you think and subsequently, how you speak about the situation is more important that the so-called facts about it. Facts are relative. So, please don’t be offended.
Now, about walking on to The University Of Alabama’s football team.
You ask me if I think your goal is “possible or completely ridiculous”. If you’ve read my book The Football Strength System, you KNOW that I would never tell you that your goals are ridiculous.
Ridiculous would be to back down and NOT try to walk on. Put realistic aside for the moment. You make possible what you COMITT to making possible.
How does this list sound for realistic:
1. I can talk to a man in India via a piece of hard plastic that I carry around in my pocket. (and have him schedule my laundry pick-up)
2. I can jump on a 4 ton hunk of flying metal and take a nap… in a few hours I’ll arrive in Europe.
3. I am sitting in front of a “TV” with a bunch of letter buttons attached to it, writing a letter to some friends who live hundreds of miles away… and they will be able to read it instantly.
Was Columbus “realistic” when he hopped aboard a ship and decided to sail to the “end of the world”?
Was Gandhi “realistic” when he protested English rule?
Was Jesus “realistic” when he walked on water?
Was Kennedy “realistic” when he started the space program and placed a man on the moon?
Was Ford “realistic” when he said that every American will own a car?
Was ATT “realistic” when they said that every home in America will have a phone?
Was Fred Smith “realistic” when he said that packages should be delivered by ‘next day to anywhere in the world, no matter what?
This is shit that we take for granted, but at the time that these people set their goals… everyone thought they were out of their minds!
I tell my kids to dream and COMMIT to their dreams. Most dreamers are just ‘pie-in-the-skyers’. They like to think about making big shit happen but they never COMMIT to making it happen. Edison failed at making the light bulb work over 15,000 times, but he didn’t give a shit – he was committed to make it work and it did. And thats one of the SECRETS, you may not succeed the first time, second time or third time but you KEEP GOING!
You may fall on your face 10 times before you reach your goal but it doesn’t matter – you are committed! Most people “pack it up” and run at the first sign of a true challenge or in the face of “failure”. Don’t be afraid of failure. Learn from your mistakes and try again!
Perhaps Im a little psycho, but I dont give a shit. If you wanna be an freakin astronaut, be it! If you wanna, play pro ball, play it (look at the Doug Fluties and Kurt Warners) If you want to move trash for a living, then GREAT – just do it with 100% of your heart and soul and be the best goddam trash collector in the freaking world!!!
You asked me to make a program for you to follow. You dont need any other program than the one in my Football Strength System. The most important muscel to exercise for you right now is that of your attitude. I say – “MAKE shit happen!”
Keep us posted brother!
