by Tyler Brandt, National Recruiting Coordinator
Have you ever looked at the pictures of the dogs that look just like their owners? What about when you look at your baby pictures versus your child’s baby pictures? Scientifically, a product refers to “the result of one or more multiplications”. What this means is when the original is multiplied, the result is separate but connected to the original. There is no getting away from that – a derivative of a product is a:
“Product of the Product!”
So the dog looks like the owner, the kids look like the parents and the new model resembles the old model…usually. This is almost always the case regardless of whether the result is good or bad, positive or negative. Invariably this is the situation in athletics. Look at a team and you will see an extension of the coach and the leadership. Look at an athlete and you see the teachings and the coaching of their mentors and coaches – it is inescapable!!!
I stepped on the scale this past Fall and unfortunately verified what I already knew – “ I was extremely overweight!” Tipping the scales at the most I had ever weighed, I decided it was time for a little reflection. I realized that EVEN WITH all of my scientific knowledge (BS & MS in Exercise Physiology) and practical knowledge (12 years as a successful wrestler and 25 years as a successful wrestling coach) I made the conscious decision to use the resources available to me by trying what the Olympians use and starting on a regimen of supplements. After 30 days I had seen results, but then I let my EGO get in the way of continued success. I told myself that “You can do this, you’re an Exercise Scientist and a former college athlete and coach – you got this – you don’t need ANY HELP” so I stopped the promising program to do it myself. Two months later I had gained back the weight I had lost and vaulted to a new “Highest I Had Ever Weighed” category.
Once again I decided to reflect and look at the results of doing things on my own versus doing things with assistance. The decision was easy, I chose to start another regimen of supplements but this time with a different caveat. This round I committed to 3 straight months on the program no matter what. The result was I lost 25 lbs, so I kept using the products and got to 30 lbs, then 35 lbs and now I am starring down the barrel of being 40 lbs lighter since January. What did I learn from this experience? First of all, consistency and commitment are crucial to success. Second, everything is a Product of the Product!
Athletes are a product of their coach, teams are a product of the collective athletes and both will represent what and who the coach is. For instance, if a coach places a team in a lower division to dominate the competition, they probably will dominate, but at what cost? The development of the athletes? The reputation of the coach? When those athletes need to compete against the top talent the result will be – A Product of the Product – they will not be ready!
When I see someone that I haven’t seen in a while they all react the same way – “Wow, you have lost a ton of weight! What are you doing?” I let them know what I am doing to be successful in my goal to lose weight and become healthier. Now they’ll become a product of THEIR product. If they choose to make a change to what they have been doing they will see success and be a product of that change. If they choose to make excuses as to why they can’t or shouldn’t change – they WILL BE a product of that choice.
When you see athletes and coaches in interviews after winning National Championships, rarely do you hear selfish statements like “I was the one who made this happen – without me this would not have been possible – I want to Thank ME, MYSELF and I for having the courage to win this National Title for my team!” What you hear is thank yous to the people who made that Championship possible! They are a product of a team atmosphere, of an open mind, of faith, of accepting help and understanding that they don’t know everything. They allowed themselves to become A Product of the coach and his leadership – they are A Product of the Product. Now ask yourself about the team that didn’t even make it to the National Tournament – are they still A Product of the Product? YES!
What is the PRODUCT that you represent and how are you representing it? What culture are you promoting through the success or failure you are publicly displaying? If you were asked right now to choose between the words SUCCESS and FAILURE to describe your current athletic season which one would it be AND who would get the CREDIT for Producing that Product?
Remember if your team is losing or if your team is winning – they are A Product of the Product – and as the coach you are the Product!!!