My Outliers Story

Malcolm Gladwell's book, Outliers, is a tremendous hit amongst many readers.  

It's been useful for business leaders, teachers, coaches and even athletes.  

Gladwell tells stories and gives examples of how the great become great.  

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If you haven’t read this, pick it up NOW!

The 10,000 hour rule is part of the equation along with purposeful practice, but another key point he discusses is the timing and "hotbed" areas that successful are developed in.  

I've told interns, assistants and colleagues of how I knew I wanted to be a strength and conditioning coach since I was a senior in High School.  

I attended the University of Connecticut and went directly to the varsity weight room to speak with the coaches and let them know my goals and wanted their advice on how to achieve them.  

They fortunately took me on as an observer, that progressed to a volunteer , a student-assistant strength and conditioning coach, and ultimately a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach.  

Through my time at UCONN, I was guided, mentored, and helped some very successful strength and conditioning coaches.  Jerry Martin (Rest in peace) was a constant at UCONN and I am forever grateful that he allowed me to "cut my teeth" in his weight room.  

Other coaches that were there during my time, were Andrea Hudy (University of Texas) and Teena Murray (Sacramento Kings).  These are not only 2 of the BEST coaches in the business, but are industry leaders.  They were outstanding floor coaches, and motivated their student-athletes to be the best they could be.  

Another coach that was there, ended up becoming a good friend, Shawn Windle (Indiana Pacers).  Other classmates that were there during my time have become very good coaches as well, Moe Butler (UCONN), Pat Dixon (AMP) and Matt Herhal (Columbia University).  Being at UCONN taught me how the best became great. I was surrounded by success and a culture of high achievement.

I was also fortunate to intern with Mike Boyle and Walter Norton where I also worked closely with Mike Potenza (San Jose Sharks).  I was surrounded by really great coaching and believed I developed my ability to learn and connect in this environment. All 3 of these coaches are people I consider friends and mentors.  

I also did another internship stop at Holy Cross with Jeff Oliver, where I become good friend with John Pallof, who is one of the BEST Physical Therapists in the country. My time at Holy Cross refined my coaching, improved my ability to develop relationships and really taught me how to coach the human being and not just the athlete.

My point in this post isn't to name drop or let you know who I know.  

My point is that my experiences have shaped the coach I have become - and namely the people that I had the opportunity to work with and learn from.  

I would not be in the position that I currently am without them.  

They allowed me "in" and took their own time to help me.  

I was able to take advantage of the opportunities I was given.

That is something that I am forever grateful for and continue to pay it forward to those that intern and work with me.

Gratitude is something that I’m constantly working on and am grateful for all those that have helped me personally and professionally.