When I was 14 years old I wanted more than anything to make the school basketball team.  I was heartbroken when, on the last day of tryouts, I was cut from the team.  The next day I vowed that this wouldn’t happen again.  

That summer I put all my energy into a strength and conditioning program that would prepare me for any challenge I would face the next year.  Each morning, alone on the playground, I ran sprints, did pushups, chinups and jump squats until I was exhausted. 

When the next year came, I went into tryouts feeling like a well oiled machine.  I out-ran and out-jumped the other players and was ready for more while they were gasping for breath.  That tough summer training paid off when I made the official team roster.  It was one of my proudest moments because I knew that it wasn’t luck or even talent,  it was relentless hard work and proper training that got me there.  

And that’s what I want to teach you.